Developing a simple method for characterising the mechanical properties of nanowhiskers. This project aims to accurately measure mechanical properties of nanostructures, addressing a challenging issue in the ongoing development of nanotechnology. The success of this project will provide important advances in the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of nanowhiskers and assist in the further development of nanomaterials.
Experimental and theoretical study of the formation of nanomaterials under reduced gravity conditions. This work will investigate the formation of nanomaterials and model this process to provide the skills to develop better nanocomposite materials. A better understanding of the process and the effect gravity has on it provides better control of this industrially significant process allowing enhanced process optimisation and product design. The results are directly relevant to many organisations ....Experimental and theoretical study of the formation of nanomaterials under reduced gravity conditions. This work will investigate the formation of nanomaterials and model this process to provide the skills to develop better nanocomposite materials. A better understanding of the process and the effect gravity has on it provides better control of this industrially significant process allowing enhanced process optimisation and product design. The results are directly relevant to many organisations currently studying nanomaterials. The work provides important results in a frontier technologies which will help the building and transforming of Australian industries with applications in energy conversion, water purification, quantum semi-conductors, optical materials, films for material separation and fuel cells.Read moreRead less
Nano-machining of diamond-like carbon (DLC): Scientific basis and technical potential. Nanotechnology will be the basis for the next post-industrial revolution, and will be the main driver of future national economies. It is crucially important that at the very least Australia is a significant niche player in those developments. The project represents an effort to promote those goals.
Self-cleaning thin films for anti-reflective solar cell coatings. This project addresses an important industry need by designing a new class of functional composite coatings for efficiency and durability improvement of solar cells. A successful outcome will provide an important breakthrough in thin film technology applicable not only to solar panels but also other coating applications.
Function-driven Synthesis and Assembly of Two-dimensional Metal Nanostructures. The project is fundamentally concerned with material science and nanotechnology, one of the cutting-edge areas in Australia's National Research Priority. Successful completion of the project will result in controlled synthesis, functional assembly and their fundamental understanding of metal nanostructures. The research findings will be useful for developments of new nanomaterials and applications to optoelectronics, ....Function-driven Synthesis and Assembly of Two-dimensional Metal Nanostructures. The project is fundamentally concerned with material science and nanotechnology, one of the cutting-edge areas in Australia's National Research Priority. Successful completion of the project will result in controlled synthesis, functional assembly and their fundamental understanding of metal nanostructures. The research findings will be useful for developments of new nanomaterials and applications to optoelectronics, molecular electronics and biochemical sensor systems. They can also greatly increase the scientific understanding of particle behaviour in relation to process control, and expand the knowledge creativity of Australia in research in these materials.Read moreRead less
Materials Optimization and Interfacial Engineering of Cobalt and Europium Codoped ZnO for Multifunctional Spintronic Devices. Recent advances in new materials engineering holds a promise of surmounting the miniaturization limits of silicon technology by exploiting the spin of electrons in semiconductors. Spin transistor is among a number of nanoscale devices that may revolutionize telecommunications, computing and daily life. Current transistors are electronic circuits that make up most semico ....Materials Optimization and Interfacial Engineering of Cobalt and Europium Codoped ZnO for Multifunctional Spintronic Devices. Recent advances in new materials engineering holds a promise of surmounting the miniaturization limits of silicon technology by exploiting the spin of electrons in semiconductors. Spin transistor is among a number of nanoscale devices that may revolutionize telecommunications, computing and daily life. Current transistors are electronic circuits that make up most semiconductors; an international market will grow to US$1000bn per year in 2013. In a few years, the spin transistor will be on par with electronics. Success of this program will facilitate the development of spintronic materials and technologies, and also generated patents and intellectual properties, thus resulting in revenue for Australia through their commercialisations.Read moreRead less
