Associate Professor Idriss Blakey

Principal Research Fellow - CAI

Centre for Advanced Imaging
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
i.blakey@uq.edu.au
+61 7 334 63869

Overview

​Associate Professor Blakey is a group leader at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the Centre for Advanced Imaging. During his appointment at UQ he has been a recipient of a Vice Chancellor’s Research and Teaching Fellowship, an ARC Future Fellowship, a Linkage Projects International Fellowship, and a Queensland Government Smart State Fellowship. Prior to joining UQ he worked at Polymerat, a materials biotechnology startup company now listed on the ASX as AnteoTech.

Research Interests

  • -
    Rational design, synthesis and self assembly of functional polymers and nanomaterials for nanofabrication, sensors and biomedical imaging agents.

Research Impacts

Associate Professor Blakey's research interests focus on using advance material characterisation techniques to understand the relationships between the structure of designer polymers and their performance in applications such as nanomedicine, sensors and nanofabrication.

Industry

​Associate Professor Blakey engages widely with industry partners. This current invloves directly funded research with Tokyo Electron on projects associated with materials development for semiconductor manufacture. He is also a chief investigator on an ARC Research hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR), which involves numerous industry partners investigating the common industry challenges associated with targeted radiopharmaceutical development. Associate Professor Blakey has also previously been a chief investigator on numerous ARC Linkage projects with Intel, Sematech and the Dow Chemical Company as well as a chief investigator on the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology (CIBIT). Key outcomes from these endevours have included novel materials and processes that have been described in joint publications and 6 fully granted patents, where 4 patents have been subject to licencing agreements with industry partners.

Collaborations

​My publications have involved international collaborations with academica and industry partners from countries such as USA, UK, Japan, Sweden, Belgium Finland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Key collaborating institutions include Universtiy of Nottingham, University of California Santa Barbara and the University of Exeter.

Funding

​Associate Professor Blakey has been awarded over $AUD 15M funding, via ARC Discovery grants, ARC Linkage grants, Fellowships and direct industry funding. Currently funding includes chief investigator roles on an ARC Discovery grant on developing novel hybrid materials using sequential infiltration synthesis and an ARC Research hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR).

Publications

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Grants

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Supervision

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Available Projects

  • Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has been shown to be a highly promising molecular sensing technique, especially in aqueous and biological applications due to its high sensitivity, rich spectroscopic information, and excellent water compatibility. Due to the nature of SERS, a plasmonic metal substrate is required to achieve Raman signal amplification and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assemblies can provide an easy to modify, and simple to synthesise substrate that provide excellent Raman signal enhancement. Most SERS substrates directly detect chemical species when the adsorb to the gold nanoparticles. This approach is useful for simple samples but fails when applied to multicomponent samples such as biological samples. A second approach is to pre-label the gold nanoparticles with a molecule that has specific reactivity with an analyte of interest. This project will involve developing plasmonic chemical dosimeters that uses this second approach.

  • Structural anisotropy in viscoelastic materials is desirable for directional-dependent responses to external stimuli (mechanical, electric field, temperature) and transport processes (diffusion, permeability, poroelasticity). It is commonly observed in nature within biological materials where it is crucial to the function of the eye (cornea, vitreous), muscles, and plant growth. However, the fabrication of viscoelastic synthetic materials (hydrogels) with complex structural anisotropy, particularly with the spatial heterogeneity required for biomimicry, has proved very difficult. This project seeks to address this by using charge directed self-assembly of block copolymers to modify the surface properties of nanocelluose, a naturally derived crystalline polymer. This change to the surface chemistry will manipulate the phase properties of these materials to form hydrogels that have applications ranging from biomaterials, to sensors and food additives.

