Microstructure effect on energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibres. This project aims to provide new knowledge about how to manipulate the energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibrous mats by changing the fibre structure, components and mat configuration. Expected outcomes of the project are new fibrous materials capable of efficiently converting small mechanical forces and sounds into electricity. These high performance energy harvesting fibres will be useful for developing new power ....Microstructure effect on energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibres. This project aims to provide new knowledge about how to manipulate the energy harvesting ability of electrospun fibrous mats by changing the fibre structure, components and mat configuration. Expected outcomes of the project are new fibrous materials capable of efficiently converting small mechanical forces and sounds into electricity. These high performance energy harvesting fibres will be useful for developing new power supplies, self-powered electronics, self-sustainable sensor networks and electronic textiles.Read moreRead less
High Temperature, Piezoelectric Polymer Membranes. This project aims to acquire new knowledge about the preparation of flexible polymer membranes that can convert mechanical energy into electricity (“piezoelectric” conversion) stably at high temperature (e.g. 200-500 °C). This will solve the current problem where only inorganic ceramic materials can be used for high-temperature piezoelectric conversion. The expected outcomes include a new approach to prepare polymer membranes capable of high-tem ....High Temperature, Piezoelectric Polymer Membranes. This project aims to acquire new knowledge about the preparation of flexible polymer membranes that can convert mechanical energy into electricity (“piezoelectric” conversion) stably at high temperature (e.g. 200-500 °C). This will solve the current problem where only inorganic ceramic materials can be used for high-temperature piezoelectric conversion. The expected outcomes include a new approach to prepare polymer membranes capable of high-temperature piezoelectric conversion using an electrostatic spinning technology. The new breakthrough materials will not only enhance performance and reliability at high temperature, but also offer novel applications in diverse fields such as “smart” protective clothing for firefighters. Read moreRead less
Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic u ....Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic understanding about materials, devices and performance. This will significantly benefit development of advanced noise controlling technology and products, benefiting industry and the environment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101553
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
A flexible virus-like particle delivery platform for next-generation vaccines. Murine polyomavirus (MPyV) capsid proteins self-assemble into spherical protein shells approximately 45 nm in diameter. Such virus-like particles (VLPs) are of considerable interest as bionanotechnological tools. The unique flexibility provided by MPyV VLPs will be exploited by exploring the ability of the interior cavity to retain bioactive cargos while engineering novel functionality on the exterior surface by 'mix- ....A flexible virus-like particle delivery platform for next-generation vaccines. Murine polyomavirus (MPyV) capsid proteins self-assemble into spherical protein shells approximately 45 nm in diameter. Such virus-like particles (VLPs) are of considerable interest as bionanotechnological tools. The unique flexibility provided by MPyV VLPs will be exploited by exploring the ability of the interior cavity to retain bioactive cargos while engineering novel functionality on the exterior surface by 'mix-and-match' assembly of VLPs from modified components. As a proof of concept for next-generation vaccines that stimulate much needed, broadly protective responses against infectious diseases, model antigens will be delivered to specific immune cells using this nano-container.Read moreRead less
Development of next-generation nanoengineered advanced materials for targeted applications. This proposal seeks to develop and use a novel next-generation nanoscale fabrication technique to assemble technologically advanced materials not accessible via current fabrication strategies. The resulting materials are expected to find application in water purification, pharmaceutical development and drug delivery.
