Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modell ....Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modelling, atomic force microscopy, and a new form of spectroscopy that allows the actual deformation of nanocrystals to be measured. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained is expected to impact on the development of current and future nanodevices.Read moreRead less
Spectroscopy of Single Quantum Dots. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are materials with promising applications in flat panel displays, biosensors, quantum dot lasers, and optical communication elements. Many of the applications are novel and require firm understanding of the physical and chemical properties of quantum dots to optimise reliability and performance. To fulfil the technological promise of fluorescent quantum dots, problems relating to quantum yield and photostability urgently n ....Spectroscopy of Single Quantum Dots. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are materials with promising applications in flat panel displays, biosensors, quantum dot lasers, and optical communication elements. Many of the applications are novel and require firm understanding of the physical and chemical properties of quantum dots to optimise reliability and performance. To fulfil the technological promise of fluorescent quantum dots, problems relating to quantum yield and photostability urgently need to be resolved. These issues will be addressed through spectroscopic studies of single quantum dots both in vacuum and in condensed phases. Ultimately, the findings will guide rational design of nanoscale devices based on quantum dot luminescence.Read moreRead less
The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more ef ....The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more efficient dewatering processes and novel products in these industries.Read moreRead less
Repulsive van der Waals forces and Brownian ratchet motors: manipulating thermal and quantum Fluctuations. A fundamental problem with miniaturizing machines and mechanical devices below the micron scale is the issue of friction and lubrication. One way to completely circumvent the need for lubrication is to use a little-studied phenomenon known as 'repulsive van der Waals forces', to create materials that fundamentally repel each other in certain fluid environments. This effect is very large at ....Repulsive van der Waals forces and Brownian ratchet motors: manipulating thermal and quantum Fluctuations. A fundamental problem with miniaturizing machines and mechanical devices below the micron scale is the issue of friction and lubrication. One way to completely circumvent the need for lubrication is to use a little-studied phenomenon known as 'repulsive van der Waals forces', to create materials that fundamentally repel each other in certain fluid environments. This effect is very large at the nanoscale and this proposal examines how such forces can be used to make 'lubricant free' motors and nanomachines. This will open up the possibility of building small and portable sensors, actuators, microfluidic devices and eventually active drug delivery systems for health applications.Read moreRead less
Control of acoustic cavitation in complex fluids. The outcomes of this project will provide, for the first time, the knowledge needed to optimise sonochemical reactions and thus pave the way for the greater use of sonochemisty in commercial processes. There are several areas of commercial significance where sonochemical processes could be used, e.g., remediation of wastewater containing organic pollutants, destruction of biowastes, etc. We have established strong contacts with the Victorian EPA, ....Control of acoustic cavitation in complex fluids. The outcomes of this project will provide, for the first time, the knowledge needed to optimise sonochemical reactions and thus pave the way for the greater use of sonochemisty in commercial processes. There are several areas of commercial significance where sonochemical processes could be used, e.g., remediation of wastewater containing organic pollutants, destruction of biowastes, etc. We have established strong contacts with the Victorian EPA, Orica, Food Science Australia and are developing links with Nufarm and Comalco. Apart from the potential practical outcomes, we will establish stronger ties with our international collaborators as well as train/educate a number of tertiary level students, of general benefit to our community.Read moreRead less
Nanocrystal Electronics: A Sol-Gel Approach. Australia is building capability in printable electronics, which will supersede traditional semiconductor fabrication methods. The main goals are to mass produce key electronic structures such as display devices, solar cells and sensors using cheaper, non-clean room based technologies via ink-jet printing and other high throughput methods. The integration of sol-gel based materials into roll-to-roll manufacturing will advance Australian manufacturing ....Nanocrystal Electronics: A Sol-Gel Approach. Australia is building capability in printable electronics, which will supersede traditional semiconductor fabrication methods. The main goals are to mass produce key electronic structures such as display devices, solar cells and sensors using cheaper, non-clean room based technologies via ink-jet printing and other high throughput methods. The integration of sol-gel based materials into roll-to-roll manufacturing will advance Australian manufacturing capabilities and generate new jobs in the rapidly growing printable electronics field.Read moreRead less
Engineered nanostructured materials via continuous polymer assembly for advanced bioapplications. The development of new and flexible processes is critical to the design and construction of advanced materials for future applications in nano- and biotechnology. This project will develop innovative and versatile "bottom-up" nanotechnology techniques to afford nanostructured materials with unprecedented properties. This project has the potential to revolutionise current approaches for forming surfa ....Engineered nanostructured materials via continuous polymer assembly for advanced bioapplications. The development of new and flexible processes is critical to the design and construction of advanced materials for future applications in nano- and biotechnology. This project will develop innovative and versatile "bottom-up" nanotechnology techniques to afford nanostructured materials with unprecedented properties. This project has the potential to revolutionise current approaches for forming surface coatings, films and advanced particles, leading to significant outcomes in diverse areas, including drug delivery, biomaterial implants and biocatalysis. The project will contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanotechnology industry, with the advanced materials developed expected to have health benefits for Australian citizens.Read moreRead less
Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately ha ....Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately have health benefits for Australian citizens and contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide excellent opportunities for the development of outstanding young scientists and will foster exciting, multidisciplinary collaborations.Read moreRead less
Flexible dye-sensitised solar cells on polymer substrates. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of flexible solar cells. The resulting portable and compact solar cells could be incorporated in fabrics opening the solar cell market to the clothing industry. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the cells in Australia and then export the mater ....Flexible dye-sensitised solar cells on polymer substrates. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of flexible solar cells. The resulting portable and compact solar cells could be incorporated in fabrics opening the solar cell market to the clothing industry. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the cells in Australia and then export the materials and technology. This will benefit the Australian economy through employment of Australians and income generated through exports.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ce ....A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ceramic processing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less