Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Sign ....Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development, spanning small scale mobile to large scale stationary storage applications.Read moreRead less
Controlling density, viscosity and crystallisation in emulsion explosives to enhance safety and efficiency of blasting operations. The performance of emulsion explosives used throughout the mining industry can be severely compromised by the effects of shear arising from pumping and detonation shock waves. Understanding how shear affects droplet coalescence and crystallisation is critical in differential energy blasting, where emulsion density and composition vary widely along the bore hole. This ....Controlling density, viscosity and crystallisation in emulsion explosives to enhance safety and efficiency of blasting operations. The performance of emulsion explosives used throughout the mining industry can be severely compromised by the effects of shear arising from pumping and detonation shock waves. Understanding how shear affects droplet coalescence and crystallisation is critical in differential energy blasting, where emulsion density and composition vary widely along the bore hole. This project aims to contribute to the understanding of the effects of shear, and develop new methods and additives to stabilise droplets and bubbles over a wide range of compositions and conditions. The goal of this project is to improve the efficiency and safety of rock-blasting operations, reduce environmental impact, and reduce operating costs, giving the Australian mining industry a competitive edge.Read moreRead less
Conducting nanoporous materials: toward molecular devices. This project addresses one of the foremost challenges in the field of advanced functional materials, namely the design and synthesis of nanoporous materials that conduct electrons. The outcomes on both a fundamental and applied level will pave the way toward molecular electronics devices for solid-state sensing to solar energy harvesting.
Functional molecular nanomaterials. The design and construction of advanced nanomaterials is a key step in the push towards more efficient energy systems and smarter technologies. Through the strategic assembly of new classes of molecular nanomaterials, this project will lead to important fundamental advances in nanoscience and will underpin a range of new high-level technologies.
Built-in electric field, light co-driven materials for energy and sensing . This project aims to resolve critical, bottleneck issues in the development of photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry - key technologies towards the realisation of a sustainable carbon-neutral society. This project expects to use an innovative strain-engineering approach establishing a built-in electric field within materials for highly efficient separation and transport of photoexcited carriers. Expected outcomes of t ....Built-in electric field, light co-driven materials for energy and sensing . This project aims to resolve critical, bottleneck issues in the development of photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry - key technologies towards the realisation of a sustainable carbon-neutral society. This project expects to use an innovative strain-engineering approach establishing a built-in electric field within materials for highly efficient separation and transport of photoexcited carriers. Expected outcomes of this project are to create new, ground-breaking materials and/or nanosystems that overcome intrinsic weakness of conventional semiconductors and significantly improve their photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance, for the benefit of the utilisation of solar and light energy in energy, environment and health. Read moreRead less
Janus particles and nanorattles: new materials for paint technology. This project will pave the way for self cleaning paints that achieve opacity with greatly reduced titanium dioxide levels. Painted surfaces will maintain their clean and new look for longer and a clean town look will be much more readily maintained. More efficient use of titanium dioxide will reduce the need for sand mining and reduce the cost of quality paint.
Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use pol ....Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use polymer Janus nanoparticles to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to reduce the use of non-renewable components, and increase stain-resistance and durability. This new technology will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Key Functional Additives in Paint Technology. The goal of this project is to create two novel advanced particle systems with complex architecture that can be manufactured on a large scale, which aim to lead to high-performance waterborne paints. It is intended that these paints will have three functional characteristics: provide more efficient use of titanium dioxide; display pronounced water-resistance; and contribute to removing the need for organic solvents from the gloss paint sector. This r ....Key Functional Additives in Paint Technology. The goal of this project is to create two novel advanced particle systems with complex architecture that can be manufactured on a large scale, which aim to lead to high-performance waterborne paints. It is intended that these paints will have three functional characteristics: provide more efficient use of titanium dioxide; display pronounced water-resistance; and contribute to removing the need for organic solvents from the gloss paint sector. This research aims to provide the means to create paint films with greatly improved properties at reduced cost, with reduced requirement for non-renewable resources and reduced environmental footprint.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically incr ....Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically increase their durability. The partnership will bring a technological breakthrough that will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Virus-inspired nanoparticles based on polyion complex micelles. Viruses are nature's nanoparticles that have evolved over millions of years into intelligent nanoparticles. The unique structure of viruses with their patchy surface has inspired the design of a new drug carrier by employing the power of polymers to self-organize. The project aims at mimicking nature’s nanoparticles with intelligent polymers while enabling the design of a platform that can entrap therapeutic proteins and enhance the ....Virus-inspired nanoparticles based on polyion complex micelles. Viruses are nature's nanoparticles that have evolved over millions of years into intelligent nanoparticles. The unique structure of viruses with their patchy surface has inspired the design of a new drug carrier by employing the power of polymers to self-organize. The project aims at mimicking nature’s nanoparticles with intelligent polymers while enabling the design of a platform that can entrap therapeutic proteins and enhance their delivery. The focus will be to gain in-depth understanding on the polymer self-assembly process in order to design a synthetically robust system that can be applied to various payloads. As a result, novel nanoparticles with virus-inspired structures for the delivery of therapeutic proteins will be created.Read moreRead less