Year 2008

18 September 2008 - ACES full centre meeting

A full ACES centre meeting was held at Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong on 18 September 2008.  56 registrants attended: Monash University 12, BEI/St Vincents 4, ISEM 4 and IPRI 36. At this meeting we were pleased to host the chair of our international advisory board Dr Bridget Ogilvie.

This day was an opportunity for our colleagues from the 5 core research programmes of ACES to present some of the exciting but confidential advances made over the past year. Selected participants gave 15 min talks, where they discussed developments arising from their research area and this followed with helpful discussions/questions for future research direction from the entire centre group.

The discussions continued over the centre dinner, held at the Hellenic club, and it was a satisfying day of research for all participants involved.

28-30 August 2008 - Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and Hands-On Workshop '08.

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Sciences (ACES) and the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) hosted a workshop entitled “Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and Hands On Workshop’08” at Innovation Campus (iC), Wollongong from 28th – 30th August, 2008. The workshop generated an overwhelming response from the Australian SPM and nanotechnology community, with approximately 100 registrants making the journey to beautiful Wollongong. 

The workshop provided the forum where the latest advances in SPM research, including new approaches to SPM nanometrology, nanoscale properties of novel interfaces/nanomaterials, and designs of emerging nanodevices were presented. Importantly, the workshop also enabled students and early career researchers, who were given free registration, the opportunity to meet and discuss with leaders in the SPM and nanotechnology research field. The final day of the workshop featured a free “hands-on” SPM training session especially for students.  

Invited Speakers Included:

• Dr Christine Kranz (Georgia Tech, USA) (International Speaker)
• Prof Michelle Simmons (University of New South Wales, NSW)
• Assoc. Prof John Sader (University of Melbourne, VIC)
• Prof. Roland De Marco (Curtain University of Technology, WA)
• Dr Hadi Zareie (University of Technology Sydney, NSW)
• Dr Vince Craig (Australian National University, ACT)
• Dr Kristen Bremmell (University of Adelaide, SA)
• Dr Mickey Huson (CSIRO Textile Division, VIC)
• Dr John Miles (National Measurement Institute, NSW)
• Dr Greg Watson (Griffith University, QLD)
• Dr Edith Sevick (Australian National University, ACT)
• Prof. Clive Prestidge (University of South Australia, SA)
• Dr Chris Pakes (Latrobe University, VIC)
• Assoc. Prof Joe Shapter (Flinders University, SA)
• Dr Michael Higgins (University of Wollongong, NSW)

The winner of the image competition was Thomas Becker (Curtain University) with his image of “Hydrogel” and the runner up Jolanta Watson (Griffith University) with her image of “A Moth’s Eye View”. The competition was kindly sponsored by the Innovation Group (distributors for Asylum Research) with $500 awarded to the winner and $100 for the runner up. Both prize winners also received a bag of goodies from the Innovation group.

Want to know more about this event? Click for a full report of the occasion including photos of the winning images.

Energy Forum, IPRI, Wollongong, 27 July 2008.

From July 27th to August 1st, 2008, the 17th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS17) was held in Sydney.  The conference was co-hosted and supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science (ACES), which has significant research programs in various aspects of solar energy conversion and utilisation.

The plenary and invited speakers of IPS-17, pioneers and world leaders in solar energy conversion, were invited to participate in an Energy Forum Meeting hosted by ACES at the University of Wollongong on Sunday 27th July. The meeting created an excellent opportunity for the distinguished guests of IPS-17 to visit the new IPRI laboratories at the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM), to facilitate interaction, discuss worldwide trends in research and funding opportunities, as well as establish collaboration between ACES researchers and postgraduate students.

The participants were bused down from their conference hotels in Sydney to the UoW main campus for a 90 min lab tour (25 participants) and presentations of IPRI research.  An informal BBQ (55 participants) at the Innovation Campus followed, which included a welcome from Prof. Gordon Wallace and presentations by Prof. Shogo Yanagida, Emeritus professor Osaka University and Prof. David Officer, University of Wollongong.

About IPS-17: The 17th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS-17) brought together the best international solar energy researchers, industry personnel and funding bodies to provide a catalyst for the rapid exploitation of cutting edge solar energy research as well as the opportunity for industry involvement in the direction of new energy technologies.  This was achieved through the exchange of knowledge by way of lectures and posters but also the formal and informal interactions provided by the conference in its spectacular setting at Darling Harbour. A Materials and Prototype Development Forum was held during the conference to link researchers, industry representatives and funding agencies in order to catalyse industry involvement in the direction of cutting edge solar energy research as well as the rapid commercial exploitation of current research.

