The geochemistry of trace elements with variable oxidation states. The understanding of many earth processes is based upon an interpretation of differences in the relative abundance and/or distribution of elements which occur in more than one oxidation state. However, the redox states that control the geochemical behaviour of an element in a melt are not necessarily retained on cooling. This work aims to determine the oxidation states of geologically important elements, in situ under magmatic ....The geochemistry of trace elements with variable oxidation states. The understanding of many earth processes is based upon an interpretation of differences in the relative abundance and/or distribution of elements which occur in more than one oxidation state. However, the redox states that control the geochemical behaviour of an element in a melt are not necessarily retained on cooling. This work aims to determine the oxidation states of geologically important elements, in situ under magmatic conditions, using XANES spectroscopy. The results will allow geological signatures to be correctly interpreted and allow models for topics ranging from ancient mantle temperatures to rates of melt migration to be better constrained.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
Water storage in the earth's mantle - understanding the process of OH incorporation in olivine. The amount of water in the Earth's mantle is thought to be sufficient to replace the surface oceans more than ten times. Whether this water exists in a fluid, melt, or mineral is important for understanding a range of mantle properties. The entire upper mantle water budget may be accommodated at defect sites in the mineral olivine. However, defects found in natural olivine do not correspond to thos ....Water storage in the earth's mantle - understanding the process of OH incorporation in olivine. The amount of water in the Earth's mantle is thought to be sufficient to replace the surface oceans more than ten times. Whether this water exists in a fluid, melt, or mineral is important for understanding a range of mantle properties. The entire upper mantle water budget may be accommodated at defect sites in the mineral olivine. However, defects found in natural olivine do not correspond to those produced
experimentally. Therefore, previous conclusions on water storage in the mantle are questionable. To address this problem the mechanism of water incorporation in olivine will be investigated using experimental petrology and spectroscopy.Read moreRead less
Biomolecular chemical survival strategies of terrestrial extremophiles and the spectroscopic search for life on Mars. This project is aimed to place Australian research at the forefront of developments in the search for extraterrestrial life, the evolution of life on earth, and the design of new probes for the identification of microorganisms. The research will link key centres in Australia and the UK with international space agencies (NASA and the European Space Agency) in the search for cutti ....Biomolecular chemical survival strategies of terrestrial extremophiles and the spectroscopic search for life on Mars. This project is aimed to place Australian research at the forefront of developments in the search for extraterrestrial life, the evolution of life on earth, and the design of new probes for the identification of microorganisms. The research will link key centres in Australia and the UK with international space agencies (NASA and the European Space Agency) in the search for cutting edge techniques to be used in the search for extraterrestrial life forms and their links to paleo and extremophile life forms on Earth. Read moreRead less
Resolving Critical Knowledge Gaps Relating to Light and Free-Radical Mediated Transformations of Iron and Copper in Oxic Natural Waters. Understanding the transformation kinetics of iron and copper species is critical to maintaining Australia's water resources since i) iron transformations are key to generation and transport of acid in Australia's coastal environment; ii) growth of toxic algae are stimulated by dissolution of iron-rich sediments with subsequent release of nutrients phosphorus an ....Resolving Critical Knowledge Gaps Relating to Light and Free-Radical Mediated Transformations of Iron and Copper in Oxic Natural Waters. Understanding the transformation kinetics of iron and copper species is critical to maintaining Australia's water resources since i) iron transformations are key to generation and transport of acid in Australia's coastal environment; ii) growth of toxic algae are stimulated by dissolution of iron-rich sediments with subsequent release of nutrients phosphorus and iron, and iii) algal toxicity is related to iron and copper nutrition and interplay of these metals with oxygen. Additionally, global cycles of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen are influenced by iron and copper interactions with light and oxygen. Improved understanding of these processes should lead to an awareness of how to prevent these problems and, if they occur, approaches to their mitigation.Read moreRead less
Development of Methods and Strategies for the Measurement, Interpretation and Analysis of Diffuse X-ray Scattering from Disordered Materials. This application seeks to exploit our established lead in the measurement of diffuse scattering from disordered materials and its analysis using large-scale computer simulations. Many industrially important materials such as ceramics, superconductors, catalysts, electro-optical materials and minerals owe their special properties to the disorder in their st ....Development of Methods and Strategies for the Measurement, Interpretation and Analysis of Diffuse X-ray Scattering from Disordered Materials. This application seeks to exploit our established lead in the measurement of diffuse scattering from disordered materials and its analysis using large-scale computer simulations. Many industrially important materials such as ceramics, superconductors, catalysts, electro-optical materials and minerals owe their special properties to the disorder in their structure. This disorder causes diffuse X-ray scattering which can be probed using synchrotron X-rays and powerful computers to reveal details about the material's nanoscale structure. The new methodology being developed will enhance our detailed understanding of the relationships between structure and properties in materials and help promote the design of new materials. Read moreRead less
