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SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY
HONOURS PROJECTS
2021
MONASH SCIENCE
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Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
Professor Phil Andrews ............................................................................................................ 4
Professor Stuart Batten ............................................................................................................ 5
Dr Toby Bell .............................................................................................................................. 6
Dr Cameron Bentley ................................................................................................................. 7 Dr Victoria Blair ......................................................................................................................... 8 Professor Alan Chaffee ............................................................................................................ 9 Professor Philip Chan ............................................................................................................. 10 Professor Perran Cook ........................................................................................................... 11 Professor Glen Deacon .......................................................................................................... 12 Dr Alison Funston ................................................................................................................... 13 Associate Professor Mike Grace ............................................................................................ 14 Dr Joel Hooper ....................................................................................................................... 15 Professor Cameron Jones ...................................................................................................... 16 Dr Kamila Kochan ................................................................................................................... 17 Professor Tanja Junkers ........................................................................................................ 18 Dr Sara Kyne .......................................................................................................................... 19 Professor David W. Lupton .................................................................................................... 20 Professor Doug MacFarlane .................................................................................................. 21 Dr Shahnaz Mansouri ............................................................................................................. 22 Professor Philip Marriott ......................................................................................................... 23 Associate Professor Lisa Martin ............................................................................................. 24
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Professor Keith Murray ........................................................................................................... 25
Associate Professor Ekaterina (Katya) Pas ........................................................................... 26
Dr Brett Paterson .................................................................................................................... 27
Professor Tony Patti ............................................................................................................... 28
Dr Chris Ritchie ...................................................................................................................... 29
Professor Andrea Robinson ................................................................................................... 30
Dr Alexandr Simonov.............................................................................................................. 31 Associate Professor Rico Tabor ............................................................................................. 32 Professor San Thang.............................................................................................................. 33 Associate Professor Chris Thompson .................................................................................... 34
Associate Professor Kellie Tuck ............................................................................................. 35
Dr David Turner ...................................................................................................................... 36
Dr Drasko Vidovic ................................................................................................................... 37
Professor Bayden Wood ........................................................................................................ 38
Associate ProfessorJie Zhang ................................................................................................ 39 Dr Angela Ziebell .................................................................................................................... 40
Industrial Projects Biofuel Innovations Several Industry Research Project Options ........................................... 41 Fire Resistance in Polyisocyanurate Foams for Use in Insulated Panels ............................. 42 CSIRO Project Assessing and validating low cost greenhouse gas sensor technology ........................... 43
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INTRODUCTION - Honours 2021 This booklet is intended to provide an overview of the research activities within the School of Chemistry and to give you an indication of the Honours projects that will be offered in 2021. You are encouraged to study these and to speak with the research supervisors. This research project makes up 75% of the final mark for the Honours year, with the other 25% from the coursework component which runs in first semester. Current third year students are eligible to do Chemistry Honours (Clayton) in 2021 provided that they fulfil the entry requirements and that a supervisor is available. Students will be allocated to supervisors and projects on the basis of their third year results and their preferred projects. Great care is taken to ensure that all students are treated equitably and where possible that they are be allocated to the area and supervisor of their choice. All Honours candidates must discuss prospective projects with at least four supervisors before choosing their preferred project. They should then select at least three potential supervisors and projects in order of preference. The application forms – one for Honours entry which is an on-line link from the Faculty of Science, the other is the project nomination form which is from the School of Chemistry – are both available on the School of Chemistry Honours web page. Please note that the project descriptions are quite short, and more comprehensive details can be obtained when speaking to supervisors. We look forward to seeing you in the Honours course next year. Please contact me if you have any questions about the Honours year! Assoc. Prof Mike Grace Honours Coordinator Room G25c/19 School of Chemistry, 9905 4078, email: [email protected]
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Professor Phil Andrews Room No. 121N, Tel: 9905 5509, email: [email protected] This document gives you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
More information on my research can be seen at: http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/Andrews.html
1. Combating multi-drug resistant bacteria with metal complexes (Bi vs Fe vs
Ga) (with Prof. Ross Coppel, Microbiology)
In tackling the continued growth in multi-resistant bacteria and the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance, this project focuses on the development of bismuth(III) and gallium(III) compounds which show high activities against common and resistant strains of bacteria (eg MRSA, VRE). Read more: Chem. Eur. J., 2014, DOI: 10.1002/chem.201404109.
2. Development of new bismuth and gallium based anti-Leishmanial drugs (with Dr Lukasz Kedzierski, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne)
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection prevalent in the developing world. Current frontline drugs are based on Sb(V) compounds which show severe side-effects and for which resistance has begun to appear. This project focuses on developing and testing new bismuth and gallium compounds as more active and less toxic alternatives. Read more: Dalton Trans., 2018, 47, 971 – 980. DOI: 10.1039/C7DT04171C
3. Developing new antimicrobial materials and coatings
(with Dr. Warren Batchelor, Chemical Engineering; Prof. Laurence Meagher, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering)
This project investigates the formation of novel bismuth(III) complexes which have high antimicrobial activity and their incorporation into natural and synthetic polymers and materials. The antimicrobial activities of the new materials and their potential as ‘clean surfaces’ will be assessed. Read more: Chem. Eur. J., 2018, 24, 1 – 13. DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801803
4. Targeting Novel Chiral Heterobimetallic Main Group Complexes (with Dr. Victoria Blair)
This project involves the design, synthesis and full characterization of novel chiral hetero-di-anionic and hetero-bimetallic complexes of alkali metal, and d or p-block elements (eg. Zn, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Sn, Sb), and subsequent examination of their reactivity and selectivity in asymmetric synthesis and in the formation of unusually substituted heterocycles. Requires inert atmosphere handling techniques. Read more: Organometallics, 2018, 37, 1225–1228. DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.8b00047
5. Heterobimetallic Compounds, Cages and Nanoparticles for Radiation
Sensitisation (with Dr Melissa Werrett; Prof Leoni.Kunz-Schughart, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, TU-Dresden)
Radiation therapy (RT) is a common form of cancer treatment, however the resistance of tumour cells to RT is a serious concern. One way to enhance damage to tumour cells is to employ radio-sensitisers. These are molecules, cages or nanoparticles which can increase the radio-sensitivity of tumour cells and therefore the effectiveness of the treatment. This project will explore the design and development of mixed heavy metal compounds and an assessment of their potential as radio-sensitisers for tumour cell depletion. Background reading: Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 2018, 39, 24-48
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Professor Stuart Batten Room No. 121C, Building 19, Tel: 9905 4606, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
More information on my research can be seen at: http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/sbatten/index.html
Coordination Polymers and Supramolecules We are designing and making coordination polymers (sometimes also known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs) and supramolecular species for a variety of interesting applications, including adsorption of gases such as hydrogen (for hydrogen fuelled cars) and carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas capture), long or short range magnetic ordering, molecular switching (for information storage or molecular sensing), and as new materials for molecular separations. We are pursuing a number of approaches to this, including:
• New classes of bridging ligands in which the bridging length can be controlled by the presence or nature of e.g. group I or II metals (Chem. Commun., 2009, 5579). • Large (3 nm in diameter) spherical supramolecules (or ‘nanoballs’) (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 2549 & 8919; ChemPlusChem 2012, 77, 616) which show a large variety of properties. For example, they can switch between two magnetic spin states. The change may be induced by change in temperature or, as a series of experiments in Bordeaux, France showed, irradiation of light. The molecular packing also creates cavities within the solid state, and thus the crystals will readily absorb solvent vapours, hydrogen, and CO2. Finally, the nanoballs also show catalytic activity. • Incorporation of amine groups into porous MOFs in order to increase the selectivity of CO2 sorption over other gases, such as N2. This is part of a large multi-institutional program focussed on developing MOFs for “real world” CO2 capture. • Porous MOFs for the chromatographic separation of molecules based on size, chirality or other chemical features. Surprisingly little work has been done in this field, and we are currently exploring this potential in depth (Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 3735). Chemistry of Small Cyano Anions We have been investigating the chemistry of small cyano anions (Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 10189). They have shown some remarkable chemistry, including the synthesis of a large range of transition metal and/or lanthanoid clusters which may have applications as single molecule magnets, interesting new coordination polymers and discrete complexes showing unusual packing motifs and ligand binding modes, new hydrogen bonding solid state networks, nucleophilic addition of alcohols and amines across the nitrile groups to give new anion families, and the production of ionic liquids containing either the free anions or even metal complexes of the anions. The versatility and range of applications of these simple anions is unprecedented.
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Dr Toby Bell Room G32C, Building 23S, Tel: 69905 4566, email: [email protected]
In the Bell Fluorescence Lab, we apply advanced fluorescence techniques to answer questions in materials science and cell biology. In most of our research we operate at the ultimate level of resolution – single molecules – which allows us to detect hidden events and distributions. Application of single molecule detection allows us to perform super-resolution imaging and break the diffraction limit of light to reveal previously obscured details, even inside cells.
www.super-resolution.org.au Instagram: Bell_Fluorescence
Visualising cellular remodelling caused by viral proteins: Viruses have developed all kinds of mechanisms for hijacking cellular systems for their own needs, as well as for avoiding the immune response. This project will use super-resolution imaging to examine changes to the cellular architecture in order to decipher the functions of proteins made by viruses like Rabies and Hendra. (The image shows microtubules forming large bundles in the presence of rabies P protein) Deciphering the photophysics of antibody-conjugated fluorophores for bio-imaging: Alexa and ATTO dyes bound to antibodies are used extensively in biological imaging applications because of their high specificity and bright, stable fluorescence. Recently, the seconds-long ‘blinking’ of these dyes has been harnessed for super resolution imaging. While the photophysics behind blinking has been well characterized for individual molecules, this project will investigate the photophysical interactions available, such as energy funnelling and annihilation, to the clusters of ~4-6 fluorophores on each antibody.
Investigating DNA damage response in sub-nuclear compartments: When the cell senses a DNA double strand break, a signaling cascade involving thousands of proteins is triggered. Recently, a new pathway within this cascade was discovered to involve recruitment of protein NBS1 to the nucleolus where it affects ribosomal RNA transcription. This project will use super-resolution imaging to directly visualize the proteins involved in nucleolar sub-compartments to determine the underlying mechanism and its interplay with other DNA damage
response pathways. (The image shows Treacle protein ‘puncta’ inside the nucleolus) Imaging DNA double strand breaks and their repair in cells: DNA damage is caused by exogenous toxins as well as everyday replication and transcription. Defects in repair result in serious genetic diseases and can lead to cancer. However, imaging of damage and repair inside cells is incredibly difficult because only a few breaks occur at a time. This project will use multicolor super resolution imaging to focus on these few breaks and track the temporal interactions involved in their (mis)repair..
