Funding successes

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Funding successes

The MacDiarmid Institute is pleased to share the following funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018, 2019 and 2020. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.

2020 MacDiarmid Institute Investigator (MI) Marsden grants

Simon Brown
University of Canterbury
Correlations and randomness: Brain-like computation using nanoparticle networks
Chris Bumby
Victoria University of Wellington
Ultra-precise control of magnetic flux quanta in high-Tc superconducting magnets
Robin Fulton*
Victoria University of Wellington
Activating Substrates for Chemical Synthesis with Reactive Aluminium Reagents
Tilo Söhnel
University of Auckland
Skyrmion systems: New Opportunities for Information Technologies
Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
University of Auckland
A New Approach to Transient Organic Electronics

*Contributing as an AI

2020 Royal Society Funding

Nathaniel Davis 
(Rutherford Discovery Fellowship)
Victoria University of Wellington
Pushing the limits on renewable energy technology through hybrid organic/inorganic nanomaterials
Charles Unsworth 
(James Cook Research Fellowship)
University of Auckland
Understanding how aggressive adult brain cancer talks

2020 MBIE Funding

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland
Waerau waikawa iti rongoa paturopi: New Generation Peptide Antibiotics Research Programme, Endeavour Fund 
Renwick Dobson
University of Canterbury
Understanding the interactions between plant-based protein and cellular agriculture Catalyst Fund
Laura Domigan
University of Auckland
Investigating the interactions between plant proteins and cultured livestock cells Catalyst Fund
Laura Domigan
University of Auckland
Crystallin biomaterials PreSeed Accelerator Fund
Keith Gordon
University of Otago
Cyber-physical seafood systems: Intelligent and optimised green manufacturing for marine co-products Research Programme, Endeavour Fund)
Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, and Stuart Wimbush
Victoria University of Wellington
High magnetic field electric propulsion for space Research Programme, Endeavour Fund
John Kennedy, Jérôme Leveneur
Anna Garden, Vedran Jovic and
Aaron Marshall
GNS, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Canterbury
Powering New Zealand’s Green-Hydrogen economy: Next-generation electrocatalytic systems for energy production and storage Research Programme, Endeavour Fund
James Storey, Chris Bumby 
and 

Stuart Wimbush
Victoria University of Wellington
High power electric motors for large-scale transport Advanced Energy Technology Platform, Strategic Science Investment Fund
Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
University of Auckland
Selective capture, selective release: pulling intact cells from complex mixtures 2017 Research Programme, Endeavour Fund - Covid extension
Grant Williams
Victoria University of Wellington
Developing semiconductor thin films as radiation sensors Catalyst Fund

2020 HRC (Health Research Council) Grants

Michel Nieuwoudt and Cather Simpson
University of Auckland
Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship - Photonic device for real-time measurement of ischaemic tissue margins in surgery

2020 NSC (National Science Challenge) Grants

David Barker
University of Auckland
Novel engineered media for sustainable water treatment by biofabricating and valorising waste resources Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) Spearhead
Renwick Dobson
University of Canterbury
Host, Pathogen & Environment: targeting Austropuccinia psidii effectors as a novel control strategy New Zealand’s Biological Heritage
Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
University of Auckland
Remote detection of Phytophthora agathidicida New Zealand’s Biological Heritage

2020 Domestic Funding – Other

David Barker
University of Auckland
Senzatek synthesis contract
David Barker
University of Auckland
Development of Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitors for cancer therapy (Cancer Society of NZ Project grant)
(Cancer Research Trust Research Grant)
Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland
Design and Synthesis of Sulfonylheterocycles and Nitrooxymethylpyromellitic Diimide Derivatives, as Biomethanation Inhibitors in Ruminants Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Limited
Development of Novel Peptidomimetics Against Pediatric Dental Caries Cure Kids
Molecular Tools for Methane Mitigation New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre Innovation Fund 2020
Sars-CoV-2 Virus Entry Inhibitors Auckland Medical Research Foundation
James Crowley
University of Otago
Donation to support anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drug projects from P Lane
Laura Domigan
University of Auckland
Melanosomes from livestock hair as radiation absorbing materials Bioresource Processing Alliance (BPA) Student Project
Justin Hodgkiss
Victoria University of Wellington
Ultrafast Spectroscopy (KiwiNet Tier 2)
Aaron Marshall
University of Canterbury
Seed investment for Zincovery
Carla Meledandri
University of Otago
Gold nanoparticles: A novel treatment strategy for oral mucositis New Zealand Dental Association Research Foundation Grant
Topical ultrasound contrast agent for oral cancer screening Lottery Health Research Grant
Michel Nieuwoudt
University of Auckland
Consultant chemometrician with Fonterra On-Farm R&D
Viji Sarojini
University of Auckland
Philanthropic funding
Catherine Whitby
Massey University
Stabilisation of Fortified UHT Beverages Fonterra Cooperative Group Limited funding for a PhD student

