Understanding the properties of layered nanostructures using in-situ TEM. This project aims to support the practical applications of layered nanostructure-based devices and systems. The development of layered chalcogenide nanostructures is a global research focus due to their potential applications in the energy sector. However, their structure–property link is unclear due to the lack of direct correlation between their structure and properties. This project aims to establish the intrinsic struc ....Understanding the properties of layered nanostructures using in-situ TEM. This project aims to support the practical applications of layered nanostructure-based devices and systems. The development of layered chalcogenide nanostructures is a global research focus due to their potential applications in the energy sector. However, their structure–property link is unclear due to the lack of direct correlation between their structure and properties. This project aims to establish the intrinsic structure–property link by closely correlating the structure (and structural variations) and properties (and varied properties) simultaneously determined from individual nanostructures inside a transmission electron microscope. Expected project outcomes may advance the knowledge base, and provide guidelines for the development of nanostructure-based devices for their high-performance applications, especially in the energy sector.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,000.00
Summary
An integrated system for characterisation of mechanical behaviour of bio- and nanomaterials at micro and nano scales in Queensland. Australia's material sciences will benefit from a new integrated system capable of microforce and nanomechanical testing of biomaterials, polymers and thin films, medical devices and electronics at the micro and nano scales. This facility will support ground-breaking research. It will help promote strategic collaboration and ensure the competitiveness of related and ....An integrated system for characterisation of mechanical behaviour of bio- and nanomaterials at micro and nano scales in Queensland. Australia's material sciences will benefit from a new integrated system capable of microforce and nanomechanical testing of biomaterials, polymers and thin films, medical devices and electronics at the micro and nano scales. This facility will support ground-breaking research. It will help promote strategic collaboration and ensure the competitiveness of related and emerging industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,000.00
Summary
Facility for Characterisation of BioNanomaterials. Facility for characterisation of bionanomaterials:
The facility for characterisation of bionanomaterials aims to provide researchers with access to an integrated facility for advanced characterisation of nanomaterials from inception to application in biomedicine. Nanotechnology has contributed to significant advances across a range of disciplines and is increasingly used in biomedical applications. The facility aims to allow detailed examinatio ....Facility for Characterisation of BioNanomaterials. Facility for characterisation of bionanomaterials:
The facility for characterisation of bionanomaterials aims to provide researchers with access to an integrated facility for advanced characterisation of nanomaterials from inception to application in biomedicine. Nanotechnology has contributed to significant advances across a range of disciplines and is increasingly used in biomedical applications. The facility aims to allow detailed examination of how nanomaterials interact in biological systems; from individual nanoparticles to whole animals, and through developing this fundamental understanding provide the means to produce new and highly effective nanomaterials for biomedical applications. The facility plans to support programs using nanomaterials for molecular imaging and intelligent drug delivery, while developing greater understanding of how to create more effective nanobiomaterials.Read moreRead less
Capturing full-spectrum of solar energy using TiO2 ordered suprastructures. The project aims to develop a titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor that can use full-spectrum solar energy. Solar-driven photocatalytic processes have important applications in water decontamination and energy production. Their effectiveness is dictated by the semiconductor’s absorbance and conversion of photoenergy to chemical energy. Being inexpensive, chemically and mechanically robust, TiO2 is the most promising mat ....Capturing full-spectrum of solar energy using TiO2 ordered suprastructures. The project aims to develop a titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor that can use full-spectrum solar energy. Solar-driven photocatalytic processes have important applications in water decontamination and energy production. Their effectiveness is dictated by the semiconductor’s absorbance and conversion of photoenergy to chemical energy. Being inexpensive, chemically and mechanically robust, TiO2 is the most promising material for the semiconductor. However, unmodified TiO2 only absorbs ultraviolet light (5 per cent of solar energy). With current progress made in visible absorbance, this project aims to significantly improve TiO2’s absorbance in near infrared by doping with upconversion lanthanides and rendering colloidal crystal suprastructures that can trap light.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100156
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,500.00
Summary
3D Two-Photon Nanoprinter for Advanced Multi-Functional Materials & Devices. The Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 Two-Photon 3D Printer enables tailoring materials’ architecture at nanoscale. This results in unique optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biochemical, and acoustic properties enabling a wealth of cutting-edge research activities in variety of fields including mechanical/optical/electrical metamaterials, bioinspired hard/soft materials, biomaterials (e.g., structured cell-ti ....3D Two-Photon Nanoprinter for Advanced Multi-Functional Materials & Devices. The Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 Two-Photon 3D Printer enables tailoring materials’ architecture at nanoscale. This results in unique optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biochemical, and acoustic properties enabling a wealth of cutting-edge research activities in variety of fields including mechanical/optical/electrical metamaterials, bioinspired hard/soft materials, biomaterials (e.g., structured cell-tissue interfaces), biomedical devices (implantable devices and drug-delivery systems), nanofluidics, and photonic crystals. In each of these fields, we will use GT2 to print variety of polymers, hydrogels, metals and ceramics, for example by printing polymer-derived nanoceramics that will be simultaneously strong and tough.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100051
