Environmental polymer degradation. This project will use the powerful combination of mass spectrometry and computational chemistry to tease out key aspects of polymer degradation mechanisms under environmental conditions. Society increasingly relies on manufactured polymers but polymer lifespan and fossil fuel reserves are limited. Design principles are needed to guide the synthesis of durable polymers for applications from paints to protective coatings in photovoltaic cells. This project will e ....Environmental polymer degradation. This project will use the powerful combination of mass spectrometry and computational chemistry to tease out key aspects of polymer degradation mechanisms under environmental conditions. Society increasingly relies on manufactured polymers but polymer lifespan and fossil fuel reserves are limited. Design principles are needed to guide the synthesis of durable polymers for applications from paints to protective coatings in photovoltaic cells. This project will establish appropriate guidelines and provide the scientific foundation for the synthesis of robust, long-lasting polymers, or polymers that decompose without damaging the environment. This will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to an industry sector that contributes about 12 per cent of total Australian manufacturing.Read moreRead less
pH Switching of Radical Reactivity and Orbital Conversion. Radicals are reactive species that have an unpaired electron, which is usually located in the highest occupied orbital. This proposal uses a combination of theory and experiment to design a new class of radical anions whose unpaired electron is not the highest occupied orbital, and whose electronic configuration reverts to the normal aufbau configuration upon protonation. These special radical anions will display unprecedented radical st ....pH Switching of Radical Reactivity and Orbital Conversion. Radicals are reactive species that have an unpaired electron, which is usually located in the highest occupied orbital. This proposal uses a combination of theory and experiment to design a new class of radical anions whose unpaired electron is not the highest occupied orbital, and whose electronic configuration reverts to the normal aufbau configuration upon protonation. These special radical anions will display unprecedented radical stability that is pH switchable, as well as ferromagnetism and conductivity upon oxidation. This project will exploit these unusual properties in the design of pH-switchable protecting groups for radicals for synthesis and polymerisation, and determine their role in oxidative stress and enzyme kinetics.Read moreRead less
Understanding and controlling the stereochemistry of free-radical polymerisation. The stereochemistry of a molecule, which relates to the relative spatial arrangement of its atoms, can have a profound effect on its physical and chemical properties. This project will use a computer-guided experimental approach to design new methods for controlling the stereochemistry of the polymers formed in free-radical polymerisation.
Controlling polymer microstructure with structured Lewis acids. Radical polymerisation is the most commercially important polymer process, favoured by industry for its broad scope and relatively low cost and environmental impact. However, its use in the synthesis of 'smart materials' for biomedical applications, molecular electronics and high-performance engineering applications has been hampered by the lack of microstructural control. This project aims to use a complementary combination of theo ....Controlling polymer microstructure with structured Lewis acids. Radical polymerisation is the most commercially important polymer process, favoured by industry for its broad scope and relatively low cost and environmental impact. However, its use in the synthesis of 'smart materials' for biomedical applications, molecular electronics and high-performance engineering applications has been hampered by the lack of microstructural control. This project aims to use a complementary combination of theory and experiment to develop novel structured Lewis acids for controlling the stereochemistry in free-radical polymerisation, and to utilise the recently discovered propagation catalysis conferred by simple Lewis acids to minimise defect structures and thereby improve the thermal and photostability of polymers.Read moreRead less
A Fundamental study into the role of the organic fraction on the toxicity of combustion generated airborne particles. Using a new set of analytical tools this project will for the first time allow a quantified measure of the toxicity of organic compounds condensed on the surface of airborne particles. Understanding the toxicity of particle pollution is essential in controlling the exposure risk to public health.
Developing and applying free radical quantum dots and diamonds: improving the performance of modern artists' paint. As a consequence of the introduction of synthetic materials during the twentieth century, modern works of art are particularly susceptible to free radical mediated deterioration. This project will develop new technology for the detection of free radical damage in these materials, and will inform conservators about their future protection and treatment.
Supercharging antioxidant capacity. This project aims to deliver improved, tailor-made antioxidants that can better protect key biomolecules and other materials against collateral damage from oxidants within cells. Through fundamental chemistry research, this project aims to understand the relationship between antioxidant capacity and molecular structure, and, through computational chemistry, develop a predictive tool. This, in turn, will provide the means to design molecules that better protect ....Supercharging antioxidant capacity. This project aims to deliver improved, tailor-made antioxidants that can better protect key biomolecules and other materials against collateral damage from oxidants within cells. Through fundamental chemistry research, this project aims to understand the relationship between antioxidant capacity and molecular structure, and, through computational chemistry, develop a predictive tool. This, in turn, will provide the means to design molecules that better protect against oxidative processes. The expected outcome is improved technology to heal tissue damage and inflammation caused by enzymes.Read moreRead less
Radicals in unconventional media - improving the sustainability of radical reactions through next generation ionic liquid radical chemistry. Despite significant advances over the past few decades, many free radical reactions are still carried out in organic solvents that are often toxic, flammable, difficult to recycle and employ undesirable reagents. It is timely that new free radical chemistry be developed that moves away from this "conventional" landscape. This proposal will develop a fundame ....Radicals in unconventional media - improving the sustainability of radical reactions through next generation ionic liquid radical chemistry. Despite significant advances over the past few decades, many free radical reactions are still carried out in organic solvents that are often toxic, flammable, difficult to recycle and employ undesirable reagents. It is timely that new free radical chemistry be developed that moves away from this "conventional" landscape. This proposal will develop a fundamental understanding of how free radicals interact with, and react in, (unconventional) ionic liquid solvents. This understanding will lead, in turn, to the development of new, more efficient, free radicals methods for the preparation of important materials that include biomolecules. Reduced environmental impact of free radical chemistry is the ultimate aim of this work.Read moreRead less
Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will ....Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will represent a breakthrough in the field and will have a profound impact by reducing infection rates associated with medical devices and improving airway clearance in cystic fibrosis patients.Read moreRead less
The role of hypohalous acids and related oxidants in the oxidative damage of biological systems: a computational investigation. The aim of this project is to decipher the molecular mechanisms of key reactions involved in oxidative damage to biomolecules. The study will lead to a better understanding of oxidative stress in biological systems and its role in chronic inflammatory disease, heart disease, and cancer.