Open lab week

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 309, Lv3

Timeslot(s):

Monday 13:00, Tuesday 13:00, Wednesday 13:00

Research Area(s):

Food and Health: Understanding the role of micro and macronutrients and their impact on health and nutrition in humans

Research Overview:

Arcot’s group focuses on food-based approaches to understanding biochemical and physiological effects of nutrients and bioactives in humans aiming to provide a better understanding of their functions, interactions in food matrices, and absorption in humans using stable isotope techniques, and in vitro 2D and 3D (organoid) cell culture models to mimic the human physiological system.  They also involve development of these protocols by collaborating with cancer cell biologists as a cross-disciplinary approach to understanding nutrient absorption. Her projects lead to developing sustainable foods with better nutritional quality by industry. Her work has identified ways to combat malnutrition through fortification of foods in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. She has worked with industry on several projects to address the need to improve protein availability from plant-based foods including from extracting protein from waste (agricultural and manufacturing stream wastes), from edible leaves. In addition, her projects focus on enhancement of Vitamin B12 and iron in plant foods through fermentation; bioactives in foods and their health properties. Her team of researchers currently focus on the bioavailability of Vitamin B12 and iron interactions with plant proteins  to have a more wholistic approach to the development of plant-based protein foods; bioactives (carotenoids) in foods and their impact on eye health. Her work on the quantification and bioavailability of folate from foods were taken on board for development of the folate fortification policy in Australia and as an invited member of the Folate Technical Advisory Group of FSANZ. All research done within the group lead to real-world health impacts on populations. Her involvement as a member of the International Humanitarian Network has also lead to collaborations in Africa and Asia to focus on protein malnourishment. The collaborations with the food industry and other international organisations reinforce the link between academic expertise and population health.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 331, Lv3

Timeslot(s):

Monday-Friday: 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 

Research Area(s):

Polymer chemistry, nanomedicine, energy, 3D printing

Research Overview:

The Boyer research group is focused on the development of new polymer synthesis strategies using visible light, for the fabrication of nanostructured materials, which can find applications as advanced smart materials in the fields of energy and nanomedicine. We combine modern polymer synthesis with emerging chemical engineering processes such as 3D printing, flow chemistry, and high throughput methods to prepare nanostructured materials featuring advanced properties and functions. Our research is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative with numerous groups in chemistry, engineering, materials science, and medicine. By combining polymerisation techniques, we have developed nanostructured 3D printed materials with enhanced mechanical properties that find applications in the energy and the biomedical fields. We also aim to design synthetic polymers capable of fulfilling specific biological functions. Such as the design of synthetic polymers capable to be used as next generation of antiviral, anticancer, and antimicrobial agents. By turning the structure of the polymers, we design new delivery systems for the treatment of hard-to-treat diseases in collaboration with clinicians. https://www.boyerlab.com/team

Meeting location:

Hilmer Building, Room 521, Lv5, entry through Science and Engineering Building, E8

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00

Research Area(s):

Water and wastewater treatment and recycling, desalination, membrane processes, algae treatment

Research Overview:

In our research, we use fundamental Chemical Engineering principles to understand complex environmental systems and their interactions with our modern life to enable the development of sustainable engineering solutions. Our current research activities aim to improve water and wastewater treatment and reuse, including sea and brackish water desalination, enable technology for resource recovery and the circular economy, and develop new environmental monitoring techniques. This has included optimising treatment of harmful algae blooms, characterisation of natural organic matter in water catchments, and the use of conventional membrane technologies (from microfiltration to reverse osmosis) and investigating emerging membrane systems like forward osmosis. In particular, further implementation of membranes in low SES (socio-economic status) regions could have a great impact on the local communities, and humanitarian projects are also conducted. Our research is often developed in in close partnership with technology designers, operators, and other stakeholders (like health regulators) and result in better asset and knowledge management of the treatment processes. For example, a long-term project in collaboration with the water utility in Western Australia aims to assess and manage the risk of contamination of pathogens like Legionella.

