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