2020 International Funding

Laura Domigan
University of Auckland
Laying the groundwork for molluscan cellular agriculture New Harvest, USA
Jack Chen
Auckland University of Technology
Dynamics of structure formation in stimuli-responsive amphiphilic catalysts (ID 8756) Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering Neutron 2020-2
Dynamic formation of a multifunctional catalyst (ID 9379) Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering Neutron
2021-1
James Crowley
University of Otago
Metallosupramolecular Cages for Enantioselective Applications with Dr. David Turner, Monash University
Simon Granville 
Victoria University of Wellington
Topotactic Control of Magnetism in Multiferroic and Skyrmion Materials Australian Research Council Discovery Project
Carla Meledandri
University of Otago
Far-infrared spectroscopy for characterising metal-carboxylate coordination in MOF-type porous materials Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Grant for use of the THz/Far-infrared beamline at the Australian Synchrotron in the 2021 cycle

2020 University Internal Funding

Martin Allen
University of Canterbury
Accelerator PhD Scholarships (x2) for high achieving domestic PhD students working on MacDiarmid- relevant research areas - UC Aho Hinātore Scholarships
Matthew Cowan 
University of Canterbury
Operational Process for Alkene/Alkane Separation UC Aho Hinatore Scholarship
Petrik Galvosas
Victoria University of Wellington
Cellular Tissue Model for Magnetic Resonance Faculty Strategic Research Grant
Simon Granville and Ben Ruck 
Victoria University of Wellington
Cryogenic time-resolved MOKE system to measure magnetisation dynamics at GHz-THz Faculty Strategic Research Grant
Erin Leitao
University of Auckland
Characterising polysulfides made by inverse vulcanisation of functional siloxanes Performance Based Research Fund
Ben Mallett
University of Auckland
Understanding weird new states in superconductor sandwiches Marsden Near-Miss
Jenny Malmström
University of Auckland
Faculty Research Development Fund
Duncan McGillivray
University of Auckland
Atmospheric plasma jet printing of aerosol materials for tailored surfaces Faculty Research Development Fund
Volker Nock
University of Canterbury
Gut-on-a-Chip Strategic Grant
Viji Sarojini
University of Auckland
Self-cleaning Antimicrobial surface against Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections Auckland Medical Research Foundation
Catherine Whitby
Massey University
Novel liposome vehicles for delivering pain relief to animals Massey University Research Fund

2019 MacDiarmid Institute Investigator (MI) Marsden grants

Shane Telfer
Massey University

Reinventing asymmetric catalysts using multicomponent frameworks

Renwick Dobson
University of Canterbury

Understanding bacterial membrane transport proteins: setting an antimicrobial TRAP
Matthew Cowan with Paul Kruger
University of Canterbury
Engineering defect-free organic framework membranes in tubular ceramic supports
Nate Davis
Victoria University of Wellington
Photon multiplying light harvesting antenna systems for luminescent solar concentrators
Shen Chong with Grant Williams and Jeff Tallon
Victoria University of Wellington
Next generation magneto-piezochromic composites for optically based intelligent magnetic field sensing
Justin Hodgkiss
Victoria University of Wellington
Can enhanced exciton diffusion propel organic photovoltaic cells beyond the bulk heterojunction?

MacDiarmid Institute researchers are also contributing to the following research projects funded by Marsden grants

Laura Revell with Eric Le Ru
University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington
Could airborne microplastics play a role in climate change?
Sara Miller with Keith Gordon
University of Otago
Development and assessment of a multi-spectroscopic fiber optic probe capable of disease diagnosis in the gastro-intestinal tract

2019 Royal Society Funding

James Storey Catalyst Seed Funding for Superspin - using polarised spins and spin correlations to probe the enigmatic electronic phase behaviour of high-temperature superconductors
Volker Nock Rutherford Discovery Fellowship for Electrotaxis and protrusive force generation in fungal and oomycete pathogens - Pathways to new biocontrol strategies

2019 MBIE Research Programme grants

Chris Bumby
Victoria University of Wellington

Zero-CO2 production of essential technological materials
Petrik Galvosas
Victoria University of Wellington
3-D printed porous media for process engineering

