Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Rob Atkin is a physical chemist, and has completed several pioneering studies in a range of areas broadly classified as surface science in ionic liquid systems. These scientific breakthroughs have allowed Atkin to make contributions to the development of nanolubricants, as well as in related ionic liquid based ‘working fluid’ applications such as the use of ionic liquids for heat transfer, as solvents for electrodeposition, as electrolytes in batteries and capacitors, and even as solvents for proteins in bioreactors. In all these processes, it is the arrangement of the ionic liquid ions near the active surface, and the way they are adsorbed to or are repelled by it, which controls performance. The designer properties of ionic liquids can be exploited to improve function in these systems in ways that are simply not possible using conventional liquids like water or oils.
Atkin’s research into ionic liquids began in 2005. His investigations at that time were purely fundamental: the goal was to understand how the ions arrange in the bulk of the ionic liquid, and how this structure changed near a solid surface. It soon became clear that the liquid structure was much stronger than had previously been suspected which, combined with their remarkable physical properties, opened up the new applied research avenues for the use of ionic liquids as working fluids.
Atkin’s career research pathway demonstrates the importance of fundamental research for Australian industries into the future; the detailed understanding derived from fundamental research allows quantum leaps in process performance which are not usually possible if trial and error approaches are employed. Nowadays, Atkin divides his research effort equally between fundamental and applied topics.
PhD Qualification: 2003
Book Chapters: 4
Journal Articles: 57
H-Index: 26
M-Index: 2.6
Citations/article:35
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 27/06/2003
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle, 09/12/1998
- Bachelor of Science, University of Newcastle, 01/05/1998
Research
Research keywords
- Atomic Force Microscope
- Ionic Liquids
- Microencapsulation
- Neutron Scattering
- Polymer Adsorption
- Surfactant Adsorption
- X-ray Scattering
Research expertise
A/Prof Atkin’s PhD work made significant contributions in the area of interfacial adsorption, particularly concerning the kinetics and mechanism of ionic surfactant adsorption at the solid-aqueous solution interface. The primary instrument used for determining adsorption rates was optical reflectometry. A/Prof Atkin spent optimised this technique, greatly increasing the quality of the data obtained. As optical reflectometry yields no structural information, soft-contact atomic force microscopy was used to determine the topography of the adsorbed surfactant layer, as well as the layer thickness. A/Prof Atkin’s PhD culminated with the writing of a major review article for Advances in Colloid and Interface Science in 2003.
A/Prof Atkin’s postdoctoral studies at Bristol University dealt with the preparation of polymer microcapsules for controlled release applications. A/Prof Atkin contributed to the development of a novel method that allows the thickness of the polymer shell to be accurately controlled, which allows manipulation of the release profile of the encapsulated material. Two Langmuir papers and one Macromolecules paper resulted from this work. Another method for coating particles with a polymer layer that swells and de-swells with pH variation was published in Soft Matter.
As an APD at the University of Sydney A/Prof Atkin completed a comprehensive study of microemulsion phase behaviour and nanostructure of ethylammonium nitrate microemulsions. A follow up investigation examined surfactant micelle, liquid crystal and microemulsion phase behaviour and structure in propylammonium nitrate, and A/Prof Atkin initiated a study using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to show the presence of self assembled surfactant aggregates at the graphite – ionic liquid interface resulting in a publication in JACS. However, the two studies most critical for subsequent work dealt with pure ionic liquids. Firstly, A/Prof Atkin used AFM to study the interfacial structure of a variety of ionic liquids on several different solid substrates. Secondly, A/Prof Atkin used small angle neutron scattering to show that protic ionic liquids have a bulk sponge-like nanostructure; although these ionic liquids had been studied for over 100 years, bulk structure was never suspected. In a subsequent book chapter A/Prof Atkin rationalised the relationship between bulk and interfacial ionic liquid structure. These two key results set the course for future research, and formed the foundation of a Australian Research Council Discovery project “Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces”.
A/Prof Atkin has developed upon these results since moving to the University of Newcastle in June 2007. His group has examined the influence of temperature and molecular structure on protic and aprotic ionic liquid interfacial structure. We have found that this interfacial structure is sufficiently strong to prevent particle aggregation in ionic liquids despite the extremely high ionic strength, and found that in some cases particles settled many times faster than predicted by the Stokes equation. The properties of poly(ethylene oxide) dissolved in protic ILs has been well characterised, as has its properties adsorbed at solid-protic ionic liquid interfaces.
