Research projects
Find out about research projects being conducted by the New Materials and Technologies research group.
MerinoGold wool products
We research the use of nanogold as a unique colourfast colourant in high-value fashion apparel, textiles, and premium carpets. This innovatively links the high value of gold with premium quality New Zealand wool to provide new products for high-value international markets.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Kerstin Lucas, Andrea Kolb, Thomas Nilsson
Palladium wool
One research project explores the use of nanopalladium on wool fibres for green catalysis applications.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Carla Fonseca-Paris
Antimicrobial wool, linen, and hemp fabrics
Another research project studies the use of silver and silver compounds to impart antimicrobial activity to wool, linen, and hemp textiles.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Fern Kelly, Eldon Tate, Veronika Heuter
Quantum dot-fibre composites
There are three research projects in this area.
The use of quantum dots of Cu2O and zinc salts to impart tuneable photoluminescent properties to New Zealand wool and paper fibres.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Andi Zeller
The use of zinc oxide quantum dots to prevent photo yellowing and photo degradation of wool.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Kerstin Lucas
The absorption of transition metal ions and the formation of Cu2O nanoparticles in wool fibres.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Ishira Samarasinghe
Hybrid plastics
The functionalisation of plastics and paint with nanogold and nanosilver and its compounds to impart to them unique optical properties and effective antimicrobial and antifouling properties.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Maria Podedinsky, Julia Grell
Photoactive silver/silver chloride hybrid materials
- Prof Jim Johnston, Eldon Tate
Barrier coatings
This study looks at the development of barrier coatings with low water vapour transport rates on paperboard for the effective packaging of moisture sensitive food and other products.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Mathew Cairns, Matthias Herzog
Superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic nanostructured surfaces
Here, we explore the design and chemical fabrication of nanostructured surfaces on fibre and other substrates to provide superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic properties for water-repelling and water-collecting applications.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Matthias Herzog
Nanostructured calcium silicate products
We are working on the development of these products and their industrial applications relating to passive heat storage and release, as well as the scavenging of heavy metals and phosphate from water streams.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Thomas Borrmann, Dr Mathew Cairns, Martin Klimsa, Giancarlo Barassi, Andreas Risius
Enhanced energy recovery from geothermal resources
By alleviating the problem of unwanted silica deposition in pipework, process equipment and reinjection wells.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Thomas Borrmann
Wet air oxidation
This project looks into the development and use of wet air oxidation to treat organic waste streams, facilitating the recovery of particular compounds and the safe disposal of the residual stream to surface waterways.
- Prof Jim Johnston, Dr Thomas Borrmann