  • Block copolymers are comprised of two distinct, but covalently linked polymer chains, which under certain circumstances form structures that are on the order of nanometers. By controlling the orientation and/or morphology of block copolymer domains it is possible to use them as a nanofabrication template in a range of applications, including advanced lithography, next generation batteries, high density magnetic storage media, membranes and metamaterials. A range of projects are available that will involve synthesis and/or morphological characterisation of block copolymers to advance the field of nanofabrication. Industry collaborators for some projects may include The Dow Chemical Company.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Featured Publications

Book Chapter

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • McCallum, Francis J., Zhao, Jiacheng, Hossain, Daloar, Kaitz, Joshua A., Cameron, James F., Trefona, Peter, Blakey, Idriss, Peng, Hui and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2023). Fundamental studies of interactions between polymer substrate and precursor in sequential infiltration synthesis. SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning, San Jose, CA United States, 26 February - 2 March 2023. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2655986

  • Zhao, Jiacheng, Mccallum, Francis J., Jiang, Zhen, Kaitz, Joshua A., Cameron, James F., Trefonas, Peter, Blakey, Idriss, Peng, Hui and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2021). Spatial arrangement of block copolymer nanopatterns using photoactive homopolymer substrates. SPIE Advanced Lithography, Online, 22-27 February 2021. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2586516

  • Du, Ke, Siauw, Meiliana, David Valade, Jasieniak, Marek, Voelcker, Nico, Trefonas, Peter, Thackeray, Jim, Blakey, Idriss and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2017). Embedded top-coat for reducing the effect out of band radiation in EUV lithography. SPIE Advanced Lithography, 2017, San Jose, CA, United States, 26 February – 2 March 2017. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2270480

  • Siauw, Meiliana, Du, Ke, Valade, David, Trefonas, Peter, Thackeray, James W., Whittaker, Andrew and Blakey, Idriss (2016). Systematic investigation of the synthesis, characterization and switching mechanism of metal oxide nanoparticle resists. Advances in Patterning Materials and Processes XXXIII, San Jose, CA, United States, 22-25 February 2016. Bellingham, WA, United States: International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2219638

  • Bennett, Thomas, Blakey, Idriss, Thurecht, Kristofer and Jack, Kevin (2015). Mapping the lyotropic phase behavior of diblock copolymer iongels. American Chemical Society Meeting, American Chemical Society.

  • Bennett, Thomas, Pei, Kevin, Cheng, Han-Hao, Thurecht, Kristofe J., Jack, Kevin S. and Blakey, Idriss (2014). Extending the scope of poly(styrene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) for directed self assembly. Alternative Lithographic Technologies VI, San Jose, United States, 24-27 February 2014. Bellingham, WA, United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2046296

  • Dey, Priyanka, Olds, William, Blakey, Idriss, Thurecht, Kristofer J., Izake, Emad L. and Fredericks, Peter M. (2014). SERS-barcoded colloidal gold NP assemblies as imaging agents for use in biodiagnostics. Biomedical Vibrational Spectroscopy VI: Advances in Research and Industry, San Francisco, CA United States, 1-2 February 2014. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2037159

  • Whittaker, Andrew K., Thurecht, Kristofer J., Blakey, Idriss and Peng, Hui (2013). Biologically-responsive polymeric F-19 MRI agents. 245th National Spring Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), New Orleans LA, 07-11 April 2013. Washington, DC United States: American Chemical Society.

  • Chuang, Ya-Mi, Cheng, Han-Hao, Jack, Kevin, Whittaker, Andrew and Blakey, Idriss (2013). Healing LER using directed self assembly: treatment of EUVL resists with aqueous solutions of block copolymers. Conference on Alternative Lithographic Technologies V, San Jose, CA United States, 25-28 February 2013. Bellingham, WA United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2012488

  • Cheng, Han-Hao, Keen, Imelda, Yu, Anguang, Chuang, Ya-Mi, Blakey, Idriss, Jack, Kevin S., Leeson, Michael J., Younkin, Todd R. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2012). EUVL compatible, LER solutions using functional block copolymers. Conference on Alternative Lithographic Technologies IV, San Jose, CA, United States, 13-16 February 2012. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.916744

  • Keen, Imelda, Yu, Anguang, Cheng, Elliot, Blakey, Idriss, Leeson, Michael, Younkin, Todd and Whittaker, Andrew (2011). Controlling the morphology and orientation of PS-b-PDLA block copolymers. 32APS: Australasian Polymer Symposium, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia, 13-16 February 2011. Hobart, TAS, Australia: Leishman Associates.

