Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668226
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,000.00
Summary
A new X-ray spectrometer facility for VIEPS: major and trace element characterisation of geological materials. Australia has a well-earned reputation as a leading innovator in analytical geochemistry and the acquisition of this instrumentation will reinforce that standing. The equipment will support a broad range of research activities and enhance our capability for research training at Honours and post-graduate student level. In addition this project addresses directly our current National Rese ....A new X-ray spectrometer facility for VIEPS: major and trace element characterisation of geological materials. Australia has a well-earned reputation as a leading innovator in analytical geochemistry and the acquisition of this instrumentation will reinforce that standing. The equipment will support a broad range of research activities and enhance our capability for research training at Honours and post-graduate student level. In addition this project addresses directly our current National Research Priority 'an environmentally sustainable Australia', and priority goals 'Developing deep earth resources' and 'Responding to climate change and variability'Read moreRead less
Development of improved technologies for high throughput screening of potential disease susceptibility genes. This research is aimed at developing more efficient strategies to identify genes involved in common, human disorders. We aim to develop cost-effective, high throughput approaches for DNA extraction and preparation, accurately determining DNA concentration and quality and for undertaking extensive polymorphism genotyping and analysis. The suitability of equipment, analysis packages and so ....Development of improved technologies for high throughput screening of potential disease susceptibility genes. This research is aimed at developing more efficient strategies to identify genes involved in common, human disorders. We aim to develop cost-effective, high throughput approaches for DNA extraction and preparation, accurately determining DNA concentration and quality and for undertaking extensive polymorphism genotyping and analysis. The suitability of equipment, analysis packages and software, will be assessed and better technologies and packages developed. The study involves collaboration between a research centre with considerable expertise in molecular genetics and Corbett Research, a leader in the field of molecular equipment production. The development of better gene screening technologies has both molecular and commercial significance.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882893
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,000.00
Summary
A cryopreparation facility for Western Australia. Western Australia is home to a number of world-leading biological and biomedical research groups and some of the best microscopy facilities in the country. Establishing a world-class cryopreparation facility in WA will enable local researchers to remain at the forefront of their research fields and will serve to attract additional high profile international scientists and students to WA. Significant research advancements in areas such as genetic ....A cryopreparation facility for Western Australia. Western Australia is home to a number of world-leading biological and biomedical research groups and some of the best microscopy facilities in the country. Establishing a world-class cryopreparation facility in WA will enable local researchers to remain at the forefront of their research fields and will serve to attract additional high profile international scientists and students to WA. Significant research advancements in areas such as genetic muscular diseases, nerve regeneration, parasitic infection in humans, crop optimisation and tolerance to environmental conditions, and animal growth and reproduction, will result from the establishment of such a facility. Read moreRead less
Terahertz Metamaterials for Molecular Sensing. Metamaterials are fascinating new man-made structures that can manipulate beams of light in surprising ways; eg. metamaterials are being studied as 'cloaking devices' to render objects invisible. Our proposal aims for fundamental studies and improvement of metamaterials operating in the terahertz (T-ray) frequency regime. The outcome will be the exploitation of new metamaterial devices for high performance molecular sensors and electromagnetic filte ....Terahertz Metamaterials for Molecular Sensing. Metamaterials are fascinating new man-made structures that can manipulate beams of light in surprising ways; eg. metamaterials are being studied as 'cloaking devices' to render objects invisible. Our proposal aims for fundamental studies and improvement of metamaterials operating in the terahertz (T-ray) frequency regime. The outcome will be the exploitation of new metamaterial devices for high performance molecular sensors and electromagnetic filters operating at terahertz frequencies. Socioeconomic benefits to Australia include: (i) increased knowledge-base in metamaterials operating in the terahertz range; (ii) the underpinning of applications in biophotonics and communications; and (iii) commercialisation of novel terahertz devices.Read moreRead less
