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
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354861
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,000.00
Summary
Network Australia International. "Network Australia International" will harness the expertise and knowledge of expatriate researchers and tap into their overseas networks. NAI will be a unique portal connecting and re-connecting Australian researchers overseas.
The key objectives of the Network are to:
* identify Australian researchers overseas, especially Young Investigators;
* perform a capability audit on their knowledge, expertise and networks;
* identify potential synergies betw ....Network Australia International. "Network Australia International" will harness the expertise and knowledge of expatriate researchers and tap into their overseas networks. NAI will be a unique portal connecting and re-connecting Australian researchers overseas.
The key objectives of the Network are to:
* identify Australian researchers overseas, especially Young Investigators;
* perform a capability audit on their knowledge, expertise and networks;
* identify potential synergies between Australian and overseas researchers, related to National Research Priorities;
* coordinate collaborative research;
* provide opportunities for Australian postdoctoral fellows overseas;
* communicate and enhance opportunities for permanent and recurring visits by Australian expatriates, and develop new initiatives.
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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
Novel hybrid agricultural-byproduct/synthetic materials. The French partners have developed a method of converting low-value agricultural by-products into commodity plastics; however, the results are too water-sensitive to be useful. This project is to develop the science for grafting water-resistant moieties to this product, using mechanistically-based techniques developed by the Sydney group. The outcome would be technology for making useful materials from agricultural by-products that are cur ....Novel hybrid agricultural-byproduct/synthetic materials. The French partners have developed a method of converting low-value agricultural by-products into commodity plastics; however, the results are too water-sensitive to be useful. This project is to develop the science for grafting water-resistant moieties to this product, using mechanistically-based techniques developed by the Sydney group. The outcome would be technology for making useful materials from agricultural by-products that are currently of very low value in Australia.Read moreRead less
Sustainable Solar Hydrogen Production from Waste Water. The world energy demand, expected to triple by 2100, must be met from sustainable and non-polluting sources. Sunlight is the largest available carbon-neutral energy source, with enough energy striking the planet in one hour to satisfy our current requirements for about a year. With the novel catalysts designed in this project, we will use this energy to simultaneously generate hydrogen and destroy organic pollutants by oxidation. The hydr ....Sustainable Solar Hydrogen Production from Waste Water. The world energy demand, expected to triple by 2100, must be met from sustainable and non-polluting sources. Sunlight is the largest available carbon-neutral energy source, with enough energy striking the planet in one hour to satisfy our current requirements for about a year. With the novel catalysts designed in this project, we will use this energy to simultaneously generate hydrogen and destroy organic pollutants by oxidation. The hydrogen can then be used as a clean source of sustainable energy and the water recycled. Our climate, proximity to major economies of the future, and long commercial and research experience in solar energy make Australia an ideal location for a hydrogen production industry.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Nanostructured Electro-optical Systems. The development of flexible and conformal electro-optical systems will strengthen Australia's position in the automotive industry establishing a value adding technology. The auto-dimming mirror industry is worth in excess of US$500 million per annum, with predictions of industry sales of US$2 billion. This project will tap existing Australian manufacturing capabilities and utilise the intellectual capacity of internationally recognise ....Development of Novel Nanostructured Electro-optical Systems. The development of flexible and conformal electro-optical systems will strengthen Australia's position in the automotive industry establishing a value adding technology. The auto-dimming mirror industry is worth in excess of US$500 million per annum, with predictions of industry sales of US$2 billion. This project will tap existing Australian manufacturing capabilities and utilise the intellectual capacity of internationally recognised scientists from UoW and UniSA. The science behind this proposed development will have significance well beyond its initial scope with applications in areas such as ophthalmic lenses, architectural glazing and electronic textiles providing further Australian opportunities in these rapidly developing areas.Read moreRead less
Improvement of critical current density in MgB2 wires and tapes and Y-Ba-Cu-O coated conductors. The technology of superconducting wires and tapes has emerged as one of the most important basic engineering technologies, which can create technical innovation and improvement in the quality of life in the fields of electric power, energy, machinery, transportation and the environment in the 21st century. The aim of the proposed program is to develop magnesium diboride superconductor and YBCO coated ....Improvement of critical current density in MgB2 wires and tapes and Y-Ba-Cu-O coated conductors. The technology of superconducting wires and tapes has emerged as one of the most important basic engineering technologies, which can create technical innovation and improvement in the quality of life in the fields of electric power, energy, machinery, transportation and the environment in the 21st century. The aim of the proposed program is to develop magnesium diboride superconductor and YBCO coated conductors by using novel nano-precursor powders. Superconducting tapes doped with nano-sized powders are expected to show enhancement in flux pinning properties. The expected outcome is the capability to produce a new generation of superconductors having high performance at low cost.Read moreRead less
Study on the deposition of superconducting REBCO film via chemical route for coated conductor. Second generation high temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductor is the essential raw material for the next generation of high-efficiency electric power application such as power transmission cables, transformers, motors and generators, and grid protection devices (FCL) as well as medical, transportation, and high energy physics. The high efficiency and compactness of HTS devices promises grea ....Study on the deposition of superconducting REBCO film via chemical route for coated conductor. Second generation high temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductor is the essential raw material for the next generation of high-efficiency electric power application such as power transmission cables, transformers, motors and generators, and grid protection devices (FCL) as well as medical, transportation, and high energy physics. The high efficiency and compactness of HTS devices promises great savings in energy and reduction in CO2 emissions, which is vital for decreasing greenhouse effects.Read moreRead less
Self-Assembly of Nanoscale Molecular Capsules. Nature uses the self-assembly of molecules for the construction of highly complex and functional structures. An understanding of this process will enable the design of new molecular systems, capable of application in areas that include medicine, electronics and communications. Such self-assembly will play a key role in the development of nanotechnology, a rapidly expanding field that is likely to become a major technology in the foreseeable future. ....Self-Assembly of Nanoscale Molecular Capsules. Nature uses the self-assembly of molecules for the construction of highly complex and functional structures. An understanding of this process will enable the design of new molecular systems, capable of application in areas that include medicine, electronics and communications. Such self-assembly will play a key role in the development of nanotechnology, a rapidly expanding field that is likely to become a major technology in the foreseeable future. It is of crucial importance for Australia to maintain cutting-edge research (and research training) in this area if the nation and its industries are to be active contributors to the coming revolution.Read moreRead less
Metal Directed Assembly of New Discrete and Framework Supramolecular Systems. An important aspect of this project is the development of strategies for assembling molecules and metals into larger units - leading to novel compounds and materials for which unusual and potentially useful properties can be anticipated. These may include materials that act as catalysts for chemical reactions or absorb and store gases (such as hydrogen for use as a fuel). More generally, the area is one that will under ....Metal Directed Assembly of New Discrete and Framework Supramolecular Systems. An important aspect of this project is the development of strategies for assembling molecules and metals into larger units - leading to novel compounds and materials for which unusual and potentially useful properties can be anticipated. These may include materials that act as catalysts for chemical reactions or absorb and store gases (such as hydrogen for use as a fuel). More generally, the area is one that will underpin the 'bottom-up' approach (building tiny components from individual molecules and ions) in the rapidly expanding field of nanotechnology. Clearly, if Australia is to remain internationally competitive in such new technologies then an understanding of processes of the type outlined in this proposal will be essential.Read moreRead less