Pre-blast screening of improvised explosive devices - a National counter-terrorism initiative. The proposed research is focused on the specific needs of Australian counter-terrorism interests, including those of border protection, the customs service, transport authorities, forensic laboratories, etc. The support of this proposal will ensure that Australia, and its States and Territories are protected against terrorist threats. The support provided by the collaborating organisations from the var ....Pre-blast screening of improvised explosive devices - a National counter-terrorism initiative. The proposed research is focused on the specific needs of Australian counter-terrorism interests, including those of border protection, the customs service, transport authorities, forensic laboratories, etc. The support of this proposal will ensure that Australia, and its States and Territories are protected against terrorist threats. The support provided by the collaborating organisations from the various Federal and State police and forensic agencies, and the customs service, etc, highlights the importance of this project to the nation. Finally, a PhD student and a research assistant will be involved with the project and will gain specialised skills positioning them to make strong contributions to Australia's counter-terrorism measures.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Analytical and Preparative Enantioselective Chromatography. Enantiomers are forms of the same molecule that are non-superimposable mirror images of one another, like a left hand and a right hand. Because they are so similar they are very difficult to separate. However, they have very different biological properties, such as when used as drugs. One enantiomer may be beneficial while the other has no effect or sometimes is even toxic. Therefore it is important to be able to tell how much of ea ....Analytical and Preparative Enantioselective Chromatography. Enantiomers are forms of the same molecule that are non-superimposable mirror images of one another, like a left hand and a right hand. Because they are so similar they are very difficult to separate. However, they have very different biological properties, such as when used as drugs. One enantiomer may be beneficial while the other has no effect or sometimes is even toxic. Therefore it is important to be able to tell how much of each enantiomer is present in a sample and to be able to separate them. This facility will allow us to do both of these things.Read moreRead less
Amino Acid and Peptide Radicals in Biochemistry and Synthesis. The aim of this research is to develop a better fundamental understanding of biochemical free radical reactions of peptides and proteins, particularly those involving superoxide radical anion and thiols, and peptide radicals in enzyme-catalysed reactions. Knowledge gained through this work will be used in the synthesis of physiologically active amino acids and peptides, as well as to establish ways to regulate biochemical free radic ....Amino Acid and Peptide Radicals in Biochemistry and Synthesis. The aim of this research is to develop a better fundamental understanding of biochemical free radical reactions of peptides and proteins, particularly those involving superoxide radical anion and thiols, and peptide radicals in enzyme-catalysed reactions. Knowledge gained through this work will be used in the synthesis of physiologically active amino acids and peptides, as well as to establish ways to regulate biochemical free radical processes. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop methods and pharmaceutical compounds to prevent and treat human disorders associated with these reactions, and to underpin commercial exploitation of peptide and protein biomaterials.Read moreRead less
New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with exp ....Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with explosives and illicit drugs. The simplicity and low cost of the chemical listening allows for installation at key locations -e.g. transport hubs, shipping containers, airports etc as well as placement within clandestine drug laboratories.Read moreRead less
Metallaboratranes: Soft Scorpionates and Masked Metal Bases. All molecular metal compounds involve a metal surrounded by a group of electron donors (?ligands?). The design and manipulation of these ligand sets and their interactions with metals (?coordination chemistry?) underpins ALL applications of metals, be they in biological, pharmaceutical, materials or industrial applications. This proposal addresses the diametric opposite - the role-reversal wherein a metal centre acts as an electron don ....Metallaboratranes: Soft Scorpionates and Masked Metal Bases. All molecular metal compounds involve a metal surrounded by a group of electron donors (?ligands?). The design and manipulation of these ligand sets and their interactions with metals (?coordination chemistry?) underpins ALL applications of metals, be they in biological, pharmaceutical, materials or industrial applications. This proposal addresses the diametric opposite - the role-reversal wherein a metal centre acts as an electron donor to a ligand. This rare situation has only recently been firmly established in this research group, but promises to be part of a wider new coordination chemistry, the limits of which will be pursued in the proposed work.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989197
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,000.00
Summary
Reaction Kinetics Analysis Facility. This proposal will establish a world-class resource to support major research efforts in a wide range of applications associated with the study of reaction mechanisms and intermediates in systems ranging from small molecules to complex polymers. This facility, which is unique in Australia and strongly builds on the broad expertise of the involved researchers at the participating institutions, will address an important need in the areas of physical-organic and ....Reaction Kinetics Analysis Facility. This proposal will establish a world-class resource to support major research efforts in a wide range of applications associated with the study of reaction mechanisms and intermediates in systems ranging from small molecules to complex polymers. This facility, which is unique in Australia and strongly builds on the broad expertise of the involved researchers at the participating institutions, will address an important need in the areas of physical-organic and physical chemistry by strengthening our capacity for cutting-edge research in reactive intermediate chemistry. The Facility will help to establish frontier technologies in the chemical sciences for building and transforming Australian industries in line with national research priorities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
A unique soft matter high-performance scanning probe microscopy (HP-SPM) facility. Soft matter research touches every aspect of our lives as it covers materials from the range of plastics found in cars, television sets and other mass-manufactured products, to new medical materials for tissue engineering and sensors. The proposed facility will enable Australia's leading scientists in this area to understand better how soft matter, including both biological and new advanced soft materials, behave ....A unique soft matter high-performance scanning probe microscopy (HP-SPM) facility. Soft matter research touches every aspect of our lives as it covers materials from the range of plastics found in cars, television sets and other mass-manufactured products, to new medical materials for tissue engineering and sensors. The proposed facility will enable Australia's leading scientists in this area to understand better how soft matter, including both biological and new advanced soft materials, behaves on the nano-scale level. This will put Australian researchers and engineers in a leading position for developing new treatments against cancer and other diseases, as well as harnessing the power of biology for application in areas such as waste treatment and energy production.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100142
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
An integrated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-MS-NMR) facility for applications in proteomics and organic chemistry. This application completes the requested liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LCMS-NMR) facility and will allow the training of over 150 researchers, significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. New breakthroughs in drug development, smart mate ....An integrated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-MS-NMR) facility for applications in proteomics and organic chemistry. This application completes the requested liquid chromatography mass spectrometry nuclear magnetic resonance (LCMS-NMR) facility and will allow the training of over 150 researchers, significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. New breakthroughs in drug development, smart materials, organic electronic materials and biomedical research require routine access to cutting edge technology. The LCMS-NMR augments the capabilities of our research teams at the forefront of these efforts. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transi ....Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transition states. The technique will be applied to an important class of halide-cluster complexes that form a set of prototypical reactions. These species also play important roles ranging from ozone depletion through to industrial chemistry.Read moreRead less