Quantifying orientation in FRET at the single molecule level: The orientation of the donor and acceptor molecules in energy transfer (FRET), can efficiency up to a factor of 4, but has never been shown directly in single molecules. This project will visualize emission dipoles of single molecules undergoing FRET by using ‘defocused imaging’ of single molecules and simultaneously measuring FRET efficiency. The defocused images reveal a molecule’s dipole directly and thus its orientation. (The image shows defocused patterns for 2 single molecules about 3 microns apart)
2 μm
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Dr Cameron Bentley Room to be confirmed, Tel: tbc, email: [email protected]
My research centres on the use of glass nanopipettes (see Fig. 1) to “see” the nanoscale active sites of electrodes during operation, through high-resolution electrochemical microscopy. Relating electrochemical activity on this scale to the underlying electrode surface structure guides the design/synthesis of the “next-generation” of materials with higher activity, improved stability, longer cycle life etc. If the two Honours projects below are of interest to you, or if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
(1) Nanoscale Reaction Imaging of Water-Splitting Electrodes Electrochemical water-splitting is recognised to be one of the most promising approaches to store renewable energy in the form of hydrogen fuel. Commercially feasible water electrolysis requires the use of highly stable
and active electrodes, known as electrocatalysts, to overcome the high energy barrier(s) associated with water-splitting. Electrode structure and composition strongly dictate the kinetics and mechanisms of electrocatalytic processes, and thus there is a great need for techniques that can that can probe electrochemical activity at the scale of surface heterogeneities, e.g., from single defects to the individual grains and grain boundaries of a polycrystal. In this project, the Honours Candidate will develop and implement a state-of-the-art electrochemical microscopy platform—the first of its kind in Australia—to probe the nanoscale electrochemistry of promising water-splitting electrodes, in order to reveal catalytic active sites directly and unambiguously (e.g., Fig. 2, adapted from: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 46, 16813–16821).
(2) Single Nanoparticle Electrochemistry: from Electrocatalysts to Battery Materials
Over the past three decades, the whole of science has been impacted massively by the revolution in nanoscience. For example, nanoparticles (NPs) have found many applications in electrochemistry, such as the noble metal (e.g., Pt) electrocatalysts used in fuel cells or the metal oxide cathode materials (e.g., LiMn2O4) used in lithium-ion batteries. Elemental composition and surface structure strongly influence NP reactivity, meaning that at the single NP level there can be large functional variations between apparently similar particles due to small differences in size, surface faceting, defects etc. Thus, with the widespread uptake of NPs in electrochemistry and beyond, there is a great demand for techniques that can answer the fundamental question: what is the relationship between structure/composition, and electrochemical activity at the single particle level? In this project, the Honours Candidate will address this important question by developing and implementing a state-of-the-art nanoelectrochemistry platform—the first of its kind in Australia—to probe the structure−activity of individual NPs supported on an electrode surface (e.g., Fig. 3, adapted from: Angew. Chem. 2019, 131, 4654 –4659).
Fig. 1. TEM image of a nanopipette probe. The probe “tip” is ≈30 nm.
Fig. 2. Topography and water-splitting activity maps, obtained on MoS2, showing edge-plane activity.
Fig. 3. CVs obtained from single LiMn2O4 particles (scale = 200 nm).
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Dr Victoria Blair Room No. 118, Building 23, Tel: 99020907, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
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Professor ALAN CHAFFEE Room No. 223N, Tel: 9905 4626, email: [email protected] My group undertakes applied chemistry research on topics that are, in some way, related to biomass and fossil resource utilization. For example, new approaches to the preparation of industrial chemicals, specialty liquid fuels (eg, jet fuel), road bitumen, coke for steel making, and specialist high surface area active carbons are being developed so as to minimize energy losses and CO2 emissions. We also investigate the capture of CO2 emissions by adsorption and, once captured, its transformation back into useful products by heterogeneous catalysis. In doing so, innovative new materials such as mesoporous silicas, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquids (ILs) are employed as adsorbents, catalysts and/or solvents. These novel materials are often sourced from other research groups within the School. Molecular modeling tools are also frequently applied in these studies, so that experiment and theory inform each other. More information on my research can be found at:
http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/CHAFFEE.html
Turning Carbon Dioxide into Fuel Waste CO2, when combined with ‘renewable H2’ (eg, from photovoltaic water splitting) over appropriate catalysts, leads to hydrocarbon products (methane and higher hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, methanol) which can be directly used as fuel or chemical feedstocks. We are thermally transforming metal organic framework (MOF) precursors to produce nanoparticulate catalysts of varying metal cluster size, supported on carbonaceous ribbons that seek to provide exceptionally high reaction rates and selectivity to these products.
Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Air Prior work in the group has identified amine-based adsorbents that have the ability to reversibly capture and release CO2 at concentrations (~15 wt%) and temperatures typical of the flue gas from power stations. Another approach to controlling CO2 in the atmosphere could be to adsorb it directly from air at atmospheric concentration (~400 ppm). This project will prepare and evaluate new adsorbent formulations for this purpose involving high surface area mesoporous silica (such as SBA-15) as a support material.
Environmental Applications of Active Carbon Monoliths The group has recently developed a new form of monolithic carbon, derived from brown coal, that provides for efficient gas and liquid contact with low pressure drop. These materials have exceptional surface areas and, therefore, multiple potential applications as adsorbents, catalysts, electrodes, etc. Their inherent electrically conductive means that they can, in principal, be very efficiently regenerated by ohmic heating. Projects are available that investigate their performance for the removal of pollutants from gas phase (e.g., NOx) or from liquid phase (e.g., heavy metal) streams, their regenerability, as well as optimization of fabrication methods.
Quantum Dot Medicine (Collaboration with Assoc Prof Lisa Martin) In recent work we have demonstrated that carbon quantum dots (CQDs), prepared from brown coal, can mitigate against the types of protein aggregation that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and Type 2 diabetes. This project will prepare a series of CQDs with varied surface functionality with a view to determining how varied chemical composition effects aggregation rates.
Active Carbon Monolith
CQDs prevention of fibrilisation
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Professor Philip Chan Room No. 243A, School of Chemistry, Building 23, Tel: 9905 1337, email: [email protected]
We are an organic chemistry group focused on the discovery and understanding of new and sustainable reactions through the power of homogeneous catalysis and their application to the synthesis of bioactive natural products and functional materials. More information can be obtained from Philip and at: https://www.monash.edu/science/schools/chemistry/our-people/staff/professor-philip-wai-hong-chan
Transition Metal Catalysis: New Strategies for Natural Products Synthesis and Drug Discovery
Homogeneous transition metal catalysis is one of the most powerful and stereoselective synthetic tools in the chemist’s armory for the assembly of highly functionalized, architecturally complex molecules from readily accessible precursors in a single step. For example, a new area in the field of gold catalysis realised by our group explored the novel reactivities of vinyl gold carbenoid species I as well as those of allenylgold intermediates II. As part of an ongoing program in this area of transition metal catalysis, we will this year focus on the recent new discoveries from the lab in photoredox catalysis driven by a gold(I,I) complex and sunlight or a blue LED source, which is currently a hot topic in research. The goal will be to realise new reactivities, develop new catalysts along the way and provide mechanistic insights into these novel synthetic technologies. A number of Honours projects that explore this new area of catalysis are available. Key references: see references in the Figure and our reviews: 1) Day, D. P.; Chan, P. W. H. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2016, 358, 1368; 2) Boyle, J. W.; Zhao, Y.; Chan, P. W. H. Synthesis 2018, 1402.
Organocatalysis: Unleashing the Enantioselective Potential of Chiral Brønsted Acids
One of the most powerful catalytic methods to emerge over the last two decades to rapidly achieve molecular complexity in an enantioselective manner from readily accessible precursors is organocatalysis. Our interest in the organocatalytic reaction chemistry of π-rich alcohols is driven by the ease of substrate preparation providing the possibility to introduce a wide variety of substituents. Added to this is the potential formation of water as the only byproduct that makes it a highly attractive environmentally sustainable and atom-economical approach. A recent example of this strategy is a seminal work by us revealing the first chiral Brønsted acid catalysed dehydrative Nazarov-type dehydrative electrocyclisation of aryl- and 2-thiophenyl-β-amino-2-en-1-ols to 1H-
indenes and 4H-cyclopenta[b]thiophenes. A number of Honours projects that explore this new area of catalysis are available. Key references: see references in the Figure and our review: Ayers, B. J.; Chan, P. W. H. Synlett 2015, 1305.
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Associate Professor Perran Cook Room No. 19/G25a, Tel: 9905 54091, email: [email protected] More information on my research can be seen at: http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/cook/ Sand sediments dominate our coastline, yet we have little understanding of how this environment processes human emissions of nutrients. Novel metabolic pathways of lipid and hydrogen production in sands Sands are highly dynamic environments and organisms within this environment must cope with rapid shifts between oxic and anoxic conditions. We have recently discovered that fermentation dominates anoxic metabolism in these sediments but the pathways remain unknown. We hypothesise that a carbon storage mechanism using polyhydroxyalkanoates is taking place. This project will investigate the pathways of microbial metabolism in sands using a combination of experiments and metabolite profiling using GC/MS
Figure shows oxygen distribution within a sand ripple. Organisms within this environment must cope with rapid shifts in oxygen concentrations. Denitrification pathways Denitrification is a key reaction in the environment because it removes excess bioavailable nitrogen. Nitrous oxide is a key intermediate in the process and is a powerful greenhouse gas. NO3
- NO2- NO N2O N2
There a number of pathways and organisms that can mediate denitrification including bacteria, fungi and chemical processes. By analysing the stable isotopes of N and O in N2O we can gain insights into the processes driving denitrification. Our recent research has discovered that chemo denitrification may be a more important denitrification pathway in coastal systems. This project will examine isotope ratios in N2O to better understand denitrification pathways taking place in coastal systems.
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Professor Glen Deacon Room No. 136C, Building 19 Tel: 9905 4568, email: [email protected]
For more information, see: www.chem.monash.edu.au/staff/deacon.html
Rare earth elements (Group 3-Sc, Y, La and the lanthanoids Ce - Lu) Rare earths are currently seen as the strategic materials of the 21st century with considerable international concern over the Chinese domination of the supply of separated elements. Our group provides fundamental knowledge to underpin industrial developments in the area. Australia has abundant rare earth resources which have been mainly neglected despite their widespread uses, e.g. ceramic supports for exhaust emission catalysts, alloy magnets in all car engines, and catalysts for artificial rubber production. Potential applications include green corrosion inhibitors (below). Their metal-organic chemistry is a major new frontier and is generating great excitement, for example in the discovery of new oxidation states. We are particularly interested in high reactivity rare earth organometallics (Ln-C), organoamides (Ln-NR2) and aryloxides (Ln-OAr), and have developed unique synthetic methods to obtain them. Features of these compounds include low coordination numbers and extraordinary reactivity including C-F bond activation, the most resistant carbon-element bond. To prepare and structurally characterize the compounds represents a major challenge. The program involves extensive international collaboration. Some specific projects follow: 1. New Approaches to Metal-Based Syntheses (with Prof. Peter Junk (JCU) and Dr
Victoria Blair) 2. Carbon-fluorine activation with reactive rare earth complexes (with Dr Victoria
Blair and Prof Peter Junk) 3. Heterobimetallic complexes and pseudo solid state synthesis (with Prof. Peter
Junk (JCU) and Dr David Turner) 4. Green Corrosion Inhibitors (with Prof. Peter Junk (JCU), Dr David Turner and Prof.
Maria Forsyth (Deakin University)) 5. New Materials Derived from Small Cyano Anions (with Prof. Stuart Batten) 6. Platinum Anti-Cancer Drugs (with Prof. Alan Bond, Prof Bayden Wood)
Novel recent structures Techniques
Project 1 Project 2 Some recent papers Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2009, 48, 1117-1121; Chem. Eur. J., 2009, 15, 5503-5519; Chem. Commun., 2010, 46, 5076-5078 ; Chem. Comm., 2012, 48, 124-126; J. Inorg. Biochem., 2012, 115, 226-239; Chem. Eur. J., 2013, 19, 1410-1420; Organometallics, 2013, 32, 1370-1378; Chem. Eur. J., 2014, 20, 4426-4438; Inorg. Chem., 2014, 53, 2528-2534; Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 10655-10657; Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2015, 1484-1489; Chem.Eur.J. 2016, 22, 160-173; Chem. Eur. J., 2017, 23, 2084-2102; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 8486-8489; Coord. Chem. Rev. 2020, 415, 213232, 1-23; Dalton Transx.2020, 49, 7701-7707.
