Redox initiated chemistry of hydrogenase H-cluster model compounds: Biologically inspired hydrogen activation catalysts? High efficiency, low temperature, cheap hydrogen activation catalysts suitable for fuel cell applications would provide the basis for the development of environmentally benign technologies suitable for transportation and some power applications. Hydrogenase enzymes are high efficiency, low temperature, hydrogen activation catalysts and the active site of the all-iron version ....Redox initiated chemistry of hydrogenase H-cluster model compounds: Biologically inspired hydrogen activation catalysts? High efficiency, low temperature, cheap hydrogen activation catalysts suitable for fuel cell applications would provide the basis for the development of environmentally benign technologies suitable for transportation and some power applications. Hydrogenase enzymes are high efficiency, low temperature, hydrogen activation catalysts and the active site of the all-iron version of the enzyme has recently been revealed to be a remarkable, weakly protein bound, iron-sulfur-carbonyl-cyanide complex. Research into the reactions of redox activated abiological model compounds will provide insights into the molecular basis of the enzymatic reaction, potentially leading to the discovery of highly efficient, biologically inspired hydrogen activation catalysts.Read moreRead less
THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SPECTRO-ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND ITS APPLICATION TO CRUCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN INORGANIC SYSTEMS. Electrolysis is a very widespread and efficient method of chemical synthesis both in industry and research. However, the link between the control voltage and the resultant current is often complicated and easily misinterpreted. To overcome this fundamental problem, we propose an optical spectro-electrochemistry instrument based on a two-dimensional CCD detectio ....THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SPECTRO-ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND ITS APPLICATION TO CRUCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN INORGANIC SYSTEMS. Electrolysis is a very widespread and efficient method of chemical synthesis both in industry and research. However, the link between the control voltage and the resultant current is often complicated and easily misinterpreted. To overcome this fundamental problem, we propose an optical spectro-electrochemistry instrument based on a two-dimensional CCD detection array. This radically new approach enables simultaneous spectroscopic and spatial data mapping in the realm adjacent to an electrode surface. Important applications range from unequivocal identification of elusive molecules to monitoring metal corrosion. Our first objective is to elucidate certain crucial transformations of mono- and binuclear heavy metal complexes.Read moreRead less
Development of a Novel Photoelectrochemical Method for Ultra-sensitive and Selective Determination of Organic Pollutants. Rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions have caused worldwide fresh water shortage problems. For Australia, this is an urgent issue due to our limited fresh water resources. Globally, all levels of governments and legislative authorities have attempted to adopt stricter environmental legislation and better water resource management practice to address these urgent prob ....Development of a Novel Photoelectrochemical Method for Ultra-sensitive and Selective Determination of Organic Pollutants. Rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions have caused worldwide fresh water shortage problems. For Australia, this is an urgent issue due to our limited fresh water resources. Globally, all levels of governments and legislative authorities have attempted to adopt stricter environmental legislation and better water resource management practice to address these urgent problems. However, these priorities cannot be achieved until large scale and accurate environmental data are available. The success of the project would result in a new environmental monitoring system capable of online, real-time monitoring of environmental water quality, which will directly benefit water resource management practice in Australia. Read moreRead less
New insights into free radical reactivity via gas phase studies of radical anions. Free radicals are known to be critical reactive intermediates in chemical processes ranging from the formation of photochemical smog, through combustion to the onset of age-related diseases. This research increases our understanding of how free radicals react and will thus allow for more accurate prediction, and in some instances greater control, of the outcomes of chemical reactions and their health and environme ....New insights into free radical reactivity via gas phase studies of radical anions. Free radicals are known to be critical reactive intermediates in chemical processes ranging from the formation of photochemical smog, through combustion to the onset of age-related diseases. This research increases our understanding of how free radicals react and will thus allow for more accurate prediction, and in some instances greater control, of the outcomes of chemical reactions and their health and environmental consequences. New instrumental technologies will be developed and young Australian researchers will be trained here, and with collaborators in the USA, in state-of-the-art techniques (particularly in mass spectrometry) that are essential to our emerging technology-based economy.Read moreRead less
Solving the problem of detecting small molecules in complex samples: A Label-Free Electrochemical Immuno-biosensor for drugs and pesticides. Biosensors are portable analytical devices which can be used by the general public without specialist training. The proposed research will develop a biosensor for the detection of small molecules such as pesticides, poisons and drugs; a class of analytes where there is currently no viable biosensor technology. The simple to use device will benefit the Aus ....Solving the problem of detecting small molecules in complex samples: A Label-Free Electrochemical Immuno-biosensor for drugs and pesticides. Biosensors are portable analytical devices which can be used by the general public without specialist training. The proposed research will develop a biosensor for the detection of small molecules such as pesticides, poisons and drugs; a class of analytes where there is currently no viable biosensor technology. The simple to use device will benefit the Australian community by providing technology which will allow rapid and inexpensive monitoring of water as well as biomedical diagnosis. The research will also benefit Australia via providing the training of scientists to establish the new generation of Australia's bionanotechnology industry. Read moreRead less
