Vibrational Spectroscopy and Imaging from Interstellar Dust to Life. The outcome of this project will result in a more thorough understanding of the role of water in the atmosphere and in the Greenhouse effect, and will provide information leading to more accurate modelling of Global warming. The results will also lead to new insights into interstellar chemistry, the chemistry of cometary dust and the origins of life.
The formation of negative ions and neutrals in the gas phase. Structure, reactivity and mechanism. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to provide information concerning the structure of a chemical compound: it is particularly useful when dealing with small amounts of biologically important molecules. It is also a facility in which charged species can be converted into transient neutrals. This project will (i) produce information about negative ion fragmentations in order to extend ....The formation of negative ions and neutrals in the gas phase. Structure, reactivity and mechanism. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to provide information concerning the structure of a chemical compound: it is particularly useful when dealing with small amounts of biologically important molecules. It is also a facility in which charged species can be converted into transient neutrals. This project will (i) produce information about negative ion fragmentations in order to extend the applicability of analytical negative-ion mass spectrometry, (ii) form neutral molecules and related species which are found in stellar dust clouds and investigate their chemistry, and (iii) train graduates in ion chemistry to the highest international standards.Read moreRead less
Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transi ....Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transition states. The technique will be applied to an important class of halide-cluster complexes that form a set of prototypical reactions. These species also play important roles ranging from ozone depletion through to industrial chemistry.Read moreRead less
Molecules as probes of the interstellar medium. It is one of the greatest challenges in Nature is to remotely identify what is in space. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown, implying that there are many more molecules in space than we know about. With a stronger understanding of space chemistry, we could predict what should be there and verify it in the lab. Conversely, identification of these features will provide the tools to u ....Molecules as probes of the interstellar medium. It is one of the greatest challenges in Nature is to remotely identify what is in space. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown, implying that there are many more molecules in space than we know about. With a stronger understanding of space chemistry, we could predict what should be there and verify it in the lab. Conversely, identification of these features will provide the tools to understand interstellar chemistry. In this project we combine skills in spectroscopy and astronomy to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify unknown molecules in space.Read moreRead less
Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. ....Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. Could they be caused by the missing molecules? In this project we combine the skills of three spectroscopists, each expert in different areas, in an attempt to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify these unknown molecules that are in space.Read moreRead less
Roaming around the Transition State: A New Mechanism of Chemical Reactions. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are at the core of some of the most important problems facing Australia at present: atmospheric models for CO2 are central to climate change; models of isotope exchange are essential to learn about past climates from Antarctic ice cores; and models of combustion are used to optimise energy efficiency. The mechanisms used in these models rely on accurate chemistry. A newly discovered chemica ....Roaming around the Transition State: A New Mechanism of Chemical Reactions. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are at the core of some of the most important problems facing Australia at present: atmospheric models for CO2 are central to climate change; models of isotope exchange are essential to learn about past climates from Antarctic ice cores; and models of combustion are used to optimise energy efficiency. The mechanisms used in these models rely on accurate chemistry. A newly discovered chemical mechanism has the potential to change many of the reactions that we currently use in these chemical models. This project will determine how important this new mechanism is, and what its impact is on gas-phase reaction models.Read moreRead less
Molecular signatures of complex photodissociation reactions. All energy on earth comes from the sun, either directly (e.g photosynthesis) or indirectly (e.g fossil fuels). Photochemistry is the study of how this light is absorbed and what happens to a molecule afterwards. Despite significant experimental and theoretical advances in the past decade (some in our lab), scientists still cannot predict the outcomes of most photochemical reactions. In this project we will determine the reactivity o ....Molecular signatures of complex photodissociation reactions. All energy on earth comes from the sun, either directly (e.g photosynthesis) or indirectly (e.g fossil fuels). Photochemistry is the study of how this light is absorbed and what happens to a molecule afterwards. Despite significant experimental and theoretical advances in the past decade (some in our lab), scientists still cannot predict the outcomes of most photochemical reactions. In this project we will determine the reactivity of several small, fundamental organic molecules. Not only are these molecules pollutants around our cities, but discovery of how they react in the presence of light will allow us to understand and predict the photochemistry of a much wider range of organic species.Read moreRead less
Porphyrin Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays III - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that ....Porphyrin Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays III - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in photonics. Developments in this project may also lead to breakthroughs in areas such as nano-scale computing and cleaner and more sustainable energy productionRead moreRead less
Photodissociation Dynamics of Radicals and Molecules. Photodissociation dynamics involves studying fundamental chemical processes that underpin all chemical reactivity. We address three of the important unanswered questions in this field: i) how do the lessons learned from small molecules transfer to larger molecules? ii) can one control chemical reactivity by selecting specific states of the reactant?; and iii) are the dynamics of radicals fundamentally different to stable molecules? We wi ....Photodissociation Dynamics of Radicals and Molecules. Photodissociation dynamics involves studying fundamental chemical processes that underpin all chemical reactivity. We address three of the important unanswered questions in this field: i) how do the lessons learned from small molecules transfer to larger molecules? ii) can one control chemical reactivity by selecting specific states of the reactant?; and iii) are the dynamics of radicals fundamentally different to stable molecules? We will combine expertise in large molecule spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics with technology in radical production to provide insight into these fundamental questions. Photodissociation dynamics is firmly embedded in photon science and technology.Read moreRead less
Single molecule spectroscopy of functional luminescent materials. This project will provide new insights into the light induced processes occurring in individual molecules of potentially useful luminescent materials. The molecules to be studied include new fluorescent probes of biological and polymer systems and single light harvesting nanoparticles with applications in solar energy collection and conversion. The program of work proposed will increase our understanding of light induced chemical ....Single molecule spectroscopy of functional luminescent materials. This project will provide new insights into the light induced processes occurring in individual molecules of potentially useful luminescent materials. The molecules to be studied include new fluorescent probes of biological and polymer systems and single light harvesting nanoparticles with applications in solar energy collection and conversion. The program of work proposed will increase our understanding of light induced chemical processes and assist the design of advanced materials for photomolecular devices.Read moreRead less