Self-assembled surface arrays of mesoscale plasmonic devices for switchable control of coloured surfaces. This project has a well-defined outcome with potentially significant commercial interest. The proposed device is novel and the development of it will enhance the science and technology infrastructure within Australia, taking it into original and exciting directions. A successful demonstration of it will enhance Australia's competitive position in the field of nanotechnology and could conceiv ....Self-assembled surface arrays of mesoscale plasmonic devices for switchable control of coloured surfaces. This project has a well-defined outcome with potentially significant commercial interest. The proposed device is novel and the development of it will enhance the science and technology infrastructure within Australia, taking it into original and exciting directions. A successful demonstration of it will enhance Australia's competitive position in the field of nanotechnology and could conceivably lead to a manufacturing activity either located in Australia or in which Australian entities have an interest. Envisaged applications include optical circuitry, 'smart' windows and display surfaces on consumer devices.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excel ....Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excellent training for PhD students and post doctoral Research Fellows, enabling them to work in and contribute to the development of new nanotechnology industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobili ....Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobility of water molecules is a potent indicator of the microscopic structure of the cartilage scaffold. We will use this fundamental biophysical relationship to measure the internal architecture of collagen fibres; observe the changes effected by mechanical load; and distinguish between healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage.
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Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at Ionic Liquid-Air Interfaces. The research conducted in the project will greatly enhance our understanding of the physical properties of ionic liquids, an important new class of designer solvents. Australian researchers will receive advanced training and experience using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy in the laboratory of OI Rutland, and in the use of Neutron Reflection. This project is especially timely with the imminent start-up of the new Australian resea ....Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at Ionic Liquid-Air Interfaces. The research conducted in the project will greatly enhance our understanding of the physical properties of ionic liquids, an important new class of designer solvents. Australian researchers will receive advanced training and experience using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy in the laboratory of OI Rutland, and in the use of Neutron Reflection. This project is especially timely with the imminent start-up of the new Australian research reactor, OPAL, and will help to seed an active program by Australian researchers at this facility.Read moreRead less
Pulsed oscillating mass analyser. Mass spectrometers are ubiquitous components in chemical analysis, but are often large and expensive. We have developed a new method for mass analysis, which is smaller and cheaper than existing technology. However, the analyser needs further research to determine whether it has the performance specifications to match the other technologies. The objective of this research is to characterise, explore and extend the prototype and to develop the appropriate math ....Pulsed oscillating mass analyser. Mass spectrometers are ubiquitous components in chemical analysis, but are often large and expensive. We have developed a new method for mass analysis, which is smaller and cheaper than existing technology. However, the analyser needs further research to determine whether it has the performance specifications to match the other technologies. The objective of this research is to characterise, explore and extend the prototype and to develop the appropriate mathematical algorithm for mass analysis. Success in this project may lead to a new mass analyser that can be incorporated into analytical instruments, many of which are manufactured in Australia.Read moreRead less
Single molecule spectroscopy of functional luminescent materials. This project will provide new insights into the light induced processes occurring in individual molecules of potentially useful luminescent materials. The molecules to be studied include new fluorescent probes of biological and polymer systems and single light harvesting nanoparticles with applications in solar energy collection and conversion. The program of work proposed will increase our understanding of light induced chemical ....Single molecule spectroscopy of functional luminescent materials. This project will provide new insights into the light induced processes occurring in individual molecules of potentially useful luminescent materials. The molecules to be studied include new fluorescent probes of biological and polymer systems and single light harvesting nanoparticles with applications in solar energy collection and conversion. The program of work proposed will increase our understanding of light induced chemical processes and assist the design of advanced materials for photomolecular devices.Read moreRead less
Highly efficient X-ray storage phosphor for medical and scientific imaging. X-rays are invaluable in medical diagnostics. For example, they are widely used in breast screening programs. However,they can cause cancer even at low doses. Consequently there is a global effort to reduce the X-ray dose by exploring more efficient imaging technologies. The present proposal seeks to exploit our recent discovery of a highly efficient storage phosphor that has the potential to facilitate substantial X-r ....Highly efficient X-ray storage phosphor for medical and scientific imaging. X-rays are invaluable in medical diagnostics. For example, they are widely used in breast screening programs. However,they can cause cancer even at low doses. Consequently there is a global effort to reduce the X-ray dose by exploring more efficient imaging technologies. The present proposal seeks to exploit our recent discovery of a highly efficient storage phosphor that has the potential to facilitate substantial X-ray dose reduction; this is of greatest significance to the general population. Also, the phosphor facilitates higher resolution images, a feature that is highly important in scientific imaging. This project may lead to substantial revenue streams for the nation because it taps into a global multibillion dollar industry.Read moreRead less
Ultrasonic Processing of Dairy Ingredients to Control Protein Aggregation and Promote Heat Stability. This project is an emerging collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Food Science Australia and the Dairy Ingredients Group of Australia. We aim to use acoustically generated chemical and physical effects to modify dairy proteins. Transformation of the sulphur-containing proteins by this means should overcome many of the difficulties currently encountered in thermal processing of whole ....Ultrasonic Processing of Dairy Ingredients to Control Protein Aggregation and Promote Heat Stability. This project is an emerging collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Food Science Australia and the Dairy Ingredients Group of Australia. We aim to use acoustically generated chemical and physical effects to modify dairy proteins. Transformation of the sulphur-containing proteins by this means should overcome many of the difficulties currently encountered in thermal processing of whole milk and whey proteins. This work will place the Australian dairy industry in a pre-eminent position for the development of valuable, heat-stable and uniquely functional ingredients based on novel micro/nano structures. Existing world class expertise will be further developed in ultrasonic processing and sonochemistry as frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Integrated approach to functional carbon based materials. Exploiting novel forms of carbon to create new technologies for the energy, health and environmental sectors is a major challenge in nanotechnology. To address this challenge we will exploit innovative methods such as self-assembly and continuous flow spinning disc processing. Our proposed research will make significant contributions to a fundamental understanding of carbon nanomaterials. To this end, we will bring together international ....Integrated approach to functional carbon based materials. Exploiting novel forms of carbon to create new technologies for the energy, health and environmental sectors is a major challenge in nanotechnology. To address this challenge we will exploit innovative methods such as self-assembly and continuous flow spinning disc processing. Our proposed research will make significant contributions to a fundamental understanding of carbon nanomaterials. To this end, we will bring together international expertise with complementary skills, providing a more inventive research culture and excellent opportunities for training young scientists. The attractive low cost of renewable starting materials and small footprint of the ensuing technologies will provide a platform for fostering links with industry.Read moreRead less
Energetics and dynamics of solvated biologically relevant molecules using liquid microjet and ion imaging technologies. The shape of many biomolecules in solution plays a critical role in determining their biological activity and function. It is known that the bonds that form between the biomolecules and the water solvent control this shape. However, very little is known about the strength and structure of these bonds at different sites around the biomolecule. Many experiments have informed u ....Energetics and dynamics of solvated biologically relevant molecules using liquid microjet and ion imaging technologies. The shape of many biomolecules in solution plays a critical role in determining their biological activity and function. It is known that the bonds that form between the biomolecules and the water solvent control this shape. However, very little is known about the strength and structure of these bonds at different sites around the biomolecule. Many experiments have informed us about the strength of the bonds, others have told us where the bonds occur. This project will provide both pieces of information for the first time, allowing us to better understand, and therefore control, biological function. This work will assist in the development of new biotechnology processes, especially in the emerging area of proteomics.Read moreRead less