Associate Professor Idriss Blakey
Associate Professor

Idriss Blakey

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 60326

Background

​Associate Professor Blakey is a group leader at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the Centre for Advanced Imaging. During his appointment at UQ he has been a recipient of a Vice Chancellor’s Research and Teaching Fellowship, an ARC Future Fellowship, a Linkage Projects International Fellowship, and a Queensland Government Smart State Fellowship. Prior to joining UQ he worked at Polymerat, a materials biotechnology startup company now listed on the ASX as AnteoTech.

Availability

Associate Professor Idriss Blakey is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Macromolecular and materials chemistry

Research interests

  • -

    Rational design, synthesis and self assembly of functional polymers and nanomaterials for nanofabrication, sensors and biomedical imaging agents.

Research impacts

Associate Professor Blakey's research interests focus on using advance material characterisation techniques to understand the relationships between the structure of designer polymers and their performance in applications such as nanomedicine, sensors and nanofabrication.

Industry

​Associate Professor Blakey engages widely with industry partners. This current invloves directly funded research with Tokyo Electron on projects associated with materials development for semiconductor manufacture. He is also a chief investigator on an ARC Research hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR), which involves numerous industry partners investigating the common industry challenges associated with targeted radiopharmaceutical development. Associate Professor Blakey has also previously been a chief investigator on numerous ARC Linkage projects with Intel, Sematech and the Dow Chemical Company as well as a chief investigator on the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology (CIBIT). Key outcomes from these endevours have included novel materials and processes that have been described in joint publications and 6 fully granted patents, where 4 patents have been subject to licencing agreements with industry partners.

Collaborations

​My publications have involved international collaborations with academica and industry partners from countries such as USA, UK, Japan, Sweden, Belgium Finland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Key collaborating institutions include Universtiy of Nottingham, University of California Santa Barbara and the University of Exeter.

Funding

​Associate Professor Blakey has been awarded over $AUD 15M funding, via ARC Discovery grants, ARC Linkage grants, Fellowships and direct industry funding. Currently funding includes chief investigator roles on an ARC Discovery grant on developing novel hybrid materials using sequential infiltration synthesis and an ARC Research hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR).

Search Professor Idriss Blakey’s works on UQ eSpace

150 works between 2000 and 2025
All (150) Journal Article (97) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (49) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 150 works

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Chain scission resists for extreme ultraviolet lithography based on high performance polysulfone-containing polymers

Lawrie, Kirsten J., Blakey, Idriss, Blinco, James P., Cheng, Han Hao, Gronheid, Roel, Jack, Kevin S., Pollentier, Ivan, Leesion, Michael J., Younkin, Todd R. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2011). Chain scission resists for extreme ultraviolet lithography based on high performance polysulfone-containing polymers. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 21 (15), 5629-5637. doi: 10.1039/c0jm03288c

Chain scission resists for extreme ultraviolet lithography based on high performance polysulfone-containing polymers

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Synthesis and evaluation of partly fluorinated polyelectrolytes as components in F-19 MRI-detectable nanoparticles

Nurmi, Leena, Peng, Hui, Seppälä, Jukka, Haddleton, David M., Blakey, Idriss and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2010). Synthesis and evaluation of partly fluorinated polyelectrolytes as components in F-19 MRI-detectable nanoparticles. Polymer Chemistry, 1 (7), 1039-1047. doi: 10.1039/c0py00035c

Synthesis and evaluation of partly fluorinated polyelectrolytes as components in F-19 MRI-detectable nanoparticles

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Patterning of tailored polycarbonate based non-chemically amplified resists using extreme ultraviolet lithography

Yu, Anguang, Liu, Heping, Blinco, James, Jack, Kevin S., Leeson, Michael, Younkin, Todd R., Whittaker, Andrew K. and Blakey, Idriss (2010). Patterning of tailored polycarbonate based non-chemically amplified resists using extreme ultraviolet lithography. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 31 (16), 1449-1455. doi: 10.1002/marc.201000117

Patterning of tailored polycarbonate based non-chemically amplified resists using extreme ultraviolet lithography

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Biomimetic surface modification of honeycomb films via a "Grafting From" approach

Nystrom, Daniel, Malmstroem, Eva, Hult, Anders, Blakey, Idriss, Boyer, Cyrille, Davis, Thomas P. and Whittaker, Michael R. (2010). Biomimetic surface modification of honeycomb films via a "Grafting From" approach. Langmuir, 26 (15), 12748-12754. doi: 10.1021/la1011567

Biomimetic surface modification of honeycomb films via a "Grafting From" approach

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Functional hyperbranched polymers: Toward targeted in Vivo F-19 magnetic resonance imaging using designed macromolecules

