Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanopart ....Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles with well-defined light absorption properties will be fabricated. Superior selectivity will be achieved by matching the wavelength of the absorbed light with the required activation energy for oxidation/reduction. Successful outcomes will enable multi-analyte fingerprint identification by on-chip devices with applications ranging from portable medical diagnostics to national security.Read moreRead less
A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technol ....A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technologies are required to monitor mercury emissions. The aim of this project is to develop robust sensors, for online monitoring of mercury vapours, that operate under challenging industrial environments. This project will also provide excellent training for young researchers in established international industrial research groups, thereby meeting skill shortages in the Australian resource sector.Read moreRead less
Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performi ....Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performing research to fully understand, miniaturise and develop this method further, this project aims to enable the quantitative observation of nanoscaled biological machinery involved in cell-to-cell communication and DNA unfolding. Such a technology platform may have applications in areas such as biology, biotechnology and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
A new management tool for effective wastewater source control. The use of recycled wastewater can dramatically increase the water supply capacity. However, the potential health risk from possible containments in recycled wastewater must be mitigated. This project aims to develop an effective wastewater source management tool for safeguarding the recycled water production and usage.
Nano-engineered multi-functional materials for catalysis and sensing by an integrated chemical and electrochemical approach. This project aims to deliver a facile and cheap method to produce a class of nanostructured materials to be used in applications which will have environmental and social benefits such as: green synthesis of fine chemicals, catalyst development for clean energy fuel cells and sensor technology for the detection of potent biotoxins.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,156.00
Summary
Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-partic ....Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-particle level and the choice of optimal SERS-active three-dimensional superstructures for use will be guided by empirical structure-activity correlations in combination with computer simulations. Tumour biomarkers for breast cancer will be employed as the model target for establishing the detection platform in a portable configuration for point-of-care diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100800
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Polymer micropatches applied to the skin for integrated capture and detection of circulating biomarkers. The purpose of this project is to develop a rapid and integrated technology for user-friendly biomarker detection at the point-of-care. We expect the device to rapidly detect proteins and/or antibodies, without the need for highly trained health workers or access to scientific laboratories.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,290.00
Summary
In situ measurements to investigate the mobilisation and speciation of emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants in water, sediment, and soil. Emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants such as antimony, chromium, vanadium and tungsten present a significant environmental hazard. They are often associated with mining, and numerous contaminated sites have been identified within Australia. In order to manage these contaminants appropriately, there needs to be suitable methods to analyse them ....In situ measurements to investigate the mobilisation and speciation of emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants in water, sediment, and soil. Emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants such as antimony, chromium, vanadium and tungsten present a significant environmental hazard. They are often associated with mining, and numerous contaminated sites have been identified within Australia. In order to manage these contaminants appropriately, there needs to be suitable methods to analyse them. Passive sampling technology will be developed that will allow the measurement of these contaminants and their speciation in water, and sediment and soil pore waters. This project will use these new samplers to investigate the geochemical mechanisms of mobilisation of these contaminants in laboratory mesocosm experiments, as well as at selected contaminated field sites within Australia.Read moreRead less
DNA exhibits new self-assembled structures due to clustered DNA methylation. This project aims to develop a technology to investigate detailed epigenetic patterns in DNA by directly interrogating the physical properties of DNA polymers in their native state. Epigenetics controls whether genes and genetic programs are turned on or off in living systems. The project will build on a recent discovery that key physical properties of native DNA polymers are strongly influenced by epigenetic patterns c ....DNA exhibits new self-assembled structures due to clustered DNA methylation. This project aims to develop a technology to investigate detailed epigenetic patterns in DNA by directly interrogating the physical properties of DNA polymers in their native state. Epigenetics controls whether genes and genetic programs are turned on or off in living systems. The project will build on a recent discovery that key physical properties of native DNA polymers are strongly influenced by epigenetic patterns created by living organisms. By fully understanding this phenomenon, this project aims to provide new tools for the study of epigenetics with broad potential applications in the life sciences, biotechnology and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less