Reactive Intermediates in Atmospheric and Combustion Chemistry. Reactive intermediates are the key species that determine outcomes of the chemical reaction networks in atmospheric and combustion chemistry. However, most reactive intermediates remain undiscovered. The project aims to discover these intermediates using laser spectroscopy. Current models of atmospheric chemistry cannot account for the carbon balance over forests, nor the formation of secondary organic aerosols. Combustion models st ....Reactive Intermediates in Atmospheric and Combustion Chemistry. Reactive intermediates are the key species that determine outcomes of the chemical reaction networks in atmospheric and combustion chemistry. However, most reactive intermediates remain undiscovered. The project aims to discover these intermediates using laser spectroscopy. Current models of atmospheric chemistry cannot account for the carbon balance over forests, nor the formation of secondary organic aerosols. Combustion models struggle to predict how next-generation fuels burn in modern engines. The successful discovery of these intermediates would allow models to be more accurate and predictive. This will allow scientists, engineers and policy makers to make more informed decisions about atmospheric processes and design more efficient new fuels.Read moreRead less
Double resonance spectroscopy for astrochemistry. We will use advanced laser techniques to probe simulated astrophysical environments with a view to identifying molecules in space. The types of molecules under study are also of direct relevance to other fields such as combustion, and will reveal details of the chemistry of pollution and atmospheres.
Enhancing single-molecule magnets. This project aims to design, synthesise and investigate single-molecule magnets that can function at higher temperatures for use in quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Materials science increasingly benefit from molecular approaches, and lanthanoid-based single-molecule magnets could achieve otherwise inaccessible technological developments such as the development of molecular materials for quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Advances in funda ....Enhancing single-molecule magnets. This project aims to design, synthesise and investigate single-molecule magnets that can function at higher temperatures for use in quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Materials science increasingly benefit from molecular approaches, and lanthanoid-based single-molecule magnets could achieve otherwise inaccessible technological developments such as the development of molecular materials for quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Advances in fundamental chemistry are anticipated, and this project is expected to benefit Australia's participation in related high-end technology industries.Read moreRead less
Shape-Shifting Molecules: Photoisomerization Action Spectroscopy. This project aims to examine molecules that change shape in response to light in order to gain insight into the biological processes they control. Many biological systems, including the human visual apparatus and bacterial photosynthesis, depend on molecules that change shape in response to light. The project plans to probe shape-shifting molecules with laser light while they are propelled through gas by an electric field. Light-i ....Shape-Shifting Molecules: Photoisomerization Action Spectroscopy. This project aims to examine molecules that change shape in response to light in order to gain insight into the biological processes they control. Many biological systems, including the human visual apparatus and bacterial photosynthesis, depend on molecules that change shape in response to light. The project plans to probe shape-shifting molecules with laser light while they are propelled through gas by an electric field. Light-induced changes in molecular shape produce detectable variations in drift speed. The ensuing knowledge would help calibrate computational approaches for predicting molecular function. It would also establish foundations for understanding essential biological molecules, including retinals, carotenes and peptides, and for developing new light-activated molecular motors and switches.Read moreRead less
The role of low-energy excited states in solar-energy capture. This project aims to determine the nature and role of the lowest-energy excited states in most natural photosynthetic reaction centres and light-harvesting complexes. The lowest-energy states of bacterial reaction centres are critical to function and are used as a paradigm in artificial organic solar-energy capture, but for most photosystems their nature remains unknown. The project aims to answer the critical question of why they do ....The role of low-energy excited states in solar-energy capture. This project aims to determine the nature and role of the lowest-energy excited states in most natural photosynthetic reaction centres and light-harvesting complexes. The lowest-energy states of bacterial reaction centres are critical to function and are used as a paradigm in artificial organic solar-energy capture, but for most photosystems their nature remains unknown. The project aims to answer the critical question of why they do not actually prevent function. It is expected that both the outcomes obtained and techniques developed will be directly relevant to solar-energy device design. The project will apply five existing, complimentary and purposely built spectrometers as well as quantum electronic and nuclear simulation techniques to identify and characterise three key systems.Read moreRead less
Ions in the Fire: Laser Spectroscopy of Cryogenically Cooled Molecular Ions. This project will combine sophisticated laser and mass spectrometric techniques to probe the structure and function of cryogenically cooled biological molecules that are the core operational units for vision, photosynthesis and protein labelling. Knowledge gained from the project will be used to calibrate modern computational approaches to describing and predicting molecular function. It is expected that the project wil ....Ions in the Fire: Laser Spectroscopy of Cryogenically Cooled Molecular Ions. This project will combine sophisticated laser and mass spectrometric techniques to probe the structure and function of cryogenically cooled biological molecules that are the core operational units for vision, photosynthesis and protein labelling. Knowledge gained from the project will be used to calibrate modern computational approaches to describing and predicting molecular function. It is expected that the project will provide foundations for understanding and optimising the biological systems upon which life depends, and for developing new light-activated molecular devices including molecular motors, switches and energy harvesting systems.Read moreRead less
Seeing chemical reactions: Electron pairing and energetics along pseudo-reaction pathways from high-resolution X-ray diffraction data. This project aims to see the electron pairs in chemical reactions by extending high-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments on molecules frozen along their reaction pathway. This knowledge will help chemists to control a desired chemical synthesis leading to new prospects in drug design or material science.