Active polymer surfaces for control of fluid movement. The realisation of a diverse array of remote or portable chemical/biological monitoring systems depends on the development of low power fluid management protocols. The use of appropriate conducting polymer surfaces should enable this to occur. We envisage the integration of these fluid management platforms into portable, remote autonomous monitoring systems for environmental industrial and biomedical applications.
Liquid light: aqueous bio-sensing in microstructured polymer optical fibres. This project builds on Australia's world-leading position in the development of microstructured polymer optical fibres, and applies the unique benefits they provide to for ultra- sensitive bio-sensing. By using the microstructure to simultaneously confine light and liquid, microstructured optical fibres provide a unique platform for ultra-sensitive spectroscopy and structural studies of biomolecules in solution. The wor ....Liquid light: aqueous bio-sensing in microstructured polymer optical fibres. This project builds on Australia's world-leading position in the development of microstructured polymer optical fibres, and applies the unique benefits they provide to for ultra- sensitive bio-sensing. By using the microstructure to simultaneously confine light and liquid, microstructured optical fibres provide a unique platform for ultra-sensitive spectroscopy and structural studies of biomolecules in solution. The work has profound implications both for fundamental science and applications, particularly in medical diagnostics.Read moreRead less
The Application of Chemical Force Microscopy for Monitoring DNA Hybridization: A New Sensing Concept Capable of Detecting Single Molecules. This proposal outlines a method of monitoring DNA sequences with such high sensitivity that a single molecule may be detected. Such sensitivity is achieved using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure surface forces. Modifying an AFM tip with a single strand of DNA allows the complementary strand (the target) to be recognized via hybridization to form ....The Application of Chemical Force Microscopy for Monitoring DNA Hybridization: A New Sensing Concept Capable of Detecting Single Molecules. This proposal outlines a method of monitoring DNA sequences with such high sensitivity that a single molecule may be detected. Such sensitivity is achieved using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure surface forces. Modifying an AFM tip with a single strand of DNA allows the complementary strand (the target) to be recognized via hybridization to form the double helix. The occurrence of hybridization is determined by differences in surface force measurements compared with when only the single strand of DNA is present. In this way DNA samples can be analyzed without amplification; a major advance for DNA diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Optical Biomimetics of Diatoms. Optics is a research and economic strength of Australia. We will aim to provide a new optical sensor for chemicals using a diatom. This use of an optical device found in nature is groundbreaking and may provide a more efficient form of sensor to help to detect pollution such as metals in marine environments. Alternatively, diatoms could become the component of an iridescent paint for cars or other commercial objects. Diatoms could be made-to-measure in the laborat ....Optical Biomimetics of Diatoms. Optics is a research and economic strength of Australia. We will aim to provide a new optical sensor for chemicals using a diatom. This use of an optical device found in nature is groundbreaking and may provide a more efficient form of sensor to help to detect pollution such as metals in marine environments. Alternatively, diatoms could become the component of an iridescent paint for cars or other commercial objects. Diatoms could be made-to-measure in the laboratory on a commercial scale, and so may introduce a new industry, where other optical devices in nature could be cultured by the tonne.Read moreRead less