Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics. Crown ether-based multichromophoric systems will be used to mimic the steps through which plants convert light into chemical energy. The crown bridging units allow a variety of metal and organic cations, which provide electronic and structural roles, to be non-covalently bound within their cavities. These systems are advantageous over other photosynthetic models in that a variety ....Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics. Crown ether-based multichromophoric systems will be used to mimic the steps through which plants convert light into chemical energy. The crown bridging units allow a variety of metal and organic cations, which provide electronic and structural roles, to be non-covalently bound within their cavities. These systems are advantageous over other photosynthetic models in that a variety of electron transfer mediators can be examined in a readily controlled and systematic way simply through the choice of cation. In this way, the role played by molecular recognition in the modulation of long-range electron transfer can be evaluated. This work will lead to designing better artificial solar energy converters and molecular electronic devices.Read moreRead less
Porphyrin Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays III - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that ....Porphyrin Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays III - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in photonics. Developments in this project may also lead to breakthroughs in areas such as nano-scale computing and cleaner and more sustainable energy productionRead 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
Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays II: Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that ha ....Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays II: Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in photonics. Developments in this project may also lead to breakthroughs in areas such as nano-scale computing and cleaner and more sustainable energy production.Read moreRead less
Peptide Nucleic Acid Based Sensors and Devices - An Investigation into PNA Versatility for Emerging Gene Technologies. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are analogues of DNA that may have important implications as therapeutic agents for the cure of diseases based on genetic defects. The attributes of PNAs that make them potentially viable as a drug are also well suited to their development as sensors and molecular devices. In this proposal, we wish to develop a series of PNAs containing photoactive ....Peptide Nucleic Acid Based Sensors and Devices - An Investigation into PNA Versatility for Emerging Gene Technologies. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are analogues of DNA that may have important implications as therapeutic agents for the cure of diseases based on genetic defects. The attributes of PNAs that make them potentially viable as a drug are also well suited to their development as sensors and molecular devices. In this proposal, we wish to develop a series of PNAs containing photoactive elements (a) as alternatives to commercially-available fluorophores, (b) for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases and (c) to contribute to one of Science's most debated issues i.e. "does DNA mediate electron transport?"Read moreRead less
Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpt ....Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpts the output of individual neurones. The experiments will be extended to the study of possible interactions between different areas of the brain and the study of mechanisms by which the cortical network and higher cognitive factors such as attention and memory might influence the coding of sensory information in awake animals.Read moreRead less
Low viscosity, high ionic conductivity ionic liquids for lithium metal batteries. Current consumer electronic devices rely on lithium-ion batteries to provide a high energy density power source. There are growing safety concerns about the electrolytes in these devices after recent incidents involving fires in mobile phones. Recent advances in ionic liquids (ILs) have seen the development of new electrolytes for such devices, with enhanced physical properties that offer major safety advantages. H ....Low viscosity, high ionic conductivity ionic liquids for lithium metal batteries. Current consumer electronic devices rely on lithium-ion batteries to provide a high energy density power source. There are growing safety concerns about the electrolytes in these devices after recent incidents involving fires in mobile phones. Recent advances in ionic liquids (ILs) have seen the development of new electrolytes for such devices, with enhanced physical properties that offer major safety advantages. However, the viscosity of these materials currently limit their capabilities. New IL materials to be developed in this project will pave the way for the development of safer devices and new sustainable energy industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Characterization and design of new soft electrolyte materials. The use of fossil fuels for energy generation contributes heavily to global warming. The development of new types of energy sources (e.g. fuel cells) and energy storage devices (e.g. batteries) is of crucial importance to ease this pressure on the environment. The search for new, high energy-density electrolyte materials for these applications is intense. Recently, plastic crystal materials have been identified as potential electroly ....Characterization and design of new soft electrolyte materials. The use of fossil fuels for energy generation contributes heavily to global warming. The development of new types of energy sources (e.g. fuel cells) and energy storage devices (e.g. batteries) is of crucial importance to ease this pressure on the environment. The search for new, high energy-density electrolyte materials for these applications is intense. Recently, plastic crystal materials have been identified as potential electrolytes in a variety of electrochemical devices. These materials show high conductivity at ambient temperatures in their plastic (or soft) phase. This project aims to further investigate and develop these novel materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775550
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Characterisation Equipment for Advanced Gas Separation Applications. The proposed research will lead to the synthesis of new advanced materials capable of performing new and existing separations more efficiently than previous methods. We therefore expect the new materials to directly benefit the community through improved removal and recovery of a wide range of pollutants which would otherwise enter the environment. This research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontie ....Characterisation Equipment for Advanced Gas Separation Applications. The proposed research will lead to the synthesis of new advanced materials capable of performing new and existing separations more efficiently than previous methods. We therefore expect the new materials to directly benefit the community through improved removal and recovery of a wide range of pollutants which would otherwise enter the environment. This research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries: Advanced Materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989487
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility. Hydrogen energy technology is a vital element in the global response to climate change owing to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a universal energy carrier that facilitates the transformation of energy from renewable and other sources for applications in industry, transport and homes. The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility is a multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art experimental facili ....The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility. Hydrogen energy technology is a vital element in the global response to climate change owing to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a universal energy carrier that facilitates the transformation of energy from renewable and other sources for applications in industry, transport and homes. The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility is a multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art experimental facility for materials science supporting excellent research into advanced materials for hydrogen generation from fossil fuels and by solar means, hydrogen storage for automotive and stationary applications, hydrogen distribution and hydrogen end use, particularly in fuel cells that generate electricity.Read moreRead less