24-25 July 2008 - International Workshop on Preparation and Characterisation of Battery Cells.

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) and the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) conducted an international workshop in the field of batteries. Delegates (43), including guests from industry, CSIRO, ANSTO and international collaborators, were privileged to hear leading national and international speakers, from Australia, China, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong discuss recent advances in research, development, and practice in batteries.

The speakers delivered talks across a range of topics; including advances in the Lithium ion battery, flexible electrodes, polymer electrodes, novel cathode materials and advanced electrodes for energy storage, with the focus on the nanostructure of the materials. For a copy of the programme click.

For media report click.

15 July 2008 - Ethics and Bionics Workshop, St Vincent's, Melbourne

The Ethics and Bionics Workshop was held on July 15 at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne. The aim of the day was for staff involved in the Bionics and Ethics Programs of ACES to exchange information on the kinds of research being conducted in each program, and to identify where possible collaborations might be pursued.

Susan Dodds and Renee Kyle started the workshop discussing the research they have undertaken on the ethical implications on nanotechnology; including Sue’s involvement in the NSW Nanotechnology Inquiry, their papers on disability, bionics and public engagement and the draft ethics programme for 2009-2012.

The small group of ACES members (9) from UOW, St Vincent’s and the Bionic Ear Institute then participated in an open discussion where a number of ethical issues were passionately discussed. The topics discussed ranged from the distinction between wearable and implantable devices; implications for devices’ success, marketing of bionic devices and similar nanotechnologies; how such devices/technologies are defined and understood by the public and the issue of lack of publication of negative results in nanotechnology. It was clear the opinion was that any assessment of risk needs to be undertaken in context and an individual risk cannot be equated with population risk.

Some of the members then talked about their research and what ethical issues they faced, including the role of the media in communicating their research to the general public, and how nanotechnology has the potential to be misrepresented by the media as a ‘cure’ for diseases. In conclusion the group agreed on a number of outcomes that could be implemented into the ACES programme to address such issues.

22-25 June 2008 - Asia-Pacific Nanobionics Symposium, IC campus, University of Wollongong

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES)/ Intelligent Polymer Research Insititute (IPRI) node hosted the first Asia-Pacific Nanobionics Symposium from 22-25 July 2008 at the University of Wollongong’s new Innovation Campus.The symposium attracted over 150 delegates from the USA, China, Japan, Italy, Ireland, Korea, Singapore, France, New Zealand and all states of Australia. Several delegates from non-university sectors were also present; including Cochlear, Continence Control Systems International, eDAQ Pty Ltd, Krestal Capital, SciVentures and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Japan.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton in his welcome said the symposium set history by being the first event held at the new campus and that the symposium represented a partnership between research, industry and commerce, which are three key aspects the innovation campus will bring together. The CEO of the Australian Research Council,
Professor Margaret Sheil, gave the opening address before the keynote address and public lecture by Professor Graeme Clark took the audience into a world where restoration of our senses is a distinct possibility.

World class researchers discussed how ‘Nanobionics’ is an area of research that could potentially bridge the gap between the traditional science areas of engineering-based nanotechnologists and the biological-medical field of bionics.

Want to know more? Read the attached report - it is all there.

The event was made possible with support from the sponsors: IC central, Australian Academy of Science, Australian Research Council, NSW Office for Science & Medical Research and the Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network who subsidised the attendance of
students and early career researchers.

6 June 2008 - “Prospective Research Students Day” at IPRI, University of Wollongong

The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) at the University of Wollongong is the lead partner in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) and will soon occupy the first research building at UoW’s Innovation Campus. This is a significant development in the continuing growth of the IPRI enterprise, providing stateof-the-art laboratory facilities and a suite of scientific equipment second to none.
A range of exciting new research opportunities for graduate students are emerging with these developments.

IPRI invited prospective Honours and Post Graduate students to an Open Day / Information Session held on 6 June 2008 at IPRI, UoW. Prospective students were given a laboratory tour where current PhD students of IPRI demonstrated their research. This was followed by short talks from previous IPRI graduates, listed below, on career options beyond the PhD degree and to also provide unique insights into the most effective way to prepare for opportunities beyond the PhD degree.

