Radical redox indicators. This project aims to synthesise the first examples of advanced biological imaging agents that can reversibly respond to the oxidative status of living cells. Novel mitochondrially-targeted, fluorescent probes will be derived from several well-established families of biological dyes through the introduction of a stable free radical within the parent structure. The design of the new imaging agents aims to both enhance retention in, and restrict the fluorescence response t ....Radical redox indicators. This project aims to synthesise the first examples of advanced biological imaging agents that can reversibly respond to the oxidative status of living cells. Novel mitochondrially-targeted, fluorescent probes will be derived from several well-established families of biological dyes through the introduction of a stable free radical within the parent structure. The design of the new imaging agents aims to both enhance retention in, and restrict the fluorescence response to, the mitochondria so that changes in oxidation and reduction can be monitored. The probes will provide an innovative new means to assess reactive species and associated oxidative stress, thus delivering a new methodology to aid research into mitochondrial chemical biology.Read moreRead less
Eradicating bacterial biofilms with nitroxide-antimicrobial hybrids. This project aims to develop new antimicrobials to address the rise of drug-resistant infections and resilient bacterial communities called biofilms. We aim to break new ground in our fundamental knowledge of antimicrobial mechanisms and exploit this understanding by fusing cellular/molecular microbiology and synthetic chemistry approaches. We seek to gain an in-depth understanding of how nitroxides induce bacterial biofilm dis ....Eradicating bacterial biofilms with nitroxide-antimicrobial hybrids. This project aims to develop new antimicrobials to address the rise of drug-resistant infections and resilient bacterial communities called biofilms. We aim to break new ground in our fundamental knowledge of antimicrobial mechanisms and exploit this understanding by fusing cellular/molecular microbiology and synthetic chemistry approaches. We seek to gain an in-depth understanding of how nitroxides induce bacterial biofilm dispersal, which is critical for the discovery of anti-biofilm molecules that do not fail due to resistance development. These breakthroughs should induce a step-change in our ability to reduce the occurrence of biofilm-related infection in fields ranging from medical and veterinary to biotechnology and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Developing and applying free radical quantum dots and diamonds: improving the performance of modern artists' paint. As a consequence of the introduction of synthetic materials during the twentieth century, modern works of art are particularly susceptible to free radical mediated deterioration. This project will develop new technology for the detection of free radical damage in these materials, and will inform conservators about their future protection and treatment.
pH Switching of Radical Reactivity and Orbital Conversion. Radicals are reactive species that have an unpaired electron, which is usually located in the highest occupied orbital. This proposal uses a combination of theory and experiment to design a new class of radical anions whose unpaired electron is not the highest occupied orbital, and whose electronic configuration reverts to the normal aufbau configuration upon protonation. These special radical anions will display unprecedented radical st ....pH Switching of Radical Reactivity and Orbital Conversion. Radicals are reactive species that have an unpaired electron, which is usually located in the highest occupied orbital. This proposal uses a combination of theory and experiment to design a new class of radical anions whose unpaired electron is not the highest occupied orbital, and whose electronic configuration reverts to the normal aufbau configuration upon protonation. These special radical anions will display unprecedented radical stability that is pH switchable, as well as ferromagnetism and conductivity upon oxidation. This project will exploit these unusual properties in the design of pH-switchable protecting groups for radicals for synthesis and polymerisation, and determine their role in oxidative stress and enzyme kinetics.Read moreRead less
Radicals in unconventional media - improving the sustainability of radical reactions through next generation ionic liquid radical chemistry. Despite significant advances over the past few decades, many free radical reactions are still carried out in organic solvents that are often toxic, flammable, difficult to recycle and employ undesirable reagents. It is timely that new free radical chemistry be developed that moves away from this "conventional" landscape. This proposal will develop a fundame ....Radicals in unconventional media - improving the sustainability of radical reactions through next generation ionic liquid radical chemistry. Despite significant advances over the past few decades, many free radical reactions are still carried out in organic solvents that are often toxic, flammable, difficult to recycle and employ undesirable reagents. It is timely that new free radical chemistry be developed that moves away from this "conventional" landscape. This proposal will develop a fundamental understanding of how free radicals interact with, and react in, (unconventional) ionic liquid solvents. This understanding will lead, in turn, to the development of new, more efficient, free radicals methods for the preparation of important materials that include biomolecules. Reduced environmental impact of free radical chemistry is the ultimate aim of this work.Read moreRead less
New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings ....New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings for a wide range of end uses, publication in high ranking journals and commercialisation of the technology.