Rational design of genetic circuits that respond to transient signals. Engineered genetic circuits with predictable and robust behaviour promise unprecedented environmental and economic benefits. Yet much work remains to be done before living devices can routinely be built from a standarised set of biological parts - the goal of synthetic biologists. By studying how natural genetic switch circuits respond to transient signals, this project aims to uncover a set of design rules which could be use ....Rational design of genetic circuits that respond to transient signals. Engineered genetic circuits with predictable and robust behaviour promise unprecedented environmental and economic benefits. Yet much work remains to be done before living devices can routinely be built from a standarised set of biological parts - the goal of synthetic biologists. By studying how natural genetic switch circuits respond to transient signals, this project aims to uncover a set of design rules which could be used to construct and control purpose-built genetic networks and pathways. The results of this project are expected to add to the molecular tookit available to synthetic biologists.Read moreRead less
The true potential and limitations of fibres. This project aims to understand the fibre spinning process of nanomaterials to identify their true potential and limitations in wearable applications. The project is expected to lead to multifunctional materials that allow design and production of smart functional fibres and textiles that store and convert energy and sense, monitor and respond to human activities and external environments. The project outcomes are expected to accelerate the transform ....The true potential and limitations of fibres. This project aims to understand the fibre spinning process of nanomaterials to identify their true potential and limitations in wearable applications. The project is expected to lead to multifunctional materials that allow design and production of smart functional fibres and textiles that store and convert energy and sense, monitor and respond to human activities and external environments. The project outcomes are expected to accelerate the transformation of the fibre industry, which will have far reaching implications across research disciplines and sectors critical to technology, health, social, and economic future.Read moreRead less
Design and Fabrication of Molecular Machines: the Nanomachines of the Future. Nanotechnology that incorporates the use of nanomachines and molecular machines is an exciting new area of translational research, with broad potential in biomedical technology and industrial applications. We are developing new molecular machines and optimising their assembly. Recent innovation in the world of nanotechnology concerns the design and manufacture of synthetic and hybrid machines, based on existing biologi ....Design and Fabrication of Molecular Machines: the Nanomachines of the Future. Nanotechnology that incorporates the use of nanomachines and molecular machines is an exciting new area of translational research, with broad potential in biomedical technology and industrial applications. We are developing new molecular machines and optimising their assembly. Recent innovation in the world of nanotechnology concerns the design and manufacture of synthetic and hybrid machines, based on existing biological molecular machines but incorporating synthetic parts. Australia has an opportunity to be at the forefront of these new developments in nanotechnology, with a new generation of Australian scientists being trained across the foundation disciplines of chemistry, physics and molecular biology.Read moreRead less
Surveillance of the mechanisms controlling proteome foldedness. This project aims to measure how cells keep the proteome folded. Cells have extensive quality control networks to govern synthesis, folding and transport of every protein but the buffering capacity of this system is not definable. This capacity is needed to understand how problems arise in managing proteome foldedness, a central feature of human diseases and biotechnology and synthetic biology applications that need cell-based produ ....Surveillance of the mechanisms controlling proteome foldedness. This project aims to measure how cells keep the proteome folded. Cells have extensive quality control networks to govern synthesis, folding and transport of every protein but the buffering capacity of this system is not definable. This capacity is needed to understand how problems arise in managing proteome foldedness, a central feature of human diseases and biotechnology and synthetic biology applications that need cell-based production of engineered proteins such as hormones and antibodies. The outcomes are expected to provide basic knowledge of this fundamental process and provide biosensors and screening methods for use in health and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100091
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,000.00
Summary
Traffic on DNA: interplay between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. The DNA inside the cell is not just a repository of information, but is an active player in how that information is used. Proteins bind to defined locations on the DNA to control which genes are active, and genes are expressed by RNA polymerases that track along the DNA. Collisions between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins can remove the proteins or block the polymerase. How can these essential processes safely coexis ....Traffic on DNA: interplay between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins. The DNA inside the cell is not just a repository of information, but is an active player in how that information is used. Proteins bind to defined locations on the DNA to control which genes are active, and genes are expressed by RNA polymerases that track along the DNA. Collisions between RNA polymerases and DNA-bound proteins can remove the proteins or block the polymerase. How can these essential processes safely coexist on the DNA? The project aims to integrate systematic experiments using well-defined genetic components and mathematical modelling to understand the 'design' features of DNA and proteins that minimise these traffic problems. A better understanding could inform new strategies for manipulation of gene expression.Read moreRead less