Our research
Towards Zero Waste - Reconfigurable Systems
Biological systems are incredibly efficient at recycling. In fact if we used the world's resources as efficiently as our bodies treat the nutrients in the food we eat, our planet would be in a far better state.
Using nature as an inspiration for next-generation sustainable materials, our researchers are working to create self-regulating, self-repairing systems and to develop new materials that are recyclable or reconfigurable.
As we move into Tranche 2 (2025-2028), we will continue to build on our highly interdisciplinary track-record in soft materials to:
- reimagine the use and reuse of materials themselves, for example working towards the kind of controlled reactions that occur in 'artificial cells' that self-regulate and reconfigure for synthetic biology and other functions.
- focus on applications for materials developed in Tranche 1, creating circular materials for commercial applications, and exploring natural materials, especially from waste streams for their use as smart materials. Applications will overlap with our Future Computing and Catalytic Architectures programmes.
If we used the world’s resources as efficiently as our bodies treat the nutrients in the food we eat, our planet would be in a far better state.
Our vision of how the sustainable materials we use in the future will be underpinned by supramolecular building blocks that assemble and reconfigure on demand.
Project descriptions
RS-A: Stimuli-responsive dynamic materials and their applications
Principal Investigators: Jack Chen, Jadranka Travas-Sejdic, Catherine Whitby, Geoff Willmott
In this project we will make different kinds of dynamic and stimuli-responsive materials, including emulsions and particles. Progress will continue in controlling the reconfiguration of ‘Pickering’ emulsions (which are dispersions of unmixable liquids stabilised by solid particles) and solid ‘patchy’ particles and hydrogel droplets that reversibly assemble (e.g. into 3D porous matrices) in response to stimulus. We will use these dynamic and stimuli responsive materials in catalysis (using inorganic or organic/biological catalysts) and to control cascade reactions. This includes stimuli responsive giant unilamellar vesicles and coacervates.
Out-of-equilibrium materials will be explored as a subset of dynamic materials, and either higher ordered self-assembled materials or bulk stimuli-responsive materials will also be used to directly influence biological systems, in for example drug delivery or tissue engineering applications. Stimuli responsive materials will also be explored for applications in reservoir computing, in collaboration with the FC programme.
RS-B: Nature inspired functional materials
Principal Investigators: Erin Leitao, Jenny Malmström, Volker Nock, Viji Sarojini
This project will use natural materials directly, after modification or built with principles and inspiration from nature. We will build on our understanding of the piezoelectric properties of protein and peptide assemblies to create energy harvesters and electrically stimulated antimicrobial activity. We will explore application in biomaterials and catalysis (where strain induced electrical charge on the material can influence functional entities, such as nanoparticles or clusters, (tied to CA programme).
Self-assembly of magnetic materials will be explored to create new magnetooptical devices (connected with FC programme). We will build on the understanding of guided assembly of spores to move cargo into hierarchical assemblies, in 2D and 3D. Fungi are known to be able to mediate metal nanoparticle synthesis, so if we link this with controlled assembly, we may be able to create ‘intelligent’ functional assemblies for catalysis or with bespoke magnetic interactions.
This project will also consider material circularity, and will explore functional materials combining sulphides and silicones to create circular materials for commercial applications. Natural materials, especially from waste streams, will also be explored for their use as smart materials (electronics, sensing, antimicrobial, healing) and as starting materials in synthesis of functional materials that can be degraded back into natural components (e.g. fire retardants, sorbents).
PhD scholarships available in Reconfigurable Systems
Full list of PhD scholarships available in Reconfigurable Systems funded by the MacDiarmid Institute and how to apply.
In the news
Annual Report
Materials science in the new energy sector
June 11, 2020
In May, the Government hosted the Just Transition summit in Taranaki on preparing for a low emissions economy,
Annual Report
An integrated research commercialisation approach
June 11, 2020
Our efforts towards supporting emerging science entrepreneurs links students, experienced researchers, industry and investors across the country.
Read more about An integrated research commercialisation approach
Annual Report
How can materials science offer a greener future for our planet? - Annual Report 2019
May 28, 2020
In 2019, we focused our annual regional showcase on 'NZ Innovation for Sustainability.'
Annual Report
New Associate Investigators 2019 - Annual Report 2019
May 28, 2020
An overview of the research interests of each of our nine new Associate Investigators.
Read more about New Associate Investigators 2019 - Annual Report 2019
Annual Report
Patents and Spinouts 2019 - Annual Report 2019
May 27, 2020
This article from our 2019 Annual Report provides information about the MacDiarmid Institute's latest inventions, patents and spinouts.
Read more about Patents and Spinouts 2019 - Annual Report 2019
Videos
Nature of Science - Bill Williams
March 21, 2019
Professor Bill Williams of the MacDiarmid Institute and Massey University talks about his job as a scientist and why he loves it.
Working with biophysics and soft materials, Bill describes himself as an experimental scientist who looks at how we perceive the world and works to find ways to test these perceptions. Bill is a scientist because he is fascinated by the world around him and wants to continue to figure out how the world works.
Geoff Wilmott - attracting and repelling water
March 21, 2019
From fog harvesters to self-cleaning surfaces, Dr Geoff Wilmott of the MacDiarmid Institute and the University of Auckland is looking at how water is both repelled by and attracted to surfaces with a range of possible applications.
SAVVY Express: Science Media Centre - MacDiarmid Institute
Bill Williams - the machinery of DNA
March 21, 2019
Professor Bill Williams of the MacDiarmid Institute and Massey University explores how better understanding biological problems from a physical point of view can help us come up with better treatments.
SAVVY Express: Science Media Centre - MacDiarmid Institute
MacDiarmid Institute alumna Dr Rebecca Hawke: researching new solar cells
February 25, 2019
Physicist and MacDiarmid Institute alumna Dr Rebecca Hawke talks about solar cells and where science has taken her around the world.
This video includes captions.
1. Where in the world would you study science?
2. What are 5 items you can see around you that materials scientists worked on?
Read more MacDiarmid Institute alumna Dr Rebecca Hawke: researching new solar cells
2017 Lecture Series: Women in nanoscience
February 16, 2019
In the 2017 MacDiarmid Institute Regional Lecture Series: Women in nanoscience, three female MacDiarmid Institute nanoscientists tell their personal stories of life in science. Professors Penny Brothers and Cather Simpson, and Dr Michelle Dickinson (aka Nanogirl) give their own perspectives on what it is like being a woman in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry or engineering).
Podcasts
Jenny Malmström on RNZ
May 9, 2019
Associate Investigator Jenny Malmström talks to RNZ about stem cells, implants and materials science.
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