Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials researchers were among the Deakin University cohort to recently secure more than $4.18 million in Australian Research Council (ARC).
The seven new Deakin-led ARC Discovery Projects and one ARC Linkage Project will support the development of innovative materials and technologies, improve health and wellbeing outcomes, and help Australia reach sustainability targets.
The ARC’s 2026 Discovery Projects scheme aims to drive research excellence with real-world impact—economic, social, environmental, and cultural—while helping to support fundamental discoveries, train the next generation of research leaders and strengthen Australia’s global research standing.
The successful Discovery Projects and Linkage Project are:
Stimuli-responsive nanofibrous composites for antibacterial applications ($713,661)
This project aims to develop peptide-based hydrogel composites that can be triggered by multiple stimuli to have antibacterial properties. The outcomes will provide in-depth knowledge to guide design of functional antibacterial materials that are effective to both individual bacteria and biofilms, providing a solution to recalcitrant bacterial infection, benefiting the manufacturing of advanced healthcare materials, and bringing job opportunities and economic benefits to Australia.
Chief investigator: Associate Professor Jingliang Li, Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials
Project team: Associate Professor Richard Williams, Professor Tiffany Walsh
Sustainable and Recyclable Carbon Fibre Composites ($481,084)
Plastic waste poses a major environmental challenge but also represents an untapped resource for sustainable materials development. This project focuses on converting polypropylene waste into recyclable crosslinked polymers for carbon fibre composites, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional non-recyclable thermosets. It’s intended that outcomes will contribute to a sustainable manufacturing sector and accelerating Australia’s shift towards a circular economy.
Chief investigator: Professor Minoo Naebe, Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials
Project team: Dr Omid Zabihi
Advanced ionic materials for sustainable refrigeration ($607,643)
This project aims to develop a range of high-performance materials to achieve efficiency and longevity in sustainable refrigeration and cooling applications. This is critical to enabling wider use of cooling devices without incurring a massive environmental impact. It’s intended that outcomes will contribute to the advancement of materials and know-how urgently required to support Australia’s transition to clean energy.
Chief investigator: Professor Jennifer Pringle, Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials
ARC Linkage Project
Deakin has also received a $512,458 grant in the 2025 ARC Linkage Projects scheme, supporting a project to transform Australia’s mounting clothing waste by turning coloured clothes into pigments.
The Linkage scheme strengthens partnerships between Australia’s leading researchers, industry, government, and the community, helping to address national challenges and deliver practical, real-world solutions.
The Deakin project brings together a multidisciplinary research team to work alongside industry collaborators Textile Recyclers Australia and Richmond Industrial Laundry.
Led by chief investigator Associate Professor Rangam Rajkhowa from the Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials, the project will delve into the science behind the pigment colour derived from textile waste, application formulations, and fastness properties.
The remaining Deakin Projects are:
Intelligent Personalised Simulators for Enhanced Training and Prototyping ($598,597)
This research aims to solve the fundamental problems of driving and flight simulators by developing new motion cueing algorithms to create personalised motion simulators. Building better motion simulators will improve road and air safety through effective training and lower manufacturing costs through virtual prototyping of new vehicle designs, propelling Australia as a world leader in the emerging field of motion simulation.
Chief Investigator: Associate Professor Houshyar Asadi, Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems
Project team: Professor Abbas Khosravi, Associate Professor Sui Yang Khoo and Professor Bernhard Riecke
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes ($716,803)
This project aims to examine how Australian infant formula companies are marketing breast-milk substitutes through digital media. It expects to generate new insights into how formula companies are contravening national and international regulations and how novel AI methods can be leveraged for ongoing accountability. The insights will support timely government decisions related to the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes, to better protect breast-feeding in Australia and in Asia.
Chief investigator: Professor Kathryn Backholer, Deakin Institute for Health Transformation
Project team: Dr Simone Sherriff, Professor Asim Bhatti, Professor Bridget Kelly, Mr Roger Mathisen, Dr Jennifer Browne, Dr Jennifer McCann, Ms Duong Vu
Addressing gender-based violence in volatile and polarising times ($489,207)
This project explores how young people interpret and respond to public and media discourse on gender-based violence. It tackles the critical challenge of volatile and polarising narratives, which can alienate certain groups and overlook diverse perspectives. The project seeks to generate actionable insights to enhance the effectiveness of gender-based violence prevention strategies, public campaigns and educational programs.
Chief investigator: Professor Amanda Keddie, Deakin Centre for Research for Educational Impact
Project team: Dr Claire Charles, Dr Stephanie Wescott, Professor Steven Roberts
Streets for people: Design for active travel among children and youth ($575,224)
This project aims to determine what street characteristics are critical for child-friendly urban environments that encourage children and adolescents to walk or bike places, and parents to allow their child to do so. This should provide significant benefits to the community via provision of safer, more inviting streets that support shifts to active travel, contributing to physical activity and environmental gains.
Chief investigator: Professor Anna Timperio, Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
Project team: Associate Professor Thuong Hoang, Professor Jenny Veitch, Professor Marcus White, Dr Shannon Sahlqvist, Associate Professor Ashim Debnath, Professor Stefan Greuter, Professor Dr Benedicte Deforche
This edited article was originally published on Deakin Research News.
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