New laser and mass spectrometry methods for detecting protonation isomers. Mass spectrometry is a major tool for the detection of molecules for understanding disease, pollution control and chemical synthesis. However, intricate differences in molecular structure - vital to chemical function - can confuse detection methods leading to false negatives. This is especially problematic for complex biological samples. Recent breakthroughs in laser-based mass spectrometry methods, combined with ion mobi ....New laser and mass spectrometry methods for detecting protonation isomers. Mass spectrometry is a major tool for the detection of molecules for understanding disease, pollution control and chemical synthesis. However, intricate differences in molecular structure - vital to chemical function - can confuse detection methods leading to false negatives. This is especially problematic for complex biological samples. Recent breakthroughs in laser-based mass spectrometry methods, combined with ion mobility, now allow detection of subtle yet important structural features. This project aims to exploit these advances by developing new instrumentation and protocols with these enhanced capabilities thus accelerating advances in automated mass spectrometry, improved antibiotic detection and complex biomolecule screening.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100846
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,388.00
Summary
Ordering photon energy carriers for efficient upconversion. This project aims to tackle the major challenge of upconversion nanosystems – their brightness. It will centre on building a donor/acceptor-ordered nanosystem to improve the energy transfer efficiency in hybrid nanomaterials. This ordered system will significantly improve the brightness of hybrid nanoparticles at low irradiance. Expected outcomes include a fundamental understanding of energy transfer mechanisms at sub-nm scales and a ne ....Ordering photon energy carriers for efficient upconversion. This project aims to tackle the major challenge of upconversion nanosystems – their brightness. It will centre on building a donor/acceptor-ordered nanosystem to improve the energy transfer efficiency in hybrid nanomaterials. This ordered system will significantly improve the brightness of hybrid nanoparticles at low irradiance. Expected outcomes include a fundamental understanding of energy transfer mechanisms at sub-nm scales and a new strategy to brighten the upconversion nanomaterials. This project should push upconversion nanoscience to a new generation and provide significant benefits in ultra-sensitive biomolecular assays and in vivo bioimaging.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100549
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,616.00
Summary
The true impact of fluorinated compounds in the atmosphere. This project aims to improve the underpinning science that is incorporated into atmospheric chemistry models so humanity can better understand, predict and respond to the impact of emitting large volumes of fluorinated compounds. This project expects to challenge assumptions currently used to model the atmospheric chemistry of organic fluorine compounds, as well as to evaluate the environmental impact of replacements. Expected outcomes ....The true impact of fluorinated compounds in the atmosphere. This project aims to improve the underpinning science that is incorporated into atmospheric chemistry models so humanity can better understand, predict and respond to the impact of emitting large volumes of fluorinated compounds. This project expects to challenge assumptions currently used to model the atmospheric chemistry of organic fluorine compounds, as well as to evaluate the environmental impact of replacements. Expected outcomes include a general model of organic fluorine photochemistry and refined atmospheric chemistry models. This should provide significant benefits in that humanity can avoid an environmental disaster and new, environmentally benign products can be developed.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101040
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,000.00
Summary
Ultrastable perovskite nanocrystals for high quality optoelectronic devices. This project aims to investigate novel highly efficient luminescent nanomaterials; by utilising perovskite nanocrystals with enhanced stability by coating or mesoporous materials. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of energy conversion using interdisciplinary approaches of chemistry, physics, engineering and machine learning. Expected outcomes of this project include higher efficiency display and ....Ultrastable perovskite nanocrystals for high quality optoelectronic devices. This project aims to investigate novel highly efficient luminescent nanomaterials; by utilising perovskite nanocrystals with enhanced stability by coating or mesoporous materials. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of energy conversion using interdisciplinary approaches of chemistry, physics, engineering and machine learning. Expected outcomes of this project include higher efficiency display and lighting, better performance of energy harvesting. The cross disciplinary collaborations pave the way to achieve the objectives of this project. This should provide significant benefits, such as better ways to convert energy from renewable sources and more efficient ways to use electrical power for lighting and display.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101627
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,625.00
Summary
Developing ultra adsorbent MOF composites as high performance materials. This project aims to improve the adsorption properties of porous materials through enhancing their selectivity and also creating new composites. This research expects to extend application opportunities to encompass real-life scenarios, in particular hydrogen transfer and carbon capture. Expected outcomes is the enhancement of the adsorbent properties of these porous materials, and an improvement of their selectivity and m ....Developing ultra adsorbent MOF composites as high performance materials. This project aims to improve the adsorption properties of porous materials through enhancing their selectivity and also creating new composites. This research expects to extend application opportunities to encompass real-life scenarios, in particular hydrogen transfer and carbon capture. Expected outcomes is the enhancement of the adsorbent properties of these porous materials, and an improvement of their selectivity and mechanical robustness. This is due to the synergistic strengthening effects of new graphene and nanodiamond composites. The benefit of this research is in bridging the gap between porous material synthesis and industrial application, contributing to Australia's becoming a world leader in clean energy research.Read moreRead less
