DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY ANNUAL REPORT …chemistry.curtin.edu.au/.../2011_annual_chemistry_report.pdf2011 Department of Chemistry Annual Report Page 4 to commence new careers, while

ANNUALREPORT2011

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

2011 Department of Chemistry Annual Report Page 3

2011 ANNUAL REPORT REPORT BY HEAD OF DEPARTMENT I present to you the 2011 Annual Report of the Department of Chemistry at Curtin University. This Report highlights the teaching and research achievements of the Department over the 2011 calendar year. The Department consists of an enthusiastic and extremely talented group of chemists and chemistry-related scientists and this Report showcases and celebrates their achievements.

In particular, 2011 was a busy year in terms of our undergraduate teaching program, with the rollout of the final year of the new Chemistry major within the context of a new unified B.Sc., and the commencement of our brand new Biochemistry major. In addition, we finalised the design of a new Chemistry-Earth Sciences double major with colleagues in the Department of Applied Geology. The new double major pathway will commence in 2012. All of this work was achieved while the Department continued to improve its research performance. A particular highlight was Chemistry@Curtin receiving excellent rankings in the Federal Government’s new Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) assessment program.

During 2011 the Department underwent a formal external review of its performance. The Review Panel visit in September was the culmination of an almost year-long process of data collection, staff reflection and assessment, and other detailed planning. The Review Panel’s findings were very positive, and whilst the overall review process is incomplete, the Department has received invaluable strategic advice to assist it in achieving its aspirational goals.

In the sections below I expand upon the Department’s achievements, and briefly highlight other aspects of Chemistry’s performance in 2011.

STAFFING

During 2011 Dr Kate Trinajstic was promoted to Associate Professor, and Drs Massimiliano (Max) Massi and Paolo Raiteri were promoted to Senior Lecturer. In addition, a number of staff were recognised for their outstanding professional contributions by receiving a variety of awards. Dr Alan Payne was awarded the Curtin Student Guild Excellence in Teaching Award for Science and Engineering, while Ms Tanya Chambers was recognised with the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Research Support category. In addition, Associate Professor Mauro Mocerino received the Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Program Award for Services Supporting Student Learning and Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez received a Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Early Career Researcher Award. I congratulate all these staff on their fantastic achievements.

Several new staff joined the Department during 2011. Dr Piotr Kowalczyk joined us in February as a new Curtin Research Fellow. Ms Naomi Mockford joined the Departmental administration team in August, and Ms Tomoko Radomirovic joined the undergraduate laboratory technical team in December. Dr Jeffrey Dick joined the Department in October as a Research Fellow with WA-OIGC.

A number of staff also finished up with the Department over 2011. Professor Roland de Marco, former Head of Chemistry and our Faculty Dean of Research, left Curtin in January to take up the role of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. In October, Dr Mike Tan moved to Deakin University to assume an Associate Professorship in Corrosion science. Messrs Graeme Clarke and Hugh Lance have moved on from their invaluable roles as undergraduate laboratory technicians


to commence new careers, while Ms Aimee Tournay accepted a new administrative position within Curtin’s Graduate Studies office. Mr Lomas Capelli (Corrosion Group), Mr Brad Edwards (CWQRC) and Ms Bayley Thomas (NRI) also took up new career opportunities outside of Curtin.

RESEARCH

The Department of Chemistry’s research performance, and associated reputation, continues to improve. A particular highlight was the strong performance of the chemical sciences in the Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) 2010 assessment round announced early in 2011. The Department of Chemistry contributed to Curtin’s ranking of an overall ‘4’ (above international standard) in the Chemical Sciences, with sub-discipline specific grades of a ‘5’ (well above international standard) in Analytical Chemistry, and a ‘4’ in each of Physical Chemistry and Geochemistry.

In terms of national competitive grant success, Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean was awarded an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) in late 2011 for work on the ‘Electrochemical Behaviour of Taxic Gases and Explosives in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids’. Debbie’s award is even more impressive in the context of there being only nine DECRAs awarded in the chemical sciences for 2011. Professor Kliti Grice lead a successful ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) proposal entitled, ‘Automated Preparative Gas Chromatograph for Isolating Unique and Important Organic Components for Structural Identification’. This funding improves the Department’s preparative GC infrastructure, and includes the addition of automatic sample introduction technology to our NMR facility.

