Molecular archaeology: new knowledge from molecular weight distributions of synthetic and natural polymers. This project will lead to new understanding of how natural and synthetic polymers are formed. Examples are the enzymatic processes that produce the subtle architecture of rice grains, and the processes that pose problems for developing new techniques for making novel polymer-based materials. The fundamental scientific knowledge from this project will provide a platform for the future devel ....Molecular archaeology: new knowledge from molecular weight distributions of synthetic and natural polymers. This project will lead to new understanding of how natural and synthetic polymers are formed. Examples are the enzymatic processes that produce the subtle architecture of rice grains, and the processes that pose problems for developing new techniques for making novel polymer-based materials. The fundamental scientific knowledge from this project will provide a platform for the future development of improved materials, and for superior grain varieties for food and industrial use. These advances will be of significant benefit to Australian industry and consumers.Read moreRead less
New-generation starch-based paper coatings. This project is to make a new hybrid biomaterial which encapsulates starch in a synthetic polymer latex for use in paper manufacture. A novel process has been devised for this by the parties. This project is the fundamental research and development needed to turn successful preliminary experiments into commercial reality; it involves a unique combination of cereal and polymer scientists and paper technologists. The product has the potential to set up a ....New-generation starch-based paper coatings. This project is to make a new hybrid biomaterial which encapsulates starch in a synthetic polymer latex for use in paper manufacture. A novel process has been devised for this by the parties. This project is the fundamental research and development needed to turn successful preliminary experiments into commercial reality; it involves a unique combination of cereal and polymer scientists and paper technologists. The product has the potential to set up a new industry to use starch from Australian cereal grains to replace imports and create new markets, as well as reducing environmental problems from paper manufacture.Read moreRead less
Factors controlling higher-level starch structure. In a new paradigm for cereal chemistry, we will link structural and functional genomics to a mechanistic understanding of starch polymer structure. By using our novel characterization techniques, we will obtain the first data on the complex multiscale structure of starch in cereal grains that will be sensitive to the mechanisms of starch biosynthesis. These results will enable us to identify the genetic and environmental factors that, separately ....Factors controlling higher-level starch structure. In a new paradigm for cereal chemistry, we will link structural and functional genomics to a mechanistic understanding of starch polymer structure. By using our novel characterization techniques, we will obtain the first data on the complex multiscale structure of starch in cereal grains that will be sensitive to the mechanisms of starch biosynthesis. These results will enable us to identify the genetic and environmental factors that, separately and together, control starch structure in a range of cereals. This knowledge will provide a powerful tool for plant breeders and biotechnologists to produce cereals with improved properties.Read moreRead less