Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,156.00
Summary
Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-partic ....Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-particle level and the choice of optimal SERS-active three-dimensional superstructures for use will be guided by empirical structure-activity correlations in combination with computer simulations. Tumour biomarkers for breast cancer will be employed as the model target for establishing the detection platform in a portable configuration for point-of-care diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Development of redox-mediated microbial assays for the rapid characterisation and assessment of wastewater, wastewater treatment processes and recycled water. With SE Qld on Level 5 water restrictions the need to reduce our demand on drinking water by increasing our reliance on recycled water is now urgent. To achieve this we need to ensure that the quality of our recycled wastewater is of a suitable and reliable standard. This project will assist the water industry in this endeavour by the de ....Development of redox-mediated microbial assays for the rapid characterisation and assessment of wastewater, wastewater treatment processes and recycled water. With SE Qld on Level 5 water restrictions the need to reduce our demand on drinking water by increasing our reliance on recycled water is now urgent. To achieve this we need to ensure that the quality of our recycled wastewater is of a suitable and reliable standard. This project will assist the water industry in this endeavour by the developing monitoring techniques that can rapidly characterise and assess the effectiveness of wastewater treatment processes and the quality of the water derived from them. These methods will provide early warnings of potential 'upsets' in treatment plants that would otherwise result in poor quality effluents that would need to be discharged as waste rather than be recycled.Read moreRead less
Calibration Free Coulometric Sensors Based on Polymeric Thin Layer Films. The world faces enormous environmental and clinical challenges that require accurate data from remote deployable and disposable sensors. Many key parameters important to global warming (carbon dioxide cycle) and clinical diagnostics (blood electrolytes) may be assessed with a polymeric membrane sensing technology, but the measurement principle is not sufficiently robust for remote sensing applications. This research will m ....Calibration Free Coulometric Sensors Based on Polymeric Thin Layer Films. The world faces enormous environmental and clinical challenges that require accurate data from remote deployable and disposable sensors. Many key parameters important to global warming (carbon dioxide cycle) and clinical diagnostics (blood electrolytes) may be assessed with a polymeric membrane sensing technology, but the measurement principle is not sufficiently robust for remote sensing applications. This research will make this possible by adapting calibration free measurement principles (coulometry, or charge counting) to this class of sensors, where a thin layer of sample solution will be depleted by instrumental control. This forms the scientific basis for successfully tackling the measurement challenges of the future.Read moreRead less
A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technol ....A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technologies are required to monitor mercury emissions. The aim of this project is to develop robust sensors, for online monitoring of mercury vapours, that operate under challenging industrial environments. This project will also provide excellent training for young researchers in established international industrial research groups, thereby meeting skill shortages in the Australian resource sector.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,290.00
Summary
In situ measurements to investigate the mobilisation and speciation of emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants in water, sediment, and soil. Emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants such as antimony, chromium, vanadium and tungsten present a significant environmental hazard. They are often associated with mining, and numerous contaminated sites have been identified within Australia. In order to manage these contaminants appropriately, there needs to be suitable methods to analyse them ....In situ measurements to investigate the mobilisation and speciation of emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants in water, sediment, and soil. Emerging and priority oxyanionic contaminants such as antimony, chromium, vanadium and tungsten present a significant environmental hazard. They are often associated with mining, and numerous contaminated sites have been identified within Australia. In order to manage these contaminants appropriately, there needs to be suitable methods to analyse them. Passive sampling technology will be developed that will allow the measurement of these contaminants and their speciation in water, and sediment and soil pore waters. This project will use these new samplers to investigate the geochemical mechanisms of mobilisation of these contaminants in laboratory mesocosm experiments, as well as at selected contaminated field sites within Australia.Read moreRead less