Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989390
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Versatile Scanning X-ray Microscopy Facility at the Australian Synchrotron. The challenges of the modern world means that the Australian community must continue to have access to state of the art research tools. An important component of international synchrotron sources is the very high resolution x-ray microscope. These microscopes are used to image samples of biological, material or environmental significance with extraordinary precision. This project will establish such a microscope at the A ....Versatile Scanning X-ray Microscopy Facility at the Australian Synchrotron. The challenges of the modern world means that the Australian community must continue to have access to state of the art research tools. An important component of international synchrotron sources is the very high resolution x-ray microscope. These microscopes are used to image samples of biological, material or environmental significance with extraordinary precision. This project will establish such a microscope at the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton, and nucleates an extensive nationwide collaboration that is devoted to the development of this and related techniques and their application to problems of national scientific, environmental and technological importance.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347356
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,000.00
Summary
Real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon microscopy facility. The proposal seeks to establish an integrated microscopy facility and thus to expand the high-resolution imaging capabilities at Swinburne University of Technology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the University of Melbourne. The provision of the equipment requested will establish an innovative real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon imaging facility of world class. This facility will be accessed on a cooperative basis by the pa ....Real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon microscopy facility. The proposal seeks to establish an integrated microscopy facility and thus to expand the high-resolution imaging capabilities at Swinburne University of Technology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the University of Melbourne. The provision of the equipment requested will establish an innovative real-time multi-dimensional multi-photon imaging facility of world class. This facility will be accessed on a cooperative basis by the participants and will be available for collaborative projects with other Australian institutions and industry. The requested equipment will be used in conjunction with existing femtosecond laser and lifetime imaging systems installed in the research laboratories of the participating institutions. The facility will enable real-time investigations of biomolecular processes and the development of novel biomedical imaging techniques as well as the state-of-the-art nanophotonic devices such as nano-tweezers and nano compact disks.Read moreRead less
Quantum effects in photosynthesis: responsible for highly efficient energy transfer or trivial coincidence? Understanding the precise details of the highly efficient energy transfer processes in photosynthesis has the potential to impact the design of efficient solar energy solutions. This project will gain this understanding by exploring the nature of interactions between different components and the significance of quantum mechanics.
Quantitative multidimensional optical spectroscopy: revealing dynamics and structure in complex condensed matter systems. Understanding how quantum mechanics affects photosynthesis and how it can cause interactions between distant nanostructures are intriguing problems that may be of great significance for future smart technologies. This project will gain unprecedented insight into these processes using a novel technique to identify and resolve the mechanisms responsible.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100137
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Femtosecond broad wavelength range laser facility. This facility will provide a unique source of ultra-short laser pulses spanning the X-ray to the infrared regions. It will provide a powerful coherent X-ray source that will position Australia at the forefront of coherent imaging science and the ability to perform ultrafast infrared spectroscopic measurements.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100624
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,529.00
Summary
The impact of structural dynamics on three-dimensional bioimaging with X-ray free-electron lasers. X-ray lasers can potentially determine the structures of biological molecules that are inaccessible to existing techniques. Intense ultrafast pulses encode the structure via diffraction faster than damage processes rip the molecule apart. In fact, damage processes begin during diffraction and remain problematic. It is not known if damage will prevent the determination of molecular orientations, a c ....The impact of structural dynamics on three-dimensional bioimaging with X-ray free-electron lasers. X-ray lasers can potentially determine the structures of biological molecules that are inaccessible to existing techniques. Intense ultrafast pulses encode the structure via diffraction faster than damage processes rip the molecule apart. In fact, damage processes begin during diffraction and remain problematic. It is not known if damage will prevent the determination of molecular orientations, a critical step in the experimental design. This project will solve this problem with a statistical theory, probing the feasibility and accuracy of the technique. The newly developed theory will enable us to perform experiments capable of measuring the effects of damage in biological molecules, paving the way for new methods of structure determination.Read moreRead less
A New Window on Photosynthesis: Ultrafast Coherence Dynamics in Biomolecules and Semiconductor Nanostructures. Recent research has indicated that the remarkable efficiency of energy capture and transfer in photosynthesis may be due to the effects of quantum coherence, which is an intrinsically non-classical phenomenon. We will investigate these effects in biological and nanofabricated systems using ultrafast laser spectroscopy . An understanding of these energy transfer processes may open the d ....A New Window on Photosynthesis: Ultrafast Coherence Dynamics in Biomolecules and Semiconductor Nanostructures. Recent research has indicated that the remarkable efficiency of energy capture and transfer in photosynthesis may be due to the effects of quantum coherence, which is an intrinsically non-classical phenomenon. We will investigate these effects in biological and nanofabricated systems using ultrafast laser spectroscopy . An understanding of these energy transfer processes may open the door to the development to a range of new technologies, including clean and virtually limitless energy sources that convert solar energy directly into useful power and quantum computers that will revolutionize our ability to process information.Read moreRead less
Real-time neuronal network imaging using diamond optrode arrays. The project aims to develop new imaging technology for real time recording of electrical activity from cell and neuronal networks with unprecedented resolution and scale. The technology innovation stems from an optical defect in diamond which can be engineered to sensitively detect local changes in electric field. The all-optical diamond optrode array devices will be applied to biological model systems including cardiomyocytes, mam ....Real-time neuronal network imaging using diamond optrode arrays. The project aims to develop new imaging technology for real time recording of electrical activity from cell and neuronal networks with unprecedented resolution and scale. The technology innovation stems from an optical defect in diamond which can be engineered to sensitively detect local changes in electric field. The all-optical diamond optrode array devices will be applied to biological model systems including cardiomyocytes, mammalian cells, and neurons; and will be benchmarked against current state-of-the-art technologies. The knowledge gained from the high density recordings will aid predictive models of disease and will lead to an improved understanding of the brain’s micro circuity and functional connectome.Read moreRead less
Nanophotonic resonators: Metamaterials, extraordinary transmission & sensing. This project brings together Australia's strengths in nanotechnology, photonics and sensor technology and complements existing national research programs in nanophotonics. Research into new optical materials, developing novel insights and demonstrating the performance of new devices, will contribute to Frontier Technologies, while innovation in sensor technology falls under the Safeguarding Australia national research ....Nanophotonic resonators: Metamaterials, extraordinary transmission & sensing. This project brings together Australia's strengths in nanotechnology, photonics and sensor technology and complements existing national research programs in nanophotonics. Research into new optical materials, developing novel insights and demonstrating the performance of new devices, will contribute to Frontier Technologies, while innovation in sensor technology falls under the Safeguarding Australia national research priority. This project will enhance Australia's international reputation in science and ensure we remain at the leading edge of one of the newest and most vibrant areas of physical optics. It will capitalise on the expertise of the investigators and gain leverage from Australia's investment in nanofabrication infrastructure. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101504
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Nano-resolution hard x-ray diffraction imaging with conventional laboratory sources. The project will combine advanced optics and algorithms for diffraction imaging to develop a desktop hard x-ray microscope. The system will display ultra-high resolution and will be highly complementary to electronic and optical microscopies for diverse applications in materials engineering, nanofluidics and cell biology.