Hybrid photocatalytic nanomaterials for water purification. This project aims to synthesise and characterise a range of porous photocatalytic materials (materials that absorb light to catalyse a reaction), and to establish high-throughput processes to simultaneously test the effectiveness of multiple photocatalytic materials. This interdisciplinary project expects to develop two new techniques that will lead to faster materials optimisation of materials that breakdown organic pollutants in water ....Hybrid photocatalytic nanomaterials for water purification. This project aims to synthesise and characterise a range of porous photocatalytic materials (materials that absorb light to catalyse a reaction), and to establish high-throughput processes to simultaneously test the effectiveness of multiple photocatalytic materials. This interdisciplinary project expects to develop two new techniques that will lead to faster materials optimisation of materials that breakdown organic pollutants in water under light irradiation. The intended outcomes include the production of industrially relevant photocatalysts and building capability in Australia to decrease photocatalytic testing time and cost. This should provide significant benefits to industry and the environment, and have an impact on human health.Read moreRead less
On-demand visible light degradable dental materials. This project aims to break new ground in the field of advanced adhesives by pioneering a unique system that can be cleaved with a defined visible light trigger, enabling the removal of previously bonded material without mechanical force. This would allow two materials to be strongly bonded, including dental crowns, braces and implants. The project will advance on-demand degradable materials design, introducing an advanced class of responsive n ....On-demand visible light degradable dental materials. This project aims to break new ground in the field of advanced adhesives by pioneering a unique system that can be cleaved with a defined visible light trigger, enabling the removal of previously bonded material without mechanical force. This would allow two materials to be strongly bonded, including dental crowns, braces and implants. The project will advance on-demand degradable materials design, introducing an advanced class of responsive networks for applications where reversible bonding is critical. It will have flow on benefits in future dental material applications and also have applications where simple-to-remove, temporary adhesives are required.Read moreRead less
New high performance zinc bromine batteries with novel electrode/electrolyte systems. Renewable sources of energy are of particular interest in the era of diminishing fossil fuels. Efficient energy storage is a missing link for renewable energy. Zinc-bromine batteries have great potential as energy storage. This project will aim to fundamentally re-design the existing first generation systems to improve power density by 300-400 per cent.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100306
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,536.00
Summary
Functional Superstructures of Microporous Metal-Organic Frameworks. This project aims to develop metal-organic framework (MOF) superstructures as a new materials platform. MOFs are an emerging class of porous adsorbents that are expected to fulfil a crucial role as functional materials in industrially important applications, including molecular separations and heterogeneous catalysis. However, there is an urgent need for convenient methods to integrate the attractive properties of MOFs with the ....Functional Superstructures of Microporous Metal-Organic Frameworks. This project aims to develop metal-organic framework (MOF) superstructures as a new materials platform. MOFs are an emerging class of porous adsorbents that are expected to fulfil a crucial role as functional materials in industrially important applications, including molecular separations and heterogeneous catalysis. However, there is an urgent need for convenient methods to integrate the attractive properties of MOFs with the unique features of meso- and macrostructured materials, and for a fundamental understanding of the influence of structuring on their material properties. The project intends to synthesise structuralised MOFs as a platform for studies related to their adsorptive and dynamic properties, and to study these systems as next-generation materials for hydrocarbon separations.Read moreRead less
Permanent Concentration Gradients Captured in Molecular and Framework Co-Crystals. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise molecular and framework co-crystals in which the molecular components are arranged in permanent concentration gradients. Synthetic crystals of this type are unprecedented. The concentration gradient has significant implications for the physical properties of the crystals (for example, optical, magnetic and electronic) as these must also vary in concert with ....Permanent Concentration Gradients Captured in Molecular and Framework Co-Crystals. This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise molecular and framework co-crystals in which the molecular components are arranged in permanent concentration gradients. Synthetic crystals of this type are unprecedented. The concentration gradient has significant implications for the physical properties of the crystals (for example, optical, magnetic and electronic) as these must also vary in concert with the changing local molecular composition. These co-crystals promise unique magnetic and optical properties that will influence design of new smart solid-state materials with potential for use in future high-technology applications.Read moreRead less
