Research focus
The Centre’s research programs focus on the novel synthesis, characterisation and applications of functional nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, thin films, and nanoporous and nanocomposite materials. Such materials, constructed by self-assembly at the nanometer scale (1-100 nm), possess improved properties and unique functionalities such as high surface area, nanosize and quantum confinement effects, ordered porosity, and high adsorbing and sensing abilities. Thus, they are ideal materials for adsorbents, catalysts, sensors, fuel cells, and battery systems.
They are also attractive for biotechnology applications due to the controlled effectiveness of protein-material, cell-material, and tissue-material interactions. Although nanomaterials and nanotechnology will have a profound impact on many industries including microelectronics, manufacturing, medicine, and energy and environment, Australian R&D in this field has to target industries most relevant to the Australian economy, aiming at technologies for early entry into niche markets in order to reap maximum benefits.
The clean energy, environment and health care industries have been identified as application areas where nanostructured materials will have significant early impacts and so we are specifically interested in the following technologies:
• Clean energy production and utilisation: gas to liquid conversion, hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, and high energy density batteries
• Environmental technologies: photocatalytic reduction of pollutants in water and air, economic removal and recovery of organic vapours, greenhouse gas reduction and utilisation
• Health care: biomaterials for orthopaedic and cardiovascular applications and tissue repair
Research Program |
Program Leader |
Research Areas |
Prof. Rose Amal (UNSW) |
Metal oxides and other inorganic nanoparticles |
|
A/Prof. Ying Chen (ANU) |
Carbon nanotubes, nanofibres |
|
A/Prof. Ian Gentle (UQ) |
Organic and inorganic thin films, molecular sieving membranes |
|
Prof. Matt Trau (UQ) |
Polymer-nanoparticle composites, nanobiomaterials |
|
Prof. Sean Smith (UQ) |
Quantum and molecular modelling and simulations at the nanoscale |