  • Zhu, Shaoli, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Blakey, Idriss (2011). Effect of nanoholes on the plasmonic properties of star nanostructures. Conference on Smart Nano-Micro Materials and Devices/SPIE Smart Nano + Micro Materials and Devices Forum, Melbourne, Australia, 5-7 December 2011. Bellingham, WA, United States: SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.905409

  • Cheng, Han-Hao, Keen, Imelda, Yu, Anguang, Chuang, Ya-Mi, Blakey, Idriss, Jack, Kevin S., Leeson, Michael J., Younkin, Todd R. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2011). Electron-beam-induced freezing of a positive tone EUV resist for use in directed self-assembly applications. Alternative Lithographic Technologies III, San Jose, CA, United States, 1-3 March 2011. Bellingham, WA, United States: SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.881491

  • Lawrie, Kirsten, Blakey, Idriss, Blinco, James, Gronheid, Roel, Jack, Kevin, Pollentier, Ivan, Leeson, Michael J., Younkin, Todd R. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2011). Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) degradation of poly(olefin sulfone)s: Towards applications as EUV photoresists. 11th Pacific Polymer Conference, Cairns, Australia, 6-10 December 2009. Kidlington, Oxford, U. K.: Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2010.07.038

  • Zainuddin, Chirila, Traian V., Barnard, Zeke, Watson, Gregory S., Toh, Chiong, Blakey, Idriss, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Hill, David J. T. (2011). F2 excimer laser (157 nm) radiation modification and surface ablation of PHEMA hydrogels and the effects on bioactivity: Surface attachment and proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells. 11th Pacific Polymer Conference, Cairns, Australia, 6-10 December 2009. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2010.07.036

  • Goh, Yong Keng, Chen, Lan, Dorgelo, Anneke, Peng, Xie, Lafferty, Neal, Smith, Bruce, Zimmerman, Paul, Montgomery, Warren, Blakey, Idriss and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2011). Sensitive polysulfone based chain scissioning resists for 193 nm lithography. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXVIII, San Jose, California, United States, 28 February - 2 March 2011. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.881700

  • Cheng, H. H., Keen, I., Blakey, I., Jack, K., Leeson, M., Younkin, T. and Whittaker, A. K. (2011). Study of directed self assembly of block copolymer with positive tone resists. 32APS: Australasian Polymer Symposium, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia, 13-16 February 2011. Hobart, TAS, Australia: Leishman Associates.

  • Jiang, Guang Shuai, Zhong, Shi An, Chen, Lan, Blakey, Idriss and Whittaker, Andrew (2011). Synthesis of molecularly imprinted organic-inorganic hybrid azobenzene materials by sol-gel for radiation induced selective recognition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. 11th Pacific Polymer Conference PPC11, Cairns, Qld, Australia, 6-10 December, 2009. Oxford, U.K.: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2010.07.020

  • Chen, Lan, Goh, Yong Keng, Lawrie, Kirsten Jean, Smith, Bruce, Montgomery, Warren, Zimmerman, Paul, Blakey, Idriss and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2010). Non-chemically amplified resists for 193-nm immersion lithography: Influence of absorbance on performance. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXVII, San Jose, California, U.S.A., 22-24 February, 2010. Washington, DC, U.S.A.: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.846971

  • Lee-Wang, Hui Hui, Blakey, Idriss, Chirila, Traian V., Peng, Hui, Rasoul, Firas, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Dargaville, Bronwin L. (2010). Novel supramolecular hydrogels as artificial vitreous substitutes. 12th European-Polymer-Federation Congress, Graz, Austria, July 12-17 2009. F. Stelzer: E. Wiesbrock. doi: 10.1002/masy.201051032

  • Blakey, Idriss, Yu, Anguang, Blinco, James, Jack, Kevin S., Liu, Heping, Leeson, Michael, Yeuh, Wang, Younkin, Todd and Whittaker, Andrew (2010). Polycarbonate based nonchemically amplified photoresists for extreme ultraviolet lithography. Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography, San Jose, California, U.S.A., 22 February, 2010. Washington, DC, U.S.A.: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.853620

