Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain ....Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain the world-leading status of the Australian Fast Ferry industry. The technology also has the potential to expand the market for Australian-manufactured adhesives. The project also offers a stimulating learning environment for a PhD student.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989068
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,120.00
Summary
Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information g ....Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information gained is not accessible by any other method. The proposed equipment will be the first of this type in Australia and will complement existing surface science facilities. The project will enhance Australia's position in surface science internationally and a large number of projects will benefit from access to the equipment.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of nanowires and application as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections. This project is expected to bring significant scientific, economic and social benefits. We will develop a number of techniques for the controlled growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will have important applications in chemistry and biology. Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used f ....Synthesis of nanowires and application as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections. This project is expected to bring significant scientific, economic and social benefits. We will develop a number of techniques for the controlled growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will have important applications in chemistry and biology. Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used for early diagnostics of cancer disease, detection of viruses, and genomic DNA screening. The nanosensors could also provide a molecular tool for probing living cells without destroying them, through which we can track life within cells in real time.Read moreRead less
Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of f ....Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of fabrication exploits the ability of similar molecules to line up on a suitable surface, so-called 'self Assembly'. The project is based on sound fundamental science for an applied research outcome and therefore will enhance Australian's standing as a strong scientific country that applies its knowledge at the forefront of technological advancement.Read moreRead less
A Generic Solution for Interfacing Electrodes with Biological Media. Electrodes are the critical element of stimulating implantable devices such as cardiac pacemakers, bionic eyes and cochlear implants, the most commercially successful biosensors, and are emerging as key to new technologies for testing new drug leads using cells. In all these applications of electrodes in biology there has never been a solution to stopping unwanted adsorption of biological material onto the electrode that does ....A Generic Solution for Interfacing Electrodes with Biological Media. Electrodes are the critical element of stimulating implantable devices such as cardiac pacemakers, bionic eyes and cochlear implants, the most commercially successful biosensors, and are emerging as key to new technologies for testing new drug leads using cells. In all these applications of electrodes in biology there has never been a solution to stopping unwanted adsorption of biological material onto the electrode that does not dramatically decrease electrode performance. The proposed research finally provides a solution via surface modification. This strategy will enhance the performance of all the devices above and will open doors to new applications of electrochemistry within biology.Read moreRead less
In-field sensors for the detection of illicit drugs. Presumptive field test kits for illicit drugs analysis are typically based on chemical spot tests that produce a coloured product. While relatively easy to apply, such test kits (containing wet chemicals) produce inconclusive colour changes lacking sensitivity, and selectivity requiring a subjective assessment by the examiner. Despite these limitations, these test kits are in widespread use and are routinely used. This study aims to develop s ....In-field sensors for the detection of illicit drugs. Presumptive field test kits for illicit drugs analysis are typically based on chemical spot tests that produce a coloured product. While relatively easy to apply, such test kits (containing wet chemicals) produce inconclusive colour changes lacking sensitivity, and selectivity requiring a subjective assessment by the examiner. Despite these limitations, these test kits are in widespread use and are routinely used. This study aims to develop specific in-field sensors for the detection and identification of illicit drugs. This would significantly enhance the ability of Forensic Services staff to confirm the identity of seized material. Increased specificity would provide valuable early advice to investigators regarding the nature of a seizure and would reduce the likelihood of false positive results. Increased sensitivity would permit the analysis of trace amounts of material from individuals or locations related to an illicit drug consignment.Read moreRead less
Hollow-core microstructured polymer fibres for optical sensing applications. A range of remarkable new optical fibres will be fabricated utilising the capabilities of a unique polymer fibre fabrication facility and focussing on the highly demanding class of microstructured fibres in which guidance in a hollow core is achieved through photonic band gap or Bragg guidance. Long lengths of low-loss fibres of this type will be developed, and applications in optical gas sensing, spectroscopy, voltage ....Hollow-core microstructured polymer fibres for optical sensing applications. A range of remarkable new optical fibres will be fabricated utilising the capabilities of a unique polymer fibre fabrication facility and focussing on the highly demanding class of microstructured fibres in which guidance in a hollow core is achieved through photonic band gap or Bragg guidance. Long lengths of low-loss fibres of this type will be developed, and applications in optical gas sensing, spectroscopy, voltage sensing and telecommunications will be explored.Read moreRead less
Optical Biomimetics of Diatoms. Optics is a research and economic strength of Australia. We will aim to provide a new optical sensor for chemicals using a diatom. This use of an optical device found in nature is groundbreaking and may provide a more efficient form of sensor to help to detect pollution such as metals in marine environments. Alternatively, diatoms could become the component of an iridescent paint for cars or other commercial objects. Diatoms could be made-to-measure in the laborat ....Optical Biomimetics of Diatoms. Optics is a research and economic strength of Australia. We will aim to provide a new optical sensor for chemicals using a diatom. This use of an optical device found in nature is groundbreaking and may provide a more efficient form of sensor to help to detect pollution such as metals in marine environments. Alternatively, diatoms could become the component of an iridescent paint for cars or other commercial objects. Diatoms could be made-to-measure in the laboratory on a commercial scale, and so may introduce a new industry, where other optical devices in nature could be cultured by the tonne.Read moreRead less
A multi-metal ion sensor for analysis of environmental water. The aim of this research project is to develop an electrochemical sensor array on a single chip for the detection of several heavy metals in wastewater samples. Each electrode in the array will be modified with a different metal-binding peptide ligand; resulting in a characteristic response pattern for a given metal ion. Deconvolution of the sensor response into the response patterns of the individual metals will be achieved using p ....A multi-metal ion sensor for analysis of environmental water. The aim of this research project is to develop an electrochemical sensor array on a single chip for the detection of several heavy metals in wastewater samples. Each electrode in the array will be modified with a different metal-binding peptide ligand; resulting in a characteristic response pattern for a given metal ion. Deconvolution of the sensor response into the response patterns of the individual metals will be achieved using pattern recognition software employing artificial neural networks and other multivariate techniques. Successful development of the multi-analyte sensor will allow the rapid monitoring of environmentally important metal ions in the field.Read moreRead less
The Application of Chemical Force Microscopy for Monitoring DNA Hybridization: A New Sensing Concept Capable of Detecting Single Molecules. This proposal outlines a method of monitoring DNA sequences with such high sensitivity that a single molecule may be detected. Such sensitivity is achieved using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure surface forces. Modifying an AFM tip with a single strand of DNA allows the complementary strand (the target) to be recognized via hybridization to form ....The Application of Chemical Force Microscopy for Monitoring DNA Hybridization: A New Sensing Concept Capable of Detecting Single Molecules. This proposal outlines a method of monitoring DNA sequences with such high sensitivity that a single molecule may be detected. Such sensitivity is achieved using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure surface forces. Modifying an AFM tip with a single strand of DNA allows the complementary strand (the target) to be recognized via hybridization to form the double helix. The occurrence of hybridization is determined by differences in surface force measurements compared with when only the single strand of DNA is present. In this way DNA samples can be analyzed without amplification; a major advance for DNA diagnostics.Read moreRead less