Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989747
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in th ....Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in the physical, biochemical and material sciences. This is of strategic importance to keep Australia at the global forefront for scientific endeavours, supporting new research and commercial opportunities. This facility will also produce highly trained graduates, who will find employment in industry throughout Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
The geochemistry of trace elements with variable oxidation states. The understanding of many earth processes is based upon an interpretation of differences in the relative abundance and/or distribution of elements which occur in more than one oxidation state. However, the redox states that control the geochemical behaviour of an element in a melt are not necessarily retained on cooling. This work aims to determine the oxidation states of geologically important elements, in situ under magmatic ....The geochemistry of trace elements with variable oxidation states. The understanding of many earth processes is based upon an interpretation of differences in the relative abundance and/or distribution of elements which occur in more than one oxidation state. However, the redox states that control the geochemical behaviour of an element in a melt are not necessarily retained on cooling. This work aims to determine the oxidation states of geologically important elements, in situ under magmatic conditions, using XANES spectroscopy. The results will allow geological signatures to be correctly interpreted and allow models for topics ranging from ancient mantle temperatures to rates of melt migration to be better constrained.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Analysis of Canine Anabolic Steroid Metabolites. The Australian racing industry is a major driver of economic activity. In NSW, racing is estimated to contribute $1,000 million to GDP, $151 million to Government revenue and provide 50,000 jobs. The future security and prosperity of the racing industry depends on maintaining the highest standards of integrity in the public eye, and this in turn depends on the enforcement of regulations relating to illicit substances. The outcome of ....Synthesis and Analysis of Canine Anabolic Steroid Metabolites. The Australian racing industry is a major driver of economic activity. In NSW, racing is estimated to contribute $1,000 million to GDP, $151 million to Government revenue and provide 50,000 jobs. The future security and prosperity of the racing industry depends on maintaining the highest standards of integrity in the public eye, and this in turn depends on the enforcement of regulations relating to illicit substances. The outcome of this project will be the introduction of robust methods of analysis for potential drug abuse in greyhound racing that will position Australia as a world leader in the field.Read moreRead less
Development of Methods and Strategies for the Measurement, Interpretation and Analysis of Diffuse X-ray Scattering from Disordered Materials. This application seeks to exploit our established lead in the measurement of diffuse scattering from disordered materials and its analysis using large-scale computer simulations. Many industrially important materials such as ceramics, superconductors, catalysts, electro-optical materials and minerals owe their special properties to the disorder in their st ....Development of Methods and Strategies for the Measurement, Interpretation and Analysis of Diffuse X-ray Scattering from Disordered Materials. This application seeks to exploit our established lead in the measurement of diffuse scattering from disordered materials and its analysis using large-scale computer simulations. Many industrially important materials such as ceramics, superconductors, catalysts, electro-optical materials and minerals owe their special properties to the disorder in their structure. This disorder causes diffuse X-ray scattering which can be probed using synchrotron X-rays and powerful computers to reveal details about the material's nanoscale structure. The new methodology being developed will enhance our detailed understanding of the relationships between structure and properties in materials and help promote the design of new materials. Read moreRead less
The chemical, biochemical, genetic and ecological basis of pollinator-driven speciation in Australian sexually deceptive orchids. The Australian biota offers unique opportunities for illuminating ecological and evolutionary processes of worldwide importance. Focussing on Australian sexually deceptive orchids, this study offers a model system for studies of plant speciation that has already captured the interest of the public, educators and scientists around the world. The project will produce mu ....The chemical, biochemical, genetic and ecological basis of pollinator-driven speciation in Australian sexually deceptive orchids. The Australian biota offers unique opportunities for illuminating ecological and evolutionary processes of worldwide importance. Focussing on Australian sexually deceptive orchids, this study offers a model system for studies of plant speciation that has already captured the interest of the public, educators and scientists around the world. The project will produce multiple graduate students with high quality, cross-disciplinary training. Expertise and tools developed will contribute directly to the conservation of endangered Australian orchids. Thus the knowledge obtained from this research will have immediate practical benefits for the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0231228