Thurecht, Kristofer J., Blakey, Idriss, Peng, Hui, Squires, Oliver, Hsu, Steven, Alexander, Cameron and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2010). Functional hyperbranched polymers: Toward targeted in Vivo F-19 magnetic resonance imaging using designed macromolecules. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 132 (15), 5336-5337. doi: 10.1021/ja100252y

Functional hyperbranched polymers: Toward targeted in Vivo F-19 magnetic resonance imaging using designed macromolecules

Featured

2010

Journal Article

High-pressure real-time Xe-129 NMR: Monitoring of surfactant conformation during the self-assembly of reverse micelles in supercritical carbon dioxide

Blakey, Idriss, Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2010). High-pressure real-time Xe-129 NMR: Monitoring of surfactant conformation during the self-assembly of reverse micelles in supercritical carbon dioxide. Chemical Communications, 46 (16), 2850-2852. doi: 10.1039/b927029a

High-pressure real-time Xe-129 NMR: Monitoring of surfactant conformation during the self-assembly of reverse micelles in supercritical carbon dioxide

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Interactions of Phenyldithioesters with Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs): Implications for AuNP Functionalization and Molecular Barcoding of AuNP Assemblies

Blakey, Idriss, Schiller, Tara L., Merican, Zul and Fredericks, Peter M. (2010). Interactions of Phenyldithioesters with Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs): Implications for AuNP Functionalization and Molecular Barcoding of AuNP Assemblies. Langmuir, 26 (2), 692-701. doi: 10.1021/la9023162

Interactions of Phenyldithioesters with Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs): Implications for AuNP Functionalization and Molecular Barcoding of AuNP Assemblies

Featured

2008

Journal Article

Application of quantitative structure property relationship to the design of high refractive index 193i resist

Liu, Heping, Blakey, Idriss, Conley, Willard E., Graeme George, Hill, David J. T. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2008). Application of quantitative structure property relationship to the design of high refractive index 193i resist. Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, 7 (2), 023001.1-023001.11. doi: 10.1117/1.2908937

Application of quantitative structure property relationship to the design of high refractive index 193i resist

Featured

2007

Journal Article

Mechanism of 157 nm photodegradation of poly[4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluorethylene] (Teflon AF)

Blakey, I, George, GA, Hill, DJT, Liu, HP, Rasoul, F, Rintoul, L, Zimmerman, P and Whittaker, AK (2007). Mechanism of 157 nm photodegradation of poly[4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluorethylene] (Teflon AF). Macromolecules, 40 (25), 8954-8961. doi: 10.1021/ma071549m

Mechanism of 157 nm photodegradation of poly[4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluorethylene] (Teflon AF)

Featured

2007

Journal Article

Self-assembly and encoding of polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman reporter molecules

Merican, Zul, Schiller, Tara L., Hawker, Craig J., Fredericks, Peter M. and Blakey,Idriss (2007). Self-assembly and encoding of polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman reporter molecules. Langmuir, 23 (21), 10539-10545. doi: 10.1021/la702218b

Self-assembly and encoding of polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman reporter molecules

Featured

2005

Journal Article

XPS and F-19 NMR study of the photodegradation at 157 nm of photolithographic-grade teflon AF thin films

Blakey, I., George, G. A., Hill, D. J. T., Liu, H. P., Rasoul, F., Whittaker, A. K. and Zimmerman, P. (2005). XPS and F-19 NMR study of the photodegradation at 157 nm of photolithographic-grade teflon AF thin films. Macromolecules, 38 (10), 4050-4053. doi: 10.1021/ma047436+

XPS and F-19 NMR study of the photodegradation at 157 nm of photolithographic-grade teflon AF thin films

Featured

2001

Journal Article

Energy transfer and activated chemiluminescence during thermal oxidation of polypropylene: Evidence for chemically induced electron exchange luminescence

Blakey, I, George, GA and Billingham, NC (2001). Energy transfer and activated chemiluminescence during thermal oxidation of polypropylene: Evidence for chemically induced electron exchange luminescence. Macromolecules, 34 (26), 9130-9138. doi: 10.1021/ma010217t

Energy transfer and activated chemiluminescence during thermal oxidation of polypropylene: Evidence for chemically induced electron exchange luminescence

Featured

2001

Journal Article

Simultaneous FTIR emission spectroscopy and chemiluminescence of oxidizing polypropylene: Evidence for alternate chemiluminescence mechanisms

Blakey, I. and George, G. A. (2001). Simultaneous FTIR emission spectroscopy and chemiluminescence of oxidizing polypropylene: Evidence for alternate chemiluminescence mechanisms. Macromolecules, 34 (6), 1873-1880. doi: 10.1021/ma001206n

Simultaneous FTIR emission spectroscopy and chemiluminescence of oxidizing polypropylene: Evidence for alternate chemiluminescence mechanisms

2025

Journal Article

Harnessing nanoparticles and bioorthogonal chemistries for improving precision of nuclear medicine

