Active polymer surfaces for control of fluid movement. The realisation of a diverse array of remote or portable chemical/biological monitoring systems depends on the development of low power fluid management protocols. The use of appropriate conducting polymer surfaces should enable this to occur. We envisage the integration of these fluid management platforms into portable, remote autonomous monitoring systems for environmental industrial and biomedical applications.
A Generic Solution for Interfacing Electrodes with Biological Media. Electrodes are the critical element of stimulating implantable devices such as cardiac pacemakers, bionic eyes and cochlear implants, the most commercially successful biosensors, and are emerging as key to new technologies for testing new drug leads using cells. In all these applications of electrodes in biology there has never been a solution to stopping unwanted adsorption of biological material onto the electrode that does ....A Generic Solution for Interfacing Electrodes with Biological Media. Electrodes are the critical element of stimulating implantable devices such as cardiac pacemakers, bionic eyes and cochlear implants, the most commercially successful biosensors, and are emerging as key to new technologies for testing new drug leads using cells. In all these applications of electrodes in biology there has never been a solution to stopping unwanted adsorption of biological material onto the electrode that does not dramatically decrease electrode performance. The proposed research finally provides a solution via surface modification. This strategy will enhance the performance of all the devices above and will open doors to new applications of electrochemistry within biology.Read moreRead less
Raman and synchrotron spectroscopy of nano-scale drug interactions and molecular processes in single living cells. The need for potent low-cost drugs is ever increasing, yet effective ways to screen for new drugs remain elusive. A spectroscopic approach to screening drugs in living cells would seem a logical alternative to chemically based and morphological methods that are the status quo. In this context we are developing methodology to analyse molecular target sites in single living cells for ....Raman and synchrotron spectroscopy of nano-scale drug interactions and molecular processes in single living cells. The need for potent low-cost drugs is ever increasing, yet effective ways to screen for new drugs remain elusive. A spectroscopic approach to screening drugs in living cells would seem a logical alternative to chemically based and morphological methods that are the status quo. In this context we are developing methodology to analyse molecular target sites in single living cells for two of the most devastating diseases to afflict human kind, namely malaria and cancer. New ways of rapidly screening drugs in living cells prior to clinical trials will save an enormous amount of time, money and ultimately lives.Read moreRead less
Ion channel biosensors based on porous waveguides. Realising the importance of membrane proteins for the functioning of every organism, this project will develop technology to investigate membrane protein functions based on a novel approach combining nanotechnology and biology. The technology will lead to a bio-inspired sensor device capable of detecting minute quantities of molecular analytes.
ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas of human health through the regeneration of damaged nerves (eg. in spinal injury) and development of artificial muscles; in renewable energy (plastic solar cells, lightweight batteries and electronic textiles) and in sustainable industries (recovery of precious metals and new corrosion protection technologies).Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354535
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Advanced Electromaterials from Nanomaterials and Biomaterials. The proposed initiative brings together relevant sectors of the nanomaterials, biomaterials and electrochemistry research communities. It is envisaged that the collective complementary expertise will give rise to research opportunities and insights into the emerging work of electro-bio-nano. Scientific and technological challenges that exist in this multidiscipline research space include areas as diverse as the development of more ....Advanced Electromaterials from Nanomaterials and Biomaterials. The proposed initiative brings together relevant sectors of the nanomaterials, biomaterials and electrochemistry research communities. It is envisaged that the collective complementary expertise will give rise to research opportunities and insights into the emerging work of electro-bio-nano. Scientific and technological challenges that exist in this multidiscipline research space include areas as diverse as the development of more efficient nerve cell communication implants, understanding and control of biocorrosion/biofouling and the use of biomimicry to produce more efficient catalysts and artificial muscles.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Nanostructured Electromaterials. Electromaterials transport electrons or ions and facilitate charge transfer, underpinning most energy capture/storage processes and cell communication. We propose a national Centre to develop nanostructured electromaterials with exceptional properties. The Centre aims to synthesise novel nanomaterials and assemble them into innovative nanoscale devices. We will exploit these materials to enhance performance in energy conversion/storage systems (eg. ....ARC Centre for Nanostructured Electromaterials. Electromaterials transport electrons or ions and facilitate charge transfer, underpinning most energy capture/storage processes and cell communication. We propose a national Centre to develop nanostructured electromaterials with exceptional properties. The Centre aims to synthesise novel nanomaterials and assemble them into innovative nanoscale devices. We will exploit these materials to enhance performance in energy conversion/storage systems (eg. photovoltaics, batteries, including wearable systems), and novel energy transfer in bioapplications (eg. Bionic Ear). These advances, together with the resource of trained personnel, will assist Australian industry to exploit this exciting area.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775481
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,000.00
Summary
X-ray Molecular Structure Elucidation Facility (MSEF). X-ray diffraction plays a key role in identification and molecular characterization. X-ray techniques are the single most widely used analytical resource in structure determination and provide invaluable information for scientists working in the fields of synthesis, nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and protein chemistry amongst many others. The facility brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists and provides state-of-the-art re ....X-ray Molecular Structure Elucidation Facility (MSEF). X-ray diffraction plays a key role in identification and molecular characterization. X-ray techniques are the single most widely used analytical resource in structure determination and provide invaluable information for scientists working in the fields of synthesis, nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and protein chemistry amongst many others. The facility brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists and provides state-of-the-art research and training facilities.Read moreRead less
Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquids for Use in Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers. We propose to evaluate the electrochemistry of photoactive polythiophenes recently synthesised by us in a range of ionic liquids. This knowledge will be used to design and synthesise customised ionic liquids with the properties required to enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency of devices based on substituted polythiophenes. We expect our findings to lead to the development ....Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquids for Use in Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers. We propose to evaluate the electrochemistry of photoactive polythiophenes recently synthesised by us in a range of ionic liquids. This knowledge will be used to design and synthesise customised ionic liquids with the properties required to enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency of devices based on substituted polythiophenes. We expect our findings to lead to the development of low-cost, flexible, organic photoelectrochemical cells.Read moreRead less
Novel Mass Spectrometric Approaches to the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions. Protein-protein interactions mediate all fundamental cellular processes, yet the structural complexity of protein assemblies mean they are often difficult to characterise using traditional analytical methods. This project will develop and demonstrate novel mass spectrometric approaches towards a molecular level description of the structure and interactions of biological protein complexes, which in turn may underpi ....Novel Mass Spectrometric Approaches to the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions. Protein-protein interactions mediate all fundamental cellular processes, yet the structural complexity of protein assemblies mean they are often difficult to characterise using traditional analytical methods. This project will develop and demonstrate novel mass spectrometric approaches towards a molecular level description of the structure and interactions of biological protein complexes, which in turn may underpin the rational design of drugs for the treatment of a range of human health conditions. This project will also provide training of young researchers to the highest international standards in mass spectrometry and protein science, for benefit to Australian industry and research.Read moreRead less