Computational studies of melting and the solvation properties of ionic liquids. Ionic liquids are used in industry as green solvents and electrolytes, although there is not yet sufficient knowledge on the science of ionic liquids to enable optimal solvents to be readily designed. This project uses state of the art techniques in computational chemistry to solve practical problems related to the characteristics of ionic liquids.
Asymptotics of the exponentially small. Asymptotic analysis plays a vital role in studying the complex interfacial dynamics that are fundamental for practical problems in fluid mechanics such as the withdrawal of oil and gas from underground reservoirs and the optimal design of ship hulls to minimise wave drag. These applications exhibit extremely small physical effects that may be crucially important but cannot be described using classical asymptotic analysis. This project will develop state of ....Asymptotics of the exponentially small. Asymptotic analysis plays a vital role in studying the complex interfacial dynamics that are fundamental for practical problems in fluid mechanics such as the withdrawal of oil and gas from underground reservoirs and the optimal design of ship hulls to minimise wave drag. These applications exhibit extremely small physical effects that may be crucially important but cannot be described using classical asymptotic analysis. This project will develop state of the art mathematical techniques in exponential asymptotics to address this deficiency in the classical theory, and provide a deeper understanding of pattern formation, instabilities and wave propagation on the interface between two fluids.Read moreRead less
The mathematics of novel magnetic memory materials. Magnetic memories are the world’s principal device for storing information. The next generation will have greatly increased access speed and data-storage capacity. This project will develop the mathematical theory of these new magnetic memory materials, a crucial first step in understanding and being able to fine-tune their properties.
A unifying framework for generalised distributed-order fractional models. This project aims to develop a unifying theoretical framework for generalised fractional models using measure theory and a new class of distributed-order nonlocal operators to simulate anomalous transport processes in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. The project expects to generate a mathematical foundation for fractional modelling and clarity on the role of, and relationship between, the many variants of fracti ....A unifying framework for generalised distributed-order fractional models. This project aims to develop a unifying theoretical framework for generalised fractional models using measure theory and a new class of distributed-order nonlocal operators to simulate anomalous transport processes in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. The project expects to generate a mathematical foundation for fractional modelling and clarity on the role of, and relationship between, the many variants of fractional operators used in modern practice and how to impose boundary conditions on finite domains. Expected outcomes of the project include an evaluation of dimensionality and/or complexity reduction of the governing equations in fractional transport models with a focus on groundwater applications.Read moreRead less
Development of New Materials Based on Multinuclear Ruthenium Complexes. The program aims to design new materials for use in applications such as catalysis and light-activated devices (including light harvesting or solar energy conversion), for the detection and analysis of specific small molecules and anions of particular interest, and to provide an insight to the operation of biological systems such as metal-containing enzymes. The particular molecules will also be investigated for the developm ....Development of New Materials Based on Multinuclear Ruthenium Complexes. The program aims to design new materials for use in applications such as catalysis and light-activated devices (including light harvesting or solar energy conversion), for the detection and analysis of specific small molecules and anions of particular interest, and to provide an insight to the operation of biological systems such as metal-containing enzymes. The particular molecules will also be investigated for the development of a new type of therapeutic agent for the treatment of a range of diseases, with a particular interest in this work on a drug for the treatment of HIV-AIDS. Read moreRead less
Mathematical and Numerical Models of Piezoelectric Wave Energy Converters. The project will investigate piezoelectric wave energy converters. We will derive the equations of motion in a form suitable for use in marine engineering paradigms using variational methods and then solve these analytically and with smoothed particle hydrodynamics. Using these innovative techniques, this project will generate new knowledge capable of elucidating the multifaceted physical phenomena that occur when comple .... Mathematical and Numerical Models of Piezoelectric Wave Energy Converters. The project will investigate piezoelectric wave energy converters. We will derive the equations of motion in a form suitable for use in marine engineering paradigms using variational methods and then solve these analytically and with smoothed particle hydrodynamics. Using these innovative techniques, this project will generate new knowledge capable of elucidating the multifaceted physical phenomena that occur when complex fluid motion and deformable structures interact. The project outcomes include the development of mathematical and computation methods to handle intricate behaviours of piezoelectric elastic-fluids systems. These groundbreaking methods will allow these wave energy systems to be analysed and their effectiveness assessed.Read moreRead less
Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes as Sequence- and Structure-Selective Binding Agents for DNA. Studies of the interaction of mononuclear metal complexes with DNA have greatly increased our understanding of the ways that small molecules recognise particular sites on DNA. However, in order to design drugs that target specific genes, and hence be potentially capable of controlling gene expression, it is necessary to study the binding of metal complexes that can associate with larger segments of DNA. ....Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes as Sequence- and Structure-Selective Binding Agents for DNA. Studies of the interaction of mononuclear metal complexes with DNA have greatly increased our understanding of the ways that small molecules recognise particular sites on DNA. However, in order to design drugs that target specific genes, and hence be potentially capable of controlling gene expression, it is necessary to study the binding of metal complexes that can associate with larger segments of DNA. Using the combined expertise of the applicants, it is proposed to stereospecifically synthesise dinuclear complexes and study their DNA binding. This will greatly assist in the development of drugs that can selectively target genes and altered DNA.Read moreRead less
Spotlighting biologically active Iron (Fe) chelators within cells. Anti-cancer drugs that act in ways different from traditional chemotherapeutics offer hope in evading acquired drug resistance. Previously we have studied compounds that can enter cancer cells, bind iron and halt cellular proliferation. However, there are many sources of iron in cells and we do not know from where these iron chelators acquire their iron or how these iron complexes kill cancer cells. We will tackle this problem by ....Spotlighting biologically active Iron (Fe) chelators within cells. Anti-cancer drugs that act in ways different from traditional chemotherapeutics offer hope in evading acquired drug resistance. Previously we have studied compounds that can enter cancer cells, bind iron and halt cellular proliferation. However, there are many sources of iron in cells and we do not know from where these iron chelators acquire their iron or how these iron complexes kill cancer cells. We will tackle this problem by attaching light emitting probes to known iron chelators and mapping their location within cells with high resolution fluorescence microscopy. These experiments will spotlight the cellular location of these potential drugs bound to iron for the first time, providing crucial information on their mode of action.Read moreRead less
Challenging targets in rare earth metal-organic chemistry. This project aims to prepare highly reactive rare earth organometallic and metal-organic compounds, especially from the free metals, and to determine their structures and reactivity. Abundant rare earth resources position Australia to be a major supplier of these strategic elements. The challenging target systems include coordination stabilised novel ligands, pseudo-Grignard reagents LnR(X) including the rare fluorides, complexes primed ....Challenging targets in rare earth metal-organic chemistry. This project aims to prepare highly reactive rare earth organometallic and metal-organic compounds, especially from the free metals, and to determine their structures and reactivity. Abundant rare earth resources position Australia to be a major supplier of these strategic elements. The challenging target systems include coordination stabilised novel ligands, pseudo-Grignard reagents LnR(X) including the rare fluorides, complexes primed for carbon-fluorine activation, and intermediates from use of lanthanoid reagents in organic synthesis. The project will provide a knowledge base and expertise for the utilisation of Australia's abundant rare earths and will transform the current behaviour of the elements. It builds the expertise and knowledge needed to underpin Australian rare earth processing and develops the breakthrough science needed for new applications in fine chemical manufacturing, catalysis and recycling.Read moreRead less
Advancing the chemistry of rare earths - an Australian resource. This project aims to advance knowledge of the synthesis, structures and reactivity of highly reactive rare earth metal-organic compounds. The project expects to build the knowledge and skills to underpin many developments of Australia's still under utilized rare earth resources to diversify from Chinese domination. The anticipated outcomes will be new synthetic and reaction chemistry including a demonstration of how size and electr ....Advancing the chemistry of rare earths - an Australian resource. This project aims to advance knowledge of the synthesis, structures and reactivity of highly reactive rare earth metal-organic compounds. The project expects to build the knowledge and skills to underpin many developments of Australia's still under utilized rare earth resources to diversify from Chinese domination. The anticipated outcomes will be new synthetic and reaction chemistry including a demonstration of how size and electronic factors can be used to modify and advance rare earth chemistry. This project should provide significant benefit such as are a better knowledge base in rare earth chemistry to underpin future applications in chemical manufacturing, new materials, catalysis and recycling.Read moreRead less