Meeting location:

Hilmer Building (E10), Room 323, Lv3, entry through Science and Engineering Building (E8) and cross bridge

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 13:00; Wednesday 13:00, Thursday 13:00

Research Area(s):

Nanobiotechnology, nanomaterial, biomaterial, nanomedicine, drug delivery, diagnostic bioimaging 

Research Overview:

My research group (NanoBiotechnology Research Group) focuses on developing nanoparticle-based strategies to address critical issues in health and medicine. We use interdisciplinary approaches that bring together chemical engineering, material chemistry, biomedical engineering and nanotechnology to synthesise functional nanoparticles, optimise their biomedical properties, and develop smart nanoparticles and advanced delivery strategies. Three main research themes in my group include (1) nanoparticle-based delivery of drug, protein and RNA for better treatment of diseases, (2) bioimaging contrast agent design and development for early and accurate diagnosis of diseases, and (3) multifunctional bioactive nanoparticles (e.g., theranostic nanomedicine, antimicrobial materials). My group has solid collaborations with clinicians and industry partners, and research outcomes have shown potential to be translated to social benefit.

Meeting location:

SEB 334

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 11:00; Thursday 11:00 

Research Area(s):

Theory, computation, machine learning, energy

Research Overview:

My research group is interested in understanding and designing nanomaterials using theory, computation and data-driven methods. We do so by collaborating with experimentalists in relevant areas. Currently, we focus on applications including catalytic systems, batteries, functional polymers and water/gas separation membranes.

Meeting Location:

Kens Hilmer, E10, Room 222, Lv2

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 11:00; Wednesday: 11:00

Research Area(s):

Understanding and Development of Advanced Rechargeable Batteries for EV and Renewable Storage Applications

Research Overview

Storage and release (charge/discharge) of energy in/from batteries rely on a few fundamental transport mechanisms: electronic/ionic transport in the solid electrodes and ionic transport in the liquid and across solid/liquid interfaces. Facilitating and controlling these transport pathways hold the key to developing higher-performance batteries with greater reliability and safety than those available in today’s market, which is the key focus of our research team. Our current goal is the development of high-energy and safe lithium solid-state batteries for portable (e.g., electric transport) applications, and aqueous zinc batteries for stationary – renewable, grid, residential, and industrial – storage. We are doing so through understanding and improving the performance of materials and electrochemical systems, unveiling and validating performance under scaled-up conditions, and engineering tools and methods to probe operation in real-time. As we have demonstrated already, translation of innovation through commercialisation lies at the heart of our research and development endeavours.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 3, Lv3, meet in front of the lift at level 3

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 12:00; Thursday 12:00

Research Area(s):

Food and Allergy Research: Molecular Allergology, Molecular Design of Food, Biomarker Discovery and Diagnostics Technology

Research Overview

Of food-related health conditions, food allergy is no longer a rare condition and is recently recognised as a chronic disease of our time by the federal government. My “Food and Allergy research” program integrates food science and molecular allergology to study food immunology and allergy. My team aim to alleviate food allergies through dietary intervention and immunotherapy and better diagnostics. Our team focuses on molecular characteristics of allergens, and their relationship with food processing and allergic sensitisation, in view to develop food-based therapeutics or nutraceuticals with immunomodulating properties. We also focus on engineering nanoallergen delivery systems functionalised with novel dietary adjuvants from food sources. Immuno-based diagnostic tests are an important component integrated into the program. We design immunogens and generate bioaffinity molecules for wide-ranging targets from toxins to allergens, and develop immunoassays and immunosensors. We collaborate with to identify epitope-markers for developing non-invasive allergy diagnostic tools in future.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 320, Lv3

Timeslot(s):

Monday 12:00; Tuesday 12:00; Wednesday 12:00

Research Area(s):

Nanotechnology, bionics, nano-biohybrids, biocatalysis, disease diagnosis

Research Overview

My research group is interested in developing smart biohybrid nanosystems by interfacing bioactive compounds with functional nanomaterials, making it possible to perform desired tasks rapidly and efficiently when needed. These systems will have great potential for advanced energy and biotechnological applications. Some interesting research we have been developed so far include bionic plants for environmental sensing, nano-submarines for drug delivery and cancer diagnosis, and artificial cells for smart insulin delivery.

