Tailoring the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramics for use in wireless telecommunication components and devices. This project aims to develop and tailor the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramic materials specifically targeting next generation wireless telecommunications applications. The partnership between the ANU and the Australian company Microwave and Materials Designs has the potential to enable new microwave electroceramic materials to be disc ....Tailoring the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramics for use in wireless telecommunication components and devices. This project aims to develop and tailor the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramic materials specifically targeting next generation wireless telecommunications applications. The partnership between the ANU and the Australian company Microwave and Materials Designs has the potential to enable new microwave electroceramic materials to be discovered and then incorporated into new microwave components and/or devices developed in response to the requirements of the international wireless telecommunications market. The requested PhD student will gain experience in both the industrial and academic worlds and the skills needed to be part of Australia's high-tech workforce. Read moreRead less
Naturally Photoactive Biopolymers. The basic aim of this project is to assess the viability of using semiconducting biopolymers from the melanin family of macromolecules in photoactive device based applications. In order to do this, key optical, structural, electronic, and photochemical properties will be assessed on thin films in the solid state. The melanins are the only known semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Their use as ?active? materials in ....Naturally Photoactive Biopolymers. The basic aim of this project is to assess the viability of using semiconducting biopolymers from the melanin family of macromolecules in photoactive device based applications. In order to do this, key optical, structural, electronic, and photochemical properties will be assessed on thin films in the solid state. The melanins are the only known semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Their use as ?active? materials in solid state or photo-electrochemical devices has never before been suggested. Specifically, these materials could be used as the light harvesting components in dye sensitised Gratzel cells, or, as the donor material in soft solid photovoltaic junctions. The melanins are also a key class of biomolecules (their involvement in skin cancers is well documented), and hence, any advancement in our understanding of their functions and properties could have biological importance.Read moreRead less
Development of a market relevant DNA nano-vaccine platform. DNA vaccine technology can potentially provide a rapid response to existing or new pathogens, but its market success has been limited. By addressing key scientific and technical challenges, this project aims to develop a new and cost-effective DNA nanovaccine platform using a multiscale engineering approach. It is anticipated that novel nanoparticles for DNA delivery and an end-user-driven DNA vaccine technology with enhanced immunogeni ....Development of a market relevant DNA nano-vaccine platform. DNA vaccine technology can potentially provide a rapid response to existing or new pathogens, but its market success has been limited. By addressing key scientific and technical challenges, this project aims to develop a new and cost-effective DNA nanovaccine platform using a multiscale engineering approach. It is anticipated that novel nanoparticles for DNA delivery and an end-user-driven DNA vaccine technology with enhanced immunogenicity, stability and safety will be generated. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in nanomaterial science and a market ready technology platform, improving Australia’s capabilities in nanobiotechnology and vaccine development, as well as delivering a new value-added product for the Industry Partner. Read moreRead less
Development of Unprecedented Aluminosilicate Adjuvants. High-performance adjuvants are essential components of vaccine technology. Aluminium-based adjuvants are widely used, but provide weak cellular immunity and possible risk of neurotoxicity. Combining state-of-the-art nanotechnology and classic coordination chemistry, this project aims to apply a new design principle to create novel mesoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles with alkalinity, for use as nanoadjuvants. This project expects to adv ....Development of Unprecedented Aluminosilicate Adjuvants. High-performance adjuvants are essential components of vaccine technology. Aluminium-based adjuvants are widely used, but provide weak cellular immunity and possible risk of neurotoxicity. Combining state-of-the-art nanotechnology and classic coordination chemistry, this project aims to apply a new design principle to create novel mesoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles with alkalinity, for use as nanoadjuvants. This project expects to advance knowledge of how immune systems respond to changes in chemistry and nanostructure of aluminosilicate materials and enable the design of nanoadjuvants with enhanced cellular immunity and reduced toxicity. Outcomes include a new family of functional materials with unprecedented adjuvant performance.Read moreRead less
