Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100197
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
National magnetochemical facility. New magnetic materials of the molecular or biological types are quite different to traditional metal oxide magnets widely used, for example, in recording devices. They are very important from the perspective of understanding fundamental properties at low temperatures, in high magnetic fields, or when irradiated by light, but they are also showing promise in a range of applications, such as memory devices and smart cards and in the new area of spintronics and m ....National magnetochemical facility. New magnetic materials of the molecular or biological types are quite different to traditional metal oxide magnets widely used, for example, in recording devices. They are very important from the perspective of understanding fundamental properties at low temperatures, in high magnetic fields, or when irradiated by light, but they are also showing promise in a range of applications, such as memory devices and smart cards and in the new area of spintronics and molecular computers. The magnetochemical projects described here, that require the new equipment being sought, are fundamental in nature but will provide the underpinning of future nanomagnetic materials.Read moreRead less
Reverse engineering nature: metal extraction through mineral replacement. This project aims to find new methods of copper recovery from low grade copper ores, which are currently uneconomic to mine. In nature, at the top of ore deposits and just below the water-table, is a region known as the supergene zone. Here mild oxidizing reactions take place causing primary ore minerals such as chalcopyrite to be replaced by more copper-rich, less refractory minerals. These processes are driven by disso ....Reverse engineering nature: metal extraction through mineral replacement. This project aims to find new methods of copper recovery from low grade copper ores, which are currently uneconomic to mine. In nature, at the top of ore deposits and just below the water-table, is a region known as the supergene zone. Here mild oxidizing reactions take place causing primary ore minerals such as chalcopyrite to be replaced by more copper-rich, less refractory minerals. These processes are driven by dissolution re-precipitation reactions (CDR reactions) and in many CDR reactions, the reaction mechanism, rather than intensive properties such as pressure and temperature, control the nature of the products and the overall reaction process. This project will explore the mechanism and controls on these reactions to see if they can be utilized in the mining industry to economically extract copper from low grade ores.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100236
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Facilities for spectroscopy and diffraction at high pressures. The provision of infrastructure for the study of novel materials under high pressures will enhance Australia's capability in creating new materials and in creating new devices that meet needs in communication, environment and medicine applications. The new facility will enable researchers to understand the response of structures to extreme pressures and will exploit the unique capabilities of the synchrotron light.
The fate of dietary selenium in vivo; a direct approach to linking chemical form with biological activity. Dietary selenium supplementation has great potential as a preventative treatment for a range of human health conditions, including cancer, that widely affect the Australian population. However, the adverse effects of such treatments are not fully recognised. This project will increase our knowledge of how selenium compounds are stored and utilised in the body and relate the information to c ....The fate of dietary selenium in vivo; a direct approach to linking chemical form with biological activity. Dietary selenium supplementation has great potential as a preventative treatment for a range of human health conditions, including cancer, that widely affect the Australian population. However, the adverse effects of such treatments are not fully recognised. This project will increase our knowledge of how selenium compounds are stored and utilised in the body and relate the information to clinical observations regarding dietary intake of selenium and other compounds. The new understanding generated will delineate the conditions for safe intake, so that the beneficial effects associated with selenium supplementation may be harnessed more effectively.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of pigment coating surface treatments. Control and optimisation of surface coatings in pigment processing will lead to improved production efficiency and quality. In pigment processing, technology developed in this project may not only save millions of dollars in increased production efficiency but also lead to improved pigment optical performance in pigment applications such as paints, plastics and pharmaceuticals.
Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and th ....Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment will allow advances in processing and consequently improved final products. The potential growth in market share, by improved product performance, is in excess of $50M pa.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
Solution and surface speciation evolution during chalcopyrite leaching. This project will contribute to the development of a more effective industrial leach process for chalcopyrite, the source of more than 50 per cent of the world's copper, and will lead to substantially reduced processing costs and environmental impact, due to removal of the existing smelting step. In addition, the processing of currently uneconomic low grade ores would become economic.
Visualising molecular level detail in single cells and intact tissues. The goal of this project is to deliver a new toolkit for imaging cells at an unprecedented resolution and level of chemical detail. We will expand the capabilities of two existing, but complementary, methods: optical fluorescence microscopy with responsive probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Expected outcomes include improved techniques and benchmarks for visualising bacterial and mammalian cells; development of new molecu ....Visualising molecular level detail in single cells and intact tissues. The goal of this project is to deliver a new toolkit for imaging cells at an unprecedented resolution and level of chemical detail. We will expand the capabilities of two existing, but complementary, methods: optical fluorescence microscopy with responsive probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Expected outcomes include improved techniques and benchmarks for visualising bacterial and mammalian cells; development of new molecules for elucidating cellular chemistry; better utilisation of valuable synchrotron resources; and greater understanding of the strengths and limitations of current microscopy workflows. Results should benefit the biotechnology sector, and may lead to improved medical, diagnostic, and bioremediation capacity.Read moreRead less
Evaluating modern printing inks: the behaviour of charged particles in concentrated nonaqueous colloidal dispersions. The Partner Organisation in this proposal, Research Laboratories of Australia (RLA) is a small Adelaide-based company which is at the forefront of modern colour printing technology. RLA provides liquid toners to several major international manufacturers of colour printers for use in liquid immersion development processes. This proposal will develop an instrument for characterisin ....Evaluating modern printing inks: the behaviour of charged particles in concentrated nonaqueous colloidal dispersions. The Partner Organisation in this proposal, Research Laboratories of Australia (RLA) is a small Adelaide-based company which is at the forefront of modern colour printing technology. RLA provides liquid toners to several major international manufacturers of colour printers for use in liquid immersion development processes. This proposal will develop an instrument for characterising the properties of liquid inks, enabling continual R&D improvement of RLA's products. Furthermore, the instrument can be commercialised and marketed worldwide to companies dealing with concentrated colloidal dispersions in a wide range of industries including foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and surface coatings.Read moreRead less