Ediriweera, Gayathri R., Li, Mengdie, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Houston, Zachary H., Ahamed, Muneer, Blakey, Idriss and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2025). Harnessing nanoparticles and bioorthogonal chemistries for improving precision of nuclear medicine. Biomaterials Science. doi: 10.1039/d4bm01387e

Harnessing nanoparticles and bioorthogonal chemistries for improving precision of nuclear medicine

2025

Journal Article

Development of a deep ultraviolet positive-tone photoresist from the sustainable building block cyrene

Liu, Yizhou, Markus, Josua, Cheng, Han-Hao, Bernhardt, Paul V., Whittaker, Andrew K., Blakey, Idriss and Williams, Craig M. (2025). Development of a deep ultraviolet positive-tone photoresist from the sustainable building block cyrene. Chemistry of Materials, 37 (3), 1060-1068. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c02813

Development of a deep ultraviolet positive-tone photoresist from the sustainable building block cyrene

2025

Journal Article

Synthesis of polystyrene-block-poly(3-hydroxy-1-methacryloyloxyadamantane) (PS-b-PHAdMA) via RAFT polymerization as candidate block copolymers for next generation lithography

Yamamoto, Hiroki, McCallum, Francis, Peng, Hui, Blakey, Idriss, Hasegawa, Shin, Maekawa, Yasunari, Kozawa, Takahiro and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2025). Synthesis of polystyrene-block-poly(3-hydroxy-1-methacryloyloxyadamantane) (PS-b-PHAdMA) via RAFT polymerization as candidate block copolymers for next generation lithography. Polymer, 318 127983, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.polymer.2024.127983

Synthesis of polystyrene-block-poly(3-hydroxy-1-methacryloyloxyadamantane) (PS-b-PHAdMA) via RAFT polymerization as candidate block copolymers for next generation lithography

2025

Journal Article

Immune-modulating nanomedicines for enhanced drug delivery to non-small-cell lung cancer

Liu, Feifei, Howard, Christopher B., Huda, Pie, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Bell, Craig A., Blakey, Idriss, Agrez, Michael and Thurecht, Kristofer J. (2025). Immune-modulating nanomedicines for enhanced drug delivery to non-small-cell lung cancer. Biomaterials, 317 123089, 123089. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123089

Immune-modulating nanomedicines for enhanced drug delivery to non-small-cell lung cancer

2024

Journal Article

Revealing the chemical interactions between PMMA and TMA for insights into sequential infiltration synthesis

McCallum, Francis, Hossain, Md. Daloar, Blakey, Idriss, Peng, Hui and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2024). Revealing the chemical interactions between PMMA and TMA for insights into sequential infiltration synthesis. Macromolecules, 57 (18), 8722-8733. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01345

Revealing the chemical interactions between PMMA and TMA for insights into sequential infiltration synthesis

2024

Journal Article

Control of presentation of functional ultraviolet absorbers to the surface of photoresist polymers using low surface energy polymers

Du, Ke, Siauw, Meiliana, Valade, David, Jasieniak, Marek, Voelcker, Nicolas H., Trefonas, Peter, Thackeray, James W., Peng, Hui, Blakey, Idriss and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2024). Control of presentation of functional ultraviolet absorbers to the surface of photoresist polymers using low surface energy polymers. Chemistry of Materials, 36 (10), 5264-5276. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c00791

Control of presentation of functional ultraviolet absorbers to the surface of photoresist polymers using low surface energy polymers

2023

Journal Article

A bioactive disintegrable polymer nanoparticle for synergistic vascular anticalcification

Adelnia, Hossein, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wu, Yuao, Bulmer, Andrew C., Mckinnon, Ryan, Fastier-Wooller, Jarred William, Blakey, Idriss and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). A bioactive disintegrable polymer nanoparticle for synergistic vascular anticalcification. ACS Nano, 17 (19), 18775-18791. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03041

A bioactive disintegrable polymer nanoparticle for synergistic vascular anticalcification

