RMIT University – TechConnect Briefs

Stretchable Gas and UV Sensors towards Wearable Electronics

Gutruf P., Walia S., Zeller E., Nili H., Sriram S., Bhaskaran M., RMIT University, AU

Electronics and sensors pervade all aspects of life, needing solutions to make them less obtrusive, which is where fully transparent electronics come into play. Our research focus has been to realise stretchable electronic devices with [...]

Self Assembled Nanostructures of Triblock Co-polymer and Plasmid DNA for Gene Delivery

Daima H.K., Shankar P.R. Selvakannan S., Bhargava S.K., Bansal V., RMIT University, AU

In present work, we have used tri-block copolymer (PEO-PPO-PEO) as a non-viral vector to deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA). Green fluorescence protein (GFP) plasmid DNA was used as a model plasmid DNA. Addition of pDNA to [...]

Sequential Surface Functionalization by Polyoxometalates and Lysine Renders Non-toxic Gold Nanoparticles Strong Antibacterial Agents

Daima H.K., Selvakannan P.R., Bhargava S.K., Bansal V., RMIT University, AU

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)are considered as biocompatible and important component for biomedical applications. In current study, AuNPs were synthesised using tyrosine amino acid mediated reduction of gold ions. These nanoparticles were functionalised with two polyoxometalates (POMs) [...]

Biomimetic High Filler Content Composites using Bisphenol-A Ethoxy Diacrylate

Daud N., Shanks R.A., RMIT University, AU

Materials were prepared similar to nacre with its layered structure of high filler content. Nacre is based upon about 95 %·w/w calcium carbonate as a composite with a layered block structure. Nacre has high modulus, [...]

POSS–Substituted Hyperbranched Polyester Blends with Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Spoljaric S., Shanks R.A., RMIT University, AU

The aim of this research is to prepare and disperse in an elastomer a multi-branched form of POSS. Hyperbranched polymers (HBP) can be formed by grafting from a central core. POSS may be joined with [...]

Silica–Polyacrylate Nanocomposite Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

Shanks R., RMIT University, AU

The aim of this research is to increase cohesion of a PSA by including silica nanoparticles. The silica nanoparticles form reversible agglomerates and bind polymer molecules by adsorption. The adhesive becomes a reversible gel. Under [...]

Magnetic Carbon-Nanotube Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites

Kong I., Spoljaric S., Shanks R.A., RMIT University, AU

The aim was to prepare composites of PU and magnetite-functionalized CNTs, using physical blending techniques in melt and solution. Objectives included functionalizing the CNT with magnetite (Fe3O4), preparing PU-CNT-Fe3O4 composites using solvent dispersion and melt [...]

Graphite Layer Nano-composites with Polyurethane Matrix

Czajka M., Shanks R.A., RMIT University, AU

The aim was to prepare expanded graphite oxide (GO, Graftech Inc.) and disperse it in a polyol (poly(oxypropylene glyceride), Dow Chemicals) using ultrasonication. The dispersion was polymerized and crosslinked with methane 4,4’-diphenyldiisocyanate to form a [...]