A/Prof Atkin developed a collaboration with Professor Frank Endres (Clausthal University, Germany) dealing with the influence of ionic liquid molecular structure on electrochemical behaviour. A/Prof Atkin completed a study of the self assembly of Pluronic polymers in bulk ionic liquids and at the silica ionic liquid interface; adsorbed self assembled aggregates were identified at the interface between an ionic liquid and a charged surface for the first time. In collaboration with Professor Mark Rutland (KTH, Sweden) A/Prof Atkin has examined the structure of the protic ionic liquid-air interface and of surfactants adsorbed at this interface, and the effect of ionic liquid interfacial structure on lubricity.
Languages
- English
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 030399 | Macromolecular And Materials Chemistry Not Elsewhere Classified | 50 |
| 030699 | Physical Chemistry Not Elsewhere Classified | 45 |
| 020499 | Condensed Matter Physics Not Elsewhere Classified | 5 |
Collaboration
A/Prof Atkin has a longstanding collaboration with Prof Gregory Warr (University of Sydney), dating back to 2005 when A/Prof Atkin was an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at Sydney. Our primary area of collaboration is protic ILs, and focuses on molecular self assembly. A/Prof Atkin and Prof Warr have published 26 joint publications in the last 6 years, and over $1M ARC project funding.
A/Prof Atkin has a strong collaboration with Prof Mark Rutland (KTH, Stockholm, Sweden) in two project areas. Since 2008 Atkin and Rutland have collaborated on the structure of pure ionic liquid – air interfaces, and the properties of surfactants adsorbed at these interfaces, supported by an ARC Linkage International project (LX0776612). This project was a key aspect of the PhD projects of Deborah Wakeham (University of Newcastle) and Petru Niga (KTH). In 2010 A/Prof Atkin initiated a new project with Prof Rutland concerning ionic liquid nanotribology. Together, we have attracted 3 joint grants and published 8 joint papers.
A/Prof Atkin’s collaboration with Prof Frank Endres (Clausthal University, Germany) concerning ionic liquid interfacial structure and surfaces as they relate to electrochemistry has produced nine joint publications in the last four years and 2 joint grants. Prof Endres' group performs electrodeposition, scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and cyclic voltammetry experiments that complement AFM studies performed at Newcastle.
A/Prof Atkin has a productive collaboration with Dr Silvia Imberti, a neutron diffraction instrument scientist at ISIS, UK. To date this work (also in collaboration with Prof Warr) has focussed on protic ionic liquid nanostructure, and has produced four joint publications with another four articles in preparation. Since 2008, this group has been awarded neutron diffraction beam time at ISIS with a commercial value in excess of $500 K.
A/Prof Atkin has collaborated with Dr Kislon Voitchovsky (EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland) since 2012 on high resolution AFM images of solid ionic liquid interfaces. Together they have published 1 joint article.
A/Prof Atkin, together with Dr Grant Webber (University of Newcastle) have established AFM nanotribology in IL systems as a capability with the University of Newcastle, and are jointly supervising a 2 PhD students. A/Prof Atkin and A/Prof Webber have 2 joint grants and several joint publications.
A/Prof Atkin has collaborated with Dr Alister Page (University of Newcastle) on the structure of solid ionic liquid interfaces since 2013. Dr Page is performing MD simulations of the iterations of ionic liquids with surfaces that are correlated with AFM images and force curves. They are currently joint supervising 1 student.
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Co-Chair and Organiser for the 28th Australian Colloid and Surface Science Student Conference, Riverwood Downs, February 2012: With Dr Grant Webber (University of Newcastle, Chemical Engineering), I organised this biennual event which attracted over 110 delegates. This conference represents important opportunity for students to network with other students, and academics, and present their work in a semi-formal setting. A significant percentage of student attendees at previous installments of this conference have gone on to successful academic careers domestically and internationally.
