Photodissociation Dynamics of Radicals and Molecules. Photodissociation dynamics involves studying fundamental chemical processes that underpin all chemical reactivity. We address three of the important unanswered questions in this field: i) how do the lessons learned from small molecules transfer to larger molecules? ii) can one control chemical reactivity by selecting specific states of the reactant?; and iii) are the dynamics of radicals fundamentally different to stable molecules? We wi ....Photodissociation Dynamics of Radicals and Molecules. Photodissociation dynamics involves studying fundamental chemical processes that underpin all chemical reactivity. We address three of the important unanswered questions in this field: i) how do the lessons learned from small molecules transfer to larger molecules? ii) can one control chemical reactivity by selecting specific states of the reactant?; and iii) are the dynamics of radicals fundamentally different to stable molecules? We will combine expertise in large molecule spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics with technology in radical production to provide insight into these fundamental questions. Photodissociation dynamics is firmly embedded in photon science and technology.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
How does biodiesel fuel burn? Revealing the chemical processes of methyl ester decomposition and oxidation. It is increasingly likely that a major proportion of the next-generation transport fuels will be derived from biological sources. Biodiesel is already an attractive prospect due to measured reductions in carbon monoxide and fine-particle emission along with its potential as a carbon-neutral fuel source. Impeding the rapid deployment of biodiesel-based engines is our limited understanding o ....How does biodiesel fuel burn? Revealing the chemical processes of methyl ester decomposition and oxidation. It is increasingly likely that a major proportion of the next-generation transport fuels will be derived from biological sources. Biodiesel is already an attractive prospect due to measured reductions in carbon monoxide and fine-particle emission along with its potential as a carbon-neutral fuel source. Impeding the rapid deployment of biodiesel-based engines is our limited understanding of the combustion processes at the molecular level. The purpose of this study is to reveal the underlying chemical processes of biodiesel-droplet burning using laser techniques, synchrotron radiation and mass spectrometry. The ensuing results will flow into modelling studies of biodiesel combustion systems and find practical application by guiding engine design.
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