Early Evolution of the Solar System: A Planetary Perspective. A geochemical study of early solar system materials will be conducted to investigate physical conditions leading to assembly of the terrestrial planets, and the chronology of early geological events that shaped the Earth and Moon. Objects from the solar nebula and samples from the Earth, Moon, Mars, and differentiated asteroids will be studied. This research will contribute toward understanding the astrophysical environment of the inn ....Early Evolution of the Solar System: A Planetary Perspective. A geochemical study of early solar system materials will be conducted to investigate physical conditions leading to assembly of the terrestrial planets, and the chronology of early geological events that shaped the Earth and Moon. Objects from the solar nebula and samples from the Earth, Moon, Mars, and differentiated asteroids will be studied. This research will contribute toward understanding the astrophysical environment of the inner solar system, establish a high-resolution absolute timescale for early geological events, and Identify the population of solid bodies present during the initial stages of planetary development.Read moreRead less
Lithic Astronomy: The age and origin of the elements and their incorporation in the solar nebula. All heavy elements are produced in stars. The signature of nucleosynthesis is the isotopic composition of the elements and thus measurement of isotopic compositions allows nuclear astrophysics to be elucidated in the laboratory. This project will examine the linkages between stellar sites and the material in our solar system through measurement of interstellar grains and other primitive material ob ....Lithic Astronomy: The age and origin of the elements and their incorporation in the solar nebula. All heavy elements are produced in stars. The signature of nucleosynthesis is the isotopic composition of the elements and thus measurement of isotopic compositions allows nuclear astrophysics to be elucidated in the laboratory. This project will examine the linkages between stellar sites and the material in our solar system through measurement of interstellar grains and other primitive material obtained from meteorites. A chronology of processes affecting the solar nebula will be determined through measurement of radionuclides. Th/U measurements in presolar grains could allow a view of galactic chemical evolution billions of years prior to the solar nebula.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,000.00
Summary
A Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer for investigating the Earth and its Environment. Key aspects of our knowledge of the earth have resulted from isotope measurements using a mass spectrometer. Thermal instruments measure the abundance of isotopes with the greatest accuracy achievable and are the cornerstone of laboratories investigating the earth and its environment. Recently, significant improvements have been made to these instruments in response to the need to solve problems involving a w ....A Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer for investigating the Earth and its Environment. Key aspects of our knowledge of the earth have resulted from isotope measurements using a mass spectrometer. Thermal instruments measure the abundance of isotopes with the greatest accuracy achievable and are the cornerstone of laboratories investigating the earth and its environment. Recently, significant improvements have been made to these instruments in response to the need to solve problems involving a wider range of chemical elements present in small quantities and to measure them with higher precision than ever before. This proposal will establish a state-of-the-art Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer so that Australian scientists can remain internationally competitive in their research.
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The behaviour of geochemical tracers during differentiation of the Earth. This project is aimed at providing fundamental data which Earth Scientists will use to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. It will provide training in modern high temperature-high pressure materials- ....The behaviour of geochemical tracers during differentiation of the Earth. This project is aimed at providing fundamental data which Earth Scientists will use to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. It will provide training in modern high temperature-high pressure materials-science techniques for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers. This will provide Australia with Earth Scientists who have both traditional skills and the ability to work with Materials Scientists on the synthesis of novel materials under extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
Origin and Evolution of the Earth's Chemical Reservoirs. The scientific aims of this project are to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. Experimental study of these processes will involve establishment of a world-class facility for materials synthesis at high pressures and ....Origin and Evolution of the Earth's Chemical Reservoirs. The scientific aims of this project are to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. Experimental study of these processes will involve establishment of a world-class facility for materials synthesis at high pressures and temperatures. This facility will provide the means to simulate the processes occurring within the Earth and will enable synthesis of new high density materials of technological interest.Read moreRead less
Understanding the role of catalysts in the growth of epitaxial semiconductor nanowires and their hierarchical heterostructures. This Fellowship aims to comprehensively determine the role of catalysts during nanowire growth, solving the bottle-neck problem for growing device-applicable nanowires. In order to address this complicated scientific challenge, the project plans to collaborate with several world-leading researchers in different areas, such as growth, property measurements and modelling. ....Understanding the role of catalysts in the growth of epitaxial semiconductor nanowires and their hierarchical heterostructures. This Fellowship aims to comprehensively determine the role of catalysts during nanowire growth, solving the bottle-neck problem for growing device-applicable nanowires. In order to address this complicated scientific challenge, the project plans to collaborate with several world-leading researchers in different areas, such as growth, property measurements and modelling. The outcomes of this Fellowship will not only provide new science in terms of nanowire growth, but also provide guidelines for designing, developing and manufacturing nanowire-based nanostructures for future nanodevices and nanosystems. This is strategically important to place Australia at the forefront of developments on nanoscience and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453608
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,230.00
Summary
Multifunctional confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved and two photon imaging and fluorescence correlation capabilities. We seek to establish an Australian first confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy capabilities. Its advantages include ultrasensitive detection of weak fluorescent emissions against high autofluorescent background by using fluorescence lifetime signatures, with over three orders of magnitude discrimi ....Multifunctional confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved and two photon imaging and fluorescence correlation capabilities. We seek to establish an Australian first confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy capabilities. Its advantages include ultrasensitive detection of weak fluorescent emissions against high autofluorescent background by using fluorescence lifetime signatures, with over three orders of magnitude discrimination improvement. The system will also be able to monitor binding of single molecules. These techniques will open new and exciting avenues for interdisciplinary research at the frontier between biological and physical sciences. The microscope will operate within an existing multi-user Optical Characterisation Facility supporting research of an established network of scientists in the Sydney area.Read moreRead less
An experimental study of trace element equilibria during metamorphism. The analytical methods and experimental data to be developed will enable an Australian team to become world leaders in determining pressures and temperatures of mineral growth that correspond to a range of depths and temperature gradients in the Earth tha t is wider than accessible previously. Obtaining this information from small zones within single grains will allow determination of rates of change, and give us a detailed p ....An experimental study of trace element equilibria during metamorphism. The analytical methods and experimental data to be developed will enable an Australian team to become world leaders in determining pressures and temperatures of mineral growth that correspond to a range of depths and temperature gradients in the Earth tha t is wider than accessible previously. Obtaining this information from small zones within single grains will allow determination of rates of change, and give us a detailed picture of how the host rock has evolved, even from very small samples. One application would be checking the origin of relatively common minerals for whether they could be associated with diamonds.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, de ....Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, developing and manufacturing nanowire-based nanostructures for future nanodevices and nanosystems, which is strategically important to Australia's emerging high-tech industries. This project will also enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industrial sectors and multi-trillion dollar economic activity is expected by 2020. Nanowires are considered to be new building blocks for future electronics and photonics technologies and our aim is to develop nanowire based technologies which are of benefit to Australian industry. This project will develop patentable technologies as well as enhance international links with UK, ....Epitaxial Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industrial sectors and multi-trillion dollar economic activity is expected by 2020. Nanowires are considered to be new building blocks for future electronics and photonics technologies and our aim is to develop nanowire based technologies which are of benefit to Australian industry. This project will develop patentable technologies as well as enhance international links with UK, China, Sweden and Norway. Training of postgraduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the field of nanotechnology will be of immense benefit to Australian industries, research and academic institutions. Read moreRead less