Enhancing Selectivity and Detection in Miniaturised Analytical Separation Systems. Miniaturisation-compatible stationary phases and detection techniques will be developed for microseparation techniques of capillary electrochromatography and chip-based separation systems, and their analytical applications will be investigated. Replaceable stationary phases (RSP) of chromatographic particles suspended in reversible gels will be created by delivering a liquid RSP to the column followed by in situ ....Enhancing Selectivity and Detection in Miniaturised Analytical Separation Systems. Miniaturisation-compatible stationary phases and detection techniques will be developed for microseparation techniques of capillary electrochromatography and chip-based separation systems, and their analytical applications will be investigated. Replaceable stationary phases (RSP) of chromatographic particles suspended in reversible gels will be created by delivering a liquid RSP to the column followed by in situ immobilisation. This approach offers flexibility in optimising a number of parameters of the column and of its use for sample pre-treatment and preconcentration. Pulsed potentiometric detection will be developed for the abovementioned microseparation techniques, combining the advantages of pulsed amperometric techniques with the more universally responding potentiometric detection.Read moreRead less
Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. ....Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. Could they be caused by the missing molecules? In this project we combine the skills of three spectroscopists, each expert in different areas, in an attempt to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify these unknown molecules that are in space.Read moreRead less
Novel approach to study mechanisms of Na+ transport in plants using Lab on a Chip technology. A Lab on a Chip for sodium ion measurements in plants is proposed, offering a long overdue solution to the lack of appropriate techniques to study the mechanisms of sodium iron uptake, transport and compartmentation. Sodium ion transport is a key determinant of salt tolerance, but a good understanding of its transport mechanisms is lacking since no appropriate measurement tools are available. Using the ....Novel approach to study mechanisms of Na+ transport in plants using Lab on a Chip technology. A Lab on a Chip for sodium ion measurements in plants is proposed, offering a long overdue solution to the lack of appropriate techniques to study the mechanisms of sodium iron uptake, transport and compartmentation. Sodium ion transport is a key determinant of salt tolerance, but a good understanding of its transport mechanisms is lacking since no appropriate measurement tools are available. Using the system proposed here, sodium ion is separated from interfering ions, allowing fast and selective measurements. A series of ground breaking studies towards sodium ion uptake, transport and compartmentation in plants will be conducted using this Lab on a Chip.Read moreRead less
Towards Microfluidic-Based Advanced Remote Analysis. The research under this project will establish and systematically develop Advanced Remote Analysis as a new inter-disciplinary area and establish a leadership role for Australia. By addressing pressing needs such as monitoring the environment, remote medical diagnostics, advancing Australian science and technology, or monitoring for traces of explosives, this project falls directly into all four of the National Research Priorities with applica ....Towards Microfluidic-Based Advanced Remote Analysis. The research under this project will establish and systematically develop Advanced Remote Analysis as a new inter-disciplinary area and establish a leadership role for Australia. By addressing pressing needs such as monitoring the environment, remote medical diagnostics, advancing Australian science and technology, or monitoring for traces of explosives, this project falls directly into all four of the National Research Priorities with applications addressing corresponding Priority Goals. Other areas benefiting from the outcomes of this project will be remote monitoring of agricultural production including living species, and a number of other industries such as biotechnology, mineral processing, power generation etc.Read moreRead less
Disposable microdevices for fast ion analysis. The design and fabrication of a microdevice for ion chromatography will introduce Australia to the field of miniaturised total analytical systems (µTAS). The availability of infrastructure, technology and experience in the µTAS area will provide the foundation for specialised commercialisation of sophisticated, chip-based analytical instruments. These instruments have important applications in forensic, clinical and environmental chemistry.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560685
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,000.00
Summary
Scanning Probe Microscopy for Bioelectrochemistry. New methods to study the fundamental properties of biological samples, in particular proteins, are continuing to advance and impact on society. We will establish a leading edge facility for high-resolution imaging of biomolecules with redox functions. This will enable the continued development of new enzyme based diagnostic tests by understanding the dynamic nature of coupled electron and molecular interactions with redox enzymes in solution. Th ....Scanning Probe Microscopy for Bioelectrochemistry. New methods to study the fundamental properties of biological samples, in particular proteins, are continuing to advance and impact on society. We will establish a leading edge facility for high-resolution imaging of biomolecules with redox functions. This will enable the continued development of new enzyme based diagnostic tests by understanding the dynamic nature of coupled electron and molecular interactions with redox enzymes in solution. The bioelectrochemical imaging facility will be unique in Australia and establish an important cross-disciplinary approach within the international community.Read moreRead less