Guest Editor of Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics Special Edition: I was invited, along with Prof Jairton Dupont, to be guest editor of a special edition of Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2011, Issue 30) on the theme of nanostructures in ionic liquids. In consultation with the journal editor Philip Earis and Prof Dupont, this involved screening papers for suitability on submission, assigning reviewers, collating reviews, assessing responses to reviews from authors, and making a final judgement whether or not to accept the paper for publication.
School Officer for SEC. I am assisting SELS HOS A/Prof Hugh Dunstan in analysing SEC feedback for SELS, and addressing issues in courses that receive poor results. For any course that has an overall grade of 3.6 or less I examine all of the feedback data collected and read all of the students comments, and consult with the HOS to discus appropriate courses of action. This approach is making a difference, with average scores across in all SELS courses increasing from 3.9 in 2009 to 4.05 in 2011.
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Physical Chemistry
Teaching expertise
My goal as an undergraduate teacher is to produce graduates who are innovative and creative problem solvers, with a well rounded skill set in chemistry suitable for the modern world, rather than students who are simply good at examinations and completing laboratory projects where the goal is to complete a series of steps to arrive at a predetermined ‘answer’. The cornerstone of all of my teaching is the scientific process: making careful observations, asking questions, determining methods by which these questions may be answered, making predictions about the likely outcomes, and testing the methods. Essentially, the scientific process involves thinking logically, and is accessible to all people regardless of whether or not they are ‘scientifically inclined’. Once this type of thinking has been mastered, students will that they are able to make better and more informed decisions, and predictions, about many subjects outside of science.
Lectures (University of Newcastle)
1. Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 3610), 2007.
2. Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 2610), 2008 -2012.
3. Polymers and Colloids (CHEM3580) 2008 - 2012.
4. Introductory Chemistry II (CHEM1020), 2008 - 2012.
5. Physical Chemistry II (CHEM2410), 2010 – present.
6. Physical Chemistry III (CHEM3410), 2010 – present.
PhD Students
Deborah Wakeham 2008 – 2012. “Surfactant Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces”.
Jacob Smith 2010-13. “Interfacial Forces in Ionic Liquids”.
Robert Hayes 2010-13. “Nanostructure in Ionic Liquids”.
James Sweeny 2011 - 2014. “Fluid Dynamics and Lubrication in Ionic Liquids”.
Thomas Murphy 2012 – 2015. “Nanoparticles Suspensions in Ionic Liquids”.
Aaron Elbourne 2013 -2016. “High resolution AFM imaging of solid – ionic liquid interfaces”.
Honours Students
Robert Hayes 2009. “Structure of Ethylammonium Nitrate in Bulk and at an Electrode Interface”.
Philip Marquet 2009. “Interfacial Structure in Dye Solar Cells”.
Jacob Smith 2009. “Particle Stability in Protic Ionic Liquids”.
Thomas Murphy 2011. “Self Replicating Micelles in Ionic liquids”.
Aaron Elbourne 2012. “AFM imaging of ionic liquids adsorbed at solid surfaces”
Liam Buxton, 2012. “Electrical Double Layer Structure in Ionic Liquids: effect of added electrolyte”
Ross Wood, 2013 “Nanotribology of at the Graphite Ionic Liquid Interface”
Samila McDonald, 2013 “project to be confirmed”
Lisa McCauley, 2013 “Ionic Liquid microemulsions”
4Th Year Project Students
Paul Davies 2004. “Water Core – Polymer Shell Microcapsules”.
Jason Mann 2008. “Thermal Stability of Lysozyme in Alkylammonium Formate Ionic Liquids”.
Jason’s thesis received the highest grade in his year.
James Sweeny 2010. “Fluid Dynamics in Ionic Liquids”
Brendan Corr, 2011, “Electrical Double Layer Structure in Ionic Liquids”
Daniel Eschebach, 2011, “Surface Tension of Mixtures of Protic Ionic liquids”
Peter Cooper, 2013, “QCM studies of solid ionic liquid interfaces”
Ryan Stefanovic, 2013, “Molecular Dynamic Simulations of Ionic Liquid Interfaces”
Summer Research Scholarship Students
Connie Lui 2005. “Polymer Solubility in Ionic liquids”.
Lisa-Maree De Fina 2006, “Phase Behaviour of P65 in Ethylammonium Nitrate”.
Robert Hayes 2007 & 2008. “Interfacial Structure in Alkylammonium Formate Ionic Liquids”.
