Swinburne researchers secure funding grant for bioinspired nanomaterials

‘Nanoparticle origami’ or nanoparticle self-assembly can be used in the creation of new materials when stimulated with light or magnetic fields.
In summary
- Swinburne researchers will share in funding for an international project of up to $US8.5 million ($12.6 million).
- Professor Peter Kingshott from the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology will lead the Swinburne team to explore the creation of completely new, responsive materials.
Researchers from Swinburne University of Technology have received funding for the development of cutting-edge, responsive materials with potential applications in fields ranging from drug delivery to materials science.
Professor Peter Kingshott from the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology secured the large, multi-institutional grant through the AUSMURI program, a joint initiative of the US Department of Defense and Australia’s Department of Defence.
“This is a unique project that brings together a highly complementary team of experts where the possibilities for major breakthroughs in materials science are enormous”, Professor Kingshott said.
Using ‘nanoparticle origami’ or nanoparticle self-assembly, Professor Kingshott will lead the team responsible for modifying nanoparticles with complex chemistries that can be used in the creation of new materials through self-assembly or ‘DNA origami’ when stimulated with light or magnetic fields.
The work strengthens Swinburne’s position as a global leader in scientific innovation.
“The funding also establishes new research networks, both within Australia and in the US, that will expand our capabilities in the field and create a long-lasting legacy in Australian science”.
The multimillion-dollar funding deal will be shared in Australia between Swinburne and additional collaborators from the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne.
The US part of the project is led by Colombia University, and further involves Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Total funding for the project is up to $US8.5 million ($12.6 million).
“This project is an incredibly collaborative effort with partners from the US and Australia who have broad expertise in experimental and computational materials science and nanotechnology.
“We’re confident that bringing together traditionally separated fields and unexplored ideas will result in some truly transformative concepts”, said project lead from Columbia University, Professor Oleg Gang.
“I am excited about the vision of this project to create new-generation responsive materials by combining adaptable, self-assembling biological structures with inorganic nanomaterials”, said Professor Marcela Bilek, the Australian lead, from the University of Sydney.
Other key researchers in Australia include Dr Shelley Wickham and Dr Anna Waterhouse from the University of Sydney and Professor Amanda Ellis from the University of Melbourne.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- University
- Social Affairs
In 5 years, this Australian astrophysics lab reached 50% women. Here’s how they did it
Many organisations, from community sporting groups to the United Nations, have set themselves a target of gender parity: ensuring half of staff or members are women. Gender parity is desirable because training and retaining equal halves of a population’s available talent influences an organisation’s growth, problem-solving capacity and future-readiness.
Friday 17 November 2023 -
- Technology
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne and CSIRO launch state-of-the-art renewable hydrogen refuelling station
Swinburne University of Technology and CSIRO have launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refuelling station, purpose-built for enabling hydrogen research.
Thursday 23 November 2023 -
- Science
Students start talking for global sustainable changes
Swinburne students from across the world are pitching sustainable scientific ideas to make the globe a better place.
Wednesday 08 November 2023 -
- Science
- Health
What is ‘fried rice syndrome’? A microbiologist explains this type of food poisoning – and how to avoid it
A condition dubbed “fried rice syndrome” has caused some panic online in recent days, after the case of a 20-year-old who died in 2008 was resurfaced on TikTok. “Fried rice syndrome” refers to food poisoning from a bacterium called Bacillus cereus, which becomes a risk when cooked food is left at room temperature for too long.
Monday 30 October 2023 -
- Technology
- Health
- Science
The new non-invasive brain scan techniques giving seizure sufferers a new lease on life
Swinburne University of Technology’s cutting-edge non-invasive investigations for epilepsy are giving seizure sufferers like Stephenie Evans a second chance at a happy and healthy life.
Read more (The new non-invasive brain scan techniques giving seizure sufferers a new lease on life )Monday 16 October 2023