A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element an ....A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element analysis and experimentation, the research program will greatly enhance the fundamental understanding of the strengthening and failure mechanisms of z-pinned composites. A key outcome of the research will be design guidelines for optimising the pinning of composites for maximum structural performance in aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industri ....Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industrial applications will advance Australia's knowledge and skill base, and help Australia's high-tech industries to stay competitive, including the development of new high-tech industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Scaling-up microstructured fibres for terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation is the last region of the electromagnetic spectrum to be fully utilised. Many applications have been identified but their practicality has been limited by a lack of low-loss flexible waveguides. The waveguides to be developed in this project will build on Australia's existing international lead and investments in photonics as well as extend the dynamic field of microstructured optical fibres, indentified as the 'futur ....Scaling-up microstructured fibres for terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation is the last region of the electromagnetic spectrum to be fully utilised. Many applications have been identified but their practicality has been limited by a lack of low-loss flexible waveguides. The waveguides to be developed in this project will build on Australia's existing international lead and investments in photonics as well as extend the dynamic field of microstructured optical fibres, indentified as the 'future' of optical fibres. Low-loss flexible waveguides will enable imaging and spectroscopy applications that can reveal and object's internal structure and composition. This will have immediate applications in security, quality control, medical imaging and other safety or industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Switchable interfaces. The discovery project will challenge some of the most demanding issues regarding adhesion and molecular separation: - Surfaces that can release/prevent bio-film formation can provide novel solutions for corrosion-protection, implants, anti-fouling in medical devices as well as in industrial piping and reactors. - Materials for separation on the molecular level, which can bring new possibilities for fast and selective processes to the pharmaceutical industry. The novel comb ....Switchable interfaces. The discovery project will challenge some of the most demanding issues regarding adhesion and molecular separation: - Surfaces that can release/prevent bio-film formation can provide novel solutions for corrosion-protection, implants, anti-fouling in medical devices as well as in industrial piping and reactors. - Materials for separation on the molecular level, which can bring new possibilities for fast and selective processes to the pharmaceutical industry. The novel combination of the two materials research fields - plasma-polymerisation and electroactive materials- will lead to an international capability at the forefront of separation and adhesion research.Read moreRead less
Heparan sulfate complexes with VEGF for control of angiogenesis in tissue engineered constructs. The national/community benefits that will arise from this work include, the generation of knowledge related to the growth of blood vessels in the presence of a synthetic polymer that has been made to look like the natural polymers present in the body. This will lead to an understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved that may have down stream effects relevant to the replacement of many types o ....Heparan sulfate complexes with VEGF for control of angiogenesis in tissue engineered constructs. The national/community benefits that will arise from this work include, the generation of knowledge related to the growth of blood vessels in the presence of a synthetic polymer that has been made to look like the natural polymers present in the body. This will lead to an understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved that may have down stream effects relevant to the replacement of many types of tissues being generated for clinical applications, including possible applications in the treatment of heart disease, the largest killer of people in the Western world. Read moreRead less
Development of Acid Degradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Intracellular and Tumour Site Selective Delivery of Drugs. There is an enormous need to develop effective anticancer drug delivery systems to reduce the social and economic impact of cancer. One of the most critical problems in tumour treatment is the lack of selective toxicity of anticancer drugs against tumour tissues. Our multidisciplinary team will aim to develop a novel polymer based system for tumour site-selective delivery of anti ....Development of Acid Degradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Intracellular and Tumour Site Selective Delivery of Drugs. There is an enormous need to develop effective anticancer drug delivery systems to reduce the social and economic impact of cancer. One of the most critical problems in tumour treatment is the lack of selective toxicity of anticancer drugs against tumour tissues. Our multidisciplinary team will aim to develop a novel polymer based system for tumour site-selective delivery of anticancer drugs. Development of such advanced drug delivery systems will significantly enhance Australia`s power in biotechnology. Development and/or formation of strategies to improve the health quality of Australians, is an important anticipated outcome of this innovative project.Read moreRead less