Research

Flagship Projects

• Quantum Computing and Nanoelectronics
• Quantum Dot Nanocomputing
• Tissue Engineering
• Particle Based Drug Delivery and Biolabelling
• Nanoengineered Particle-Modified Surfaces

Quantum Computing and Nanoelectronics

The CNST includes the Centre for Quantum Computer Technology, established in 2000 as an Australian Research Council Special Research Centre. In 2003 the centre was awarded Centre of Excellence status with a budget of $14 million over five years.

The central goal of the centre is to construct a prototype silicon based quantum computer, which would allow an enormous increase in computational power over classical computers. CNST researchers are developing technologies to precisely place single atoms in a silicon matrix.

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Quantum Dot Nanocomputing

A single semiconductor nanocrystal constitues a single-bit, optical storage element, and may potentially be implemented as a qubit. It is now recognised that in quantum confined systems such as CdSe nanocrystals, the fluorescence of an entire crystal may be switched on and off by the transfer of single electrons to such particles.

In an alternative approach, diamond quantum dots are being fabricated using ion implantation techniques for applications in quantum computer elements, which would enable a low-cost computational device to be realized, and being tested. Ultimately, these may provide a form of optically encoded quantum computer.

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Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering aims to replace missing or non-functioning body parts with newly created tissue. It combines techniques of tissue culture with specially engineered biocompatible materials and antiogenesis to create new tissue to replce what is lost or has never formed. Nanotechnology has an important role to play in the development of porous membranes from templated nanporous structures for bioseparations. This research is at the cutting edge of science, exploiting novel self-assembly strategies to construct tailor-made porous materials.

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Particle-Based Drug Delivery and Biolabelling

Particle based drug delivery involves using extremely small particles to deliver medicines and therapeutics into medical patient's bodies. CSNT researchers are developing ways to load particles with drugs and biological materials, and are investigating ways of targeting particles and releasing the drugs once at the target site. One release method is to apply a polymer coating to the particles, which can be removed in response to changing conditions inside the body (e.g., temperature, pH), or external stimulii (e.g., a laser pulse). The particles can also be coated with specific biomolecules to allow targeting of drug carriers to specific areas (e.g., breast cancer cells), which has the potential to make drug treatment highly specific, as opposed to a "whole body" treatment, like chemotherapy.

• Case Study: Advanced Drug Delivery (SmallTech Alliance)
• Schematic showing laser opening drug capsules

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Nanoengineered Particle-Modified Surfaces

Research in this area focuses on selectively attaching patterned and biofunctionalised particles to surfaces. These surfaces can then be used as biosensors in microfluidic systems, optimising flow and overcoming many of the limitations of other microfluidic devices.

Because the particles are nano-sized, they have a very high surface area, making them extremely sensitive as sensors or detectors. By changing the patterning and the biological material fixed to the particles, the sensors can be tailored to detect certain substances, such as toxins.

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