Design and synthesis of operating molecular machines and solution and solid-state devices. This project involves the construction of machines and other devices engineered at the molecular level, which therefore offer a greater degree of miniaturisation and sophistication than their macro-engineered counterparts. The work is expected to provide fundamental advances in nanotechnology and underpin new industries based on advanced materials.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100088
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
nano infrared and sub micron Raman spectroscopy and imaging. Nano infrared and sub micron raman spectroscopy and imaging: Near-field Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and imaging systems will be coupled to near-field scanning optical microscopes to provide IR spectroscopy and molecular images at less than 20 nanometre lateral resolution. This is unprecedented resolution for infrared fingerprinting and molecular imaging. For two months a year the spectroscopy system will be coupled to the IR beamline at ....nano infrared and sub micron Raman spectroscopy and imaging. Nano infrared and sub micron raman spectroscopy and imaging: Near-field Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and imaging systems will be coupled to near-field scanning optical microscopes to provide IR spectroscopy and molecular images at less than 20 nanometre lateral resolution. This is unprecedented resolution for infrared fingerprinting and molecular imaging. For two months a year the spectroscopy system will be coupled to the IR beamline at the Australian synchrotron, to provide full IR spectral coverage available to all Australian and New Zealand scientists. A confocal raman spectrometer will be upgraded to the ultraviolet to provide spectra at less than 150 nanometre resolution. These systems will provide a unique Australian resource for nanoscientists, biomedical researchers and materials scientists requiring molecular information on the nanoscale.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100327
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,000.00
Summary
Linking supramolecular nanocages into multi-functional materials. This project aims to advance the complexity of metal-organic materials by ordering discrete nano-cage structures called "metal-organic polyhedra" in a multi-functional porous solid. The project expects to generate critical knowledge in the synthesis of high-performance materials by combining the advantages of metal-organic and dynamic covalent chemistry. The expected outcomes of the project include the development of materials tha ....Linking supramolecular nanocages into multi-functional materials. This project aims to advance the complexity of metal-organic materials by ordering discrete nano-cage structures called "metal-organic polyhedra" in a multi-functional porous solid. The project expects to generate critical knowledge in the synthesis of high-performance materials by combining the advantages of metal-organic and dynamic covalent chemistry. The expected outcomes of the project include the development of materials that are able to sequentially catalyse chemical reactions in a single-batch process. This project should deliver benefits for Australia’s emerging chemical manufacturing industry, such as a reduction in the cost, wastage and environmental impact of the chemical manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and characterisation of cadmium-free quantum dots. Quantum dots (QDs) - a highly functional class of nanocrystals - have a tremendous potential for applications in life sciences, energy conversion and electronics; however, their toxicity represents a problem for almost any utilisation. This project aims to find new synthesis methods for less toxic QDs and will thus pave the way for the use of these particles.
Metal-organic Framework (MOF) Superstructure Catalysts. The development of new catalyst technology is crucial to uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising chemicals. Although the designable pore networks of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) provide a highly favourable environment for heterogeneous catalysis, most stable MOF materials are microporous - possessing pores less than 2 nm - which hinders mass transport. This research will develop novel, hierarchically porous MOF superstruct ....Metal-organic Framework (MOF) Superstructure Catalysts. The development of new catalyst technology is crucial to uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising chemicals. Although the designable pore networks of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) provide a highly favourable environment for heterogeneous catalysis, most stable MOF materials are microporous - possessing pores less than 2 nm - which hinders mass transport. This research will develop novel, hierarchically porous MOF superstructures that will overcome these limitations and serve as platform materials for the development of new catalysts. This research will address future challenges in industrial catalysis and realise an important step towards the commercial application of MOF catalysis for valoriation of chemical feedstocks. Read moreRead less