  • Blakey, Idriss, Schiller, Tara L., Merican, Zul, Hawker, Craig J. and Fredericks, Peter M. (2009). COLL 351-Polymer stabilized aggregates of gold nanoparticles encoded with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy molecular barcodes. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

  • Peng, Hui, Chua, Xiaoying, Chuang, Yami, Blakey, Idriss, Dargaville, Bronwin, Rasoul, Firas, Symons, Anne, Varanasi, Srini and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2009). Simultaneous swelling and degradation of crosslinked PEG-PLLA networks. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

  • Keen, Imelda, Cheng, Elliot, Yu, Anguang, Blakey, Idriss, Jack, Kevin, Drennan, John, Younkin, Todd and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2009). Development of block copolymers for improved surface directed self assembly. PPC11: Progress in Polymers for the New Millennium. 11th Pacific Polymer Conference 2009 incorporating the 31st Australasian Polymer Symposium, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 6-10 December 2009. Hobart, TAS, Australia: Leishman Associates.

  • Whittaker, Andrew K., Blakey, Idriss, Blinco, James, Jack, Kevin S., Lawrie, Kirsten, Liu, Heping, Yu, Anguang, Leeson, Michael, Yeuh, Wang and Younkin, Todd (2009). Development of polymers for non-CAR resists for EUV lithography. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXVI, San Jose, CA, United States, 23-25 February 2009. Bellingham, WA, United States: S P I E - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.820493

  • Peng, Hui, Blakey, Idriss, Dargaville, Bronwin, Rasoul, Firas and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2009). Effect of solvent quality on the solution properties of assemblies of amphiphilic diblock copolymers as potential F-19 MRI agents. National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, *, 2009. Washington, DC United States: American Chemical Society.

  • Peng, H., Chua, X., Blakey, I., Dargaville, B., Rasoul, F., Symons, A. L., Varanasi, S. and Whittaker, A. K. (2009). Functional PEG-PLLA networks for dental bone repair: Effect of network chemistry on properties and performance. 237th ACS Spring National Meeting and Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A., 22-26 March 2009. Washington, DC, U.S.A.: American Chemical Society.

  • Cheng, H. H., Keen, I., Yu, A., Blinco, J., Blakey, I., Jack, K., Younkin, T. and Whittaker, A. K. (2009). Healing of polymer resists with block copolymers. 11th Pacific Polymer Conference (PPC11), Cairns, Qld., Australia, 6-10 December 2009.

  • Blakey, Idriss, Chen, Lan, Goh, Yong Keng, Lawrie, Kirsten Jean, Chuang, Ya-mi, Piscani, Emil, Zimmerman, Paul A. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2009). Non-CA resists for 193nm immersions lithography: Effects of chemical structure on sensitivity. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXVI, San Jose, CA, USA, 23 February, 2009. Bellingham, WA, United States: SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.814076

  • Peng, Hui, Chua, Xiaoying, Chuang, Yami, Blakey, Idriss, Dargaville, Bronwin, Rasoul, Firas, Symons, Anne, Varanasi, Srini and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2009). Simultaneous swelling and degradation of crosslinked PEG-PLLA networks. 238th ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, U.S.A, 16-20 August 2009.

  • Peng, H., Blakey, I., Dargaville, B., Rasoul, F., Rose, S. and Whittaker, A. K. (2009). Synthesis and evaluation of novel partly-fluorinated block copolymers as MRI imaging agents. unknown, unknown, unknown. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

  • Zimmerman, Paul A., Byers, Jeff, Piscani, Emil, Rice, Bryan, Ober, Christopher K., Giannelis, Emmanuel P., Rodriguez, Robert, Wang, Dongyan, Whittaker, Andrew, Blakey, Idriss, Chen, Lan, Dargaville, Bronwin and Liu, Heping (2008). Development of an operational high refractive index resist for 193nm immersion lithography. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXV, San Jose, CA, USA, 25 February 2008. Bellingham, WA, USA: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.772871

  • Whittaker, Andrew K., Blakey, Idriss, Thurecht, Kristofer J., Squires, Oliver and Varcoe, Kylie (2008). High pressure NMR of polymeric materials. 235th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, 6-10 April 2008 . Blacksburg, VA, United States: American Chemical Society.

