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inspiring achievement
Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology
ANNUAL REPORT 2016
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CO
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Directors Report.................................................................................................... 3
2016 Highlights.................................................................................................... 4
Advisory Board...................................................................................................... 9
Letter from the Chair of the Board..........................................................10
Centre Members................................................................................................11 ResearchLeaders.....................................................................................................................................12 ResearchFellows.......................................................................................................................................20
Research..................................................................................................................22 Energy...............................................................................................................................................................23 Health...............................................................................................................................................................26 Environment................................................................................................................................................30 Security............................................................................................................................................................32 CoreCapabilities.......................................................................................................................................37
Collaborations......................................................................................................45 NanoConnect..............................................................................................................................................46
Events........................................................................................................................50
Infrastructure.......................................................................................................54
Publications...........................................................................................................56
Contents
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2016 has been an eventful year for the Flinders Centre
for NanoScale Science Technology and the annual report
provides an opportunity to take a slight breather to review
the successes whilst also consolidating the very rapid growth
that we have had over the past 6 years.
The year began with 22 students driving the 14 hours each
way in two minibuses to Canberra and back, to attend the
renowned ICONN conference and ended with Prof Amanda
Ellis announcing that she would be leaving the Centre to
embark upon a new adventure at the University of Melbourne
in 2017. Amanda has made a terrific contribution to the centre,
even from before inception, not only through her research,
but also through her passion for everything scientific, ideas
on how to grow the reputation of the centre and leadership
within the management team. While she will be sorely missed
in Adelaide, collaborations will continue and hopefully grow
through her, with other researchers in Melbourne.
In the middle, we held our annual conference as usual but
this year, it was run concurrently with the NIMS Summer
School being hosted in Australia for the first time and chaired
by Tomo Nakayama from NIMS. This resulted in 20 students
from the USA, Japan, China and New Zealand participating in
the conference along with leading academics, Jim Gimzewski
(UCLA), Francois Winnik (University of Montreal) and Masakazu
Aono (NIMS), who all presented some amazing research.
2016 has also seen research within the centre continue to
reach the international stage through notable publications in
journals such as Science, Advanced Materials and Angewandte
Chemie; researchers delivering keynote presentations at
international events and numerous prestigious awards
and accolades. These include Professor Colin Raston being
appointed to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), Professor
Joe Shapter receiving the Fensham Medal from the Royal
Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and Dr Justin Chalker
being named as South Australian Young Tall Poppy 2016.
The Centre students have also excelled themselves this year
with eight PhD completions, three Vice Chancellor prizes,
several external scholarships awarded to fund PhD studies and
various media and news coverage of their work (see highlights).
We have also continued to build our industry relationships
through the SA government funded NanoConnect program,
working with companies such as Supashock, Infratech and
Trigg Brothers Castings (See NanoConnect). We hope to
continue this exciting program long into the future, solving
local business challenges with nanotechnology solutions.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new
members of our Advisory Board, Dr Greg Simpson, Deputy Chief
of Industry at CSIRO and Professor Robert Saint who replaces
Professor David Day as DVC(R) of Flinders University. I would also
like to make a special thank-you to Dr Rachel Sparks, our former
Executive Officer, for overseeing the production of this report
from San Francisco, where she now lives. It just goes to show
that once a part of the Flinders Nanotech, always a part of it!
We have experienced a number of changes in Executive Officer
over the past two years, with Ross Forbes retirement from
Flinders mid-year. As the Centre has evolved, we have taken the
opportunity to consider the skills that we needed going forward
and we will be welcoming Penny Crocker back to Flinders and
into this role in early 2017. Penny was formerly the Director of
University Partnerships before she took some time off and brings
a wealth of knowledge of government and SA industry as well as
experience in marketing University capabilities into the role.
As you may know, Flinders is migrating from a four Faculty,
14 school structure to a six College system. While the Centre
will remain a University level Centre, the new structure offers
many opportunities for greater autonomy to enhance impact
and create value for the University and our stakeholders.
2017 promises to be one of significant change within the
University and opportunity for the Centre. While thinking about
the future, I hope that you enjoy reading about our recent past.
David Lewis
Director
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Directors Report
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Professor Colin Raston was appointed Officer of the
Order of Australia for contributions to chemistry and the
professions in Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours List.
PhD Students Jakob Andersson and Melanie Fuller were awarded research scholarships by the Australian Institute of Nuclear
Science and Engineering (AINSE).
National Science Week highlighted successful women
in the fields of science, technology and engineering and
mathematics (STEM), through the ‘Illuminating the Face
of STEM’ campaign. Professor Amanda Ellis was one of the
key researchers profiled in this campaign to encourage
gender equity in the sciences while inspiring the general
public to take an interest in science.
Dr Ingo Köper was awarded a scientific grant under
the Australian-Japan Bilateral Exchange Program, to
collaborate with researchers in institutes affiliated with
the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Ingo
visited and developed collaborations with both Dr Kenichi
Morigaki at Kobe University and Dr Tomonobu Nakayama,
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) during his
stay in Japan.
Professor Amanda Ellis was awarded an Erskine Fellowship
to deliver a series of lectures over a six week period at the
University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
In 2016, Centre researchers have been awarded over $3 million in external research funding, published over 90 publications and have been granted 6 patents for new technology.
2016 Highlights
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Kasturi Vimalanathan, a PhD student with Colin Raston, has gained much
coverage for her work utilising the infamous Vortex Fluidic Device (VFD) to
slice carbon nanotubes, this research has practical applications in many areas
including the development of transparent electrodes for solar cells [‘Fluid
dynamic lateral slicing of high tensile strength carbon nanotubes’, Scientific
Reports, 2016, 6:22865]. Kasturi’s research been has featured on Channel 7,
BBC, ABC Catalyst and Channel 10 SCOPE.
Dr Justin Chalker won the SA Young
Tall Poppy Science Award 2016, to
recognise his work in the field of organic
chemistry, in particular detecting
diseases using new diagnostic tools
and creating biodegradable wound
dressings for burns victims. Each
year the Tall Poppy Awards celebrate
individuals who combine world-class
research with a passionate commitment
to communicating science and who
demonstrate great leadership potential.
Dr Cameron Shearer (third from left) was awarded a Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence. The awards recognise the
outstanding contributions of individual staff members to reward and encourage excellence in their research efforts.
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Dr Christian Ridings (left) and Dr Ashley Slattery were
recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s prize for Doctoral Thesis
Excellence in 2016.
Professor Joe Shapter was awarded the Royal Australian
Chemical Institute (RACI) Fensham Medal for Outstanding
Contribution to Chemical Education.
Justin Chalker and PhD student Max Worthington have received extensive coverage for their new material which permanently
removes mercury from soil and water. It’s called Sulfur-Limonene Polysulfide, or SLP for short. The research was published in
Angewandte Chemie International Edition and was designated a ‘Hot Paper’ by the editors. The publication has since been
profiled by more than 100 media outlets, including national news, radio and online. It’s altmetric score (229) is one of the
highest ever for the journal (See Research section for further details).
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PhD student Emma Kent was featured in The Advertiser
for her drug research working with SA police. Emma is a
PhD student with Associate Professor Martin Johnston.
Professor Gunther Andersson’s exciting collaborative
research project into solar energy storage was granted a
provisional patent, awarded research funding from the
US Army and featured in The Lead in an article entitled
‘Turning sunshine into Liquid Gold’.
In 2016, Australia’s and China’s leading experts on advanced
materials met in Ningbo, China, to share the latest research on
materials science. Research Leader Youhong Tang was among
the invited delegates. The China–Australia symposium
on advanced materials was the 12th in a series of annual
scientific symposiums jointly organised in collaboration with
the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Australian
Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE).
Professor Amanda Ellis was invited to participate in the
Theo Murphy’s High Flyer’s Think Tank at the Australian
Academy of Sciences. This annual event brings together
researchers from a broad range of disciplines to engage
in thinking about novel applications of existing science
(including social science) and technology to issues of
national significance, identify issues and gaps in current
knowledge, and propose solutions.
Joshua Britton (pictured), Colin Raston’s PhD student has
received two ‘Hot article’ accolades for his work with
the Vortex Fluidic Device, entitled ‘Harnessing Thin-Film
Continuous-Flow Assembly Lines’ [Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22 ,
10773-10776] and ‘Accelerating Enzymatic Catalysis Using
Vortex Fluidic’ [Angew. Chem. Int Ed., 2016, 55, 11387-11391].
Colin Raston, in collaboration with the University
Zongshan Medical School and the University of Western
Australia has developed ‘smart packages’ that target
tumours and bombard them with chemotherapy drugs,
reducing side-effects and possibly avoiding surgical
removal of difficult-to-reach lung or ovarian cancers. This
research was featured on the front page of the Advertiser
[Scientific Reports, 2016, 6:23489].
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Zahrah Alhalili, Supervisor: Joe Shapter “Designinganoveldrugdeliverysystembasedongoldnanoparticlesforbreastcancertherapy”
Hassan Al Qahtani, Supervisor: Gunther Andersson “CharacterisationofAu9–nanoclusterdepositedonTitaniasurfacebyusingspectroscopicandmicroscopictechniques”
Nasser Alotaibi, Supervisor: Martin Johnston “BuildingnanostructurestowardimprovedROmembraneperformance”
Daniel Gruszecki, Supervisor: David Lewis “Towardsascalablepolymericverticaltransistor”(Submitted)
Lachlan Larsen, Supervisor: Joe Shapter “Solutionprocessednanocarbon-basedmaterialsforuseinphotovoltaicsystems”
Daniel Mangos, Supervisor: David Lewis “Silicananoparticlesgrownfromorganofunctionalisedtrialkoxysilanes:synthesis,highdensitymodificationstrategiesandapplication”
Emma Muehlberg, Supervisor: Martin Johnston “Themodularsynthesisofrigidrod-likescaffoldstowardsartificialionchannels”
Chee Ling Tong, Supervisor: Colin Raston “Synthesisofsiliceousmaterialsusingvortexfluidicdevices(VFD)”
Mohd Haniff Wahid, Supervisor: Colin Raston “Applicationofmechanoenergyinaccesstographenecompositefunctionalnanomaterials.”
Ashley Johns (MSc – research), Supervisor: David Lewis “Organicdiodestowardsradiofrequencyidentification”
Jody Fisher, PhD student with Professor Jim Mitchell,
was awarded the Playford Trust PhD Scholarship. The
Playford Trust provides prestigious scholarships and
awards for high-achieving South Australians. Jody will
use mathematical models and graph theory to develop
network models to help aquatic and agricultural industries
in many ways, including remediating groundwater and
optimising wine production.
ColinRastonandformerCentreresearcherRamizBoulos
havebeenfeaturedinthenewsfortheirmethodtorecycle
wastewool,reusingthebyproductssuchaskeratinfor
woundtreatments[RSCAdvances,2016,620095–201].
The NanoConnect program, sponsored by the Department
of State Devlopment has continued this year, working
with 12 companies to develop nanotechnology solutions
for their industry challenges. New companies to join the
program include Supashock Racing and Trigg Brothers
Casting, see NanoConnect for more information. (DSD)
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The NanoCentre Advisory Board consists of renowned professors and industry experts. The board meet once a year to review, advise and guide centre activities. 2016 welcomes two new members to the board; Dr Greg Simpson who is the Deputy Chief of Industry at CSIRO and Professor Robert Saint, who is the new Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research at Flinders, taking over from Professor David Day.
Advisory Board
Professor Chennupati JagadishChair of the Board
Distinguished Professor at the Australian National University and Convenor of the Australian Nanotechnology Network.
Professor Don Bursill
Water Industry expert and Former Chief Scientist for South Australia.
Professor Paul Mulvaney
Nanotechnology leader based at Bio21, University of Melbourne.
Mr Len Piro
Executive Director at the Department of State Development, South Australia.
Dr Robert Robinson
Former head of the Bragg Institute at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Professor Kohei Uosaki
Director of Global Research Centre for Environment and Energy based on Nanomaterials (GREEN) at NIMS, Japan.
Professor Robert Saint
DVC(R) Flinders University
Dr Greg Simpson
Deputy Chief of Industry CSIRO
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LETT
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Letter from the Chair of the Board
It is an honour to serve as Chair of the Board for the Centre of NanoScale Science and Technology at Flinders University for the 4th year running. Over the years I have worked with the board and the Research Leaders to identify the strengths within the centre and to steer the centre towards the available opportunities to enable further advancement.
The Centre has continued to maintain
a critical mass of excellent researchers,
this is reflected in the increase in high
quality papers published, the number
of PhD completions and the growing
amount of external funding awarded to
the centre members. Additionally, one
only has to glance through the Centre
Highlights to observe the exciting, high
impact and innovative activities that
have occurred throughout the year.
Upon formation in 2010, the Centre
set out a strategy to be internationally
recognised for novel research in the
creation and application of NanoScale
structures and processes to address
problems of national importance in
health, water, energy and security, and
also to impact the South Australian and
Australian communities and economies
through the translation of world
leading, creative research into tangible
outcomes. It is clear, that in these seven
years, the Centre has met and exceeded
these goals.
It has been my pleasure, along with the
rest of the board members, to serve
as an advisor and advocate for the
Flinders Centre in 2016. As we move
into 2017, I look forward to continuing
on this successful path into the future,
through addressing further challenges
and exciting opportunities in the field of
NanoScale Science and Technology.
Professor Chennupati Jagadish
Chair of the Board
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CEN
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Research Leaders Professor Gunther Andersson
Professor Amanda Ellis
A/Professor Martin Johnston
Dr Ingo Köper
Professor David Lewis
Professor Jim Mitchell
Professor Jamie Quinton
Professor Colin Raston
Professor Joe Shapter
Dr Youhong Tang
Research Fellows Dr Justin Chalker
A/Professor Sarah Harmer
Researcher Staff Dr Andrew Blok
Dr Jonathan Campbell
Dr Ashley Connolly
Dr Kendall Corbin
Dr Christopher Gibson
Dr Mahnaz Dadkhah Jazi
Dr Darryl Jones
Dr Rantej Kler
Dr Jackie Knobloch
Dr Daniel Mangos
Dr Rebecca Norman
Dr Christiaan Ridings
Dr Cameron Shearer
Dr Ashley Slattery
Dr Andrew Stapleton
Dr Vanessa Thompson
Dr Leigh Threadgold
Dr Jeremiah Toster
Dr Leping Yu
PhD students Sam Akraa
Ahmed Hussein Al-Antaki
Lisa Alcock
Zahrah Alhalili
Thaar Alharbi
Nasser Alotaibi
Hassan Al Qahtani
Jakob Andersson
Munkhbayar Batmunkh
Simon Bou
Belinda Bleeze
Joshua Britton
Benjamin Chambers
Sean Clark
Emily Crawley
Jesse Daughtry
Nazila Dehbari
Bradley Donnelly
Sally Doolette
David Doughty
Renzo Fenati
Jody Fisher
Melanie Fuller
Joshua Gebhardt
William Gibbs
Daniel Gruszecki
Wei Han
Chris Hassam
Simranjeet Hatrao
Emma Kent
Lachlan Larsen
Sian La Vars
Xuan Luo
Oskar Majewski
Rowan McDonough
Emma Muehlberg
Samuel Pater
Kimberley Pattersson
Zoe Pettifer
Jessica Phillips
Rowan Pivetta
Andrew Plummer
Scott Pye
Connor Retallick
Yuya Samura
Natalya Schmerl
Kymberley Scroggie
Altaf Shamsaldeen
Alex Sibley
Paul Sibley
Jonathan Sierke
Ruby Sims
Eko Kornelius Sitepu
Timothy Solheim
Daniel Suhendro
Jade Taylor
Stephen Trewartha
Herri Trilaksana
AbdulrahmanAbbas Tuama
Kasturi Vimalanathan
Michael Wilson
Max Worthington
Amiremehdi Yazdani
Yanting Yin
Julius Zieneliecki
Masters Salah Alboaiji
Bediea Al Harbi
Nada Aljuaid
Abdulrahman Alotabi
Maha Alrashdi
Firas Andari
Ashley Johns
Nikita Joseph
Simranjeet Khatrao
Gowri Krishnan
Loren Panno
Margi Patel
Nathan West
Honours Nick Adamson
Chris Allister
Ashley Blythe
Liam Howard-Fabretto
Harrison Inglis
Simon Lee
Nic Lundquist
Todd Markham
Vaishali Maruthavanan
Cheylan McKinley
Jordan Spangler
Brandon Van Pelt
Lauren Wiggins
Affiliated Researchers Dr Tong Chen,
Casual research fellow
Nasim Chitsaz,
Casual research assistant
Mark Donovan,
Research Assistant
Guo Gao, Visiting scholar
A/Prof. Yusheng Jiang,
CSC visiting scholar from
Dalian Ocean University,
China
Gowri Krishnan
(Exchange student)
Renata Kucera,
Summer Scholar
Dr Irene Ling, Visiting scholar
Joshua McErlean,
Summer Scholar
Dr Xiaoyuan Pei,
Occupational trainee
from Tianjing Polytechnic
University, China
Dr Yan Yang, CSC visiting
scholar from Central China
Normal University, China
A/Professor Hongping Zhang,
CSC visiting scholar from
Southwest University of
Science and Technology,
China
Dr Yabin Zhou,
Casual research fellow
2016 has seen membership to the Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology continue to grow, with numbers exceeding 130 members, including visiting scholars and students.
