Polynuclear Metal Complexes as Molecular Nanomagnets. Computer hard drives and other devices use tiny particles of magnetic materials to store digital information. Technological advances require an increase in the density of information storage and therefore even smaller magnetic particles. This project has the potential to synthesise materials where a single molecule could act as the smallest possible unit of magnetic memory. The future application of these materials may provide an increase ....Polynuclear Metal Complexes as Molecular Nanomagnets. Computer hard drives and other devices use tiny particles of magnetic materials to store digital information. Technological advances require an increase in the density of information storage and therefore even smaller magnetic particles. This project has the potential to synthesise materials where a single molecule could act as the smallest possible unit of magnetic memory. The future application of these materials may provide an increase of three orders of magnitude in information storage density. In addition, they may find employment in quantum computers, which can perform calculations exponentially faster than conventional computers.Read moreRead less
Novel organic materials for efficient low-cost solar cells. Finding sources of renewable energy is the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the coming decades. Solar energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of the world's energy needs. The successful development of a solar technology capable of large scale energy production will reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable envir ....Novel organic materials for efficient low-cost solar cells. Finding sources of renewable energy is the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the coming decades. Solar energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of the world's energy needs. The successful development of a solar technology capable of large scale energy production will reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable environment. The harnessing of solar energy involves a number of frontier technologies that will enhance Australia's strengths in research and innovation. There is also potential for the creation of a world-class industry in solar energy that has both economic and environmental benefits.Read moreRead less
A priori simulations of condensed-phase molecular spectroscopy. Molecular spectroscopy is used to probe phenomena in chemistry, biology, and nanoscience, but interpretation of the results often requires simulation of the spectra. While most applications involve condensed phases, until recently most accurate computations could only be performed for gas-phase molecules. Last year, a major advance has started to emerge, stemming from the production of analytical atomic forces for molecules in exc ....A priori simulations of condensed-phase molecular spectroscopy. Molecular spectroscopy is used to probe phenomena in chemistry, biology, and nanoscience, but interpretation of the results often requires simulation of the spectra. While most applications involve condensed phases, until recently most accurate computations could only be performed for gas-phase molecules. Last year, a major advance has started to emerge, stemming from the production of analytical atomic forces for molecules in excited states obtained using density-functional theory. We will adapt these methods to solve fundamental chemical problems involving the intermolecular interactions of molecules that have absorbed light- in particular, hydrogen-bonding interactions in water, studying, eg., chemical solvation and optical damage to DNA.Read moreRead less
Understanding and controlling ion-neutral interactions. Australia faces significant environmental and technological challenges including development of clean, sustainable energy sources and technologies that do not adversely affect the terrestrial atmosphere. This project seeks to facilitate a cleaner, greener future through investigations of fundamental chemical interactions responsible for hydrogen storage in solid media, and atmospheric processes responsible for the production and destruction ....Understanding and controlling ion-neutral interactions. Australia faces significant environmental and technological challenges including development of clean, sustainable energy sources and technologies that do not adversely affect the terrestrial atmosphere. This project seeks to facilitate a cleaner, greener future through investigations of fundamental chemical interactions responsible for hydrogen storage in solid media, and atmospheric processes responsible for the production and destruction of ozone. In both cases, the key interactions between ions and neutral molecules will be elucidated through high-resolution laser studies. Ensuing experimental data will play a crucial role in controlling and predicting ion-neutral interactions in technological and environmental contexts.Read moreRead less
Towards a Microscopic Understanding of Anion Solvation. Atomic and molecular anions are ubiquitous components of oceans, rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and serve as key participants in natural and industrial chemical processes. In most situations ions are surrounded by a structured sheath of neutral solvent molecules which profoundly affects their physical and chemical properties. Currently, interactions between anions and solvent molecules are poorly understood. In this project we will use ....Towards a Microscopic Understanding of Anion Solvation. Atomic and molecular anions are ubiquitous components of oceans, rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and serve as key participants in natural and industrial chemical processes. In most situations ions are surrounded by a structured sheath of neutral solvent molecules which profoundly affects their physical and chemical properties. Currently, interactions between anions and solvent molecules are poorly understood. In this project we will use lasers to probe clusters consisting of just a few molecules attached to an anion, generating information that will enhance our ability to predict and control chemical processes involved in drug design, salination, atmospheric chemistry, and chemical waste remediation.Read moreRead less
Nanomaterials: Probing supramolecular self-assembly at the solution/solid interface. Australia's competitiveness in nanotechnology must be underpinned by fundamental innovation and research. In a "bottom-up" approach to nanomaterials, it is important to understand, for the smallest possible machines that can be produced, how singular molecular components interact with one another, both during the assembly of any device and afterwards as it performs its function. For working devices the molecule ....Nanomaterials: Probing supramolecular self-assembly at the solution/solid interface. Australia's competitiveness in nanotechnology must be underpinned by fundamental innovation and research. In a "bottom-up" approach to nanomaterials, it is important to understand, for the smallest possible machines that can be produced, how singular molecular components interact with one another, both during the assembly of any device and afterwards as it performs its function. For working devices the molecules need to be assembled on a solid surface so that they can work in unison. In this project, in conjunction with researchers at the University of Cambridge, we use the new technique of gel-phase NMR spectroscopy to understand the factors involved as molecular components assemble on the surface of polystyrene beads.Read moreRead less
Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since s ....Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since solar cells do not produce carbon dioxide. To achieve our goals we draw on the skills of a team of experts from Australia (synthetic organic chemists), New Zealand (polymer and surface chemists) and Italy (photochemist and photophysicist). Such research is very appropriate for regional Australia, especially Central Queensland.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560658
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,533.00
Summary
Shared Laser Facility. The Australian Shared Laser Facility (ASLF) has been providing lasers for physical chemistry research for a decade. ASLF lasers are portable and are transported between participating laboratories according to need and research priorities. Funds are sought to expand the ASLF by 3 laser systems and 2 research groups. The requested lasers provide mid-IR and deep UV wavelengths, spectral regions inaccessible with existing ASLF lasers. Access to these wavelengths is essenti ....Shared Laser Facility. The Australian Shared Laser Facility (ASLF) has been providing lasers for physical chemistry research for a decade. ASLF lasers are portable and are transported between participating laboratories according to need and research priorities. Funds are sought to expand the ASLF by 3 laser systems and 2 research groups. The requested lasers provide mid-IR and deep UV wavelengths, spectral regions inaccessible with existing ASLF lasers. Access to these wavelengths is essential for Australian research to remain at the forefront of international physical chemistry research. ASLF laboratories support a wide range of chemical research including spectroscopy, environmental chemistry, astrochemistry, and exploration of nanostructured materials.Read moreRead less
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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Integrated Vibrational Spectroscopic Mapping for Archeological, Biological, Geological, Materials, and Medical Research. The expected benefits that will arise will include: green chemical processes with improved environmental and economic impacts; improved treatments and diagnoses of diseases; understanding of fundamental geological processes; identification of the earliest forms; studies of archaeological artefacts; evolution of life on Earth; the design of improved dental materials. Ultimatel ....Integrated Vibrational Spectroscopic Mapping for Archeological, Biological, Geological, Materials, and Medical Research. The expected benefits that will arise will include: green chemical processes with improved environmental and economic impacts; improved treatments and diagnoses of diseases; understanding of fundamental geological processes; identification of the earliest forms; studies of archaeological artefacts; evolution of life on Earth; the design of improved dental materials. Ultimately, this research will include economic and social benefits in; industrial processes; the mining industry; medicine; and dentistry. An understanding of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth also has many social implications.Read moreRead less