New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with exp ....Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with explosives and illicit drugs. The simplicity and low cost of the chemical listening allows for installation at key locations -e.g. transport hubs, shipping containers, airports etc as well as placement within clandestine drug laboratories.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560758
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,000.00
Summary
Dynamics at Interfaces: a facility for the characterisation of the dynamics of structural reorganisation and adsorption at interfaces. Controlling the flow, stability, and general performance of finely dispersed materials is important in a great number of industries from cosmetics to minerals purification. These properties are often controlled by the addition of material that forms a film at the interface between the dispersed material and the solvent. We seek to develop a facility that will ena ....Dynamics at Interfaces: a facility for the characterisation of the dynamics of structural reorganisation and adsorption at interfaces. Controlling the flow, stability, and general performance of finely dispersed materials is important in a great number of industries from cosmetics to minerals purification. These properties are often controlled by the addition of material that forms a film at the interface between the dispersed material and the solvent. We seek to develop a facility that will enable the properties of this film to be characterized, in particular the rate at which the film responds to mechanical and chemical changes. With this knowledge we hope to relate the nanoscopic properties of the adsorbed film to macroscopic properties of the dispersion and be able to tune the structure of the surface film, in order to control the bulk properties of complex fluids.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668374
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,000.00
Summary
State-of-the-art NMR Facilities. This proposal will significantly enhance the NMR research capability and capacities at UoW and ANU. These schools have internationally recognised strengths in fundamentals of synthetic organic chemistry, therapeutic drug design and synthesis, protein chemistry and structural biology. This equipment will enhance the productivity of these researchers, increase their collaborative and scientific outputs and allow for training of students in the latest technologies ....State-of-the-art NMR Facilities. This proposal will significantly enhance the NMR research capability and capacities at UoW and ANU. These schools have internationally recognised strengths in fundamentals of synthetic organic chemistry, therapeutic drug design and synthesis, protein chemistry and structural biology. This equipment will enhance the productivity of these researchers, increase their collaborative and scientific outputs and allow for training of students in the latest technologies and importantly, contribute to Australia's development as a knowledge-based economy.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237664
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
High Resolution Mass Spectrometer for (MS)n Chemical Characterisation. A Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance ("FT-ICR") mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionisation (ESI) plus a "benchtop" matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer are required to support the research of ca 28 research groups, including 44 postdoctoral fellows, and 138 honours and postgraduate students. By means of its high resolution and (MS)n capabilities, the FT- ....High Resolution Mass Spectrometer for (MS)n Chemical Characterisation. A Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance ("FT-ICR") mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionisation (ESI) plus a "benchtop" matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer are required to support the research of ca 28 research groups, including 44 postdoctoral fellows, and 138 honours and postgraduate students. By means of its high resolution and (MS)n capabilities, the FT-ICR-MS will provide key structural information on a wide range of synthetic and natural chemical substances, including sequence (e.g. peptides) and fragmentation patterns, while the MALDI-TOF instrument will be used primarily for high through-put proteomic analyses.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560818
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,000.00
Summary
A Pico-Newton Scale Force Measurement Apparatus for Polymer Physics and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. We propose to build a state-of-the-art Optical Tweezers apparatus that measures small forces and torques on micron-sized objects located in 'optical traps'. Using a single laser beam and computer-generated holograms, we will create arrays of optical traps that move or 'dance', and alter the force/torque-imposing properties of each trap. This proposed research equipment will be used (1 ....A Pico-Newton Scale Force Measurement Apparatus for Polymer Physics and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. We propose to build a state-of-the-art Optical Tweezers apparatus that measures small forces and torques on micron-sized objects located in 'optical traps'. Using a single laser beam and computer-generated holograms, we will create arrays of optical traps that move or 'dance', and alter the force/torque-imposing properties of each trap. This proposed research equipment will be used (1) to study the physics of single synthetic polymer and naturally occuring biopolymer chains, (2) to quantify experimentally, and for the first time, newly predicted molecular-scale forces, and (3) to demonstrate new theories in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics that quantitatively describe the operation of nanomachines. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989541
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
High Field Solid State and Multinuclear NMR Spectrometer for Structure/Function Analysis of Materials. Projects requiring the proposed infrastructure are aligned with two of the National Research Priorities. The research will lead to the development of novel materials, polymers and drugs, in particular nanoporous molecular frameworks, as well as reactive catalysts. The understanding of protein structure, disease and metabolic pathways which will be established using the proposed equipment will c ....High Field Solid State and Multinuclear NMR Spectrometer for Structure/Function Analysis of Materials. Projects requiring the proposed infrastructure are aligned with two of the National Research Priorities. The research will lead to the development of novel materials, polymers and drugs, in particular nanoporous molecular frameworks, as well as reactive catalysts. The understanding of protein structure, disease and metabolic pathways which will be established using the proposed equipment will contribute to the priority area 'Promoting and Maintaining Good Health'. In addition, the new equipment will extend capabilities and postgraduate training in chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedicine (the priority area of 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries').Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560751
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,474.00
Summary
Facility for the Analysis of Biomacromolecular Interactions. A facility for the analysis of biological macromolecules and their interactions with ligand molecules is required to support a large number of research projects in high priority areas including mechanisms of aging, drug development and bio/nanotechnology at three different universities. The instrumentation will (i) afford quantitative measurements of binding affinities between biological and chemical macromolecules, which are available ....Facility for the Analysis of Biomacromolecular Interactions. A facility for the analysis of biological macromolecules and their interactions with ligand molecules is required to support a large number of research projects in high priority areas including mechanisms of aging, drug development and bio/nanotechnology at three different universities. The instrumentation will (i) afford quantitative measurements of binding affinities between biological and chemical macromolecules, which are available only in small quantities, and small, drug related molecules (by microcalorimetry and dual polarization interferometry), and (ii) provide equipment necessary for sample characterization and purification prior to quantitative measurements (CD spectroscopy, and FPLC equipment).Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454209
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$126,326.00
Summary
A Glycobiology Facility for Glycoconjugate Analysis and Oligosaccharide Sequencing. The carbohydrate moiety of glycoconjugates plays an important role in their function and metabolism. Advances in glycan analytical and oligosaccharide sequencing techniques offer tremendous potential for the application of glycobiology to biotechnology, cell biology and medicine. This application aims to establish a Glycobiology Facility dedicated to glycoconjugate analysis and oligosaccharide sequencing. Funds a ....A Glycobiology Facility for Glycoconjugate Analysis and Oligosaccharide Sequencing. The carbohydrate moiety of glycoconjugates plays an important role in their function and metabolism. Advances in glycan analytical and oligosaccharide sequencing techniques offer tremendous potential for the application of glycobiology to biotechnology, cell biology and medicine. This application aims to establish a Glycobiology Facility dedicated to glycoconjugate analysis and oligosaccharide sequencing. Funds are requested for state of the art HPLC equipment, associated equipment and reagents for glycan purification/labelling, and a staff member, that are all essential to establish this technology in Australia. The Facility will support $25 million of existing research; approximately half of which is derived from ARC.Read moreRead less