Next-Generation Multifunctional Nanoparticles for mRNA Transfection. This project aims to engineer a multifunctional nanoparticle platform tailored for mRNA delivery. An innovative assembly approach will be used to design nanoparticles with adjustable composition, asymmetry and surface topography. Uniquely, three functions will be integrated in one nanoparticle, with the goal to enhance transfection efficiency in target cells. This project expects to advance knowledge of mRNA transfection mechan ....Next-Generation Multifunctional Nanoparticles for mRNA Transfection. This project aims to engineer a multifunctional nanoparticle platform tailored for mRNA delivery. An innovative assembly approach will be used to design nanoparticles with adjustable composition, asymmetry and surface topography. Uniquely, three functions will be integrated in one nanoparticle, with the goal to enhance transfection efficiency in target cells. This project expects to advance knowledge of mRNA transfection mechanisms, and determine how cell-type dependent particle-mRNA interactions correlate with the nanoparticle structure and delivery performance. Outcomes include a new family of functional materials with improved mRNA delivery performance over benchmark systems to facilitate and broaden the application of mRNA technology.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, de ....Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, developing and manufacturing nanowire-based nanostructures for future nanodevices and nanosystems, which is strategically important to Australia's emerging high-tech industries. This project will also enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications. Some bacteria possess a natural conductive tail constructed from proteins (called a nanowire) that has metal-like conductivity. The electrical signals in these nanowires are carried through aromatic groups in the peptides and/or attached cytochromes. This project addresses the design and assembly of conducting peptide-based fibrils inspired by these nanowires. It has already been shown that peptides can, by design, self-as ....Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications. Some bacteria possess a natural conductive tail constructed from proteins (called a nanowire) that has metal-like conductivity. The electrical signals in these nanowires are carried through aromatic groups in the peptides and/or attached cytochromes. This project addresses the design and assembly of conducting peptide-based fibrils inspired by these nanowires. It has already been shown that peptides can, by design, self-assemble into long thermostable fibrils that support cell growth and development. The project’s goal is now to create cost-effective, non-toxic, conducting peptide fibrils that can be used in water or physiological environments for bioelectronics applications.Read moreRead less
ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functi ....ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functional materials, ii) high-tech IT/communications/sensing materials, iii) materials solutions for manufacturing, iv) materials for a sustainable Australia, and v) emerging materials technologies. Key programs will promote interdisciplinary workshops and early career researcher interactions.Read moreRead less
Understanding of nanostructures and magnetic properties of Ge-based diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronic devices. The success of growing high-quality germanium-based diluted magnetic semiconductors will position Australian fundamental & applied research at the world forefront of magnetic semiconductors. This multi-disciplinary research will not only secure a number of high-impact publications in leading international journals, but also has the potential to generate patentable technolog ....Understanding of nanostructures and magnetic properties of Ge-based diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronic devices. The success of growing high-quality germanium-based diluted magnetic semiconductors will position Australian fundamental & applied research at the world forefront of magnetic semiconductors. This multi-disciplinary research will not only secure a number of high-impact publications in leading international journals, but also has the potential to generate patentable technologies which might bring potential economic benefits to Australia. In addition, the project will strengthen the collaboration between Australian researchers and world-renowned scientists and will allow Australian researchers to access world-best fabrication facilities. All these will enhance the international competitive profile of Australia in the field of spintronics.Read moreRead less
Structure of Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Dots. Epitaxially grown semiconductor quantum dots have received extensive attention in recent years due to their potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devises. However, the quality of current grown quantum dots is still very far from that required for real device applications due to a lack of detailed knowledge of their nanostructures. This project aims to combine the strength of growing semiconductor quantum dots at Fudan Universit ....Structure of Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Dots. Epitaxially grown semiconductor quantum dots have received extensive attention in recent years due to their potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devises. However, the quality of current grown quantum dots is still very far from that required for real device applications due to a lack of detailed knowledge of their nanostructures. This project aims to combine the strength of growing semiconductor quantum dots at Fudan University and the world-class characterisation facilities (advanced transmission electron microscopy) at the University of Queensland to actively explore optimum paths for epaxially growing device-quality semiconductor quantum dots.Read moreRead less