The synthetic chemistry research program within the Department continues to produce impressive results. In particular, the performance of the Honours and Ph.D. students is gaining growing recognition. During 2011 Mr Phil Wright, supervised by Drs Max Massi and Debbie Silvester-Dean, was awarded the Prize for the Best Oral Presentation at the RACI WA Synthetic and Organic Group annual symposium, while Ms Melissa Werrett, supervised by Drs Max Massi and David Brown, was awarded the prestigious Don Stranks Award by the RACI Inorganic Chemistry Division for her outstanding oral presentation at the 2011 Division Conference.

Associate Professor Kate Trinajistic and her team were named as finalists in the Scientific Research category as part of the 2011 national Eureka Awards. This success builds upon Kate’s 2010 recognition as the recipient of the federal government’s Malcolm McIntosh Award for Physical Science.

Full details of the Department’s overall grant success, industry collaborations, research outputs and awards are contained within this Report.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Readers of the 2009 and 2010 Chemistry Department Annual Reports will be aware of the on-going roll out of a new undergraduate curriculum. As mentioned earlier, during the 2011 academic year, the third (and final) year of the B.Sc.(Chemistry) major was introduced. In addition, staff were heavily involved in the content development of a new B.Sc.(Biochemistry) major during the year. This new major is designated for introduction from 2012. A key feature of these new undergraduate offerings is the emphasis placed on a student-centred, active learning philosophy.

All academic staff, and most general staff in Chemistry have been involved in the design and implementation of these new teaching initiatives. I remain most grateful for all the dedicated work that has been, and continues to be, devoted to this endeavour.


Concluding Remarks

The 2011 Department of Chemistry Annual Report shows that the Department is a vibrant centre of academic research and education. The Department can only ever be as good as the people who work and study within it, and I am delighted to lead such a wonderfully gifted, talented and dedicated team of students and professionals in the chemical sciences. We are well and truly on our way to achieving our aspiration of being regarded as one of the very best chemistry departments in Australia within a few short years.

In closing I thank Ms Tanya Chambers and Ms Alicia Harrison, supported by the rest of the Chemistry administration team, for their dedicated hard work in preparing this Annual Report. Tanya and Alicia have collated a huge amount of information and formatted this into an impressive document. I also thank Dr Daniel Southam for his graphic design contributions to the Report’s preparation.

Professor Mark A. Buntine, FRACI C Chem Head of Department May 2012


Table of Contents REPORT BY HEAD OF DEPARTMENT ................................................................................................................... 3

1 STAFF ........................................................................................................................................................ 11

1.1 Academic Staff ................................................................................................................................. 11

1.2 General Staff .................................................................................................................................... 13

1.3 Communication, public relations and awards ................................................................................. 14

1.4 Membership of School, University, and related Committees/Roles ............................................... 16

1.5 Miscellaneous Information .............................................................................................................. 17

2 STUDENTS ................................................................................................................................................. 21

2.1 Chemistry Total Teaching Load (EFTSL) ........................................................................................... 21

2.2 Chemistry Service Teaching Load (EFTSL) ........................................................................................ 21

2.3 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Chemistry Major ..................................................................... 22

2.4 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Forensic Science Major ........................................................... 22

2.5 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Nanotechnology ...................................................................... 22

2.6 Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Chemistry) ................................................................................ 22

2.7 New HDR Enrolments for 2011 ........................................................................................................ 22

2.8 Postgraduate Research Students .................................................................................................... 23

2.9 Successful Postgraduate Completions ............................................................................................. 27

2.10 Student Prizes and Awards .............................................................................................................. 27

2.11 Enrolments (Headcount) ................................................................................................................. 28

2.12 Teaching Allocations ........................................................................................................................ 33

3 VISITORS ................................................................................................................................................... 39

3.1 Seminars by Visitors ........................................................................................................................ 39

3.2 Other Visitors to the Department ................................................................................................... 40

4 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................... 45

4.1 Conferences - Invited presentations ............................................................................................... 45

4.2 Conferences - Contributed presentations ....................................................................................... 47

4.3 Travel ............................................................................................................................................... 52

5 EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................................... 55

5.1 Invited Seminar presentations ........................................................................................................ 55

5.2 Outreach Activities .......................................................................................................................... 56

6 SCIENTIFIC INVOLVEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 61

6.1 Editorships ....................................................................................................................................... 61