2019 MBIE Smart Ideas grants

Cather Simpson and Michel Nieuwoudt
University of Auckland
Drinking-water pathogen monitoring in real-time
Volker Nock
University of Canterbury
Development of a multi-axis spin-coating system to coat curved surfaces
Nate Davis
Victoria University of Wellington
Non-toxic hybrid nanomaterials for luminescent solar concentrators
John Kennedy
GNS Science
Nano-catalytic surfaces for efficient, stable fuel cells and eco-friendly hydrogen production

2019 Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) Seed funding

Simon Granville
Victoria University of Wellington
A new transistor exploiting electronic spin
Jack Chen
Auckland University of Technology
Cellulose-based surfactants: Enhancing manufacturing and product performance with minimal environmental impact
Nate Davis
Victoria University of Wellington
Hybrid organic/inorganic nanoparticles for luminescent solar concentrators
Emilia Nowak
Massey University
Development of an innovative multidimensional manufacturing and intelligent fluid management

2019 KiwiNet awards

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland
BNZ Supreme Award

Baldwins Researcher Entrepreneur Award
Shalen Kumar
Victoria University of Wellington
Norman Barry Foundation Breakthrough Innovator Award
Will Charles
University of Auckland
MinterEllisonRuddWatts Commercialisation Professional Award

2018 MacDiarmid Institute Investigator (MI) Marsden grants

Philip Brydon
University of Otago
Superconductors with intrinsic magnetism: Origin, evidence and universal physics
Chris Bumby
Victoria University of Wellington
Over-critical currents in a superconducting dynamo
Paul Hume and Geoff Waterhouse
University of Auckland
Next-Generation Small Molecule Acceptors for use in Organic Solar Cells
Geoff Jameson and Bill Williams
Massey University
Pectin methylesterases: tuning pectin function with complex variations upon a simple theme
Nigel Lucas
University of Otago
Carbon nanocones by design: Atomically-precise molecular containers
Stuart Wimbush
Victoria University of Wellington
An ion-beam engineered microstructure for high-performance superconducting films

2018 MacDiarmid Institute Investigator Royal Society grants

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland

Unleashing New Generation Lanthipeptides from Nature to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Sweetening Biological Therapeutics-Chemical Synthesis of Glycoprotein Mimics

Sally Brooker
University of Otago
New complexes for photocatalytic hydrogen production
Renwick Dobson
University of Canterbury
New biophysical methods to understand how bacteria import metabolites across their cell membrane
Keith Gordon
University of Otago
PV Korea (Expo Solar event)

2018 MBIE grants awarded to MacDiarmid Institute Investigators 

Richard Blaikie and Damian Carder
University of Otago and Callaghan Innovation
Highly Efficient Nanophotonic Solar-Hydrogen Systems
Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland

Fungal Factories

Enzyme Inhibitor Therapeutics

Next-Generation Marine Antifouling using Designer Peptides

Bob Buckley and Grant Williams
Victoria University of Wellington
Water purification using solar energy captured by natural photonic crystals
Bob Buckley, Simon Granville, Michele Governale, Franck Natali, Ben Ruck and Joe Trodahl
Victoria University of Wellington
Addressing the need for magnetic memory to enable superconducting computing
Keith Gordon
University of Otago

Lake Snow Toolbox

Capturing the value of New Zealand Red Meat

Simon Granville, John Kennedy, Jérôme Leveneur and Grant Williams
Victoria University of Wellington and GNS
Tuneable monolithic magneto resistive sensors for asset management
Michel Nieuwoudt
University of Auckland
Photonic Device for Rapid Prostate Cancer Detection and Mapping
Volker Nock
University of Canterbury
Beyond myrtle rust: Next-generation tools to 'engineer' forest ecosystem resilience to plant pathogens
Shane Telfer
Massey University
Metal-organic Framework Glasses as Next-Generation Porous Materials

2018 MBIE Smart Ideas grants 

Ben Ruck and John Kennedy
Victoria University of Wellington and GNS
Transparent Thermoelectric device

Callaghan Innovation

Keith Gordon
University of Otago
NZ Steel collaboration

2018 HRC grants

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland

Naturally Occurring Peptaibols: “Magic Bullets” for Targeting Breast Cancer

Targeting Pathogen Energetics to Produce New Antimicrobials

2018 NSC (National Science Challenges)

Renee Goreham
Victoria University of Wellington

Accelerate my impact

Magnetic metal nanoclusters

Simon Granville and Ben Ruck
Victoria University of Wellington
A New Transistor Exploiting Electron Spin
Volker Nock
University of Canterbury
Medical Technology: Home and Community Care