Centre Members
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Professor Gunther Andersson is the Associate
Dean of Research for the School of Chemical
and Physical Sciences. His research group
focuses on the molecular structure of soft
matter surfaces, utilising surface spectroscopy
techniques (NICISS and MIES, see Infrastructure)
in order to understand the molecular structure
of interfaces. This in depth knowledge is
enabling the development of new and improved
interfaces in technical applications and devices.
His research interests include:
• Catalysis
• Heterogeneous catalysis
• Liquid surfaces
• Polymer surfaces
• Solar cells
• Solar fuels
In 2016, Gunther’s collaboration in the area
of solar fuels working with Prof Greg Metha
(University of Adelaide), Dr Vladimir Golovko,
(Canterbury University, NZ) and Prof Thomas
Nann (Victoria University, NZ), has led to
the successful development of a pioneering
method to convert solar energy directly into
chemical energy using dynamic nanoclusters.
This valuable technology has been granted a
provisional patent, “Photocatalytic Conversion
of Carbon Dioxide and Water into Substituted
or Unsubstituted Hydrocarbons” and has
led to funding from the United States Army
International Technology Center and news
coverage in the Lead (see highlights).
This year, Gunther has consolidated his research
relationship with the National Institute for
Materials Science (NIMS), Japan, with Hassan Al
Qahtani, a member of Gunther’s research team,
completing his PhD. Hassan was one of the
first students to spend time working at NIMS
in 2012, his supervisor at NIMS was Professor
Tomonobu Nakayama. Tomonobu continues to
collaborate with Gunther and is a regular visitor
to the Centre.
Gunther is also working with Prof Lars Kloo
(KTH Stockholm, Sweden) in the area of
organic photovoltaics and has developed new
research partnerships with Prof Scott Anderson
at University of Utah (US) and Associate
Professor Paul Maggard at North Carolina State
University (US).
In addition to this, Gunther was invited to
promote the novelty of the NICISS technique
through a presentation at Murdoch University
in April 2016, a talk entitled “High Resolution
Concentration Depth Profiles for Analysing
Surfaces with NICISS”.
Research LeadersProfessor Gunther Andersson
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Amanda is an Applied Chemist/
Nanotechnologist and is the Associate Dean
of Research for the Faculty of Science and
Engineering. In her 10 years at Flinders she
has been awarded over $20 million in external
research funding including her ARC Future
Fellowship to carry out research in the area of
DNA nanotechnology. Her research career has
spanned both industry and academia and her
current research interests include:
• DNA technology
• Drinking water treatment
• Graphene oxide
• Membranes and biofilms
• Microarray analysis
• Polymers
In 2016, National Science Week SA celebrated
women in Science through the ‘Illuminating the
Face of SA STEM’ campaign. Amanda was one
of the key scientists featured in this campaign
which aimed to open the public’s eyes and
minds to the bright achievements of female
scientists, in order to inspire more women to
pursue careers in science.
In recognition of Amanda’s contributions to
polymer science in Australia and New Zealand
she was awarded the 2016 RACI (Polymer
Division) Polymer Citation. In July, Amanda
was invited to participate in the 2016 Theo
Murphy High Flyers Think Tank, a three day
event exploring an interdisciplinary approach to
living in a risky world, hosted by the Australian
Academy of Sciences.
Amanda was also awarded an Erskine
Fellowship to visit the University of Canterbury
in Christchurch, New Zealand for 6 weeks to
deliver a series of lectures.
This year Amanda has consolidated her
industry partnership with the Reserve Bank of
Australia through obtaining an ARC Linkage
Grant for ‘Printable technologies for high
security documents and consumer products’.
She was awarded a US research grant from
the Ohio State Soybean Council to investigate
‘Replacement of fishmeal with soybean meal
in the diet of a warm water fish barramundi
in Australia’. Amanda has also maintained her
collaborations in the water industry working
with SA Water, and Siemens investigating
antifouling surface coatings and Hydronautics,
DOW Chemicals Ltd and Battelle Memorial
Institute (USA) in the area of water treatment.
Amanda’s growing international reputation
has led to invited talks across the globe in 2016
including presentations at 36th Australasian
Polymer Symposium (36APS), the Emerging
Polymer Technologies Summit 2016 (EPTS’16),
the Centre for Neuroscience Collaborators Day
2016, ANZ Microfluidics Conference and guest
lectures at Nottingham University and Warwick
University, UK.
Amanda is also was also elected to the ARC
College of Experts, is an Associate Editor for the
Australian Journal of Chemistry, a member of
the Flinders Athena Swan SAGE self-assessment
team and a Board Member of the Royal
Australian Chemical Institute and a Board
Member of Membrane Society of Australia.
Professor Amanda Ellis – ARC Future Fellow
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Martin is an organic chemist and is the
Associate Dean of Operations for the School of
Chemical and Physical Sciences. His research
group specialises in the construction of
molecules for nanotechnological applications
and characterisation of these molecules using
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. His
current research interests are:
• NMR spectroscopy
• Organic supramolecular chemistry
• Clandestine drug chemistry
• Organic countermeasures
Martin has consolidated strong external links in
the area of security, with ongoing collaborations,
nationally and internationally in the defence field,
working with the Defence Science and Technology
Group (DST) in Australia and the Defence Science
Technology Laboratory (DSTL), UK.
Another prime area of interest for Martin is
in forensic chemistry, where he has worked
with Forensic Science SA (FSSA) for many years
forming collaboration with Drs Ben Painter, Paul
Pigou, Peter Stockham and Clark Nash.
In 2016, Martin has extended this collaboration
base to include Professor Normand Voyer’s
group at the University of Laval, Canada. This
group’s main focus is bioorganic chemistry and is
complementary to Martin’s current research.
Ingo is a physical chemist, his research group
focuses on biological aspects of nanotechnology
such as; membrane solid supported
membrane architectures, membrane-protein
interactions, structure-function relationship
in bilayer membranes and biomimetic surface
architectures. His current research interests
originate from the following areas:
• Analytical chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Science education
• Surface science
• Membrane Biophysics
As the Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning
at the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
and course coordinator for the Bachelor of
Science programme in nanotechnology, he
demonstrates and promotes educational
excellence through innovative teaching. He is key
member of the Science in Schools program and
regularly visits schools in Adelaide to encourage
participation in science through delivering
exciting science sessions.
In 2016, Ingo was awarded funding from the
Australian Academy of Sciences Australia-
Japan Bilateral Exchange Program. This grant
enabled Ingo to visit Japan and consolidate
his research linkages and delivering lectures at
Kobe University and the National Institute for
Materials Science (NIMS) in Tsukuba.
Ingo has also maintained his research
collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science
and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and two
of his PhD students have been awarded top-up
scholarships from the Australian Institute of
Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) which
will enable access to the high tech facilities at
ANSTO and other national facilities (see highlights).
This year, Ingo has been selected as the SA
representative for the Australian Biophysical
Society (ABS) and was the Conference Chair for
the ABS meeting in Adelaide 2016. He has also
been appointed to the position of Treasurer for
the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI),
Analytical Division.
Associate Professor Martin Johnston
Dr Ingo Köper
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Professor David Lewis is the founding Director
of the Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science
and Technology. He is a materials scientist with
extensive experience in polymer chemistry
through a career in both industry and academia,
having held positions at IBM, SOLA Optical (now
Carl Zeiss Vision) and CSIRO. His current research
interests include;
• Nanotechnology and Polymer Science
• High density functional nanoparticles
for applications in synthetic biology and
nanofluids
• organic electronics through the control of
interfaces to produce low-cost printable solar
cells and transistors
• bio-mimicry - learning lessons from nature
and applying them through physical solutions
• polymerisation control through two stage
curing for enhanced 3D printing performance
and switchable controlled polymerisation
• Innovation systems, approaches and tools
that research organizations and companies
can use to be more effective at converting
research and ideas into new products and
technologies
Shortly after joining Flinders University, he
initiated the NanoConnect program (see
NanoConnect), to help companies consider the
potential for new technologies on their business.
In 2016, this program worked with 12 SA based
companies through funding from the South
Australian Department of State Development.
David has maintained his product focus,
leading to the filing of one provisional patent,
“Manufactured Wood Products and Methods
of Production” and one granted “Photochromic
Coating Process”.
In 2016, David further developed his research
partnership with Professor Mats Andersson
(UniSA) to obtain an ARC Discovery grant entitled
‘Environmentally Benign Polymer Solar Cells’ and
continued to build his research collaborations
forging links with CSIRO through Dr Greg
Simpson, Dr Colin Scott and Dr Graeme Moad.
2016 has been a successful year for David’s
research group with three thesis completions;
Daniel Mangos was awarded his PhD
entitled “Silica nanoparticles grown from
organofunctionalised trialkoxysilanes: Synthesis,
High Density Modification Strategies and
Application”, Daniel Gruszecki submitted his PhD
thesis, “Towards a Scalable Polymeric Vertical
Transistor” and Ashley Johns completed his MSc
– research, entitled “Organic Diodes Towards
Radio Frequency Identification”.
David’s research excellence and knowledge of
the innovation system has been recognised
across Australia in 2016, with invited talks at
CAMS2016 (Combined Australian Material
Societies), Melbourne, the Emerging Energy
Technologies Summit and Exhibition in
Melbourne and the Australian Microscopy and
Microanalysis Research Facility Annual Meeting
(AMMRF) in Glenelg, SA.
Professor David Lewis – Centre Director
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Jamie leads the Smart Surface Structures research
group at Flinders. His group seeks to understand
the atomic and molecular mechanisms at
surfaces and interfaces, in order produce new
improved technology enabling nanostructures.
His main research areas of interest are:
• Nanotechnology
• Surface modification
• Lightweight MetalsCarbon
• Corrosion Protection
• Solar cells
• Catalysis
His group work with a wide range of spectroscopic
and surface science techniques, such as (electron
spectroscopy (XPS, UPS, AES) and microscopy
(SEM, TEM, SAM), streaming zeta-potential
(SZP), mass spectrometry (ToFSIMS), scanning
probe microscopies (STM, AFM), Raman confocal
microscopy and synchrotron measurements.
In 2016, Jamie’s external collaborations have
occurred primarily through the NanoConnect
program (see NanoConnect), working with
companies such as; Trigg Bros, Supashock and
Collotype Labels. His work in vacuum science has
lead to his position as an Alternate Councillor
for the Executive Council of the International
Union of Vacuum Science Technique and
Application (IUVSTA) and he became a member
of the organising committee for the VASSCAA-9,
Vacuum and Surface Sciences Conference of Asia
and Australia in 2018.
Jamie has also maintained his position on the
Flinders Educational technologies Advisory
Group (ETAG) and is a member of the South
Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Board
for Physics Curriculum Leadership Group.
Professor Jamie Quinton
Jim is the Executive Director of Marine Sciences
at Flinders and is head of the Microbial Systems
Laboratory (MSL). His research group focuses
on the biophysics, ecology and genomics
of individual microbes. This nanoscale
information is used to understand and explain
environmental interaction and processes. Jim’s
areas of interest include:
• Bioinformatics
• Biological oceanography
• Biomechanics
• Environmental biotechnology and
biodiversity
• Microbial ecology
• Microbiology
In 2016, Jim continued his position as the
Chair of Marine Innovation South Australia
and completed his appointment on the ARC
Centres of Excellence selection committee. Jim
also continues to sit on the editorial board for
the journals FEMS Microbiology Ecology and
Advances in Microbiology.
Jim’s international research excellence is
acknowledged through his adjunct faculty
position at the Tianjin University & SA Health
and Medical Research Institute, and his
visiting Professor status at Harvard University,
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.
In addition to his many continuing ARC grants,
this year Jim was awarded a grant from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
to research ‘Blue Environment Sensing, Output
and Processing in Shandong Province’.
In the technology area Jim received a CRC-P grant
to develop techniques and protocols to enable
animal primary producer groups to rapidly and
inexpensively detect viruses in the environment
before they cause an epidemic and extensive
stock loss. Also in the area of technology, Jim met
with the Vice President of Zhejiang University in
Hangzhou China to complete a research and a
student education program agreement between
Flinders and ZJU scientists.
Professor Jim Mitchell
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Colin is the South Australia Premier’s Professorial
Research Fellow in Clean Technology. The
research within his team covers aspects of
clean technology which are directed towards
the major challenges facing humanity in the
21st Century, through gaining access to complex
functional molecules and materials for tackling
energy, health and environmental issues. His
core research areas include;
• Chemistry
• Clean technology
• Interdisciplinary engineering and
technology
• Drug delivery
• Nanotechnology
• Organic chemistry
• Solar cells
• Flow chemistry
In the 2016 Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours, Colin
was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia
for distinguished service to science in the field of
chemistry as a researcher and an academic.
Following the Ig-Nobel prize win in 2015 for
un-boiling an egg, Colin’s Vortex Fluidic Device
(VFD) has gained further recognition this year,
including features on ABC Catalyst, Channel 7,
Channel 10 and front page of the Advertiser (see
Highlights). The VFD has led to Colin obtaining
two ARC Discovery Project grants to further
explore the potential of the technology, ‘Vortex
fluidic mediated chemical transformations’
with Dr Justin Chalker (Flinders), Dr Keith Stubbs
(University of Western Australia) and Professor
Gregory Weiss (University of California Irvine),
and ‘Structural diverse nanocarbon using
continuous flow thin film microfluidics’.
The VFD has also had two provisional patents
filed, for ‘Processes for controlling structure
and/or properties of carbon and boron
nanomaterials’ and ‘Accelerating enzymatic
catalysis using vortex fluidic processing’.
Colin continues to grow his research group and
extend his collaborations worldwide working with
renowned researchers such as Prof Stuart Dalziel
at University of Cambridge, Prof Robert Lamb
from Canadian Light Source, Prof Jerry Atwood
working at University of Missouri, Columbia, Dr
Harshita Kumari based at University of Cincinnati,
Dr Jingxin Mo from Sun Yat-sen University, China,
Prof Jonathan W. Steed at Durham University,
UK and more locally Dr Christopher J. Garvey
from ANSTO, Prof Gin Zou based at University of
Queensland and Assoc/Prof Nigel Marks and Dr
Irene Suarez-Martinez from Curtin University.
