Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modell ....Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modelling, atomic force microscopy, and a new form of spectroscopy that allows the actual deformation of nanocrystals to be measured. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained is expected to impact on the development of current and future nanodevices.Read moreRead less
Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself tog ....Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself together. This research will use nature's light harvesting elements, namely porphyrins, and our ability to precisely control their position with respect to each other to build new, more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less
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
Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. ....Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. Could they be caused by the missing molecules? In this project we combine the skills of three spectroscopists, each expert in different areas, in an attempt to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify these unknown molecules that are in space.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453771
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$148,246.00
Summary
Electrochemical Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometer. Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR), is a technique used to determine the presence of free unpaired electrons in a sample. Detection and life time studies of radical species is critical to understanding the mechanisms involved in chemical reaction, sample degradation, performance upon exposure to light and oxidation or reduction processes. Combining ESR with an electrochemical interface permits in-situ studies on how electrons are inje ....Electrochemical Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometer. Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR), is a technique used to determine the presence of free unpaired electrons in a sample. Detection and life time studies of radical species is critical to understanding the mechanisms involved in chemical reaction, sample degradation, performance upon exposure to light and oxidation or reduction processes. Combining ESR with an electrochemical interface permits in-situ studies on how electrons are injected or removed from a sample, providing fundamental information on the processes occurring within the sample. Applications will be in the area of electrofunctional materials, complex biomolecular reactions, organic photovoltaics and new materials for nerve cell regeneration.Read moreRead less
Roaming around the Transition State: A New Mechanism of Chemical Reactions. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are at the core of some of the most important problems facing Australia at present: atmospheric models for CO2 are central to climate change; models of isotope exchange are essential to learn about past climates from Antarctic ice cores; and models of combustion are used to optimise energy efficiency. The mechanisms used in these models rely on accurate chemistry. A newly discovered chemica ....Roaming around the Transition State: A New Mechanism of Chemical Reactions. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are at the core of some of the most important problems facing Australia at present: atmospheric models for CO2 are central to climate change; models of isotope exchange are essential to learn about past climates from Antarctic ice cores; and models of combustion are used to optimise energy efficiency. The mechanisms used in these models rely on accurate chemistry. A newly discovered chemical mechanism has the potential to change many of the reactions that we currently use in these chemical models. This project will determine how important this new mechanism is, and what its impact is on gas-phase reaction models.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453743
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,654.00
Summary
Advanced Materials Laser Characterisation Facility. A networked laser facility spanning the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Adelaide, and Flinders University, will be created by integrating new laser instrumentation with existing specialised infrastructure. The facility will provide chemists at the four institutions with the necessary equipment to collaboratively investigate and optimise the properties of a diverse array of advanced materials, including nanoparticle ....Advanced Materials Laser Characterisation Facility. A networked laser facility spanning the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Adelaide, and Flinders University, will be created by integrating new laser instrumentation with existing specialised infrastructure. The facility will provide chemists at the four institutions with the necessary equipment to collaboratively investigate and optimise the properties of a diverse array of advanced materials, including nanoparticles, polymers, biomaterials, and artificial photosynthetic systems. The outcome will be a world-class research network, outfitted with a suite of sophisticated techniques that are not currently available at any single university, or through any other Australian institution or consortium.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354775
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Synchrotron Sciences Network. A synchrotron light source is a critical piece of infrastructure for a modern technological nation. In 2001, the Victorian government announced that it would contribute $157M towards the establishment of a national synchrotron facility, becoming operational in 2007. The research performed at such a facility is exceedingly diverse, and often the underpinning technology is the only point of contact for users. A vibrant and productive facility requires a tra ....Australian Synchrotron Sciences Network. A synchrotron light source is a critical piece of infrastructure for a modern technological nation. In 2001, the Victorian government announced that it would contribute $157M towards the establishment of a national synchrotron facility, becoming operational in 2007. The research performed at such a facility is exceedingly diverse, and often the underpinning technology is the only point of contact for users. A vibrant and productive facility requires a transparent interface between the scientist and the technology. This Network will set up the communication channels within the user base, and between the users and the facility development program.Read moreRead less
Studying Molecular Dynamics with Electron and Laser Interactions. We plan to use state-of-the-art experimental techniques and methodologies to probe the dynamics of molecular processes stimulated by either laser or electron interactions. These processes are fundamental to our understanding of both natural phenomena and many devices used in the technology of today and of the future. As a result of this study our insight into the mechanisms underpining these phenomena and devices will be enhanced.
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