• Dr Huijun Zhao, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia [IPRI Graduate 1993]
• Dr Mark Imisides, Aqua Diagnostics, Melbourne, Australia [IPRI Graduate 1993]
• Dr Peter Teasdale, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Aust [IPRI Graduate 1993]
• Dr Dezhi Zhou, Industrial Finish, Akzo Nobel, China [IPRI Graduate 1997]
• Dr Anton Dominis, Figtree High School, Figtree, Australia [IPRI Graduate 2001]
• Dr Mei Gao CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia [IPRI Graduate 2003]
• Dr Jian Wu, BlueScope Steel, Wollongong, Australia [IPRI Graduate 2004]
• Dr Binbin Xi, BlueScope Steel, Wollongong, Australia [IPRI Graduate 2006]

A BBQ lunch with open discussions between staff and students of IPRI and visitors was thoroughly enjoyed. The past students were then taken to visit the yet to be completed building at UoW's Innovation Campus.

15-16 May 2008 - 3rd Australasian Symposium on Ionic Liquids (ASIL-3), Clayton

The 3rd in a series of symposia on the properties and applications of ionic liquids attracted around 100 participants from academia and industry, including ACES members from all nodes.  Participants from 6 other countries were also present. 

Keynote and invited speakers included:

• Professor Ken Seddon from the Queen University Ionic Liquids Laboratory,
• Professor Robin Rogers from the University of Alabama/QUILL,
• Professor Jim Davis, University of Sth Alabama,
• Professor Frank Endres TU Clausthal,
• Dr Nolene Byrne of University of Arizona and
• Professor Andy Edgar from the University of Leicester.

These speakers and the local participants covered a very broad but nonetheless detailed insight into the current state of the ionic liquids field. A lively poster session allowed students and young postdoctoral researchers to present their work. Congratulations to Shahana Chowdry who won The Best Student Poster prize and Dr Bronya Clare who received the Endres Prize.

The event was co-hosted by ACES along with the CSIRO Divisions of Minerals, Energy Technology and Materials Science and Engineering. Major sponsorship was received from Merck and The Australian Journal of Chemistry.

14 May 2008 - Theory/Modelling Workshop

A workshop entitled “Theoretical Approaches to the Field of Ionic Liquids: Advances and Perspectives” was held at CSIRO Minerals for 25 delegates. The purpose of the workshop was to get more insight into outstanding problems of molecular simulations of ionic liquids. The workshop featured scientists applying various approaches of computational chemistry: from molecular dynamics to ab initio theory.For a copy of the programme including abstracts click.  

The audience was made up of post-graduate students of Monash University and University of Canterbury (NZ) together with international visitors including Prof. F. Endres (TU-Clausthal, Germany).

Fruitful discussions arose during the talks and as a result scientific collaborations are in progess.

2 May 2008 - Workshop on Gel Electrolytes

Across various programs within ACES there is a growing interest in gel electrolytes. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss and compare the various chemistries possible and also the properties that gel electrolytes produce. Professor Hugh Brown, Engineering UoW, talked about tough gels and Professor Doug MacFarlane, IL group Monash, spoke about ionic liquid gels. Following these talks attendees had the opportunity to partake in a general discussion about the properties and technical requirements of their specific applications.

21-22 February 2008
3rd International Electromaterials Science Symposium  - "Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Generation"

Over 120 registrants attended the third annual ACES International Electromaterials Science Symposium held at the CSIRO Ian Wark Auditorium in Clayton, Melbourne. The Symposium attracted a “best in the world” list of invited speakers from China, Europe, America and Australia. In addition, a first rate collection of posters from ACES and external researchers made for interesting reading and initiated many discussions during the breaks.
 
Prof. Maria Forsyth from Monash University, Associate Director of ACES, opened proceedings by welcoming registrants and speakers to Melbourne. ACES Director Prof. Gordon Wallace, from the University of Wollongong, followed with his opening remarks that highlighted areas where ACES researchers were making key discoveries. Dr John Wright, the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship Director, was also one of the keynote speakers, and took as his theme “Grand Research Challenges on the Road to a Sustainable Energy Future”.

Presentations that followed covered areas as diverse as solar energy (capture and conversion), novel batteries and fuel cells, “bioinspired” water oxidation catalysis, actuation, and SEM and NMR characterisation of electroactive materials. Prof. Graeme Clark, from the Bionic Ear Institute/St Vincent’s Hospital, must also be mentioned for the great insight he gave into Cochlear implants of the future.  

The first session Friday was opened by Dr Hong Li, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr Li spoke about nanostructured materials for energy storage and conversion. Prof. Andrew Holmes from the University of Melbourne then presented details of the Victorian Government’s photovoltaics research initiative.
 
Other highlights included presentations on double-layer capacitor technology (being commercialised by CAP-XX), dye sensitised solar cells, light harvesting, advances in artificial photosynthesis, carbon nanotube applications, surface characterisation, graphene dispersions, thermoelectric properties and powered bionic devices. Dr Siegmar Roth, from the Max Plank Institute in Germany concluded the symposium with his insight into nanotube based transparent conducting films and left all that attended feeling energised and (electro)active!