Advanced Fibre Interfaces in Active Water Management Systems. Flooding is a critical issue in Australia, generating considerable economic losses, including by stormwater contamination. The current project will pioneer an integrated solution for stormwater retention, while removing chemical pollutants. In collaboration with the company ROCKWOOL-Lapinus - based on a stonewool fibre platform - we will (i) design fibre coatings based on a versatile and chemically simple deposition process, (ii) inco ....Advanced Fibre Interfaces in Active Water Management Systems. Flooding is a critical issue in Australia, generating considerable economic losses, including by stormwater contamination. The current project will pioneer an integrated solution for stormwater retention, while removing chemical pollutants. In collaboration with the company ROCKWOOL-Lapinus - based on a stonewool fibre platform - we will (i) design fibre coatings based on a versatile and chemically simple deposition process, (ii) incorporate functionalities onto the fibres allowing active stormwater treatment to e.g. retain pollutants or target heavy metals and (iii) investigate these interfaces in-depth by advanced surface and interface characterisation methods to understand the fibre interface properties from nano- to macroscale.Read moreRead less
Bioactive Polymer Platelets. This project aims to develop polymers that can be self-assembled into 2D structures. Most nanoparticles developed for drug delivery are spherical. However these are not always the most efficacious as theory suggest that non-spherical nanoparticles have longer circulation times. It is proposed that discoid morphologies may be advantageous as they tend to migrate to the vascular membrane and adhere more efficiently. The polymers developed by this project will be tailor ....Bioactive Polymer Platelets. This project aims to develop polymers that can be self-assembled into 2D structures. Most nanoparticles developed for drug delivery are spherical. However these are not always the most efficacious as theory suggest that non-spherical nanoparticles have longer circulation times. It is proposed that discoid morphologies may be advantageous as they tend to migrate to the vascular membrane and adhere more efficiently. The polymers developed by this project will be tailored towards bioactive and biocompatible material to create a drug delivery platform for more efficient disease treatment. The outcome will be better understanding on how polymer platelets can be obtained and how they compare in their biological activity with spherical nanoparticles.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100014
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,275,680.00
Summary
Light-Induced chemical modularity: a new frontier in macromolecular design. This project aims to develop powerful light-driven chemistries for the modular construction of advanced macromolecular materials. The expected outcome is a versatile, light-based precision macromolecular synthetic technology platform, enabling critical advances in soft matter material design and synthesis, ranging from selectivity control of chemical reactions and information-coded and biomimetic light-responsive macromo ....Light-Induced chemical modularity: a new frontier in macromolecular design. This project aims to develop powerful light-driven chemistries for the modular construction of advanced macromolecular materials. The expected outcome is a versatile, light-based precision macromolecular synthetic technology platform, enabling critical advances in soft matter material design and synthesis, ranging from selectivity control of chemical reactions and information-coded and biomimetic light-responsive macromolecules to advanced functional photoresists for 3D laser lithography as well as materials that self-report structural transformations by light or are reprogrammable in their properties by photonic fields. Harnessing the power of light as a precision tool for the construction of advanced macromolecular materials will provide technology outcomes for Australian manufacturing industries from electronics to health. This includes laser-driven 3D printing technology at the nano-level, light-adaptive smart reprogrammable coatings and materials, synthetic proteins responsive to light as well as tailor-made single cell niches.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101890
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Purification of contaminated wastewaters by modified Bayer layered double hydroxides. This project intends to develop enhanced adsorbent materials, prepared from industrial wastewater and seawater, for the decontamination of environments affected by Australian industries. This inexpensive novel material will be applicable to a wide range of purification applications and will reduce the environmental impact of Australian industries.