Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology
Flinders University's Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, formerly the Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science & Technology, was founded in 2009 and renamed in 2018.[1] It houses more than 100 researchers, students, and support staff. The Institute's Director is Professor David Lewis.[2]
The Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology is led by 11 research leaders across biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering with a presence at Flinders University's Bedford Park and Tonsley campuses.
Work from institute members has included unboiling an egg[3], creating a polymer to clean up mercury contamination[4] and oil spills[5], as well as collaborations with companies such as PMB Defence, Cutler Brands, Signostics, and Bausele[6] under their South Australian Government funded NanoConnect program.[7][8]
Research[edit]
The Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology's research is focussed across four main areas.[9]
Facilities and funding partners[edit]
The Flinders Institute of Nanoscale Science and Technology is part of the South Australia node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) and forms part of the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility's South Australian Regional Facility.[14] The institute houses a range of facilities across fabrication, microscopy, and microanalysis.[15]
Fabrication facilities[edit]
Fabrication equipment at the institute includes several gloveboxes for producing samples in oxygen-free environments, equipped with spin coaters and thermal evaporators. Facilities at the Tonsley campus includes a cleanroom which is also equipped with a spin coater and thermal evaporator, along with lithography and etching equipment. These facilities are also supported by a high temperature furnace and general chemistry laboratories.
Microscopy and microanalysis facilities[edit]
The institute's microscopy and microanalysis equipment includes:
- atomic force microscopy (AFM), for collecting topographic information, mapping conductivity, measuring stiffness and adhesion of samples, and monitoring dynamic changes in surfaces at the nanoscale
- tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), for chemical mapping of surfaces with a resolution of a few tens of nanometres
- scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to image samples at much higher resolutions than would be possible
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which uses x-rays to gain chemical information on the top few nanometres of a surface
- scanning Auger microscopy, able to analyse elemental composition of a surface and combine this with microscopy, resulting in an image showing the distribution of elements across a surface, with a spatial resolution of 10 nanometres
- Neutral Impact Collision Ion scattering spectroscopy (NICISS), which is able to give the concentration of different elements at various depths close to the surface (within around 20 nanometres)
- Metastable Impact Electron Spectroscopy, which uses metastable helium atoms to probe the outermost layer of atoms on a surface. This information can be used to determine the orientation of molecules on a surface.
Other characterisation facilities[edit]
Other facilities at the institute include polymer analysis techniques such as gel permeation chromatography, a simultaneous thermal analyser which combines differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis, along with an instron tensile tester, a rheometer, dynamic mechanical analyser, and numerous infrared spectroscopy instruments.
Spin-off companies[edit]
Research from the institute has led to several spin-off companies.
3RT, partly owned by Flinders University, produces sustainable wood products[16] aimed at replacing tropical hardwood.
Australian Advanced Manufacturing Pty Ltd, jointly owned by Flinders University and Bausele, is producing ceramic components for use in luxury wristwatches.[17]
2D Fluidics Pty Ltd was launched in June 2018, jointly owned by First Graphene Limited and Flinders University.[18] 2D Fluidics is focused on the commercialisation of the Vortex Fluidic Device and using the VFD to produce and sell carbon nanomaterials.
History[edit]
The Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science & Technology was established in 2009 in order to increase the reach of nanotechnology research happening at Flinders University.
In March 2015, the Centre for NanoScale Science & Technology moved into its new spaces at Flinders University's Tonsley campus, while retaining its presence at the Bedford Park campus.[19]
In June 2018 Flinders University's Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) announces the new name and status as the Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology.[1]
See also[edit]
List of nanotechnology organizations
External links[edit]
- Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology YouTube Channel
- Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology on Twitter
- Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology on Facebook
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "First Graphene and Flinders University launch super-strength carbons firm | Australian Manufacturing". www.australianmanufacturing.com.au. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ↑ "David Lewis - Flinders University". Flinders University. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ Ong, Thuy (18 September 2015). "More Ig Nobel Prize: Australian academics awarded for 'unboiling' egg, finding 'huh' in 31 languages". ABC News. ABC Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ Johnston, Rae. "Australian Scientists Just Worked Out How To Clean Up Mercury With Recycled Cooking Oil". Gizmodo AU. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ Kilvert, Nick. "New oil spill clean-up 'sponge' created from waste and pioneered by Australian scientists". ABC News. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "TERRA AUSTRALIS | FLINDERS | Uniquely Australian. Unequivocally World Class". BAUSELE. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ↑ Changarathil, Valerina (19 August 2014). "Nanotech research powering South Australian small and medium businesses from defence to medical technology to printing". The Advertiser. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "SA launches three new programs supporting Manufacturing Works strategy". Australian Manufacturing. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology". Flinders University. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Pulp friction: new wood to shake up furniture industry". Manufacurers' Monthly. Prime Creative Media. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Zapping a new approach to solar cells". Phys.Org. Science X. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Antibiotic promise in superbug war". Medical Xpress. Science X. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ Jackson, Beau. "Australian Researchers Launch Explosive $2 Million 3D Printer Materials Partnership". 3D Printing Industry. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility". Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Equipment and facilities - Flinders University". Flinders University. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ↑ "Home". This is 3Wood. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
- ↑ Sly, David. "Luxury watchmaker switches on SA manufacturing firm". InDaily. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "First Graphene and Flinders University launch nanoscience firm". Manufacturers' Monthly. Prime Creative Media. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ↑ "Flinders invests in the future at Tonsley – News". Flinders University. 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
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