Advanced nanoscale materials engineered from diatomaceous earth

大自然通过进化已经优雅地解决了具有明确定义的纳米尺度特征的复杂3D结构的制造问题。硅藻，单细胞藻类是这些结构中最特别的例子。这项研究是基于将这些天然材料的优点带入具有先进性能的新合成材料的想法。该项目致力于探索和开发基于从天然硅藻土（DE）中回收的硅藻二氧化硅的新型纳米材料，用于分离，催化和药物输送等苛刻的应用。这些研究成果将加强澳大利亚？公司在前沿技术和先进材料方面的能力。

Nature, through evolution has elegantly solved problem of fabrication of complex 3-D structures with well-defined nanoscale features. Diatoms, single cell algae are most extraordinary example of these structures. This research is based on the idea to bring the advantages of these natural materials into new synthetic materials with advanced properties. This project is dedicated to the exploration and development of new nanoscale materials based on diatom silica retrieved from natural diatomaceous earth (DE) for the use in demanding applications such as separations, catalysis and drug delivery. These research outcomes will enhance Australia?s capacity in frontier technology and advanced materials.