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.
A new instrument to observe the three-dimensional structure of wind and temperature disturbances at and above Earth's polar mesopause. Expected benefits include:
? Improved ability to observe, understand, and predict space weather impacts on Australia's
communications, navigation, and surveillance capabilities;
? Support for specific Australian programs such as JORN with improved real-time specifications of
ionospheric conditions in our sector;
? Establishing Australia's leadersh ....A new instrument to observe the three-dimensional structure of wind and temperature disturbances at and above Earth's polar mesopause. Expected benefits include:
? Improved ability to observe, understand, and predict space weather impacts on Australia's
communications, navigation, and surveillance capabilities;
? Support for specific Australian programs such as JORN with improved real-time specifications of
ionospheric conditions in our sector;
? Establishing Australia's leadership of a powerful new technique for atmospheric remote sensing;
? Placing Australia at the center of international collaborative efforts to develop this technique;
? Conducting leading edge research and student training in photonics, which is highly valued by industry;
? Supporting Australia's presence and territorial claims in Antarctica.
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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
Nanoparticle from urban transport: Quantification of formation and dynamics for application for health and environmental risk reduction. Socio-economic benefits of the project outcomes to Australia: (i) advancing the fundamental understanding of the processes contributing to the adverse environmental impacts of nanoparticles; (ii) provision of vital information on the reduction of the environmental and health risks of nanoparticles, thus contributing to the goal of 'cleaner, safer combustion'; ( ....Nanoparticle from urban transport: Quantification of formation and dynamics for application for health and environmental risk reduction. Socio-economic benefits of the project outcomes to Australia: (i) advancing the fundamental understanding of the processes contributing to the adverse environmental impacts of nanoparticles; (ii) provision of vital information on the reduction of the environmental and health risks of nanoparticles, thus contributing to the goal of 'cleaner, safer combustion'; (iii) placing Australian researchers in the frontline of nanoparticle science and technology and international progress towards sustainable development; and (iv) lowering of human exposure to nanoparticles in the cities of tomorrow, thus reducing health care costs and lost productivity. Read moreRead less
QUANTIFICATION OF INTERACTIONS DURING THE DISPERSION OF CORONA IONS AND AIRBORNE PARTICLES NEAR POWER LINES. Currently there is no method for quantification of concentration and dispersion of charged aerosols near high voltage power lines (HVPLs). However, hypothesis have been presented, but not yet proven scientifically, that residents of houses close to combustion sources such as highways or industrial plants and HVPLs may be subjected to health risk due to inhalation of charged aerosols. The ....QUANTIFICATION OF INTERACTIONS DURING THE DISPERSION OF CORONA IONS AND AIRBORNE PARTICLES NEAR POWER LINES. Currently there is no method for quantification of concentration and dispersion of charged aerosols near high voltage power lines (HVPLs). However, hypothesis have been presented, but not yet proven scientifically, that residents of houses close to combustion sources such as highways or industrial plants and HVPLs may be subjected to health risk due to inhalation of charged aerosols. The outcome of this project will be a model for quantitative assessment of the processes occurring during the transport and dispersion of corona ions and combustion aerosol, which will be a tool for predictive risk assessment and informed management of public resources in relation to power line design and maintenance.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
Quantification of Traffic Generated Nano and Ultrafine Particle Dynamics and Toxicity in Transit Hubs and Transport Corridors. The socio-economic benefits to Australia will include (i) new knowledge for the multiparameter assessment of nano and ultrafine particles, pollutants in the centre of current scientific, medical and policy debates (ii) a breakthrough in the scientific understanding of traffic generated particles in the urban atmosphere (iii) determining the toxicological impact of these ....Quantification of Traffic Generated Nano and Ultrafine Particle Dynamics and Toxicity in Transit Hubs and Transport Corridors. The socio-economic benefits to Australia will include (i) new knowledge for the multiparameter assessment of nano and ultrafine particles, pollutants in the centre of current scientific, medical and policy debates (ii) a breakthrough in the scientific understanding of traffic generated particles in the urban atmosphere (iii) determining the toxicological impact of these particles on biological systems. The ultimate economic benefit will be improved urban design to lower human exposure to ultrafine particles, thus reducing health care cost and productivity losses. The research will also place Australia at the forefront of international progress towards better methods for achieving environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
Tropical convection and its contribution to climate variability. This research will provide the necessary data to test and improve the representation of tropical convective clouds in weather forecast and climate simulation models. This will lead to more robust estimates of future climate change, and improved prediction of precipitation in the Australian tropics. This project will also provide training to undergraduate and postgraduate students in using modern computer models; such models will be ....Tropical convection and its contribution to climate variability. This research will provide the necessary data to test and improve the representation of tropical convective clouds in weather forecast and climate simulation models. This will lead to more robust estimates of future climate change, and improved prediction of precipitation in the Australian tropics. This project will also provide training to undergraduate and postgraduate students in using modern computer models; such models will be a key component of weather forecasting in the future.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of virus transport in indoor environments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project will include the developed and validated model for quantification of virus spread and survival through aerosolation processes, which will become an important tool for: (i) prediction of the pathways of virus spread in indoor environment, and (ii) developing future directions for management and control for prevention or minimization the likelihood of human infections. The ultimate econo ....Mechanisms of virus transport in indoor environments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project will include the developed and validated model for quantification of virus spread and survival through aerosolation processes, which will become an important tool for: (i) prediction of the pathways of virus spread in indoor environment, and (ii) developing future directions for management and control for prevention or minimization the likelihood of human infections. The ultimate economic benefit of this research will be reduction in health care costs and lost productivity. The research will also place Australia in the forefront of international progress and race towards toward better methods for virus spread prevention. Read moreRead less
Development and validation of a model predicting charged aerosol characteristics in the proximity to high voltage powerlines. With over 780,000 km length of High Voltage Power Lines running through different parts of the country, the scientific and socio-economic benefits to Australia and worldwide include: (i) The developed novel semi-empirical model would become an important tool for research on human exposure and health effects in the vicinity of powerlines and vehicle transport routs, and fo ....Development and validation of a model predicting charged aerosol characteristics in the proximity to high voltage powerlines. With over 780,000 km length of High Voltage Power Lines running through different parts of the country, the scientific and socio-economic benefits to Australia and worldwide include: (i) The developed novel semi-empirical model would become an important tool for research on human exposure and health effects in the vicinity of powerlines and vehicle transport routs, and for developing future directions for management and control strategies for transport and land development plans; (ii) The ultimate benefit of this research will be reduction of risks and thus increase in health and well-being of Australians and reduction in health care costs. Read moreRead less