At the Symposium Dinner the researchers musical flair came to the fore and illustrated to everyone that scientific/engineering research was not the only area where some had excelled!

Need a copy of the programme?

20 February 2008
ACES Centre Meeting

The ACES Centre Meeting was held at Monash University Clayton (Melbourne) on February 20. As well as the ACES attendees we were fortunate to have in attendance Members of ACES International Advisory Board, which is chaired by Dame Bridget Ogilvie.

Prof. Maria Forsyth, the ACES Associate Director and Monash University node leader, welcomed all to the meeting, and introduced the ACES Director Prof. Gordon Wallace. Prof. Wallace gave an overview of ACES programme 1, 'Electromaterials', and this provided a back drop for the presentations that followed:

• Dr Joselito Razal, “Carbon nanotube biofibres”.
• Dr Michael Higgins, “Probing nanoactuation of biocomposite conducting polymers using atomic force microscopy”.
• Dr Jun Chen, “Direct growth of novel carbon nanotube nanowebs”.
  

Prof. Geoff Spinks and Prof. David Officer then gave a summary of progress in the area of Energy Conversion (programme 2), which led into presentations by:

• Dr Gursel Alici, “How to improve the positioning ability of polymer actuators?”
• Mr Andrew Nattestad, “Development of photocathodes for incorporation into tandem structured dye sensitised solar cells”. 
• Dr Attilla Mozer, “New developments in dye sensitised solar cells at UOW”.

After lunch, during which the posters on display were viewed and discussed, Prof. Doug McFarlane presented an overview on the area of Energy Storage (programme 3). This provided the background for presentations by:

• Dr Jiazhao Wang, “Sulphur and sulphide cathode materials in conjunction with ionic liquid electrolyte for lithium rechargeable batteries”.
• Dr Bjorn Winther-Jensen, “Magnesium batteries with aqueous electrolyte”.
• Dr S.R. Sivakkumar, “Lithium batteries and super capacitors”.

The Meeting resumed after the afternoon break with the focus on Bionics (programme 4). Prof. Graeme Clark and Dr Rob Kaspa gave the introduction and reported on the programme's progress. This was followed by:

• Mr David Nayagam, “Towards a nanobionic cochlear implant”.
• Ms Brianna Thompson, “Release of nerve growth factors from polypyrrole to improve the cochlear implant: The biological effect of playing with polymers”.
• Dr Anita Quigley, “Conducting Polymers: Muscle and Nerve Biocompatibility".

The final presentation was given by Dr Renée Kyle on the important subject of the ethical issues associated with bionics and nanotechnology. The title of the talk, co-authored with Prof. Susan Dodds, was “Why, how, when: public engagement in the ethics of bionics”.

19 February 2008
NMR Workshop

The ACES NMR workshop was held on the 19th of February, 2008, at the School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne. The workshop was a chance to bring together researchers interested in all aspects of NMR, including those with no previous training, to explore the wide range of applications of this versatile analytical technique.

A welcome was given by Dr Jenny Pringle (ACES Monash), followed by 3 external invited speakers and 3 speakers from ACES at Monash.

• Prof Steve Greenbaum (City University of New York) gave an introductory talk on "Basic NMR techniques in Materials Science", giving the audience a real taste of what NMR can be used for and some of the theory behind the technique.
• Dr Jenny Pringle gave an overview of some applications of solid state NMR, focusing on examples from her own research and her collaborations with other groups within the university.
• Prof. Andrew Whittaker (The University of Queensland) gave a presentation on the "Solid-state NMR of Polymers - Structure and Dynamics", giving insight into the benefits of this technique for a range of polymer studies.
• Youssof Shekibi (ACES Monash), demonstrated the applicability of static NMR studies for “1H and 7Li solid state NMR spectroscopy of Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals”.
• Prof. Steve Greenbaum second talk centred around "Investigating ionic and molecular motions by NMR relaxation and diffusion measurements".
• The topic of diffusion NMR was continued by Paul Bailey from ACES, who utilises this technique for “NMR studies of Additives in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes”.
• Dr Tim Bastow (Materials Science and Engineering, CSIRO), gave examples from his wide-ranging NMR expertise, focusing on "Solid state NMR of common elements with only difficult nuclei", further illustrating the wide-ranging applicability of this technique.

Plenty of time was given for discussions with the attendees. In addition to the ACES attendees, over thirty people from outside ACES registered for the workshop. The workshop was closed with a few words from Dr Jenny Pringle and Prof. Maria Forsyth, Associate Director of ACES.