Active & Multi-Functional Materials
Materials technology is a key component of many of the other disciplines and research themes in the Institute including human protection performance and chem-bio defence. Fundamental research in this area, for instance on nano-structured materials, is having impacts in such areas as anti-biofouling surfaces, anti-bacterial surfaces and novel sensors. The research also has impact in the design of submarine and aircraft surfaces that can affect system performance.
This theme is tackling these and other challenges:
- Meta-materials for control of acoustic and electro-magnetic properties
- Novel surfaces for anti-bioagent effects
- Plasmonics and multi-functional materials for energy harvesting
- Innovative materials for sensing applications
Theme Leaders:
School of Physics, The University of Melbourne
Ann Roberts is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. She has broad research interests in physical optics including the development of novel microscopic and imaging techniques and their application to the non-destructive examination of artworks and biological samples. She also leads an active programme into the development of novel nano- and micro-structured materials and devices including metamaterials, optical antennas and plasmonics.
Dr Richard Chester
Research Leader – Aircraft Materials, Air Vehicles Division, DSTO
Dr Richard Chester gained degrees in Materials Engineering from Monash University and then briefly worked as a Post Doctoral Fellow in the same University. He joined DSTO in 1984 and has worked in a range of areas dealing with advanced materials for maritime platforms and aircraft for the Australian Defence Force. As well as ongoing interests in structural and multi-functional materials, he is currently interested in nano and meta-materials.