2018 domestic grants - government funding

David Barker
University of Auckland
Molecular Sponges
MPI - Primary Growth Partnership with NZ Winegrowers
Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland

Nitroheterocycles as Methanogen Inhibitors
AgResearch funding

New Generation Methanogen Inhibitors
AgResearch funding

Simon Brown
University of Canterbury
Topological 2D materials
Dumont d'Urville NZ-France Science & Technology Support Programme
Michele Governale and Ben Ruck
Victoria University of Wellington
Ministry of Education Networks of Expertise funding
Volker Nock
University of Canterbury
Photonic Professional GT 3D laser lithography system
Lottery Health Equipment funding

2018 domestic grants - other

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland

CGRP - Proof of Concept Studies
Living Cell Technologies (LCT) research project

Pramlintide - Proof of Concept Studies
Living Cell Technologies (LCT) research project

Synthesis of Loline Alkaloids
Biotelliga Research Project

Matthew Cowan
University of Canterbury
Recovery of waste from feedstock
WNT Ventures
James Crowley
University of Otago

Novel antibacterial and anticancer systems
Mrs Pauline Lane (donation)

Cancer drug delivery
Oceanbridge Golf Charity Trust (donation)

Keith Gordon
University of Otago
Non-destructive SBD detection by Laser
Zespri Group Limited
Pauline Harris
Victoria University of Wellington
Planetarium Dome Project
SMART
Jenny Malmström
University of Auckland
Ansto beamtime for GISAXS
Emilia Nowak
Massey University
Understanding and reducing labelling failure due to condensation on Gold3
Zespri Group Ltd
Geoff Waterhouse
University of Auckland

Rechargeable Metal-Air batteries
Philanthropic donation

Low Cost Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Production and Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries
Energy Education Trust of New Zealand Project Funding

International - public sector funding

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy - New Molecular Intervention Targets and a Biomarker Strategy
Petrik Galvosas
Victoria University of Wellington
Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensation and shape regulation in cells
Keith Gordon
University of Otago
Faster interfacial electron transfer: the effect of molecule shape and size
Duncan McGillivray
University of Auckland
AINSE Postgraduate Research Fellowship
Richard Tilley
University of New South Wales
Nanoparticle enzyme mimics
Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
University of Auckland
Insect Odorant Receptors on Conducting Polymer Thin Films for Odorant Sensing
Geoff Waterhouse
University of Auckland

XAS characterization of porphyrin-like single metal atom sites in MOF-derived N-doped porous carbons: Towards improved electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)

Novel photocatalysts derived from layered double hydroxide nanosheets for CO hydrogenation to olefins under visible light

Effect of Particle Size on the Local Electronic Structure of Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis

David Williams
University of Auckland
Fellowship: Institute of Advanced Study, Durham University, UK

International - private sector funding

Margaret Brimble
University of Auckland

Synthesis of SapVax hPam2 Constructs Conjugated to TRP2

Further Synthesis hPam2 Constructs, 6 Peptides and 1 uPam Self-Adjuvanting Construct

Synthesis of hPam2 Synthesis

Jim Metson
University of Auckland
A new quality and low production cost alumina for aluminium production and PFC degradation
Geoff Waterhouse
University of Auckland

Rechargeable Metal-Air batteries

Low Cost Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Production and Rechargeable ZN-Air Batteries

2018 KiwiNet awards 

Matthew Cowan
University of Canterbury

Kiwinet Emerging Innovator

Kiwinet Pre-seed accelerator funding

Aaron Marshall
University of Canterbury
Emerging Innovator Award

2018 university internal funding 

Martin Allen
University of Canterbury
Australian Synchrotron Beamline Funding
Matthew Cowan
University of Canterbury
Correlation of heat of adsorption to gas transport within dense solids
Michel Nieuwoudt
University of Auckland
Sweat, tears and cortisol: non-invasive measurement of cortisol
Volker Nock
University of Canterbury
Innovative spin coating to create environmentally friendly materials
Emilia Nowak
Massey University
Establishing assumptions of the mathematical model of gastrointestinal tract
Viji Sarojini
University of Auckland
Environmentally benign antimicrobial technology
Jeff Tallon
Victoria University of Wellington
NMR and muon research on HTS superconductors
Geoff Waterhouse
University of Auckland
Novel Catalytic Technologies for Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Fuels and Valuable Commodity Chemicals
Catherine Whitby
Massey University

Interfacial Rheometer

Armouring Biomaterials for the Challenges Ahead