Development of a New Type of Large-Area Robust Superhydrophobic Surfaces (MWN). Electrochemical manipulation will be used to produce robust metal surfaces of controlled roughness and characteristic size of the surface features in the 10-1000 nanometre range. Subsequent surface modification (e.g. self-assembled monolayers, silane chemisorption, plasma polymer deposition) will render these surfaces superhydrophobic. The surfaces will have highly depressed adhesion properties and hence a significan ....Development of a New Type of Large-Area Robust Superhydrophobic Surfaces (MWN). Electrochemical manipulation will be used to produce robust metal surfaces of controlled roughness and characteristic size of the surface features in the 10-1000 nanometre range. Subsequent surface modification (e.g. self-assembled monolayers, silane chemisorption, plasma polymer deposition) will render these surfaces superhydrophobic. The surfaces will have highly depressed adhesion properties and hence a significantly improved chemical resistance and corrosion stability. A viable procedure for the making of polymer imprints from the metal surfaces will be developed. This will form the basis of a new method for cheap fabrication of various superhydrophobic surfaces with large areas and specific functionality.Read moreRead less
Improving the Performance of Lead Anodes in the Electrowinning of Copper. The aim of this project is the development of a fundamental understanding of the role of certain metal ions such as cobalt and manganese in modifying the electrochemical and corrosion performance of lead alloy materials used as anodes in the electrowinning of base metals such as copper, zinc and nickel.
The development of improved anodes will be of major benefit to the industry in terms of anode cost and particularly ener ....Improving the Performance of Lead Anodes in the Electrowinning of Copper. The aim of this project is the development of a fundamental understanding of the role of certain metal ions such as cobalt and manganese in modifying the electrochemical and corrosion performance of lead alloy materials used as anodes in the electrowinning of base metals such as copper, zinc and nickel.
The development of improved anodes will be of major benefit to the industry in terms of anode cost and particularly energy consumption. This project will lead to a better understanding of the performance of these anodes and could result in the design of improved anode materials and/or operating strategies.Read moreRead less
Liquid metal solvents and colloids – a new frontier in chemistry. This project aims to develop a holistic understanding of dynamic bond formation within molten metals to unlock the full potential of liquid metal chemistry. The project expects to develop new methodologies required to study the nanoscale chemistry of liquid metals, an emerging class of solvents that could revolutionise modern catalysis, metallurgy and inorganic synthesis. The expected outcomes are an in-depth theoretical understan ....Liquid metal solvents and colloids – a new frontier in chemistry. This project aims to develop a holistic understanding of dynamic bond formation within molten metals to unlock the full potential of liquid metal chemistry. The project expects to develop new methodologies required to study the nanoscale chemistry of liquid metals, an emerging class of solvents that could revolutionise modern catalysis, metallurgy and inorganic synthesis. The expected outcomes are an in-depth theoretical understanding of liquid metal chemistry as well as new electron and atomic force microscopy techniques that will shed light on these extraordinary materials. This should benefit future studies of liquid metal chemistry and consequently the development of industrial applications of these unique liquids.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775592
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,000.00
Summary
A High Resolution Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. Scanning electron microscopy is the major visualization tool for a diverse range of research disciplines. This new generation of instrument will be able to image features close to atomic resolution and obtain quantitative analytical information from regions only a few atoms across. Because of the nature of the way the electron beam is produced, the new instrument will be able to examine particularly sensitive ma ....A High Resolution Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. Scanning electron microscopy is the major visualization tool for a diverse range of research disciplines. This new generation of instrument will be able to image features close to atomic resolution and obtain quantitative analytical information from regions only a few atoms across. Because of the nature of the way the electron beam is produced, the new instrument will be able to examine particularly sensitive materials, such as soft bio-materials, without any loss in resolving power. This machine will be unique in Australia and be available to researchers from diverse fields of study working towards building and transforming Australian Industries and underpinning scientific discovery in nanotechnology, materials science and bioengineering.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561247
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$168,810.00
Summary
An advanced scanning probe microscopy facility. The development of advanced materials with high performance and functionality for applications such as medical implants, solar energy, drug delivery and gas separation is facilitated by the availability of sophisticated characterisation methods. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has become an essential tool in materials science, biomaterials development, nanotechnology and biology. The aim of this proposal is to provide a high performance SPM system ....An advanced scanning probe microscopy facility. The development of advanced materials with high performance and functionality for applications such as medical implants, solar energy, drug delivery and gas separation is facilitated by the availability of sophisticated characterisation methods. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has become an essential tool in materials science, biomaterials development, nanotechnology and biology. The aim of this proposal is to provide a high performance SPM system as an enabling technology to advance the excellent research being performed at the collaborating universities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237888
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
An advanced facility for materials characterisation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a powerful technique for determining the chemical makeup of the top few Angstroms of a solid material. It has very wide applicability in materials science research, and industry problem solving. Brisbane Surface Analysis Facility has nearly twenty years experience in the use of XPS in the study of advanced materials, polymers, thin films and metallurgy. While the existing instrument is still functional, i ....An advanced facility for materials characterisation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a powerful technique for determining the chemical makeup of the top few Angstroms of a solid material. It has very wide applicability in materials science research, and industry problem solving. Brisbane Surface Analysis Facility has nearly twenty years experience in the use of XPS in the study of advanced materials, polymers, thin films and metallurgy. While the existing instrument is still functional, it lacks the resolution and imaging capabilities of modern machines, and this proposal is intended to make state of the art imaging XPS available to Queensland institutions, to support initiatives in materials science.Read moreRead less