Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989539
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Purchase of a state-of-the-art high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. This new state-of-the-art mass spectrometer with enhanced capability will allow Tasmanian researchers to accurately determine the elemental composition of their samples of interest. The instrument will be extremely sensitive and will be able to detect elements to very low concentrations. It will be used to support a diverse range of local research projects of international significance, for example the ....Purchase of a state-of-the-art high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. This new state-of-the-art mass spectrometer with enhanced capability will allow Tasmanian researchers to accurately determine the elemental composition of their samples of interest. The instrument will be extremely sensitive and will be able to detect elements to very low concentrations. It will be used to support a diverse range of local research projects of international significance, for example the environmental assessment of clean and contaminated sites, chemical synthesis on a miniature scale using micro-chips, and the monitoring of selected elements of key importance for human health.Read moreRead less
Advanced micro analysis systems for environmental monitoring. Understanding of the behaviour of the nutrients controlling nuisance algae in water bodies is currently limited by the cost and logistics of collecting and analysing the large numbers of samples required.
This proposal describes the development and evaluation of portable multiparameter micro analysis systems that will be capable of high frequency measurements from a sampling vessel. This will enable environmental agencies to perfo ....Advanced micro analysis systems for environmental monitoring. Understanding of the behaviour of the nutrients controlling nuisance algae in water bodies is currently limited by the cost and logistics of collecting and analysing the large numbers of samples required.
This proposal describes the development and evaluation of portable multiparameter micro analysis systems that will be capable of high frequency measurements from a sampling vessel. This will enable environmental agencies to perform rapid on-site mapping of nutrients and other water quality parameters in large water bodies, intensive scale mapping of effluent mixing and dispersal zones, quick assessment of the impact of dredging and aquaculture, and compliance monitoring in effluent streams.
Read moreRead less
An autonomous microfluidic analyser for the determination of total phosphorus and nitrogen in aquatic systems. Development of automated monitoring systems capable of extended and remote operation will enable assessment of the effectiveness of water treatment and the impact of nutrient releases on the aquatic environment. Both are important in preserving the quality of existing water resources, and assessing the quality of recycled water, in line with the National Research Priority Environmentall ....An autonomous microfluidic analyser for the determination of total phosphorus and nitrogen in aquatic systems. Development of automated monitoring systems capable of extended and remote operation will enable assessment of the effectiveness of water treatment and the impact of nutrient releases on the aquatic environment. Both are important in preserving the quality of existing water resources, and assessing the quality of recycled water, in line with the National Research Priority Environmentally sustainable Australia, and the Priority Goal, Water - a critical resource. Commercialization of the microfluidic flow analysis system for total N and P will enhance the international competitiveness of Ecotech Pty Ltd and Australia as an exporter of scientific instruments.Read moreRead less
Linking modern biolipids and pigments to ancient biomolecules using innovative laser and hydro pyrolysis and compound specific stable isotope techniques. This project will help scientists understand recent and past climate changes and in turn will improve our ability to forecast future climate change and help Australia manage current threats to biodiversity. Furthermore, this research involving analyses of discrete trace hydrocarbon materials will increase the ability to identify crude oil sourc ....Linking modern biolipids and pigments to ancient biomolecules using innovative laser and hydro pyrolysis and compound specific stable isotope techniques. This project will help scientists understand recent and past climate changes and in turn will improve our ability to forecast future climate change and help Australia manage current threats to biodiversity. Furthermore, this research involving analyses of discrete trace hydrocarbon materials will increase the ability to identify crude oil sources, to the benefit of petroleum exploration in Australia and world-wide. Importantly, this project will enable students and young researchers to be trained in state-of-the-art technologies, leading to quality scientists ready for employment in geoscience industries, and raising the profile of science careers in Australia.Read moreRead less
