Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346515
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,000.00
Summary
Fluorescence Detector for the Australian National Beamline Facility. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is an extremely important synchrotron radiation tool for determining the local structure around an X-ray absorbing atom. This has many applications in the study of materials, minerals, metal complexes, and metalloproteins and can often be used to obtain information that is not available by other techniques, because structural information can be obtained in the solid or solution state and in ....Fluorescence Detector for the Australian National Beamline Facility. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is an extremely important synchrotron radiation tool for determining the local structure around an X-ray absorbing atom. This has many applications in the study of materials, minerals, metal complexes, and metalloproteins and can often be used to obtain information that is not available by other techniques, because structural information can be obtained in the solid or solution state and in mixtures. The current proposal is aimed at introducing new technology into the Australian National Beamline Facility that will greatly improve the quality and quantity of experiments that can be performed and extend studies into dilute solutions and protein samples.Read moreRead less
From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channe ....From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channelled large volumes of mineralised hydrothermal solutions. Our objective is to understand the development of this plumbing system in relation to Archaean crustal geodynamics using a combination of structural geology, metamorphic petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and the analysis of single-fluid inclusion using synchrotron and other X-ray sources.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346733
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,466.00
Summary
Ultra-Sensitive CCD Diffractometer with High Intensity X-ray Photon Generator. X-ray photon diffraction from single crystals provides the most accurate, precise and detailed three dimensional chemical structure information. It is however often difficult to obtain crystals of complex chemical assemblies, such as those used in nanotechnology and photon technology, suitable for diffraction analysis using equipment currently available at Australian chemical crystal structure facilities. The collab ....Ultra-Sensitive CCD Diffractometer with High Intensity X-ray Photon Generator. X-ray photon diffraction from single crystals provides the most accurate, precise and detailed three dimensional chemical structure information. It is however often difficult to obtain crystals of complex chemical assemblies, such as those used in nanotechnology and photon technology, suitable for diffraction analysis using equipment currently available at Australian chemical crystal structure facilities. The collaborating institutions seek to overcome this problem by purchasing a high sensitivity CCD area detector coupled to an intense laboratory source of X-ray photons. The installation of the equipment would be the first of its kind at an Australian facility and only the fourth worldwide.Read moreRead less
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.
A new paradigm for the geochemistry of mineral precipitation and dissolution in aquatic systems: Polymer-based numerical modelling. The ability to predict the formation and dissolution of solids (minerals and precipitates) in aquatic systems is currently constrained by limitations of the traditional thermodynamic approach. A new approach based on the kinetics of the underlying chemical reactions is expected to overcome these limitations and greatly improve the ability to describe these processes ....A new paradigm for the geochemistry of mineral precipitation and dissolution in aquatic systems: Polymer-based numerical modelling. The ability to predict the formation and dissolution of solids (minerals and precipitates) in aquatic systems is currently constrained by limitations of the traditional thermodynamic approach. A new approach based on the kinetics of the underlying chemical reactions is expected to overcome these limitations and greatly improve the ability to describe these processes. This new fundamental knowledge will be useful in many diverse fields including aquatic geochemistry, soil chemistry, water engineering, and nanotechnology. The new approach will be specifically applied to improve understanding of processes related to the globally significant environmental issues of marine iron fertilisation, ocean acidification and acid sulfate soils.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100095
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
Frontiers in integrated laser-sampled trace-element and isotopic geoanalysis. Until around 2005 Australia was a leader in the coupling of laser-ablation microprobes (LAM) with inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometers (ICPMS) for geochemical research. However, international developments in femtosecond LAM, sector field instruments and novel instrument coupling possibilities have leap-frogged these achievements. The proposed innovative facility will allow us to regain the leading edge in thi ....Frontiers in integrated laser-sampled trace-element and isotopic geoanalysis. Until around 2005 Australia was a leader in the coupling of laser-ablation microprobes (LAM) with inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometers (ICPMS) for geochemical research. However, international developments in femtosecond LAM, sector field instruments and novel instrument coupling possibilities have leap-frogged these achievements. The proposed innovative facility will allow us to regain the leading edge in this field, help maintain the high profile of Australian geoscience internationally, and to attract high-quality researchers and industry-related research funding. The research is relevant to the Deep Earth Resources National Priority and will include projects of direct relevance to mineral exploration and process technology.Read moreRead less