6.2 Committee Memberships ................................................................................................................ 62

6.3 Other ................................................................................................................................................ 64

7 RESEARCH GRANTS ................................................................................................................................... 69

7.1 National Competitive Grants ........................................................................................................... 69

7.2 Grants and Awards from Industry and Other Sources .................................................................... 72

7.3 Curtin Research Grants, Institutional Partnerships ......................................................................... 74

8 PUBLICATION LIST ..................................................................................................................................... 79

8.1 ERA A* Rated .................................................................................................................................... 79

8.2 ERA A Rated......................................................................................................................................82

8.3 ERA B Rated ...................................................................................................................................... 84

8.4 ERA C Rated ...................................................................................................................................... 85

8.5 NON ERA Rated ................................................................................................................................ 86

9 RESEARCH REPORT ................................................................................................................................... 93

9.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 93

9.2 Research Profiles ............................................................................................................................. 94

11.1 Academic Staff

1.2 General Staff

1.3 Communication, public relations and awards

1.4 Membership of School, University, and related Committees/Roles

1.5 Miscellaneous Information

staff


1 STAFF

1.1 Academic Staff

Head of Department Prof Mark Buntine, B.Sc.(Hons) and M.Sc. (Monash), Ph.D.(Stanford), GCert.Ed.(Higher Ed.)

(Adelaide), FRACI CChem.

Professors Roland De Marco, B.Sc., M.Sc. (RMIT), Ph.D. (La Trobe), CChem., MRACI Julian Gale, B.A. (Hons) (Oxon), DPhil (Oxon), MA, CChem, MRSC, MRACI Kliti Grice, B.Sc. (Hons) (Kingston, UK), Ph.D. (Bristol, UK), FRACI, CChem. Rolf Gubner, Professor of Corrosion Engineering, Ph.D. (University of Portsmouth, UK) Mark Ogden, B.Sc. (Hons) and Ph.D. (W. Aust), FRACI, FRSC Andrew Rohl, B.Sc. (Hons), DPhil Kate Wright, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D.

Associate Professors Damien Arrigan, BSc (Hons), Ph.D., CChem., MICI, FRSC, MRACI. Jeffrey Charrois, B.Sc., B.Sc. (ENCS), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Alberta) Anna Heitz, B.Sc. (App Chem), Ph.D.(Curtin) Cynthia Joll, B.Sc. (Hons)(WAust), Ph.D.(Murdoch), MRACI, CChem. Simon Lewis, B.Sc. (Hons) (Hull), Ph.D. (Plymouth), CChem., FRSC, FRACI Nigel Marks, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. Mauro Mocerino, B.Sc. (Hons), DipEd, Ph.D., FRACI Katherine Trinajstic, B.Sc. Biology Murdoch University, Ph.D. Geology University of WA Senior Lecturers Stuart Bailey, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. (WAust) David Brown, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. (WAust), MRACI CChem. Franca Jones, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. Lynne Jones, B.Sc., Ph.D., FRSC, CChem., CSci Massimiliano (Max) Massi, B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D.(Bologna), MRACI, MRSC Paolo Raiteri, M.Sc., Ph.D. Mike Tan, Ph.D. (Curtin), MEng BEng (Hunan)

Lecturers Alan Payne, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. (W. Aust) Daniel Southam, BAppSc (Hons), Ph.D. (Tas), MRACI, CChem.

Associate Lecturers Chris Taylor, B.Sc. (Hons), PGCE (S’ton)

Research Fellows Muhammed Alam Sebastian Allard, Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences (University of Poitiers, France) Thomas Becker, Ph.D. (Physics) Lyndon Berwick, Ph.D. (Curtin), B.Sc. (Curtin) Francesco Busetti, Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, B.Sc. (Hons 1) Industrial Chemistry (University

Ca’ Foscary of Venice, IT) Damien Carter, Ph.D. (Applied Chemistry), (Curtin) Raffaella Demichelis, Degree in Chemistry, Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences, Master Degree in Advanced

Chemical Metodologies, Molecular Specialization (Università degli Studi di Torino, I) Jeffrey Dick, B.Sc., BA, Ph.D.


