Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which in ....Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which includes devices for the European Space Agency's Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space mission, which is due for launch in 2010. This project highlights the importance of Australian Science in a high profile international mission.Read moreRead less
Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices. Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Spa ....Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices. Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Space Station and new atomic clocks, the physics community is embarking on an experimental program that will make use of the microgravity environment of space. Combined with the new improved timing it will be possible to perform new experimental tests of general and special relativity, tests for drifts in the fine structure constant and tests for a preferred direction of the speed of light at unprecedented sensitivity.Read moreRead less
Experiments with Advanced Isolation Systems, Suspension and Test Masses Using ACIGA's High Optical Power Test Facility. This proposal will allow experimental verification of the performcane of of sapphire test masses and their associated isolation and suspension system in ACIGA's high optical power test facility at Gingin. The work will contribute to the worldwide effort to increase the sensitivity of laser interferometers to the level where known sources of gravitational waves can be detected ....Experiments with Advanced Isolation Systems, Suspension and Test Masses Using ACIGA's High Optical Power Test Facility. This proposal will allow experimental verification of the performcane of of sapphire test masses and their associated isolation and suspension system in ACIGA's high optical power test facility at Gingin. The work will contribute to the worldwide effort to increase the sensitivity of laser interferometers to the level where known sources of gravitational waves can be detected at a reasonable rate.Read moreRead less
The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized ele ....The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized electrodes in biological media, especially single cells and minute samples in biology and forensic science, etc. Extensive use of neutron characterization techniques aligns strongly this project with the new OPAL reactor to be commissioned in 2007.Read moreRead less
Probing the internal contacts of all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. The results of this research will enable the development of robust and reliable all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. These sensors will enable solutions to significant environmental problems such as soil salinity and acidity, and may pave the way for new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., miniaturized implantable sensors for in-vivo use, microfluidics and Forensic Science, single blood droplet clinical analyzers, ....Probing the internal contacts of all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. The results of this research will enable the development of robust and reliable all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. These sensors will enable solutions to significant environmental problems such as soil salinity and acidity, and may pave the way for new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., miniaturized implantable sensors for in-vivo use, microfluidics and Forensic Science, single blood droplet clinical analyzers, rugged solid contact ion sensors for use in submersible oceanographic analyzers, etc. The research will develop a unique in-situ neutron reflectometry technique for the study of electrochemical interfaces, providing scientific opportunities for the new Australian Replacement Research Reactor.Read moreRead less
Probing the interfaces of electrochemical sensors. The nanostructured surfaces of electrochemical sensors for iron, mercury and cadmium will be characterised by using a range of state-of-the-art surface analysis techniques. Whilst electrochemical sensors are extremely valuable in monitoring of trace metals in the aquatic environment, a knowledge of the surface chemical physics of the systems is vital in order to widen their use in analytical/environmental chemistry. This project will derive a u ....Probing the interfaces of electrochemical sensors. The nanostructured surfaces of electrochemical sensors for iron, mercury and cadmium will be characterised by using a range of state-of-the-art surface analysis techniques. Whilst electrochemical sensors are extremely valuable in monitoring of trace metals in the aquatic environment, a knowledge of the surface chemical physics of the systems is vital in order to widen their use in analytical/environmental chemistry. This project will derive a universal model for the surface chemistry and physics of electrochemical sensors, enabling environmental scientists to develop unique sensor methods for studying the speciation of environmentally important trace metals such as those mentioned above.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560710
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,000.00
Summary
A Facility for Ultra-Precise Time and Frequency Transfer: Creating an Australian User Group for the ESA Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space Mission. The National Measurement Laboratory and the University of Western Australia are the only Australian research institutions developing high precision electromagnetic oscillators ("clocks"). Establishing the state-of-the-art time transfer link between these institutions will combine their expertise and allow a broad spectrum of new research activities impor ....A Facility for Ultra-Precise Time and Frequency Transfer: Creating an Australian User Group for the ESA Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space Mission. The National Measurement Laboratory and the University of Western Australia are the only Australian research institutions developing high precision electromagnetic oscillators ("clocks"). Establishing the state-of-the-art time transfer link between these institutions will combine their expertise and allow a broad spectrum of new research activities important for frequency metrology, global positioning and accurate tests of fundamental physics. The time transfer facility will also create the infrastructure necessary for Australia participation in the future international space mission - Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space.Read moreRead less
Blocking of the interfaces of polymeric ion sensors - implications for novel sensor applications. Control of the transmembrane fluxes of polymeric ion sensors represents a paradigm shift that has revolutionised the use of these analytically important devices. This project will develop and characterise innovative methods for controlling these fluxes by using blocked interfaces, and this has important ramifications for the development of robust and reliable sensors, as well as novel biosensors.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882792
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
High Power Laser, Test Masses, Digital Control System and Vacuum System for High Optical Power Interferometry Experiments. Gravitational waves are expected to offer humanity a completely new spectrum with which to study the Universe. Australia has been a pioneer in the quest to open up this new spectrum. This project will allow Australia to play a key role in a world-wide project which aims for the first time to enable gravitational waves to be detected from black holes and neutron stars through ....High Power Laser, Test Masses, Digital Control System and Vacuum System for High Optical Power Interferometry Experiments. Gravitational waves are expected to offer humanity a completely new spectrum with which to study the Universe. Australia has been a pioneer in the quest to open up this new spectrum. This project will allow Australia to play a key role in a world-wide project which aims for the first time to enable gravitational waves to be detected from black holes and neutron stars throughout the universe. It will give Australia access to developed technologies, and will be a major boost to physical science research and education.Read moreRead less
Precision time and frequency in the lab and in space to test fundamental physics. This project gives Australia the opportunity to be involved in the world's best time comparison experiment ever conceived using the European Space Agency's ultra-accurate atomic clocks in space and the best international network of ground clocks. It strengthens collaboration between the University of Western Australia and world elite metrology institutes, including Paris Observatory, Ecole Normale Superior, the Nat ....Precision time and frequency in the lab and in space to test fundamental physics. This project gives Australia the opportunity to be involved in the world's best time comparison experiment ever conceived using the European Space Agency's ultra-accurate atomic clocks in space and the best international network of ground clocks. It strengthens collaboration between the University of Western Australia and world elite metrology institutes, including Paris Observatory, Ecole Normale Superior, the National Measurement Institute, the French Space Agency, and Humboldt, Stanford and Durham Universities. It involves cutting edge research that will test relativity, particle physics and fundamental constants that may well lead to fundamental changes to our laws of Nature and the Universe.Read moreRead less