Australia/China NanoNetwork builds new PhD cohort

The Australian Technology Network (ATN) and the International Strategic Technology Alliance (of 21 Chinese universities) formed the NanoNetwork in early 2009 to stimulate high quality research in nanoscience and nanotechnology through co-ordinated collaboration between Australian and Chinese researchers.

During 2009/2010 the NanoNetwork has supported numerous researcher exchanges and seminars/workshops and built a substantive web-based data-base to provide ATN and ISTA researchers with opportunities to better understand their complementary research interests and capabilities. Such activities are currently being expanded to include joint research Grant Applications and adjunct appointments for visiting lead researchers.

NanoNetwork researchers have developed key themes for future collaboration with an emerging focus on nanomedicine (from diagnosis to therapy) and renewable energy.

In an exciting new initiative the ATN/ISTA NanoNetwork is currently recruiting up to 10 new PhD students to undertake leading edge research in nanoscience. The ATN member universities will support a PhD research student project in each of the following areas:

Curtin University of Technology

In-situ Characterization of Nano-structured Surfaces and Cell Interactions via Atomic Force Microscopy
Structure-induced Photonic Materials Towards Solar Cell Technologies

Queensland University of Technology

Modifying Titanate Nanotubes for Medical Imaging and Controlled Drug Delivery
Solar Cell Nanowire Gas Sensors for Monitoring Environmental Pollutant Gases

RMIT University

Metal Magnetic Hybrid Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Cancer Hyperthermia
Carbon Nano-tubes and Decorated Multi-metallic Nanoparticles for Sensing and Fuel Cells

University of South Australia

Immunotargeted Hybrid Nanocarriers for Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Application of Highly Ordered Nanotube Arrays in Dye Sensitised Cells

University of Technology, Sydney

Agents to Enhance the Detection of Early Stage Angiogenesis Around Tumours
Superior Performance Light Emitting Diodes

Each PhD student will be part of a focussed research team at their host ATN University. As such they will be supported via seminars and workshops to ensure they are able to stay abreast of international research developments relevant to their own research focus. In an exciting new dimension each will also be a member of the NanoNetwork PhD Student Cohort. The NanoNetwork will provide opportunities for the students to have access to leading Chinese researchers who, where appropriate, will be associated supervisors. The NanoNetwork will also organise for the cohort to gather in ‘Summer School’ formats to exchange experiences and learnings with other students, including Chinese PhD students at partner universities.

The ATN universities are currently recruiting PhD students for the above Projects. For more information re these Projects, or regarding the Australia/China NanoNetwork more broadly, please contact Professor Neil Furlong