Optimum control of the in-use performance of talc-based compositions. It is important to improve the quality of their Talcom body powder, baby powder and other cosmetic products involving talc. The areas that can and need to be improved are shining characteristics, assessing the slip properties as well as developing the cosmetic chemistry of talc and other additives. The proposed project will generate: a) simple but reliable test methods for measuring slip and shine, b) methods for control of t ....Optimum control of the in-use performance of talc-based compositions. It is important to improve the quality of their Talcom body powder, baby powder and other cosmetic products involving talc. The areas that can and need to be improved are shining characteristics, assessing the slip properties as well as developing the cosmetic chemistry of talc and other additives. The proposed project will generate: a) simple but reliable test methods for measuring slip and shine, b) methods for control of the physical and chemical characteristics of talc blends, c) mathematical model(s) for property and process control, which is useful to improvement of the final talc properties and in-use service.Read moreRead less
Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure l ....Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure laboratory to obtain such data. By defining the composition and mineralogy of Earth's core, it will place Australia in the forefront of this exciting research field, and will also represent a major national resource for the study of novel materials at extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
UNDERSTANDING PHASE TRANSITIONS THROUGH PRECISE STRUCTURAL STUDIES. This project will examine the fundamental nature of the structural phase transitions that are critical for the utilisation of numerous advanced materials. Researchers at Sydney University and the Australian National University in collaboration with staff at ANSTO are world leaders in the structural analysis of such materials. Through comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies of a number of such materials this project w ....UNDERSTANDING PHASE TRANSITIONS THROUGH PRECISE STRUCTURAL STUDIES. This project will examine the fundamental nature of the structural phase transitions that are critical for the utilisation of numerous advanced materials. Researchers at Sydney University and the Australian National University in collaboration with staff at ANSTO are world leaders in the structural analysis of such materials. Through comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies of a number of such materials this project will enhance the ability of industry to develop new and improved materials.Read moreRead less
Platinum-group Metal Oxides with Modulated Crystal Structures: Flexible Frameworks Designed for Geometrically Frustrated Magnetism. Magnetic materials are of huge importance to modern society because of the key roles they play in devices such as hard disks, sensors, switches and permanent magnets. This project will focus on the chemical design and synthesis of novel, flexible and unconventional magnetic materials. Their study will lead to improved theories of magnetism and superconductivity, and ....Platinum-group Metal Oxides with Modulated Crystal Structures: Flexible Frameworks Designed for Geometrically Frustrated Magnetism. Magnetic materials are of huge importance to modern society because of the key roles they play in devices such as hard disks, sensors, switches and permanent magnets. This project will focus on the chemical design and synthesis of novel, flexible and unconventional magnetic materials. Their study will lead to improved theories of magnetism and superconductivity, and ultimately to technologies such as new data-storage media. The project will also help introduce Australian scientists to their new research reactor and synchrotron, which will play critical roles by allowing exceptionally thorough and systematic studies to be carried out.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100076
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,000.00
Summary
The first Australian high pressure Synchrotron facility for geoscience research. In high-pressure mineral physics and chemistry, mineral properties, stress-strain relationships and processes like partial melting are applied to geophysical research about the deep Earth. This project will provide a large volume, high pressure capability at the Australian Synchrotron which will allow these mineral properties to be measured under conditions which simulate the deep earth.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0211014
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,000.00
Summary
Electron Microscope/X-Ray Unit Equipment Upgrade.
The aim of this proposal is to obtain funding to upgrade major equipment items in the centralised Electron Microscope / X-Ray Unit to replace obsolete instruments, some of which are twenty two years old. The proposed equipment will support highly productive research groups and individuals from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography, Geology, Mechanical Engineering and Medical Sciences.
It w ....Electron Microscope/X-Ray Unit Equipment Upgrade.
The aim of this proposal is to obtain funding to upgrade major equipment items in the centralised Electron Microscope / X-Ray Unit to replace obsolete instruments, some of which are twenty two years old. The proposed equipment will support highly productive research groups and individuals from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography, Geology, Mechanical Engineering and Medical Sciences.
It will be of great assistance in projects as diverse as the development of new ceramic materials, waste water precipitation chemistry, ore deposit geology, increasing agricultural productivity and the ultrastructure of organs responsible for the sense of balance.
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Rehydration of the lower crust, fluid sources and geophysical expression. This project aims to explore a long-standing mystery: the origin of deep crustal electrical conductors detected by magnetotelluric imaging of tectonically stable crust. These features occur in cratons of all ages, and commonly cross cut structures and lithologies. This project aims to investigate the hypothesis that such features are the record of ancient deep crustal fluid flow, which modified the rock electrical properti ....Rehydration of the lower crust, fluid sources and geophysical expression. This project aims to explore a long-standing mystery: the origin of deep crustal electrical conductors detected by magnetotelluric imaging of tectonically stable crust. These features occur in cratons of all ages, and commonly cross cut structures and lithologies. This project aims to investigate the hypothesis that such features are the record of ancient deep crustal fluid flow, which modified the rock electrical properties. Using an exceptionally exposed natural laboratory preserving large-scale rehydration of anhydrous lower crust, the project plans to determine the source of fluids and the compositional changes they induced. It then plans to experimentally determine changes in resistivity induced by fluid flow and use that data to model the magnetotelluric response at crustal scale.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238533
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,000.00
Summary
In Situ Spectroscopy of Particle and Material Interfaces. We seek to establish a world-class research facility for the in situ study of particle and material interfaces. The two techniques that will form the backbone of the facility are Raman scattering and surface second harmonic generation (SHG). The proposed in situ spectroscopy facility will be multi-disciplinary, contributing to research in chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, forensic science, and biotechnology. The establishment o ....In Situ Spectroscopy of Particle and Material Interfaces. We seek to establish a world-class research facility for the in situ study of particle and material interfaces. The two techniques that will form the backbone of the facility are Raman scattering and surface second harmonic generation (SHG). The proposed in situ spectroscopy facility will be multi-disciplinary, contributing to research in chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, forensic science, and biotechnology. The establishment of the facility will enhance research in the areas of minerals processing, mineralogy, water treatment, and drug delivery.Read moreRead less
Earth's origin and evolution: a sulphurous approach. This project aims to shed new light on global element cycles in the deep Earth and how they connect to the evolution of the exospheres – one of the hottest topics in geosciences. It also aims to produce key knowledge of the extraction and transport of elements from the deep Earth to the surface, which may provide valuable information for resource exploration. Using novel integrated elemental and isotopic approaches, this program aims to track ....Earth's origin and evolution: a sulphurous approach. This project aims to shed new light on global element cycles in the deep Earth and how they connect to the evolution of the exospheres – one of the hottest topics in geosciences. It also aims to produce key knowledge of the extraction and transport of elements from the deep Earth to the surface, which may provide valuable information for resource exploration. Using novel integrated elemental and isotopic approaches, this program aims to track the origin and fate of sulfur, selenium and tellurium during accretion and subsequent redistribution in fluids to Earth’s surface. This new knowledge is critical to understanding how these and other elements of strategic and economic importance, such as the Platinum Group Elements, are extracted from the deep Earth and transported to the surface.Read moreRead less