Core-shell nanofibrous bio-based flame retardants with reinforcement function. This project aims to develop high-performance bio-based flame retardants (FRs) by designing a novel core-shell nanofibrous FR system, combining exceptional flame retardant qualities and mechanical reinforcement to enhance the safe use of thermoplastic products. Thermoplastic products are widespread in building, electric and electronic, automobile and packaging products, but their intrinsic flammability poses great fir ....Core-shell nanofibrous bio-based flame retardants with reinforcement function. This project aims to develop high-performance bio-based flame retardants (FRs) by designing a novel core-shell nanofibrous FR system, combining exceptional flame retardant qualities and mechanical reinforcement to enhance the safe use of thermoplastic products. Thermoplastic products are widespread in building, electric and electronic, automobile and packaging products, but their intrinsic flammability poses great fire threats to the society. Flame retardants are key to producing fire-resistant plastic products with a low fire hazard rating. The novel bio-based flame retardant material developed by this project seeks to combine enhanced flame retardant properties and mechanical reinforcement functions. The outcomes of the project will demonstrate eco-friendly flame retardants and high performance flame retardant thermoplastic products.Read moreRead less
Engineering the trafficking of nanoparticles within cells. This project aims to engineer responsive nanoparticles capable of trafficking efficiently within cells. The site of release of therapeutic cargo has importance for improving the efficacy of many treatments, for example vaccine delivery. Therefore fundamental understanding of how nanoparticle structure can be engineered to control cellular behaviour is necessary. The project will engineer new polymeric nanomaterials and investigate the im ....Engineering the trafficking of nanoparticles within cells. This project aims to engineer responsive nanoparticles capable of trafficking efficiently within cells. The site of release of therapeutic cargo has importance for improving the efficacy of many treatments, for example vaccine delivery. Therefore fundamental understanding of how nanoparticle structure can be engineered to control cellular behaviour is necessary. The project will engineer new polymeric nanomaterials and investigate the impact of their structure on biological properties. The benefits of this project will include new fundamental insights into improving nanoparticle design for vaccine delivery, as well as the expansion of Australia’s knowledge base in the area of biodegradable polymers.Read moreRead less
Development of Fire Retardant Thermal Insulation Materials for Buildings. This Fellowship proposal aims to develop next-generation fire-retardant rigid polymer foams (RPF)-based thermal insulation materials for buildings. Through investigating fire-retardancy, mechanical and ageing properties, we will fundamentally understand the structure/composition - performance relationships of as-designed nanostructured fire-retardant polymer coatings and will achieve robust, durable and fire-retardant coat ....Development of Fire Retardant Thermal Insulation Materials for Buildings. This Fellowship proposal aims to develop next-generation fire-retardant rigid polymer foams (RPF)-based thermal insulation materials for buildings. Through investigating fire-retardancy, mechanical and ageing properties, we will fundamentally understand the structure/composition - performance relationships of as-designed nanostructured fire-retardant polymer coatings and will achieve robust, durable and fire-retardant coatings. This project will then apply the fire-retardant coatings to the RPF to create the target fire-retardant thermal insulation materials. New knowledge and patentable technologies to be generated will bring significant benefits to Australia by reducing energy costs and economic losses associated with building fires.Read moreRead less
Functionalised biopolymers - a new class of renewable nano-engineered materials. Licella is an Australian start-up company, focusing on developing uses for the renewable resource lignocellulosic biomass; a fibrous material sourced principally from waste, such as that generated by forestry and agricultural operations. It is possible to use such waste and process it to separate the biomass components. This project proposes to modify these biomass fractions with living radical polymerisation (LPR) ....Functionalised biopolymers - a new class of renewable nano-engineered materials. Licella is an Australian start-up company, focusing on developing uses for the renewable resource lignocellulosic biomass; a fibrous material sourced principally from waste, such as that generated by forestry and agricultural operations. It is possible to use such waste and process it to separate the biomass components. This project proposes to modify these biomass fractions with living radical polymerisation (LPR) polymers to impart functionalities, such as antimicrobial properties, high tensile strengths and/or in-built photodegrability. New, high-performance sustainable materials like these will be the back-bone of the polymer/plastics industry of the future, replacing common plastics, sourced from non-renewable petrochemicals, with benign, sustainable plastics.Read moreRead less
