Research projects

Research in the Centre for Strategic Nano-fabrication

As a world-class research university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UWA offers exciting opportunities for higher degree research programmes. Completing postgraduate studies will allow you to gain specialized qualifications and skills, undertake specific research, and is necessary if you wish to start a career in research or academia.

Undertaking a research PhD within the Centre for Strategic Nano-fabrication, you will work closely with an expert supervisor or team of supervisors on a specific research topic to produce a dissertation of significant academic originality.

Here you will find a list of current research projects available within the Centre as well as links to the supervisors of the projects. Please contact the individual researcher or the Centre Manager for further information.

Current research projects

• Exploring the new horizons in nano-electronics and cheap, disposable electronic circuits: Synthesing nano-particles of conducting polymers in continuous flow process. (Dr Swaminathan & Professor Raston)

• The interplay of nanoparticles and proteins as a paradigm for rapid protein crystallization (Dr Swaminathan, Professor Bond & Professor Raston)

• Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques (Assoc. Prof. St. Pierre & Dr House)

• Development and modeling of diagnostic contrast agents for MRI based on iron oxide nanoparticles (Assoc. Prof. St. Pierre, Dr Woodward & Dr House)

• Investigating the stability of nanoparticle suspensions for biomedical applications (Assoc. Prof. St. Pierre, Dr Woodward & Dr House)

• Toxicology of therapeutic and diagnostic nanoparticles (Assoc. Prof. St. Pierre & Assoc. Prof Burcham)

• Structural and chemical characterisation of nanomaterials using electron microscopy (Dr M Saunders)

• Nanocapsular delivery of clinical radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and treatment (Professor Raston & Dr Price)

• Investigation of the antibacterial/anti-viral properties of water soluble fullerene C60 (Dr Makha & Dr Price)

• Synthesis of amphiphilic and zwetterionic calixarenes (Dr Makha)

• Tissue engineering using chitosan composites scaffold (Dr Makha & Professor Yeoh)

• Synthesis of liposomes by spinning disc technology (Associate Professor Lee Yong Lim)

• Drug nanoparticles manufactured by spinning disc technology (Associate Professor Lee Yong Lim)

• Characterizing the Flocculated-dispersed state transition of colloidal and nanoparticulate dispersions - critical zeta potential (Dr Yee-Kwong Leong)

• Surface Forces Arising from Adsorbed Additives in Colloidal and Nanoparticulate Dispersions - Stabilizing Particles (Dr Yee-Kwong Leong)

• Nano-fabrication – Synthesis of nano-particles and nano-hybrids using spinning disc technology. (Dr Swaminathan, Dr Makha & Professor Raston)

• Nano-medicine – Superparamagnetic nano-particles in magnetic resonance, contrast enhancement, tissue repair, detoxification of biological fluids, and drug delivery. (Dr Swaminathan, Dr Makha & Professor Raston)

• Nano-toxicology, environmental impact – testing nano-particles in other research programmes for effects on healthy cells in cultures as an initial screen protocol for toxicity. (Dr Swaminathan, Dr Makha & Professor Raston)

More information

For more information about undertaking postgraduate research within the Centre for Strategic Nano-fabrication, please contact the Centre Manager, Di Arnott on +61 (08) 6488 3326 or email csnf@uwa.edu.au