Roaming around the Transition State: A New Mechanism of Chemical Reactions. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are at the core of some of the most important problems facing Australia at present: atmospheric models for CO2 are central to climate change; models of isotope exchange are essential to learn about past climates from Antarctic ice cores; and models of combustion are used to optimise energy efficiency. The mechanisms used in these models rely on accurate chemistry. A newly discovered chemica ....Roaming around the Transition State: A New Mechanism of Chemical Reactions. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are at the core of some of the most important problems facing Australia at present: atmospheric models for CO2 are central to climate change; models of isotope exchange are essential to learn about past climates from Antarctic ice cores; and models of combustion are used to optimise energy efficiency. The mechanisms used in these models rely on accurate chemistry. A newly discovered chemical mechanism has the potential to change many of the reactions that we currently use in these chemical models. This project will determine how important this new mechanism is, and what its impact is on gas-phase reaction models.Read moreRead less
Molecules as probes of the interstellar medium. It is one of the greatest challenges in Nature is to remotely identify what is in space. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown, implying that there are many more molecules in space than we know about. With a stronger understanding of space chemistry, we could predict what should be there and verify it in the lab. Conversely, identification of these features will provide the tools to u ....Molecules as probes of the interstellar medium. It is one of the greatest challenges in Nature is to remotely identify what is in space. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown, implying that there are many more molecules in space than we know about. With a stronger understanding of space chemistry, we could predict what should be there and verify it in the lab. Conversely, identification of these features will provide the tools to understand interstellar chemistry. In this project we combine skills in spectroscopy and astronomy to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify unknown molecules in space.Read moreRead less
Investigation and Prediction of the Novel Properties of Dendrimers. Dendrimers are a new class of highly branched polymers, which have, until now, been difficult to characterise by conventional means. This project will develop and apply molecular simulation techniques to reveal the chemical and physical properties of dendrimers and their interactions with other molecules. These novel molecules potentially have beneficial applications to areas such as drug delivery and electronic materials. Th ....Investigation and Prediction of the Novel Properties of Dendrimers. Dendrimers are a new class of highly branched polymers, which have, until now, been difficult to characterise by conventional means. This project will develop and apply molecular simulation techniques to reveal the chemical and physical properties of dendrimers and their interactions with other molecules. These novel molecules potentially have beneficial applications to areas such as drug delivery and electronic materials. The outcome of this work will assist in the exploitation of this beneficial application and will provide the basis for efficient processing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560672
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,705.00
Summary
Ultrafast laser facility for chemical, biological and physical investigations of advanced materials. Ultrafast laser techniques are becoming indispensable in many diverse scientific disciplines. Within the Australian scientific community, there is a great need for enhanced access to sophisticated ultrafast laser instrumentation. The expansion to the femtosecond laser facility through the addition of state-of-the-art laser devices, will enable novel laser spectroscopy measurements and advanced op ....Ultrafast laser facility for chemical, biological and physical investigations of advanced materials. Ultrafast laser techniques are becoming indispensable in many diverse scientific disciplines. Within the Australian scientific community, there is a great need for enhanced access to sophisticated ultrafast laser instrumentation. The expansion to the femtosecond laser facility through the addition of state-of-the-art laser devices, will enable novel laser spectroscopy measurements and advanced optical microscopy techniques to be applied to investigations of advanced materials and biological systems. Access to such instrumentation is crucial to fields including photoluminescent conductive polymers, nanoparticles, engineered supramolecules for artificial photosynthetic systems, and photoactivated therapy and drug delivery/release technology.Read moreRead less
Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modell ....Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modelling, atomic force microscopy, and a new form of spectroscopy that allows the actual deformation of nanocrystals to be measured. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained is expected to impact on the development of current and future nanodevices.Read moreRead less
Laser Spectroscopy of Molecular Electronic Components. Electronic devices such as computer memory have been getting smaller and smaller for decades, yet soon devices will need to be constructed from single molecules. Single molecules behave very differently to copper conductors and silicon chips. To understand the behaviour of molecular electronic devices such as molecular wires, switches and diodes, one needs to isolate them under rigorously reproducable conditions. We will study molecular elec ....Laser Spectroscopy of Molecular Electronic Components. Electronic devices such as computer memory have been getting smaller and smaller for decades, yet soon devices will need to be constructed from single molecules. Single molecules behave very differently to copper conductors and silicon chips. To understand the behaviour of molecular electronic devices such as molecular wires, switches and diodes, one needs to isolate them under rigorously reproducable conditions. We will study molecular electronic devices in this way, providing rigorous support to Australia's growing expertise in this field.Read moreRead less
Operating Mechanisms and Dynamics of Molecular Motors. This project will enhance the nation's expertise in nanotechnology which is emerging as an important enabling technology for the creation of sophisticated novel materials. It is in the national interest to be at the forefront of this field because of its great potential for economic advantage such as the creation of new valued-added export industries based on "bottom-up" fabrication.
Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. ....Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. Could they be caused by the missing molecules? In this project we combine the skills of three spectroscopists, each expert in different areas, in an attempt to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify these unknown molecules that are in space.Read moreRead less
Towards Nano-Assembled Light Emitting Polymer Films. Advanced materials constructed with molecular level architecture through controlled nano-assembly will benefit medical science, biotechnology and nanotechnology, communications and the electronics fields. The national research priorities of nanotechnology and advanced materials through nano-assembly will be promoted by this work. This research will assist Australian industries to further advance these processes and devices leading to better qu ....Towards Nano-Assembled Light Emitting Polymer Films. Advanced materials constructed with molecular level architecture through controlled nano-assembly will benefit medical science, biotechnology and nanotechnology, communications and the electronics fields. The national research priorities of nanotechnology and advanced materials through nano-assembly will be promoted by this work. This research will assist Australian industries to further advance these processes and devices leading to better quality, cheaper, more efficient products. The Australian community will benefit through economic and technological advances. These advanced materials will promote health and environmental wellbeing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453771
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$148,246.00
Summary
Electrochemical Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometer. Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR), is a technique used to determine the presence of free unpaired electrons in a sample. Detection and life time studies of radical species is critical to understanding the mechanisms involved in chemical reaction, sample degradation, performance upon exposure to light and oxidation or reduction processes. Combining ESR with an electrochemical interface permits in-situ studies on how electrons are inje ....Electrochemical Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometer. Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR), is a technique used to determine the presence of free unpaired electrons in a sample. Detection and life time studies of radical species is critical to understanding the mechanisms involved in chemical reaction, sample degradation, performance upon exposure to light and oxidation or reduction processes. Combining ESR with an electrochemical interface permits in-situ studies on how electrons are injected or removed from a sample, providing fundamental information on the processes occurring within the sample. Applications will be in the area of electrofunctional materials, complex biomolecular reactions, organic photovoltaics and new materials for nerve cell regeneration.Read moreRead less