A new nano-sensor technology for the detection and identification of residual vapours of explosives, drugs and chemicals in the air. Fighting terrorism and crime is one of the most important and difficult tasks that requires substantial human and technological resources. This project will help to address this enormous problem by developing a new optical sensor technology for the detection and identification of traces of chemicals, explosives, drugs and biological agents. It will develop a labora ....A new nano-sensor technology for the detection and identification of residual vapours of explosives, drugs and chemicals in the air. Fighting terrorism and crime is one of the most important and difficult tasks that requires substantial human and technological resources. This project will help to address this enormous problem by developing a new optical sensor technology for the detection and identification of traces of chemicals, explosives, drugs and biological agents. It will develop a laboratory prototype of this sensor that is expected to have superior sensitivity and operational capabilities. Thus it will noticeably contribute to practical law enforcement, air quality and environmental monitoring, counter-terrorism, air safety, border security and customs service. It will also lead to further development of nano-optics and nanotechnology in Australia. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989127
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
A High-Throughput Neutron Spectrometer for The Study of Atomic and Molecular Motion at ANSTO. Neutron scattering enables new science across a broad range of disciplines, and for this reason it is undergoing major expansion in the USA, Europe, Japan and Australia. Various diffactometers and spectrometers have recently been built at ANSTO, but an instrumental option for a high-throughput cross-discipline spectroscopy is urgently needed. Fortunately, it is fairly straightforward to add this type of ....A High-Throughput Neutron Spectrometer for The Study of Atomic and Molecular Motion at ANSTO. Neutron scattering enables new science across a broad range of disciplines, and for this reason it is undergoing major expansion in the USA, Europe, Japan and Australia. Various diffactometers and spectrometers have recently been built at ANSTO, but an instrumental option for a high-throughput cross-discipline spectroscopy is urgently needed. Fortunately, it is fairly straightforward to add this type of option to an existing spectrometer that will broaden its user-base from specialised applications in physics to more general applications in physics, chemistry, materials-science and biology. This additional option provides a totally new way for Australian scientists to study atomic and molecular motions. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882787
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
An Integrated Raman Microscope and in Situ STM-TEM Analysis System. The imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM and chemical and structural characterisation afforded by Raman spectroscopy will be unique, allowing both rapid morphological observation and elemental analysis at the macro and nanoscale. The in-situ TEM holder will further assist through in-situ characterization of advanced materials at the nano-scale level. In combination, these instruments will underpin groundbreaking research i ....An Integrated Raman Microscope and in Situ STM-TEM Analysis System. The imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM and chemical and structural characterisation afforded by Raman spectroscopy will be unique, allowing both rapid morphological observation and elemental analysis at the macro and nanoscale. The in-situ TEM holder will further assist through in-situ characterization of advanced materials at the nano-scale level. In combination, these instruments will underpin groundbreaking research in diverse research fields developing new advanced nanomaterials and bio-nanomaterials with significant impact on many industries with great economical and environmental benefits. Read moreRead less
Links between carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest soils: An innovative approach with both NMR and stable isotope techniques. Understanding the critical links between soil carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest ecosystems is necessary for developing effective site management to enhance forest productivity and environmental benefits. In the first application of 14N-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to soil humic acid (HA), we have discovered that surprisingly nitrate-N is prese ....Links between carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest soils: An innovative approach with both NMR and stable isotope techniques. Understanding the critical links between soil carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest ecosystems is necessary for developing effective site management to enhance forest productivity and environmental benefits. In the first application of 14N-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to soil humic acid (HA), we have discovered that surprisingly nitrate-N is present in soil HAs, with the HA-nitrate N extremely sensitive to forest management practices. This project represents the first attempt to integrate the use of advanced NMR and stable isotope techniques to examine both chemical and biological linkages between carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in Australian and US forest ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560680
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$901,862.00
Summary
Vibrational Spectroscopy Microprobe/FESEM/AFM Imaging of Cells, Tissues and Materials. State-of-the-art vibrational mapping and imaging equipment (integrated with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM)) will provide enabling technologies for cutting-edge research in disease diagnosis, identification of pathogens, mapping of the entry and distribution of pharmaceutics into cells, and materials research. An InVia Renishaw Raman spectrometer (sub ....Vibrational Spectroscopy Microprobe/FESEM/AFM Imaging of Cells, Tissues and Materials. State-of-the-art vibrational mapping and imaging equipment (integrated with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM)) will provide enabling technologies for cutting-edge research in disease diagnosis, identification of pathogens, mapping of the entry and distribution of pharmaceutics into cells, and materials research. An InVia Renishaw Raman spectrometer (sub-micron spatial positioning and micron spatial resolution) will be interfaced to an FEI Quanta FESEM for combined Raman (spectroscopic), EDS and SEM (morphological) imaging/mapping at the sub-cellular level. Complementary new-generation Raman and IR spectrometer upgrades will provide an integrated world-class equipment platform.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0667984