Photodegradation of Oestrogenic Pollutants in the aquatic environment. Recent media attention has highlighted the problem of oestrogenic pollutants in the aquatic environment. This research proposes to investigate Photocatalysis of oestrogens in water using the magnetic titanium dioxide particles developed at the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The natural oestrogens 17b-oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol and the synthetic oestrogen 17a- ....Photodegradation of Oestrogenic Pollutants in the aquatic environment. Recent media attention has highlighted the problem of oestrogenic pollutants in the aquatic environment. This research proposes to investigate Photocatalysis of oestrogens in water using the magnetic titanium dioxide particles developed at the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The natural oestrogens 17b-oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol and the synthetic oestrogen 17a-ethynyl oestradiol (the main constituent of the contraceptive pill) will be investigated in the photocatalytic system. Degradation will be monitored using various analytical techniques. Other commercial catalysts will also be investigated and compared with the magnetic catalyst and previous catalysts tested.Read moreRead less
Nanotechnology-Enhanced Vaccines: New inulin bioconjugates to defeat global pandemic threats. Inulin-based adjuvants have the potential to revolutionise the vaccine arena; man's critical first line of defence against infectious disease. Any breakthrough in developing completely safe new adjuvants, will therefore be of major global significance, and will play a vital role in the maintenance of global health for decades. New and completely safe vaccine adjuvants are a vital step in the developmen ....Nanotechnology-Enhanced Vaccines: New inulin bioconjugates to defeat global pandemic threats. Inulin-based adjuvants have the potential to revolutionise the vaccine arena; man's critical first line of defence against infectious disease. Any breakthrough in developing completely safe new adjuvants, will therefore be of major global significance, and will play a vital role in the maintenance of global health for decades. New and completely safe vaccine adjuvants are a vital step in the development of improved vaccine technology in the 21st century. This project addresses two National Research Priorities, Namely Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and Safeguarding Australia. On commercialization, this will then be an important Australian contribution towards protecting the nation against any future pandemic outbreaks.Read moreRead less
Understanding, Control, and Optimisation of Free Volume Mediated Transport in Technologically Important Materials. The understanding gained by this work will enable Australian scientists to outpace their competitors in rational materials design for transport of atoms and molecules in materials while reducing the costly trial and error stage of research. Specific examples studied and new materials investigated have important technological significance from use in flat panel TV screens, to solid ....Understanding, Control, and Optimisation of Free Volume Mediated Transport in Technologically Important Materials. The understanding gained by this work will enable Australian scientists to outpace their competitors in rational materials design for transport of atoms and molecules in materials while reducing the costly trial and error stage of research. Specific examples studied and new materials investigated have important technological significance from use in flat panel TV screens, to solid state electrolytes for application in a wide range of electrochemical devices. The understanding gained by this work can be applied to a wide range of important materials e.g. separation membranes, nanofilters and catalysts which help address a number of National Research Priorities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,000.00
Summary
Hyphenated Separations/Mass Spectrometry Technology for Protein and Natural Product Characterisation. This proposal consolidates the 3 institutions' collaboration on the ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science) initiative, providing fundamental technology for chemical structural analysis of complex samples involving high resolution protein and natural product characterisation. Requested equipment supports complete characterisation of important novel target molecules. GCxGC-T ....Hyphenated Separations/Mass Spectrometry Technology for Protein and Natural Product Characterisation. This proposal consolidates the 3 institutions' collaboration on the ACROSS (Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science) initiative, providing fundamental technology for chemical structural analysis of complex samples involving high resolution protein and natural product characterisation. Requested equipment supports complete characterisation of important novel target molecules. GCxGC-TOFMS technology will validate our newly patented multidimensional separation techniques. Q-TOF-TOFMS technology, novel patented protein prefractionation approaches, and sample handling with high resolution characterisation / identification of new target proteins allows advanced proteomics developments. Proteomics depends critically upon sophisticated MS techniques. These technologies will: ·enhance the capabilities and expertise in these sciences in the SE Australian area; ·ensure the ACROSS initiative achieves internationally competitive research capabilities; ·provide commercial endpoints in fields associated with analysis of proteins, essential oils and other natural (bio)substances.Read moreRead less