Static and Dynamic Forces in Colloidal and Fluid Systems. Novel research based around the Atomic Force Microscope are pursued to make ultra-sensitive measurement of forces between emulsion droplets and probe the mechanical properties of long molecules such as DNA. These studies generate basic knowledge that provides insight about emulsion stability that are of importance from the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacturing drilling mud for oil wells. The results also provide qualitativ ....Static and Dynamic Forces in Colloidal and Fluid Systems. Novel research based around the Atomic Force Microscope are pursued to make ultra-sensitive measurement of forces between emulsion droplets and probe the mechanical properties of long molecules such as DNA. These studies generate basic knowledge that provides insight about emulsion stability that are of importance from the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacturing drilling mud for oil wells. The results also provide qualitative and predictive information about the mechanisms that determine the interaction involving large bio-molecules such as DNA and proteins. The instrumentation created along the way has the potential to be developed into special purpose ultra-sensitive devices and sensors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882977
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Enhanced NMR Research, Characterisation and Analysis Facility. Studying molecular species is at the heart of chemistry and biochemistry and fundamental to improving our understanding of molecular mechanisms and interactions. This becomes important for elucidating aspects of biological function, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science and synthetic methodology, which all underpin health and technology advances in Australia. The infrastructure will support projects involving fun ....Enhanced NMR Research, Characterisation and Analysis Facility. Studying molecular species is at the heart of chemistry and biochemistry and fundamental to improving our understanding of molecular mechanisms and interactions. This becomes important for elucidating aspects of biological function, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science and synthetic methodology, which all underpin health and technology advances in Australia. The infrastructure will support projects involving fundamental and strategic research spanning nanotechnology and the biological and materials sciences to industry-oriented projects.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560818
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,000.00
Summary
A Pico-Newton Scale Force Measurement Apparatus for Polymer Physics and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. We propose to build a state-of-the-art Optical Tweezers apparatus that measures small forces and torques on micron-sized objects located in 'optical traps'. Using a single laser beam and computer-generated holograms, we will create arrays of optical traps that move or 'dance', and alter the force/torque-imposing properties of each trap. This proposed research equipment will be used (1 ....A Pico-Newton Scale Force Measurement Apparatus for Polymer Physics and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. We propose to build a state-of-the-art Optical Tweezers apparatus that measures small forces and torques on micron-sized objects located in 'optical traps'. Using a single laser beam and computer-generated holograms, we will create arrays of optical traps that move or 'dance', and alter the force/torque-imposing properties of each trap. This proposed research equipment will be used (1) to study the physics of single synthetic polymer and naturally occuring biopolymer chains, (2) to quantify experimentally, and for the first time, newly predicted molecular-scale forces, and (3) to demonstrate new theories in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics that quantitatively describe the operation of nanomachines. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238397
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
A ROBOTIC NMR SPECTROMETER FOR ACCELERATED DRUG DISCOVERY. The aim is to establish a facility that will use a robotic NMR instrument to help in the characterisation of drug-protein interactions and in the discovery of new drugs or agrichemicals. The significance is that with the wealth of new information arising on protein sequences from genomics programs there is an urgent need to accelerate the rate of discovery of ligands that bind to these proteins. Such ligands may provide useful drug lea ....A ROBOTIC NMR SPECTROMETER FOR ACCELERATED DRUG DISCOVERY. The aim is to establish a facility that will use a robotic NMR instrument to help in the characterisation of drug-protein interactions and in the discovery of new drugs or agrichemicals. The significance is that with the wealth of new information arising on protein sequences from genomics programs there is an urgent need to accelerate the rate of discovery of ligands that bind to these proteins. Such ligands may provide useful drug leads or help in defining the function of newly discovered proteins. The outcomes will be new knowledge on protein structure and function, and potentially, new bio-active molecules.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453671
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,770.00
Summary
NMR Facility for Natural Products Research. The aim is to establish a facility that will use high-field NMR and LC-NMR equipment to help in the characterisation of unknown compounds from natural products and in the discovery of new drugs and agrichemicals. The significance is that the facility will accelerate the rate of discovery of new bioactive molecules and will provide a wealth of new information on plant biodiversity. The outcomes will be new knowledge in natural products chemistry, and po ....NMR Facility for Natural Products Research. The aim is to establish a facility that will use high-field NMR and LC-NMR equipment to help in the characterisation of unknown compounds from natural products and in the discovery of new drugs and agrichemicals. The significance is that the facility will accelerate the rate of discovery of new bioactive molecules and will provide a wealth of new information on plant biodiversity. The outcomes will be new knowledge in natural products chemistry, and potentially, new bioactive molecules.Read moreRead less