Ailin Ding, B.Sc. (NUS), Ph.D. (Chemnitz TU), BEnj (Xian Jiaotong University) Tobias Ertefai, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Mathew Francis, B.Sc., Ph.D. Yolanta Gruchlik, BSc. (Hon.), PhD. - Projects Coordinator Franca Jones, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. Nicole Gorham, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. Caroline Jaraula, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., Research Fellow Piotr Kowalczyk Ina Kristiana, Ph.D., B.Sc. (Hons) Katerina Lepkova, M.Sc.(Chem Eng), Prague, Ph.D. (Physical Chemistry) University of Limerick Deborah Liew, M.Eng (University of QLD) Kathryn Linge, Ph.D., B.Sc. (Hons 1), (UWA) Pierre Le Métayer, Ph.D. Robert Lockhart, BSc(Hons), MSc, Ph.D. Suzanne McDonald, Ph.D. Mark Robinson, B.Sc (Hons), Ph.D. Mickael Rimboud, B.Sc.(Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D. Michel Sassi, M.Sc., Ph.D. Debbie Silvester-Dean, M.Sc. (Bristol), DPhil (Oxford) Manzar Sohail Dino Spagnoli, MChem, Ph.D., Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow Irene Suarez-Martinez, MChem, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow Ying Han (Jace) Tan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Devendra Wasnik Martijn Woltering, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Feiwu Zhang, M.Sc., Ph.D. Youping Zhou

ARC Research Fellows Julian Gale, (Professorial) Kliti Grice, (QEII) Paolo Raiteri, (ARF) Katherine Trinajstic, (QEII) Curtin Research Fellows Damien Arrigan Anna Heitz Kateřina Lepková Kathryn Linge Debbie Silvester-Dean

Emeritus Professors Professor Robert Alexander Professor Bill van Bronswijk Professor Robert Kagi

Adjunct Title Holders Associate Professor Steve Errington Professor Leslie Glasser Dr Paul Greenwood Associate Professor Alan Jefferson Lt Col Roger Lewis Dr Lindsay Mullings Professor Balagopal Nair Dr Bill Richmond

http://chemistry.curtin.edu.au/staff/LeMetayer_P.cfm


1.2 General Staff

Laboratory Manager Kristy Blyth, B.Sc. (Curtin)

Senior Laboratory Technicians Peter Chapman, B.Sc. (App Chem) Geoffrey Chidlow, BAppSc (WAIT) Stephen Clayton Robert Herman, B.Sc. (Curtin)

Laboratory Technicians Graeme Clarke, B.Sc. (UWA) Hugh Lance, B.Sc. (Curtin) Tomoko Radomirovic Edi Twiss, B.Sc. (Hons) Joyce Wong Stores Officer Grant Cope Research Assistants Michael Alessandrino, B.Sc. (Hons) Andrew (Wei Ming) Chan, B.Sc. (App Chem) Lise Fouche, M.Sc. Anja Werner, State-Certified Engineer for Environmental Technology

Administrative Staff Sarang Behere – Business Manger Lomas Capelli - Research & Consultancy Coordinator Tanya Chambers - Research Administrative Assistant Brad Edwards, B.Sc. Chemistry - Business Manager Alicia Harrison - Secretary/ Administrative Assistant Naomi Mockford – Administrative Assistant Esther Rozendom - Project Coordinator Bayley Thomas - Project Coordinator Aimee Tournay - Receptionist


1.3 Communication, public relations and awards

Prof Kliti Grice • Highest RPI by Faculty, Faculty of Science and Engineering 2010 • “Top most cited article of 10 in the same field since 2005” published in Science. Grice K, Cao C,

Love GD, Böttcher ME, Twitchett RJ, Grosjean E, Summons RE, Turgeon SC, Dunning W, Jin Y: Photic zone euxinia during the Permian-Triassic superanoxic event. Science; 2005 February 4;307(5710):706-9

• “Top-50 most cited articles”, Kliti Grice, Birgit Nabbefeld and Ercin Maslen 2007 Source and Significance of Selected Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments (Hovea-3 well, Perth Basin, Western Australia) Spanning the Permian-Triassic Boundary. Organic Geochemistry. 38, 1795-1803. 1 of thepublished in Organic Geochemistry January 2006 - February 2011. 2011 European Geosciences Union General Assembly in Vienna

• Christiane Vitzthum von Eckstaedt & Team in WA-OIGC Curtin PhD student to reduce carbon footprint one step at a time Curtin News, March

A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Chiral Calixarenes, Università di Parma, Italy, February • Implementing active learning strategies in large first year science classes in Australian universities,