Colin’s distinguished reputation has lead to
him delivering keynote presentations this year
at the 23rd IUPAC International Conference
on Physical Organic Chemistry in Sydney and
the 8th International Conference on Nano
and Supramolecular Chemistry in Brisbane,
and also an invited presentation at the
International Conference on NanoScience and
Nanotechnology (ICONN) 2016 in Canberra.
Professor Colin Raston AO
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Joe is the Dean of School of Chemical & Physical
Sciences and he is a physical chemist. His
research utilises scanning probe microscopy to
image atoms and molecules. The capability in
this area within Joe’s research group is amongst
the best in the world. Research interests within
Joe’s group include;
• Carbon nanotubes
• Graphene and other novel 2D materials
• Nanotechnology
• Solar cells
In 2016, Joe was awarded the RACI Fensham
Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Chemical
Education. This award recognises outstanding
contributions to the teaching of chemistry
and science and is the most senior award
for education in the Institute. Joe’s talent as
an effective scientific communicator is also
reflected in the numerous invitations he receives
to deliver presentations at conferences across
the globe, in 2016 Joe gave invited talks at
EMN Photovoltaics in Orlando (US), the Energy
harvesting Meeting in Washington (US), the
Emerging Energy technologies Summit in
Melbourne (Australia) and the Global Science
Camp in Hiroshima (Japan).
This year Joe’s research has also been
acknowledged by the ARC in the form a Discovery
Project grant to explore Novel 2D Materials
and Joe has continued to extend his research
collaborations working with scientists across
the globe including Prof. Shashank Priya at
Virginia Tech, Ass. Prof. Jacek Jasieniak at Monash
University, Prof. Sally McArthur at Swinburne
University of Technology, Ass. Prof. Mike Ford
at University of Technology Sydney, Prof. Dave
Winkler at CSIRO/LaTrobe University, Prof. Rodney
Ruoff in Ulsan, Korea and Ass. Prof. Barbara
Sanderson from Biotechnology at Flinders.
2016 has also seen two PhD students within
Joe’s group complete their studies, Zahrah
Alhalili with her thesis ‘Designing a Novel Drug
Delivery System Based on Gold Nanoparticles
for Breast Cancer Therapy’ and Lachlan Larsen
with his thesis entitled ‘Solution Processed
Nanocarbon-Based Materials for Use in
Photovoltaic Systems’.
In addition to numerous journal publications,
Joe has also co-authored a book, ‘Innovations
in Nanomaterials’ and two book chapters this
year, ‘Use of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in Third
Generation Solar Cells’ in Industrial Applications
of Carbon Nanotubes and ‘Wet Chemical
Fabrication of Graphene and Graphene Oxide
and Spectroscopic Characterization’ with Prof.
Ellis in the CRC Handbook of Graphene Science.
Professor Joe Shapter
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Youhong is a materials scientist and Senior
Lecturer in the School of Computer Science,
Engineering and Mathematics. His research is
focussed in the following areas;
• Structure-processing-property relationship
of polymeric (nano)materials
• Biomaterials and biosensors with
aggregation-induced emission features
• Composite structures and materials for
marine applications
Youhong relocated to Flinders in 2012 with an
ARC DECRA, since then he has built a dynamic
research group, which has been assisted this
year through a Flinders Establishment Grant.
This grant is designed to assist independent
researchers develop their research profile and
confirm their position in their field.
Youhong has already built a broad array of
external partnerships including Professor Lin
Ye at the University of Sydney, Dr Roger Dong
at Curtin University, A/Professor Jun Ma at the
University of South Australia, Professor Ben
Zhong Tang at the Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology and Professor Shi Zhang
Qiao, Professor Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem
and Dr Yinlan Ruan at University of Adelaide.
He also maintains strong linkages with China,
through collaboration with Professor Xiong
Lu (Southwest Jiao Tong University, China),
Professor Anjun Qin (South China University of
Technology, China), Professor Zhen Li (Wuhan
University, China), A/Professor Hong-ping
Zhang (Southwest University of Science and
Technology, China) and A/Professor Hui Tan
(Shenzhen University, China).
In 2016, Youhong was invited to support
and enhance Australian-Chinese research
relationships as a member of the Australian
delegation to the China-Australia Symposium
on Advanced Materials, Ningbo, China and as
an Adelaide Counterpart member for Shandong
Academy of Science mission to South Australia.
He was also invited to present at the EMN
(Energy Materials and Nanotechnology) on
Polymer meeting in Hong Kong, the Aggregation
Induced Emissions: Faraday Discussion in
Guangzhou, China and the 1st International
Symposium on Advanced Composites in
Springfield, Australia.
Youhong has also been awarded a second
Flinders University grant this year, a Faculty of
Science and Engineering Reinventing Teaching
and Learning Grant. This grant supports projects
which go beyond normal teaching activities
and which show innovation in any aspect of
teaching.
In addition, this year Youhong has become
a member of the Australian Composites
Structures Society, the Australia Fracture Group
and a Chartered member of RACI. He was on
the advisory committee for the Polymer Energy
Materials Nanotechnology Meeting in Hong
Kong and was a member of the local organising
committee for the International Conference
on Structural Integrity and Failure hosted in
Adelaide. Youhong has also been invited to
become an Editorial Board Member for the
following journals; Heliyon (Elsevier), Journal
of Nanostructures (University of Kashan) and
Molecules (MDPI).
Dr Youhong Tang
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Research Fellows
Justin Chalker is an ARC Discovery Early Career
Researcher and a Lecturer in Synthetic Chemistry.
His research focus lies at the intersection of
organic chemistry with biology and materials
science. Research areas within his group include;
• Catalysis
• Chemical biology
• Environmental remediation
• Functional materials
• Green chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Polymers
• Protein chemistry
• Sustainable chemistry
Justin’s research into mercury adsorbent
materials has gained much coverage this year
having been featured by over 100 media outlets
including ABC Catalyst, Network 10, NewsCorp
and The Discovery Channel (see highlights).
The latest publication from this work resulted
in Justin’s PhD student Max Worthington
receiving the prize for Flinders Best Research
Higher Degree Student Publication in 2016 and
becoming a finalist for the Channel 9 Young
Achiever Award. This project has also lead to
invited talks for Justin at the Falling Walls Lab
2016 hosted by the Australian Academy of
Sciences and at the Museum of Old and New
Art (MONA) in Hobart. The technology from this
project is now patent protected and Chalker’s
team have been awarded funding from the
Australian National Environmental Science
Program‘s Emerging Priorities Fund to develop
field trials for this technology.
In the area of chemical biology, Justin has
worked with researchers in Oxford, Cambridge,
New York and Hannover to explore chemical
mutations and produce the Science publication
entitled, ‘Post-translational mutagenesis: a
chemical strategy for exploration of protein
side- chain diversity’ which has been profiled by
Science, Nature Methods, F1000 and C&ENews
(See highlights). This collaboration led to a
Visiting Lecturer opportunity for Justin at the
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Lisbon. This was
awarded by the Marie Curie Training Network to
investigate Protein Conjugates.
In 2016, Justin was awarded a further visiting
lectureship at the University of Tasmania and
his public speaking skills were required at two
keynote speeches, delivered to the RACI Year
12 chemistry merit ceremony and the Year 12
Science & Maths Academy at Flinders. This
year Justin has also been invited to deliver
presentations at numerous events including; the
Southern Highlands Conference on Heterocyclic
Chemistry, the Emerging Polymer Technologies
Summit in Melbourne, RACI Analytical division
in Adelaide, RACI Chemical Biology in Sydney,
UniSA Future Industries Institute in Adelaide,
the RACI Victoria Synthesis Symposium and RACI
Chemical Education Group.
Additionally, Justin was a co-investigator with
Colin Raston for the successful ARC Discovery
project grant ‘Vortex fluidic mediated chemical
transformations’ and Justin has been appointed;
as Honorary Secretary to the Rhodes Scholarship,
South Australia and, to the Editorial Advisory
Board for ACS Central Science.
This remarkable year has led to Justin being
named as the South Australian Tall Poppy of the
Year 2016. (See highlights)
Dr Justin Chalker – ARC DECRA Fellow
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Sarah Harmer is an applied physicist and an
ARC Future Fellow. Her research focuses on the
application and development of spectroscopic
techniques for minerals processing and the
interface between bacteria and mineral surfaces.
Her research interests include;
• Condensed matter physics
• Geochemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Other physical sciences
• Physical chemistry
• Surface science
Sarah’s research group works with a range
of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques
including; Synchrotron X-ray Photoelectron
Spectroscopy (SXPS); X-ray Absorption Near Edge
Spectroscopy (XANES); Photoemission Electron
Microscopy (PEEM); Scanning Photoelectron
Microscopy (SPEM); Scanning Transmission X-ray
Microscopy (STXM); Conventional XPS; Time of
Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-
SIMS); and NanoSIMS.
In 2016 Sarah has continued to develop her
external relationships in Canada collaborating
with Professor Adam Hitchcock, Canada
Research Chair at Mc Master University and
Prof Wayne Nesbitt and Prof Mike Bancroft at
Western University, Canada. Her Synchrotron
research has led to successful partnerships with
researchers at Canadian Light Source (Dr Lucia
Zuin, Dr Xiaoyu Cui and Dr Yongfeng Hu) and
Swiss Light Source (Dr Benjamin Watts). She is
also a Champion for a STXM Beamline facility for
the Australian Synchrotron.
Sarah has further collaborations with Professor
Frank de Groot at Utrecht University, Prof Enzo
Lombi at UniSA and Assoc Professor Sander
Brunn at University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
She is vice-president Australian Institute of
Physics-SA branch, a working group member for
the South Australia Copper Strategy and a group
member of the Centre for Radiation Research,
Education and Training (CRRET).
Associate Professor Sarah Harmer – ARC Future Fellow
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The Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology was formed to increase the visibility and external perception of nanotechnology research at Flinders University.
Since formation our mission has been to apply world-class
fundamental research and knowhow to provide novel, robust
solutions to the current challenges facing Australia in the
general areas of Energy, Health, Security and Water. The
research focus within the centre has broadened over the years
to address key environmental challenges, therefore we have
rebranded the theme of Water to Environment in order to
capture all environmental research activities within the centre.
Additionally, the Centre is focussed on the investigation of
fundamental science through developing core capabilities.
The scope of the centre also involves a high level of interaction
with industry as demonstrated through the NanoConnect
program. This program is supported by the South Australian
Department of State Development and managed by the
Centre.
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Research
Carbon Surface ScienceSmart Materials
Membranes Polymers
Research Student Training
Well Being
Indu
stry
Eng
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munity O
utreach
EnvironmentWaste recycling
Green chemistry
Clean technology
Mercury remediation
Water treatment
EnergyEnergy storage
Organic photovoltaics
Silicon alternative devices
Transparent electrodes
SecurityOrganic countermeasures
Forensic drug chemistry
Banknote security
Chemical sensors
HealthBio-sensors
Drug delivery
Microbial resistant coatings
DNA genotyping
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Energy
A perovskite solar cell is a type of
solar cell which includes a perovskite
structured compound, most
commonly a hybrid organic-inorganic
lead or tin halide-based material,
as the light-harvesting active layer.
Perovskite materials such as methylammonium lead halides are
cheap to produce and simple to manufacture. One big challenge
for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is the aspect of short-term and
long-term stability. The instability of PSCs is mainly related to
environmental influence (moisture and oxygen), thermal influence
(intrinsic stability), heating under applied voltage and photo
influence (ultraviolet light). Nanocarbons are unique materials
that have been extensively used in a wide range of applications
including various photovoltaic devices. Work in Shapter’s group
reported a significant enhancement in the efficiency and stability
of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating single-walled carbon
nanotubes (SWCNTs) into the nanocrystalline TiO2 photoelectrode.
It was found that SWCNTs provide both rapid electron transfer and
advantageously shifts the conduction band minimum of the TiO2
photoelectrode and thus enhances all photovoltaic parameters of
PSCs. The TiO2-SWCNTs photoelectrode based PSC device exhibited
a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 16.11%, while the cell
fabricated without SWCNTs displayed an efficiency of 13.53%.
More importantly, we found that the SWCNTs in the TiO2 NPs based
photoelectrode suppress the hysteresis behaviour and significantly
enhance both the light and long-term storage-stability of the PSC
devices. The present work provides important guidance for future
investigations in utilizing carbonaceous materials for solar cells.
Perovskite solar cellMunkhbayar Batmunkh and Joe Shapter
Research in this area aims to innovate and improve energy technology focussing on areas such as; organic photovoltaics, silicon alternative devices, transparent electrodes and energy storage.
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Dye sensitised solar cells Herri Trilaksana and Gunther Andersson, in collaboration with KTH, Sweden
This project utilises
spectroscopic methods to
investigate the different
components that make up a
DSSC, with the aim to improve
performance. Spectroscopic
methods include electron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS and MIES),
ion spectroscopy (NICISS), and optical spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Dye Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSC) are low cost solar cells,
which mimic the photosynthesis process. A DSSC is
composed of a layer of titanium dioxide nanoparticles,
covered with a molecular dye that absorbs sunlight, like the
chlorophyll in leaves. The titanium dioxide is immersed under
an electrolyte solution, above which is a platinum-based
catalyst. As in a conventional battery, an anode, the titanium
dioxide, and a cathode, the platinum, are placed on either side
of a liquid conductor, the electrolyte, such as iodine.
The interaction between the iodine and the dye molecules is
not well understood. Using XPS, UPS and MIES and validating
our results against theoretical calculations from KTH, we have
been able to gain a better understanding of iodine properties
in the titania/dye interface.
The most promising dyes are based on Ruthenium, which is
difficult to purify and an exceedingly rare element. Therefore
we have explored dye layer morphology of alternative dyes
using the NICISS. This will enable the selection of dyes that
have similar performance to Ruthenium but are cheaper and
more readily available.
We have also performed surface analysis on two organic
dyes after use in real cells to determine the operational
effects on the dye layer. The ion spectroscopy technique
was used to provide the concentration depth profile of the
dye layer, Photoelectron Spectroscopy e.g. UPS and MIES
confirm the structural changes of the dye layers after use
and the angle resolved XPS (ARXPS) was also carried out, to
semi-quantitatively confirm the chemical composition and
chemical bound changes.
Finally, we have investigated the effects of using
Chenodeoxycholic Acid (CDCA) as co-adsorbent in the DSSC.
Co-adsorbents can prevent aggregation of the dye on the
semi-conductor surface but they can also reduce performance.
Utilising NICISS and FT-IR spectroscopy we have gained a deeper
understanding of how the CDCA affects the dye structure.
These results can be used to inform future co-adsorbent usage.
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Polymer solar cellsAnirudh Sharma, David Lewis and Matts Andersson (UniSA)
Polymer solar cells (PSCs) are
potential sources of clean and
sustainable energy in the future.
For successful commercialisation
of PSCs, achieving efficient,
stable and scalable devices
is essential. My research focusses on utilising advanced
semiconductor materials for applications in high performing
polymer solar cells, with special emphasis on environmentally
friendly materials. The interdisciplinary nature of my research
allows me to study various aspects of materials used for making
PSCs, including their thermal, mechanical, optical and electronic
properties. Thus, providing a significant contribution towards
the development of cheaper solar cells and sustainable energy.
A typical PSC consists of a thin film of light harvesting ‘active
layer’ commonly composed of a conjugate polymer as an
electron donor and [6,6]-phenyl-C61
-butyric acid methyl
ester (PCBM) as an electron acceptor, sandwiched between a
transparent and a metallic electrode. Due to very thin (~ 10 to
100 nm) nature of semiconducting films, the role of interfaces
between thin films as well as their morphology is crucial to
achieve efficient and stable devices. My research has three
major themes:
Active layer materials: We study a range
of new materials with an emphasis on
their ability to be processed from aqueous
solvents. The research utilises water
based polymer-PCBM nanoparticle inks
and conjugated polymers with a nitrogen
functional group on the side chains,
for device fabrication. Such nitrogens
can be used to provide switchable
aqueous procesability of the active layer.
