Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms. The stabilisation of highly reactive carbanions underpins advances in chemical synthesis of new compounds including polymers, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals. This project aims to deliver an innovative chemical reactivity platform, underpinned by copper carbanion complexes accessed via synthetic electrochemistry. Carbanions are essential components of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions but their high reactivity can be pr ....Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms. The stabilisation of highly reactive carbanions underpins advances in chemical synthesis of new compounds including polymers, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals. This project aims to deliver an innovative chemical reactivity platform, underpinned by copper carbanion complexes accessed via synthetic electrochemistry. Carbanions are essential components of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions but their high reactivity can be problematic. Expected outcomes of this project are an understanding of why these novel copper compounds are stable and how they can be utilised as synthetic reagents. This should provide significant benefits in unlocking the synthetic potential of a new class of chemical compound that has until now remained unexplored.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,000.00
Summary
Magnetometry Facility for Molecular and Nanoscale Materials. Advances in information and communications technology are critically dependent on increasing the capacity, speed and energy efficiency of logic and memory electronic devices. These improvements can be achieved by reducing component size to the nanoscale and using magnetic spin as well as charge. This Project aims to establish Australia's first integrated Magnetometry Facility for determining the magnetic properties of a range of nanosc ....Magnetometry Facility for Molecular and Nanoscale Materials. Advances in information and communications technology are critically dependent on increasing the capacity, speed and energy efficiency of logic and memory electronic devices. These improvements can be achieved by reducing component size to the nanoscale and using magnetic spin as well as charge. This Project aims to establish Australia's first integrated Magnetometry Facility for determining the magnetic properties of a range of nanoscale materials down to the level of individual nanomagnets. The Facility will provide crucial characterisation capabilities for Australian researchers, building capacity to develop new magnetic nanomaterials and devices for high-density data storage, quantum computing and spintronics.
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Breaking emulsions. Droplet coalescence is the key to breaking emulsions, that is, separating oil from water. This process underpins the recovery of crude oil and the remediation of industrial and environmental waste-waters. Through a unique and novel experimental program that simultaneously tracks drop trajectories up to the millimetre scale and drop deformations in the nanometre scale, this project aims to fill a fundamental gap in our understanding of such coalescence events. A complete theor ....Breaking emulsions. Droplet coalescence is the key to breaking emulsions, that is, separating oil from water. This process underpins the recovery of crude oil and the remediation of industrial and environmental waste-waters. Through a unique and novel experimental program that simultaneously tracks drop trajectories up to the millimetre scale and drop deformations in the nanometre scale, this project aims to fill a fundamental gap in our understanding of such coalescence events. A complete theoretical model of coalescence will result, forming a predictive framework for separating emulsions to recover pure oil and water, and laying the foundation for using compound drops to tune the optical properties of surface for speciality applications.Read moreRead less
Future electrochemical energy storage technologies. New rechargeable batteries will be developed through the use of breakthrough electrolytes based on liquid salts. These batteries are vital for the widespread use of renewables in Australia's electricity grid. They will also enable new generations of environmental sensor technology.