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Near Excitation Raman Micro Spectrometer. The unique properties of nanomaterials have recently been fully realized, and their use has resulted in new technologies, transforming industrial processes. Our research teams at Griffith, Monash and Queensland University of Technology develop optimal, nanostructured materials for technological applications. To maintain a competitive edge in this research, we require a near excitation Raman spectrometer. Used in-situ, it rapidly yields structural infor ....Near Excitation Raman Micro Spectrometer. The unique properties of nanomaterials have recently been fully realized, and their use has resulted in new technologies, transforming industrial processes. Our research teams at Griffith, Monash and Queensland University of Technology develop optimal, nanostructured materials for technological applications. To maintain a competitive edge in this research, we require a near excitation Raman spectrometer. Used in-situ, it rapidly yields structural information on the materials, enabling their formation and function to be better understood. This information will allow enhanced design and synthesis of nanomaterials, producing advanced products and processes for the energy, biotechnology, environmental and mining fields.Read moreRead less
Development of an efficient oxygen-thiosulfate process for the recovery of gold from ores. Gold is currently recovered from the ore by a cyanide leaching process. This high risk procedure is used because there is currently no safe alternative. The research we propose to undertake will investigate a novel thiosulfate-oxygen process to dissolve gold. Successful completion of the project will identify the mechanism of the process and could lead to the replacement of the highly toxic cyanide with th ....Development of an efficient oxygen-thiosulfate process for the recovery of gold from ores. Gold is currently recovered from the ore by a cyanide leaching process. This high risk procedure is used because there is currently no safe alternative. The research we propose to undertake will investigate a novel thiosulfate-oxygen process to dissolve gold. Successful completion of the project will identify the mechanism of the process and could lead to the replacement of the highly toxic cyanide with the non toxic thiosulfate. Thus the proposed project has the potential to substantially alter the gold recovery process, particularly in an era where environmental and public concerns exist over the use of cyanide.Read moreRead less
Development of New Generation Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectrometers. We are building two Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD spectrometers) to meet a rising need in the study of metallo-proteins and other molecules of biological interest. The PhD project described in this application will involve instrumentation design, interfacing and sampling handling development for biological samples. We wish to involve a Lastek, a scientific instrumentation company, in the possible commercial development o ....Development of New Generation Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectrometers. We are building two Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD spectrometers) to meet a rising need in the study of metallo-proteins and other molecules of biological interest. The PhD project described in this application will involve instrumentation design, interfacing and sampling handling development for biological samples. We wish to involve a Lastek, a scientific instrumentation company, in the possible commercial development of aspects of this project.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237888
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
An advanced facility for materials characterisation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a powerful technique for determining the chemical makeup of the top few Angstroms of a solid material. It has very wide applicability in materials science research, and industry problem solving. Brisbane Surface Analysis Facility has nearly twenty years experience in the use of XPS in the study of advanced materials, polymers, thin films and metallurgy. While the existing instrument is still functional, i ....An advanced facility for materials characterisation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a powerful technique for determining the chemical makeup of the top few Angstroms of a solid material. It has very wide applicability in materials science research, and industry problem solving. Brisbane Surface Analysis Facility has nearly twenty years experience in the use of XPS in the study of advanced materials, polymers, thin films and metallurgy. While the existing instrument is still functional, it lacks the resolution and imaging capabilities of modern machines, and this proposal is intended to make state of the art imaging XPS available to Queensland institutions, to support initiatives in materials science.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347937
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Imaging Raman Spectrometer. An Imaging Raman spectrometer generates image maps 10x faster than older instruments and is required to meet escalating demand. This results from innovative use of Raman to characterise organics, polymers, thin films and biomaterials, which underpins rapidly evolving research in nanotechnology and biotechnology. Many innovations have come from QUT's Centre for Instrumental and Developmental Chemistry, which will host the spectrometer and is a key resource for all Qu ....Imaging Raman Spectrometer. An Imaging Raman spectrometer generates image maps 10x faster than older instruments and is required to meet escalating demand. This results from innovative use of Raman to characterise organics, polymers, thin films and biomaterials, which underpins rapidly evolving research in nanotechnology and biotechnology. Many innovations have come from QUT's Centre for Instrumental and Developmental Chemistry, which will host the spectrometer and is a key resource for all Queensland universities. The availability of its high quality spectroscopic facility has enabled leading edge developments by local companies and the Imaging Raman spectrometer will significantly accelerate and enhance current and future project outcomes.Read moreRead less