The discovery of alcohol processable
poly(4vinylpyridine) (P4VP) as a promising
interface material resulted in devices with
an efficiency of 6.5%, the highest reported
so far for similar device structures.
We recently developed a novel method for measuring the
glass transition temperature (softening temperature) of
conjugated polymers that are used in PSCs, which would
enable morphology optimisation, resulting in further
enhancement of device performance.
Interface materials: The electronic properties of electrodes
play an important role in PSCs. Often thin layers of interface
materials are used between electrodes and the BHJ, to
improve charge selectivity and which determines the
polarity of a device. My current research is on both inorganic
(MoO3, V2O5, ZnO) and organic (PEIE, ZnO, P4VP and
PFPA-1, PEDOT:PSS) interface materials that can be solution
processed, with emphasis on their electronic properties and
surface physics.
Printing PSCs: Preliminary studies have begun to make PSC
via slot-die printing on flexible substrates. PSCs utilising
alcohol processable ZnO and P4VP interface layers have
already been achieved via lamination and printing, which
shows great promise for the development of environmentally
friendly low-cost PSCs.
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Health
Solid supported membranes
and especially tethered bilayer
lipid membranes, tBLMs, have
been shown to be excellent
model systems to describe
the essential features of a
lipid bilayer. They thus represent research platforms to study
processes happening at the cell membrane, but in a much
more defined environment. For example, binding of small
molecules or proteins to a membrane can be investigated,
with possible implications for biosensing applications or for
drug discovery studies. Similarly, the function of incorporated
membrane proteins can be analysed, again with possible
applications in drug-discovery.
A tBLM consists of a lipid bilayer, with the inner leaflet
covalently attached to a solid support. The chemical nature of
the anchorlipids, that link the bilayer to the support has direct
implications on the structural and functional properties of the
resulting membranes.
We have synthesized a range of novel anchorlipids, used them
to form tBLMs and performed electrochemical and neutron
scattering experiment using the resulting membranes. By
controlling the chemical structure and the grafting density of
the lipids to the surface, we are able to control the electrical
sealing properties of the membranes. Additionally, by
controlling the grafting density, the hydration of the sub-
membrane reservoir can be influenced, which in turn has a
significant influence on the ability to functionally incorporate
proteins into the membrane.
Model membrane systems: linking structure to function
Jakob Andersson, Mike Perkins, Stephen Holt (ANSTO) and Ingo Köper
Good Health, well being and security of the human population are of high priority. The health research at the Centre includes projects looking at; Bio-sensors, drug delivery, microbial resistant coatings and DNA genotyping.
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Electrochemical Impedance data showing how the structure of the inner membrane leaflet influences the functional properties of the bilayer.
Schematic of the layer model used to analyse neutron scattering data collected on two different membrane systems. Left: a fully tethered proximal leaflet and right: a DPhySL layer diluted with mercaptoethanol. In both cases the distal leaflet is completed with DPhyPC. Dilution of the leaflet led to a significant increase in hydration.
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This project aims to evolve a G-quadruplex (G4) that will
enable fast colourimetric readout for applications in diagnostic
point-of-care assays. G4s are secondary structures that form in
nucleic acids rich in Guanine and can be formed intra- (Single
nucleic strand) or inter-molecularly (More than one nucleic
strand). Native G4s are secondary structures that occur within
the genome of plants and animals and influence biological
functions such as transcription and translation.1 They also play
a role in protecting telomeres from degradation, and as a result
have been implicated in cancer.2 This has led to the targeting of
G4s as possible cancer treatments.3
Sen et al, (1997) found that sequences that contain G rich
regions were able to complex with a small molecular co-factor
(hemin), to catalyse its peroxidase activity.4 In the presence
of peroxide, the G4 hemin complex enhanced the oxidation
of TMB (3,3’,5,5’-Tetramethylbenzidine) which resulted in
a colour change from colourless to blue over the course of
thirty minutes. Since point-of-care assays demand a rapid
colourmetric readout, we aimed to increase the rate of the G4
colourmetric reaction. This involved using molecular evolution
to ‘evolve’ the nucleotide sequence of G4s to enhance its
catalytic capability in the presence of hemin.
A parent G4 sequence (CT GGG A GGG A GGG A GGG A) was
selected through SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by
exponential enrichment) to have high peroxidase-mimicking
activity. The parent and a G3A3 sequence (GGG AAA GGG AAA
GGG AAA GGG) were subjected to a genetic algorithm (GA)
that shuffled the 5’, 3’ and intervening regions between the
G triplexes to produce 10 new sequences.5 From there, each
new sequence was randomly mutated at a single position in
the 5’, 3’ or intervening regions between the G triplexes. Small
libraries (10 sequences) of the ‘mutated’ G4 sequences were
synthesised and screened for enhanced peroxidase activity,
with the sequences with a peroxidase-mimicking activity rate
faster than the parent being subjected the GA to produce the
next generation. Therefore only the sequences that increased
peroxidase-mimicking activity would be retained through
to the next generation. This process was repeated for seven
rounds of ‘evolution’ which resulted in the evolution of a G4
sequence that was 4 times faster than the original parent
sequence. We want to use the new sequences for point-of-care
biofilm diagnostics in collaboration with CSIRO.
References1) I.T Holder, J.S. Hartig, Chemistry and Biology 21 (2014) 1511-1521.
2) F. Rodiera, S. Kima, T. Nijjara, P. Yaswena, J. Campisia, International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 37 (2005) 977-990.
3) L.H Hurley, S. Neidle, Nat Rev Drug Discov. (2011) 261-275.
4) Y. Li, D. Sen, Biochemistry 36 (1997) 5589–5599.
5) K. Ikebukuro, W. Yoshida, T.N. Koji, Sode Biotechnol Lett (2006) 1933-1937.
G quadruplex screening for point-of-care applicationsRenzo Fenatia,b, Satomi Koharac, Tomohiko Yamazakic, Kazunori Ikebukurod and Amanda Ellisa,b
Folding of the guanine rich DNA (green) into a G quadruplex and then the incorporation of the hemin to allow for peroxidase activity to be measured using a TMB assay. `
a Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Science, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
b School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
c Biosystem Control Group, Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
d Department of Biotechnology & Life science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology,2-24-21 Naka Cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 1848588, Japan
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Early detection and appropriate management of chronic
kidney disease can reduce the progression of kidney failure and
cardiovascular disease. The urine albumin to creatinine ratio
(UACR) test is a standard urine test for identifying individuals at
high risk of developing progressive kidney disease. In this study,
IDATPE, a novel fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced
emission (AIE) features, is successfully developed for creatinine
detection and quantitation. Excellent correlation between
fluorescent light intensity and creatinine concentration is
achieved. As well, BSPOTPE, a reported excellent AIE bioprobe
for human serum albumin (HSA) quantitation, is used together
with IDATPE in artificial urine for UACR testing. The mutual
interference of HSA and creatinine when bioprobes are used for
quantitation is characterised, with promising results. Further
improvement and potential applications in CKD quantitation
are highlighted.
Quantitative urinalysis using aggregation-induced emission bioprobes for monitoring chronic kidney disease
Tong Chen1, 2, Ni Xie3, Lucia Viglianti3, Yabin Zhou1,4, Ben Zhong Tang3, *, Youhong Tang1, *
1 Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
3 Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
4 Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
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Security
In 2007, the Reserve Bank of
Australia (RBA) established the
Next Generation Banknote
(NGB) project with the purpose
of developing advanced and
innovative security features for
the polymer banknotes.
Prof Amanda Ellis’ group has been working in collaboration
with the RBA to investigate the potential of using thin,
flexible supercapacitors as a security feature on the upcoming
banknotes to be released as part of the NGB.
This project involves creating electrodes for a supercapacitor
by reducing graphene oxide (GO), with a process called
Lightscribe, to so called Lightscribed graphene (LSG) [Figure 1].
This reduction process is necessary to turn the GO from its
insulating form to a usable, conductive form. There are many
ways to reduce GO, however the Lightscribe photoreduction
process involves no other chemicals or high energy processes,
making it cheaper and more environmentally friendly than
other electrodes.
The Lightscribe process uses a commercial DVD player with
specific Lightscribe media. The DVD is covered with a flexible
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, which is then
coated with a GO solution. The laser from the DVD player
reduces the GO to LSG and is then removed along with
the supporting PET substrate. This LSG can then be used,
along with a separating material (such as gelled electrolytes
or flexible piezoelectric materials), to create the thin and
flexible supercapacitors to be incorporated into the polymer
banknotes as potential security features [Figure 2].
Flexible lightscribed graphene supercapacitors for potential uses as banknote security features
Cheylan McKinley and Amanda Ellis
In the theme of Security the centre works in collaboration with the Reserve Bank Australia, Forensics SA and DSTL to investigate; Bank note security, organic countermeasures, forensic drug chemistry and chemical sensors.
Figure 1. Diagram for the change of structure from GO to LSG after laser reduction. O2, H2O, CO2 and CO leave the system as the structure converts to a more graphene-like form.
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Figure 2. Schematic outlining the LightScribe graphene (LSG) capacitor fabrication method.
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Environment
Max Worthington, a PhD
candidate in Dr Justin Chalker’s
laboratory, is literally laying
waste to mercury. He has
discovered several ways to
react sulfur (a waste product of
the petroleum industry) with cross-linkers such as limonene
(a by-product of the citrus industry) to make new polymers
that capture the toxic metal mercury. The resulting material
removes palladium and mercury from water and soil and turns
yellow when exposed to mercury. This response is selective
for mercury and could be utilised in sensing applications. The
material is easy to synthesize on a large scale, requires no
exogenous reagents or solvents and can be processed into
functional coatings or molded into solid devices. In addition,
because the sulfur polymers are made entirely from waste,
they are very inexpensive. This technology is now patent
protected and the team is focussing on testing the polymers in
the field to remove mercury from air, water and soil.
With the Minamata Convention to take effect soon, there is
an urgent need to find cost-effective solutions for mercury
remediation. The Minamata Convention is a global treaty to
protect human health and the environment from the adverse
effects of mercury. This project, supported by the National
Environmental Science Programme, aims to introduce new
mercury remediation technology to the market and help
inform new policy on controlling mercury emissions.
This revolutionary material has been covered extensively
by the media leading to Justin’s group featuring in the ABC
Catalyst TV documentary on mercury pollution (Episode
5, 1st March 2016) and the Scope Network Ten TV Science
Show (Season 3, Episode 97, 5th March 2016). Justin was
also invited to present this research at many prestigious
events including the Falling Walls laboratory at the Australian
Academy of Sciences.
Additionally, Max Worthington was awarded Flinders’ Best
Research Higher Degree Student Publication in 2016 for this
work [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 1714-1718] and has
led to him being named as a finalist in the Channel 9 Young
Achiever Awards.
Sulfur-limonene polysulfide: A material synthesized entirely from industrial by-products and its use in removing toxic metals from water and soil
Max Worthington and Justin Chalker
In recent years the Centre has increased its research activities to tackle environmental issues with the aim to protect the planet and our natural resources through; Waste recycling, green chemistry, clean technology, mercury remediation and water treatment.
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In 2015, the mining
industry was responsible for
approximately 8.5% of the total
GDP through production of
precious metals such as copper.
With approximately 240,000
km2 of the Earth currently affected by mining, the pollution
caused through acid mine drainage and smelting has the
potential for widespread damage to the environment.
The most common method to separate and concentrate
sulfide minerals is froth flotation, which uses the difference
in surface chemistry to separate the valuable mineral from
the commercially worthless. Toxic chemicals are currently
used to enhance surface chemistry changes, enhancing the
separation for a recovery of no more than 80%. Bio-flotation
is a new method of separation which is being investigated,
since it offers the potential to reduce the use of harmful
chemicals while still achieving good separation. This project
looks at the separation of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) from pyrite
(FeS2) using Leptospirillium ferrooxidans (L.f) and metabolites
like Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) as replacements
for common depressants.
This research aims to understand the method of bacterial and
metabolite attachment to further understand the effects of
L.f bacteria on the surface of these two minerals, the effect
they have on the hydrophobicity of each mineral surface, and
how this affects the separation of the two minerals.
Attachment studies indicate that after 48 hours of contact
with the mineral, L.f preferentially attaches to pyrite and
accelerates the leaching process through with additional
pitting on the surface (figure 1A). Under the same conditions
however, chalcopyrite shows no evidence of bacterial
attachment, yet shows a significant amount of debris on
the surface (See figure). The attachment and changes to the
surface of the minerals may have a significant effect on the
flotation of these minerals, which is investigated through bio-
flotations conducted at exposure times where preferential
attachment occurs. Additional studies investigating the
effects of metabolites as flotation depressants have shown
effective separation of pyrite and chalcopyrite was achieved
without the use of industrial depressants.
Effective separation of pyrite from chalcopyrite using leptospirillum ferrooxidans
Belinda Bleeze and Sarah Harmer
Scale 5µm
Scale 5µm
AB
SEM images showing preferential bacterial attachment of L.f to pyrite (A) over chalcopyrite (B) at 48 hours exposure at an accelerating voltage of 20 kV, spot size 4 and magnification of 10000x (A) and 15000x (B)
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In this study, a novel methodology was developed using a
specified aggregation-induced emission fluorogen (AIEgen) to
monitor and quantify the complex bioaccumulation process
in a microcosm aquatic ecosystem. Mercury ion (Hg2+) was
used as the pollutant and Euglena gracilis as a representative
algal species in water, to develop this new methodology
for understanding the processes of bioaccumulation and
biorelease of a heavy metal in algae. AIEgen can easily
detect Hg2+ in the environment by the “turn-on” feature,
and a relationship was built among photoluminescence (PL)
intensity, AIEgen concentration, and Hg2+ concentration. The
AIEgen was effectively used for quantifying Hg2+ concentration
in the bioaccumulation process by reading the PL intensity of
the solution. Bioaccumulation, bioaccumulation efficiency, and
the ratio of Hg2+ in Euglena gracilis cells and the environment
were carefully characterized by this novel method and
the results were further validated with the existing well-
established analytical method. The quantitative detection
of Hg2+ absorption and release from the algae by the AIEgen
demonstrates a novel, green, and sustainable approach
to understanding the dynamics of Hg2+ between aquatic
organisms and the environment.
Monitoring and quantification of the complex bioaccumulation process of mercury ion in algae by a novel aggregation-induced emission fluorogen
Yusheng Jiang1, 2, Yuncong Chen3, Maha Alrashdi1, Ben Zhong Tang3, *, Jianguang Qin2, *, Youhong Tang1, *
1 Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
2 School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
3 Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
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Nature uses highly efficient
proteins to perform diverse and
challenging transformations
to make life possible. Although
these transformations are rapid
in vivo, utilizing proteins for organic synthesis is often difficult.
Sluggish reaction rates, protein instability and inhibition
often deter researchers. To improve biocatalysis viability,
researchers from the Raston group and the University of
California, Irvine, led by Professor Greg Weiss, used vibrational
waves generated in the vortex fluidic device (VFD) to drive
enzymatic catalysis on an average of 15-fold higher. Each
protein has a distinct fingerprint that accelerates its activity
under specific conditions. The research was driven by Flinders
PhD student Joshua Britton who spent a year in total with
Professor Greg Weiss, and was published in Angewandte
Chemie. A pinnacle of the research was accelerating a highly
valuable C-C bond-forming enzyme. Aldolase’s synthesize
important fragments that are used in the creation of active
pharmaceutical ingredient such as Lipitor, a cholesterol
lowering medicine. With accelerated enzyme activity possible,
focus has shifted on the development of complex molecule
synthesis using enzymes for a greener approach to catalysis.