Inert Atmosphere handling; X-ray crystallography including Synchrotron use. X-ray powder diffraction; IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry Pseudo solid state synthesis, solvothermal synthesis
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Dr Alison Funston Room No. G32B, Tel: 9905 6292, email: [email protected]
https://funstongroup.monash.edu/
Research Area - Nanoscience When matter is divided into tiny, tiny particles, that is, into crystals of nanometer sizes (1 nm = 1 × 10-9 m), its properties change. We are interested in the changes to the optical properties, or colour. For example, very tiny spheres containing only 1000’s of gold atoms are red. The colour of very tiny spheres of CdSe only a few nanometers in diameter can be tuned across the visible region by changing their size. This effect is due to quantum confinement and the spheres are called quantum dots (QDs). The colours of nanoparticles can be controlled by:
Changing the size or shape of the crystal Changing the environment of the crystal Bringing two or more nanocrystals into close proximity
The nanocrystals have potential applications in energy harvesting for solar energy, nanoscale energy transfer, sensing, and medicine (drug delivery, cancer therapies).
We research ways to manipulate the way light energy is absorbed, transported and transformed in advanced nanoscale materials for applications such as:
• Solar energy conversion • Energy-efficient lighting and displays • Security labelling and optical sensor platforms
Our research involves synthesis and investigation of the optical properties of nanocrystal systems. We investigate the mechanism of growth of nanocrystals, making use of electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). We use advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to measure the optical properties of single nanoparticles and single nanoparticle superstructures. Potential honours projects include: Capturing Light and Manipulating Transport through Nanoscale Structures: This is important for solar cells and solar energy harvesting. Project areas include energy and electron transfer between nanocrystals, across interfaces and within self-assembled films. Changing the Colour of Nanoparticles - Nanoparticle Coupling: Assemblies of nanocrystals have optimal characteristics for many applications. This project aims to make, understand and use these. Perovskite Particles – Halide Diffusion: Perovskites are a new class of materials which have shown great promise in solar cells and as sensors. These applications are affected by the halide composition of the crystal. This project aims to understand halide diffusion at the interface of perovskite micro- and nanocrystals. Nanoparticles and Nanowires as Nanoscale Optical Fibres: Nanowires are able to transport energy below the diffraction limit of light. This project will investigate how the three-dimensional shape of the nanowire changes the efficiency of the energy transport. Aluminium Nanoparticles: Gold and Silver nanocrystals have shown promise as chemical/biological sensors and in optoelectronics. However, they are expensive. Aluminium nanoparticles are a potential alternative to these. This project aims to synthesise aluminium nanocrystals, and investigate their shape control and optical properties.
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Associate Professor Mike Grace Room No. G25c (Water Studies), Tel: 9905 4078, email: [email protected]
These projects can be modified to suit the interests of the student – from physical, analytical and/or environmental chemistry and biogeochemistry through to aquatic and/or restoration ecology and microbial ecology/genetics. Impacts of pharmaceuticals and PFAS Compounds on aquatic ecosystem processes
Awareness of the effects of common pharmaceuticals on organisms (insects, fish) living in streams and lakes has slowly emerged over the last decade. Despite their prevalence in urban waterways, there has been little published research on how these pharmaceuticals can affect rates of fundamental ecosystem processes. Work in our group has shown that some of these chemicals can have dramatic effects. This project will use a combination of pharmaceutical diffusing substrates, flow-through reactors and bioassay techniques to investigate effects of common drugs like antibiotics, mood modifiers, painkillers and antihistamines on a range of fundamental ecosystem processes including photosynthesis, respiration, biomass accrual and denitrification in urban waterways. Depending on the student’s interests, this project may also explore the potential impact of the prevalent PFAS substances that are attracting media attention e.g. as highly problematic contaminants in large tunnelling projects. Constructed wetlands – environmental benefactors or villains? This project will examine the extent to which wetlands around Melbourne generate greenhouse gases (GHGs) including CH4, N2O and CO2. The prevailing wisdom is that wetlands must be beneficial for the environment as they are designed to remove nutrients and other pollutants from stormwater in urban creeks. However, previous work in the Water Studies Centre has shown that under a range of relatively common conditions, wetlands can also generate significant quantities of GHGs. This project will measure rates of GHG production in several wetlands around Melbourne and develop understanding of the key wetland characteristics and conditions that control production. Links with nitrogen cycling will be explored. Experimental work will involve field measurements and laboratory mesocosm (sediment core) investigations. The new (in 2021) Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer in the Water Studies Centre will allow us for the first time to look at the mechanisms of N2O production via the isotopomers of this potent GHG.
Depending on the interests of the student, these projects may focus on several aspects of the biogeochemistry ranging from the analytical chemistry through to development of antimicrobial resistance resulting from exposure to contaminants.
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Dr Joel F. Hooper Room No. 242, Building 23 South, email: [email protected] Catalytic reactions with pristine graphene Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon allotrope that has had a revolutionary impact on materials science, sensing, electronics and other fields. Until very recently, pure graphene has not been demonstrated to catalyse any chemical reactions. In 2020, we reported (with Amir Karton at UWA) that pristine graphene can catalyse the enantiomeric
interconversion of chiral biaryl compounds. In this project, we are developing practical catalytic applications of graphene catalysis. In Project 1, we are using chiral catalysts including enzymes and NHCs to perform the dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic biaryl compounds. These chiral catalysts are combined with catalytic graphene, which will allow us to convert a racemic starting material into a single enantiomer product.
In Project 2, we will develop graphene to catalyse the formation of carbocation intermediates, leading to the synthesis of natural products. This reactivity is based off theoretical predictions by Prof. Karton, and will be applied to the synthesis of complex molecules such as cannabidiol. New methods for polymer synthesis and functionalisation We have recently developed new methods for cobalt-mediated radical polymerization starting from simple carboxylic acids. This allows us precise control over the functional groups attached to the ends of the polymer, which can be used to synthesise highly functional materials. In Project 3 we are using this methodology to create polymer/protein hybrids, which will allow us to control the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic antibodies. Cobalt catalysis combining radicals and C-H activation Cobalt is an increasingly important metal in transition metal catalysis, with a unique abilty to access both 1-electron and 2-electron reaction pathways. In Project 4, we are looking to access both radical and 2-electron pathways in a single transformation, through a radical decarboxylation / C-H bond activation cascade.
Representative publications: Kroeger, Hooper, Karton, ChemPhysChem, 2020, 1675.; Chaplin, Hooper et al. Org. Lett. 2018, 5537.; Lupton, Hooper et al. Chem. Sci. 2018, 7370.
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Professor Cameron Jones Room No. 1.10, Tel: 9902 0391, email: [email protected] Group website: www.monash.edu/science/research-groups/chemistry/jonesgroup Modern Main Group Chemistry In the past 10 years remarkable progress has been made in the chemistry of very low oxidation state and low coordination number s- and p-block compounds. It is now possible to prepare and investigate the fascinating reactivity of compounds that were thought incapable of existence until a few years ago. The fundamental and applied aspects of this area are rapidly expanding in the Jones group (see group website for further details). Representative examples of the many potential Honours projects that are available within this exciting area are as follows: (i) Low oxidation state Main Group systems: replacements for transition metal catalysts. In recent years "trans-bent" compounds containing multiple bonds between two p-block metal(I) centres have been stabilised by ligation with extremely bulky alkyl or aryl substituents (R). These include the remarkable heavier group 14 analogues of alkynes, viz. RE≡ER (E = Si, Ge, Sn or Pb). In this project you will prepare examples of related bulky amido substituted "metalynes" (see picture), and related compounds, and explore their use for the reversible reductive activation of H2, CO2, NH3, ethylene etc. If this can be achieved, the exciting possibility exists to use such compounds as replacements for expensive and toxic transition metal catalysts in numerous industrial processes; and for the conversion of the Greenhouse gas, CO2, to useful chemical products such as methanol. see: (i) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2014, 136, 5283; (ii) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 6500; (iii) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 10074; (iv) Nature, 2010, 463, 171. (ii) Stabilisation and application of complexes of Group 2 metals in the +1 oxidation state. It has previously been only possible to prepare compounds containing the Group 2 metals (Be, Mg or Ca) with the metal in the +2 oxidation state. Recently, we have reversed this situation with the landmark preparation of the first thermally stable compounds to contain Mg-Mg bonds (e.g. see picture). The formal oxidation state of the magnesium centres in these compounds is, therefore, +1. As a result, these species are highly reducing, a situation which has lent them to use, in our laboratory, as specialist reagents in organic and organometallic synthetic methodologies. You will further explore this potential, in addition to examining the possibility of preparing the first dimeric calcium(I) compounds. Furthermore, you will examine the use of such systems as soluble models to study the reversible addition of dihydrogen to magnesium metal (yielding MgH2). This poorly understood process is of great importance for future hydrogen storage technologies which will be essential for viable zero emission vehicles powered by fuel cells. The activation of other gaseous small molecules (e.g. CO2, N2, NH3 etc.) will be investigated at high pressure (ca. 200 atm.) with the aid of high pressure sapphire NMR tube technology developed in the Ohlin group at Monash. see (i) Science, 2007, 318, 1754; (ii) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2015, 137, 8944; (iii) Chem. Sci., 2013, 4, 4383; (iv) Nature Chem., 2010, 2, 865; (v) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2014, 136, 5283;
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Dr Kamila Kochan Room No. 1.10, Tel: 9905 1407, email: [email protected] Group website: https://www.monash.edu/science/cfb
Characterisation of Ru-based complexes, novel agents with promising anti-cancerous activity.
From physicochemical properties to interaction with biomolecules. Recently in the medicinal chemistry metallacarboranes are gaining increasing interest, as they show promising potential biological activity. In particular, anti-proliferating activity was attributed to transition metal complex fragments. Combination of these with dicarbollide cluster leads to development of novel metallodrugs. In this work we focused on the use of [Ru(arene)]2+ groups which were identified in the last 20 years as promising alternatives to platinum-based anticancer drugs, demonstrating lower intrinsic toxicity and broad spectrum of biological activity. The novel Ru-complexes were recently designed and synthetised by a group in Leipzig University (prof. E. Hey-Hawkins). The combination of dicarbollide anion with [Ru(arene)]2+ is extremely promising not only due to potential anti-proliferative activity, but also due to highly hydrophobic properties of dicarbollide. This can enhance the transport of the metallodrugs through cell membrane and potentially has high robustness in biological condition, as it is not metabolised by any enzymes. This project focuses on characterising the properties of several novel Ru-carboranes (examples of structures of some in Fig. 1) using a computational and experimental approach (IR, Raman, UV-VIS spectroscopy). In particular, we would like to characterise aspects such as aggregation, dissociation and diffusion mechanisms of selected ruthenium complexes and examine their interaction with a series of biomolecules.