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Victorian Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the-art Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) facility in the Melbourne region. ESEMs have considerable advantages over conventional instruments in that they allow imaging and analysis to be performed in gaseous or high pressure environments. This enables electron microscopy to be used for the detailed analysis of insulating, wet or out-gassing specimens in their natural ....Victorian Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the-art Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) facility in the Melbourne region. ESEMs have considerable advantages over conventional instruments in that they allow imaging and analysis to be performed in gaseous or high pressure environments. This enables electron microscopy to be used for the detailed analysis of insulating, wet or out-gassing specimens in their natural state as well as the investigation, in real time, of dynamical processes such as crystallisation and corrosion. The new facility will support a wide range of multi-disciplinary research programs from four Universities and three CSIRO divisions.Read moreRead less
In-field sensors for the detection of illicit drugs. Presumptive field test kits for illicit drugs analysis are typically based on chemical spot tests that produce a coloured product. While relatively easy to apply, such test kits (containing wet chemicals) produce inconclusive colour changes lacking sensitivity, and selectivity requiring a subjective assessment by the examiner. Despite these limitations, these test kits are in widespread use and are routinely used. This study aims to develop s ....In-field sensors for the detection of illicit drugs. Presumptive field test kits for illicit drugs analysis are typically based on chemical spot tests that produce a coloured product. While relatively easy to apply, such test kits (containing wet chemicals) produce inconclusive colour changes lacking sensitivity, and selectivity requiring a subjective assessment by the examiner. Despite these limitations, these test kits are in widespread use and are routinely used. This study aims to develop specific in-field sensors for the detection and identification of illicit drugs. This would significantly enhance the ability of Forensic Services staff to confirm the identity of seized material. Increased specificity would provide valuable early advice to investigators regarding the nature of a seizure and would reduce the likelihood of false positive results. Increased sensitivity would permit the analysis of trace amounts of material from individuals or locations related to an illicit drug consignment.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239943
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,000.00
Summary
Access for Australian Researchers to Advanced Neutron-Beam Technique. Neutron scattering is one of the most powerful and important investigative tools in the study of materials. Australia has only a low-flux neutron source, HIFAR, which provides no cold or hot neutrons. This excludes large, important areas of science, such as functional films, polymers, self-assembly systems, biological materials, colloids and emulsions, and real-time in-situ studies.
This application aims to continue Aus ....Access for Australian Researchers to Advanced Neutron-Beam Technique. Neutron scattering is one of the most powerful and important investigative tools in the study of materials. Australia has only a low-flux neutron source, HIFAR, which provides no cold or hot neutrons. This excludes large, important areas of science, such as functional films, polymers, self-assembly systems, biological materials, colloids and emulsions, and real-time in-situ studies.
This application aims to continue Australia's parnership with the world's most intense neutron source, ISIS in the UK, in order to sustain the considerable Australian scientific momentum which now relies on ISIS.
The outcome will be new science that cannot be generated solely within Australia.Read moreRead less
Photochemistry of the Middle Atmospheres of Venus and the Earth. Ongoing changes in the Earth's atmosphere, such as ozone depletion, demonstrate the need to understand the processes that control atmospheric chemistry. The proposed research will improve the fidelity of photochemical models, provide additional insight into the recent evolution of the Venus atmosphere, and examine how atmospheric chemistry and climate change interact(ed) on Venus. This research will improve our understanding of l ....Photochemistry of the Middle Atmospheres of Venus and the Earth. Ongoing changes in the Earth's atmosphere, such as ozone depletion, demonstrate the need to understand the processes that control atmospheric chemistry. The proposed research will improve the fidelity of photochemical models, provide additional insight into the recent evolution of the Venus atmosphere, and examine how atmospheric chemistry and climate change interact(ed) on Venus. This research will improve our understanding of long-standing issues, such as how much water might have been present on Venus in the recent past. The research program will provide an opportunity for Australian science to participate in at least one spacecraft mission to Venus. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354640
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Young Investigators Network on Next Generation Electronic Devices. This initiative will build an active, dynamic and strongly interdisciplinary network of young Australian scientists (most awarded their Ph.D. after 1985) working on the development of innovative electronic devices - a national research priority area with enormous economic and technological opportunity. The network will enable a nationally coordinated, internationally competitive approach that capitalizes on untapped opportunitie ....Young Investigators Network on Next Generation Electronic Devices. This initiative will build an active, dynamic and strongly interdisciplinary network of young Australian scientists (most awarded their Ph.D. after 1985) working on the development of innovative electronic devices - a national research priority area with enormous economic and technological opportunity. The network will enable a nationally coordinated, internationally competitive approach that capitalizes on untapped opportunities, utilises existing/emerging Australian expertise and develops strong supporting links with similar networks overseas. The initiative will produce a public showcase of Australian strengths and opportunities in this field, and enable stronger collaborations and cooperative logistics management through the development of a dedicated network management website.Read moreRead less