Preventing biological growth – a new generation anti-biofouling coatings. The project aims to improve anti-biofouling technology by developing a ‘smart and green’ coating that requires no toxic biocides and makes use of copper already present in the water. Biofouling is the unwanted attachment and growth on surfaces in water; it causes significant problems on ships and in drinking water systems, and damages infrastructure and capital investment. Biofouling also carries a significant risk of spre ....Preventing biological growth – a new generation anti-biofouling coatings. The project aims to improve anti-biofouling technology by developing a ‘smart and green’ coating that requires no toxic biocides and makes use of copper already present in the water. Biofouling is the unwanted attachment and growth on surfaces in water; it causes significant problems on ships and in drinking water systems, and damages infrastructure and capital investment. Biofouling also carries a significant risk of spreading diseases and environmental damage through the introduction of invasive marine species. Existing coatings release highly toxic substances into the water, causing untold environmental damage. This project offers a single, comprehensive solution for all of the above problems.Read moreRead less
Fibrous fabrics with differential transplanar transport properties for moisture and water. The project develops a framework for the development of fibrous fabrics with desired differential transplanar transport properties for moisture and water, integrating various transport mechanisms with hierarchical microstructures of the fabrics. The results will lead to the development of new fabrics for the local and overseas apparel industry.
Microstructure effect on energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibres. This project aims to provide new knowledge about how to manipulate the energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibrous mats by changing the fibre structure, components and mat configuration. Expected outcomes of the project are new fibrous materials capable of efficiently converting small mechanical forces and sounds into electricity. These high performance energy harvesting fibres will be useful for developing new power ....Microstructure effect on energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibres. This project aims to provide new knowledge about how to manipulate the energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibrous mats by changing the fibre structure, components and mat configuration. Expected outcomes of the project are new fibrous materials capable of efficiently converting small mechanical forces and sounds into electricity. These high performance energy harvesting fibres will be useful for developing new power supplies, self-powered electronics, self-sustainable sensor networks and electronic textiles.Read moreRead less
High Temperature, Piezoelectric Polymer Membranes. This project aims to acquire new knowledge about the preparation of flexible polymer membranes that can convert mechanical energy into electricity (“piezoelectric” conversion) stably at high temperature (e.g. 200-500 °C). This will solve the current problem where only inorganic ceramic materials can be used for high-temperature piezoelectric conversion. The expected outcomes include a new approach to prepare polymer membranes capable of high-tem ....High Temperature, Piezoelectric Polymer Membranes. This project aims to acquire new knowledge about the preparation of flexible polymer membranes that can convert mechanical energy into electricity (“piezoelectric” conversion) stably at high temperature (e.g. 200-500 °C). This will solve the current problem where only inorganic ceramic materials can be used for high-temperature piezoelectric conversion. The expected outcomes include a new approach to prepare polymer membranes capable of high-temperature piezoelectric conversion using an electrostatic spinning technology. The new breakthrough materials will not only enhance performance and reliability at high temperature, but also offer novel applications in diverse fields such as “smart” protective clothing for firefighters. Read moreRead less
Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic u ....Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic understanding about materials, devices and performance. This will significantly benefit development of advanced noise controlling technology and products, benefiting industry and the environment.Read moreRead less
Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. This project aims to develop two next-generation printable security feature technologies to protect users from counterfeiting, which costs the world economy billions in lost revenue and undermines the security of citizens. First, it aims to enhance the security of banknotes by developing printable active device patches with energy harvesting flexible ....Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. This project aims to develop two next-generation printable security feature technologies to protect users from counterfeiting, which costs the world economy billions in lost revenue and undermines the security of citizens. First, it aims to enhance the security of banknotes by developing printable active device patches with energy harvesting flexible polymers as a power source and thin film graphene/polymer nanomaterial as an electrode/energy storage media. Second, it aims to design invisible carbon nanotube inks for optical authentication via near infrared activation. Both technologies are expected to thwart sophisticated counterfeits, particularly those supported by organised crime.Read moreRead less