Figure 1. Structures of selected Ru-based complexes under investigation as potential novel anti-cancer agents. (Figure adapted from [1]). Further reading: [1] Gozzi, M., Schwarze, B., Coburger, P. and Hey-Hawkins, E., 2019. On the Aqueous Solution Behavior of C-Substituted 3, 1, 2-Ruthenadicarbadodecaboranes. Inorganics, 7(7), p.91. [2] Gozzi, M., et al. 2017. Antiproliferative activity of (η 6-arene) ruthenacarborane sandwich complexes against HCT116 and MCF7 cell lines. Dalton Transactions, 46(36), pp.12067-12080.
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Professor Tanja Junkers Room No. 220A, Building 23, Tel: 03 9905 4524, email: [email protected] Group website: www.polymatter.net The Polymer Reaction Design group strives for the development of new materials via state of the art polymer synthesis methods. From fundamentals and kinetics of polymerizations to the design of new polymer reaction pathways, all elemental steps are addressed and custom-made materials are constructed. Research spans widely from synthetic chemistry projects over process design to physical properties of materials. Core research areas of the PRD group are the synthesis of sequence-defined and sequence-controlled polymers and oligomers. Such polymers bridge the gap between classical synthetic polymers and biological polymers such as peptides or RNA. Further, the group focuses on the use of continuous flow chemistry approaches for the synthesis of complex polymers and for formulation of polymer (nano)particles. Flow chemistry is an interesting tool that allows us to not only design polymers with unprecedented accuracy, but also in a simple, and automated fashion. Last, but not least, we are also working on biopolymers, either biodegradable polymers or materials made from biofeedstocks.
1. Sequence-defined oligomers for biomedical application
Using the well-known RAFT polymerization strategy we design discrete oligomers that mimic peptide chains. In order to achieve this, amino-acid analogue monomers are first synthesized, followed by oligomerization and product isolation. Oligomers with encoded information will be obtained and evaluated for their biological function (antimicrobial, cell guiding). This project is very synthesis oriented and suitable for more than one student.
2. Automated flow synthesis of polymer material libraries In the PRD group we have established techniques that allows for synthesis of polymer material libraries via a self-optimizing autonomous flow reactor. Reactions are fully computer controlled and on the basis of online-monitoring data, smart algorithms take over the synthesis process and self-optimize for desired products. We want to extent this system by adding a benchtop NMR spectrometer into the system. This project is very focused on flow chemistry and process design. Knowledge in computer programming (Python, LabView) is very beneficial to carry out this project, yet not strictly required.
3. Facing dispersity: How to make discrete polymers and study of their properties Today, we are able to access a very broad variety of polymer materials, and we come very close to structure found in nature. Yet, we are still much limited when it comes to dispersity. Via advanced synthesis and advanced polymer separation we are able to bring polymers towards monodispersity. This allows us to study these materials from angles that were until today not possible. We will produce close-to-monodisperse polymers and then study their properties. The project is suited for students with synthetic interests that also want to work on the physical chemistry side of things.
4. Morphology control in continuous flow micelle formation Block copolymer micelles are ideal vehicles for targeted drug delivery, but suffer greatly from reproducibility issues and limited control over the size and shape of the micelles. Flow processes make the micelle formation more reproducible and scalable. At the same time, flow can be used to beat thermodynamics and to create micelle morphologies that are otherwise unachievable. We have very promising results for these procedures and want to investigate the possibilities of flow micelle formation much deeper. The project will involve synthesis of block copolymers, flow micellation and characterization of the resulting nanoparticles. This project is cosupervised by Rico Tabor and is suitable to students who like macromolecular synthesis as much as physical chemistry of nanoparticles.
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Dr Sara Kyne Chemistry Education and Green Chemistry Room No. 134B Building 19; Tel: 9905 4555, Email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
Chemistry education (with Assoc. Prof. Chris Thompson)
Impact of personalising student feedback through Learning Analytics We are interested in using Learning Analytics to optimise student learning. Learning Analytics measure and process student data collected from Moodle (the University Learning Management System). These data allow us to personalise feedback to students, which is particularly difficult in large student cohorts. We are evaluating how student’s respond to personalised feedback, to inform us how we can better support students throughout their degree programme.
Green chemistry through context-based learning We aim to prepare undergraduate students to tackle global challenges confronting modern society. To achieve this, we are designing and implementing context-based learning activities to encourage students to make links between chemistry, the environment and society. Our goal is to for students to learn about fundamental chemistry concepts and relate the concepts to their everyday life, in particular changing their actions that impact the environment.
Green chemistry synthesis (with University of Groningen, Netherlands)
Green chemistry catalysis We are developing site-selective catalytic methods to transform simple sugars. These reactions use photoredox catalysts and visible light to promote carbon-carbon bond formation. The reaction mechanism is proposed to occur through the coupling of two different radical reactions. We are investigating the reaction mechanism, and how various radical species and metal intermediates interact. This is important to inform design of new, site-selective synthetic reactions of more complex sugars.
Iron promoted radical chemistry We are designing iron based radical reactions for organic synthesis. Previously we found that Fe(I) and Fe(0) species promote radical reactions under mild conditions. We have investigated the mechanism of the catalytic cycle and identified key reaction intermediates. With this insight, we are designing new selective radical reactions and iron-based radical mediators.
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Professor David W. Lupton Catalysis and Synthesis Room No. 238 Bld. 23 South; Tel: 9902 0327, email: [email protected] My group discovers reactions and uses them assemble materials designed for function. More information from David, or http://users.monash.edu.au/~dwlupton/index.html
Project A: Enantioselective catalysis with NHC-catalysis The discovery of new reactive intermediates enables the discover of new chemical reactions. In 2021 we will examine three reactive intermediates (enediamine A, and enetriamine B, and dienyl acyl azolium C) accessible using N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts.1 What will we do with them? Come and have a chat to find out our latest ideas! Key references: 1) Fernando, J. E. M.; Nakano, Y.; Lupton, D. W. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 53, 2905; Gillard, R.; Fernando, J. E. M.; Lupton, D. W. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 4712; Cao, J.; R. Gillard, Breugst, M.; Lupton, D. W. ACS Catalysis 2020 10.1021/acscatal.0c02705
Project B: Hybrid Biocatalysis Recently we commenced studies in collaboration with Professor Jackson (ANU) on the discovery of chemical reactions using a new type of biocatalysis in which both the protein and the cofactors (THDP) are modified to allow optimal performance. In this project we will prepare a series of new co-factors (THDP) and examine their use firstly as organic catalysts and then with wild type enzymes, which will then be modified using directed evolution approaches2 to give new hybrid biocatalysts.3 A flow chart describing this project is shown below, with section 1 and 2 conducted at Monash; 3 in collaboration.
Key references: 2) For reviews see: Kan, S. B. J., Lewis, R. D., Chen, K. & Arnold, F. H. Science 2016, 354, 1048. 3) Campbell, E. C. Grant, J.; Wang, Y.; Sandhu, M.; Williams, R. J.; Nisbet, D. R.; Perriman, A. W.; Lupton, D. W.; Jackson, C. J. Adv. Biosystems 2018, 2, 1700240.
Project C: Structural Modification of linozelid antibiotics. Obtaining structural information of biological materials using X-ray analysis can be challenging. Using cryo-EM approaches the structure of the ribosome with antibiotics bound have been obtained. Using this data we have developed new antibiotics.4 Having obtained recent proof of principle for this approach, we will complete a rigorous analysis of linozelid (and related structures) guided by cryo-EM in
2020. (Colaboration: Dr Belousoff, Microbiology) Key references: 4) Belousoff, M. J.; Venugopal, H.; Wright, A.; Seoner, S.; Stuart, I.; Stubenrauch, C.; Bamert, R. S.; Lupton, D. W. Lithgow T. ChemMedChem 2019, 14,527
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Professor Doug MacFarlane Green Chemical Futures Room 238, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking. Much more at: www.chem.monash.edu.au/ionicliquids Solar Fuels (with Dr Sasha Simonov). Hydrogen and ammonia are the ideal liquid fuels for the future, if they can be generated in a sustainable way. These two simple compounds have tremendous potential to become Australia’s next massive renewable energy export industry. Materials which support the electrolysis of water and nitrogen are the key to a viable process. It is relatively easy to find electrocatalyst that will work, but the challenge is to develop materials that will do so at high efficiency. The project will investigate new catalysts and test them in prototype cells to quantify their catalytic performance and lifetime. One of the key aspects of this is the interaction of the electrode material with the electrolyte and the project will investigate these using advanced characterisation techniques such as XPS. The project will suit someone with interests in materials or energy chemistry. MacFarlane et al: A Roadmap to the Ammonia Economy (Joule 2020). Synthesis of Novel Ionic Liquids (with Dr Mega Kar and Dr Thomas Ruether (CSIRO)) Organic
salts based on the FSO2-N-SO2F anion have recently been shown in our group to have some very unusual solvency properties, especially for metal cations of interest in batteries and nitrogen electrolysis. In this project we will explore the chemistry of FSO2
- based anions more broadly – a very large family of new compounds is possible from this simple starting point. This project will suit someone interested in ionic liquid synthetic chemistry, with some physical and spectroscopic property measurement work to aid in understanding the behaviour of these new salts. Gunderson‐Briggs et al, A Hybrid Anion for Ionic Liquid and Battery Electrolyte Applications: Half Triflamide, Half Carbonate. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2019, 4390-4394.
Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage (with Dr Karolina Matusek and Dr Mega Kar) It is possible to store vast quantities of energy as heat very cheaply in Phase Change Materials that simply absorb heat when they melt and release it again when they freeze. The key property is a high heat of fusion; a slightly mysterious property that reflects the subtle changes in bonding that take place during melting of a compound. Organic salts have tremendous scope in this respect because of their ability to combine ionic bonding with van der Waals interactions. This project will synthesise and explore the crystal structures of new organic salts for this application.
The Ammonia Economy
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Dr Shahnaz Mansouri Room No. G25B, Building 19, Tel: 9905 9467, email: [email protected] The following information will give you an idea of the type of research I am undertaking within my research partners. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above). Food Science Area: Sensory evaluation, to analyse and interpret new products through the five senses (collaboration with MFI: Mr Rod Heath on five senses and collaboration with Dr Bernard Chen from Mechanical Engineering on Chewing). Food Science: sensory evaluation; machinery evaluation plus panel identify what makes products similar or different; identify a design of chewing process, eyes tracking, aroma transformation, food processes. Sensory evaluation; to induce, measure, analyse and interpret those responses to new products and behaviour as perceived through the five senses, particularly in the food industry. Machinery evaluation plus trained or consumer panels identify what makes products similar or different. The project is planned to combine machinery and panellists’ data together to end up more efficient results for the product. The various analysis will be applied in this project by measuring viscosity, texture, colour, food compositions, flavour and more to be compared with actual taste results from panellists. You are able to choose only one sense and research more specific in one particular area to be ended with more detailed results and possible modelling or generally compare sensory evaluation tests with various machineries.
Food Science: Applying Gas Flush as a Modified Atmosphere Packaging in beverage process (collaboration with Dr Roya Khalil, Chemical Engineering Department) Gas flush consists of an inert gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or exotic gases such as argon or helium which is injected and frequently removed multiple times to eliminate oxygen from the package. In this project, the aim is to understand how effective using various gases in beverages is during the process. Chemistry Education: Evaluate student workload based on the University's Learning Management System (LMS) data relating to online and face to face modules (collaboration with A/Prof. Chris Thompson and Prof. Julia Lamborn).