Collaboration with the same research team at the University
of California, Irvine, has also developed a novel method for
tethering enzymes to the surface of the glass tube used
in the VFD, as a versatile strategy for thin film continuous
flow processing. The work was published in Chemical
Communications, and also driven by Joshua Britton. The
method requires only ng of protein per VFD reactor tube, with
the stock protein solution readily recycled to sequentially
coat >10 reactors. Confining reagents to thin films during
immobilization reduced the amount of protein, cleaning
solution, and other reagents by ~96%. Through this technique,
there was no loss of catalytic activity over 10 hours of
processing. The results reported combines the benefits of thin
film flow processing with the mild conditions of biocatalysis.
Manipulating enzymes in dynamic thin filmsJoshua Britton and Colin Raston, in collaboration with Greg Weiss at University of California Irvine
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Investigation of the potential
use of nanofibers to reinforce
composites has gained
significance in many applications. In this work, the nanofiber
mats of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and styrene-butadiene-
styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) with composites structure
were interweaved by double needle electrospinning process.
The multiple nanofiber mats were added to conventional
water-swellable rubber (WSR). Improved mechanical and
physical properties of WSR were obtained. Enhancement
of the swellability of WSR+PAA/SBS nanofiber mats was
derived from the PAA constituent absorbing water from
the surface into the bulk and introducing random internal
water channels between discontinuous SAPs. The role of SBS
nanofibers in the composite of WSR/PAA+SBS nanofiber mats
was more related to the mechanical properties, where the
breaking force of the composite increased to twice that of the
conventional WSR. Interestingly, after immersion of the WSR/
PAA+SBS nanofiber mats in water for 1 week, there was only
a slight decrease in their mechanical properties of less than
5% compared to the dry state. The mechanisms and effects of
the nanofiber mats in enhancing the mechanical and water
swelling properties of WSR are also discussed.
Enhancing water swelling ability and mechanical properties of water-swellable rubber by PAA/SBS nanofiber mats
Nazila Dehbari1, Javad Tavakoli2, Jinchao Zhao1, 3, Youhong Tang1, *
1 Centre for NanoScale Science & Technology, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
2 Medical Device Research Institute, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
3 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Biomass Fibres and Eco-dyeing & Finishing Key Laboratory, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430064, China
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Core Capabilities
Collaboration with Curtin
University, University of
Missouri- Columbia, University of
Cincinnati, and ANSTO led to the
development and mechanistic
understanding of using high shear stress in the in-house
developed vortex fluidic device (VFD) to be able to slice carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) in a controlled way without the need for harsh
and toxic chemicals. CNTs are one of the most-highest tensile
strength materials, yet they can be readily sliced, not only for
single walled carbon nano-tubes, but remarkably for double
and multi walled CNT. The slicing is effective on laser irradiation
of the CNTs suspended within dynamic liquid thin films in a
VFD. The method produces sliced CNTs with minimal defects
in the absence of any chemical stabilizers, having broad length
distributions centred at ca 190, 160 nm and 171 nm for single,
double and multi walled CNTs respectively, as established using
atomic force microscopy and supported by small angle neutron
scattering solution data. Molecular dynamics simulations on a
bent single walled CNTs with a radius of curvature of order 10
nm results in tearing across the tube upon heating, highlighting
the role of shear forces which bend the tube forming strained
bonds which are ruptured by the laser irradiation. The work was
published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, and the process itself is
scalable, having attracted interest from a number of companies.
The pioneering work also captured the imagination of the wider
community, appearing on ABC Catalyst and the BBC, and many
other outlets. Further advances in the processing are underway
in the Raston research group, led by Kasturi Vimalanathan, Thaar
Alharbi, Xuan Luo, Bediea Al Harbi and Darryl Jones. The VFD
is the same device which capture the international limelight
in 2015, for using it to partially unboil an egg. This resulted in
the award of the Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry, to Professor Colin
Raston and Professor Greg Weiss at the University of California,
Irvine, and PhD students involved in the discovery.
Further advances in the use of the VFD to fabricate nano-
carbon materials included the development of a plasma VFD,
led by Dr Darryl Jones. This work was reported in Chemical
Communications, a plasma is generated over the surface
of a thin film liquid, and it has been used in modifying the
morphology and chemical character of colloidal graphene
oxide in water.
Controlling the fabrication of nano-carbon in the remarkably versatile vortex fluidic device
Kasturi Vimalanathan, Thaar Alharbi, Xuan Luo, Bediea Al Harbi, Darryl Jones and Colin Raston
This research area is concerned with fully understanding and improving the fundamental mechanisms that underpin all of our nanotechnology research such as; surface science, smart materials, carbon, membranes and polymers.
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Nanofluids – liquids containing
nanoparticles – have shown
significantly enhanced
properties such as heat transfer capability, though the extent
is debated in the literature. One challenge is that property
enhancement is increased with nanoparticle loading;
however, this reduces the stability of the dispersion (the
nanofluids work only if the nanoparticles are suspended).
A second issue is that the surface properties and size
distribution of the particles is somewhat variable and rarely
characterised.
A robust method to generate highly uniform silica particle
distributions based on has been developed, such that the
particles can self-assemble upon drying and form “crystal”
structures and before drying, form high solid content
“solutions” with interesting optical properties, as seen in Figure
1. A wide range of functional groups can be reacted with a very
high attachment density providing particle with a full coverage
of functional groups such as acids, alcohols, and alkyl groups.
Most silica nanofluids are based on unfunctionalised silica
particles in low concentrations and display Newtonian shear
behaviour – the viscosity is independent of shear rate, however,
highly functionalised, or highly concentrated, systems can
be produced in which the viscosity reduces when “stirred” or
forced through an orifice as shown in Figure 2, which shows
how the viscosity decreases at higher shear rates.
Currently my work is focussing on correlating interparticle and
particle-solvent interactions with the rheological behaviours
observed. I have been able to significantly alter and tune
the properties of the fluids produced by functionalising the
particles, and by altering the conditions of the solutions,
such as the salt content and pH. The stability, shear thinning
extent and magnitude, as well as the optical properties of the
solutions are able to be controlled through careful selection of
the functional groups on the particle surface.
Controlling particle surface chemistry for nanofluidsChristopher Hassam1,2, Tomonobu Nakanishi2, Jonathan Campbell1, and David Lewis1
1. Flinders Centre of NanoScale Science and Technology, Flinders University
2. International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), NIMS
Figure 1. Nanofluids prepared from SiNPs Figure 2. Shear thinning behaviour of nanofluids under different conditions
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Reversible Addition
Fragmentation Chain Transfer
(RAFT) polymerization was
developed by the CSIRO in 1996
and allows for the manufacture
of polymers with precise control
over composition, functionality, shape and length. This allows
polymer chemists to tailor polymer properties depending on
what is required for a specific application. Such properties
include high thermal stability, the ability to passively exist inside
the human body, improved adhesive properties and resistance
to environmental degradation. This has led to RAFT polymers
being used as flow improvers in motor oil, for targeted drug
delivery in biological applications and in a new generation of
environmentally friendly yet tough adhesives and paints. One
of the challenges to this powerful technique for making custom
polymers, is that monomers have to be added in a very specific
order, otherwise the process can produce undesired by-products
or simply not work as intended (Pathway #1 in scheme 1 below).
We have found that using specific wavelengths of light allows
the RAFT technique to overcome some of the limitations
on monomer ordering, and as such, previously inaccessible
polymers with varied structures have become possible
(Pathway #2 in scheme 1 below). For example, using RAFT
when a block copolymer containing styrene (Sty) and methyl
methacrylate (MMA) is made, the blocks have to be made
in the order of MMA first, Sty second. We have found that
this order can successfully be reversed when light is applied,
leading to PS-b-PMMA formation. This approach can be
extended to a starting poly(methyl acrylate) block to form
PMA-b-PMMA copolymers.
Using light to make better polymers with RAFT polymerization
Oskar Majewski and David Lewis
S
SZ
S
SZ
R
R
S
SZR
++
Initiator + Heat
Pathway #1: Traditional RAFT
Pathway #2: Photolysis assisted RAFT
Initiator + Heat
Scheme 1: Comparison of conventional RAFT and our photolysis assisted RAFT when applied to the synthesis of “difficult” copolymers
This development has provided new insights into which
parameters of the mechanism are being manipulated to allow
these novel RAFT reactions to occur. We have also found that
in some cases, adding light allows the reaction to proceed at
a much faster rate, without a loss of performance in terms
of the polymers produced. This is evident in the xanthate
moderated polymerizations of methyl acrylate, which proceed
at approximately twice their normal rate when both a radical
initiator and light are present. We have found that this
behaviour is also present when a short PMA polymer is chain
extended further with more MA. Work is ongoing towards
finding the limits of this new light assisted RAFT technique.
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Froth flotation is a process
commonly used to concentrate
sulfide minerals by exploiting
the differences in surface
hydrophobicity between
different minerals in the same
ore. The crushed ore is mixed with water and surfactants,
with bubbles passed through it, creating a froth. The
hydrophobic particles then stick to the bubbles and can be
collected, while the more hydrophilic mineral stays in the
water, thus separating the different mineral phases.
Controlling the flotation and separation of minerals is
dependent on controlling the surface chemistry of minerals.
There are many factors that can affect the surface chemistry,
such as size of mineral particles, galvanic interactions between
particles and the pulp Eh and pH. Therefore when investigating
the surface chemistry of minerals for flotation purposes, it is
important to control as many of these factors as possible.
Traditional spectroscopic techniques have allowed us
to investigate either the chemistry at the surface, or the
distribution of elements on a surface, but cannot both
provide high spatial and chemical resolution required for
an in-depth analysis. Additionally, many of the techniques
currently used require the samples to be in ultra-high
vacuum, which may alter the surface chemistry.
STXM is spectromicroscopic technique that has spatial
resolution in the order of 20 nm coupled with Near Edge X-ray
Absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS). This powerful combination
allows for the distinction of very similar chemical species and
mapping thereof with high spatial resolution (nm). Through
NEXAFS the chemistry, local co-ordination, orientation of
specific bonds and magnetic properties can be deduced. A
prototype environmental cell, developed by A/Prof Harmer, Prof
Hitchcock and Norcada Inc for STXM will allow for the structure,
composition, processes and dynamics mineral reactions to be
elucidated at the nanometre scale. The STXM EChem cell is at
the forefront of in situ spectroscopy allowing for the chemical
speciation mapping in liquid under controlled potentials.
Initial testing of the prototype cell has enabled analysis of
chalcocite particles leached at pH 4 and analysed dry ex situ
and those analysed at pH 4 in liquid. Preliminary results show
changes in surface speciation between the dry mineral particle
as compared to a particle in solution. Figure 1(a) shows Cu
L-edge NEXAFS spectra from two regions on the chalcocite
dry particle (shown on right). The feature at 933.6 eV is due to
chalcocite, while the features at 930 eV and 931.3 eV are due to
oxidised copper species. Figure 1b shows the chalcocite particle,
where the species at 930 eV is shown in red, the species at 931.3
eV is shown in blue and the chalcocite is represented by green.
Nanoscale spectroscopy in a prototype liquid cellZoe Pettifer and Sarah Harmer
925 930 935 940 945
Nor
mal
ised
Inte
nsity
Photon Energy (eV)
Chalcocite
Figure 1 (a): NEXAFS spectra from dry chalcocite particle. (b): Image of chalcocite, coloured to represent distribution of chemical states.
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925 930 935 940 945
Photon Energy (eV)
Chalcocite
Figure 2 (a) shows Cu L-edge NEXAFS spectra taken from a
chalcocite particle in pH 4 H2SO4. Here the chalcocite species
can be seen, with not two, but three species; at 931 eV and
929.8 eV, and in the red spectrum, at 930 eV. (b) shows the
difference in distribution of the states at 929.8 eV (blue) and
930 eV (red), with the chalcocite species (red). It is observed
here that not only is there a species seen that wasn’t obviously
present in the dry sample, but this species (at 929.8 eV,
represented in blue) is abundant over the surface of the
chalcocite particle.
Figure 2 (a) NEXAFS spectra from chalcocite particle in pH 4 H2SO4. (b): Distribution of chemical states at 929.8 eV (blue) and 930 eV (red) over chalcocite particle (green).
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Using the natural reactions
catalysed by enzymes for
the production of valuable
chemicals has the potential to
be more rapid, specific, efficient
and environmentally friendly than traditional synthetic
processes. Enzyme catalysed reactions are however limited
by product inhibition and the long-term instability of the
biocatalysts. These limitations can be overcome by tethering
the biocatalysts onto the surface of solid supports, stabilising
the biocatalysts, improving their lifetime, while also allowing
simplistic separation and re-use. It also allows integration
into continuous flow systems, overcoming product inhibition
and allowing the enzymes to continuously react at their
maximum rates. Several important enzymes also require the
consumption of small, diffusible and expensive molecules
known as cofactors, which must the also be tethered. The
main challenge however, is retaining the natural dynamic
interactions, function and activity of the tethered biocatalysts.
In order to overcome these challenges, the cofactor
ß-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) has been
immobilised via a long, flexible tether arm at the N6 position,
facilitating very specific and precise immobilisation onto the
surface of Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), as seen in Figure 1,
allowing the key chemical functionality, mobility and activity
of NAD to be retained. A quantitative ATR-FTIR technique
has been used to show up to 0.5 NAD attachments per
square nanometre on the particle surface. This high localised
concentration of tethered NAD on the particle surface has
led to very high activities at low enzyme concentrations, far
surpassing that of untethered NAD, as seen in Figure 2. This is
thought to be due to surface bound NAD saturating enzymes
as they approach the surface interface of the heterogeneous/
homogeneous system, driving the enzyme towards its
maximum rate (Vmax) at low overall cofactor concentrations.
Tethered NAD was successfully regenerated over 1000 times in
a multi-enzyme biocatalytic reaction shown in Figure 1, where
it performed up to 60% efficient compared to untethered
NAD. Tethered NAD has also been found have to drastically
increased heat stability and lifetime in solution, retaining 85%
of its activity after heating at 100ºC for 12 hours, compared
to 15% for free NAD (Figure 3). These results demonstrate the
viability of our specifically tethered NAD system for industrial
processes for the biocatalytic production of valuable chemicals.
This system may also be adapted to other applications such as
biosensing, diagnostics and drug delivery and breakdown.
Silica nanoparticle tethered NAD: A platform approach to synthetic biology
Rowan McDonough, Colin Scott (CSIRO), Greg Simpson (CSIRO), Charlotte Williams (CSIRO), Nigel French (CSIRO), Carol Hartley (CSIRO) and David Lewis
Figure 1: Schematic for G3PD/NOX coupled reaction with regeneration of tethered N6 functionalised NAD.
S
O NHN
N
NN
NH
OOH
OH
OPOPO
OOH
OH
N
NH2O
OO
OH
OH
SH
SH
SH
SiNP
O2
H2O
+H+
-H+
HO OPO3-2
OH
G3P
HO OPO3-2
O
DHAP
SHSH
S
O NHN
N
NN
HN
O OHOH
OPOPO
O OHOH
N
NH2O
O
OOH
OH
NOX
G3PD NAD+
NADH
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Figure 2: G3PD activity at different concentrations for free and particle tethered NAD.
Figure 3: G3PD activity with free and particle tethered NAD that have been incubated at 100°C for different amounts of time.
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Figure 2. Proposed mechanism for change in measured height with applied pressure.
The short answer is yes, but
actually measuring the value
you expect has proven to
be very difficult. Our recent
publication in the Journal
Nanotechnology has optimised
the experimental procedure to measure a 1 atom thick sheet
of carbon, a material called graphene.
A popular technique to measure nanomaterials is atomic
force microscopy (AFM). AFM works by moving an atomically
sharp tip across a surface – similar to a needle on a record
player. Differences in surface height are monitored by the
movement of a tip and such precise control is available that
single atom resolution is achievable.
