The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project w ....The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project will probe the fundamental structure and energetics of radical anions by modifying instrumentation to enable multi-step gas-phase ion synthesis to be efficiently coupled with anion photoelectron spectroscopy. These investigations are essential to revealing the scope of this phenomenon in free radical chemistry and biology and could inform future development of new catalysts for polymerisation.Read moreRead less
New laser and mass spectrometry-based tools for comprehensive structural elucidation of lipids and their biomolecular interactions. Lipid-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease are reaching epidemic proportions. We propose the development of specialised instrumentation to identify and quantify lipids (fats) in tissue and culture samples thus providing Australian scientists with unique capabilities to investigate the mechanisms of disease.
Correction of non-linearity in inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry. Chemical analyses by mass spectrometers underpin key Australian economic sectors, particularly minerals and agriculture. The quadrupole inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometer has seen a particular rise in prominence over last 25 years. In this collaboration between mass spectrometrists and the leading instrument designer, we will improve the linearity of its detection system for more precise and accurate data. Bet ....Correction of non-linearity in inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry. Chemical analyses by mass spectrometers underpin key Australian economic sectors, particularly minerals and agriculture. The quadrupole inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometer has seen a particular rise in prominence over last 25 years. In this collaboration between mass spectrometrists and the leading instrument designer, we will improve the linearity of its detection system for more precise and accurate data. Better elemental and isotope ratio data from these high-throughput instruments will open up new real-world applications in many areas of Australian interest, such as biosecurity, forensics, groundwater management, and drug design. The research will also inform design of the next generation instruments by the industry partner.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239037
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$248,000.00
Summary
An Analytical Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. The proposed equipment is an analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the special capability that it can examine and analyse specimen surfaces at high magnifications while specimens remain at low vaccum. This allows hydrated or poorly conducting samples to be examined directly without the specimen preparation usually necessary for SEM. Scanning electron microscopy is already extensively used in re ....An Analytical Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. The proposed equipment is an analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the special capability that it can examine and analyse specimen surfaces at high magnifications while specimens remain at low vaccum. This allows hydrated or poorly conducting samples to be examined directly without the specimen preparation usually necessary for SEM. Scanning electron microscopy is already extensively used in research across multiple disciplines, including mineralogy, materials science and engineering, and life science. The instrument, to be sited at QUT, would be available to researchers from the three Brisbane universities, and would greatly enhance the regional capabilities for characterisation of materials.Read moreRead less