Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Sign ....Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development, spanning small scale mobile to large scale stationary storage applications.Read moreRead less
Design, Evaluation, and Selection of Novel Pt(IV) Complexes as Anticancer Agents. Platinum anticancer drugs are arguably the most widely used anticancer agents in the world but serious problems remain with toxicity and resistance. Platinum(IV) compounds have numerous advantages in terms of stability and thereby, lower toxicity. In this project we will exploit these advantages along with others that we have discovered recently and our understanding of the chemistry and biology of platinum(IV) to ....Design, Evaluation, and Selection of Novel Pt(IV) Complexes as Anticancer Agents. Platinum anticancer drugs are arguably the most widely used anticancer agents in the world but serious problems remain with toxicity and resistance. Platinum(IV) compounds have numerous advantages in terms of stability and thereby, lower toxicity. In this project we will exploit these advantages along with others that we have discovered recently and our understanding of the chemistry and biology of platinum(IV) to develop novel platinum(IV) compounds to the point where the industry partner can commercialise them.Read moreRead less
Gallium, Copper and Metal Fluoride Complexes Designed for Brain Imaging. This project aims to develop fundamental synthetic coordination chemistry directed toward the development of new agents for imaging brain perfusion using positron emission tomography. The research will focus on developing new coordination complexes containing positron-emitting isotopes of copper, gallium and fluorine. The goal is incorporate in these radionuclides into small molecules that can be used for the molecular imag ....Gallium, Copper and Metal Fluoride Complexes Designed for Brain Imaging. This project aims to develop fundamental synthetic coordination chemistry directed toward the development of new agents for imaging brain perfusion using positron emission tomography. The research will focus on developing new coordination complexes containing positron-emitting isotopes of copper, gallium and fluorine. The goal is incorporate in these radionuclides into small molecules that can be used for the molecular imaging of the brain. This chemistry will have the potential to replace existing technologies that rely on single-photon emission from technetium and the technique of single photon emission computed tomography.Read moreRead less
Interfacial and Structural Changes During Digestion of Milk-like Systems. This project aims to enhance the understanding of the behaviour of milk and milk-like systems during digestion. Utilising new Australian research infrastructure the project aims to unlock the complex behaviour across different types of milk (including human breast milk) and infant formulae, linking how enzymes behave towards fat droplets and the consequences for lipid structuring and nutrient transport. The rational design ....Interfacial and Structural Changes During Digestion of Milk-like Systems. This project aims to enhance the understanding of the behaviour of milk and milk-like systems during digestion. Utilising new Australian research infrastructure the project aims to unlock the complex behaviour across different types of milk (including human breast milk) and infant formulae, linking how enzymes behave towards fat droplets and the consequences for lipid structuring and nutrient transport. The rational design of systems that function much more closely to human milk will enable the development of new products with flow on benefits in human nutrition and increased utilisation of products from our dairy industry.Read moreRead less
Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish ....Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish accurate and precise structures for the oxides, and distinguish both long range and short-range order which is critical to understanding both natural and synthetic U-oxides. This will help to define the geochemical conditions leading to the formation of deposits like Olympic Dam towards potential economic benefit.Read moreRead less
The discovery and validation of novel drug classes against parasites with the potential for major economic impacts. This project will develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to a strong basic research, new concepts and the enhanced international collaborative links; strengthen links between basic and applied research, and academia and industry; develop excellence via pan-Australian collaborations, resulting in a more efficient use of resources i ....The discovery and validation of novel drug classes against parasites with the potential for major economic impacts. This project will develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to a strong basic research, new concepts and the enhanced international collaborative links; strengthen links between basic and applied research, and academia and industry; develop excellence via pan-Australian collaborations, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; enhance the skills-base in biology, biotechnology and chemistry; increase global visibility with increased investment in Australian science; improve animal welfare and production via improved control of infectious diseases; producing commercial products with benefits to agricultural producers in regional & rural communities.Read moreRead less
Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can ....Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can cause biological effects. We aim to establish methods for studying the molecular mechanisms of protein structural and energetic changes occurring due to non-ionising radiation. The results will help our industry partner to design specific drugs as well as formulate a scientifically based standard for microwave utilisation.Read moreRead less
Safe Emulsion Explosives for High Temperature Deep Level Mining. This project aims to develop a new class of emulsion explosives, which are not susceptible to hot and reactive rock conditions in very deep-level ore mines. These emulsions will contain a tuneable polymer network to prevent collapsing of the emulsion columns in hot upholes in high temperature mines, along with additives to eliminate the exothermic reaction with the rocks. If not prevented the reaction can cause premature detonation ....Safe Emulsion Explosives for High Temperature Deep Level Mining. This project aims to develop a new class of emulsion explosives, which are not susceptible to hot and reactive rock conditions in very deep-level ore mines. These emulsions will contain a tuneable polymer network to prevent collapsing of the emulsion columns in hot upholes in high temperature mines, along with additives to eliminate the exothermic reaction with the rocks. If not prevented the reaction can cause premature detonation or deflagration of the emulsion causing fatal injuries and generation of toxic NOx gases. Increase in economically and safely extractable deep-level ore volume that generates greater export earnings and more jobs are expected project outcomes, as is reduced atmospheric pollution.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of nanobubbles. Surprisingly, nano-sized bubbles have recently been found to exist in aqueous solutions. Classical theory tells us they should rapidly dissolve, yet they are stable for several days, a phenomenon which has only recently been explained. Despite this, nanobubbles are already used in cleaning processes and appear to have significant health benefits. They are being investigated in treatments for asthma and neurodegenerative diseases. In collaboration with a pharmaceu ....Characterisation of nanobubbles. Surprisingly, nano-sized bubbles have recently been found to exist in aqueous solutions. Classical theory tells us they should rapidly dissolve, yet they are stable for several days, a phenomenon which has only recently been explained. Despite this, nanobubbles are already used in cleaning processes and appear to have significant health benefits. They are being investigated in treatments for asthma and neurodegenerative diseases. In collaboration with a pharmaceutical company, the best means to produce and characterise nanobubbles will be investigated, as well as the conditions governing their stability. The project also aims to determine how the nanobubbles interact with surfaces in order to better control their properties and achieve a better understanding of these bubbles.Read moreRead less
Application of nano-sized zero valent iron particles to agrochemicals degradation through Fenton's reagent oxidation. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been successfully used for the degradation of a wide range of contaminant organics in groundwaters in recent years. The rates of degradation however are relatively slow and render the process unsuitable for situations where there are limits on the time available for reaction. An innovative approach is to couple the dissolution of ZVI with hydrogen perox ....Application of nano-sized zero valent iron particles to agrochemicals degradation through Fenton's reagent oxidation. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been successfully used for the degradation of a wide range of contaminant organics in groundwaters in recent years. The rates of degradation however are relatively slow and render the process unsuitable for situations where there are limits on the time available for reaction. An innovative approach is to couple the dissolution of ZVI with hydrogen peroxide addition thereby generating hydroxyl radicals as a result of Fenton's reagent reactions. The efficacy of using this innovative ZVI/H2O2 process to degrade herbicides and pesticides of concern to Australian agriculture is investigated at laboratory and field scale in this project.Read moreRead less