Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100280
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,536.00
Summary
Bio-inspired multifunctional inorganic nanostructured interfaces. Learning from nature involves taking ideas from nature and developing novel functional materials. This project aims to design novel bio-inspired multifunctional interfaces to prevent the adherence of crystals and solid particles to surfaces, achieve excellent mechanical resilience, and provide multiple photoresponses, based on a deep understanding of the fundamental physiochemical, mechanical, structural, and optical characteristi ....Bio-inspired multifunctional inorganic nanostructured interfaces. Learning from nature involves taking ideas from nature and developing novel functional materials. This project aims to design novel bio-inspired multifunctional interfaces to prevent the adherence of crystals and solid particles to surfaces, achieve excellent mechanical resilience, and provide multiple photoresponses, based on a deep understanding of the fundamental physiochemical, mechanical, structural, and optical characteristics of natural multifunctional surfaces/interfaces in the target natural species. This project aims to aid in the design of new bio-inspired smart materials and deliver novel technologies for materials synthesis for potential uses in the chemical industry, sustainable energy applications, and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Building bio-inspired smart nanochannels for virus detection. This project aims to harness high-precision silicon nanofabrication methods to create the next generation of bio-inspired viral biosensors. The new technology would enable prompt, cost-efficient, and accurate detection of virus contamination of our water and food supplies. The project plans to fabricate arrays of parallel double-layered nanochannels in silicon via templated etching, with surface functionalisation to display receptors. ....Building bio-inspired smart nanochannels for virus detection. This project aims to harness high-precision silicon nanofabrication methods to create the next generation of bio-inspired viral biosensors. The new technology would enable prompt, cost-efficient, and accurate detection of virus contamination of our water and food supplies. The project plans to fabricate arrays of parallel double-layered nanochannels in silicon via templated etching, with surface functionalisation to display receptors. These nanochannels are designed to act as size-selective filters for electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence sensing. The project plans to explore innovative signal amplification and multiplexing capabilities for ultrasensitive detection of norovirus and bacteriophages.Read moreRead less
Black titanium dioxide-graphene nanoleaves drive solid-gas selective carbon dioxide to solar fuels. This project aims to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of a reaction to produce a carbon-neutral solar fuel. People are currently still over reliant on fossil fuels for energy production, which leads to increased greenhouse gases and their detrimental climate effect. This project will develop novel wireless sustainable nano-reactors, which can be scaled to a system working in an am ....Black titanium dioxide-graphene nanoleaves drive solid-gas selective carbon dioxide to solar fuels. This project aims to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of a reaction to produce a carbon-neutral solar fuel. People are currently still over reliant on fossil fuels for energy production, which leads to increased greenhouse gases and their detrimental climate effect. This project will develop novel wireless sustainable nano-reactors, which can be scaled to a system working in an ambient environment for high-yield production. The expected outcomes are to synthesise nano-flowers composed of 2D functional nano-leaves, which will be fabricated into a flexible large-area carbon dioxide-to-solar fuel system. This project will also expand knowledge in heterojunctions, surface chemistry and nano-manufacturing of 2D materials. The technology to be developed will only rely on natural solar, atmospheric, and earth-abundant eco-friendly resources, and intends to promote Australia as a key regional solar fuels production and export nation.Read moreRead less
The crucial role of organic-inorganic interfaces in the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. Organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes and organic solar cells are expected to lead to substantial benefits over conventional electronic components. However, there is increasing evidence that the interface between the organic layers and the inorganic electrodes (or active components in hybrid devices) could be sub-optimal in terms of critical properties such as electro ....The crucial role of organic-inorganic interfaces in the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. Organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes and organic solar cells are expected to lead to substantial benefits over conventional electronic components. However, there is increasing evidence that the interface between the organic layers and the inorganic electrodes (or active components in hybrid devices) could be sub-optimal in terms of critical properties such as electron transfer and stability. The aim of this project is to understand the structure and properties of such interfaces and to probe their behaviour at elevated temperatures. The results will pave the way for organic electronic devices to become a commercial reality.Read moreRead less
Carbon-based electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and water desalination. Clean energy and water resource are two critical issues for an environmentally sustainable Australia. The research project will lead to the discovery of innovative carbon-based electrode materials with well-designed physical and chemical properties for clean energy storage and alternative water desalination technology.
Ion channel biosensors based on porous waveguides. Realising the importance of membrane proteins for the functioning of every organism, this project will develop technology to investigate membrane protein functions based on a novel approach combining nanotechnology and biology. The technology will lead to a bio-inspired sensor device capable of detecting minute quantities of molecular analytes.
Manufacturing Nanostructured Polymer Thin Films using Visible Light. This research aims the development of selective photochemical tools driven by different colours of light for the fabrication of nanostructured polymer brush thin films. By using different wavelengths to selectively activate specific chemical reactions, this will enable multiple reactions to be performed simultaneously, significantly streamlining fabrication. Additionally, the increased selectivity offers pathways to more sophis ....Manufacturing Nanostructured Polymer Thin Films using Visible Light. This research aims the development of selective photochemical tools driven by different colours of light for the fabrication of nanostructured polymer brush thin films. By using different wavelengths to selectively activate specific chemical reactions, this will enable multiple reactions to be performed simultaneously, significantly streamlining fabrication. Additionally, the increased selectivity offers pathways to more sophisticated nanoarchitectures in comparison to existing methods. This research will lead to the fabrication of 3D polymer brush architectures with unparalleled precision, which will be of high scientific and industrial value for a diverse range of applications, such as optoelectronics, nanoactuation, and sensing.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