Applying the University's Learning Management System (LMS) data to evaluate student workload (student will have access to anonymous online data to analyse and determine weekly student workload across the semester related to two types of modules; online and face to face). Design thinking; mapping the knowledge, identifying opportunities and target to success (collaboration with A/Prof. Meng Wai Woo, Auckland University). Mapping the knowledge, help to identify opportunities, understand how to design your target and have a smart move to improve the chance of success. Explore how the brain can be trained for the process of asking deep questions, making connections, generation explanations, challenging ideas and shifting perspectives.
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Professor Philip Marriott Room No. Bldg 23, G04, Tel: 99059630, email: [email protected]
General area of project interests. The Marriott Group specialises in Separation Science / Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (MS), supporting a broad repertoire of applications studies, through development of new methods in GC, including comprehensive 2D GC (GC×GC), and multidimensional GC (MDGC), using specific detection technologies, including MS. We study ultrahigh resolution separations, unusual processes in GC, and chromatography analysis of complex samples such as pesticides, pollutants, flavours/fragrances, essential oils, foods/fatty acids/triglycerides. We have two GC–triple quadrupole MS systems, GC–Q-TOFMS, GC–MS/FTIR, and a new portable GC–MS. Our MDGC research is world’s-best-practice. See http://www.monash.edu/science/schools/chemistry/our-people/staff/marriott Example Project Areas
[A] Coffee roasting: where the magic happens!
Flavour compounds in coffee usually comprise O-, S- and N-compounds. We have examined S- and N-selective detection of profiles during the roasting process, and use accurate mass MS to identify and follow evolution of the compounds. We now wish to understand their generation, and examine their occurrence in Robusta and Arabica varieties from around the world and under different processing methods.
[B] New selective technologies for monitoring greenhouse gases (GHG).
Pulsed discharge helium ionisation (PDHID) detectors exhibit selectivity in its ECD mode towards halogens. Working with CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere we will develop new approaches to trace GHG analysis using the PDHID in our lab, and introduce a framework for quantifying multidimensional gas-phase separations using this ultrasensitive approach.
[C] Chemical changes and flavour evaluation of rum manufacture.
Our rum manufacturer partner will evaluate acid and critical ester evolution during rum fermentation. The remainder liquor from distillation is re-cycled into successive distillations, so ‘legacy’ product profiling is important. Rum is typically matured in oak (French, American), and rum extracts various flavours (esters, vanillins) from the oak. Botanicals are sometimes added to the finished rum This project will characterise various rum manufacture processes and flavour products.
[D] Novel methods for extraction of natural compounds.
SPME provides highly versatile extraction of compounds from e.g. the headspace (H/S) of a sample. Different fibres extract compounds differently. We propose to test a new concept for H/S extraction, and propose a new generation S-selectivity sorption phase to study S-compounds in a variety of samples e.g. coffee and wine, compared with classical SPME. GC and MS methods will be used.
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Assoc. Professor Lisa Martin Room No. 157 / 17 Rainforest Walk, P: 9905 4514, email: [email protected] This page will give you an idea of some of the research projects in my group, so if you are interested or want more details, email me and we can arrange a time to discuss these project areas. Bioinspired Chemistry: Many of the global challenges facing us are in biomedical science; however, these problems need an understanding and knowledge of basic molecular and electronic properties. The Martin group draws on these tools for projects in medicine, biology and materials. Some projects are … 1. Redox balance and aging (with Dr Sasha Simonov) Oxygen is essential to life and is highly regulated in the body at the cellular and subcellular levels. Mitochondria are the primary metabolisers of oxygen with the respiratory chain delivering reducing electrons to break the dioxygen bond, thereby releasing energy and forming the benign by product, water. Leakage of this reaction is further controlled by a wide range of enzymes that can remove partially reduced oxygen species, including superoxide (SOD), peroxide (catalases & peroxidases) and some organic molecules (ascorbates and other reductants). As we age, these mechanisms appear to be less able to control the leakage of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and these increasingly accelerate cellular damage. This project uses mitochondrial samples obtained from porcine placenta at defined timelines after piglets are born, to explore the redox state of mitochondria. This will be done using Fourier Transform ac voltammetry and involves both experimental and simulation methods. Mitochondria will be provided from collaborators and can be stored. The outcomes of this work include predictive strategies to provide data on the aging process and approaches to reduce the effects of mitochondrial decay.
2. The evolution of steroid homones (with Dr Paul O’Leary) Steroid hormones are essential for the regulation of water and salt (mineralocorticoids), metabolism (gluco-corticoids) and reproduction (androgens and oestrogens). The evolution of steroid hormones offers some fascinating stories, yet to be told. We have several projects involving unique Australian species. The enzyme aromatase synthesises oestrogen, responsible for female characteristics, thus evolution of all species. Aromatase is the last enzyme to have evolve in the steroid synthesis pathway. In mammals, all but one species has one gene hence one aromatase enzyme, but did the ancestors of mammals also have only one enzyme? By studying aromatase from ancient lizards (decendents of dinosaurs), flightless birds (emu), monotremes
(platypus) and marsupials (wallaby) we can examine how the geographical isolation of Australia influenced the evolution of aromatase. Honours projects will include aspects of the steroid analysis, modelling of enzyme structure. These species are selected to transition from reptiles (including birds), to egg laying mammals (monotremes) to pouched (marsupials) and extrapolated to higher mammals such as humans. 3. Is Alzheimers Disease linked to
an aberrant antimicrobial peptide ? A number of neurological diseases are linked to protein/peptide aggregation eg Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). We are studying Uperin which is an antimicrobial peptide from a small frog and which aggregates to form amyloid, similar to AD. This project aims to provide the fundamental molecular knowledge needed to regulate and control peptide aggregation. Also, with Prof. Alan Chaffee we are looking at using carbon quantum dots (CQD) that prevent amyloid formation. This collaboration provides new opportunities for recycling brown coal for medicinal chemistry applications!
Uperin: antimicrobial - aggregating peptide.
Lungfish, Dragon Lizard, Emu, Platypus, Wallaby
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Emeritus Professor Keith S. Murray Room No. 171S, Building 23, Tel: 9905 4512, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above). More information on my research can be seen at: http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/murray.html Project 1. Synthesis and Magnetostructural Investigations of Mononuclear and Polynuclear Spin Crossover Compounds of Iron and Cobalt (Co-Supervisor: Dr. Stuart Batten) Spin crossover centres are a well-known form of an inorganic electronic switch, for which a variation of temperature, pressure or light irradiation leads to a change in d-electron configuration (high-spin to low-spin) often accompanied by a change in structure, colour and magnetism. The project involves synthesis, structure (including the synchrotron) and magnetic measurements. Future applications of such materials are in “switchtronic” materials. A typical recent paper by Dr Wasinee Phonsri who was a post-doc in our group; involves Fe(III) complexes with two different ligands, W. Phonsri et al. Dalton Trans. 2017, 46, 7020 (see Figure below).
Project 2. Synthesis, crystal structures and physical properties of ‘spin-coupled’ Mn, Fe and M-Ln ‘toroidal moment’ cluster compounds (Co-Supervisor: Dr. Stuart Batten) This project involves the synthesis, structures and properties of new, large clusters of Mn, and of f-block-only or mixed d-block/lanthanide combinations, that display “quantum effects” (single molecule magnets, SMMs); with possible future uses in “spintronics”/molecular computers). Work by Dr Stuart Langley (now in Manchester) and K.R. Vignesh (now in Japan) has revealed excellent toroidal and SMM features in heptanuclear {CrDy6} clusters. [Nature Comm. 2017, 8, 1023; pink Cr; green Dy]. Dr Ivana Borilovic has made important new advances with different Ln and d-block ions.
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Assoc. Prof. Ekaterina (Katya) Pas Room No. 126, Tel: 9905 8639, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group, Monash Research Computational Chemistry Group. In our research, we apply computational chemistry methods to a range of chemical problems. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
Developing radical redox flow batteries (with Prof. K. Oyaizu (Waseda) and Prof. M. Yoshizawa-Fujita (Sophia), Japan)
Recently we have discovered significantly increased stability of nitroxide radicals in select ionic liquids, allowing us to control their redox chemistry. Through a careful tailoring of ionic liquids to each nitroxide radical we have managed to successfully test a radical redox flow battery that can now compete with Li-ion batteries. In this project, the student will use the already established computational chemistry methodology to find best combinations of nitroxide radicals and ionic liquids to improve the operating voltage of these radical batteries.
Mode of action of novel Ru-based anti-cancer drugs: theory meets experiment (With Prof. Bayden Wood (Monash) and Prof. Hey- Hawkins (Leipzig)) Despite world-wide attempts to battle rare cancer such as ovarian and lung cancers we have not improved on their survival rate. Recently Prof. Hey-Hawkins group have synthesized ruthenacarbenes that have shown promising results in first experiments on cancerous cell lining. The mode of action of these drugs is largely unknown, thus limiting further development in the field. In this project, the student will perform a combined theoretical and experimental study to understand the mechanism of interaction of ruthenacarbenes with a series of biomolecules. Experiments will be conducted in the Monash Centre for Biospectroscopy using cutting-edge spectroscopic equipment. Effect of electric field on ionic media (with Prof. Tom Welton, Imperial College London)
Recently it has been shown how the oriented electric field could help manipulate the kinetics and thermodynamics of a simple Diels-Alder reaction that does not contain any redox species. These experiments identified that the kinetics of the reaction increased five-fold when the electric field was aligned with the forming bonds. Our recent work on the use of ionic media to control the rate of radical polymerization has been featured on the cover of Chem. Commun. In this project, the student will explore strategies of creating strong local electric fields in ionic media
using computational chemistry methods. Development of Machine Learning algorithms for Studying Chemical Reactions Computational Chemistry has become crucial in our understanding of thousands of chemical reactions giving us a great opportunity to design new reaction pathways for a more efficient yield of desired products and uncover energetic factors that control reactivity of chemical compounds. Highly accurate methods of computational chemistry are very expensive to apply, especially as the size of molecules increase. In this project, the student will apply machine learning algorithms to predict thermodynamics and kinetics of well-studied chemical reactions with the view of developing a cheaper alternative to highly accurate computational chemistry methods.
