Fundamental physics in distant galaxies. The fundamental constants of Nature are assumed to characterise physics in our entire Universe, but are they really the same everywhere and throughout its entire 14 billion year history? This project will answer this question with the first large-scale, purpose-built observational programme on one of the world's biggest and best telescopes.
Novel advances in sub-nanometer imaging. After two decades of research the first wave of applications in nanotechnology and nanobiology is breaking. Immediately key to further progress in both areas is the ability to characterise the structure of such systems and also their evolution on very short time scales. This research project places Australia at the forefront in this endeavour.
Shape-Shifting Molecules: Photoisomerization Action Spectroscopy. This project aims to examine molecules that change shape in response to light in order to gain insight into the biological processes they control. Many biological systems, including the human visual apparatus and bacterial photosynthesis, depend on molecules that change shape in response to light. The project plans to probe shape-shifting molecules with laser light while they are propelled through gas by an electric field. Light-i ....Shape-Shifting Molecules: Photoisomerization Action Spectroscopy. This project aims to examine molecules that change shape in response to light in order to gain insight into the biological processes they control. Many biological systems, including the human visual apparatus and bacterial photosynthesis, depend on molecules that change shape in response to light. The project plans to probe shape-shifting molecules with laser light while they are propelled through gas by an electric field. Light-induced changes in molecular shape produce detectable variations in drift speed. The ensuing knowledge would help calibrate computational approaches for predicting molecular function. It would also establish foundations for understanding essential biological molecules, including retinals, carotenes and peptides, and for developing new light-activated molecular motors and switches.Read moreRead less
Advanced X-ray investigation of atomic and condensed matter science for Australian industry and scientific research. This project aims to improve the precision and calibration of measurements involving X-rays. This in turn will improve outcomes and instrumentation which utilise X-ray sources to probe structures and properties of advanced materials and biological samples.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100174
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Innovative synchrotron science - program for access to the Australian National Beamline Facility and cutting-edge beamlines at international synchrotrons. Synchrotron science dramatically affects the community through the innovative scientific, engineering and medical research outcomes it produces. This program for access to synchrotron beamlines is aimed at enhancing Australia's high international standing in synchrotron science and will have many flow-on effects in areas such as health and ind ....Innovative synchrotron science - program for access to the Australian National Beamline Facility and cutting-edge beamlines at international synchrotrons. Synchrotron science dramatically affects the community through the innovative scientific, engineering and medical research outcomes it produces. This program for access to synchrotron beamlines is aimed at enhancing Australia's high international standing in synchrotron science and will have many flow-on effects in areas such as health and industry.Read moreRead less
Ions in the Fire: Laser Spectroscopy of Cryogenically Cooled Molecular Ions. This project will combine sophisticated laser and mass spectrometric techniques to probe the structure and function of cryogenically cooled biological molecules that are the core operational units for vision, photosynthesis and protein labelling. Knowledge gained from the project will be used to calibrate modern computational approaches to describing and predicting molecular function. It is expected that the project wil ....Ions in the Fire: Laser Spectroscopy of Cryogenically Cooled Molecular Ions. This project will combine sophisticated laser and mass spectrometric techniques to probe the structure and function of cryogenically cooled biological molecules that are the core operational units for vision, photosynthesis and protein labelling. Knowledge gained from the project will be used to calibrate modern computational approaches to describing and predicting molecular function. It is expected that the project will provide foundations for understanding and optimising the biological systems upon which life depends, and for developing new light-activated molecular devices including molecular motors, switches and energy harvesting systems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100151
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$744,000.00
Summary
Multi-kilohertz laser for attosecond and ultrafast science. Griffith University's Australian Attosecond Science Facility was established 12 years ago to facilitate internationally leading research into strong-field laser science. The facility is unique in Australia as it has the capability to precisely manipulate highly-amplified and ultra-short light pulses to investigate the dynamics of matter. The scientific outputs from the facility have delivered important new scientific advances in strong ....Multi-kilohertz laser for attosecond and ultrafast science. Griffith University's Australian Attosecond Science Facility was established 12 years ago to facilitate internationally leading research into strong-field laser science. The facility is unique in Australia as it has the capability to precisely manipulate highly-amplified and ultra-short light pulses to investigate the dynamics of matter. The scientific outputs from the facility have delivered important new scientific advances in strong-field physics enabling the development of new technologies. This grant will be used to procure an upgraded laser system enabling an order of magnitude enhancement of the output light for the next-generation research and maintaining international competitiveness of Australian investigators in this field.Read moreRead less
Numerical modelling of the solar atmosphere. This project will develop a complete and realistic model of the magnetic solar activity using computer simulations of the interconnected solar interior and atmosphere. The results of this project will provide a deeper insight into the physical processes behind solar activity phenomena and will help in the development of methods of solar activity prediction.
Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging. This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'excep ....Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging. This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'exceptional' states to reduce chromatic aberration; electron-ion correlations to enhance control of the ions at the nanoscale; and atom-atom interactions to isolate and manipulate individual ions. The new technology will enable advances in semiconductor nanofabrication and material characterisation.Read moreRead less
Laser spectroscopy of functional molecules. Frontier techniques of molecular laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry will be developed and deployed to investigate the structure and function of molecules that underpin biological processes, drugs, and single molecule devices, including molecular motors, molecular switches, and energy harvesting systems.