Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces a ....Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces and suspension flow behaviour. The outcomes of the project have potential for significant increase in fundamental understanding of the relationship between ions, surfaces and forces. The benefits of this knowledge include producing nano-ceramics with improved properties and better understanding biopolymer behaviour.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238533
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,000.00
Summary
In Situ Spectroscopy of Particle and Material Interfaces. We seek to establish a world-class research facility for the in situ study of particle and material interfaces. The two techniques that will form the backbone of the facility are Raman scattering and surface second harmonic generation (SHG). The proposed in situ spectroscopy facility will be multi-disciplinary, contributing to research in chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, forensic science, and biotechnology. The establishment o ....In Situ Spectroscopy of Particle and Material Interfaces. We seek to establish a world-class research facility for the in situ study of particle and material interfaces. The two techniques that will form the backbone of the facility are Raman scattering and surface second harmonic generation (SHG). The proposed in situ spectroscopy facility will be multi-disciplinary, contributing to research in chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, forensic science, and biotechnology. The establishment of the facility will enhance research in the areas of minerals processing, mineralogy, water treatment, and drug delivery.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0345760
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Nanoscale Interaction Forces in Particulate and Molecular Systems. We seek to establish a world-class facility for the measurement of nanoscale interaction forces. The ability to measure forces between particles, polymers, emulsion droplets, bubbles, proteins and powders will augment our research capabilities in minerals and material processing, thin film technology, structured surfaces, and in molecular and bio-technology (eg. proteins, DNA, cells, bone, bio-implants). A Molecular Force Probe ....Nanoscale Interaction Forces in Particulate and Molecular Systems. We seek to establish a world-class facility for the measurement of nanoscale interaction forces. The ability to measure forces between particles, polymers, emulsion droplets, bubbles, proteins and powders will augment our research capabilities in minerals and material processing, thin film technology, structured surfaces, and in molecular and bio-technology (eg. proteins, DNA, cells, bone, bio-implants). A Molecular Force Probe (Asylum Research) instrument will allow precise and flexible force measurements on the nano-metre scale. The proposed multi-disciplinary facility will advance research in the areas of engineering, chemistry, pharmacology and biotechnology.
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Reduced water usage in the Australian pulp and paper industry through novel process chemistry. Norske Skog Paper Mill operates two paper mills on major rivers in Australia. For these mills to reduce water consumption greater recycling of the process water is needed which results in a build-up of detrimental substances that will affect paper machine performance and efficiency. The knowledge gained from this project will help the paper mills to find strategies to control the build-up of the detr ....Reduced water usage in the Australian pulp and paper industry through novel process chemistry. Norske Skog Paper Mill operates two paper mills on major rivers in Australia. For these mills to reduce water consumption greater recycling of the process water is needed which results in a build-up of detrimental substances that will affect paper machine performance and efficiency. The knowledge gained from this project will help the paper mills to find strategies to control the build-up of the detrimental material and deal with it in such a way that the process water can be recycled and the paper mills can reduce water consumption.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989068
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,120.00
Summary
Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information g ....Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information gained is not accessible by any other method. The proposed equipment will be the first of this type in Australia and will complement existing surface science facilities. The project will enhance Australia's position in surface science internationally and a large number of projects will benefit from access to the equipment.Read moreRead less
New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contrib ....New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international momentum.Read moreRead less
Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. I ....Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. In this project our aim is to develop novel self-assembled surface coatings using block copolymer micelles. Spatial control of the micelle adsorption at the solid-aqueous interface will give us a significant degree of control over molecular location in 3-dimensions.Read moreRead less
Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest i ....Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest insulated wires ever made. Carbon nanotubes will also be aligned in the hexagonal hole in the template allowing exploitation of these unique species. The structures that will be fabricated will be candidates for catalysts, sensor arrays and electronic devices.Read moreRead less
The Interface of Oil-in-Water Emulsions. The interface between two immiscible liquids controls many phenomena including the formation and properties of emulsions, the nature of many chemical separation processes and the behaviour of biological systems. There are few methods to study such interfaces and most of these are susceptible to trace contamination by adventitious surfactants, but emulsions with their large surface area avoid this problem. Significant advances are possible with the new Aus ....The Interface of Oil-in-Water Emulsions. The interface between two immiscible liquids controls many phenomena including the formation and properties of emulsions, the nature of many chemical separation processes and the behaviour of biological systems. There are few methods to study such interfaces and most of these are susceptible to trace contamination by adventitious surfactants, but emulsions with their large surface area avoid this problem. Significant advances are possible with the new Australian technique of electroacoustics, complemented by neutron scattering, nmr, rheological and dielectric response measurements on concentrated emulsions. Our surfactant-free emulsions provide a fundamental breakthrough in such studies, leading to new materials from nanostructures.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453823
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,124.00
Summary
Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated ....Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated with soft interfaces which are required for ongoing research in fluid-fluid interfaces, surfactant and polymer adsorbed layers, and biomolecules as well as to develop new processes in emerging fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical and pharmaceutical production.Read moreRead less