More information on my research & other potential projects can be seen at: https://mccg.erc.monash.edu/
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Dr Brett Paterson Room No. 168, Building 23S, Tel: 99020126, email: [email protected] If you have any questions, or would just like to chat, please contact me. Research in my group investigates the application of synthetic inorganic/organic chemistry to biology. We focus on coordination chemistry to generate metal-based drugs and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and therapy. The research is multidisciplinary. We use a wide range of analytical techniques including multinuclear NMR, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. We also have access to the radiochemistry and hot cell facilities at Monash Biomedical Imaging (MBI) on Blackburn Rd, Clayton. Radiopharmaceuticals for Molecular Imaging Molecular imaging utilises probes to acquire images for the diagnosis of disease and the monitoring of treatment of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Radioactive probes, called radiotracers, can be detected using non-invasive modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET). We are offering a project that aims to synthesise molecules that can form stable complexes with the radioisotopes scandium-44 (44Sc) and scandium-47 (47Sc). An example of the type of molecules is shown. Attachment to vector peptides allows for specific targeting cancer cells. Paterson, B. M. et al. Dalton Trans. 2014, 43, 1386-1396. Paterson, B. M.; Donnelly, P. S. Advances in Inorganic Chemistry, Vol 68: Insights from Imaging in Bioinorganic Chemistry 2016, 68, 223-251. Radiopharmaceuticals for Targeted Alpha Therapy Targeted radiotherapy using α emitters such as 212Pb (t1/2 = 10.6 h) has demonstrated utility in treating cancer by damaging cancerous DNA. The tetraazamacrocyclic chelator DOTAM is known to form stable complexes with Pb2+ at pH > 2. This project involves the solid-phase synthesis of a DOTAM-based bifunctional chelator for attachment to peptides and proteins. The non-radioactive Pb2+ complexes will be synthesised and characterised using techniques such as 1H and 13C NMR, HPLC and MS. J. C. dos Santos et al., Eur. J. Nucl. Med. Mol. Imaging, 2019, 46, 1081-1091 Gold Nanoparticles as CT Contrast Agents Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most commonly used clinical imaging modalities with high contrast resolution. Gold nanoparticles have favourable characteristics as CT contrast agents such as strong X-ray attenuation, biocompatibility and tailorable surface chemistry. This project involves the synthesis of gold nanoparticles within the cavity of a modified apo-ferritin protein template. The nanoparticles will be analysed by TEM and CT. D. Xi et al., RSC Advances, 2012, 2, 12515-12524. R. Fan et al., Small, 2010, 6, 1483-1487
Radiochemistry Hot cell at MBI
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Professor Tony Patti Room 233 GCF Building 13 Rainforest Walk, Tel: 99051620, email: [email protected] 1. Valorisation Food by-products (waste) (with Dr Karen Little) Food discards (waste), particularly associated processing industries (eg juicing, canning) provide significant quantities of discarded biomass which may be a valuable source of chemicals with potential uses in other parts of the food industry and/or feedstocks for other chemical processes. These include antioxidants, natural dyes, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and other valuable extractives. In this project, selected by-products or discards from food related industries will analysed in detail and novel approaches to isolate and purify selected components will be developed. 2. Structural Properties and Applications of Lignocellulose derived material (also see entry under Assoc/Prof Kei Saito) Lignocellulose is the most abundant composite natural polymer on our planet. It is composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin; the proportions varying in accordance with the plant source material. This project has several options. Cellulose and hemicellulose can be isolated and chemically modified to generate materials with novel properties with a range of potential applications. Another direction is to explore the depolymerization of a lignin fraction derived from woody biomass, which can provide potential useful building blocks for biodegradable polymers.
3. Organic-based Fertilisers and Nutrient Availability (with Dr Karen Little, Assoc/Prof Vanessa Wong-School of EAE) Also see below under Industrial Honours Projects Slow release nitrogen fertilisers are of particular interest as an efficient means of delivering nitrogen to plants, as well as avoiding the problems of nitrogen losses through run-off and conversion to the greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide. Combining selected organic materials (eg lignite, compost) with conventional fertilisers, such as urea, has been shown to improve nitrogen use efficiency and retain nitrogen in the soil. This project will evaluate how nitrogen can be bound to different organic materials, and may include some model compound studies that mimic chemical structures found in natural organic materials. (For example - see below)
4. Industrial Honours Project With New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. Wollongbar Research Institute. Efficient Nutrient Delivery through improved Fertiliser formulations (with Assoc Prof Vanessa Wong EAE). This project is linked with the entry under dot point 3. Formulation of efficient fertilisers for maximising nutrient delivery (particularly N and P) to crops is a high priority for Australian agriculture. The benefits include: less run-off and losses of valuable nutrients, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and better soil health. Working with NSW – Department of Primary Industry, this project will involve a study of fertiliser formulations based involving carbon-based substrates as nutrient delivery mediators. The project will involve spending some time at the NSW-DPI research institute at Wollongbar.
Quinones (eg Juglone as a model compound), shown on the right, are known to react with ammonia, released from urea. This project will examine reactions of ammonia with model compound quinones under different conditions, to assist the understanding of how nitrogen might be bound with organic matter in soil.
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Dr Chris Ritchie Room 253, Building 23S, l2, Tel: 990 29916, email: [email protected]
Project 1 - Molecular Componentry for Photochromic, Photocatalytic and Electrochromic Materials The design and synthesis of novel organically functionalised molecular metal oxides will be the core component of this project. In unpublished work, we have revealed that the combination of polyoxometalates and diarylethenes using coordination chemistry results in molecular assemblies with significantly altered photochemical properties. A suitable candidate will have an interest in both inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry (benchtop and inert atmosphere), photochemistry and materials science. This project will involve collaborations with colleagues in Germany and Australia. Project 2 – Highly Fluorescent Pyridinium Betaines for Luminescent Solar Concentrators and Sensors
Recently, we discovered that a selection of pyridinium betaines that display near unity photoluminescent quantum yields and significant emission Stokes shifts. These properties in combination with their thermal stability and minimal aggregation induced luminescence quenching make them suitable candidates for utility in Luminescent Solar Concentrators. Expansion of the compound library has resulted in our identification of structural modifications that result in the activation of sensing capabilities. A suitable candidate will prefer organic synthesis, materials chemistry and the potential for interactions with industry partners. See (J. Xu, B. Zhang, M. Jansen, L. Goerigk, W. W. H. Wong, C. Ritchie, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 13882 ) for more details. Project 3 – Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Heteropolyoxometallates and Nanoparticle
Self-assembly Over the course of the last four years we have developed microwave-assisted methodologies for the preparation of heteropolyoxometalates. Throughout this study we noted that the substitution patterns of the metal ions within molybdovanadates could be rationalized. We have since expanded upon this fundamental synthetic study to include the preparation of atom transfer radical polymerisation macroinitiators from which we can assemble pH responsive nanoparticles. A suitable candidate will have an interest in inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry, spectroscopy and materials science. See (S. Spillane, R. Sharma, A. Zavras, R. Mulder, C. A. Ohlin, L. Goerigk, R. A. J. O'Hair, C. Ritchie, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 8568) for further details.
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Professor Andrea Robinson Room No. 114C, Tel: 9905 4553, email: [email protected], http://andrearobinsongroup.com This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above). Catalysis Our group has a long standing interest in catalysis, particularly when it is applied to asymmetric synthesis, natural products and peptidomimetics. We are currently interested in the synthesis of new ligands and catalysts, developing efficient tandem catalytic processes for organic transformations and industrial feedstocks, solid supported catalysts and the application of catalysis to bioactive targets and natural products. The development of new catalysts to perform catalysis in water are of particular interest. Recent targets are shown below (a) with associated synthetic strategy (b).
NC6H13
HON C6H13
NCS
N
O
C6H13Cl
N
O
C6H13Cl
R'PgHN
R'
NHPg
HN
R'
(-)-lepadiformine 1 (-)-fasicularin 2 (+)-cyclindricine A 3 (+)-cyclindricine B 4
cross-metathesis
aza-spiro-
cyclisation
α−methylene-cyclohexane
1-aza spirocycle
a.
b.
C6H13
R
C6H13
R1,2R
C6H13
Cyclic peptides Nature uses cyclisation to protect peptide backbones from proteolytic cleavage. Unstable cystine bridges can be replaced with non-proteinaceous dicarba linkages. Using tandem catalytic sequences and specially designed non-proteinaceous amino acids, we have developed a way to control the formation of multiple dicarba-bridges. We have several projects examining the preparation of carbocyclic derivatives of naturally occurring cystine containing molecules, including biologically active peptide neurotoxins, cyclotides and somatostatin derivatives. Additionally we have an interest in the design of new peptides for use in radiopharmaeutical applications. Structural characterisation of new peptidomimetics is performed in collaboration with research teams across Australia. Insulin superfamily One important class of disulfide containing peptides is the insulin super family, which includes, insulin, relaxin and a number of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). These peptides are involved in important biological functions such as glucose metabolism and partuition where several disulfide bonds are formed but whose specific function in the resultant biological function remains unknown. Recently we have made significant progress in understanding insulin’s mode of action at its receptor but there is still a lot to uncover! This is important for the design of non-peptidic analogues for the treatment of diabetes. Analgesic conotoxins We are also examining the preparation of carbocyclic derivatives of marine derived conotoxin molecules. These natural products exhibit potent analgesic activity yet their mode of action is currently unknown. Projects in the area aim to identify potent and selective analogues for the treatment of chronic pain and uncover their mode of action.
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Dr. Alexandr N. Simonov Solar fuels Room 329, Green Chemical Futures Building (Rainforest Walk 13), e-mail: [email protected]
We discover and design new materials and devices that harvest and convert renewable energy into green chemicals and fuels, and investigate their mechanisms of operation using a broad arsenal of cutting-edge techniques. Our perfectly equipped laboratories are located in Green Chemical Futures building. Our staff and students have access to the state-of-the-art infrastructure and specialised equipment for the fabrication and characterisation of materials and beyond, including Monash X-ray platform, Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy, Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication and Australian Synchrotron. A number of honours project available in the group will suit candidates interested in physical chemistry, materials science and renewable energy technologies – fields that underpin the new Australian Energy Sector. The projects fall within two major areas:
1. Green chemicals electrosynthesis (with Professor Douglas R. MacFarlane) Renewable-powered electrosynthesis is the technology that enables sustainable production of major energy carriers and important commodity chemicals, like hydrogen, ammonia and nitrates. These technologies require efficient electrocatalytic materials. Over the last decade, Monash researchers have been highly successful in the design of such materials and in understanding how they operate. Honours projects will focus on the development and detailed investigation of new types of catalysts, electrodes and devices, and will aim to establish the key parameters determining their performance and stable operation. Literature: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2020.04.004; https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.201904804; https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41929-019-0277-8; https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41929-019-0252-4.
2. New generation photovoltaics (with Professor Udo Bach, Chemical Engineering) The amount of solar energy delivered to the Earth surface exceeds our energy demands by orders of magnitude. Photovoltaic devices can harvest this essentially inexhaustible resource in a sustainable and efficient manner. Crystalline silicon solar cells are approaching their cost-efficiency limit, which calls for the development of new generation solar cells. The Monash Renewable Energy laboratory led by Prof Udo Bach is among the world leading research hubs in this field. Our latest research focuses on new perovskite and related solar cells that have emerged as the fastest developing photovoltaic technology rivalling crystalline silicon. Honours projects available within this broad topic focus on the design and investigation of new light-harvesters and electrode materials. Literature: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201700444; https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.7b00522; https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C8EE00754C; https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7tc05711c; https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c9ta10422d.
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Assoc. Prof. Rico Tabor Room No. G24b, Tel: 9905 4558, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above). More information on my research and recent publications can be seen at: www.ricotabor.com
The chemistry of functional colloids, surfactants and nanomaterials We are researching a range of topics in fundamental and applied colloid chemistry, including:
- New surfactants and emulsifiers for use in agriculture, formulation and personal care. - Responsive colloids and nanomaterials that change their properties due to an internal or
external stimulus such as pH, light or magnetic/electric fields. - Nanomaterial design for functional colloidal systems – controlled surface chemistry, sensing
substrates, capsules, liquid crystals, etc. Some examples of possible projects are provided below. Projects can involve synthesis, analysis, visits to large-scale facilities including the Australian Synchrotron and OPAL reactor, Lucas Heights, NSW. To find out more specific information, please get in contact. Metal-capturing surfactants – The interaction between metals and surfactants is crucial to solvent extraction (one of the main processes used to capture valuable metals from ores), but also emerging fields of environmental remediation. Using sustainable resources, your project will design and make new surfactants capable of gathering metal ions for recycling electronic waste. Controlling liquids with light – Controlling liquid interfaces is central in designing tailored emulsions, foams and coating systems for fluid handling in printing, diagnostics and nanotechnology. Using a range of recently synthesised light-sensitive surfactants (and potentially new molecules that you design and synthesise), you will create new droplet and bubble systems to encapsulate cells and nanomaterials that can be manipulated using light.
