A reliable physical model of molecular motion in crystals. The scientific benefits would flow, in the first instance, to the large national and international communities of scientists whose research makes use of the results of X-ray diffraction experiments. Applications of the research to amino acids and peptides will benefit investigations into the structure and molecular dynamics of biological systems, including proteins and enzymes. Studies of charge densities in crystals will obtain a standa ....A reliable physical model of molecular motion in crystals. The scientific benefits would flow, in the first instance, to the large national and international communities of scientists whose research makes use of the results of X-ray diffraction experiments. Applications of the research to amino acids and peptides will benefit investigations into the structure and molecular dynamics of biological systems, including proteins and enzymes. Studies of charge densities in crystals will obtain a standard tool for improved modelling of molecular motion, resulting in physically more realistic charge density functions, and hence greater insight into the relationship between properties of crystals and their constituent molecules.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: LE0989747
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in th ....Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in the physical, biochemical and material sciences. This is of strategic importance to keep Australia at the global forefront for scientific endeavours, supporting new research and commercial opportunities. This facility will also produce highly trained graduates, who will find employment in industry throughout Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775551
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Integrated Advanced X-ray Diffraction Facility. The new equipment will provide a unique facility for single crystal, powder and thin film structure elucidation using X-ray diffraction techniques. No other techniques have the capabilities in structure determination of materials at an atomic level which are necessary for delivering applications in nano-technology, health care products, amongst many fields, for the benefit for the community at large. The facility will foster a more innovative resea ....Integrated Advanced X-ray Diffraction Facility. The new equipment will provide a unique facility for single crystal, powder and thin film structure elucidation using X-ray diffraction techniques. No other techniques have the capabilities in structure determination of materials at an atomic level which are necessary for delivering applications in nano-technology, health care products, amongst many fields, for the benefit for the community at large. The facility will foster a more innovative research culture and provide excellent research training at the highest international level, and will provide a platform to maximise access to the new Opal Research Reactor and Australian Synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fu ....Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fundamental physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of EMD. The results will be of benefit in optimising the process and ensuring that EMD with superior performance can be consistently produced.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first t ....Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first time a multidisciplinary team has made such a concerted effort to understand the unusual science of gold nanoparticles and will strengthen Australia's already considerable reputation in this field.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.
Energetics and dynamics of solvated biologically relevant molecules using liquid microjet and ion imaging technologies. The shape of many biomolecules in solution plays a critical role in determining their biological activity and function. It is known that the bonds that form between the biomolecules and the water solvent control this shape. However, very little is known about the strength and structure of these bonds at different sites around the biomolecule. Many experiments have informed u ....Energetics and dynamics of solvated biologically relevant molecules using liquid microjet and ion imaging technologies. The shape of many biomolecules in solution plays a critical role in determining their biological activity and function. It is known that the bonds that form between the biomolecules and the water solvent control this shape. However, very little is known about the strength and structure of these bonds at different sites around the biomolecule. Many experiments have informed us about the strength of the bonds, others have told us where the bonds occur. This project will provide both pieces of information for the first time, allowing us to better understand, and therefore control, biological function. This work will assist in the development of new biotechnology processes, especially in the emerging area of proteomics.Read moreRead less