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Innovative Double Patterning Strategies for Integrated Circuit Manufacture
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    Materials for Capture of PFAS in Semiconductor Production
    Environment, Safety, and Health (ESH) Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Custom Synthesis 3
    TEL Technology Center, America, LLC
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Hybrid quantum sensors for rapid detection of chemical and biochemical agents as a tool to mitigate the risks of terrorist attacks
    Quantum 2032 Challenge Program
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Australian National Fabrication Facility (NCRIS22 - Grant administered by the Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited (ANNFL)
    Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Novel Hybrid Nanotechnologies by Infiltration of Functional Polymers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2023
    Programming anisotropy into responsive soft materials
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Nanoparticles for quantification of downhole hydrogen sulfide content
    Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
    Open grant
  • 2018
    In vivo optical imaging into the next generation
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Designer materials for sensors, biomedical imaging and nanofabrication
    Vice-Chancellor's Research and Teaching Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Advanced Macromolecular Thin Film and Materials Characterisation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Versatile and robust nanoparticle functionalization for diagnostic imaging
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Advanced Macromolecular Materials Characterisation Facility (AMMCF) (ARC LIEF Grant administered by The University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Photoreactive Block copolymers: Controlling the Nanostructure of Materials with Light
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Rational design of polymer surfaces for biomonitoring of mixtures of hazerdous chemicals
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Ultrafast Laser Photophysics Facilities for Physical, Chemical, Biological and Materials Sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Next Generation High Sensitivity Polymeric EUV Resists
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Ultra-high resolution and advanced analytical scanning electron microscope facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Calibration of surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) with radiolabelling for quantification for ligands on gold nanoparticles
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Development of PET/MRI multimodal biomedical imaging agents
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Smart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents: From early detection to assessment of drug delivery mechanisms
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2010
    A new portable molecular imaging modality - dynamic nuclear polarization
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Multimodal biomedical imaging probes: development of advanced polymer nanocomposite devices for oncology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Advanced Lithographic Solutions using Block Copolymers: Integrating Self Assembly and Lithography
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Understanding the conformation of thermoresponsive polymer brushes on gold nanoparticles
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Double Exposure Photoresists for the 32 and 22 nm Lithographic Nodes
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Automated Microvave Reactor for Polymer Chemistry, Materials Development and Nanotechnology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Generation of peptidomimetic surfaces for biomaterials applications
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Synthesis and Performance of Novel Polymer Resists for 193 nm Immersion Lithography
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Polymer/Gold Nanocomposites: An Investigation of Potential Applications
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Hyphenated techniquest in polymer science and engineering
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2010
    Rational Design and Synthesis of High Sensitivity non-Chemically Amplified Resists
    Intel Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Smart State Fellowship: 193 nm Immersion Lithography High Refractive Polymer Development
    Queensland Government Smart State Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Synthesis and Characterisation of Encoded Hybrid Polymer/Gold Nanoparticles for Application in Bioassays
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Synthesis of Hybrid Nanoparticles for Use as Biosensors
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Idriss Blakey is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Plasmonic chemical dosimeters

    Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has been shown to be a highly promising molecular sensing technique, especially in aqueous and biological applications due to its high sensitivity, rich spectroscopic information, and excellent water compatibility. Due to the nature of SERS, a plasmonic metal substrate is required to achieve Raman signal amplification and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assemblies can provide an easy to modify, and simple to synthesise substrate that provide excellent Raman signal enhancement. Most SERS substrates directly detect chemical species when the adsorb to the gold nanoparticles. This approach is useful for simple samples but fails when applied to multicomponent samples such as biological samples. A second approach is to pre-label the gold nanoparticles with a molecule that has specific reactivity with an analyte of interest. This project will involve developing plasmonic chemical dosimeters that uses this second approach.

  • Surface modification of natural polymers

    Structural anisotropy in viscoelastic materials is desirable for directional-dependent responses to external stimuli (mechanical, electric field, temperature) and transport processes (diffusion, permeability, poroelasticity). It is commonly observed in nature within biological materials where it is crucial to the function of the eye (cornea, vitreous), muscles, and plant growth. However, the fabrication of viscoelastic synthetic materials (hydrogels) with complex structural anisotropy, particularly with the spatial heterogeneity required for biomimicry, has proved very difficult. This project seeks to address this by using charge directed self-assembly of block copolymers to modify the surface properties of nanocelluose, a naturally derived crystalline polymer. This change to the surface chemistry will manipulate the phase properties of these materials to form hydrogels that have applications ranging from biomaterials, to sensors and food additives.

  • Self assembly of block polymers for applications in nanofabrication

    Block copolymers are comprised of two distinct, but covalently linked polymer chains, which under certain circumstances form structures that are on the order of nanometers. By controlling the orientation and/or morphology of block copolymer domains it is possible to use them as a nanofabrication template in a range of applications, including advanced lithography, next generation batteries, high density magnetic storage media, membranes and metamaterials. A range of projects are available that will involve synthesis and/or morphological characterisation of block copolymers to advance the field of nanofabrication. Industry collaborators for some projects may include The Dow Chemical Company.

  • Tuning interfacial interactions of materials

    The interface of a material with its immediate environment can be crucial for its ultimate performance in a gamut of applications which include biomaterials, sensors, coatings (eg. paint) and nanofabrication. At the same time it is important for a material to have appropriate bulk properties, such as strength, durability, toughness and biodegradability, where in many cases the bulk and surface properties are incompatible or the cost is prohibitive. One approach to achieve the desired performance is to modify the surface properties of a material with appropriate bulk properties. A range of projects are available for investigating novel methods of surface modification and/or targeting novel applications.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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