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,000.00
Summary
An advanced X-ray facility for surface and in-situ materials characterization. An advanced X-ray facility for surface and in-situ materials characterisation: Materials properties are crucial to the performance of devices and structures, and detailed characterisation at a molecular level is important for optimizing new materials. X-rays are a powerful means of achieving the required level of detail in structural characterisation. The aim of this project is to make available an extremely bright X- ....An advanced X-ray facility for surface and in-situ materials characterization. An advanced X-ray facility for surface and in-situ materials characterisation: Materials properties are crucial to the performance of devices and structures, and detailed characterisation at a molecular level is important for optimizing new materials. X-rays are a powerful means of achieving the required level of detail in structural characterisation. The aim of this project is to make available an extremely bright X-ray source with a suite of advanced analytical tools, including surface structural analysis by reflectometry and grazing incidence diffraction and materials structure determination using powder diffraction and microdiffraction at high and low temperatures. The functions of this facility are broad and its applications include materials science, organic electronics, biomaterials and engineering.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101212
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
In-situ Atomic-scale Deformation Mechanism of ultrafine Nanocrystalline Pt. Understanding the deformation of nanocrystalline (NC) metals is crucial for their practical application. So far, the deformation mechanism of ultrafine NC metals with grain size below 15 nanometre has been predicted by simulations which need to be verified experimentally. Using different in situ transmission electron microscopy deformation approaches, this project aims to determine deformation mechanisms of ultrafine NC ....In-situ Atomic-scale Deformation Mechanism of ultrafine Nanocrystalline Pt. Understanding the deformation of nanocrystalline (NC) metals is crucial for their practical application. So far, the deformation mechanism of ultrafine NC metals with grain size below 15 nanometre has been predicted by simulations which need to be verified experimentally. Using different in situ transmission electron microscopy deformation approaches, this project aims to determine deformation mechanisms of ultrafine NC platinum (Pt) at atomic-scale and to clarify how the deformation behaviour affects mechanical properties. The expected outcomes will advance the knowledge base in ultrafine NC metals and will provide guidance for developing advanced metallic materials with high strength/ductility that are the backbone for developing flexible and bendable devices.Read moreRead less
Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performi ....Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performing research to fully understand, miniaturise and develop this method further, this project aims to enable the quantitative observation of nanoscaled biological machinery involved in cell-to-cell communication and DNA unfolding. Such a technology platform may have applications in areas such as biology, biotechnology and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101637
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Plasmonic nanofocusing for super-resolution DNA imaging. Plasmonics (waves in a metal's electrons) can focus light to extreme concentrations that enable imaging techniques to resolve features well beyond the optical barrier known as the diffraction limit. This project aims to develop a routine methodology capable of extracting precise information from single DNA molecules by incorporating plasmonic components into a lab-on-a-chip device for use under conventional optical microscopes. The configu ....Plasmonic nanofocusing for super-resolution DNA imaging. Plasmonics (waves in a metal's electrons) can focus light to extreme concentrations that enable imaging techniques to resolve features well beyond the optical barrier known as the diffraction limit. This project aims to develop a routine methodology capable of extracting precise information from single DNA molecules by incorporating plasmonic components into a lab-on-a-chip device for use under conventional optical microscopes. The configuration would have the convenience and technological maturity associated with microscopes whilst being able to capture details of biomolecules with unprecedented detail. New DNA analyses will be made possible by the platform, such as studying the genomic diversity within a population of tumour cells.Read moreRead less
A Nano-platform for affordable and ultra-sensitive bio-marker detection. This project aims to develop a next-generation nano-platform and lateral flow assays (LFA) device for ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers. LFA’s are used for the rapid detection of biomarkers; however, their sensitivity is relatively low. The preparation of innovative porous silica nanoparticles with uniform particle size and controllable structures (pore size, pore structure, internal surface functionality and density ....A Nano-platform for affordable and ultra-sensitive bio-marker detection. This project aims to develop a next-generation nano-platform and lateral flow assays (LFA) device for ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers. LFA’s are used for the rapid detection of biomarkers; however, their sensitivity is relatively low. The preparation of innovative porous silica nanoparticles with uniform particle size and controllable structures (pore size, pore structure, internal surface functionality and density) will enable higher loading of quantum dots and enhanced detection sensitivity. Improving the detection sensitivity of the inexpensive and disposable LFA diagnostic technology will open up new applications for rapid and accurate biomarker detection. The resulting technology will advance Australian industrial capability and competiveness in the global lateral flow assays market, which is estimated to be valued at US$ 6.78 billion by 2020.Read moreRead less