Encapsulation for advanced delivery – Capsules on the micron scale offer a unique way to protect, deliver and release chemicals, from chemotherapeutics to pesticides, flavours and scents. In this project, you will develop and deploy a new encapsulation system that utilises sustainable materials to make a biodegradable shell, with targeted applications in delivery of reagents for agriculture and environmental remediation. Inorganic catalysts from colloidal templates –
Using colloidal materials as templates, a vast array of different geometries can be achieved, from core-shell capsules to rods, stars, asymmetrical hollow shells, and so forth. By incorporating metal ions into these structures, pyrolysis results in uniquely structured systems decorate with highly catalytic metal nanoparticles. Your project will take new colloidal templates, focusing on novel capsules from emulsions, and turn them into catalysts for liquid and gas phase organic chemistry. Design your own project! If you have an interest in colloids, nanomaterials or physical forces, then talk to us about what you’d like to study. From the rheology and texture of chocolate to the best way to lubricate drills for mineral exploration, we research all things soft, squishy and self-assembling.
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Professor San Thang AC Room No. 252, 17 Rainforest Walk, Building 23, Clayton Campus. Tel: 9905 1351 Email: [email protected] More information can be obtained by contacting me (details above) or through my web page http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/thang/ Our group’s research interests is to advance the Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. RAFT is a process discovered in 1998 by Moad, Rizzardo and Thang. The RAFT process has the potential to become the method par excellence with its versatility, effectiveness and industrial friendliness for the production of a wide range of specialty polymers of well-defined architectures. There are >14,500 papers that have been published in literatures on RAFT. Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Process
Macromolecules, 1998, 31, 5559-5562. Aust. J. Chem., 2005, 58, 379-410. Aust. J. Chem., 2006, 59, 669-692. Aust. J. Chem., 2009, 62, 1402-1472. Aust. J. Chem., 2012, 65, 985-1076. The following topics are offered to students for their Honours projects.
RAFT polymers for hydrogen storage and UV protection applications In this project, monomers containing 3-acetylpyridinium salts (A) will be synthesised. RAFT polymerisation of these monomers will then be carried out to produce (co)polymers (B) that can uptake hydrogen by the hydrogenation reaction using Pd/C catalyst for hydrogen storage application. The resulting polymers after hydrogenation will be poly(3-acetyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridines) (C) that possess β-enaminoketone chromophore are also ideal UV-B absorbing agents for UV protection application.
RAFT copolymers as affinity membranes for proteins and monoclonal antibodies binding, separation and purification Affinity membrane has been widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry for proteins separation and monoclonal antibodies purification. Working collaboratively with a local company, we welcome a keen and capable research student to join our group to undertake this ambitious project on the design, synthesis and characterisation of the RAFT made polymers as materials for affinity membrane fabrication. The membrane can be fabricated first by either solvent casting or electrospinning techniques. Then, with suitable ligands immobilisation via a known bioconjugation method, the so-called affinity membranes will be formed and they can be applied to the proteins (e.g., blood serum albumin (BSA)) separation and monoclonal antibodies (e.g., immunoglobulin (IgG)) purification study.
Polymer-metal nanocomposites: synthesis, characterisation and its catalysis applications
Recent work in our laboratories on the in-situ RAFT polymerisation induced self-assembly (RAFT PISA) and formation of metal (Au0 and Pd0) nanoparticles allowing us to obtain novel polymer-metal nanocomposites. Here, an exceptional research opportunity for you to join our group and work on the design, synthesis, characterisation and applications of these beautifully decorated polymer metal nanocomposites as catalysts in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reactions; other reactions such as oxidation, reduction and hydrogenation.
O
R1
R2
N X
Y
V
U+ V
U Y
R2
N
m n
O
R1
XH2
/ Pd-C V
U Y
R2
N
m n
O
R1RAFT
(A) (B) (C)
RAFT polymer - Affinity membrane
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Associate Professor Chris Thompson Room No. 119, Bld 19 Rnf, Tel: 9905 9362, email: [email protected]
More information on my research can be seen at:
https://mon.clients.squiz.net/science/schools/chemistry/our-people/staff/thompson In the Chemistry and Science Education Research Group (Monash ‘ChaSERs’) we are interested in investigating how undergraduates learn chemistry, how we can help them achieve the best outcomes possible and how we can inculcate skills that will help make them eminently employable. We are engaged in a range of projects, some examples of which are given below, but projects can be tailored to meet the interests of individual students. You might like to consider a project with us if you are interested in expanding your skills and your horizons and interested in education at any level, but particularly in universities. Many of my students are co-supervised by other academics, for example Dr Sara Kyne and Dr Angela Ziebell who also work in Chemistry, depending on the theme of the project. Project Areas include: Student Perspectives of Atoms and Molecules This project will explore undergraduate chemistry students’ ability to visualise atoms and molecules at the macro, symbolic and submicro scale, and their capacity to represent this imagined reality. Educators often take for granted that the pictures in the minds of students’ is consistent with theirs, however research shows this is routinely not the case. This project will specifically explore students’ perceptions, and their ability to describe their hands-on experiments by representing the same chemistry at the submicro scale on paper. Employable Monash graduates What skills and qualities do new science graduates need to success in the workplace? Who is best placed to identify those skills, employers of the new graduates themselves. What can Monash learn about graduate employability from talking to employers and recent graduates and how can we embed business awareness and personal skills into an already crowded curriculum? Using laboratory experiences to prepare undergraduates for industry Traditional undergraduate laboratory experiences lead students through recipe-like activities which have little opportunity for investigative or creative outcomes. University laboratory experiences seldom mimic the contexts found in industry where scientists work on complex problems which need speedy solutions whilst considering drivers such as economics, safety, manpower, logistics and environment. Can we reimagine undergraduate laboratories in chemistry to deliver a meaningful curriculum in which students tackle authentic and interesting industry- based investigations, thus motivating them to learn and prepare them for the word of work? The effectiveness of inquiry-oriented learning in undergraduate science – perceptions versus reality Inquiry-oriented learning (IOL) involves students in the design, framing of hypotheses, and the analysis, interpretation and presentation of experimental data. Alongside problem solving and critical thinking, inquiry provides a strong nexus between teaching and research. Despite a wealth of research, the student perspective has been largely overlooked. This project will involve evaluation of IOL-type activities, and gathering student perspectives for these activities compared to traditional recipe-type practicals.
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Assoc. Prof. Kellie Tuck Room No. 250S, Tel: 9905 4510, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
More information on my research can be seen at: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/kellie-tuck and http://www.kellietuckgroup.com/
Environmental and Biological Sensors We are interested in the design, synthesis and analysis of luminescent sensors for the detection and quantification of analytes in environmental and biological samples. A particularly attractive and exciting feature of our sensors is the ability to carry out measurements where a short delay is introduced between excitation and detection of the emitted luminescence. Figure 1 shows the ‘turn-on’ luminescence when the analyte of interest binds We are currently interested in the detection of ammonia, Zn2+, HS- , GMP and others. Projects in this area will involve the synthesis and subsequent analysis of sensors.
Figure 1: Luminescent output in the A) absence of analyte. B) presence of analyte. Collaborators on these projects are either Prof. Ward (UWarwick), Dr Dennison (DST), Prof. Kersting (ULeipzig), Dr Cadarso (Dept. Mech. and Aerospace Eng.), Assoc. Prof. Grace (Chemistry), Dr Tanner (Dept. Chem. Eng.), Prof. Deacon (Chemistry).
Medicinal Chemistry Our work in this area investigates the development and synthesis of bioactive molecules that either have the potential to be new analgesics or anticancer agents. In one of our projects we are undertaking structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to improve their bioavailability and activity (Figure 2). Honours projects in these areas will involve the synthesis of compounds that will be tested for biological activity.
Figure 2: Structure of two scaffolds, and structure and activity of a potent compound 3 MONIRO-1. Collaborators on these projects are either Prof. Duggan (CSIRO), Prof. Beck-Sickinger (ULeipzig), Dr Paterson (Chemistry).
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Dr David Turner Room No. 123, Building 19, Tel: 9905 6293, email: [email protected] This document will give you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above).
More information on my research can be seen at: http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/chemistry/staff/turner.html (follow link to personal site)
Description of Project Area(s) All research projects in my group are concerned with aspects of supramolecular chemistry; chemistry that studies and exploits the interactions between molecules. Our research primarily aims to design and understand materials which will be able to selectively store, sense or separate small molecules. All of our projects involve, to varying extents, (i) the synthesis of organic ligands able to bridge between metal atoms to construct supramolecular frameworks or cages, (ii) coordination chemistry synthesis of coordination polymers and/or coordination cages, (iii) structural characterization by X-ray crystallography (typically involving the Australian Synchrotron) and (iv) analysis of the physical properties of the materials for separation/storage/sensing where appropriate. There’s a lot of scope for tailoring the projects, which are always evolving, so get in touch to learn more. Current project areas include (but are not limited to):
- Chiral coordination polymers for separation. Using amino acid-based ligands, we are constructing coordination polymers that will be able to provide resolution of racemic mixtures in small-scale liquid chromatographic experiments.
- Chiral coordination cages. In addition to coordination polymers, we are also interested in forming discrete metal-organic cages that are able to trap small molecules inside (ca. 400-2000 Å3). These chiral cages will be studied for their catalytic behavior and ability to trap guests in their internal space.
- Fluorescent coordination polymers and cages. More-or-less the same as the first two points, but more colourful! These species are of interest for sensing of guests, as well as fundamental interest in their solution state aggregation behavior.
- Crystal engineering. We have interests in fundamental crystal engineering projects, attempting to understand and predict interactions in the solid state. Currently we are exploring unusual hydrogen bonding (too short/long or 'floating' H+) with the intention to conduct neutron diffraction on suitable materials.
Links to recent papers and more information about recent projects and results can be found on my website (http://users.monash.edu/~dturner). If any of these projects vaguely piques your curiosity then get in touch and we can tailor the details towards your interests.
Left: A chiral coordination polymer used for resolution of racemates (Boer et al., Chem. Eur. J., 2014). Right: A small chiral cage-type complex (Boer et al., Chem. Commun., 2015).
