Atomic-scale insights into interfaces in ultrafine-grained, low-solute alloys. This project will involve the development and application of innovative advanced microscopy methods for the study of the stability of new, ultrafine-grained alloys. This will allow the design of new alloys with exceptional properties for structural applications in environments that require ultra-high performance.
Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make ....Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make accessible a wide range of novel surface-active polymers that have been impossible to synthesise to date, and which we expect to be more efficient and hence leads to greener technologies.
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Microstructural-Functional Effect of Silver Diammine Fluoride on Apatites. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding at the nanostructural level of the factors that contribute to the enhanced mineralisation and mechanical properties of dentine and enamel following the treatment with silver diammine fluoride (SDF). A variety of advanced nanomechanical, tomographic and microscopic techniques will be used to characterise sound, carious and SDF treated tissue. The new biomechanical ev ....Microstructural-Functional Effect of Silver Diammine Fluoride on Apatites. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding at the nanostructural level of the factors that contribute to the enhanced mineralisation and mechanical properties of dentine and enamel following the treatment with silver diammine fluoride (SDF). A variety of advanced nanomechanical, tomographic and microscopic techniques will be used to characterise sound, carious and SDF treated tissue. The new biomechanical evidence on the underlying mechanisms, alternative protocols, delivery systems enable to optimise the treatment. The scientific insights into arresting/repairing damage processes will provide critical data for developing minimal intervention protocols for pediatric and geriatric populations.Read moreRead less
Heat conduction characterisation of buried insulation layers in silicon-on-insulator systems. This project aims to establish a new technique for the accurate characterisation of thermal conduction in buried insulation layers in advanced silicon-on-insulator (SOI) systems. The success of the project will enable the Australian semiconductor industry to develop high performance SOI systems.
Mitigating hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels. Hydrogen wreaks havoc in many alloys, leading to embrittlement that can cause catastrophic failure. This is a very serious issue for any industry in which structures are exposed to hydrogen and is a limiting factor for the production, transport, storage and use of hydrogen in a potential hydrogen economy. However, understanding the behaviour of hydrogen in alloys is restricted by the difficulty of observing it. In this project we will ob ....Mitigating hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels. Hydrogen wreaks havoc in many alloys, leading to embrittlement that can cause catastrophic failure. This is a very serious issue for any industry in which structures are exposed to hydrogen and is a limiting factor for the production, transport, storage and use of hydrogen in a potential hydrogen economy. However, understanding the behaviour of hydrogen in alloys is restricted by the difficulty of observing it. In this project we will obtain accurate 3D maps showing the position of hydrogen atoms in steel by combining deuteration with cryogenic atom probe microscopy. In this way we will will elucidate how a proposed solution, hydrogen trapping, reduces hydrogen embrittlement, contributing to design criteria for hydrogen-resistant steels.Read moreRead less
Using 3D printing technology to develop architecturally-controlled synthetic bone substitutes. With the ageing population, there is increasing demand for synthetic materials that can regenerate bone. However, purely synthetic bone-substitute biomaterials cannot regenerate large bone defects in weight-bearing conditions due to their fragility. This project aims to develop a customisable, biodegradable, biocompatible and mechanically strong and tough scaffold that overcomes this long-standing prob ....Using 3D printing technology to develop architecturally-controlled synthetic bone substitutes. With the ageing population, there is increasing demand for synthetic materials that can regenerate bone. However, purely synthetic bone-substitute biomaterials cannot regenerate large bone defects in weight-bearing conditions due to their fragility. This project aims to develop a customisable, biodegradable, biocompatible and mechanically strong and tough scaffold that overcomes this long-standing problem. The project aims to achieve this by applying an innovative combination of cutting-edge 3D printing technology, advanced computational modelling and design techniques to produce a next-generation bioceramic scaffold with optimised architecture. This approach aims also to enable the possibility of producing custom-made implants for individual requirements.Read moreRead less
New high performance zinc bromine batteries with novel electrode/electrolyte systems. Renewable sources of energy are of particular interest in the era of diminishing fossil fuels. Efficient energy storage is a missing link for renewable energy. Zinc-bromine batteries have great potential as energy storage. This project will aim to fundamentally re-design the existing first generation systems to improve power density by 300-400 per cent.
Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research pro ....Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research project will enable Australian scientists to gain from working with a multinational company and to acquire skills in the rapidly expanding fields of structural and molecular biology. The University of Sydney will own any intellectual property arising from this work and will benefit from the commercialisation of hydrophobin-based products.Read moreRead less
Establishing In-Depth Understanding of Molecular Degradation Processes in Acrylic Based Polymer Coil-Coatings for Domestic Roofing Applications. The national benefit is multipronged: (i) BlueScope Steel will maintain its technology leadership through continued innovation by taking advantage of the scientific insights that the project delivers for the introduction of next generation long lasting coil coatings for steel, based on an environmentally friendly production processes. (ii) The applicati ....Establishing In-Depth Understanding of Molecular Degradation Processes in Acrylic Based Polymer Coil-Coatings for Domestic Roofing Applications. The national benefit is multipronged: (i) BlueScope Steel will maintain its technology leadership through continued innovation by taking advantage of the scientific insights that the project delivers for the introduction of next generation long lasting coil coatings for steel, based on an environmentally friendly production processes. (ii) The application of mass spectrometry for the analysis of polymer degradation has been pioneered by the CI and BlueScope Steel. The project will demonstrate the power of this technique and secure Australia's place at the forefront of molecular polymer degradation research. (iii) The project has a strong educational component, training a PhD student at the interface of application and fundamental research.Read moreRead less
Fundamentals of the Performance Chemistry of Water-borne Acrylic Polymer based Surface Coatings for Pre-painted Steel Employed in Domestic Roofing Applications. The proposed project will systematically investigate the structure-performance relationships of acrylic emulsion based surface coatings and provide a detailed understanding of their degradation mechanisms. The improved understanding of these coatings will lead to the development of an optimum coating for steel roofs with extremely high d ....Fundamentals of the Performance Chemistry of Water-borne Acrylic Polymer based Surface Coatings for Pre-painted Steel Employed in Domestic Roofing Applications. The proposed project will systematically investigate the structure-performance relationships of acrylic emulsion based surface coatings and provide a detailed understanding of their degradation mechanisms. The improved understanding of these coatings will lead to the development of an optimum coating for steel roofs with extremely high durability and resistance against degradation and gloss loss in typical tropical and sub-tropical Australian climates.Read moreRead less