Meeting location:

Hilmer Building, Room 523, Lv5, entry through Science and Engineering Building, E8

Timeslot(s):

Monday, 10:00, Monday 11:00

Research Area(s):

chemical nanosensors, nanomedicine, liquid metals

Research Overview

Prof Mao’s research focuses on three areas: chemical sensors for personal safety, nanomedicine, and liquid metal science and innovation.

In the chemical sensor project, we apply crystallization science for scaling up nanosensors to provide early warnings of hazardous environments. We collaborate with industrial partners for applications in bushfire monitoring, food quality, mining, and defence.

In the targeted nanomedicine project, we synthesise and characterise nanoparticles with neural tracing and targeting capabilities. We aim to create innovative biomedical solutions for drug delivery to the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve system using retrograde transport proteins. We collaborate with medical researchers in this project.

Meeting location:

Tyree Energy Technologies Building, Rm 366-368, Lv3

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 12:00

Research Area(s):

nanoparticles, catalysis, energy, hydrogen, carbon dioxide

Research Overview:

The Particles and Catalysis Research Group (PartCat) is a leading (photo(electro)) catalysis research group within the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Lead by Scientia Professor Rose Amal, PartCat focuses on understanding catalysis (photo/electro/thermal) and designing new catalytic system. Our experimental research focuses on design, synthesis, catalytic activity testing, and materials characterisation of the catalysts with the aim to gain theoretical insight into reaction mechanism.  Our lab is equipped with material characterisation instrument and catalytic rig/reactor set up for activity testing capable of operating at high temperature and pressure. With operando and in-situ characterisation techniques and strong theoretical support from our collaborators, we strive to develop fundamental understanding on how catalyst work and of processes importance for sustainable energy conversion and production of fuels and chemical. Our projects cover a range of applications in catalysis such as carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen production and ammonia synthesis.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room Hilmer 316A, Lv3

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 13:00; Thursday 14:00 

Research Area(s):

polymers, surfactants, nanoparticles, consumer products

Research Overview:

The interactions between polymers, surfactants, nanoparticles and oil droplets are the building blocks by which complex fluids products are designed. The composition and manufacturing steps for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, shampoos, cleaners, and paints need to be carefully engineered to deliver an effective product. However, the details of how product function is derived from composition are largely missing for many complex fluids products. As we look to decarbonise the chemical industry, to reformulate products to remove unsustainable or environmentally problematic chemicals, our lack of basic knowledge about polymer and surfactant systems becomes limiting. Working with industry partners, we are investigating the fundamental behaviour of molecules at interfaces, new experimental approaches to measuring interfacial properties relevant to formulation problems, and the application of these developments to real product formulation projects.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 409, meet in front of the lift at level 4

Timeslot(s):

Tuesday 14:00; Tuesday 15:00

Research Area(s):

microencapsulation, spray drying, functional particles, food engineering 

Research Overview:

My team is doing research related to particle and drying technologies, particularly for functional food applications. A unique capability is in functional particles assembly via microfluidic spray drying. The microfluidic spray dryer can be used to produce different types of particles, including thermal sensitive and bioactive particles, microparticles for controlled release and microencapsulation, magnetic and fluorescent composites, and mesoporous microspheres with hierarchal structures and properties superior to those observed on nanomaterials. The method is useful to produce uniform particles with better functionality and targeted properties, and for designing new formulations for spray-dried powders typically produced in industrial setting. We also look into the use of rheology to assess different aspects of food formulations, processing, digestion, and sensory, in order to develop more practical tools for the industry. Several of our projects are directly funded by companies in Australia and overseas to solve practical challenges in their process and product development. 