Tectonic versus biological processes: What controls the long-term global carbon cycle? A major debate in Earth system analysis concerns two competing hypotheses on the driving forces behind dramatic changes in atmospheric CO2 over geological time. One hypothesis considers tectonic/geological processes to be the major driving force. The other argues that it is the competition between plants and animals that drives the long-term CO2 cycle. We propose to test these hypotheses using a novel set of g ....Tectonic versus biological processes: What controls the long-term global carbon cycle? A major debate in Earth system analysis concerns two competing hypotheses on the driving forces behind dramatic changes in atmospheric CO2 over geological time. One hypothesis considers tectonic/geological processes to be the major driving force. The other argues that it is the competition between plants and animals that drives the long-term CO2 cycle. We propose to test these hypotheses using a novel set of global oceanic palaeo-age grids and subduction models for the last 180 million years. This will allow us to appraise key tectonic carbon cycle components such as mantle degassing, seafloor weathering and sediment subduction.Read moreRead less
Resolving Critical Knowledge Gaps Relating to Light and Free-Radical Mediated Transformations of Iron and Copper in Oxic Natural Waters. Understanding the transformation kinetics of iron and copper species is critical to maintaining Australia's water resources since i) iron transformations are key to generation and transport of acid in Australia's coastal environment; ii) growth of toxic algae are stimulated by dissolution of iron-rich sediments with subsequent release of nutrients phosphorus an ....Resolving Critical Knowledge Gaps Relating to Light and Free-Radical Mediated Transformations of Iron and Copper in Oxic Natural Waters. Understanding the transformation kinetics of iron and copper species is critical to maintaining Australia's water resources since i) iron transformations are key to generation and transport of acid in Australia's coastal environment; ii) growth of toxic algae are stimulated by dissolution of iron-rich sediments with subsequent release of nutrients phosphorus and iron, and iii) algal toxicity is related to iron and copper nutrition and interplay of these metals with oxygen. Additionally, global cycles of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen are influenced by iron and copper interactions with light and oxygen. Improved understanding of these processes should lead to an awareness of how to prevent these problems and, if they occur, approaches to their mitigation.Read moreRead less
UNDERSTANDING PHASE TRANSITIONS THROUGH PRECISE STRUCTURAL STUDIES. This project will examine the fundamental nature of the structural phase transitions that are critical for the utilisation of numerous advanced materials. Researchers at Sydney University and the Australian National University in collaboration with staff at ANSTO are world leaders in the structural analysis of such materials. Through comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies of a number of such materials this project w ....UNDERSTANDING PHASE TRANSITIONS THROUGH PRECISE STRUCTURAL STUDIES. This project will examine the fundamental nature of the structural phase transitions that are critical for the utilisation of numerous advanced materials. Researchers at Sydney University and the Australian National University in collaboration with staff at ANSTO are world leaders in the structural analysis of such materials. Through comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies of a number of such materials this project will enhance the ability of industry to develop new and improved materials.Read moreRead less
Mapping Under the Ice - crustal evolution in Antarctica and the assembly of Gondwanaland. The project will use a novel approach to map the sub-ice geology of Antarctica, and fill a gap in paleogeographical reconstructions. Paleocurrents indicate that Permo-Triassic river sands in Gondwanaland were dispersed from the sub-glacial Gamburtsev Mountains and the Beardmore-Ross region following the collision of Gondwanaland and Laurussia to form Pangea. An integrated U-Pb and Hf-isotope analysis of zi ....Mapping Under the Ice - crustal evolution in Antarctica and the assembly of Gondwanaland. The project will use a novel approach to map the sub-ice geology of Antarctica, and fill a gap in paleogeographical reconstructions. Paleocurrents indicate that Permo-Triassic river sands in Gondwanaland were dispersed from the sub-glacial Gamburtsev Mountains and the Beardmore-Ross region following the collision of Gondwanaland and Laurussia to form Pangea. An integrated U-Pb and Hf-isotope analysis of zircon grains from these sandstones will map the age and crustal evolution of these intracontinental orogens. Comparison with similar data from older Devonian sands in Australia-Antarctica-Africa will allow reconstruction of the pre- and post-collisional tectonics of Australia and adjoining areas of Gondwanaland.Read moreRead less