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#CarbonNanotubes (CNTs) are super cool materials – they’re basically a sheet of graphite (graphene) 
rolled up tightly into a tube.
In the same way as rolling a sheet of paper makes it harder to bend, rolling up graphite makes it much stronger too
.
rolled up tightly into a tube. In the same way as rolling a sheet of paper makes it harder to bend, rolling up graphite makes it much stronger too
.
Unlike rolling a piece of paper, which is still a piece of paper that isn’t conductive
CNTs are much more conductive that graphene – up to ‘ballistic conductance’
which sounds super cool but just means conductivity is independent of length (ok – that’s still super cool).
CNTs are much more conductive that graphene – up to ‘ballistic conductance’
which sounds super cool but just means conductivity is independent of length (ok – that’s still super cool).
This happens because the electron orbitals on each atom are deformed by the CNT being rolled up – so they overlap a bit more.
This concept is pretty simple, but really defines what I try to do in my research – control the form of a material to manipulate its function!
This concept is pretty simple, but really defines what I try to do in my research – control the form of a material to manipulate its function!
As CNTs are strong and electrically conductive (and chemically stable) – as well as made from one of the most abundant and well understood elements on earth (carbon) 
– they are great for energy storage 
devices!
#Supercapacitors
#FuelCells
More on this tomorrow!
– they are great for energy storage devices! #Supercapacitors
#FuelCells
More on this tomorrow!
I ended up completing my Ph.D. in August of 2012 – after starting in 2008, so 4.5 years doesn’t seem too long.
The Australian Ph.D. award system is slightly different, in part due to isolation. 
The thesis is sent away for review with no fixed date it’s coming back – most come back in 3 months.
Mine took over 12 – simply because the reviewer was sick.
The thesis is sent away for review with no fixed date it’s coming back – most come back in 3 months.
Mine took over 12 – simply because the reviewer was sick.
This was a bit of a boon and a curse
A boon: it extender the start of my ‘ECR’ period – the time given to you to establish yourself (or not) as a researcher
A curse: it was a massive detriment to my mental health.
A boon: it extender the start of my ‘ECR’ period – the time given to you to establish yourself (or not) as a researcher
A curse: it was a massive detriment to my mental health.
This time also let me explore collaborations visiting @UCLA and learning all about 2D materials – which is what I focus on nowadays - and led to some of the work I was most proud of 
– figuring out how to control nerve cell growth with graphene.
– figuring out how to control nerve cell growth with graphene.
There isn’t a resolution, or ‘point’ to me mentioning this – just that everyone goes through struggles and destigmatizing it is important.
Some things are just out of your control.
Some things are just out of your control.
Still there were lots of positives
During my Ph.D. I met my wife ( @DrTinyTaps) – you should check out her research into tissue engineering, it’s super cool!
However, find a post-doc for 1 person can be challenging, finding 2 at once in the same city – extremely difficult!
During my Ph.D. I met my wife ( @DrTinyTaps) – you should check out her research into tissue engineering, it’s super cool!
However, find a post-doc for 1 person can be challenging, finding 2 at once in the same city – extremely difficult!
We ended up moving to Sweden 
at the start of European winter – and after 3 months I started at @liu_universitet 
Using Carbon Nanotubes additives in collagen and alginate hydrogels to develop new ways to repair the scar tissue on the heart after a heart attack.
at the start of European winter – and after 3 months I started at @liu_universitet Using Carbon Nanotubes additives in collagen and alginate hydrogels to develop new ways to repair the scar tissue on the heart after a heart attack.
Sweden was a wonderful experience, culturally, personally, and scientifically.
I learned a lot about different ways to do (and not to do) science – I can’t recommend travelling and gaining different perspectives enough.
I learned a lot about different ways to do (and not to do) science – I can’t recommend travelling and gaining different perspectives enough.
There are challenges in learning a new language, trying to embed yourself in a new culture – and surviving -20C temperatures (as an Australian – this was probably the biggest shock!)
The positives far outweighed the negatives though.
The positives far outweighed the negatives though.
However, after 2 years in Sweden it was time for a change.
To this end it was time to travel again, and after writing a Marie Curie Fellowship application it was off to London to join @ImpMaterials 
To this end it was time to travel again
, and after writing a Marie Curie Fellowship application it was off to London to join @ImpMaterials
I’ll leave this thread here – I’ll finish off my story (so far) about London and Melbourne in a coming thread.
One thing that stands out - was that I didn’t really understand the importance of those first few years. 
Looking back, being more selective about where and what I worked on would have strengthened the future years.
Lots of benefits– lots of mistakes too !
Looking back, being more selective about where and what I worked on would have strengthened the future years.
Lots of benefits
– lots of mistakes too !