The major issue with imaging 1-atom thick materials is that
there is rarely a perfect contact between the substrate and
sample. This is often the case when investigating graphene,
which is prepared by transfer onto a silicon wafer. This
imperfect contact can be further exacerbated by the presence
of a single layer of water atoms, often present on all surfaces
under standard conditions. This issue is most commonly
observed when imaging with an atomic force microscope
(AFM), which directly images a sample in 3 dimensions
using an atomically sharp tip. We have optimised a special
AFM technique called PeakForce Tapping AFM to accurately
measure graphene by imaging with high pressure.
We found that by pressing harder onto the graphene sample,
the measured height decreased from 1.7 nm to 0.4 nm, with
a linear correlation. Since the thickness of a single graphene
layer is expected to be 0.34 nm (atomic layer spacing in
graphite), the error in measured thickness has decreased
drastically by simply imaging with a higher applied force.
The key parameter to accurately measuring graphene was
found to be the applied pressure. At low applied pressure the
measured height is equivalent to the sum of the graphene
layer thickness and the buffer layer thickness. As the pressure
applied to the graphene by the AFM tip increases, the graphene
is pushed into the buffer layer and a more accurate value is
measured until finally the graphene is pushed through the
buffer layer to the underlying substrate.
Is it possible to measure the height of something 1 atom thick?
Cameron Shearer and Joe Shapter
Figure 1. The effect of applied force on measured graphene height.
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Since formation, the Centre has strived to increase the visibility and external perception of nanotechnology research. In addition to individual research projects and industry collaborations through NanoConnect, the centre has forged ongoing partnerships with many key organisations, nationally and internationally. These include:
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)ANSTO is Australia’s national nuclear organisation and the centre for Australian nuclear expertise.
The University is an ANSTO partner and researchers from the Centre benefit from this partnership
through access to state of the art equipment, participation in their research network and the
opportunity to apply for ANSTO research grants through AINSE, the Australian Institute of Nuclear
Science and Engineering (see highlights).
Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative (ASTRI)ASTRI is an $87 million, eight year international collaboration with leading research institutions,
industry bodies and universities with the aim to position Australia in concentrating solar thermal
(CST) power technologies. Flinders University is a key partner is this initiative, a partnership which
operates through the Centre.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)CSIRO is the federal government agency for scientific research in Australia. Its primary role is to
improve the economic and social performance of industry, for the benefit of the community. The
Centre has partnered with CSIRO on several projects in the Energy area including the development of
flexible transparent electrodes and light assisted RAFT polymerisation (see Research).
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan NIMS is not only one of the largest research centres in Japan but also one of the world leaders in
nanotechnology research. In 2011 Flinders University signed an MOU with NIMS, this relationship
has gone from strength to strength. In addition to ongoing research collaborations between
academics, the centre also sends two PhD students to study at NIMS every year. In 2015 this
collaboration was extended further with the Centre participating in an Annual international summer
school with students from NIMS, Cambridge University (UK), UCLA (US) and the University of
Strasbourg (France) (See Events).
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P), GermanyThe Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) ranks among the top research centres in
the field of polymer science world-wide. The institute is a base for more than 500 scientists with
specialist expertise in areas from the creative design of new materials and their synthesis in the lab
to their physical characterization. PhD students from the Centre have the opportunity to spend 3-6
months working at MPI-P and several researchers have forged collaborative research projects with
members of the Institute.
Collaboration
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NanoConnect
NanoConnect is a collaboration program that aims to make nanotechnology-based science accessible to industry. It is designed to inform industry about the potential for nanotechnology, and provide a mechanism to test the feasibility of promising product ideas in a way that clearly demonstrates the value of the technology. NanoConnect is a simple, low risk mechanism that introduces companies to university research resources, and acts as a catalyst for ongoing relationships.
Nanotechnology is a key driver of new manufacturing
technologies and products, and has been identified as a
critical enabler for the future of Australian industry. It has
the potential to build on existing manufacturing skills to
create advanced manufacturing capabilities that will enable
Australian companies to be more productive, more efficient,
more profitable and consequently more resilient.
NanoConnect offers companies access to University
researchers and facilities for approved projects in two
stages. The first stage involves a personalized assessment
of opportunities for the application of advanced materials
science in their business. This can be anything from a wide
ranging exploration of what nanotechnology can do, to a
more targeted discussion of the potential for nanotechnology
to solve specific manufacturing problems or new product
ideas. A review of the most promising technologies identified
is then undertaken in order to understand their potential
impact in greater detail. The company can then continue on
to a Stage 2 lab- based feasibility study to further evaluate
the ideas, test the ideas in trials, or produce prototypes,
for example. We have found an enormous breadth in the
capabilities within the companies engaged in the program
with some adept at sourcing new knowledge and capabilities.
Others, while clearly understanding their current activities
and markets, are not aware of technologies that offer new
opportunities, even within their own industry.
Over the current funding round (2014-2016) 35
companies have entered the program, with 25 having
undertaken technology reviews (Stage 1) and 12 of those
having undertaken feasibility studies (Stage 2). Due to
the relationships built between participants and the
NanoConnect team, further technical and commercialisation
assistance has been provided to eight of the participant
companies. This has been viewed as a very valuable resource
for local industry, and assist companies to know who to
contact for assistance. Currently, ongoing commercialisation
projects and support are underway for five of the participants.
Key Researchers working on the programme include Centre
Director David Lewis, NanoConnect programme Manager, Dr
Jonathan Campbell and Postdoctoral Researchers, Dr Andrew
Blok and Dr Leigh Thredgold.
Opportunity Assessment Initial brainstorm with company to understand their operations and explore nanotechnology
opportunities
Technology Scoping Review 2-3 week review of the technology and literature
to assess technical feasibility of the ideas
Proof of Concept 2 month laboratory-based study to explore
practical application of the idea. Company fully engaged through this stage
Pilot Phase The company may choose to continue to work
with the University and/or access other State and Australian Government programs
Stage 2 Decision Point Technically feasible and eligible?
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Stage 1 Decision Point Opportunities for investigation identified?
This program is supported by the
South Australian Department of
State Development.
46 47
Supashock is an innovative South Australian manufacturer of advanced suspension systems for automotive, racing, transport, mining and defence applications. The company was recognised in the Top 5 of the fastest growing South Australian companies (Fast Movers SA 2016), and was awarded Innovation of the Year 2015 by V8 Supercars.
Supashock are experts in dynamic motion and vibration
control, designing and manufacturing world-class dampers.
The range includes Formula e (electric vehicles), Formula One
(the dampers were the lightest at the time of manufacture,
weighing in at a mere 186 grams), GT3, V8 Supercars;
high-end road car upgrades; and bespoke designs. Recent
development in active and passive motion control systems
have led to application in mining and defence vehicles.
The company was the first to utilise 4-way adjustable
dampers in a V8 Supercar, and they developed dampers for
Formula 3000 for Mark Webber and Sebastian Bourdais who
won the championship with this Australian technology. Their
products are currently used by the Prodrive V8 Supercar team,
and the DK Virgin Racing Formula-e team.
Supashock view interaction with Universities as an important
strategic component of their operations. For example,
the company regularly undertakes engineering student
placements, and offers the best engineers positions in their
team. In addition, the ability to interact with university
researchers on a technical level provides critical input, in
the form of advice and technical understanding, to their
manufacturing and new product development. The ability
to tap into materials expertise through the NanoConnect
program has provided a new opportunity to increase the
company’s level of technical knowledge and access assistance
with critical technical issues utilising analytical technologies
that could not be sourced in-house.
Centre researchers have worked with Supashock on a number
of materials investigations. In the Stage 1 project the focus
was on understanding the behaviour of key components
within automotive damper systems, and the limitations of
these materials in the demanding conditions experienced
in racing. In this initial investigation it was found that some
components were not made and did not perform as expected.
For example, by using microscopy techniques it was evident
that some metal parts did not have the required surface finish,
which could then led to higher abrasion rates than desired
in the moving components of the dampers. The ability to
incorporate these results, and the implications for suitability of
manufacturing methods used, could then help the company
to choose the best way in which to make these parts for best
performance and reliability. In another example, the oil seals
used are a key component of the damper, although they are
a small part of the overall design, because they contribute
directly to the performance of the dampers and their reliability
over time. Understanding of the thermomechanical behaviour
of these materials provides important information about the
stiffness, damping and temperature resistance of these types
of materials, which can then be used to design seals with the
desired combination of properties.
In Stage 2 of the program the company is continuing
the analysis of key components of their dampers with
the intention of building up advanced knowledge of the
relationship between the materials selected, their inherent
properties and the effect of this on the performance of the
damper systems. Ongoing technical support is part of this
process, and Supashock are already planning additional
projects that will involve Flinders University researchers.
Supashock Racing Suspension
NanoConnect Case Studies
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Infratech Industries designs and builds solar arrays that float on water bodies such as dams, treatment ponds and reservoirs. These systems are designed to meet the demand for renewable energy in circumstances where space for equivalent land based systems is not available. Additionally, they offer the benefits of increased solar efficiency due to the cooling effect of the water and water quality due to reduced water temperature and UV exposure limiting algal growth.
Collaboration with Flinders researchers played an important
role in the roll-out of the pilot installation on the wastewater
treatment pond in Jamestown, SA, in 2015 and the later
export of the technology to Holtville, USA. This collaboration
between the Centre and Infratech has continued through
research undertaken with a co-funded Innovation
Connections project. This project was specifically aimed at
investigating 1) energy storage technologies compatible
with the sensitive water environments encountered and
2) potential water treatment technologies that could be
developed and/or implemented to create a self-sustaining
water treatment plant for remote communities.
The often challenging water based environments required for
floating solar systems are incompatible with existing energy
storage platforms such as lead-acid and lithium ion battery
technologies. This is due to both the chemicals utilised and
the potentially harsh environmental conditions they will be
exposed to. Therefore, alternative technologies or solutions
are required to ensure both safety and environmental
concerns are avoided when integrating energy storage with
floating solar technology. Flinders comprehensively reviewed
both commercial and research energy storage offerings and
rated their performance specifications and compatibility with
these challenging aqueous environments. Ultimately issuing
a report highlighting the most compatible technologies
available in the commercial and research landscape.
Water reuse through reclamation and treatment of
wastewaters is of increasing importance, particularly in rural
Australian areas where natural water supplies are scarce.
These scenarios usually demand comparatively low cost and
small footprint systems that are capable of producing high
quality water for, most commonly, agricultural irrigation.
Infratech seeks to incorporate water treatment capabilities
with its floating solar rafts to provide a fully integrated
energy production and water treatment solution for these
scenarios. Flinders researchers reviewed potential water
treatment technologies and advised on the future research
focus to achieve this goal. Combining a series of existing and
novel treatment methods has the potential to provide a low
footprint, self-contained water treatment solution for the
floating solar product. This research has played an important
role in establishing the future research and development
priorities of Infratech’s evolving solar technology.
Infratech Industries
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Trigg Bros Pty Ltd is a family-owned and operated business
located in Marleston, specialising in the casting of small and
medium sized items made from grey, ductile and wear-
resistant alloyed irons using automated moulding and
induction melting techniques.
Trigg Bros and NanoConnect have worked together to explore
the incorporation of nano and larger sized ceramics to create
new classes of composites with the aim of enhancing the
durability and wear properties of the composite material.
Following a series of casting trials to determine how best
to incorporate the particles, state of the art surface ad bulk
characterisation techniques were used to understand the
dispersability and adhesion of the particles into the iron
matrix. An appropriate surface treatment of the particles
was then used to better control these important properties,
with promising initial results. The project has the potential to
increase the value of the products made by Trigg Brothers and
help them remain competitive in complex market conditions.
Trigg Brothers Casting
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The Centre is not just a research hub, it is community that provides opportunities for members to network and interact both academically and socially. In 2016, centre members have participated in many events both internal and external, including conferences, summer schools and student placements.
Events
Centre Annual Conference
The 6th Annual Conference of
the Flinders Centre for NanoScale
Science and Technology was held
at the Tonsley Campus of Flinders
University on Tuesday June 14th
2016. The day was designed to
inspire attendees and encourage
them to engage with presenters
and other attendees throughout the
day. The conference included invited
speakers, poster sessions and a
workshop activity.
Plenary addresses were delivered by
Professor Jim Gimzewski from the
University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA), Professor Francois Winnik
from the University of Montreal,
and Professor Masakazu Aono from
the National Institute for Materials
Science in Japan providing attendees
with exciting perspectives from
outside Australia.
Two poster sessions allowed
delegates to engage with each
other’s research and discover the
techniques and problems being
investigated across the Centre as well
as beyond Australia. The prize for
best poster was awarded to Renato
Aguilera from UCLA, with Cameron
Shearer and Kasturi Vimalanathan
acknowledged as runners-ups.
The 2016 conference workshop
activity challenged delegates to
summarise a poster from the
conference in 25 words or less. Using
these words the delegates then
recreated the poster, adding their
own images.
The CNST Annual Conference
provided many opportunities
for networking and establishing
relationships, with the conference
being attended by not only delegates
from within the Centre, but also by
international guests who stayed on
from attending the Nanotechnology
Students’ Summer School.
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NIMS Summer School – Student’s Perspective
Michael Wilson and Rowan
McDonough, Flinders Centre for
NanoScale Science and Technology
For a week in June we were
fortunate to be a part of the NIMS
Nanotechnology Students’ Summer
School, this year hosted by Flinders
University. Bringing together students
and academics from around the world.
We all first met on a Monday
afternoon in the conference room/
kitchen of the wonderful YHA which
was to be our home for the next six
nights. Through the week we were
challenged with supporting a mission
on Mars, inspired by a late night
viewing of The Martian. Splitting into
groups we began competing to see
who could make the most progress in
their field towards a habitable Mars.
Dispersed with our intense discussions
were talks from research leaders.
Hearing from these international
researchers about their careers helped
to put into perspective the need to be
adaptable in our careers and always
push the limits.
No sooner had our teams formed and
begun concocting elaborate solutions
than we were launched into the Centre
Annual Conference. This brought us
back to earth and we could learn about
each other’s more grounded research.
Our visitors particularly enjoyed
experiencing Australian Culture with
visits to Cleland Wildlife Park and the
SANFL. The furry critters were found to
elicit a lot of laughs and questions, as
did the animals.
Overall it was a great experience and
we would encourage everyone to
attend it given the opportunity.
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In addition to a joint summer school
with NIMS, the Centre also provides
the opportunity for nominated PhD
students to spend 6months- 1year
of their studies working at NIMS in
Tsukuba, Japan. In 2016, these lucky
students were Ruby Sims (Supervisor:
Jamie Quinton) and Renzo Fenati
(Supervisor: Amanda Ellis), read more
about their experiences below:
Ruby Sims
‘I am currently 5 months into a yearlong
placement at the National Institute for
Materials Science (NIMS) in Tsukuba, Japan
under the supervision of Professor Kohei
Uosaki. A formal collaboration between
the Flinders Centre and NIMS has given
me the chance to extend my PhD research
through the International Cooperative
Graduate Program.
Living in Japan has afforded me the
opportunity to experience both science
and everyday life in a completely different
culture. Communicating with scientists
from around the world has given me
an appreciation for the infinite number
of possibilities available in my career.
Tsukuba, known as the Science City is
located just an hour North East of Tokyo,
allowing for weekend adventures to the
Imperial Palace Gardens, Meiji Jingu,
the arcades of Akihabara and even a
hedgehog café.
I feel very fortunate to be one of 2
students from Flinders awarded the
ICGP scholarship in 2016, during my
time at NIMS I have been exposed to
surface analysis techniques currently
not available in Adelaide. Aside from
strengthening my research, I hope that
this new knowledge will also benefit the
Centre in the future.
I’d like to thank NIMS for awarding me
the ICGP scholarship and look forward to
collaborations resulting from this in the
future.’
Renzo Fenati
‘In November of 2016 I completed my 6
month placement at the NIMS, where
I studied with Professor Tomohiko
Yamazaki. This was an amazing
opportunity and experience that was
made possible by Flinders Centre
and NIMS through the International
Graduate Program. The research I
undertook will help strengthen my
career aspirations.