Università di Parma, Italy, March • Calixarenes in action from the land down under, Università La Sapienza, Rome, April • Implementing active learning strategies in large first year chemistry classes, Università La

Sapienza, Rome, April • Chemistry: experiences from Australia- Strategies to maximise learning, Parma, May,

(presentation to High School Chemistry teachers) • Claixarenes in Action, Universitaet Regensburg, May, (guest lecture to second year chemistry

students) • Active learning in university science (new teaching strategies to improve student learning),

Regensburg, Universitaet Regensburg, May • Implementing active learning strategies in large first year chemistry classes, University of Split,

May, (Special seminar for the Croatian Chemical Society) • Active learning strategies in first year chemistry classes, University of Split, May • Active learning strategies for chemistry classes, University of Split, May, (workshop for Pre-service

Chemistry teachers) • Implementing active learning strategies in large first year chemistry classes, Università di Bologna,

June • Calixarenes in action from the land down under, Università di Bologna, June • Faculty of Science and Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award for Programs that Enhance

Student Learning Dr Piotr Kowalczyk • Australian Academy of Science awards International Science Linkage Grant (Strategic Policy

Component Scientific Visits to Japan 2011-12 Grants),"Design of optimum carbon nanocapsules for methane hydrates with experimentally-supported molecular modelling technique"

A/Prof Cynthia Joll • Coauthor on Poster titled “Characterising treated secondary wastewater for drinking purposes

following reverse osmosis treatment” which was awarded Best Poster Presentation at the Ozwater 2010 conference, Australia's leading annual conference for the water industry, awarded in 2011

A/Prof Simon Lewis • Guest lecture on fingerprint chemistry, Astronomical Society of W.A. Monthly Meeting, 14th

February

http://news.curtin.edu.au/uncategorized/curtin-phd-student-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-one-step-at-a-time/


• Workshop presenter (with Dr Christine Howitt, UWA) “Planting the Seeds of Science”, STAWA Primary Science Conference, Swan Valley, 20th March

• Workshop presenter (with Dr Christine Howitt, UWA) “Planting the Seeds of Science”, Professional development session for kindergarten staff, City of Boroondara - Family, Melbourne, 4th August

• Workshop presenter (with Dr Christine Howitt, UWA) “Planting the Seeds of Science”, Boroondara Early Years Conference, 5th August, Melbourne

• Public Lecture for the International Year of Chemistry, “The Many Murders of Harold Shipman”, Scitech, 27th September

• Guest Speaker, “The Fickle Finger of Fate: The Science of Fingerprint Detection”, RACI WA Branch Annual General Meeting and Dinner, 18 November

• Presenter, “Nanoscience and Natural Products: Advances in the Forensic Detection of Latent Fingermarks”, STAWA Future Science 2011 Teachers Professional Development Meeting, 2nd December

Dr Kathryn Linge • Organised and chaired a seminar on Introduction to Ergonomics for the RACI Health, Safety and

Environment Group, Australian Resources research Centre, 7th June • Organised and chaired a tour of the Water Corporation’s Groundwater Replenishment Trial for

the RACI Health, Safety and Environment Group, Beenyup Advanced Water Recycling Plant, 13th April

• Organised and chaired the Perth Women Sharing a Chemical Moment in Time networking breakfast, a pre-launch event for the International Year of Chemistry 2011, Australia Resources Research Centre, 18th January. Over 100 networking breakfast were held worldwide as part of this event

Dr Suzanne McDonald • Disinfection and the impact of bromide ion on the production of brominated disinfection by-

products in a Western Australian drinking water. Departmental Seminar, Curtin University, Perth, 15th September

• An investigation of water quality in the Swan-Canning river system. WA-OIGC & CWQRC Sundowner, Curtin University, Perth, 20th June

Dr Paolo Raiteri • Visiting Professorship at the Department of Physics of the University of Cagliari, Italy Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean • Electrochimica Acta Travel Award for Young Electrochemists to participate in the 62nd Annual

Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE) in Niigata, Japan, September

Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Finalist Eureka Prize Research and Innovation presented by Australian Museum, NSW • Channel 9’s Sixty Minutes featured research work from the Gogo Formation, 18th September


