Synthesis, Biological Interactions and Toxicity Studies of Precisely Engineered Nanoparticles. The proposed benefits of nanotechnology for industries from material sciences, to bioengineering, energy and the environment are currently driving unprecedented growth in this technology world-wide. Some of these benefits are borne out of the unique properties that different nanoparticles exhibit. However, if nanomaterials pose a threat to the health and well-being of the community, then their risks ....Synthesis, Biological Interactions and Toxicity Studies of Precisely Engineered Nanoparticles. The proposed benefits of nanotechnology for industries from material sciences, to bioengineering, energy and the environment are currently driving unprecedented growth in this technology world-wide. Some of these benefits are borne out of the unique properties that different nanoparticles exhibit. However, if nanomaterials pose a threat to the health and well-being of the community, then their risks may outweigh their benefits. This project will identify those characteristics of nanoparticles that can lead to adverse effects and therefore pose a danger to the general community. By defining these characteristics, appropriate changes in nanomaterial production can be considered by industry to minimise these dangers.Read moreRead less
The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project w ....The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project will probe the fundamental structure and energetics of radical anions by modifying instrumentation to enable multi-step gas-phase ion synthesis to be efficiently coupled with anion photoelectron spectroscopy. These investigations are essential to revealing the scope of this phenomenon in free radical chemistry and biology and could inform future development of new catalysts for polymerisation.Read moreRead less
Patterned assemblies of molecules on surfaces. Because of their redox and photophysical properties, artificial porphyrin systems have been designed for applications such as light-harvesting antennae, catalysts and sensors. Control of molecular orientation is required in order to construct practical devices, and in this project methods of assembling porphyrins on surfaces in well-defined patterns will be developed. Sophisticated methods will be used to characterise the films produced in these w ....Patterned assemblies of molecules on surfaces. Because of their redox and photophysical properties, artificial porphyrin systems have been designed for applications such as light-harvesting antennae, catalysts and sensors. Control of molecular orientation is required in order to construct practical devices, and in this project methods of assembling porphyrins on surfaces in well-defined patterns will be developed. Sophisticated methods will be used to characterise the films produced in these ways, in order to provide the information necessary to refine procedures and design new molecules suitable for advanced applications. Expected outcomes are new methods and architectures that can ultimately yield devices that act at the molecular level.Read moreRead less
New vistas in porphyrin chemistry via metal-catalyzed couplings with hydrazine derivatives. This project will address basic scientific questions and develop new substances for use in molecular electronics and cancer therapy. We will make and study entirely new molecules derived from porphyrins, which in Nature have vital roles in photosynthesis, oxygen transport and enzyme catalysis. This breakthrough research will reveal knowledge vital to the advancement of fundamental chemical science and als ....New vistas in porphyrin chemistry via metal-catalyzed couplings with hydrazine derivatives. This project will address basic scientific questions and develop new substances for use in molecular electronics and cancer therapy. We will make and study entirely new molecules derived from porphyrins, which in Nature have vital roles in photosynthesis, oxygen transport and enzyme catalysis. This breakthrough research will reveal knowledge vital to the advancement of fundamental chemical science and also offer excellent training in cutting edge research for young Australian scientists. In addition, porphyrin-like substances are used in cancer diagnosis and treatment and have properties essential for the next generation of nanoelectronic devices, and this project is aimed at these eventual outcomes.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the structural complexity of ancient Australian arthropod venoms. Animal venoms contain a complex mix of molecules that have evolved over millions of years to target various biological processes. Their exquisite specificity and potent activity has made them an attractive source for development as therapeutic drugs with fewer side effects or as environmentally friendly insecticides. This project aims to for the first time explore the three-dimensional structure of all known classes of ....Unravelling the structural complexity of ancient Australian arthropod venoms. Animal venoms contain a complex mix of molecules that have evolved over millions of years to target various biological processes. Their exquisite specificity and potent activity has made them an attractive source for development as therapeutic drugs with fewer side effects or as environmentally friendly insecticides. This project aims to for the first time explore the three-dimensional structure of all known classes of toxins in the venom of two ancient Australian arthropods (spiders and centipedes). This will provide a comprehensive overview of these venoms and provide opportunities in engineering new classes of venom based drugs and insecticides. Read moreRead less
Short circuiting redox enzymes. Enzymes that catalyse oxidation or reduction reactions can be integrated with an electrode in the development of biosensors. A key challenge is enabling an electrical current between the enzyme and the electrode and this project aims to probe this phenomenon to provide an enzyme system that operates with greater efficiency than in nature.
Sodium ion interactions with biomass-derived hard carbon electrodes. This project aims to investigate sodium ion behavior when electrochemically interacting with hard carbon electrode materials by using both in-situ and ex-situ techniques in combination with advanced computational methods. This project expects to generate new knowledge and establish structure-property-performance correlations, thus providing guidelines and strategies for synthesising cost-effective electrode materials from bioma ....Sodium ion interactions with biomass-derived hard carbon electrodes. This project aims to investigate sodium ion behavior when electrochemically interacting with hard carbon electrode materials by using both in-situ and ex-situ techniques in combination with advanced computational methods. This project expects to generate new knowledge and establish structure-property-performance correlations, thus providing guidelines and strategies for synthesising cost-effective electrode materials from biomass for developing sustainable sodium-ion batteries. The intended outcome of this project includes knowledge advancement, enhanced capability to build international collaborations, training of early career researchers and students, and positioning Australia on the world map as a world-leading nation in energy storage.Read moreRead less
Fundamental Characterization of Adsorption of Simple to Complex Fluids on Carbon Black and in Carbon Pores. The outcome of this project will help designing engineers with a molecular simulation model for adsorption of simple to complex fluids commonly used in industries. The success of this project translates to a significant saving because it requires minimum effort in experimentation.
Methane hydrate in carbon nanopores as a potential means for energy storage. This project deals with the innovative means to store methane (natural gas) in the form of methane hydrate in the nanospace of carbon pores. The significance of this project lies in the enhanced storage of methane at a moderate pressure, compared to the compressed natural gas technology. Expected outcome is the better and efficient utilization of natural gas in transportation industries, and the better understanding o ....Methane hydrate in carbon nanopores as a potential means for energy storage. This project deals with the innovative means to store methane (natural gas) in the form of methane hydrate in the nanospace of carbon pores. The significance of this project lies in the enhanced storage of methane at a moderate pressure, compared to the compressed natural gas technology. Expected outcome is the better and efficient utilization of natural gas in transportation industries, and the better understanding of the formation of methane hydrate in carbon nanopores.Read moreRead less
Efficient One-Dimensional Photocatalysts from Titanate Nanofibres and Nanotubes. This project will deliver important fundamental knowledge for the development of high-value products of titania, and thus will contribute directly to the priority goal of transforming the existing titania industry through value adding and export on the international market. This research will lead to new industries and will create employment opportunities for Australians. It will also serve to train young scientists ....Efficient One-Dimensional Photocatalysts from Titanate Nanofibres and Nanotubes. This project will deliver important fundamental knowledge for the development of high-value products of titania, and thus will contribute directly to the priority goal of transforming the existing titania industry through value adding and export on the international market. This research will lead to new industries and will create employment opportunities for Australians. It will also serve to train young scientists with a real appreciation of materials research and engineering, contributing to the overall competitiveness and productivity of Australian R&D. This project would lead to advances in important fields of clean energy, environment remediation and advanced materials processing in Australia.Read moreRead less