Plasmonic nanoparticle catalysis for nitrogen-based synthesis. Light can generate an optical force to capture small objects. This requires intense light – a laser, which limits optical trapping in catalysis applications. This project aims to apply plasmonic nanoparticles with normal-intensity light to take advantage of plasmonic-generated optical forces for catalytic chemical synthesis. The optical trapping/releasing of small molecules is highly selective and responsive to molecule structure and ....Plasmonic nanoparticle catalysis for nitrogen-based synthesis. Light can generate an optical force to capture small objects. This requires intense light – a laser, which limits optical trapping in catalysis applications. This project aims to apply plasmonic nanoparticles with normal-intensity light to take advantage of plasmonic-generated optical forces for catalytic chemical synthesis. The optical trapping/releasing of small molecules is highly selective and responsive to molecule structure and so presents a great opportunity to radically alter chemical synthesis pathways, which will be illustrated with reactions on liquid-solid and gas-solid interfaces. This highly innovative strategy will be used to discover new nitrogen-based syntheses which are both fundamentally and industrially important.Read moreRead less
Super-Resolution Nanothermometry on Live Cells. This project aims to deliver new temperature sensors and advance the field of nanothermometry beyond its optical diffraction limit and current reliability issues. The project expects to forge a new way to study organelle metabolism and functional interactions by creating a super-resolution heat map of living cells. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of ionic energy transfer among lanthanide ions, innovative super-resolution imaging nanothermom ....Super-Resolution Nanothermometry on Live Cells. This project aims to deliver new temperature sensors and advance the field of nanothermometry beyond its optical diffraction limit and current reliability issues. The project expects to forge a new way to study organelle metabolism and functional interactions by creating a super-resolution heat map of living cells. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of ionic energy transfer among lanthanide ions, innovative super-resolution imaging nanothermometers, new biochemistry and cell biology protocols, and spectroscopy and microscopy instruments. The adoption of these outcomes in new technologies should provide significant benefits in cell biology research, life sciences, engineering sciences and Australia’s imaging and sensor industries.Read moreRead less