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Nanotechnology in Space By Michael Berger, Copyright 2007 Nanowerk LLC

 

* School Research Highlights

* Carbon Nanotube Enforced Super-raquact

 

Grants

Two New Research Grants Awarded by Australian Research Council(ARC)

  ARC has awarded two new three-year Discovery research grants to nanotube research at the Australian National University, October 2003.

Discovery Research Grant 1

    Dr Y Chen
    Mr YJ Chen, Australian Post-Doctoral Fellow (APD)

    Title: Boron Nitride Nanotub Synthesis and Applications

    Summary:

    Boron nitride (BN) nanotubes have an analogous structure to carbon nanotubes but offer many better electronic and chemical properties. This project aims to synthesis BN nanotubes with controlled structures using a mechano-thermal method involving ball milling of boron powder at room temperature followed by thermal annealing in nitrogen gas. Systematic investigation will be conducted to clarify the fundamental formation mechanisms related to various nanostructures. New chemical, mechanical and thermal properties and possible applications will be explored. The outcomes of this research will be profoundly understanding of the controlled assembly of small atoms into nanosized tubules and
an innovative synthesis technology.

 

Discovery Research Grant 2

    Dr Y Chen, Prof LT Chadderton

    Title: Formation Mechanism and Controlled Growth of Carbon Nanotubes

    Summary:

    Carbon nanotubes are exciting nano-materials and important "building blocks" of nanotechnology. Research and application of nanotubes are at the forefront of nanotechnology development. This project will investigate the formation mechanisms and controlled growth of carbon nanotubes in a new mechano-thermal synthesis process in which carbon nanotubes are produced in the order of kilogram from graphite powder by mechanical milling and thermal annealing. The outcomes of this research will be profoundly enhanced understanding of the controlled assembly of carbon atoms into a variety of nanosized tubules with excellent mechanical, chemical and physical properties, and an innovative synthesis/manipulation technology for industrial applications.
Further information at: http://www.arc.gov.au/grant_programs/default.htm
10/2003

 

New 5-year Research Grant Awarded by Australian Research Council(ARC)

 The ARC announced nine new Research Centres on 19 August 2003. Dr Ying Chen is the leader of nanotube program in the Centre of Functional Materials, led by Professor Max Lu of University Queensland. The budget related to the nanotube projects at ANU will be 700k over the next five years.
Further information at: http://www.arc.gov.au/grant_programs/arc_centres/default.htm
31/08/2003

 

Large Research Grant from Australian Research Council

    Dr Y Chen - The Australian National University
    Prof SJ Campbell - The University of New South Wales
    Prof J Williams - The Australian National University
    Dr J Fitzgerald - The Australian National University
    Dr J Zou - The University of Sydney

    2000: $81,000.00
    2001: $64,657.00
    2002: $64,906.00
 
    Title: Formation Mechanism of Boron Nitride Nanotubes Produced by Reactive Ball Milling

    Summary:

    Boron nitride (BN) nanotubes have an analogous structure to carbon nanotubes but offer better electronic properties. BN nanotubes have recently been produced by using a novel method involving ball milling of boron powder at room temperature followed by thermal annealing in nitrogen gas. This work represents a breakthrough in nanotube preparation and opens a whole new research area for nanotube studies. This project aims to investigate systematically the nucleation and growth of nanotubes as well as effects of metal catalysts. The outcome of the project is a complete understanding of a new nanotube formation mechanism.
31/10/00