New Pillared Nanoporous Materials for Hydrogen Production by Photoinduced Water Splitting. The increasing concern over the limited supply of conventional energy sources has triggered world-wide efforts in developing alternative energy generation systems. Hydrogen produced from sunlight and water is considered as an ultimate solution for the hydrogen economy. This project addresses the material needs for more efficient and cleaner means of generating/utilising energy. The novel nanoporous materia ....New Pillared Nanoporous Materials for Hydrogen Production by Photoinduced Water Splitting. The increasing concern over the limited supply of conventional energy sources has triggered world-wide efforts in developing alternative energy generation systems. Hydrogen produced from sunlight and water is considered as an ultimate solution for the hydrogen economy. This project addresses the material needs for more efficient and cleaner means of generating/utilising energy. The novel nanoporous materials with increased photocatalytic water splitting efficiency will lead to new breakthrough in technologies for energy conversion materials. The preparation approach is also applicable to other functional layered materials, providing new opportunities for innovative nanotechnology to more efficient and greener energy industries.Read moreRead less
Sustainable processes for next-generation surface coatings and core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating. Nanotechnology promises new materials with broad impact, yet our ability to manufacture complex nanomaterials using sustainable processes is very limited. This project will advance our knowledge of nanomaterial manufacture using inspiration from how complex materials are made in nature. This project will deliver next-generation surface coatings that are incredibly thin but st ....Sustainable processes for next-generation surface coatings and core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating. Nanotechnology promises new materials with broad impact, yet our ability to manufacture complex nanomaterials using sustainable processes is very limited. This project will advance our knowledge of nanomaterial manufacture using inspiration from how complex materials are made in nature. This project will deliver next-generation surface coatings that are incredibly thin but strong, and specialised nanoparticles made using biocompatible processes. The knowledge and methods developed will benefit the biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors, as well as research in soft-matter science, quantum computing, photonics and healthcare. The value proposition for innovation in these fields will increasingly rely on new nanomanufacturing approaches.Read moreRead less
Pushing the limits: fabricating micro and nano actuators. This project will result in significant advances in micro/nano fabrication, that is the cornerstone of nanotechnology, and an understanding of the performance of micro/nano actuators produced from electroactive materials. The project outcomes will provide a technology platform to establish micro/nano robotic systems for vaccine and gene delivery, intelligent drug delivery systems, microfluidic systems for disease monitoring and treatment, ....Pushing the limits: fabricating micro and nano actuators. This project will result in significant advances in micro/nano fabrication, that is the cornerstone of nanotechnology, and an understanding of the performance of micro/nano actuators produced from electroactive materials. The project outcomes will provide a technology platform to establish micro/nano robotic systems for vaccine and gene delivery, intelligent drug delivery systems, microfluidic systems for disease monitoring and treatment, water treatment and pollution control kits, microrobotic systems for pipeline inspection and maintenance, and minimally invasive surgery. National benefits will be in the areas of human health, sustainable environment and frontier technologies to stimulate the growth of world-class Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Production and nano-characterisation of II-VI semiconductor quantum dots from plant cell cultures. Nanocrystallites with semiconductor properties have potential applications in medicine, microelectronics and waste treatment. Cheap, reliable methods for producing large quantities of monodisperse nanoparticles are required. Solution techniques have been used most commonly; however, production of stable, high-quality particles remains difficult. Biological synthesis using plant cell culture offers ....Production and nano-characterisation of II-VI semiconductor quantum dots from plant cell cultures. Nanocrystallites with semiconductor properties have potential applications in medicine, microelectronics and waste treatment. Cheap, reliable methods for producing large quantities of monodisperse nanoparticles are required. Solution techniques have been used most commonly; however, production of stable, high-quality particles remains difficult. Biological synthesis using plant cell culture offers several important advantages. As peptide capping is incorporated into the biological assembly process, the nanoparticles are restricted in size, their stability is improved, and their surfaces are passivated. Application of plant cultures for nanocrystallite production is a novel approach with the potential to yield significant improvements in the quality of manufactured quantum dots.Read moreRead less