Photochemistry of the Middle Atmospheres of Venus and the Earth. Ongoing changes in the Earth's atmosphere, such as ozone depletion, demonstrate the need to understand the processes that control atmospheric chemistry. The proposed research will improve the fidelity of photochemical models, provide additional insight into the recent evolution of the Venus atmosphere, and examine how atmospheric chemistry and climate change interact(ed) on Venus. This research will improve our understanding of l ....Photochemistry of the Middle Atmospheres of Venus and the Earth. Ongoing changes in the Earth's atmosphere, such as ozone depletion, demonstrate the need to understand the processes that control atmospheric chemistry. The proposed research will improve the fidelity of photochemical models, provide additional insight into the recent evolution of the Venus atmosphere, and examine how atmospheric chemistry and climate change interact(ed) on Venus. This research will improve our understanding of long-standing issues, such as how much water might have been present on Venus in the recent past. The research program will provide an opportunity for Australian science to participate in at least one spacecraft mission to Venus. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237922
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
High Resolution Cryogenic Field Emission Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Facility. A high resolution variable pressure scanning electron microscope will replace aging, heavily utilised facilities. It will be accessed by existing large and diverse user groups in a mature and internationally-recognised Centre. The novel combination of a cryogenic stage and the electrostatic beam blanking modification will support continuance of the local, world-leading research and application of new ....High Resolution Cryogenic Field Emission Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Facility. A high resolution variable pressure scanning electron microscope will replace aging, heavily utilised facilities. It will be accessed by existing large and diverse user groups in a mature and internationally-recognised Centre. The novel combination of a cryogenic stage and the electrostatic beam blanking modification will support continuance of the local, world-leading research and application of new imaging techniques, particularly in the materials and mineral sciences. Both new nanotechnology and existing globally-significant industries will utilise the unique aspects of this instrument for product refinement and maintenance of commercial leadership, in partnership with local Universities and Government agencies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668100
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
High Resolution Simultaneous DSC/DTA-TGA-FTIR System. National Research Priorities including 'New Materials' 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' and 'Developing Deep Earth Resources' will all be addressed and the benefits will include new materials such as carbon nanotubes and layered silicate composites. It will also contribute economically through technological development, supporting existing Australian companies in the development of more effective pro ....High Resolution Simultaneous DSC/DTA-TGA-FTIR System. National Research Priorities including 'New Materials' 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' and 'Developing Deep Earth Resources' will all be addressed and the benefits will include new materials such as carbon nanotubes and layered silicate composites. It will also contribute economically through technological development, supporting existing Australian companies in the development of more effective products and help keep pace with new and innovative advances in technology and to bring in vitality to strategic alliances with industry already launched by the University through a Sustainable Regions Program grant titled 'Building nanotechnology business potential in the Campbelltown-Camden region'.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100064
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A facility for sensitive and precise isotopic dating of the earth's and extraterrestrial rocks. SPIDE2R will be a new generation mass spectrometer for very precise and sensitive dating and forensics applications in earth and planetary sciences, hydrology, climate studies, and nuclear and archaeological fingerprinting. The unprecedented sensitivity of this unique instrument will provide enhanced capabilities for solving long-standing problems requiring precise geological time resolution, as well ....A facility for sensitive and precise isotopic dating of the earth's and extraterrestrial rocks. SPIDE2R will be a new generation mass spectrometer for very precise and sensitive dating and forensics applications in earth and planetary sciences, hydrology, climate studies, and nuclear and archaeological fingerprinting. The unprecedented sensitivity of this unique instrument will provide enhanced capabilities for solving long-standing problems requiring precise geological time resolution, as well as opening new areas of research. It will be the instrument of choice for analysing small, rare samples such as those returned by space missions. The Australian-built high sensitivity source and ion detection systems can be retrofitted onto other mass spectrometers, opening a new area of commercialisation.Read moreRead less