Molecules as probes of the interstellar medium. It is one of the greatest challenges in Nature is to remotely identify what is in space. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown, implying that there are many more molecules in space than we know about. With a stronger understanding of space chemistry, we could predict what should be there and verify it in the lab. Conversely, identification of these features will provide the tools to u ....Molecules as probes of the interstellar medium. It is one of the greatest challenges in Nature is to remotely identify what is in space. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown, implying that there are many more molecules in space than we know about. With a stronger understanding of space chemistry, we could predict what should be there and verify it in the lab. Conversely, identification of these features will provide the tools to understand interstellar chemistry. In this project we combine skills in spectroscopy and astronomy to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify unknown molecules in space.Read moreRead less
The geochemistry of trace elements with variable oxidation states. The understanding of many earth processes is based upon an interpretation of differences in the relative abundance and/or distribution of elements which occur in more than one oxidation state. However, the redox states that control the geochemical behaviour of an element in a melt are not necessarily retained on cooling. This work aims to determine the oxidation states of geologically important elements, in situ under magmatic ....The geochemistry of trace elements with variable oxidation states. The understanding of many earth processes is based upon an interpretation of differences in the relative abundance and/or distribution of elements which occur in more than one oxidation state. However, the redox states that control the geochemical behaviour of an element in a melt are not necessarily retained on cooling. This work aims to determine the oxidation states of geologically important elements, in situ under magmatic conditions, using XANES spectroscopy. The results will allow geological signatures to be correctly interpreted and allow models for topics ranging from ancient mantle temperatures to rates of melt migration to be better constrained.Read moreRead less
Water storage in the earth's mantle - understanding the process of OH incorporation in olivine. The amount of water in the Earth's mantle is thought to be sufficient to replace the surface oceans more than ten times. Whether this water exists in a fluid, melt, or mineral is important for understanding a range of mantle properties. The entire upper mantle water budget may be accommodated at defect sites in the mineral olivine. However, defects found in natural olivine do not correspond to thos ....Water storage in the earth's mantle - understanding the process of OH incorporation in olivine. The amount of water in the Earth's mantle is thought to be sufficient to replace the surface oceans more than ten times. Whether this water exists in a fluid, melt, or mineral is important for understanding a range of mantle properties. The entire upper mantle water budget may be accommodated at defect sites in the mineral olivine. However, defects found in natural olivine do not correspond to those produced
experimentally. Therefore, previous conclusions on water storage in the mantle are questionable. To address this problem the mechanism of water incorporation in olivine will be investigated using experimental petrology and spectroscopy.Read moreRead less
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
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: LE0219618
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,000.00
Summary
National Facility for Advanced Molecular Orbital Imaging. We will develop a new two-dimensional multiparameter high-resolution electron momentum spectroscopy (EMS) spectrometer that incorporates multiparameter data acquisition and reduction techniques and combine it with a new time of flight (TOF) ion-analyser in order to perform the first high-resolution EMS with oriented target experiments.
In conjunction with theoretical calculations, the results from these experiments will provide the most ....National Facility for Advanced Molecular Orbital Imaging. We will develop a new two-dimensional multiparameter high-resolution electron momentum spectroscopy (EMS) spectrometer that incorporates multiparameter data acquisition and reduction techniques and combine it with a new time of flight (TOF) ion-analyser in order to perform the first high-resolution EMS with oriented target experiments.
In conjunction with theoretical calculations, the results from these experiments will provide the most advanced evaluation for molecular orbital imaging quality for the chemically significant targets we wish to study. This in turn will lead to the determination of more accurate physico-chemical information, including structure and bonding information, for these targets.Read moreRead less
Imaging chemical reaction dynamics from the transition state to reaction products. Chemical reactions play a key role in many atmospheric, environmental and industrial processes. An understanding of reactions at the molecular level will lead to significant economic benefits, through more efficient reaction control, and through the identification of the key environmental factors which influence why particular reactions proceed. Our study of chemical reaction dynamics has been driven by technolo ....Imaging chemical reaction dynamics from the transition state to reaction products. Chemical reactions play a key role in many atmospheric, environmental and industrial processes. An understanding of reactions at the molecular level will lead to significant economic benefits, through more efficient reaction control, and through the identification of the key environmental factors which influence why particular reactions proceed. Our study of chemical reaction dynamics has been driven by technological advances which enable key stages of a reaction to be imaged and studied at the molecular level. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100065
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,808.00
Summary
Designing Organocatalysts to Achieve Hyperpolarised Magnetic Resonance. Magnetic resonance techniques (such as MRI scans) suffer from an inherent insensitivity problem. In medical imaging, this can hamper diagnosis and mean long scan times for patients. This project aims to chemically develop catalysts which dramatically increase sensitivity, producing a signal that is thousands of times more visible. This project is significant as these catalysts can turn common, harmless molecules in the body ....Designing Organocatalysts to Achieve Hyperpolarised Magnetic Resonance. Magnetic resonance techniques (such as MRI scans) suffer from an inherent insensitivity problem. In medical imaging, this can hamper diagnosis and mean long scan times for patients. This project aims to chemically develop catalysts which dramatically increase sensitivity, producing a signal that is thousands of times more visible. This project is significant as these catalysts can turn common, harmless molecules in the body - even water - into visible tracers. The expected outcomes of this project include the synthesis and understanding of these catalysts which will be chemically fine-tuned to maximise their effectiveness. Potential benefits include translation to MRI applications to improve diagnosis and treatment, or chemical monitoring.Read moreRead less
Sulfuric acid formation from atmospheric sulfur trioxide and disulfur oxide: is one water molecule enough? Sulfate aerosols significantly affect the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, influencing the nett energy balance, and mitigating the greenhouse effect. A major source of these aerosols is sulfuric acid. Understanding the sources and formation rates of sulfuric acid production is of considerable importance for global climate models. This project will provide significant insight in ....Sulfuric acid formation from atmospheric sulfur trioxide and disulfur oxide: is one water molecule enough? Sulfate aerosols significantly affect the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, influencing the nett energy balance, and mitigating the greenhouse effect. A major source of these aerosols is sulfuric acid. Understanding the sources and formation rates of sulfuric acid production is of considerable importance for global climate models. This project will provide significant insight into the sulfur oxides and their water clusters, relevant to sulfuric acid formation, providing data applicable to the modelling of planetary atmospheres, especially timely for the Venus Express mission, and more importantly, the building of comprehensive climate models.Read moreRead less
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