Welcome

At the Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication (CSNF), University of Western Australia, our staff of chemists, engineers, physicists and biochemists develop novel technologies with a wide range of applications. Our cross-disciplinary centre with Australian and International collaborations (Jerry L. Atwood and Roshan Jachuck) is a leader in cutting edge scientific research. We are developing novel state-of-the-art nano-technologies at the same time addressing the key issues in the current community.

Nano-technology has emerged as an important area of multidisciplinary scientific endeavour. The significance of the field relates to the unique phenomena observed at the nano-meter level. It will form the basis of important new technologies in this decade and beyond. The novel approach described herein will help spearhead aspects of the area in a unique way. While nano-technology has received much hype with many spectacular results reported in recent times, there is a growing concern that this has been without regard to environmental consequences. Our approach deals with environmental issues of nano-technology at the source rather than waiting until there is a problem. Nano-technology needs to be based on a holistic approach in which design embracing environmental issues, including toxicity, are factored in, and this will be an integral part of the Centre’s activities. The integrated core activities of the Centre cover nano-particles, nano-devices and nano-surfaces (based on biology and ‘soft chemistry’).

Prof. Colin L. Raston
Director
clraston@chem.uwa.edu.au
Telephone: +61 (08)6488 3045
Fax: +61 (08)6488 8683