Development of a light detection system for enhanced scanning electron microscopy imaging of fully hydrated biological specimens at room temperature. This project aims to develop instrumentation and techniques to image fully hydrated cellS for prolonged periods at room temperature in an environmental scanning electron microscope. Multiple fluorescent nano-particle labels will be used to image complex cellular structure and dynamics at ultra high spatial resolution. This innovative bio-imaging te ....Development of a light detection system for enhanced scanning electron microscopy imaging of fully hydrated biological specimens at room temperature. This project aims to develop instrumentation and techniques to image fully hydrated cellS for prolonged periods at room temperature in an environmental scanning electron microscope. Multiple fluorescent nano-particle labels will be used to image complex cellular structure and dynamics at ultra high spatial resolution. This innovative bio-imaging technique will be facilitated by the construction of a high speed light collection system that can efficiently operate at the pressures required to stablise water within the cell. Applications for this new bio-imaging technique will also be explored.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239467
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
A portable laser scanning facility for geomatic data capture. Ground-based laser scaning is an emerging technology that promises to revolutionize spatial data capture for the geomatics industry due to its high data volume, accuracy and acquisition rate. This proposal brings together leading academics from Australasia to establish a laser scanning facility that will enhance existing projects and explore new avenues in geomatic research. The facility will impact on the research programs of partici ....A portable laser scanning facility for geomatic data capture. Ground-based laser scaning is an emerging technology that promises to revolutionize spatial data capture for the geomatics industry due to its high data volume, accuracy and acquisition rate. This proposal brings together leading academics from Australasia to establish a laser scanning facility that will enhance existing projects and explore new avenues in geomatic research. The facility will impact on the research programs of participating institutions in the fields of high-resolution thematic mapping and visualization, environmental geomatics, geomatic monitoring and geomatic engineering. Furthermore, the facility will allow Australasian universities to develop a knowledge base in this new and exciting technology.Read moreRead less
A low-cost water vapour profiler for the lower troposphere. Water vapour plays an important role in weather forecasting, as well as being the most important greenhouse gas. Its distribution is not known in sufficient detail for many aspects of predicting weather and climate change. With the Bureau of Meteorology we will develop a low-cost laser ranging system to measure the profile of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. A low-cost instrument can be placed at a sufficient number of locations ....A low-cost water vapour profiler for the lower troposphere. Water vapour plays an important role in weather forecasting, as well as being the most important greenhouse gas. Its distribution is not known in sufficient detail for many aspects of predicting weather and climate change. With the Bureau of Meteorology we will develop a low-cost laser ranging system to measure the profile of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. A low-cost instrument can be placed at a sufficient number of locations to significantly enhance weather forecasting and climate modelling. The instrument will be useful for detecting fog formation, measuring cloudbase heights and can be adapted for pollution detection and measurement.Read moreRead less
Control of Instabilities in Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors. Gravitational wave technology from UWA has already given rise to significant spin-offs including sapphire oscillators for radar applications and vibration isolators for airborne mineral exploration. This project will lead to techniques for increasing the sensitivity of already extraordinary sensitive instruments, and could have applications in many areas. The project will strengthen Australia's role in the world wide quest to det ....Control of Instabilities in Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors. Gravitational wave technology from UWA has already given rise to significant spin-offs including sapphire oscillators for radar applications and vibration isolators for airborne mineral exploration. This project will lead to techniques for increasing the sensitivity of already extraordinary sensitive instruments, and could have applications in many areas. The project will strengthen Australia's role in the world wide quest to detect gravitational waves, which is one of the most significant and challenging human endeavours. The project will use the superb national research facility at Gingin. Its content contributes to the Eureka Prize winning Gravity Discovery Centre also located at the site, which is a major centre for science education.Read moreRead less
Marine oil seeps and airborne particulates characterisation for organic compositional fingerprinting by using novel gas chromatographic technologies. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is a powerful new tool for studying complex organic materials. The technique provides a highly sensitive method of fingerprinting not only the composition of the material but also its environmental history and behaviour. In this project the technique will be applied to a range of petroleum- ....Marine oil seeps and airborne particulates characterisation for organic compositional fingerprinting by using novel gas chromatographic technologies. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is a powerful new tool for studying complex organic materials. The technique provides a highly sensitive method of fingerprinting not only the composition of the material but also its environmental history and behaviour. In this project the technique will be applied to a range of petroleum-related organic samples, including oil seeps from the ocean floor, and airborne particulates contributing to air pollution. The research will lead to a better understanding of geochemistry of petroleum-related materials and their potential impact on the environment and on public health.Read moreRead less
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