Benefits of this project will include elimination of mercury and reduction in exposure to solvents in the Australian workplace, and a lower energy requirement to produce high-quality surface coated products.Read moreRead less
Environmental polymer degradation. This project will use the powerful combination of mass spectrometry and computational chemistry to tease out key aspects of polymer degradation mechanisms under environmental conditions. Society increasingly relies on manufactured polymers but polymer lifespan and fossil fuel reserves are limited. Design principles are needed to guide the synthesis of durable polymers for applications from paints to protective coatings in photovoltaic cells. This project will e ....Environmental polymer degradation. This project will use the powerful combination of mass spectrometry and computational chemistry to tease out key aspects of polymer degradation mechanisms under environmental conditions. Society increasingly relies on manufactured polymers but polymer lifespan and fossil fuel reserves are limited. Design principles are needed to guide the synthesis of durable polymers for applications from paints to protective coatings in photovoltaic cells. This project will establish appropriate guidelines and provide the scientific foundation for the synthesis of robust, long-lasting polymers, or polymers that decompose without damaging the environment. This will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to an industry sector that contributes about 12 per cent of total Australian manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100222
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Advanced stopped flow: electron paramagnetic resonance apparatus for measurement of short-lived free radicals in engineering, science and medicine. The facility will enable world class research into complex chemical processes relevant to industry, environmental science and biochemistry. This will result in development of new technologies in explosives, pollution reduction and energy storage, and enhance our understanding of chemical processes that lead to sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage ....Advanced stopped flow: electron paramagnetic resonance apparatus for measurement of short-lived free radicals in engineering, science and medicine. The facility will enable world class research into complex chemical processes relevant to industry, environmental science and biochemistry. This will result in development of new technologies in explosives, pollution reduction and energy storage, and enhance our understanding of chemical processes that lead to sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and infertility.Read moreRead less
Shifting the trend in radical battery research . The project aims to address a growing problem of increasing energy consumption by storing intermittent energy from the sun in affordable and efficient flow batteries. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of materials science and battery research by using innovative theoretical chemistry approaches to studying electrochemical properties of nitroxide radicals in ionic media. The project aims to develop radical organic flow batt ....Shifting the trend in radical battery research . The project aims to address a growing problem of increasing energy consumption by storing intermittent energy from the sun in affordable and efficient flow batteries. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of materials science and battery research by using innovative theoretical chemistry approaches to studying electrochemical properties of nitroxide radicals in ionic media. The project aims to develop radical organic flow batteries by utilising ionic liquids to stabilise radicals. Intended outcomes of the project include improved efficiency of flow batteries that can store energy from widely used solar panels. This should provide significant benefits to Australia’s effort to switch to renewable energy technologies. Read moreRead less
Supercharging antioxidant capacity. This project aims to deliver improved, tailor-made antioxidants that can better protect key biomolecules and other materials against collateral damage from oxidants within cells. Through fundamental chemistry research, this project aims to understand the relationship between antioxidant capacity and molecular structure, and, through computational chemistry, develop a predictive tool. This, in turn, will provide the means to design molecules that better protect ....Supercharging antioxidant capacity. This project aims to deliver improved, tailor-made antioxidants that can better protect key biomolecules and other materials against collateral damage from oxidants within cells. Through fundamental chemistry research, this project aims to understand the relationship between antioxidant capacity and molecular structure, and, through computational chemistry, develop a predictive tool. This, in turn, will provide the means to design molecules that better protect against oxidative processes. The expected outcome is improved technology to heal tissue damage and inflammation caused by enzymes.Read moreRead less