  • Truong, V, Whittaker, AK and Blakey, I (2008). POLY 236-Synthesis of linear and branched poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-lactide) copolymers and an investigation of chemical structure on hydrolytic degradation.. 236th National Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society, Philadelphia PA, AUG 17-21, 2008. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

  • Whittaker, AK, Blakey, I, Thurecht, KJ, Squires, O and Varcoe, K (2008). POLY 624-High pressure NMR of polymeric materials. 235th American-Chemical-Society National Meeting, New Orleans LA, APR 06-10, 2008. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

  • Yu, Anguang, Blinco, James, Blakey, Idriss, Younkin, Todd, Leeson, Michael and Whittaker, Andrew (2008). Synthesis of polycarbonates for EUV lithography. 30th Australasian Polymer Symposium (30APS), Melbourne, Vic., Australia, 30 November - 4 December, 2008. RACI Polymer Division.

  • Liu, Heping, Blakey, Idriss, Chen, Lan, Conley, Will, Dargaville, Bronwin, George, Graeme A., Hill, David J.T., Rasoul, Firas, Rice, Bryan, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Zimmerman, Paul (2007). From Structure Property Relationship to Molecular Design. 29th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Hobart, 11-15 February 2007. Tasmania: Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

  • Blakey, Idriss, Chen, Lan, Dargaville, Bronwin, Lui, Heping, Whittaker, Andrew, Conley, Will, Piscani, Emil, Rich, George, Williams, Alvina and Zimmerman, Paul (2007). Novel high-index resists for 193nm immersion lithography and beyond. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXIV, San Jose, CA, USA, 26 February, 2007. Bellingham WA, USA: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.715108

  • Dargaville, Bronwin, Blakey, Idriss, Chen, Lan, Conley, Will, George, Graeme A., Hill, David J.T., Liu, Heping, Rasoul, Firas, Rice, Bryan, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Zimmerman, Paul (2007). Synthesis and Characterisation of Sulfur-Containing Polymers as Photo-Resist Materials for 193 nm Immersion Lithography. 29th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Hobart, Tasmania, 11-15 February 2007. Tasmania: Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

  • Chen, Lan, Blakey, Idriss, Conley, Will, Dargaville, Bronwin, George, Graeme A., Hill, David J.T., Lui, Heping, Rasoul, Firas, Rice, Bryan, Whittaker, Andrew K. and Zimmerman, Paul (2007). Synthesis of Novel Polymer Resists for 193nm Immersion Lithography. 29th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Hobart, 11-15 February, 2007. Tasmania: Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

  • Varcoe, Kylie M., Blakey, Idriss, Chirila, Traian V., Hill, Anita J. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2007). The Effect of Synthetic Conditions on the Free Volume of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) as Studied by H-1 NMR, Xe-129 NMR, and Position Annihilation Spectroscopy. Symposium on New Approaches in Biomedical Spectroscopy, Honolulu, HI, United States, December 2005. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society. doi: 10.1021/bk-2007-0963.ch024

  • Baldwin, Katie, Blakey, Idriss, Talbot, Cavin, Wang, Deming, Friese, Marlies and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2007). The conformation of polymer molecules studied by Hyper-polarised 129Xenon NMR. 29th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Hobart, Tasmania, 11-15 February, 2007. Tasmania: Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

  • Jack, Kevin, Liu, Heping, Blakey, Idriss, Hill, David, Yueh, Wang, Cao, Heidi, Leeson, Michael, Denbeaux, Greg, Waterman, Justin and Whittaker, Andrew (2007). The rational design of polymeric EUV resist materials by QSPR modelling. Advances in Resist Materials and Processing Technology XXIV, San Jose, CA, USA, 26 February, 2007. USA: The International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.716213

  • Schiller, T. L., Fredericks, P. M., Merican, Z. and Blakey, I. (2006). Characterisation of hybrid gold-polymer nanoparticles for use in bioassays. 2006 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ICONN, Brisbane, Australia, 3-7 July, 2006. Piscataway, New Jersey: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ICONN.2006.340696

  • Baldwin, K., Bell, C. A., Blakey, I., Friese, M., Gentle, I., Schiller, T. L., Talbot, C. and Whittaker, A. (2006). SANS of four-layer polyelectroyte nanoparticles assembled using layer-by-layer deposition. Australian Polymer Symposium (APS), Rotorua, New Zealand, 5-9 February 2006.

