Lab-on-a-chip mass spectrometry tools for testing illicit drugs. This project aims to develop fit-for-purpose mass spectrometry tools for roadside and workplace testing of illicit drugs. The technology will be based on nanostructured semiconductor chips that are surface-functionalised to enable molecular capture without extensive sample processing and subsequent detection by a novel combination of techniques. The technology is expected to be applicable to saliva, sweat and urine samples.
Chemical Fingerprinting for Geological and Geographical Provenancing of Ochre Minerals used by Australian Aboriginals. Aboriginal peoples have used ochre in their most meaningful cultural interactions. This usage is reflected in other cultures, but the richness and complexity of the Australian evidence is unique. This partnership of analytical and surface chemists with the museum curators and conservators provides an ideal opportunity to utilize a range of techniques for the unambiguous provenan ....Chemical Fingerprinting for Geological and Geographical Provenancing of Ochre Minerals used by Australian Aboriginals. Aboriginal peoples have used ochre in their most meaningful cultural interactions. This usage is reflected in other cultures, but the richness and complexity of the Australian evidence is unique. This partnership of analytical and surface chemists with the museum curators and conservators provides an ideal opportunity to utilize a range of techniques for the unambiguous provenancing of ochre from an artefact, artwork or an archaeological site. The result will be a greatly enriched understanding of the way in which Aboriginal Australians interacted with one of this country's key resources and should yield fresh conclusions about this country's cultural past.Read moreRead less
Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) by an order of magnitude by simultaneously overcoming the two interdependent limitations in ion generation and transmission efficiency. This project will design glass capillaries and tubes with complex structures to enable both multiplexing ion generation fr ....Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) by an order of magnitude by simultaneously overcoming the two interdependent limitations in ion generation and transmission efficiency. This project will design glass capillaries and tubes with complex structures to enable both multiplexing ion generation from a single capillary and geometrically matching the bore of the tube collecting the emitted ion plume. NanoESI-MS has become an indispensable analytical tool for proteomics and synthetic chemistry. The significant enhancement of nanoESI-MS sensitivity in this project is expected to accelerate progress in disease research, biomarker discovery and drug development.Read moreRead less
Quantification of heat release, NOx emissions and soot from high temperature gaseous flames. The ongoing importance of Australia's minerals processing sector depends on advanced combustion technology to minimise the emission of NOx and other greenhouse gases. The heat release and NOx emissions from the high temperature flames used in such processes is known to depend strongly on the presence of soot. However their optimisation and design is limited by a lack of fundamental data under relevant c ....Quantification of heat release, NOx emissions and soot from high temperature gaseous flames. The ongoing importance of Australia's minerals processing sector depends on advanced combustion technology to minimise the emission of NOx and other greenhouse gases. The heat release and NOx emissions from the high temperature flames used in such processes is known to depend strongly on the presence of soot. However their optimisation and design is limited by a lack of fundamental data under relevant conditions. To address this need, new measurements and analysis will be performed to quantify the complex relationship between turbulent mixing, soot formation, heat release and NOx emissions under high temperature conditions of both fundamental and practical significance.
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Modifying and Improving Porous Sol-Gel Materials for Water Purification. XeroCoat is commercialising nanotechnology research out of UQ's Physics department. XeroCoat has received much local and international interest in its signature product 'XeroCoat'. The company is rapidly expanding and has established new research facilities with production facilities to be set-up. This will result in high technology, employment growth for Australia. Links with Flinders could see expansion into SA. The c ....Modifying and Improving Porous Sol-Gel Materials for Water Purification. XeroCoat is commercialising nanotechnology research out of UQ's Physics department. XeroCoat has received much local and international interest in its signature product 'XeroCoat'. The company is rapidly expanding and has established new research facilities with production facilities to be set-up. This will result in high technology, employment growth for Australia. Links with Flinders could see expansion into SA. The company operates in 'Sol-Gel' nanotechnology, which has huge global, academic and commercial interest. However in Australia this technology has only been serviced by Flinders, ANSTO and ANSTO's spin-out company Ceramisphere. The project will help to build a new Australian high tech industry in sol-gel nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Forensic platform technologies for roadside and workplace testing based on nanostructured silicon chips. Roadside drug testing has recently been incorporated into government legislation throughout Australia and abroad. The objective of this project is to develop advanced analysis technologies for implementing effective roadside and workplace testing. The availability of these technologies will increase the safety of Australian drivers and workers.
The twentieth century in paint. The art market is a major contributor to the Australian economy worth over $500M per annum. However many modern works created with new materials introduced in the 20th century in Australia and Southeast Asia exhibit problems with deterioration, and there is little research on the use and effects of these materials. Without answers to material based preservation questions collectors, curators and conservators cannot make informed decisions. This project, with partn ....The twentieth century in paint. The art market is a major contributor to the Australian economy worth over $500M per annum. However many modern works created with new materials introduced in the 20th century in Australia and Southeast Asia exhibit problems with deterioration, and there is little research on the use and effects of these materials. Without answers to material based preservation questions collectors, curators and conservators cannot make informed decisions. This project, with partners in Australia, Asia, US and UK will provide fundamental information to assist in formulating management strategies, inform curatorship and develop innovative approaches to conservation and the manufacture of art materials.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the coupled dependence of concentrated solar radiation and combustion in a novel solar hybrid technology. The project will develop the models necessary for the optimisation of a novel solar-combustion hybrid technology and a novel heat exchanger component. It will deliver a solar thermal technology that lowers the cost of solar energy with immediate potential in off-grid sites, such as in remote mines, in Australia and throughout the world.