New generation nanostructured coatings with combined control of spectral and angular emissivity. The aim of this project is to generate a complete scientific understanding of a new generation of hybrid, tri-layered, optically-selective coatings. The new design paradigm combines the very different attributes of smooth and nanostructured layers so that superior and simultaneous control of both spectral and angular properties of light can be achieved. Existing theory will be extended so that quanti ....New generation nanostructured coatings with combined control of spectral and angular emissivity. The aim of this project is to generate a complete scientific understanding of a new generation of hybrid, tri-layered, optically-selective coatings. The new design paradigm combines the very different attributes of smooth and nanostructured layers so that superior and simultaneous control of both spectral and angular properties of light can be achieved. Existing theory will be extended so that quantitative analyses of these new systems and other hybrids become possible and new and improved fabrication techniques will be developed. The work will unlock new technological possibilities for coating performance and application and is likely to be associated with significant improvements in energy conservation and generation. Read moreRead less
Design of Non-Equilibrium Architectures: Leveraging High Entropy Materials. Novel metallic alloys, termed as ‘high entropy materials’, will be investigated as surface coatings in order to provide improved strength, corrosion and wear performance under extreme industrial environments. This new evolution in materials engineering is created by mixing at least 5 elements in equal ratios and has recently been proven to provide excellent functionality in the bulk form. The novelty of this project is t ....Design of Non-Equilibrium Architectures: Leveraging High Entropy Materials. Novel metallic alloys, termed as ‘high entropy materials’, will be investigated as surface coatings in order to provide improved strength, corrosion and wear performance under extreme industrial environments. This new evolution in materials engineering is created by mixing at least 5 elements in equal ratios and has recently been proven to provide excellent functionality in the bulk form. The novelty of this project is that thermal spray engineering will be employed to manufacture bespoke coatings for industries such as the mining and power generation sectors. We now need to understand the materials science for a technological tipping point that directly impacts manufacturing industries for improved performance, efficiency and reliability.Read moreRead less
Understanding platinum dissolution in biomedical stimulating electrodes. Platinum is the main material used in electrodes for neurostimulators like the cochlear implant. Platinum electrodes can experience dissolution during implantation, which can impact on their function. The mechanisms governing this dissolution process are complex and still not fully understood. This research aims to understand the chemical, electrical and biological factors that impact on platinum dissolution in electrodes. ....Understanding platinum dissolution in biomedical stimulating electrodes. Platinum is the main material used in electrodes for neurostimulators like the cochlear implant. Platinum electrodes can experience dissolution during implantation, which can impact on their function. The mechanisms governing this dissolution process are complex and still not fully understood. This research aims to understand the chemical, electrical and biological factors that impact on platinum dissolution in electrodes. It will also develop new 3D models to simulate conditions in the human body for more rapid testing of electrodes. The new knowledge generated will improve the accuracy of predictions of platinum dissolution, develop new approaches for minimising dissolution, and contribute to reducing need for animal experimentation.Read moreRead less
Ultrafine grained titanium for bio-implant applications. The project underpins the potential niche applications of ultrafine grained titanium for biomedical implants and establishes a knowledge base for expanding Australia's capacity for manufacturing titanium parts. The novel technology will lead to a broader usage of titanium by biomedical industry and promote the development of the titanium manufacturing industry in Australia. The development of ultrafine grained titanium specifically designe ....Ultrafine grained titanium for bio-implant applications. The project underpins the potential niche applications of ultrafine grained titanium for biomedical implants and establishes a knowledge base for expanding Australia's capacity for manufacturing titanium parts. The novel technology will lead to a broader usage of titanium by biomedical industry and promote the development of the titanium manufacturing industry in Australia. The development of ultrafine grained titanium specifically designed for bio-implants will increase Australia's competitiveness in the global market. The project targets at least three of the priority goals specified under National Research Priority breakthrough science, frontier technologies and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102967
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Interaction between silver ions, silver nanoparticles and reactive oxygen species: implication to toxicity. The project investigates the ability of various different (supported and stabilised) types of nanosized silver particles (SNPs) to oxidatively degrade selected contaminants and or kill microorganism. The project also aims to determine the effect of solution condition (for example pH) and light on SNP longevity and hence their oxidative capacity.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100876
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
Unifying chemical concepts for advanced molecular electronics applications. This project aims to build a physical-organic chemistry framework of transferable molecular descriptors for a relatively new but a rapidly developing area of unimolecular electronics (UE) using advanced computational chemistry tools. Established structure-property relationships will drive the cutting-edge applications of UE in sensing and catalysis and significantly expand our understanding of charge transport involving ....Unifying chemical concepts for advanced molecular electronics applications. This project aims to build a physical-organic chemistry framework of transferable molecular descriptors for a relatively new but a rapidly developing area of unimolecular electronics (UE) using advanced computational chemistry tools. Established structure-property relationships will drive the cutting-edge applications of UE in sensing and catalysis and significantly expand our understanding of charge transport involving free radicals and non-covalent assemblies. Expected outcomes of this project include new design guidelines and candidate molecular architectures for such practical applications as organocatalysis inside molecular junctions, molecular spintronics and molecular sensors for reactive oxygen species and nitroaromatic pollutants.Read moreRead less