Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques i ....Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques including Förster resonance energy transfer and super-resolution imaging can register changes in shape down to the nanometer scale. The uniquely adaptable ion trap environment enables manipulation of the surrounding solvent cage, temperature, and net charge down to the single quantum level. Read moreRead less
Beyond Spectral Detection: Engineering SUPER Dot Probes for High-Throughput Discovery. Molecules that are altered as a result of a pathological condition are generally present in very low abundance, and pose a “needle-in-a-haystack” problem. Current detection, quantification and localisation technologies use fluorescent probes that are limited by sensitivity and analysis time. This project will develop a new generation of nanophotonic luminescent probes (Strong Upconversion Photo-stable Encoded ....Beyond Spectral Detection: Engineering SUPER Dot Probes for High-Throughput Discovery. Molecules that are altered as a result of a pathological condition are generally present in very low abundance, and pose a “needle-in-a-haystack” problem. Current detection, quantification and localisation technologies use fluorescent probes that are limited by sensitivity and analysis time. This project will develop a new generation of nanophotonic luminescent probes (Strong Upconversion Photo-stable Encoded nano-Radiators (SUPER) Dots), based on purpose-engineered up-conversion nanocrystals that are ultra-bright and have low background interference, high specificity, speed, and large-scale multiplexing capacity. These probes will allow microscopy and flow cytometry to measure hitherto undetectable rare-event molecules and cells, opening new frontiers for the discovery of new biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Beyond the exciton: shaping molecular energy landscapes using polaritons. This project aims to deliver a fundamental understanding of polariton-mediated light and heat energy transfer in molecular systems, paving the way for their exploitation in solar cells and chemical catalysis. Controlling energy flow within and between molecules is one of the challenges of molecular science. Such control allows concentration of light energy for solar harvesting and direction of thermal energy for site-selec ....Beyond the exciton: shaping molecular energy landscapes using polaritons. This project aims to deliver a fundamental understanding of polariton-mediated light and heat energy transfer in molecular systems, paving the way for their exploitation in solar cells and chemical catalysis. Controlling energy flow within and between molecules is one of the challenges of molecular science. Such control allows concentration of light energy for solar harvesting and direction of thermal energy for site-selective chemistry. Recent work shows that molecular polaritons, admixtures of light and molecules, are a new and unique tool to assert this control. This project aims to deliver genuinely disruptive improvements in solar cell efficiency using polaritons.Read moreRead less
Quantum dot-sensitised solar cells: can efficiency beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit be achieved? The project will address key barriers to broader commercialisation of cost-effective titania-based solar cells by utilising novel physics of semiconductor quantum dot materials used as a sensitiser. The research outcomes will answer key questions about the ultimate efficiency of these cells, and help transform the Australian PV industry.
Photonic circuitry from the noble metals: nanocrystal coupling. Linear arrays of crystalline nanoparticles are able to act in a manner analogous to an optical fibre, but with much smaller dimensions. This project will investigate the underlying principles of waveguiding within the arrays and aims to build and test sections of such optical fibres, thereby assessing their use in optical circuits.