Samuel Turner 2007. “Effect of Impurity on the Surface Tension of SDBS”.
Jason Mann 2007. “Thermal Stability of Lysozyme in Alkylammonium Formate Ionic Liquids”.
Oliver Coleman 2008. “Ion Adsorption at the Calcite – Water Interface”.
Timothy Murdoch 2010. “Interface Characterisation in Dye Solar Cells”
Emma Saville 2010. “Effect of Ionic Liquids on the Stability of Glucose Oxidase”
Peter Cooper, 2011, “Thermal conductivity of Nanofluids”.
Ryan Stefanovic, 2011, “Nanotribology of Mica – EAN interfaces”.
Joshua Cummings, 2012, “Particle Stabilised Ionic Liquid Foams”.
Samila McDonald, 2012, “Polarising Microscopy Study of Lqiuid Crystals in Ionic Liquids”.
Ross Wood, 2012, “Self Replicating Micelles in Ionic liquids”.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 29 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $3,470,723 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (3 grants)
Functional mesostructured materials in ionic liquids$180,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Gregory Warr, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Doctor Grant Webber | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $180,000 | 2013 | 2015 |
| GNo:G1300041 | ||
Access for Australian Researchers to Advanced Neutron Beam Techniques$150,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dr Brendan Kennedy, Gentle, Ian, Daniels, John, Campbell, Stewart, Professor Erich Kisi, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, White, John, Goossens, Darren, Dr Raymond Dagastine, He, Lizhong, Tehei, Moeava, Li, Huijun, Low, It-Meng (Jim), Professor Evan Gray, Mulhern, Terrence, Tabor, Rico, Ling, Chris, Turner, David, Gardiner, Michael | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $150,000 | 2013 | 2017 |
| GNo:G1200267 | ||
DVC(R) Research Support for Future Fellow (FT12)$60,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Special Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $60,000 | 2013 | 2016 |
| GNo:G1201106 | ||
2012 (4 grants)
Green working liquids for an energy efficient future$713,652
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Future Fellowships | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $713,652 | 2012 | 2016 |
| GNo:G1101096 | ||
Molecular Scale Engineering of Solid / Ionic Liquid Interfaces $380,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Mark Rutland, Associate Professor Frank Endres | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $380,000 | 2012 | 2014 |
| GNo:G1100252 | ||
2011 Emerging Research Leaders Program$15,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Emerging Research Leaders Program | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $15,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200481 | ||
Morphological transitions of polyethylene oxide dissolved in Ethylammonium Nitrate under shear$2,667
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| AINSE Award | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,667 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1201120 | ||
2011 (6 grants)
Interfacial Mapping Facility$180,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Paul Dastoor, Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, Professor Erica Wanless, Doctor Grant Webber, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Ewa Goldys, Professor Deborah Kane, Dr James Downes, Dr Gregory Wilson, Doctor Chris Fell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $180,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000635 | ||
Gold Recovery from Ore Using Ionic Liquids$75,000
Funding Body: Barrick Gold Corporation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrance | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $75,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1001064 | ||
Interfacial Mapping Facility$40,000
Funding Body: CSIRO - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Paul Dastoor, Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, Professor Erica Wanless, Doctor Grant Webber, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Ewa Goldys, Professor Deborah Kane, Dr James Downes, Dr Gregory Wilson, Doctor Chris Fell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) Partner funding | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $40,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100411 | ||
Investigations of bulk nanostructure in protic ionic liquids$33,875
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Gregory Warr | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Postgraduate Research Award (PGRA) | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $33,875 | 2011 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1100573 | ||
Interfacial Mapping Facility$30,000
Funding Body: Macquarie University
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Paul Dastoor, Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, Professor Erica Wanless, Doctor Grant Webber, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Ewa Goldys, Professor Deborah Kane, Dr James Downes, Dr Gregory Wilson, Doctor Chris Fell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) Partner funding | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $30,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100872 | ||
Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at the Ethanoalammonium Nitrate/Air Interface$10,000
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| AINSE Award | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100868 | ||
2010 (5 grants)
An Integrated LC-MS-NMR facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry$500,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Adam McCluskey, Laureate Professor John Aitken, Professor Paul Dastoor, Professor Phillip Robinson, Professor Eileen McLaughlin, Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrance, Professor Marcel Maeder, Professor Hugh Dunstan, Doctor Shaun Roman, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Doctor Clovia Holdsworth, Doctor Mark Baker, Doctor Nikki Verrills, Professor Gottfried Otting, Associate Professor Brett Nixon, Doctor Xiaojing Zhou, Ms Megan Chircop, Doctor Warwick Belcher | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $500,000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0190402 | ||