Rapid amperometric measurement of chemical oxygen demand in polluted water based on electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of nanoparticulates. The project will enhance a newly developed technology for measuring aggregate organic pollution in wastewater. The conventional wet chemistry method is disadvantaged by being slow (2 hr) and requiring toxic heavy metal (mercury, chromium) and hazardous reagents. Aqua Diagnostic's method, by contrast, is rapid (5-10 minutes) and uses only safe ch ....Rapid amperometric measurement of chemical oxygen demand in polluted water based on electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of nanoparticulates. The project will enhance a newly developed technology for measuring aggregate organic pollution in wastewater. The conventional wet chemistry method is disadvantaged by being slow (2 hr) and requiring toxic heavy metal (mercury, chromium) and hazardous reagents. Aqua Diagnostic's method, by contrast, is rapid (5-10 minutes) and uses only safe chemical reagents. It will be further improved to facilitate unprecedented near-real-time (less than 1 minute) online pollution monitoring and greater analytical robustness. The project will directly benefit the wastewater management community, enrich Australian industry's expertise in nanotechnology applications and grow high-tech exports as this innovative technology continues to penetrate international markets.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668525
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
A state-of-the-art trace element and speciation analysis facility for the Earth, Environmental and Chemical Sciences. Outcomes of the research utilising the proposed facility will feed directly into monitoring the health of the nations water systems (both ground and surface waters) and constraining processes responsible for the mobility and subsequent accumulation of toxic metals and metallic species in the environment. Pure research into trace element partitioning in geological materials will i ....A state-of-the-art trace element and speciation analysis facility for the Earth, Environmental and Chemical Sciences. Outcomes of the research utilising the proposed facility will feed directly into monitoring the health of the nations water systems (both ground and surface waters) and constraining processes responsible for the mobility and subsequent accumulation of toxic metals and metallic species in the environment. Pure research into trace element partitioning in geological materials will inform crust formation and mineral deposit models and aid in exploration of world-class ore bodies and the associated economic benefits of this activity. Applications in nanotechnology include laser cleaning and predictive laser ablation characterisation of potential application in manufacturing technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100467
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Unravelling the intrinsic structure and stability of multiply charged anions in the gas-phase using photoelectron spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Molecules possessing multiple negative charges are common constituents in chemistry, influencing a range of processes ranging from photochemical smog formation to protein structure in vivo. This project will develop new technologies to probe their molecular structure in the gas-phase, leading to a more rigorous understanding of these species.
Understanding and controlling bioavailability: passive dosing of persistent organic pollutants into recombinant cell bioassays. Bioassays with mammalian cell lines may replace animal testing in chemical risk assessment if issues with limited sensitivity can be overcome for very hydrophobic chemicals such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins. The project will solve this problem by developing a polymer-release dosing technique that assures defined and constant exposure.
Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. This project aims to develop arrays of electrochemical biosensors based on nanostructured silicon for real-time monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Real-time monitoring of membrane performance, based on removing virus-sized particles, is a priority for the water industry to maximise asset life and meet increased demand for safe and high- ....Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. This project aims to develop arrays of electrochemical biosensors based on nanostructured silicon for real-time monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Real-time monitoring of membrane performance, based on removing virus-sized particles, is a priority for the water industry to maximise asset life and meet increased demand for safe and high-quality water. Materials scientists, electrochemists, and specialists in water management and reuse aim to harness advances in nanostructured transducers and electrochemical protocols to develop online performance-monitoring technology. This project is expected to improve water treatment processes, removing viruses and reducing the risks and uncertainties of water recycling.Read moreRead less
Disinfection by-products formed during drinking water treatment: reducing the unknowns is managing risk. Disinfection of drinking water is a successful measure to reduce water-borne diseases and protect health. However, epidemiological evidence links bladder cancer to disinfection by-products formed during drinking water treatment. Despite decades of research the causative agents remain to be identified. To fill this knowledge gap, this project will quantify the fraction of toxicity that cannot ....Disinfection by-products formed during drinking water treatment: reducing the unknowns is managing risk. Disinfection of drinking water is a successful measure to reduce water-borne diseases and protect health. However, epidemiological evidence links bladder cancer to disinfection by-products formed during drinking water treatment. Despite decades of research the causative agents remain to be identified. To fill this knowledge gap, this project will quantify the fraction of toxicity that cannot be explained by known chemicals in water samples treated with different disinfectants using a combination of chemical analysis and in-vitro bioassays. Samples with high unexplained effects will then be fractionated to isolate toxicologically relevant disinfection by-products, which will ultimately be identified with non-target chemical analysis.Read moreRead less