Resolving the interstellar carbon crisis with multilaser spectroscopy. This project aims to provide astronomers of the future with firm diagnostic tools to identify and understand exotic carbon species in the interstellar medium. Life on Earth began after delivery of carbon-based pre-biotic material to the young planet by comets and meteorites. This material came from outside the solar system, but we do not yet know the chemical make-up of the interstellar matter. This is because we do not under ....Resolving the interstellar carbon crisis with multilaser spectroscopy. This project aims to provide astronomers of the future with firm diagnostic tools to identify and understand exotic carbon species in the interstellar medium. Life on Earth began after delivery of carbon-based pre-biotic material to the young planet by comets and meteorites. This material came from outside the solar system, but we do not yet know the chemical make-up of the interstellar matter. This is because we do not understand precisely how the interstellar molecules and dust interact with starlight. This project will create and study models of interstellar matter in the laboratory, and will determine the chemical form of carbon in the interstellar medium. This will have lasting impact on astrophysical models, as well as theories of the origin of life.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100109
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,000.00
Summary
Raman Spectroscopic System for In-Operando Electrochemical Studies. This proposal aims to establish a Raman microscopic system with real-time tracking capability, which will allow investigation of the activities of battery components during charging. An instrument that allows this level of interrogation is currently not available in Australia. Expected outcomes include advanced knowledge for improved battery technology, which will meet the increasing demand of electronic applications and provide ....Raman Spectroscopic System for In-Operando Electrochemical Studies. This proposal aims to establish a Raman microscopic system with real-time tracking capability, which will allow investigation of the activities of battery components during charging. An instrument that allows this level of interrogation is currently not available in Australia. Expected outcomes include advanced knowledge for improved battery technology, which will meet the increasing demand of electronic applications and provide commercial opportunities in Australia. This system will be highly versatile and extendable to other fields of energy and materials-related research, providing high-quality training of researchers, as well as a platform from which to enhance materials research capabilities in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100136
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,100,000.00
Summary
High Performance Solid State NMR Spectroscopy for Materials Research. The project will support research in a diverse set of fields such as biomedical engineering catalysis, energy storage and waste recovery, with cutting edge next-generation solid state (400 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance capabilities and research expertise. The system enabling high sensitivity, high throughput analysis over extended temperature range will enable addressing of fundamental questions regarding the structure-prope ....High Performance Solid State NMR Spectroscopy for Materials Research. The project will support research in a diverse set of fields such as biomedical engineering catalysis, energy storage and waste recovery, with cutting edge next-generation solid state (400 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance capabilities and research expertise. The system enabling high sensitivity, high throughput analysis over extended temperature range will enable addressing of fundamental questions regarding the structure-property relationships of advanced functional materials. Accessible to a wide user base in fundamental and applied research, in medicine, energy, catalysis and recycling of waste, the project will extend the current facilities to develop Sydney as regional centre for advanced solid state nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100144
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,225,000.00
Summary
High Performance Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Facility. This project aims to establish an advanced multidisciplinary facility for the structural characterisation of chemical and biological molecules. Through providing a broad suite of advanced capabilities, including measurement under a range of conditions and rapid crystal screening, the project expects to greatly accelerate research efforts across a wide spectrum of the molecular sciences. Expected outcomes include detailed understandings ....High Performance Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Facility. This project aims to establish an advanced multidisciplinary facility for the structural characterisation of chemical and biological molecules. Through providing a broad suite of advanced capabilities, including measurement under a range of conditions and rapid crystal screening, the project expects to greatly accelerate research efforts across a wide spectrum of the molecular sciences. Expected outcomes include detailed understandings of the structures and functions of an array of scientifically and technologically important systems, spanning materials, proteins and pharmaceuticals. This should provide significant benefits, both in advancing the understanding of these systems and in spurring commercial development and application.Read moreRead less
Anomalous Structural Response in Porous Framework Materials. This project targets a key missing link in understanding the host-guest properties of porous framework materials, namely, the dynamic response of host lattices to their external environment and to the inclusion of molecular guests. By combining advanced chemical, physical and structural measurements the project expects to provide the first concerted picture of materials behaviour across an array of scientific and technological settings ....Anomalous Structural Response in Porous Framework Materials. This project targets a key missing link in understanding the host-guest properties of porous framework materials, namely, the dynamic response of host lattices to their external environment and to the inclusion of molecular guests. By combining advanced chemical, physical and structural measurements the project expects to provide the first concerted picture of materials behaviour across an array of scientific and technological settings, with particular focus given to industrially relevant ‘real world’ conditions. This promises to greatly inform the on-going chemical design, formulation and process engineering of these materials, in turn accelerating their development in gas separation, energy storage and device componentry applications.Read moreRead less