Dr Mohammad Taha receives Defence Science Institute Collaborative Research Grant

Dr Mohammad Taha has been awarded a Defence Science Institute (DSI) Collaborative Research Grant, to support their research to develop an adaptive coating for buildings using nanotechnology that can adjust heat radiation, with potential for sustainable energy usage and temperature control.

An early-career researcher in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Dr Taha will use the $50,000 grant to extend their existing research in developing a self-modifying material that adjusts to environmental conditions - with collaboration across university labs in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and Faculty of Science.

Dr Taha will work to finesse a unique coating of minute nanoparticles that adjusts the amount of radiation that can pass through based on the material’s environment, adjusting to the surroundings much like a chameleon does.

The coating will be improved through research and development for a range of applications, including retrofitting and new building constructions over the next two to five years, Dr Taha forecasts.

At present, no self-modifying material to adjust heat radiation is commercially available.

“Society uses significant energy to maintain comfortable temperatures within buildings. This material has exciting potential to reduce energy consumption through passive climate control,” Dr Taha said.

“The coating can be laminated, sprayed on, or even incorporated into paints and building materials. In hot temperatures, when more heat needs to be absorbed, it may have a subtle tint.”

Once the material’s properties and production process are finalised, to achieve production at scale, Dr Taha’s team will work to develop innovative processing techniques to lower production costs and enable market adoption.

The DSI is funded by the Victorian Government, and the Australian Government’s Defence Science and Technology Group, and university members.