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
Developing high-flux ceramic membranes via in situ synthesis of metal oxide nanofibres for separations of biological substances. This project can deliver advanced technology for fabricating ceramic membranes and biological separation, which has considerable commercial prospects in the chemical, pharmaceutical, dairy, food and water industries. The new ceramic membrane and nanofibres are highly-valued end products of metal oxides, which are manufactured commercially on large scale in Australia. T ....Developing high-flux ceramic membranes via in situ synthesis of metal oxide nanofibres for separations of biological substances. This project can deliver advanced technology for fabricating ceramic membranes and biological separation, which has considerable commercial prospects in the chemical, pharmaceutical, dairy, food and water industries. The new ceramic membrane and nanofibres are highly-valued end products of metal oxides, which are manufactured commercially on large scale in Australia. The project could bring direct benefits to the existing industries, by fostering their growth into more value-added processes, and exporting highly-valued products abroad. Additionally, efficient ceramic membranes could offer solutions to the large-scale purification of biological substances and to the problems for providing clean drinking water.Read moreRead less
An evaluation of novel aluminosilicate materials based on modified kaolins for environmental applications. We have shown that simple and inexpensive modification of kaolin produces materials that adsorb large amounts of ammonium (N) and phosphate (P). We intend to evaluate and develop these materials for water treatment, so as to reduce N, P inputs into rivers and wetlands. The materials can then be used as fertilisers. Similarly addition of the materials to sandy soils to reduce leaching losses ....An evaluation of novel aluminosilicate materials based on modified kaolins for environmental applications. We have shown that simple and inexpensive modification of kaolin produces materials that adsorb large amounts of ammonium (N) and phosphate (P). We intend to evaluate and develop these materials for water treatment, so as to reduce N, P inputs into rivers and wetlands. The materials can then be used as fertilisers. Similarly addition of the materials to sandy soils to reduce leaching losses of N, P from fertilisers will be investigated. The major outcome of this research will be effective and inexpensive procedures for reducing eutrophication due to N, P from waste water and fertilisers.Read moreRead less