Untangling Complex Molecular Spectra with an Optical Frequency Comb. The exhaled breath is a rich source of information about the inner life of the human body - but untangling this complicated molecular mixture into a quantitative measurement of its constituent components is currently an unsolved problem. This project aims to develop a new instrument that leverages the Nobel Prize winning technology of the optical frequency comb to enable analysis of such mixtures. It is expected that by combini ....Untangling Complex Molecular Spectra with an Optical Frequency Comb. The exhaled breath is a rich source of information about the inner life of the human body - but untangling this complicated molecular mixture into a quantitative measurement of its constituent components is currently an unsolved problem. This project aims to develop a new instrument that leverages the Nobel Prize winning technology of the optical frequency comb to enable analysis of such mixtures. It is expected that by combining a frequency comb source, with an innovative detector and a highly sensitive sampling system, a real-time spectral signature of each sample will be generated. Computational techniques developed by the radio astronomy community will then be used to extract concentrations of individual molecular components at the parts-per-billion level.Read moreRead less
Avoiding cryogenic solids formation in liquefied natural gas production. This project will determine how and under what conditions cryogenic hydrocarbon solids form during liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, which often cause expensive unplanned plant shutdowns. New sensors will be developed to understand and monitor the conditions which cause these blockages and will be deployed into LNG plants to avoid the critical conditions.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101904
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,322.00
Summary
Next-Generation LIDAR with Novel Microresonator Frequency Combs. This project aims to develop the science that would enable a new low-cost laser radar (LIDAR) for imaging the world around us. LIDAR has applications in facial recognition, forestry and autonomous vehicles – our new device will uniquely offer the ability to work underwater thereby opening up new possibilities for maritime environmental and vehicle monitoring. Our approach exploits a new form of optical pulse propagation in precise ....Next-Generation LIDAR with Novel Microresonator Frequency Combs. This project aims to develop the science that would enable a new low-cost laser radar (LIDAR) for imaging the world around us. LIDAR has applications in facial recognition, forestry and autonomous vehicles – our new device will uniquely offer the ability to work underwater thereby opening up new possibilities for maritime environmental and vehicle monitoring. Our approach exploits a new form of optical pulse propagation in precisely shaped crystals to generate bespoke laser pulses that enable high-speed and precise ranging to targets of interest. The science behind these new types of optical pulses offers the ability for Australia to lead a new scientifically and industrially important field.Read moreRead less
Skin penetration of nanoparticles promoted by particle design, formulation and application method. This project seeks to better define the determinants of nanoparticle skin penetration and subsequent disposition in the body. The data would be used to guide minimal skin penetration of 'undesirable' nanoparticles and the properties required of 'safe' nanoparticles to enable effective human skin delivery in cosmetic and dermatological products.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100752
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Fully-integrated fibre-based platform for a quantum information network. This project aims to combine Australia’s pioneering work developing specialised atom-filled optical fibres with world-leading quantum information storage protocols to probe the extreme limits of atom-light interactions. This will enable the creation of a compact, robust and modular node to efficiently store and process packets of optical quantum information. The node will integrate directly with current communications infra ....Fully-integrated fibre-based platform for a quantum information network. This project aims to combine Australia’s pioneering work developing specialised atom-filled optical fibres with world-leading quantum information storage protocols to probe the extreme limits of atom-light interactions. This will enable the creation of a compact, robust and modular node to efficiently store and process packets of optical quantum information. The node will integrate directly with current communications infrastructure, enabling the creation of a quantum Internet - the vital missing ingredient needed to overcome experimental hurdles that limit quantum technologies. This project is expected to enable the rapid uptake of quantum technology, boosting Australia’s capacity in this burgeoning field.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100042
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
UV to mid-infrared fluorescence spectrometer for use in mineral analysis, radiation dosimetry, and laser materials characterisation. Ultraviolet to mid-infrared fluorescence spectrometer for use in mineral analysis, radiation dosimetry and laser materials characterisation: This project will provide equipment with a vast capability to collect ultraviolet to mid-infrared fluorescence with high temporal measurement accuracy, and highly flexible excitation (spectral and temporal). This will enhance ....UV to mid-infrared fluorescence spectrometer for use in mineral analysis, radiation dosimetry, and laser materials characterisation. Ultraviolet to mid-infrared fluorescence spectrometer for use in mineral analysis, radiation dosimetry and laser materials characterisation: This project will provide equipment with a vast capability to collect ultraviolet to mid-infrared fluorescence with high temporal measurement accuracy, and highly flexible excitation (spectral and temporal). This will enhance active research into new glasses and laser crystals, probing of defect states resulting from ionising radiation absorption in environmental and medical dosimetry materials, investigation of novel fluorescence techniques for mineral identification, through to improving chemical detection capability (for example, detection of explosives). The instrument comprises modules that enable excitation in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared from a tunable laser system, and high-efficiency collection and processing of fluorescence spectra.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100169
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectroscopic ellipsometers for advanced materials and device characterisation. The ellipsometers at this facility will enable optical characterisation of several advanced materials in the wide spectral range of 250 nanometres - 30 micrometres. As well as refractive index and thickness measurement, they will provide absorption spectroscopy which will allow assessment of novel glasses and surface functionalisation approaches for the optimisation of new sensing te ....Ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectroscopic ellipsometers for advanced materials and device characterisation. The ellipsometers at this facility will enable optical characterisation of several advanced materials in the wide spectral range of 250 nanometres - 30 micrometres. As well as refractive index and thickness measurement, they will provide absorption spectroscopy which will allow assessment of novel glasses and surface functionalisation approaches for the optimisation of new sensing technologies.Read moreRead less
Ultrafast, near infrared laser sources using fibre-based optical parametric oscillators. This project will use microstructured optical fibres and nonlinear optics to create compact and cheap laser sources in the near infrared spectrum to replace the bulky and expensive devices in many spectroscopic and biophotonic applications today. The work will further enhance Australia's standing in the field of nonlinear optics and optical fibres.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100073
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,150,000.00
Summary
A femtosecond beamline for time-resolved momentum microscopy. This project aims to obtain a femtosecond high-harmonic generation beamline that will be integrated with a photoemission electron microscope to create Australia’s first time-resolved momentum microscope. This project expects to use ultrafast spectromicroscopy to observe the changes to the excited electron motion within materials after they absorb light. Expected outcomes of this project include improving our understanding of light-dri ....A femtosecond beamline for time-resolved momentum microscopy. This project aims to obtain a femtosecond high-harmonic generation beamline that will be integrated with a photoemission electron microscope to create Australia’s first time-resolved momentum microscope. This project expects to use ultrafast spectromicroscopy to observe the changes to the excited electron motion within materials after they absorb light. Expected outcomes of this project include improving our understanding of light-driven physical and chemical processes that occur in materials and optoelectronic devices. This should provide significant benefits through the development of new cost effective and efficient materials for energy harvesting, sensors and photocatalysts.Read moreRead less