  • Merican, Zul, Schiller, Tara l., Fredericks, Peter M. and Blakey, Idriss (2006). Synthesis and characterisation of hybrid polymer-gold nanoparticles: Towards novel biosensors. 2006 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 3-7 Jul 2006. New York, USA: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ICONN.2006.340695

  • Blakey, I, Conley, W, George, GA, Hill, DJT, Liu, HP, Rasoul, F and Whittaker, AK (2006). Synthesis of high-refractive index sulfur containing polymers for 193-nm immersion lithography: A progress report. Advances in Resist Technology and Processing XXIII, San Jose, CA, USA, 20 February, 2006. Bellingham WA, USA: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.659757

  • Whittaker, AK, Blakey, I, Liu, HP, Hill, DJT, George, GA, Conley, W and Zimmerman, P (2005). High-RI resist polymers for 193 nm immersion lithography. Conference on Advances in Resist Technology and Processing XXII, San Jose, CA, United States, 28 February - 2 March 2005. Bellingham, WA, United States: SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.600630

  • George, G, Blakey, I, Goss, B and Grigg, M (2001). Modeling, experimental evidence, and practical consequences of the infectious spreading of oxidative degradation in polymers.. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Completed Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has been shown to be a highly promising molecular sensing technique, especially in aqueous and biological applications due to its high sensitivity, rich spectroscopic information, and excellent water compatibility. Due to the nature of SERS, a plasmonic metal substrate is required to achieve Raman signal amplification and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assemblies can provide an easy to modify, and simple to synthesise substrate that provide excellent Raman signal enhancement. Most SERS substrates directly detect chemical species when the adsorb to the gold nanoparticles. This approach is useful for simple samples but fails when applied to multicomponent samples such as biological samples. A second approach is to pre-label the gold nanoparticles with a molecule that has specific reactivity with an analyte of interest. This project will involve developing plasmonic chemical dosimeters that uses this second approach.

  • Structural anisotropy in viscoelastic materials is desirable for directional-dependent responses to external stimuli (mechanical, electric field, temperature) and transport processes (diffusion, permeability, poroelasticity). It is commonly observed in nature within biological materials where it is crucial to the function of the eye (cornea, vitreous), muscles, and plant growth. However, the fabrication of viscoelastic synthetic materials (hydrogels) with complex structural anisotropy, particularly with the spatial heterogeneity required for biomimicry, has proved very difficult. This project seeks to address this by using charge directed self-assembly of block copolymers to modify the surface properties of nanocelluose, a naturally derived crystalline polymer. This change to the surface chemistry will manipulate the phase properties of these materials to form hydrogels that have applications ranging from biomaterials, to sensors and food additives.

  • Block copolymers are comprised of two distinct, but covalently linked polymer chains, which under certain circumstances form structures that are on the order of nanometers. By controlling the orientation and/or morphology of block copolymer domains it is possible to use them as a nanofabrication template in a range of applications, including advanced lithography, next generation batteries, high density magnetic storage media, membranes and metamaterials. A range of projects are available that will involve synthesis and/or morphological characterisation of block copolymers to advance the field of nanofabrication. Industry collaborators for some projects may include The Dow Chemical Company.

  • The interface of a material with its immediate environment can be crucial for its ultimate performance in a gamut of applications which include biomaterials, sensors, coatings (eg. paint) and nanofabrication. At the same time it is important for a material to have appropriate bulk properties, such as strength, durability, toughness and biodegradability, where in many cases the bulk and surface properties are incompatible or the cost is prohibitive. One approach to achieve the desired performance is to modify the surface properties of a material with appropriate bulk properties. A range of projects are available for investigating novel methods of surface modification and/or targeting novel applications.