Designer Surfactants for Creation of Emulsion Properties. We propose new approaches to the design of surfactants for stabilising water in oil emulsions. New block copolymer surfactants may be "tailored" for head group structure and a pre-chosen hydrophilic/lipophilic balance at the oil-water interface using the Australian developed RAFT polymer synthesis method and polymeric inorganic species. The proposers have an extensive background in these areas.
X-ray and neutron scattering techniques, de ....Designer Surfactants for Creation of Emulsion Properties. We propose new approaches to the design of surfactants for stabilising water in oil emulsions. New block copolymer surfactants may be "tailored" for head group structure and a pre-chosen hydrophilic/lipophilic balance at the oil-water interface using the Australian developed RAFT polymer synthesis method and polymeric inorganic species. The proposers have an extensive background in these areas.
X-ray and neutron scattering techniques, developed by us, allow the interfacial structure of the surfactant to be found and the intellectual "loop" closed in the design process. Preliminary screening will be done using the surface balance and bulk emulsion synthesis.Read moreRead less
High Internal Phase Emulsions - Structure and Rheology Control. Our first SPIRT Grant with ORICA Australia Ltd has successfully identified nanostructures in high internal phase emulsions which confer useful stability and robustness on these industrially important systems. The aim now is to ramify those discoveries both scientifically and technologically in the design of emulsion structure using our, now established, techniques. In particular, the objective is to control both nanoscale and mes ....High Internal Phase Emulsions - Structure and Rheology Control. Our first SPIRT Grant with ORICA Australia Ltd has successfully identified nanostructures in high internal phase emulsions which confer useful stability and robustness on these industrially important systems. The aim now is to ramify those discoveries both scientifically and technologically in the design of emulsion structure using our, now established, techniques. In particular, the objective is to control both nanoscale and mesoscale structure in emulsion formulation, as well as the rheology and stability of emulsion preparations. To do this we plan to use mixed surfactant systems and to study intersurfactant synergic effects on the structure and fluidity of the interfacial material. We believe that the proposed work is unique and that the outcomes will be scientifically novel and also valuable for Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Milk protein denaturation and stabilisation at surfaces. The Australian Dairy Industry, valued at $2.8 billion in 2003-4, is ranked third among rural industries in Australia. Australia exports over 50% of its annual milk production, contributing to 13% of world trade. Exports of dairy products are valued at $2.4 billion. In order for Australia to maintain this position, Australia needs to keep up with its major competitors by ensuring quality and consistency of dairy products is maintained, and ....Milk protein denaturation and stabilisation at surfaces. The Australian Dairy Industry, valued at $2.8 billion in 2003-4, is ranked third among rural industries in Australia. Australia exports over 50% of its annual milk production, contributing to 13% of world trade. Exports of dairy products are valued at $2.4 billion. In order for Australia to maintain this position, Australia needs to keep up with its major competitors by ensuring quality and consistency of dairy products is maintained, and by developing new applications and innovative products. The proposal expects to recruit an exceptional young Australian graduate - a former Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989539
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Purchase of a state-of-the-art high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. This new state-of-the-art mass spectrometer with enhanced capability will allow Tasmanian researchers to accurately determine the elemental composition of their samples of interest. The instrument will be extremely sensitive and will be able to detect elements to very low concentrations. It will be used to support a diverse range of local research projects of international significance, for example the ....Purchase of a state-of-the-art high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. This new state-of-the-art mass spectrometer with enhanced capability will allow Tasmanian researchers to accurately determine the elemental composition of their samples of interest. The instrument will be extremely sensitive and will be able to detect elements to very low concentrations. It will be used to support a diverse range of local research projects of international significance, for example the environmental assessment of clean and contaminated sites, chemical synthesis on a miniature scale using micro-chips, and the monitoring of selected elements of key importance for human health.Read moreRead less
The effect of de-gassing on the dispersion and stability of emulsions and colloidal solutions. Although it is widely accepted that oil and water will not mix, the reverse has recently been found to occur (by the applicant) under the unusual conditions of complete de-gassing. This discovery has opened up new areas for investigation and for the development of new processes and products. Hydrocarbon oils and hydrophobic powders can now be readily dispersed in water without the use of additives. Ho ....The effect of de-gassing on the dispersion and stability of emulsions and colloidal solutions. Although it is widely accepted that oil and water will not mix, the reverse has recently been found to occur (by the applicant) under the unusual conditions of complete de-gassing. This discovery has opened up new areas for investigation and for the development of new processes and products. Hydrocarbon oils and hydrophobic powders can now be readily dispersed in water without the use of additives. However, the mechanisms involved have not yet been elucidated and it is the aim of this project to understand the process and develop potential commercial applications.Read moreRead less
