Untangling Complex Molecular Spectra with an Optical Frequency Comb. The exhaled breath is a rich source of information about the inner life of the human body - but untangling this complicated molecular mixture into a quantitative measurement of its constituent components is currently an unsolved problem. This project aims to develop a new instrument that leverages the Nobel Prize winning technology of the optical frequency comb to enable analysis of such mixtures. It is expected that by combini ....Untangling Complex Molecular Spectra with an Optical Frequency Comb. The exhaled breath is a rich source of information about the inner life of the human body - but untangling this complicated molecular mixture into a quantitative measurement of its constituent components is currently an unsolved problem. This project aims to develop a new instrument that leverages the Nobel Prize winning technology of the optical frequency comb to enable analysis of such mixtures. It is expected that by combining a frequency comb source, with an innovative detector and a highly sensitive sampling system, a real-time spectral signature of each sample will be generated. Computational techniques developed by the radio astronomy community will then be used to extract concentrations of individual molecular components at the parts-per-billion level.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101904
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,322.00
Summary
Next-Generation LIDAR with Novel Microresonator Frequency Combs. This project aims to develop the science that would enable a new low-cost laser radar (LIDAR) for imaging the world around us. LIDAR has applications in facial recognition, forestry and autonomous vehicles – our new device will uniquely offer the ability to work underwater thereby opening up new possibilities for maritime environmental and vehicle monitoring. Our approach exploits a new form of optical pulse propagation in precise ....Next-Generation LIDAR with Novel Microresonator Frequency Combs. This project aims to develop the science that would enable a new low-cost laser radar (LIDAR) for imaging the world around us. LIDAR has applications in facial recognition, forestry and autonomous vehicles – our new device will uniquely offer the ability to work underwater thereby opening up new possibilities for maritime environmental and vehicle monitoring. Our approach exploits a new form of optical pulse propagation in precisely shaped crystals to generate bespoke laser pulses that enable high-speed and precise ranging to targets of interest. The science behind these new types of optical pulses offers the ability for Australia to lead a new scientifically and industrially important field.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC140100022
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,148,935.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies. ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies. Portable analytical separation systems will enable point-of sample analysis for complex samples in food, environmental and clinical applications. The Training Centre aims to train the next generation of industry-ready Australian researchers through creating a sustainable research partnership between university-based researchers and Australian industry focused ....ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies. ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies. Portable analytical separation systems will enable point-of sample analysis for complex samples in food, environmental and clinical applications. The Training Centre aims to train the next generation of industry-ready Australian researchers through creating a sustainable research partnership between university-based researchers and Australian industry focused on developing new capabilities and technologies that have the potential to facilitate, support, or catalyse the progressive deployment of portable separation science technologies into society. This will enable the development of new, portable and affordable analytical separation systems and contribute to creating a sustainable, globally competitive manufacturing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,000.00
Summary
Advanced Macromolecular Materials Characterisation Facility (AMMCF). Advanced macromolecular materials characterisation facility: The facility will allow precise characterisation of (bio)macromolecular materials, from chemical structures and composition as a function of size or biodistribution, to film thickness in multi-layer materials, to material hydrophobicity and permeability. Novel information derived from these state-of-the-art instruments is highly valuable in understanding structure-pro ....Advanced Macromolecular Materials Characterisation Facility (AMMCF). Advanced macromolecular materials characterisation facility: The facility will allow precise characterisation of (bio)macromolecular materials, from chemical structures and composition as a function of size or biodistribution, to film thickness in multi-layer materials, to material hydrophobicity and permeability. Novel information derived from these state-of-the-art instruments is highly valuable in understanding structure-property relationships, which are crucial for the development of the next generation of advanced materials with applications in electronics, optics, sensors, membranes, nanocoatings, biomaterials and polymer therapeutics. This facility underpins the efforts of the participating institutes in increasing the quality and quantity of research outcomes.Read moreRead less
A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of ....A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of interest to capture the miRNA. Application of a magnetic field allows the levels of miRNA to be detected electrochemically. The expected outcome is a commercialisable biosensor for miRNA both as a diagnostic early detection device and a prognostic device for a range of miRNA biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Hierarchically porous polymer monoliths for separation science. Understanding the molecular composition of biomarkers involved in cell-cell communication and the fate of nanoparticles in the environment is critical to improve our understanding of diseases and environmental processes. This project will develop a new approach for the design of separation media that will greatly improve the efficiency of techniques used to analyse these complex samples. The separation media will consist of a polyme ....Hierarchically porous polymer monoliths for separation science. Understanding the molecular composition of biomarkers involved in cell-cell communication and the fate of nanoparticles in the environment is critical to improve our understanding of diseases and environmental processes. This project will develop a new approach for the design of separation media that will greatly improve the efficiency of techniques used to analyse these complex samples. The separation media will consist of a polymer containing large flow-through pores as well as well-defined mesopores. This dual porous skeleton will allow for the size-based separation of biomarkers and nanoparticles. The new separation media will enable the development of new technologies with applications in areas such medicine and environmental science.Read moreRead less
Microfluidics with core-shell beads: handling liquids like solids. Reducing waste of consumables in chemical reactions promises to solve environmental problems as well as enable novel applications in space. This project aims to establish a revolutionary fluid handling technology that lowers waste in the labs and in satellites. The project deciphers the fundamental physics behind our recent discovery of encapsulating a tiny liquid content in a solid shell, allowing for handling liquid samples lik ....Microfluidics with core-shell beads: handling liquids like solids. Reducing waste of consumables in chemical reactions promises to solve environmental problems as well as enable novel applications in space. This project aims to establish a revolutionary fluid handling technology that lowers waste in the labs and in satellites. The project deciphers the fundamental physics behind our recent discovery of encapsulating a tiny liquid content in a solid shell, allowing for handling liquid samples like solid particles. Examples of the benefit of this project are more precise detection of bacteria on earth and compact reactors in space. The research outcomes are instrumental for promoting a clean environment, good health, and creating new business opportunities, particularly in space industry, for Australians.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,000.00
Summary
Macromolecular characterisation and purification facility. In-depth characterisation of (bio)macromolecules and nanomaterials is fundamental to understanding their properties and application to advanced materials and technologies. The three new instruments at this facility dedicated to the purification, separation and characterisation of these compounds will provide an essential resource for polymer/materials research.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics. The CNBP brings together physicists, chemists and biologists focused on a grand challenge controlling nanoscale interactions between light and matter to probe the complex and dynamic nanoenvironments within living organisms. The emerging convergence of nanoscience and photonics offers the opportunity of using light to interrogate nanoscale domains, providing unprecedentedly localised measurements. This will allow biological scientists to unde ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics. The CNBP brings together physicists, chemists and biologists focused on a grand challenge controlling nanoscale interactions between light and matter to probe the complex and dynamic nanoenvironments within living organisms. The emerging convergence of nanoscience and photonics offers the opportunity of using light to interrogate nanoscale domains, providing unprecedentedly localised measurements. This will allow biological scientists to understand how single cells react to and communicate with their surroundings. This science will underpin a new generation of devices capable of probing the response of cells within individuals to environmental conditions or treatment, creating innovative and powerful new sensing platforms.Read moreRead less