High performance chromatography based on nanostructured monolithic polymers. The proposed project will generate highly significant, fundamental advances in separation science by developing new stationary phases and separation technologies suitable for the analysis of very complex samples which cannot be addressed by current methods. These technologies will be applied in a wide range of areas of national importance including pharmaceutical analysis and drug discovery; environmental, clinical, and ....High performance chromatography based on nanostructured monolithic polymers. The proposed project will generate highly significant, fundamental advances in separation science by developing new stationary phases and separation technologies suitable for the analysis of very complex samples which cannot be addressed by current methods. These technologies will be applied in a wide range of areas of national importance including pharmaceutical analysis and drug discovery; environmental, clinical, and forensic analysis; energy generation and foods. The project will also lead to very significant new intellectual property having extremely high commercial potential worldwide, and thereby generates the promise of considerable direct financial returns to Australia.Read moreRead less
Highly integrated miniaturised total analysis systems for pharmaceuticals in biological and environmental samples. This project will develop three unique chemical approaches that will each overcome a challenge to the creation of advanced miniaturised analytical devices with sample-in/answer-out capability. This will provide substantial improvements in speed, cost, portability, and operational simplicity and safety. New technology for analysing drugs in body fluids will be critical to enabling pe ....Highly integrated miniaturised total analysis systems for pharmaceuticals in biological and environmental samples. This project will develop three unique chemical approaches that will each overcome a challenge to the creation of advanced miniaturised analytical devices with sample-in/answer-out capability. This will provide substantial improvements in speed, cost, portability, and operational simplicity and safety. New technology for analysing drugs in body fluids will be critical to enabling people to closely match their pharmaceutical consumption with their individual requirements. The advance will have implications for all patients, particularly those in remote and rural Australian populations. The same technology is likely to find applications in environmental monitoring of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants. Read moreRead less
Solid-state light sources for bio-imaging and microfluidics. Solid state light sources are the light sources of the 21st century. This project will allow us to find new ways of bioimaging in living organisms applicable to diagnosing disease, and for microfluidic chip based portable instruments for on-site and point-of-care analysis in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing processes.
Smart Grids, Messy Society? An evaluation of the implementation of smart grids in Australia. New information technologies allow utility infrastructures to operate as smart grids, with the promise of multiple economic and environmental benefits. Utility infrastructures are largely unaltered since first installed 100 years ago, and smart grids have the potential to catalyse significant innovation. This project aims to investigate the societal drivers for, and implications of, smart grids and asses ....Smart Grids, Messy Society? An evaluation of the implementation of smart grids in Australia. New information technologies allow utility infrastructures to operate as smart grids, with the promise of multiple economic and environmental benefits. Utility infrastructures are largely unaltered since first installed 100 years ago, and smart grids have the potential to catalyse significant innovation. This project aims to investigate the societal drivers for, and implications of, smart grids and assess how these grid implementations vary from place to place. It will assess the implications of this for theory and practices of innovation and learning. This project also aims to provide new insights into the messy, complex societal reaction to smart grids in Australia; a country at the forefront of smart grid implementation.Read moreRead less
Green sample preparation technologies for analytical chemistry. This project opens new directions for the sample preparation of small molecules, nanoparticles and bacterial cells prior to analysis and will reduce pollution from chemical laboratories. The proposed 'green' analytical chemistry techniques will strengthen the position of Australia as a world-leader in separation science.
Predicting coastal ecological futures in an era of unprecedented change. This project aims to show how we can predict the future for coastal habitats, fisheries and biodiversity, and validate the reliability of those predictions. Global change means ecosystems are rapidly changing beyond the bounds of historical data, so we can no longer extrapolate past trajectories to predict the future. Reliable predictions are needed to help managers mitigate the risks of future human activities to the envir ....Predicting coastal ecological futures in an era of unprecedented change. This project aims to show how we can predict the future for coastal habitats, fisheries and biodiversity, and validate the reliability of those predictions. Global change means ecosystems are rapidly changing beyond the bounds of historical data, so we can no longer extrapolate past trajectories to predict the future. Reliable predictions are needed to help managers mitigate the risks of future human activities to the environment. Expected outcomes are improved techniques for making predictions that can inform the adaptive management of ecosystems. This is expected to benefit the management of the coastal zone, including fisheries and habitat restoration, which will contribute to enhancing Australia’s valuable ocean economy. Read moreRead less
Can Tasmanian Devils survive by adapting to devil facial tumour disease? This research will examine whether or not Tasmanian Devils are capable of adapting fast enough to survive the disease epidemic caused by a new contagious cancer, devil facial tumour disease, and evade extinction. Outcomes will determine long-term management responses to the disease and will set a benchmark for managing wildlife diseases worldwide.