Linkage brings catapult lab ideas to the production line – Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

Greener batteries, engineered nanoparticles and smart superconducting magnet systems are moving from the lab bench to the real world thanks to a $1.3 million funding boost that enables Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) researchers to team up with industry heavyweights.

Two projects led by AIBN researchers and another showcasing some of our brightest minds were recognized as part of the latest Australian Research Council Linkage Grants round, a federal funding initiative that aims to initiate or develop long-term strategic research alliances between large corporations and research institutes.

Eight projects in Queensland and 57 across the country received Linkage grants of between $900,000 and $100,000 this round, for a total prize pool of $28 million.

$1.3 million distributed to AIBN researchers follows successful bonding round in February where three other projects featuring ten AIBN scientists received $1.5 million in funding.

Designer nanoparticles for mRNA protein factories

In the latest liaison program, the senior group leader of the AIBN Professor Chengzhong (Michael) Yu won $402,115 to develop a novel nanoparticle delivery system that ultimately improves the performance of mRNA therapies.

mRNA is a very lucrative area of ​​therapeutic science and is emerging as a major pharmaceutical platform, although the manufacturing phase is often hampered by poor protein production performance.

Professor Yu will work with UK based N4 Pharma to solve this problem by developing new knowledge in the tailor-made design of functional nanomaterials for mRNA delivery.

We will work on a new technology that will bring clear commercial benefits, not only for our industrial partner, but also for the mRNA industry and the biopharmaceutical sector at large, Professor Yu said.

Advanced All-Iron Batteries

In the meantime, Dr. Bin Luo, AIBN Group Leader and Materials Scientist secured $460,697 in funding from Linkage to continue work on iron flux batteries.

Dr Luo said iron-flow batteries were one of the most promising choices for clean, reliable and cost-effective long-duration energy storage, but the technology was often seen as unsuitable for large-scale commercial deployment. ladder.

This is why he, an AIBN colleague Dr Masoud Rana, And Professor Ian Gentle from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences will work with Asia-Pacific Energy Storage Industriesand the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization to design the negative electrode-electrolyte interface needed to improve battery performance.

We expect this project to result in new materials and methods for advanced battery technology, while supporting the national priority of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Dr. Luo said.

Next generation “intelligent” superconducting magnet system

Another successful Linkage application this time submitted via UQs Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology showcases the great work of Affiliate AIBN Associate Professor M.D. Shahriar HossainAnd Professor Yusuke Yamauchi, Senior Group Leader of AIBN.

The pair will use their $471,472 grant in tandem with an American company Hyper Tech Research Inc to create a next-generation “smart” superconducting magnet system that operates in persistent mode.

This project aims to develop new reliable and cost-effective superconductor splicing technologies that can produce an ultra-stable and uniform magnetic field against unexpected power failures.

Expected outcomes include the development of advanced green and cryogen-free superconducting technologies, which would boost Australia’s manufacturing industry through access to multi-billion dollar global markets for power grids, medical imaging and manufacturing and manufacturing. energy storage.