Examining small molecule activation in metal-organic framework pores. This project aims to uncover important chemical knowledge regarding small molecule activation by reactive metal species that are site-isolated and stabilised within the pores of metal-organic frameworks. These insights will lead to the development of new materials that are able to activate small molecules, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and facilitate their conversion to commodity chemicals and fuels. Uncovering energy-ef ....Examining small molecule activation in metal-organic framework pores. This project aims to uncover important chemical knowledge regarding small molecule activation by reactive metal species that are site-isolated and stabilised within the pores of metal-organic frameworks. These insights will lead to the development of new materials that are able to activate small molecules, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and facilitate their conversion to commodity chemicals and fuels. Uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising abundant small molecules is a key challenge for future energy sustainability. The outcomes of this project will inform the design of the next-generation catalysts for conversion of methane to methanol, a potential fuel, and facilitate the transition to a clean energy future.Read moreRead less
Metal-organic frameworks at the biointerface. This project aims to understand the chemistry that governs the crystallisation of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) around functional biomacromolecules and explore these bio-composites’ uses. Functional biomacromolecules, such as proteins, could be applied to biotechnology and Industrial biocatalysis. The project will develop MOF-encapsulated biocatalytic platform materials that allow inherently fragile biomacromolecules to remain active in conditions n ....Metal-organic frameworks at the biointerface. This project aims to understand the chemistry that governs the crystallisation of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) around functional biomacromolecules and explore these bio-composites’ uses. Functional biomacromolecules, such as proteins, could be applied to biotechnology and Industrial biocatalysis. The project will develop MOF-encapsulated biocatalytic platform materials that allow inherently fragile biomacromolecules to remain active in conditions needed for industrial processes. This project could advance the widespread commercial application of biocatalysts and biosensors.Read moreRead less
Advancing the Chemistry of Metal-organic Frameworks for Biotechnology. This research will advance the fundamental chemical science required for the emerging field of Metal-organic Framework (MOF) biocomposites. A significant challenge to the commercial use of enzymes (biocatalysis), proteins (protein-based therapeutics) and virus-based vaccines is their instability to elevated temperatures and/or non-biological media. MOFs can encapsulate and protect biomolecules, thereby overcoming this limitat ....Advancing the Chemistry of Metal-organic Frameworks for Biotechnology. This research will advance the fundamental chemical science required for the emerging field of Metal-organic Framework (MOF) biocomposites. A significant challenge to the commercial use of enzymes (biocatalysis), proteins (protein-based therapeutics) and virus-based vaccines is their instability to elevated temperatures and/or non-biological media. MOFs can encapsulate and protect biomolecules, thereby overcoming this limitation. This project will develop fundamental parameters that govern the formation, stability and activity of these biocomposites, expanding the scope of MOF materials available for bioprotection, and enable new developments in the areas of industrial biocatalysis and protein/virus-based therapeutics.Read moreRead less
High shear fluid flow driving carbon foundry for advanced manufacturing. This project aims to develop versatile continuous flow thin film microfluidic device technology for harnessing contact electrification generated by sub-micron high shear flows in fabricating novel and high-performance nano-carbons for which current methods are ineffective or impossible. This project expects to generate new knowledge on complex vortex fluid fields, their intricate interactions with external electric and magn ....High shear fluid flow driving carbon foundry for advanced manufacturing. This project aims to develop versatile continuous flow thin film microfluidic device technology for harnessing contact electrification generated by sub-micron high shear flows in fabricating novel and high-performance nano-carbons for which current methods are ineffective or impossible. This project expects to generate new knowledge on complex vortex fluid fields, their intricate interactions with external electric and magnetic fields and carbon nanostructure formation. Expected outcomes for this project include exquisite control on reforming nanocarbon with tuneable properties and unprecedented hetero-structures. This should provide significant benefits, such as in generating new processes and products for advanced manufacturing. Read moreRead less
X-ray snapshots of chemical transformations in open framework materials. The aim of this project is to unearth structural insights into the chemistry of coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes – reactive species lacking their full complement of binding groups – by isolating them within a carefully designed metal-organic framework and examining them via single crystal X-ray diffraction. Such intrinsically reactive species play an important role in metal-based catalysis, but their definitive st ....X-ray snapshots of chemical transformations in open framework materials. The aim of this project is to unearth structural insights into the chemistry of coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes – reactive species lacking their full complement of binding groups – by isolating them within a carefully designed metal-organic framework and examining them via single crystal X-ray diffraction. Such intrinsically reactive species play an important role in metal-based catalysis, but their definitive structural characterisation remains a significant challenge. This project aims to facilitate a detailed understanding of how these species bind and activate substrates and thus provide important first steps towards developing novel adsorbents for separations and efficient catalysts.Read moreRead less