About WANRI
The Western Australian Nanochemistry Research Institute will build on the existing internationally recognised strengths of the Nanochemistry Research Institute (NRI) at Curtin University of Technology; the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and the Department of Physics at the University of Western Australia; and the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Murdoch University as a research facility that has already provided outcomes for local industry (including the mining industry).
The Institute will bring together all the major strengths of nanotechnology in this State. By encompassing currently fragmented research groups and creating a critical mass of researchers and facilities, the Institute will be able to establish a cohesive and coherent research focus to explore lucrative niche areas.
Niche areas
Niche areas will derive from the special nexus that nanochemistry forms between the biological and physical sciences which are nationally, and internationally, green field areas of research. Nanochemistry, as differentiated from nanotechnology, is a unique discipline that focuses on the chemistry and properties of materials with at least one dimension in the 5-100 nanometre scale, whereas most nanotechnology research activities concentrate more on the physical/electronics/engineering aspects of nano-materials. By bridging the gap between the physical and biological sciences, Nanochemistry forms its own niche within the nano-sciences, with resultant industry and economic benefits for the Centre and the State.
The advantage
Competitive advantage for industry in this State will be drawn from the unique combination of internationally reputed researchers and state-of-the-art facilities to produce industry oriented outcomes which are applicable in many areas. Building on the expertise of the existing Nanochemistry Research Institute at Curtin and a number of internationally reputed researchers, the Institute will have the capability to conduct leading edge research into nanochemistry that is focused around three research themes: Molecular Simulations, Nanoreactions and Nanocharacterisation. Research outcomes will have diverse applications in areas including the mining and resource industry, environment and health and will establish the Western Australian Nanochemistry Research Institute as a specialist knowledge centre within the nanosciences.