The knowledge that I learned whilst at
NIMS has greatly benefitted not only
myself, but my group here at Flinders
University as I was able to pass on
techniques that I had learned. The
most important aspect that I learned
was how communication between
two cultures can be very difficult and
must be approached with patience and
understanding. Having experienced
this I am now more prepared for
a career after my Ph.D. I would
recommend the ICGP to anyone that is
interested in not only forwarding their
career but also those who want to
experience what it feels like to live in a
different culture.
Life in Japan was not all about
research, I was also able to experience
the beautiful Japanese culture. Even
with the language barrier I always felt
welcome and everyone was so polite
and accommodating.
I would like to thank Centre for giving
me the opportunity to go to Japan
and NIMS for awarding me the ICGP
scholarship. This is an experience that
I will never forget and can only further
my career.’
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ICONN 2016
In 2016 Centre members also attended
the International Conference on
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
(ICONN). This is an excellent
opportunity for researchers to present
their research on the international
stage and network with the wider
nanotechnology community.
PhD student Zoe Pettifer, who works
with Sarah Harmer, attended ICONN
and details some of her experiences
from the exciting event:
‘The International Conference on
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
(ICONN) was held at the National
Convention Centre in Canberra from
the 7th to 11th of February 2016. This
conference is a biannual event run
by the Australian Nanotechnology
Network to bring together the
Australian and International
nanotechnology communities. The
conference provides a great networking
opportunity for PhD students and early
career researchers of similar fields, with
an added opportunity to interact with
industries and other organisations.
It was for these reasons that a group
of more than 20 Flinders scientists,
including academics, early career
researchers and PhDs, made the
pilgrimage to Canberra. After an early
morning for most of us, we piled into
one of two mini buses at the crack of
dawn, and got settled into our seats
where we would spend the next 14
hours on the drive to Canberra. After a
full week at work, many participants
chose to spend the first few hours on
the bus catching up on missed sleep.
But as the road grew longer and the
traffic dispersed, we found new ways to
amuse ourselves on the long bus ride,
including card games and board games
that had been modified to fit in a bus.
After much driving,
interesting parking
techniques at rest stops
and many awful puns, we
arrived in Canberra in time
for a much needed night’s
sleep. The next day some
students attended a short
course in nanofabrication
technologies, as an
optional part of the
conference. However,
most of us took the
opportunity to visit some
Canberra sights, such as
the War Memorial and
Parliament House, prior
to registration and the
welcome reception on
Sunday night.
The conference kicked off in full swing
on Monday morning, with a welcome
from the ANN team and a series of
presentations from distinguished
plenary speakers, as well as PhD
and ECR presentations. There were
poster presentation sessions held on
Monday and Tuesday evening over
happy hour, which provided countless
opportunities to discover other
research in similar fields, with plenty of
networking opportunities.
It was at these gatherings that other
ICONN participants discovered the
impact that Flinders University has
on the nanotechnology field. While
most participants may not have
been able to point to Flinders on a
map, the “Flinders crew” certainly
made their presence known. We had
the largest representation from any
research organisation in attendance. All
attendees presented their work to a high
standard as either an oral presentation
or by poster, thus continuing to forge
a reputation of high quality research,
and not without a healthy amount of
sociability. The conference dinner,
on Wednesday night, provided the
perfect opportunity to get dressed up
and let our hair down and drive home
our reputation of camaraderie.
Most attendees I am sure would
consider ICONN 2016 to be a successful
event for them personally, as there
were many opportunities to discover
other work in their field, exposing
us to new ideas and techniques, and
giving us plenty of opportunities to talk
about our own research. Events such as
these should be considered invaluable
for young scientists for the research
exposure and networking opportunities.
This event should also be considered
a success for the Centre for NanoScale
Science and Technology, as we
continued to grow our reputation in the
nanotechnology community as a hub
of great research and relationships. This
could only serve us well in the future
and anyone would agree that events
like this should always be regarded as
fruitful, however for the next event, we
may need to work on our dance moves.’
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InfrastructureThe Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology hosts a wide variety of instrumentation which enables innovative and cutting edge research. This unique expertise and infrastructure supports world class nanoscale research, teaching and industry linked activities.
Analysis The Centre houses an array
of equipment for analysing
nanomaterials to identify
the specific chemical make-
up of a sample, this range of
spectrometers includes electron
spectrometers for surface
analysis by X-ray photoelectron
spectrometry (XPS), a top of the
range Scanning Auger Nanoprobe
and several Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance Spectrometers (NMRs).
The Centre also has unique surface
analysis and concentration depth
profiling capability, in the form of
the Metastable Induced Electron
Spectroscopy (MIES) and Neutral
Impact Collision Ion Scattering
Spectrometer (NICISS) the only
systems of their kind in the world.
Material PropertiesCapabilities within the centre not
only enable the characterisation
and analysis of materials,
equipment is also available to
define the properties of the
material structure such as
measuring the hydrophilicity/
hydrophobicity of a surface,
assessing the reactivity of materials
using the electrochemistry suite,
investigating particle size and
film thickness and also exploring
particle-particle interactions.
Flinders MicroscopyThis state-of the art facility is
managed by Centre members
and provides researchers in
academia and industry with
expert support, training and
advice on advanced microscopy
and imaging techniques. This
facility specialises in Atomic
Force, Raman and Scanning
Tunnelling Microscopy (AFM)/
(STM) and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM).
Types of analysis include:
• Characterizing sample
topography, stiffness and
adhesion using AFM in air
and fluid environments
• Monitoring dynamic
changes in surfaces with
Fast-scanning AFM that
can acquire images over
100 times faster than
conventional AFM.
• Mapping sample conductivity
on the nanoscale
• Co-localised AFM/Raman
imaging
• Tip enhanced Raman
spectroscopy (TERS) of
sample surfaces
• High resolution SEM of
samples with elemental
mapping using Energy
Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
(EDX)
• Sputter coating surfaces with
a variety of metals (e.g. gold,
chromium, platinum)
Fabrication and ModificationThe Centre hosts fabrication
facilities enabling the production
of nanoscale materials such
as porous silicon, lipid bilayers,
carbon nanotubes, functional
nanoparticles, microfluidic
devices, quantum dots as well as
instrumentation to modify the
surfaces of these structures.
Characterisation Equipment for characterisation of
nanomaterials at the centre are
extensive and include a complete
range of polymer characterisation
equipment with methods such as:
Gel Permeation Chromatography
(GPC), Dynamic Mechanical
thermal Analysis (DMA),
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
(DSC), Simultaneous Thermal
Analysis (STA), tensile testing and
a rheometer.
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National Research Facilities The Centre is a member of the AMMRF & ANFF, these networks provide access to cutting edge facilities throughout Australia.
The Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research
Facility (AMMRF)
This is a national collaborative
research facility for the
characterisation of materials
at the micro, nano and atomic
scales. The AMMRF facilities are accessible to all Australian
researchers, comprising of over 300 instruments and 100
expert staff nationwide, dedicated to supporting research.
This enables all researchers to access expert support, training
and instruments and facilitates world-class Australian
research and innovation. Research leader Professor Joe
Shapter is Director of the South Australian Research Facility
(SARF), the SA branch of the AMMRF. SARF is an alliance of
Flinders Microscopy, Adelaide Microscopy and the Future
Industries Institute.
The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF)
The ANFF links 8 university-based
nodes to provide researchers and
industry with access to state-
of-the-art fabrication facilities.
Each node offers a specific area
of expertise including advanced
materials, nanoelectronics & photonics and bio nano
applications. The ANFF SA node is co-located at the Future
Industries Institute (University of South Australia) and
Flinders University, and brings together expertise in surface
modification, characterisation, nanotechnology, and
advanced materials. The node is focused on the design
and fabrication of micro and nano-engineered structures,
including microfluidic devices, in both polymer and glass
substrates.
Tonsley LaboratoriesFlinders at Tonsley is designed to be an interface between university and
industry. It is the main base for the School of Computer Science, Engineering
and Mathematics, the New Venture Institute and the Medical Device Research
Institute, as well as some of Adelaide’s leading businesses and key industries.
The Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology is co-located between the
main campus and Tonsley, occupying several offices, meeting space and two
laboratories;
• The Advanced Materials laboratory, shared with the materials engineering
group. This space houses an FTIR spectrophotometer, tensile and impact
testing machines, salt spray durability test, ovens and 6 fume cabinets for
chemical synthesis research.
• A clean room, used for fabrication of electronic devices, and other high
sensitivity material and device preparation work. Also present are a
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Centre members have published over 90 publications in 2016, including one book and four book chapters.
Alhalili Z., Figueroa D., Johnston M. R., Shapter J., Sanderson B., Effect of Modification Protocols on the Effectiveness of Gold Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Killing of Breast Cancer Cells, Aust. J. Chem., 69, 1402-1412.
Alhalili Z., Zaila A., Sanderson B., Shapter J., Localization and Uptake of Fluorescently Labelled Gold Nanoparticles by a T47d Human Breast Cancer Cell Line, International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences 8 260 -269.
Almutary A.G., Ellis A.V., Sanderson B.J.S., Amorphous silica nanoparticles show concentration and time-dependent toxicity on human HaCat cells, International Journal of Sciences and Applied Research 3(5): 38-45.
Al Qahtani H. S., Higuchi R., Sasaki T., Alvino J. F., Metha G. F., Golovko V. B., Adnan R., Andersson G., Nakayama T., Grouping and aggregation of ligand protected Au 9 clusters on TiO2 Nanosheets, accepted by RSC Advances, 6, 110765 – 110774.
Al Qahtani H., Kimoto K., Bennett T., Alvino J. F., Andersson G. G., Metha G. F., Golovko V. B., Sasaki T., Nakayama T., Atomically Resolved Structure of Ligand-Protected Au9 Clusters on TiO2 Nanosheets Using Aberration-Corrected STEM, J. Chem. Phys, 144, 114703.
Andersson, J. and Koper, I., Tethered and Polymer Supported Bilayer Lipid Membranes: Structure and Function, Membranes, 6(30) . [10.3390/membranes6020030] [10.3390/membranes6020030] [Scopus]
Batmunkh M., Bat-Erdene M., Shapter J. G., Phosphorene and Phosphorene Based Materials - Prospects for Future Applications, Advanced Materials, 28 8586–8617.
Batmunkh M., Dadkhah M., Shearer C. J., Biggs M. J., Shapter J. G., Incorporation of Graphene into SnO2 Photoanode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, Applied Surface Science, 387, 690-697.
Batmunkh M., Dadkhah M., Shearer C. J., Biggs M. J. and Shapter J. G., SnO2 Light Scattering Layer for TiO2 Photoanode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Energy Technology, 4, 959 – 966.
Batmunkh M, Shearer C. J., Biggs M. J., Shapter J. G., Solution Processed Graphene Structures for Perovskite Solar Cells, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4, 2605 - 2616.
Bayatsarmadi B., Zheng Y., Tang Y., Jaroniec M., Qiao SZ. Significant enhancement of water splitting activity of N-carbon electrocatalyst by trace level Co doping, Small, 12: 3703-3711.
Ben-David J., Stapleton A.J., Gibson C.T., Sharma A., Gentle A.R., Lewis D.A., Ellis A.V., PEDOT:PSS-free AgNW/SWCNT transparent electrodes using graphene oxide, Thin Solid Films 616: 515-520.
Bou S. Ellis A.V., Mitsuhiro E., Synthetic stimuli-responsive “Smart” nanofibers, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 39: 113-119.
Britton J., Castle J. W., Weiss G. A., Raston C. L., Harnessing Thin-Film Continuous-Flow Assembly Lines, Chem. Eur. J., 22 , 10773-10776.
Britton J., Dalziel S. B., Raston C. L., The synthesis of di-carboxylate esters using continuous flow vortex fluidics, Green Chem., 18, 2193–2200.
Britton J., Meneghini L. M., Raston C. L., Weiss G. A., Accelerating Enzymatic Catalysis Using Vortex Fluidics, Angew. Chem. Int Ed., 55, 11387-11391.
Britton J., Raston C. L., Weiss G. A., Rapid protein immobilization for thin film continuous flow biocatalysis, Chem. Commun., 52, 10159-10162.
Carlson-Jones JAP, Paterson JS, Newton K, Smith RJ, Dann LM, Speck P, Mitchell JG, Wormald P-J, Enumerating Virus-Like Particles and Bacterial Populations in the Sinuses of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients Using Flow Cytometry, PLoS ONE 11(5): e0155003. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0155003.
Chen P., Zhang H., Luo X., Lin X., Lu X., Tang Y., Cost effective biochar gels with super capabilities for heavy metal removal, RSC Adv., 6(79): 75430-75439.
Connolly A.R., Hirani R., Ellis A.V., Trau M., A DNA circuit for IsomiR detection, ChemBioChem 17(22): 2172-2178.
Crockett, M.P.; Evans, A.M.; Worthington, M.J.H.; Albuquerque, I.S.; Slattery, A.D.; Gibson, C.T.; Campbell, J.A.; Lewis, D.A.; Bernardes, G.J.L.; Chalker, J.M., Sulfur-Limonene Polysulfide: A Material Synthesized Entirely from Industrial By-products and Its Use in Removing Toxic Metals from Water and Soil, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 55, 1714-1718.
Dann L, Paterson JS, Newton K, Oliver R, Mitchell JG, Distributions of virus-like particles and prokaryotes within microenvironments. PLoS ONE, 11(1): e0146984. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0146984.
Dann LM, Rosales S, McKerral J, Paterson JS, Smith RJ, Jeffries TC, Oliver RL, Mitchell JG, Marine and giant viruses as indicators of a marine microbial community in a riverine system, Microbiology Open, published online 9 August 2016, DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.392.
Dann L, Smith RJ, Jeffries T, McKerral J, Fairweather F, Oliver R, Mitchell JG, Persistence, loss and appearance of bacteria upstream and downstream, Marine and Freshwater Research, Published online 2016/4/1.
Dann LM, Smith RJ, Tobe SS, Paterson JS, Oliver RL, Mitchell JG, Microscale distributions of freshwater planktonic viruses and prokaryotes are patchy and taxonomically distinct, Aquatic Microbial Ecology 77 (2), 65-77.
Publications
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Dehbari N., Tavakoli J., Zhao J., Tang Y., Enhancing water swelling ability and mechanical properties of water-swellable rubber by PAA/SBS nanofiber mats, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 133.
Dennison G. H., Bochet C. G., Curty C., Ducry J., Nielsen D. J., Sambrook M. R., Zaugg A., Johnston M. R., Supramolecular Agent–Simulant Correlations for the Luminescence Based Detection of V-Series Chemical Warfare Agents with Trivalent Lanthanide Complexes, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem, 1348-1358.
Dennison G. H., White J. M., Johnston M. R., Efficient access to Unsymmetrically 3-Substituted-1,10-Phenanthrolines via Microwave Assisted Friedlander Condensation with Aldehydes, ChemistrySelect, 1, 6434 – 6437.
Doughty D., Painter B., Pigou P., Johnston M. R., Investigation into clandestine laboratory synthesis of N-methylalanine from 2-halopropionic acids, Journal of Clandestine Investigating Chemists, 25-33.
Doughty D., Painter B., Pigou P., Johnston M. R., Investigation into the clandestine laboratory synthesis of N-methylalanine from pyruvic acid, Journal of Clandestine Investigating Chemists, 37-45.
Doughty D., Painter B., Pigou P., Johnston M. R., The Synthesis and Investigation of Impurities found in Clandestine Laboratories: Baeyer-Villiger Route Part I; Synthesis of P2P from Benzaldehyde and Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Forensic Sci. Int., 263, 55-66.
Franzblau R. E., Daughney C. J., Swedlund P. J., Weisener C. G., Moreau M., Johannessen B, Harmer S. L., Cu(II) removal by Anoxybacillus flavithermus-iron oxide composites during the addition of Fe(II)aq, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 172, 139-158.
