Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop classes of electrode material systems for high performance batteries. This project will design new hierarchical cathode composites for a high capacity lithium-sulphur battery with a long cycling life. It intends to improve energy density by confining active sulphur in conductive graphene and exfoliated titanium dioxide nanoshee ....Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop classes of electrode material systems for high performance batteries. This project will design new hierarchical cathode composites for a high capacity lithium-sulphur battery with a long cycling life. It intends to improve energy density by confining active sulphur in conductive graphene and exfoliated titanium dioxide nanosheets, and use a unique hybrid protecting layer to suppress cycling instability. This research is expected to establish the relationship between synthetic conditions, structure, and electrochemical performance.Read moreRead less
Molecular technology for biological control of the most destructive horticultural pest in Australia. As part of a world-wide effort to apply transgenic technologies for the improvement of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), this project will place Australian research at the forefront of the latest developments in the field. With a requirement for fruit fly free status of horticultural production and an increasing demand for pesticide free produce, improved SIT strains of Queensland fruit fly wi ....Molecular technology for biological control of the most destructive horticultural pest in Australia. As part of a world-wide effort to apply transgenic technologies for the improvement of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), this project will place Australian research at the forefront of the latest developments in the field. With a requirement for fruit fly free status of horticultural production and an increasing demand for pesticide free produce, improved SIT strains of Queensland fruit fly will be vital to maintain our competitiveness in international horticultural markets. Rural and regional areas will be the main beneficiaries from the outcomes, with health benefits, a clean and green image for horticulture, simplified marketing and reduced costs. Read moreRead less
Generating a targeted mutation resource in zebrafish. How do genes function to build organisms and how are they regulated to produce organs and tissues? Using a new technique to target specific genes in the genome of zebrafish, this project will determine how genes control formation of different tissues. The new gene "knockout" technology will fundamentally change our understanding of how genes work during development.
Identification of the targets of a novel metalloproteinase inhibitor used for the treatment of human head lice. Human head lice are difficult to control. This project examines a new type of ovicidal treatment that prevents louse eggs from hatching. The goal is to understand precisely how this treatment is ovicidal, so that even more effective products might be designed. Beyond the benefits of providing a safe and reliable treatment option for a troublesome pest, the development of this product ....Identification of the targets of a novel metalloproteinase inhibitor used for the treatment of human head lice. Human head lice are difficult to control. This project examines a new type of ovicidal treatment that prevents louse eggs from hatching. The goal is to understand precisely how this treatment is ovicidal, so that even more effective products might be designed. Beyond the benefits of providing a safe and reliable treatment option for a troublesome pest, the development of this product will be a significant step forward for the Australian pharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less
Advanced lanthanide-doped nanomaterials for new-generation security inks. Current security labelling technologies using pattern coding (“barcoding”) and/or UV-excited phosphorescent inks are relatively easily counterfeited. The project aims to identify optimal design, fabrication and surface treatment of infrared-excited lanthanide nanoparticles for use as pigments in UV-curable polymer inks. This is expected to result in a new-generation of jet-printable security inks with ultimate capability f ....Advanced lanthanide-doped nanomaterials for new-generation security inks. Current security labelling technologies using pattern coding (“barcoding”) and/or UV-excited phosphorescent inks are relatively easily counterfeited. The project aims to identify optimal design, fabrication and surface treatment of infrared-excited lanthanide nanoparticles for use as pigments in UV-curable polymer inks. This is expected to result in a new-generation of jet-printable security inks with ultimate capability for multidimensional coding (using multiple luminescence wavelengths and lifetimes) and robust readability. Expected outcomes are world leadership in codable inks for secure labelling against counterfeiting, greatly enhancing both global ink-product sales and the value of Australian exports subject to product substitution.Read moreRead less
Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices. This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the global issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy (solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The project expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by devel ....Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices. This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the global issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy (solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The project expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by developing new nanomaterial coatings and innovative plasma coating technology. This should provide significant benefits such as improved sustainability of TEMDs with improved corrosion resistance and durability, as well as new manufacturing products and processes that have far reaching economic benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, ....Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, and timed cultures. The assays will involve maintenance of reprogramming ability and erasure of somatic gene transcription. By subtractive elimination the function of isolated proteins which are involved in reprogramming will be identified for potential recombinant production.Read moreRead less
Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniq ....Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. It will develop a superior detector for mass spectrometry and improve the imaging and nanofabrication capabilities of state-of-the-art electron microscopes. Read moreRead less
Use of Gradipore technology to develop novel methods for the preparation and segregation of mammalian spermatozoa. The purpose of this project is to harness the expertise available within an Australian biotechnology company, Gradipore, to develop novel methods for the preparation of mammalian spermatozoa and the segregation of these cells into X-and Y- bearing populations. This technology will find application in: (1)clinical andrology, where rapid, safe protocols for the preparation and segrega ....Use of Gradipore technology to develop novel methods for the preparation and segregation of mammalian spermatozoa. The purpose of this project is to harness the expertise available within an Australian biotechnology company, Gradipore, to develop novel methods for the preparation of mammalian spermatozoa and the segregation of these cells into X-and Y- bearing populations. This technology will find application in: (1)clinical andrology, where rapid, safe protocols for the preparation and segregation of human spermatozoa are being actively sought in the context of assisted conception and the management of sex-linked genetic diseases and (2) agriculture, particularly the cattle industry, where a capacity to predetermine the sex of the offspring would be extremely valuable.Read moreRead less
Liquid crystal-based optical fibre hydrophone system for underwater surveillance and ocean monitoring. The aim of this project is to design, implement and optimise a new class of optical sensing system which targets underwater surveillance and ocean monitoring. This project is expected to lead to improved national security, broaden Australia's photonics knowledge base, and contribute to greater international scientific collaboration.