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Dr Drasko Vidovic Room 155, Building 23S, Tel: 9905 4522, email: [email protected] Catalysis is the main research theme in our group. We are developing green and sustainable catalysts that are capable of performing a variety of organic transformations. Project 1. Catalytic deuteration of polyunsaturated fatty acids This project is performed in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company Retrotope (https://www.retrotope.com/) that is developing treatments for various neurodegenerative illnesses including Alzhimer’s, Parkinson’s, atherosclerosis and various retinal diseases. The overall treatment is based on deuterated polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that contain deuterium (2H or D) instead of hydrogen atoms only at specific positions (bis-allylic positions) along the fatty acid chain. Recently we have developed (J. Org. Chem. DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.7b02169) a quite elegant approach to perform the target H/D exchange (deuteration) under exceptional kinetic control. Nevertheless, the simplest PUFA (i.e. linoleic acids) could not be site-specifically deuterated. Therefore, we aim to prepare a bis-metallic complex that could be used for this purpose. Furthermore, we are interested in heterogenization of the existing catalysts which will aid in separating the catalyst from the PUFAs. Project 2. Lewis acid catalysis using well-defined aluminium- based complexes Recent literature has suggested that the field of Lewis acid catalysis is plagued with the presence and consequent activity of hidden Brønsted acids. Beside proper synthesis, identification and use of Lewis acids, the use of various control experiments is crucial for exploring the catalytic activity of these electron deficient species. We believe that majority of the published research is lacking proper steps in minimizing if not eliminating the influence of Brønsted acids. Our Lewis acids are well-defined and well-characterized complexes based on aluminium as it is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. We have prepared several aluminium-based complexes that showed remarkable catalytic activity regarding a variety of Diels-Alder cycloadditions (Dalton Trans. 2017, 46, 753. Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 11344). In fact, we have recently discovered that one of our catalytic systems is capable of polymerizing cyclic dienophiles which could be considered as functionalized polyolefins. The preparation of functionalized polyolefins, in general, is very difficult as ill-defined and low-molecular weight materials are normally prepared, while our procedure offers to drastically change that. Therefore, the aims of this project include further exploration of our catalytic systems with respect to several other organic transformations such as borylations, Michael additions, transfer hydrogenations etc. Also, we would like to further explore the synthesis of functional polyolefins in order to determine all their properties.
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Professor Bayden Wood Room No. G24A, Tel: 9905 5721, email: [email protected] Biospectrosocpy, an emerging field within the spectroscopic examination of living tissue or body fluids, combines information from physical sciences with advanced computational analysis in order to shed new light on biological processes. This field is at the cutting edge of chemistry and biology research, continually developing knowledge about the structure and activity of biological molecules. Crucially biospectroscopy has the potential to revolutionize clinical diagnostic processes, fulfilling the constant demand for new technologies that can identify diseases to a high level of objectivity, sensitivity and specificity.
Operating in this context, the Centre for Bioepctroscopy, located in the School of Chemistry, has flourished over the course of the past decade. With its broad range of state-of-the-art equipment, strong roster of multidiscipline staff and robust collaborations with other researchers, the world class Centre is driving the development of biophysics and biotechnology.
The Centre of Biospectrosocpy, is dedicated to solving biomedical problems using vibrational spectroscopic techniques including FTIR and Raman imaging spectroscopy, Attenuated Total Reflection spectroscopy, portable hand held Raman and FTIR spectrometers and near-fleld techniques including Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and nano-FTIR. We have a number of different research themes that broadly fall under the banner of vibrational diagnostics and monitoring. Specific
research areas include malaria diagnosis and treatment, point-of-care sepsis detection, dengue fever, cancer diagnosis, sepsis diagnosis, HIV, HBV, HCV, IVF, stem cell research, heart disease, liver disease, phytoplankton studies, aquatic wet land studies and fundamental studies of how light interacts with matter. If you are interested in any of these research themes please feel to contact me to discuss the specifics of the various projects. More information on my research can be seen at: http://www.monash.edu/science/cfb/home
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Dr Jie Zhang Room No. 145, Tel: 99056289, email:[email protected]
Title of Project: Electrochemistry The main focus of our research is to (1) develop advanced electrocatalysts for energy and sensing applications and (2) apply computer science in dynamic electrochemistry. Currently, we have two projects in these areas to offer: Project 1: Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide Project 2: Development of Bayesian inference and machine learning techniques for data analysis If you are interested in these projects and would like to know more details, please feel free to talk to me directly. More information on my research can be found at https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/jie-zhang; https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=_W3sW9IAAAAJ&hl=en
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Dr Angela Ziebell Room No. 221, Building 86, Tel: 9905 1246, email: [email protected] LinkedIn Research.Monash
This document gives you an idea of the type of research we are undertaking within my group. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (details above). Employability: Want to learn more about STEM employability? Want to develop your data analysis skills? The future is full of jobs that require STEM skills but we still hear that STEM graduates can struggle to get jobs. What is going on? Follow students into the workplace to see how their experience is changed by completion of the “Career skill for Scientists” unit compared to those who haven’t completed this unit. How long term is the impact and why? What advantages or disadvantages did their STEM learning give them? Do their bosses notice? You will help design the study to see what recent graduates and their employers believe helped the new graduates entering the workforce and determine what that means for current students and their science learning. Laboratory Learning: Want to combine a love of Chemistry with developing better laboratory activities and understanding how people learn? Build your Chemistry skills and your transferrable skills. Choose from one of the following areas or bring your own inspiration: Making labs greener Real world context Decisions making
Indigenous Science: Monash recently launched a first of its kind Indigenous Science unit. Learn about Indigenous Science and how students react to learning about this old/new field of science. This project offers a rare chance to This project includes a rare chance to look at how students react to building new ideas around scientific thinking, and how we can be better scientists if we learn to accept and understand different approaches to science and knowledge. (Right: Budj Bim in western Victoria is the longest used aquaculture site in the world, just awarded UNESCO world heritage status).
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Industrial Project
Biofuel Innovations Several Industry Research Project Options
BFI Supervisor: Dr Rebecca Yee
Monash Supervisors: Assoc/Prof Tony Patti and Prof Andrea Robinson
Project Title: Investigation of ultrasonic performance on enzyme transesterification of biodiesel Other staff Dr Henry Sabarez (BFI) Questions about this project should be directed to: Associate Prof Tony Patti Other information: This project is a collaboration with Biofuel Innovations, a small start-up that focuses on developing commercial technology for processing waste oil into biodiesel. (www.biofuelinnovations.com.au). The pilot plant is based in Dandenong South. Project applicants must be able to travel to Dandenong South.
Biodiesel is a sustainable and biodegradable combustion fuel that can be used in any diesel engine. Waste cooking oil can be converted into biodiesel using a chemical process known as transesterification.
Triglyceride + Alcohol -> Glycerol + Mono-alkyl Methyl Esters (Used Cooking Oil) (Methanol) (Biodiesel) The process is catalyzed by an enzyme, which limits operation to 35-40°C. This process requires up to 24 hours to achieve complete conversion. This process can theoretically be sped up significantly using ultrasonic mixing. Faster reaction conversion will help to increase the plant’s production capacity. Project option 1 Ultrasound waves create bubbles and as their size increases with time, the bubbles burst and cause a large amount of dispersion. The bursting of the bubbles is known as cavitation. Energy released by ultrasound during the cavitation phenomena can be used to enhance mass transfer, hence increasing the rate of products formation. Ultrasound mixing is considered a "green" technology due to its high efficiency, low instrumental requirement and significant reduction of processing time in comparison to other techniques. As a biological additive, the enzyme can be deactivated by heat or overly aggressive mixing. This project aims to establish suitable ultrasonic operating conditions that can increase the reaction rate of biodiesel production from used cooking oil or trap grease. Aim: To determine suitable operating conditions to produce high conversion of biodiesel under ultrasonic mixing. Scope:
- Literature Review (ultrasonic mixing, biodiesel production using ultrasound, ultrasonic affect on enzymes)
- Test biodiesel production in a lab-scale ultrasonic water bath o Determine reaction rate for certain volume
- Optimise conditions for ultrasonic mixing and alcohol ratios Project option 2
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The BFI Pilot Plant uses a triglyceride feedstock oil of used cooking oil sourced from fish and chip shops and other restaurants. BFI has a unique enzymatic process that is able to use lower quality oil as a feedstock. Grease traps are used by food manufacturers and shops to capture waste grease and oils before entering the wastewater disposal system. This brown sludge waste is typically collected and slowly digested and broken down by microorganisms in through anaerobic digestion. There is currently no market for this trap grease and a significant amount is produced in Victoria alone. Current biodiesel manufacturers also use methanol as the alcohol reagent. Methanol is sourced from crude oil and is non-sustainable. Ethanol can replace this alcohol and is able to be sourced from renewable crop waste. BFI aims to develop a completely sustainable biodiesel production process that uses very low grade feedstock waste oil. Project Aim: To determine the composition of trap grease and establish suitable operating conditions for biodiesel production using completely renewable reagents of trap grease and ethanol. Scope:
- Literature Review (brown grease, trap grease, ethyl esters) - Run experiments at lab scale - Establish lab scale reaction parameters
Project option 3 The BFI process generates a high quality crude glycerin byproduct at an approximate rate of 10% yield. Pure glycerol has a limited market, but can be used as a valuable base molecule that has many potential uses. The following figure illustrates the various chemical products that be generated through various catalytic pathways.
Project Aim: To determine suitable catalysts for conversion of glycerol into value-added chemicals. The pathway for high value market products will be developed to a pilot scale plant to process ~50L batches of crude glycerol. Scope:
- Literature Review (brown grease, trap grease, anaerobic digestion) - Test catalysts at lab scale
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Industrial Project Fire resistance in polyisocyanurate foams for use in insulated panels.
This is an industrial project and will be carried in whole or part at Pacific Urethanes, Carrum Downs,
Victoria. See http://www.pacificurethanes.com/
Academic supervisor will be identified before the project allocations.
There will be a significant increase in the demand for insulated panels for domestic and commercial
insulation applications with a requirement for a high standard of fire retardency. Polyurethane and
Polyisocyanurate foams provide highly efficient insulation per unit of thickness but being organic
materials they will burn when exposed to sources of ignition. The resistance to burning of
Polyurethane foams can be increased by the addition of fire retardant additives but the improvements
are limited. The fire resistance of Polyisocyanurate foams is achieved by the generation of high
molecular weight trimerised Isocyanate within the structure of the foam and this high molecular weight
structure increases the melting point of the foam polymer causing the surface to char
This project will investigate
The mechanism of trimerisation and char formation in polyisocyanurate forams;
The factors affecting the rate and the amount of trimerisation that occur during the production of a
polyisocyanurate foam;
The optimum level of trimerisation to achieve the optimum fire resistance;
The influence of other components of the foam formulation on the flammability of the foam.
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CSIRO Project Assessing and validating low cost greenhouse gas sensor technology Low cost sensor technology for the measurement of atmospheric composition is a rapidly developing science that has the potential to expand the spatial coverage of air quality monitoring in Australia as well as providing quick response to major air pollution events or emerging air pollution issues. These sensors have the potential to complement existing high precision air quality monitoring methodologies with flexible, affordable, portable and autonomous monitoring solutions. Networks of sensors have the potential to deliver higher spatial and temporal resolution observations, and provide data which will enable the localised validation of models and the forecasting and improved estimates of human exposure. CSIRO have a strong track record in the application and development of high precision greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement techniques and are looking to expand this capability to include low cost GHG sensors. This project would lay the ground work for this expansion in relation to CO2 and CH4. Project outline:
• Identify available sensor technologies for key GHGs, CO2 and CH4, with sufficient data quality for specified applications.
• Procure suitable sensors. • Using a suite of established analytical reference methods at the CSIRO Oceans and
Atmosphere Aspendale laboratories develop a ‘test bed’ for the validation of sensor technologies.
• Validate and test sensors against established reference methods and under likely field conditions for proposed applications.
• Assessment of the error characteristics of sensors, and their value in regional inversions to estimate emissions.
Please note: lab work will be based at Aspendale campus of CSIRO.
For more information please contact: Dr. Ann Stavert Project Scientist Climate Science Centre CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere
Email: [email protected]
