Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their ....Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their collective behaviour. The project will investigate in detail the geometry, topology, materials science and statistical physics of networks, leading to design and characterization of robust self-assembled materials and complex systems.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science. This Centre aims to manipulate the way light energy is absorbed, transported and transformed in advanced molecular materials. The research programme spans high-throughput computational screening, single molecule photochemistry and ultrafast spectroscopy and embraces innovative outreach and commercial translation activities. The Centre plans to capture the knowledge generated as new intellectual property, materials processing know-how, and through the ....ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science. This Centre aims to manipulate the way light energy is absorbed, transported and transformed in advanced molecular materials. The research programme spans high-throughput computational screening, single molecule photochemistry and ultrafast spectroscopy and embraces innovative outreach and commercial translation activities. The Centre plans to capture the knowledge generated as new intellectual property, materials processing know-how, and through the creation of new employment opportunities. The expected outcomes and benefits include new Australian technologies in solar energy conversion, energy-efficient lighting and displays, security labelling and optical sensor platforms for defence.Read moreRead less
Self-assembled polyphiles: molecular nanopatterns. 21st century technology is certain to rely on advanced materials, utterly new in character, function and manufacturing process. Control of material structure, from the atomic and molecular scales and upward will be a central focus, to engineer specific features from electronic or photonic functionality, to chemical selectivity. The manufacturing principle of biological materials, made routinely in vivo with exquisite economy and control at all l ....Self-assembled polyphiles: molecular nanopatterns. 21st century technology is certain to rely on advanced materials, utterly new in character, function and manufacturing process. Control of material structure, from the atomic and molecular scales and upward will be a central focus, to engineer specific features from electronic or photonic functionality, to chemical selectivity. The manufacturing principle of biological materials, made routinely in vivo with exquisite economy and control at all length scales, will be adopted for materials design. The route to these materials is self-assembly. We will explore in detail theory and practical manufacture of self-assembled nanostructured materials, building molecular honeycombs combining composite material features at the nanoscale.Read moreRead less
New carbon phases synthesized under extreme conditions. This project aims to address one of the major fundamental puzzles in carbon science; how to experimentally synthesize new phases of carbon predicted by theory. This could be approached via a combination of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation to transform novel nano-carbon precursors. The expected outcomes include new phases of carbon with unexplored properties, an understanding of the pathways for synthesis of carbon materials, an ....New carbon phases synthesized under extreme conditions. This project aims to address one of the major fundamental puzzles in carbon science; how to experimentally synthesize new phases of carbon predicted by theory. This could be approached via a combination of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation to transform novel nano-carbon precursors. The expected outcomes include new phases of carbon with unexplored properties, an understanding of the pathways for synthesis of carbon materials, and new computational tools to understand nano-carbon materials under extreme conditions. This should provide benefits for industries seeking advanced materials for modern manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100163
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,000.00
Summary
Harnessing dynamic materials to produce better heterogeneous catalysts. This project aims to investigate an emerging class of catalysts featuring dynamic reaction sites using innovative computational chemistry methods. The capability of traditional materials has reached a performance status quo for many catalytic reactions. Dynamic materials may unlock a new dimension in catalyst design; however, their influence on reactivity is unclear, and the combination of materials and dynamics represents a ....Harnessing dynamic materials to produce better heterogeneous catalysts. This project aims to investigate an emerging class of catalysts featuring dynamic reaction sites using innovative computational chemistry methods. The capability of traditional materials has reached a performance status quo for many catalytic reactions. Dynamic materials may unlock a new dimension in catalyst design; however, their influence on reactivity is unclear, and the combination of materials and dynamics represents an immense parameter space. This project expects to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding dynamic catalytic processes. Expected outcomes of this project include the identification of specific materials and dynamics that achieve extraordinary efficiency for the benefit of sustainable chemical production.Read moreRead less
Environmental stability of nanoscale materials for catalysis and sensing. After two decades of research, the first wave of 'nanotechnology' consumer products are entering the market, and large quantities of nanoparticles (less than millionth of a centimetre in size) are now being produced annually. However, before any new product can be manufactured, we need to know how stable engineered nanomaterials are before we bring them into our home, or we find them (unintentionally) free in our waterways ....Environmental stability of nanoscale materials for catalysis and sensing. After two decades of research, the first wave of 'nanotechnology' consumer products are entering the market, and large quantities of nanoparticles (less than millionth of a centimetre in size) are now being produced annually. However, before any new product can be manufactured, we need to know how stable engineered nanomaterials are before we bring them into our home, or we find them (unintentionally) free in our waterways and other ecosystems. For the first time, this project uses high performance supercomputing and advanced theoretical modelling to predict the stability of nanomaterials under a wide range of environmental conditions, to help safe guard Australia from potential 'nano-hazards' associated with these tiny pieces of matter.Read moreRead less
Designing and Building Novel 2D Hybrid Materials. The aim of this project is to use computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new hybrid materials. Single-layer (2-D) materials like graphene have gained prominence and new ones are constantly being reported. Hybrid materials built from combinations of 2-D layers are appearing but progress is slow. This project is designed to increase the rate of discovery and fabrication of hybrids. The outcome would be an extensive data ....Designing and Building Novel 2D Hybrid Materials. The aim of this project is to use computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new hybrid materials. Single-layer (2-D) materials like graphene have gained prominence and new ones are constantly being reported. Hybrid materials built from combinations of 2-D layers are appearing but progress is slow. This project is designed to increase the rate of discovery and fabrication of hybrids. The outcome would be an extensive database of materials properties, clear direction on how to control material properties, and manufacturing protocols to build a wide range of new materials.Read moreRead less
Theory and synthesis of self-assembled polyfunctional supramolecular fibres and associated soft materials. Liquid crystals (LCs) and molecular fibres are essential structural and functional components of living systems. A new class of hybrid materials, combining LC and fibrous aspects, will be developed, based on self-assembly of 'linactants', invented by the CI and colleagues.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100235
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,000.00
Summary
Spectroscopy and imaging platform for photoactive materials. This project aims to establish a comprehensive analytic tool-box to characterise solution-processable materials for thin-film solar cells based on materials such as perovskites. These materials have light harvesting properties with absorption edges beyond 800 nm. This project will focus on time-resolved transient absorption and microwave conductivity phenomena and on lock-in thermographic imaging capabilities. This will accelerate mate ....Spectroscopy and imaging platform for photoactive materials. This project aims to establish a comprehensive analytic tool-box to characterise solution-processable materials for thin-film solar cells based on materials such as perovskites. These materials have light harvesting properties with absorption edges beyond 800 nm. This project will focus on time-resolved transient absorption and microwave conductivity phenomena and on lock-in thermographic imaging capabilities. This will accelerate materials and technological development in this research field. This project is expected to help the local and global energy sector transition to sustainable energy, provide a competitive edge for commercialisations of solar technologies in Australia, and benefit the economy, environment and national security.Read moreRead less