Professor Colin Raston

BSc(Hons), PhD, DSc, FRACI, FRSC

Expertise

Chemical synthesis, green sustainable technologies, application of spinning disc processing (SDP) in the synthesis of nano-particles, modification of surfaces, self assembly processes, calixarene chemistry, supramolecular chemistry of fullerenes and carbon nano-tubes, synthesis of nano-functional materials, biopolymers, polymer functionalisation, X-ray diffraction.

Contribution to the Centre

The synthesis of nano-structured materials using SPD, synthesis of surfactants and stabilising agents, and adopting green sustainable metrics, along with directing research, coordinating activities in the Centre including workshops, fostering links within the University sector including interstate and overseas, and with Government, CSIRO and industry, and coordinating outreach programs.

Current Projects in the Centre

• Magnetic nano-particles (with Martin Saunders, Tim St Pierre, Robert Woodward)
• Carotenoid nano-particles (with Mohamed Makha, Martin Saunders)
• Gold and silver nano-particles (with Iyer Swaminathan)
• Modified biopolymers for stabilising nano-particles (with Mohamed Makha, Marck Norrett)
• New generation surfactants based on phosphonated calixarenes (with Mohamed Makha)
• Characterisation of surfactants using X-ray diffraction (with Alex Sobolev).

Grants and research contracts relevant to Centre activities

• ARC Discovery, ‘Integrated self assembly processes and spinning disc reactor technology’, $245,000/year, 2005 - 2009.
• ARC Discovery, ‘Confinement of Space Based on Water Soluble Calixarenes’, with Allan White and Mohamed Makha: $190,000/year 2004 - 2006.
• ‘Synthesis of gold nano-particles’, AGR Matthey (with Iyer Swaminathan).
• ‘A Global Survey of the Health Implications of Nanotechnology’, DSTO.
• ARC Discovery "Tuneable monodispersed nanoparticles and nanoparticle
  superstructures" with A/Prof Tim St Pierre, $367,000, 2007-2009

Relevant ARC Networks

CI for the ARC Networks for Molecular and Materials Structure Network, Australian Research Network for Advanced Materials, Australian Nanotechnology Network.

Member of Editorial Boards:

• J. Chemical Crystallography
• J. Supramolecular Chemistry
• Crystal Growth & Design (Topic Editor)
• Green Chemistry (International advisory board)
• J. Organometallic Chemistry
• Chemistry in Australia

Publications

Nigel, W. Cifford, K. Swaminathan Iyer and Colin L Raston (2008) Encapsulation and controlled release of nutraceuticals using mesoporous silica capsules. J. Mater. Chem., 2008, 18. 162-165

Postgraduates working on core projects in the Centre:

• Nigel Smith (with Dr Martin Saunders and Dr Robert Woodward)
• Suk-Fun Chin (with Dr Mohamed Makha)
• Karel Hartlieb (with Dr Martin Saunders)
• Tom Clark (with Dr Mohamed Makha)

Honours students

• Rodney Chen (with Dr Iyer Swaminathan)

Visitors

Natthinee Anantachoke (Mahidol University) 2005/6

Contact Details

Email: colin.raston@uwa.edu.au

Telephone: +61 (08) 6488 3326