The geochemistry of rare earth elements in carbonate melts. This project aims to determine why deposits of rare earth elements, which are critical for modern devices and technologies such as phones, tablets and plasma screens, are associated with carbonate magmas. The global supply of these critical metals is geopolitically unstable and, although Australia has significant reserves, there is very limited production. By improving our understanding of the geochemical behaviour of the rare earths th ....The geochemistry of rare earth elements in carbonate melts. This project aims to determine why deposits of rare earth elements, which are critical for modern devices and technologies such as phones, tablets and plasma screens, are associated with carbonate magmas. The global supply of these critical metals is geopolitically unstable and, although Australia has significant reserves, there is very limited production. By improving our understanding of the geochemical behaviour of the rare earths this project aims to develop new reverse-engineering methods for their extraction, which will improve the security of supply of these elements and enhance Australia's role in high-tech industries. The project will enhance the profitability of the Australian resources sector through improved extraction economics and will secure the supply of these critical metals for Australian high-tech industries and export. The outcomes will be targeted initially at junior resource companies that are not yet profitable.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
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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100122
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Microdiffraction: Advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis. Microdiffraction: advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis: Microdiffraction offers two principal capacities that traditional powder diffraction (PD) facilities cannot: it enables small areas to be examined on a spatially resolved basis enabling identification, and it enables analysis of minor, but frequently crucial phases and anal ....Microdiffraction: Advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis. Microdiffraction: advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis: Microdiffraction offers two principal capacities that traditional powder diffraction (PD) facilities cannot: it enables small areas to be examined on a spatially resolved basis enabling identification, and it enables analysis of minor, but frequently crucial phases and analysis of samples that are not in a powder form thus enabling non-destructive examination. These capabilities provide powerful complementary capacity to existing SEM, QEM-SCAN, ToF-SIMS and PD facilities. Potential and existing applications are numerous and include minerals analyses; forensic applications; micro-electronics; corrosion analyses; art analysis/conservation; archaeology; materials; polymers; thin films; dielectric properties; liquid crystals; and drug characterisation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100012
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,000.00
Summary
Enhanced powder X-ray diffraction capabilities for South Australia. This X-ray diffraction facility will provide structural information on the properties of novel materials which is important for investigations ranging from post-combustion carbon dioxide capture through to the identification of new mineralogical samples. Rapid, local access to this integrated facility will position South Australian researchers to make breakthroughs that benefit Australia.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,000.00
Summary
A high resolution environmental scanning electron microscope (HRESEM) for South Australia. Australian researchers need access to state-of-the-art instrumentation in microscopy and microanalysis to remain competitive on the international stage. Nationally Australia has established excellent facilities and access regimes but there still remain areas where access to routine instrumentation is poor. Increased capacity is needed in South Australia for high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRS ....A high resolution environmental scanning electron microscope (HRESEM) for South Australia. Australian researchers need access to state-of-the-art instrumentation in microscopy and microanalysis to remain competitive on the international stage. Nationally Australia has established excellent facilities and access regimes but there still remain areas where access to routine instrumentation is poor. Increased capacity is needed in South Australia for high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), as well as capability for environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The need is highlighted by the recent establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Photonics and the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, both of which need this capacity and capability for characterisation at EM levels. Research organisations across the state will benefit from access to the proposed instrumentation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100236
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Facilities for spectroscopy and diffraction at high pressures. The provision of infrastructure for the study of novel materials under high pressures will enhance Australia's capability in creating new materials and in creating new devices that meet needs in communication, environment and medicine applications. The new facility will enable researchers to understand the response of structures to extreme pressures and will exploit the unique capabilities of the synchrotron light.
Critical metals from complex copper ores. The aims of this project address the critical mineral resource potential of complex copper ores. The research will generate new knowledge on the concentration, distribution, physical form and chemical speciation of critical minerals, including tellurium, cobalt and rare earth elements, in ores and processing streams using innovative approaches and utilising state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Expected outcomes include integrated models for critical e ....Critical metals from complex copper ores. The aims of this project address the critical mineral resource potential of complex copper ores. The research will generate new knowledge on the concentration, distribution, physical form and chemical speciation of critical minerals, including tellurium, cobalt and rare earth elements, in ores and processing streams using innovative approaches and utilising state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Expected outcomes include integrated models for critical element endowments in Australia's largest copper resource, Olympic Dam (S.A.). Future recovery of these elements would add significant value to existing operations, providing long-term economic and commercial benefits and would also contribute to Australia's transition to a low-carbon future.Read moreRead less
Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our kno ....Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our knowledge on MICP is limited due to poor understanding of the reaction kinetics at a molecular level. This project will develop new methods to enable and advance the knowledge of MICP process with profound implications for understanding natural geological formations as well as widen the scope of current engineering applications.Read moreRead less