Atmospheric CO2, global temperature, and surface ocean acidity response to fossil carbon burning - insights from an ancient analogue. Sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by the oceans and the impacts of resulting ocean acidification and greenhouse warming upon marine ecosystems are vital to understanding the course of future environmental change. This research will improve knowledge of the biological and chemical responses in the ocean to past changes in atmospheric CO2 levels and incre ....Atmospheric CO2, global temperature, and surface ocean acidity response to fossil carbon burning - insights from an ancient analogue. Sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by the oceans and the impacts of resulting ocean acidification and greenhouse warming upon marine ecosystems are vital to understanding the course of future environmental change. This research will improve knowledge of the biological and chemical responses in the ocean to past changes in atmospheric CO2 levels and increased ocean acidity. This will assist in predicting the consequences of different fossil fuel burning scenarios for climate and marine life, especially the future viability of organisms like corals, molluscs, and calcareous plankton that underpin key tourism and marine production systems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989127
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
A High-Throughput Neutron Spectrometer for The Study of Atomic and Molecular Motion at ANSTO. Neutron scattering enables new science across a broad range of disciplines, and for this reason it is undergoing major expansion in the USA, Europe, Japan and Australia. Various diffactometers and spectrometers have recently been built at ANSTO, but an instrumental option for a high-throughput cross-discipline spectroscopy is urgently needed. Fortunately, it is fairly straightforward to add this type of ....A High-Throughput Neutron Spectrometer for The Study of Atomic and Molecular Motion at ANSTO. Neutron scattering enables new science across a broad range of disciplines, and for this reason it is undergoing major expansion in the USA, Europe, Japan and Australia. Various diffactometers and spectrometers have recently been built at ANSTO, but an instrumental option for a high-throughput cross-discipline spectroscopy is urgently needed. Fortunately, it is fairly straightforward to add this type of option to an existing spectrometer that will broaden its user-base from specialised applications in physics to more general applications in physics, chemistry, materials-science and biology. This additional option provides a totally new way for Australian scientists to study atomic and molecular motions. Read moreRead less
Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpt ....Cellular and network basis of information processing in the mammalian visual system. The project aims to discover the strategies by which cells in the brain interact with each other to code the sensory input efficiently. It is expected that simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurones from the visual cortex of anaesthetised cats during visual stimulation will reveal how the biophysics of synaptic integration combined with excitatory and inhibitory inputs from different sources sculpts the output of individual neurones. The experiments will be extended to the study of possible interactions between different areas of the brain and the study of mechanisms by which the cortical network and higher cognitive factors such as attention and memory might influence the coding of sensory information in awake animals.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668100
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
High Resolution Simultaneous DSC/DTA-TGA-FTIR System. National Research Priorities including 'New Materials' 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' and 'Developing Deep Earth Resources' will all be addressed and the benefits will include new materials such as carbon nanotubes and layered silicate composites. It will also contribute economically through technological development, supporting existing Australian companies in the development of more effective pro ....High Resolution Simultaneous DSC/DTA-TGA-FTIR System. National Research Priorities including 'New Materials' 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' and 'Developing Deep Earth Resources' will all be addressed and the benefits will include new materials such as carbon nanotubes and layered silicate composites. It will also contribute economically through technological development, supporting existing Australian companies in the development of more effective products and help keep pace with new and innovative advances in technology and to bring in vitality to strategic alliances with industry already launched by the University through a Sustainable Regions Program grant titled 'Building nanotechnology business potential in the Campbelltown-Camden region'.Read moreRead less
Fluorine-labelled proteins for NMR spectroscopy. The technique developed in this project has direct impact on pharmaceutical research: NMR spectroscopy is used routinely to identify chemical compounds that bind to protein targets. This project includes the development of novel assignment techniques of 19F-labelled proteins, so that 19F-NMR can be used to detect specific binding interactions. One of the methods proposed here is designed to reveal structural information about the binding mode in s ....Fluorine-labelled proteins for NMR spectroscopy. The technique developed in this project has direct impact on pharmaceutical research: NMR spectroscopy is used routinely to identify chemical compounds that bind to protein targets. This project includes the development of novel assignment techniques of 19F-labelled proteins, so that 19F-NMR can be used to detect specific binding interactions. One of the methods proposed here is designed to reveal structural information about the binding mode in solution with atomic detail. This knowledge can significantly accelerate drug development. It is otherwise only available from crystal structures that can not always be determined.Read moreRead less