Projects

Projects

Antibacterial Packaging Solutions

Funded by: Foundation for Australia-Japan Studies (FAJS), Rio Tinto Australia - Japan Collaboration Program.

Professor Elena Ivanova, Dr. Denver Linklater, RMIT University and Dr Saita Soichiro, The KAITEKI Institute (part of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group). In 2015, Australia exported $US3.1 billion of food and agricultural exports to Japan, making it the 5th largest exporter of such products to Japan. In turn, Japan is the largest importer of Australian beef and lamb. With 32% of food produced for human consumption becoming waste , including rejection of entire shipments if bacterial growth is detected, this project aims to use the antibacterial pattern of insect wings to extend shelf - life and improve the quality, safety, and integrity of packaged food on an industrial scale, thereby reducing waste. Biomimetic antibacterial packaging will be developed by replicating the antibacterial pattern of insect wings into various polymeric materials. Professor Ivanova's antibacterial nanomaterials research and KAITEKI's platform enables the team to conduct cutting edge research into marketable products. The KAITEKI Institute was established by Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings as a think tank and global research institute to draw and realize desirable future society and environment and to partner with academic institutions, national laboratories and private entities to perform innovative research.

Media link: New grants awarded under Rio Tinto Australia-Japan Collaboration Program

Determining the radio frequency exposure threshold for cell permeability

Funded by: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (Ongoing) from (2018 to 2023)

The focus of this project is on understanding the potential impacts of high frequency electromagnetic field on the body and different cell types, which is particularly relevant to the latest developments in telecommunications, such as 5G technologies. An important feature of these higher radio frequencies is that they result in more superficial deposition of energy in tissue, a feature that has received very little attention in the scientific literature.

Design and characterisation of mechano-fungicidal surfaces

Funded by: ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub via other University Grant 2019 from (2016 to 2020)

This project aims to develop a commercialisable coating with antifungal properties for BlueScope Steel Inc. We also aim to provide a guidance in the selection and implementation of topographically modified surfaces that present long term prevention to the fungal growth to BlueScope roofing products.

The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM)

This centre targets the training of early career researchers in an industrial context. The proposed area of surface engineering for advanced materials is a core need in all manufacturing sectors that controls the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of Australian industry. This centre also desires to be the nexus for an international collaborative network. The Centre pursues ambitious outcomes that are reflected in terms of industry-fit researchers and commercial benefits for industry. Our project aspires to be the model centre that integrates industry-university cooperation for applied training within an industrial setting.  The spectrum of applications addressed ranges from thin films to thick coatings and additive layered materials.

Nanostructures for mechanical rupture of viral particles

Start 2020 - jointly with Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragogna, Spain), University of Cambridge (UK), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Roma), RMIT Australia, SUT Australia and Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros and Instituto de Química Orgánica of CSIC (Spain).

 

Nanostructured Materials for Innovative Solutions for Human ‘Kaiteki’ Comfort

Funded by: Kaiteki Institute Inc.

 

Optimization of Surface Properties of additive components using an additive/subtractive machine

(Project 6) (administered by Swinburne Uni)

Funded by: ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre via other University Grant 2019 from (2019 to 2024)

 

Additive metal manufacturing for aerospace applications high speed laser deposition of thin metal coatings

(Project 7) (administered by Swinburne Uni)

Funded by: ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre via other University Grant 2019 from (2019 to 2024)

 

Developing Magneto-Responsive Liquid Metal Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Bacterial Biofilms to combat infections

Funded by: CASS Foundation - grant from (2019 to 2020)

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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