An Integrated LC-MS-NMR facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry$280,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Adam McCluskey, Laureate Professor John Aitken, Professor Paul Dastoor, Professor Phillip Robinson, Professor Eileen McLaughlin, Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrance, Professor Marcel Maeder, Professor Hugh Dunstan, Doctor Shaun Roman, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Doctor Clovia Holdsworth, Doctor Mark Baker, Doctor Nikki Verrills, Professor Gottfried Otting, Associate Professor Brett Nixon, Doctor Xiaojing Zhou, Ms Megan Chircop, Doctor Warwick Belcher | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $280,000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1000873 | ||
Soft matter and responsive materials characterisation facility$135,535
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dr Raymond Dagastine, Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, Doctor Grant Webber, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Erica Wanless | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $135,535 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1000397 | ||
Surfactant Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces$20,445
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mrs Deborah Wakeham, Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Postgraduate Research Award (PGRA) | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,445 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000527 | ||
Effect of variation in the anion on the bulk nanostructure of protic ionic liquids$12,000
Funding Body: ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Access to Major Research Facilities Program | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $12,000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1000382 | ||
2009 (2 grants)
Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces$237,985
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $237,985 | 2009 | 2011 |
| GNo:G0189865 | ||
Structure of protic ionic liquids at the air interface$2,830
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| AINSE Award | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,830 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0900088 | ||
2008 (5 grants)
Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces$20,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Near Miss Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188394 | ||
Investigations of the Bulk Nanostructure of Some Simple Protic Ionic Liquids$12,000
Funding Body: ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Gregory Warr | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Access to Major Research Facilities Program | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $12,000 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189625 | ||
Structure of absorbed surfactant layers at ionic liquid-air interfaces$11,250
Funding Body: ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Gregory Warr | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Access to Major Research Facilities Program | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $11,250 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188523 | ||
236th ACS National Meeting and Exposition$1,700
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,700 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188961 | ||
Structure of adsorbed surfactant layers at ionic liquid-air interfaces$1,400
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Use of Facilities Only | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,400 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188423 | ||
2007 (4 grants)
2007 Research Fellowship - PRCOE$272,654
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Fellowship | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $272,654 | 2007 | 2011 |
| GNo:G0187046 | ||
Surfactant self-assembly in ionic liquids$46,130
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Gregory Warr | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $46,130 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0187822 | ||
Structure of adsorbed surfactant layers at ionic liquid-air interfaces$31,600
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Gregory Warr, Professor Mark Rutland | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage International | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $31,600 | 2007 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0187800 | ||
2007 Research Fellowship Project Grant$15,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Rob Atkin | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Fellowship Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $15,000 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0188116 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 5 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 3.35 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2017 | PhD (Chemistry) | Principal Supervisor | Effect of Variation in Inter-Ion Forces on the Adsorbed and Near Surface Structure of Ionic Liquids at Solid Interfaces |
| 2012 | 2016 | PhD (Chemistry) | Principal Supervisor | IoNanofluids for Heat Transfer |
| 2012 | 2015 | PhD (Chemical Engineering) | Co-Supervisor | The Impact of Surface-Induced Molecular Ordering on the Friction and Fluid Dynamics in Ionic Liquid Systems |
| 2010 | 2014 | PhD (Chemistry) | Principal Supervisor | Bulk and Interfacial Structure in Ionic Liquids |
| 2010 | 2014 | PhD (Chemistry) | Principal Supervisor | Particle Stability and Settling Rates in Ionic Liquids |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | PhD (Chemistry) | Principal Supervisor | Surfactant Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces |
Associate Professor Rob Atkin
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 7107 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 5472 |
| Rob.Atkin@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | ARC FUTURE FELLOW School of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Science and Information Technology |
| Focus Area | Chemistry |
| Office | C327, Chemistry, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/rob-atkin |
