Transforming industrial waste into valuable carbons for iron-carbon alloys: Fundamental investigations of structure, impurity reactions and carbon dissolution. This project will deliver the comprehensive science that will enable the ferrous alloy industry to utilize industrial waste as a carbon resource. Novel recycling process will enhance the international competitiveness and environmental sustainability of Australian industries. At the same time, our advances will allow ferrous alloy producer ....Transforming industrial waste into valuable carbons for iron-carbon alloys: Fundamental investigations of structure, impurity reactions and carbon dissolution. This project will deliver the comprehensive science that will enable the ferrous alloy industry to utilize industrial waste as a carbon resource. Novel recycling process will enhance the international competitiveness and environmental sustainability of Australian industries. At the same time, our advances will allow ferrous alloy producers to consume substantial amounts of chemically inert, difficult to recycle industrial/composite waste, and significantly reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills/illegal dumps. The technology will have a significant impact on the environment through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, savings on raw materials and enhanced waste recycling. Read moreRead less
Controllable synthesis of multifunctional boron-based 2D materials. This project aims to make it possible to control the synthesis of boron-based two-dimensional (2D) materials with the desired following features in single or multiple aspects: thickness, composition, lateral sizes, porosity, surface area, and functionality. It intends to do so by designing and synthesising novel precursors, and by optimising the fabrication process of boron-based 2D nanosheets for different applications. The pro ....Controllable synthesis of multifunctional boron-based 2D materials. This project aims to make it possible to control the synthesis of boron-based two-dimensional (2D) materials with the desired following features in single or multiple aspects: thickness, composition, lateral sizes, porosity, surface area, and functionality. It intends to do so by designing and synthesising novel precursors, and by optimising the fabrication process of boron-based 2D nanosheets for different applications. The project will advance our fundamental knowledge in synthetic chemistry, materials chemistry, materials engineering and physics. It is expected to take us closer to unlocking the potential of boron-based 2D materials for real-world applications in, for example, energy storage and high-performance flexible electronics.Read moreRead less
Hierarchically structured carbon nanotube catalysts for the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Australia has significant biomass resources, which can be used to produce industrial chemicals and transport fuels. This project will develop a new family of carbon-nanotube-supported catalysts that will lead to improvements in process efficiency and performance for biofuels production.
Computational enzymology: exploring the free energy landscape of enzymatic catalysis. Most biochemical reactions depend on enzyme catalysis and understanding how enzymes work at the molecular level remains a central question. This project will develop a suite of computational models to study the mechanisms of enzyme-catalysed reactions and such knowledge holds promise for technological benefits in the form of new drugs and novel catalysts.
Structural and functional chacterisation of Acot7 in macrophages and its role in inflammation. This project will develop better understanding of the cellular pathways that mediate inflammation and will provide detailed information on a specific enzyme that produces arachidonic acid, the precursor to many inflammatory molecules, and characterisation of novel inhibitory binding sites.
A new approach to quantitative interpretation of paleoclimate archives. Skeletons of marine organisms can be used to reconstruct past climates and make predictions for the future. The precondition is the knowledge of how climatic and environmental information is incorporated into the biominerals. This project will use cutting-edge nano-analytical methods to further our understanding of how organisms build their skeletons.
The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation. Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron mi ....The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation. Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron microscopy techniques to explore the dependence of mechanical properties on size, morphology and structure of boron nitride nanotubes and the effect of mechanical strain on electrical properties, which will provide opportunities for composite materials reinforcement via nanotubes, and tune the electronic and optoelectronic properties of nanotubes via strain engineering.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of micro/nanoscale multilayers: theories and applications. The purpose of the project is to develop novel theoretical models, advanced numerical techniques and guidelines for the design and application of micro/nanoscale multilayers. The expected outcomes are fundamental contributions to the knowledge base of micro/nanoscale multilayered materials which are increasingly used in micro/nanotechnology.
Cell division in archaea. This project aims to reveal how archaeal FtsZ proteins and their spatial regulators control cell division, and develop an archaeal paradigm for cell biology. Archaea, a major group of microorganisms, are one of the three major domains of life on earth. They are diverse and show potential for innovation, but, owing to their relatively recent identification, are poorly understood compared to bacteria and eukaryotes. Expected outcomes are insights into the function of FtsZ ....Cell division in archaea. This project aims to reveal how archaeal FtsZ proteins and their spatial regulators control cell division, and develop an archaeal paradigm for cell biology. Archaea, a major group of microorganisms, are one of the three major domains of life on earth. They are diverse and show potential for innovation, but, owing to their relatively recent identification, are poorly understood compared to bacteria and eukaryotes. Expected outcomes are insights into the function of FtsZ-based cell division in archaea; better understanding of cell structure, function and diversity; and a wide range of cell and molecular biology studies.Read moreRead less
The effect of structure and size on the mechanical behaviour of III-V semiconductor nanowires. The project aims to apply in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy to investigate the mechanical behaviour of compound semiconductor nanowires and the effect of structure and geometry on the behaviour. The results will uncover the fundamental mechanical properties of nanowires and will guide the design of nanowire-based devices.