Gao G., Yin T., Huang P., Shapter J., Shen Y., Sun R., Yue C., Zhang C., Liu Y., Zhou S., Cui D., Superparamagnetic Fe3O4-PEG2K-FA@Ce6 Nanoprobes for in Vivo Dual-mode Imaging and Targeted Photodynamic Therapy, Scientific Reports, 6, 39187.
Gao G., Yu L., Vinu A., Shapter J. G., Batmunkh M., Shearer C. J., Yin T., Huang P., Cui D., Synthesis of Ultra-long Hierarchical ZnO Whiskers in the Hydrothermal System for Dye-sensitised Solar Cells (DSCs), RSC Advances, 6, 109406–109413.
George Z., Xia Y., Sharma A., Lindqvist C., Andersson G., Inganas O., Moons E., Muller C., Andersson M. R., Two-in-one: cathode modification and improved solar cell blend stability through addition of modified fullerenes, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4 2663.
Grace T., Yu L., Gibson C., Tune D., Alturaif H., Al Othman Z., Shapter J., Investigating the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Diameter and Wall Number in Carbon Nanotube/Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells, Nanomaterials, 6, 52.
Han L., Lu X., Wang M., Gan D., Deng W., Wang K., Fang L., Liu K., Chan C.W., Tang Y., Weng L.T., Yuan H., A mussel-inspired conductive, self-adhesive, and self-healable tough hydrogel as cell stimulatiors and implantable bioelectronics, Small (Accepted on 1 October 2016).
Han M., Chen M., Ebendorff-Heidepriem H., Fang C., Qin A., Zhang H., Tang B. Z., Tang Y., Ruan Y., An optical fibre sensor for remotely detecting water traces in organic solvents, RSC Adv., 6 (85): 82186-82190.
Han W., Chen S., Campbell J., Zhang X., Tang Y., Fracture toughness and wear properties of nanosilica/epoxy composites under marine environment, Mater. Chem. Phys., 177: 147-155.
Herringer JW, Dorrington GE, Rosengarten G, Lester D, Mitchell JG, Hydrodynamic Drift Ratchet Scalability, AiChE: doi:10.1002/aic.15569.
Ho L. A., Raston C. L., Stubbs K. A., Transition-Metal-Free Cross-Coupling Reactions in Dynamic Thin Films To Access Pyrimidine and Quinoxaline Analogues, Eur. J. Org. Chem., 5957–5963 DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201600830.
Jamieson T., Ellis A.V., Khodakov D.A., Balzano S., Hemraj D.A., Leterme S.C., Bacterial production of transparent exopolymer particles during cross-flow static and laboratory-based cross flow experiments. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2(2): 376-382.
Jiang Y., Chen Y., Alrashdi M., Luo W., Tang B.Z., Zhang J., Qin J., Tang Y., Monitoring and quantification of the complex bioaccumulation process of mercury ion in algae by a novel aggregation-induced emission fluorogen, RSC Adv., 6(102): 100318-100325.
Jones D.B., Chen X., Sibley A., Quinton J. S., Shearer C. J., Gibson C. T. and Raston C. L., Plasma enhanced vortex fluidic device manipulation of graphene oxide, Chem. Commun., 52, 10755-10758.
Kumari H., Kline S. R., Kennedy S. R., Garvey C., Raston C. L., Atwood J. L., Steed J. W., Manipulating three-dimensional gel network entanglement by thin film shearing, Chem. Commun., 52, 4513-4316.
Larsen L.J., Shearer C.J., Ellis A.V., Shapter J.G., Optimization and Doping of Reduced Graphene Oxide-Silicon Solar Cells. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 120(29): 15648-15656.
Leterme S.C., Le Lan C., Hemraja D.A., Balzano S., Ellis A.V., The impact of diatoms on the biofouling of seawater reverse osmosis membranes in a model cross-flow system, Desalination 39: 113-119.
Ling I., Sobolev A. N., Raston C. L., Gadolinium(III)-mediated multi-component confinement of imidazolium cations in p-sulfonated calixarene, CrystEngComm, 18, 4929–4937.
Liu L., Tang Y., Dai S., Kleitz F., Qiao SZ., Smart surface-enhanced Raman scattering traceable drug delivery system, Nanoscale, 8, 12803-12811.
Luo X., Smith P., Raston C. L., Zhang W., Vortex Fluidic Device-Intensified Aqueous Two Phase Extraction of 2 C-Phycocyanin from Spirulina maxima, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 4, 3905-3911.
Macdonald T. J., Tune D. D., Dewi M. R., Bear J. C., McNaughter P. D., Mayes A. G., Skinner W. M., Parkin I. P., Shapter J. G., Nann T., SWCNT Photocathodes Sensitised with InP/ZnS Core-shell Nanocrystals, Journal of Materials Chemistry C,4, 3379 - 3384.
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C. L., Lim L. Y., Paclitaxel-loaded phosphonated calixarene nanovesicles as a modular drug delivery platform, Scientific Reports, 6:23489 DOI: 10.1038/srep23489.
Moore K. E., Mangos D. N., Slattery A. D., Raston C. L., Boulos R. A., Wool deconstruction using a benign eutectic melt, RSC Advances, 6 20095–20101.
Munshi A., Agarwal V., Ho D., Raston C. L., Saunders M., Smith N. R., Iyer K. S., Magnetically Directed Assembly of Nanocrystals for Catalytic Control of a Three-Component Coupling Reaction, Crystal Growth & Design, DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.6b00582.
Munshi A. M., Ho D., Saunders M., Agarwal V., Raston C., Iyer K. S., Influence of aspect ratio of magnetite coated gold nanorods in hydrogen peroxide sensing, Sensors & Actuators: B., B 235, 492-497.
Murphy R. B., Norman R. E., White J. M., Perkins M. V., Johnston M. R., Tetra-Porphyrin Molecular Tweezers: Two Binding Sites Linked via a Polycyclic Scaffold and Rotating Phenyl Diimide Core, Org. Biomol. Chem., 14, 8707-8720.
Paterson JS, Ogden S, Smith RJ, Delpin MW, Mitchell JG, Quinton JS, Surface modification of an organic hessian substrate leads to shifts in bacterial biofilm community composition and abundance, Journal of Biotechnology 219:90-97.
Pfohl, M., Glaser, K., Graf, A., Mertens, A., Tune, D.D., Puerckhauer, T., et al., Probing the Diameter Limit of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes in SWCNT: Fullerene Solar Cells, Advanced Energy Materials, 6, 21.
Plummer A., Kuznetsov V. A., Gascooke J., Shapter J., Voelcker N.H., Sensitiveness of Porous Silicon Based Nano-energetic Films, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 41, 1029 – 1035.
Rahman M., Ran J., Tang Y., Jaroniec M., Qiao S. Z., Surface activated carbon nitride nanosheets with optimized electro-optical properties for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. J. Mater. Chem. A; 4: 2445-2452.
Ruan S., Chen Y., Zhang P., Pan X., Fang C., Qin A., Ebendorif-Heidepriem H., Tang B.Z., Tang Y., Ruan Y., Online remote monitoring of explosives by optical fibres, RSC Adv., 6 (105): 103324-103327.
Sader, J.E., Borgani, R., Gibson, C.T., Haviland, D.B., Higgins, M.J., Kilpatrick, J.I., et al., A virtual instrument to standardise the calibration of atomic force microscope cantilevers, Review of Scientific Instruments, 87(9) pp. 093711.
Schmerl N., Gentle A. R., Quinton J. S., Smith G. B., Andersson G., Surface and Near Surface Area Density of States for Magnetron Sputtered ZnO and Al-ZnO: A MIES, UPS and VBXPS Study Investigating UHV Sputter Cleaning and UV Oxygen Plasma, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 120, 15772.
Sharma A., George Z., Bennett T., Lewis D. A., Metha G. F., Andersson G., Andersson M. R., Stability of Polymer Interlayer Modified ITO Electrodes for Organic Solar Cells, Australian Journal of Chemistry 69, 735.
Sharma A., Untch M., Berger R., Andersson G., Lewis D. A., Nanoscale Heterogeniety and Workfunction Variations in ZnO Thin films, accepted by Appl. Surf. Sci., 363 (2016) 516 – 521.
Shearer C. J., Slattery A. D., Stapleton A. J., Shapter J. G., Gibson C. T., Accurate Thickness Measurement of Graphene, Nanotechnology, 27, 125704.
Shrestha A., Batmunkh M., Shearer C. J., Yu Y., Andersson G., Shapter J. G., Qiao S., Dai S., Nitrogen-doped CNx/CNTs hetero-electrocatalysts for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells, Adv. Ener. Mat., 1602276.
Slattery A., Shearer C., Gibson C. T., Shapter J.G., Lewis D. A., Stapleton A.J., Carbon nanotube modified probes for stable and high sensitivity conductive atomic force microscopy, Nanotechnology 27 475708.
Smith RJ, Paterson JS, Launer E, Tobe SS, Morello E, Leijs R, Marri S, Mitchell JG, Stygofauna enhance prokaryotic transport in groundwater ecosystems, Scientific Reports 6: 32738, doi:10.1038/srep32738.
Smriga S, Fernandez V, Mitchell JG, Stocker R, Chemotaxis toward phytoplankton drives organic matter partitioning among marine bacteria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 113(6):1576-1581.
Sudchanham J., Batmunkh M., Reutrakul V., Shapter J. G., Raston C. L., Pakawatpanurut P. Vortex Fluidics Improved Morphology of CH3NH3PbI3-xClx Films for Perovskite Solar Cells, Chemistry Select 2 369 –374 .
Sun R., Yin T., Huang P., Gao G., Shapter J. G., Shen Y., Zhang J., Cui D., Hydrothermal Synthesis of Monodispersed BaGdF5:Yb/Er Nanoparticles for CT and MR Imaging, Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society, 63, 977–984.
Tang Y., Zhang H. Theoretical understanding of bio-interfaces/bio-surfaces by simulation: A mini review. Biosurf. Biotribol. (Accepted on 22 November 2016)
Thompson V.C., Adamson P.J., Dilag J., Uswatte D.B.U., Srikantharajah K., Blok A., Ellis A.V., Gordon D.L., Koper I., Biocompatible anti-microbial coatings for urinary catheters. RSC Advances, 6: 53303-53309.
Vimalanathan K., Gascooke J. R., Suarez-Martinez I., Marks N., Kumari H., Garvey C. J., Atwood J. L., Lawrance W. D., Raston C. L., Fluid dynamic lateral slicing of high tensile strength carbon nanotubes, Scientific Reports, 6:22865 DOI: 10.1038/srep22865.
Wang C, Wang Y, Paterson JS, Mitchell JG, Hu X, Zhang H, Sheng Y, Macroscale distribution of virioplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in the Bohai Sea, FEMS Microbiology Ecology 92(3):1-10.
West N., Sammut K., Tang Y., Material selection and manufacturing of riblets for drag reduction: An updated review, Proc. IMechE. Part L: J. Mater.: Des. Appl. (Accepted on 7 March 2016).
White R., Bennett T., Golovko V., Andersson G., Metha G. F., A Systematic Density Functional Theory Study of the Complete De-ligation of Ru3(CO)12, ChemistrySelect, 1, 1163.
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NSWright, T. H.; Bower, B. J.; Chalker, J. M.;
Bernardes, G. J. L.; Wiewiora, R.; Ng, W.-L.; Raj, R.; Faulkner, S.; Vallée M. R. J.; Phanumartwiwath, A.; Coleman, O. D.; Thézénas, M.-L.; Khan, M.; Galan, S. R. G.; Lercher, L.; Schombs, M. W.; Gerstberger, S.; Palm-Espling, M. E.; Baldwin, A. J.; Kessler, B. M.; Claridge, T. D. W.; Mohammed, S.; Davis B. G. Post-translational mutagenesis: a chemical strategy for exploration of protein side- chain diversity, Science, 354, aag1465. DOI: 10.1126/science.aag1465
Wu H., Yang C., Zhang Z., Tang Y., Photoluminescence and thermolumine-scence of Ce3+ incorporated Y3Al5O12 synthesized by rapid combustion, Optik - Int. J. Light. Electr. Optic., 127 (3): 1368-1371.
Xie C., Lu X., Han L., Xu J., Wang Z., Jiang L., Wang K., Zhang H., Ren F., Tang Y. Biomimetic mineralized hierarchical graphene oxide/chitosan scaffolds with adsorbability for immobilization of nanoparticles for biomedical applications, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 8: 1707-1717.
Xiong L., Bi J., Tang Y., Qiao SZ. Magnetic core-shell silica nanoparticles with large radial mesopores for siRNA delivery. Small, 12: 4735–4742.
Yu H., Stapleton A., Lewis D.A., Wang L., High Performance Flexible metal oxide/silver nanowire based transparent Conductive Films by a Scalable Lamination-assisted Solution Method, Journal of Materiomics, [10.1016/j.jmat.2016.11.003].
Yu L., Shearer C., Shapter J, Recent Development of Carbon Nanotube Transparent Conductive Films, Chemical Reviews, 116, 13413−13453.
Yu L., Tune D., Shearer C., Grace T., Shapter J., Heterojunction Solar Cells Based on Silicon and Composite Films of Polyaniline and Carbon Nanotubes, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, 6, 688 - 695.
Zhang H., Luo X., Lin X., Lu X., Zhou Y., Tang Y., Polycaprolactone/chitosan blends: Simulation and experimental design, Mater. Des.; 90: 396-402.
Zhang H., Luo X., Lin X., Lu X., Tang Y., The molecular understanding of interfacial interactions of functionlized graphene and chitosan, Appl. Surf. Sci.; 360, 715-721.
Zhang H., Luo X., Lin X., Tang P., Lu X., Yang M., Tang Y., Biodegradable carboxymethylinulin as a scale inhibitor for calcite crystal growth: Molecular level understanding, Desalination, 381: 1-7.
Zieleniecki J.L., Nagarajan Y., Waters S., Rongala J., Thompson V.C., Hrmova, M., et al., Cell-Free Synthesis of a Functional Membrane Transporter into a Tethered Bilayer Lipid Membrane, Langmuir, 32(10) pp. 2445-2449. [10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b04059] [Scopus]
Books“Innovations in Nanomaterials” in Nanotechnology Science and Technology Series Editors Al-Nakib Chowdhury, Joe Shapter and Abu Bin Imran (Nova Publishers, New York) ISBN 978-1-63483-548-0 (2016).
Book ChaptersFu K., Tang Y., Chang L. Toughness assessment and fracture mechanism of brittle thin films under nano-indentation. In: Alves L. M. ed. Fracture mechanics. Intech: Croatia, 2016.
Grace T., Shearer C., Tune D., Yu L., Batmunkh M., Biggs M. J., ALOthman Z. A., Shapter J. G., Use of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in Third Generation Solar Cells, Industrial Applications of Carbon Nanotubes ed. by Huisheng Peng, Qingwen Li, Tao Chen (Published by Elsevier New York) Invited pp 201 – 249 (2016).
Mohammadzadehmoghadam S., Dong Y., Guo L., Liu D., Umer R., Qi X., Tang Y., Electrospinning: Current status and future trends. In: Fakirov S. ed. Nano-size polymers: Preparation, Properties, Applications. Springers: Switzerland, 2016.
Yu Y., Bandaru N. M., Larsen L. J., Shapter J. G., Ellis A. V., Wet Chemical Fabrication of Graphene and Graphene Oxide and Spectroscopic Characterization, CRC Handbook of Graphene Science Edited by Mahmood Aliofkhazraei, Nasar Ali, William I. Milne, Cengiz S. Ozkan, Stanislaw Mitura and Juana L. Gervasoni (Published by CRC Press, Francis &Taylor Group, USA) Invited pp 319 – 334 (2016).
Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology Flinders University Adelaide SA 5001
Australia
Ph: +61 8 8201 3534
flinders.edu.au/nano_research
inspiring achievement