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 224, Lv2

Timeslot(s):

Monday 13:00; Tuesday 13:00 

Research Area(s):

Process and reactor design of advanced technology: hydrogen generation, storage and utilisation and solar panel recycling

Research Overview:

My research group focuses on process optimization in chemical engineering, aiming to resolve practical engineering problems and improve the system efficiency. Our research extends from hydrogen generation, storage and utilization in steel industry to recycling of end-of-life solar panels. We work on the design of electrolyser for green hydrogen production, design of metal hydride-based hydrogen storage tank and design of operations of hydrogen-based ironmaking in steel industry in collaboration with Australian hydrogen industry and steel industry. We also work on the recycling of end-of-life solar panels. It is expected that there will be over one million tons of solar panels to be disposed of in 2035. We are developing advanced technologies to cost-effectively recycle the end-of-life solar panels. My team combines the experimental and numerical methods to design the high-efficiency system for these processes, and this prototype will be scaled up and applied in the real industry. Meanwhile, we help the industries map the advanced operating strategies and modify the design defects of their reactors. These close collaborations with the industry reinforce the link between academic expertise and industrial application in the field of chemical engineering.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 321, (meet in lounge area in front of the lift on level 3)

Timeslot(s):

Monday 14:00, Tuesday 14:00

Research Area(s):

Nanomedicine, biopolymers, drug delivery, 3D printing

Research Overview:

The Wich Research Lab for Functional Biopolymers has its research focus in the area of macromolecular chemistry at the interface between nanotechnology and bioorganic chemistry. The main interest is in the chemical modification of natural biopolymers with the aim to engineer multifunctional and biocompatible materials for applications in drug delivery, nanomedicine, bio-catalysis and 3D printing. It is the goal to produce advanced nanomaterials with the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and biocatalytic industrial processes.

Nature’s toolbox provides us with a variety of biopolymers, such as carbohydrates, lipids, or polypeptides. Our research group applies a variety of chemistry methods to produce functionalized nanomaterials in order to mimic biological properties, while maintaining biocompatibility and degradability. The resulting dynamic biohybrid materials can be formulated into nano- and microparticles for the transport and delivery of a wide range of therapeutic drugs, including therapeutic proteins, as well as DNA and mRNA. www.wichlab.com

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 436, Lv4

Timeslot(s):

N/A

Research Area(s):

antimicrobial/antibacterial, anticancer, infectious diseases, polymer chemistry

Research Overview:

The escalating global issue of multidrug-resistant bacteria is now at a critical stage and urgently requires the development of new, effective and safe antimicrobial agents. Utilizing synthetic organic and polymer chemistry tools, my group focuses on the design of antimicrobial polymers and small molecules that mimic naturally-occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to combat these ‘Superbugs’. My group is developing novel, intelligent AMP mimics that can specifically respond to bacteria environment such as bacterial enzymes for targeted on-site activation, akin to a prodrug therapies. This platform technology could lead to commercial outcomes and can potentially be translated for use in anticancer applications.

Meeting location:

Science and Engineering Building, E8, Room 335, Lv3

Timeslot(s):

N/A

Research Area(s):

polymer chemistry, polymers, nanoparticles, hybrid materials, emulsions

Research Overview:

My research group focuses on the design and synthesis of polymer and polymeric nano-objects for applications in a range of advanced and emerging technologies such as materials chemistry, nanotechnology and nanomedicine, as well as in more traditional fields such as paints and coating applications. One of the key concepts is structure control on the molecular and/or nano level – my team strives to develop and understand methods for synthesis of polymers of well-defined molecular structure (e.g. distribution of monomer units along the polymer backbone), as well as developing methods for synthesis of polymeric nano-objects of specific size and shape/morphology. Over the past few years, our research has expanded significantly into applied science such as e.g. pressure sensitive adhesives and energy applications. The foundations remain in fundamental science, but with significant links with applied science via collaborations with industry as well as academic collaborators.