Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
High-Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) Platform for Characterisation at the Nanometre-Level. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) is designed to provide fundamental insights into physical and biological systems though characterisation and analysis of structures on nanometre length scales. This versatile instrument will support a wide range of research projects covering all four national research priorities. These range from the characterisation of ....High-Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) Platform for Characterisation at the Nanometre-Level. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) is designed to provide fundamental insights into physical and biological systems though characterisation and analysis of structures on nanometre length scales. This versatile instrument will support a wide range of research projects covering all four national research priorities. These range from the characterisation of light alloys to boost and intensify Australia's aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloy industries, to tissue engineering for the repair of human elastic tissues in skin, artery, bladder and lung, to the study of microtubules in plant cells for genetic manipulation of plants to withstand environmental stresses such as drought or salinity.Read moreRead less
Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback ....Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback self-mixing effect, (2) a new approach for measuring LEF and C based on the proposed model, (3) signal processing algorithms for improving the performance of the proposed approach, and (4) an OFSM system prototype based on the new model and algorithms.Read moreRead less
Astrophotonics: exploiting a new technological frontier to probe back to the Dark Ages. Photonics, a key research strength in Australia, emerged from the telecommunications industry. But this exciting field has now begun to foster new scientific disciplines. One of the most recent is astrophotonics, a field at the interface of photonics and another Australian research strength, astronomy. Astrophotonics will deliver cutting-edge technologies to ensure Australia's astronomical lead in the next de ....Astrophotonics: exploiting a new technological frontier to probe back to the Dark Ages. Photonics, a key research strength in Australia, emerged from the telecommunications industry. But this exciting field has now begun to foster new scientific disciplines. One of the most recent is astrophotonics, a field at the interface of photonics and another Australian research strength, astronomy. Astrophotonics will deliver cutting-edge technologies to ensure Australia's astronomical lead in the next decade. These new facilities will serve as a vital stepping stone to the Giant Magellan Telescope, a $500M project promising enormous economic, engineering and scientific opportunities for Australia. Astrophotonics will also lead to innovative technology transfer to fields such as medical science, optical computing and sensor technology.Read moreRead less
Characterisation, development and application of novel Ion Beam technology (IBT) to enhance the optical thin film manufacturing process. Manufacture of optical thin film coatings is a difficult and generally inefficient process undertaken within a vacuum chamber. There are many variables which are not easily controlled nor understood in these complex thermodynamic environments. This project aims to advance core knowledge in three critical areas namely an improved understanding of ion beam phy ....Characterisation, development and application of novel Ion Beam technology (IBT) to enhance the optical thin film manufacturing process. Manufacture of optical thin film coatings is a difficult and generally inefficient process undertaken within a vacuum chamber. There are many variables which are not easily controlled nor understood in these complex thermodynamic environments. This project aims to advance core knowledge in three critical areas namely an improved understanding of ion beam physics, new knowledge of the thermodynamic environment used in physical vapour deposition of thin films and new knowedge in the application of Ion beam Technology to optical thin film growth and characteristics.
This project is significant, developing core knowledge and understanding with potential to lead to process efficiency gains, improved optical film characteristics and accessing new areas of research (rf/photoic devices). This project will advance the current state of art in the field of Ion Beam Technology and Ion Beam assisted physical vapour deposition.
Read moreRead less
Electro-active and migratory peptides in lipid bilayers: NMR and biophysical studies. All living things are characterized by the separation of inner space from the surrounding medium by a self-assembling membrane. Selective entry and exit of water, ions and solutes is a defining feature of each type of cell. Some proteins sense the voltage difference across the cell membrane and open or close in response to voltage changes. Others, like bacterial toxins assemble in the membrane as pores, while o ....Electro-active and migratory peptides in lipid bilayers: NMR and biophysical studies. All living things are characterized by the separation of inner space from the surrounding medium by a self-assembling membrane. Selective entry and exit of water, ions and solutes is a defining feature of each type of cell. Some proteins sense the voltage difference across the cell membrane and open or close in response to voltage changes. Others, like bacterial toxins assemble in the membrane as pores, while other peptides migrate across the membrane piggy-backing their peptide cargo. The aim is to understand the molecular mechanisms in examples of these membrane-active peptides and proteins with a view to enabling rational intervention into their operation in situ in normal and disease states.Read moreRead less
NMR studies of membrane proteins and peptides in novel amphiphilic mesophases. Membrane proteins are the next frontier in structural biology. Our goal is the structural and mechanistic characterization of the proteins and peptides from platypus venom and a cardiac potassium ion channel, HERG, that has a particular role in the suppression of cardiac arrhythmias. To do this we will refine and develop methods using amphiphilic mesophases and micelles and state-of-the-art NMR spectroscopy. Electrop ....NMR studies of membrane proteins and peptides in novel amphiphilic mesophases. Membrane proteins are the next frontier in structural biology. Our goal is the structural and mechanistic characterization of the proteins and peptides from platypus venom and a cardiac potassium ion channel, HERG, that has a particular role in the suppression of cardiac arrhythmias. To do this we will refine and develop methods using amphiphilic mesophases and micelles and state-of-the-art NMR spectroscopy. Electrophysiological analysis of ion channels and interactions with toxins will relate NMR structures to function. The NMR methodologies we develop will have broad applicability to membrane proteins in general.
Read moreRead less
Protein chips for the high-throughput study of immune complexes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is a core enabling technology for proteomics with proteins identified by molecular weight, mass maps and sequencing within the confines of a mass spectrometer. We have found conditions under which it is possible to preserve and detect protein complexes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry that has promising implications for the high-throughput screening of p ....Protein chips for the high-throughput study of immune complexes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is a core enabling technology for proteomics with proteins identified by molecular weight, mass maps and sequencing within the confines of a mass spectrometer. We have found conditions under which it is possible to preserve and detect protein complexes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry that has promising implications for the high-throughput screening of protein-protein interactions. Technologies pioneered by the applicant will be advanced to achieve the high-throughput analysis of antibody complexes with native gel recovered protein antigens across emerging strains of the influenza virus by means of miniature protein chips.Read moreRead less
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of complex cellular responses: isotopomer sub-spaces, 'lost' ATP and 'tunable' anisotropy. Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen around the body but they have other roles that are mediated by complex interconnecting metabolic pathways that generate myriad metabolites including ATP. A longstanding conundrum is the inability to account for ~60% of ATP turnover in human RBCs. Processes that may consume this 'lost' ATP, include autonomous motion of the cel ....Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of complex cellular responses: isotopomer sub-spaces, 'lost' ATP and 'tunable' anisotropy. Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen around the body but they have other roles that are mediated by complex interconnecting metabolic pathways that generate myriad metabolites including ATP. A longstanding conundrum is the inability to account for ~60% of ATP turnover in human RBCs. Processes that may consume this 'lost' ATP, include autonomous motion of the cell membrane called 'flickering', and maintenance of the biconcave-disc shape. NMR spectroscopy of quadrupolar nuclei in chiral aligned media, and isotopomer analysis will be used to define the kinetics of metabolism and membrane processes and thus help define the molecular basis of major blood disorders. Read moreRead less