1.4 Membership of School, University, and related Committees/Roles Dr Lyndon Berwick • Safety and Health Representative, Department of Chemistry Dr David Brown • Member, Department of Chemistry Research Committee Prof Mark Buntine • Member, School of Science Executive Committee Prof Julian Gale • Chair, Department of Chemistry Research Committee Prof Kliti Grice • Member, Department of Chemistry Research Committee • Member, Board of the University Research and Development Committee, Curtin University • Member, Board of the Research and Development Committee of the Faculty of Science and

Engineering, Curtin University

A/Prof Cynthia Joll • Member, Department of Chemistry Teaching and Learning Committee • Ex-officio Member, Advisory Board of Curtin Water Quality Research Centre A/Prof Simon Lewis • Chair, Department of Chemistry Teaching and Learning Committee • Chair, Department of Chemistry Staff-Student Liaison Committee Dr Max Massi • Deputy Member, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research and Development Committee A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Member, Department of Chemistry Teaching and Learning Committee • Science & Engineering staff representative on Academic Board Prof Mark Ogden • Curtin ERA Coordinator for Field of Research 03 (Chemical Sciences) Dr Alan Payne • Member, Chemistry Research Committee • Member, Chemistry Staff/Student Liaison Committee Dr Daniel Southam • Member, Department of Chemistry Teaching and Learning Committee • Member, Promoting Excellence in Science Teaching Group Dr Mike Tan • Member, Department of Chemistry Teaching and Learning Committee Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Research Associate, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Museum of Western Australia


1.5 Miscellaneous Information Dr Lyndon Berwick • Reviewer for Organic Geochemistry Prof Mark Buntine • Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide • Director and Founder, ‘Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory’ (ASELL)

Project – ALTC funded • Member, ‘Active Learning in University Science’ (ALIUS) Project – ALTC funded • International Assessor: US National Science Foundation, Australian Research Council Dr Damien Carter • Application to iVEC for the July-December allocation on their new “epic” HPC resources. This

application was successful and awarded 200,000 cpu hours of computing time (value at 12c/MB, totals to $24,000 value)

• Application for computing time in 2011 on the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) “vayu” HPC resource was successful, and I was awarded 400,000 cpu hours of computing time (value at 12c/MB, totals to $48,000 value)

• During 2011 I helped co-supervise (with Dr Drew Sheppard) an Honours student (Andrew Buckley, from the Department of Imaging and Applied Physics) and helped co-supervise (with A/Prof. Damien Arrigan, Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean and A/Prof. Ricardo Mancera) a PhD student (Junqiao Lee, from the Department of Chemistry)

• Attended the Computational Workshop for the Life Sciences Classroom Workshop, UWA, May A/Prof Jeffrey Charrois • Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta,

Canada) Prof Leslie Glasser • One of the 20 most-cited articles over all years in the A* journal Inorganic Chemistry Relationships

among Ionic Lattice Energies, Molecular (Formula Unit) Volumes, and Thermochemical. Radii H. Donald B. Jenkins and Helen K. Roobottom, Jack Passmore, Leslie Glasser, Inorg. Chem., 1999, 38 (16), pp 3609–3620

Prof Kliti Grice • Organising committee of XVII International Congress on the Carboniferous and Permian 28th June

- 2nd July • Organising committee of Australian and New Zealand Mass Spectrometry conference, Fremantle,

January Dr Franca Jones • Seminar coordinator A/Prof Simon Lewis • PhD student Mark Maric awarded an AOFSRR fully funded scholarship to attend the 5th Cheiron

School, Spring-8, Hyogo, Japan, September-October Dr Kathryn Linge • WQRA funded Summer Vacation Student (2010/2011): Acrylamide and acrylonitrile

concentrations in recycled water produced for groundwater replenishment using microfiltration and reverse osmosis. (Mihiri Wewala Panditha)


A/Prof Cynthia Joll • PhD student supervisor Dr Suzanne McDonald • Occupational Safety and Health representative for CWQRC Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez • Member, Institute of Physics Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Organiser Post-graduate symposium Royal Society of WA • Panel participant IEEE Women in Science and Engineering Conference Perth • Participant in the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Summit, Mural Hall at Parliament

House, Canberra, 11th April • Co-author for a Heritage Submission to the Federal Government for inclusion of the Kimberley

Region on the National Heritage Register. This submission has been accepted and the Kimberley Region has been heritage listed.

22.1 Chemistry Total Teaching Load (EFTSL)

2.2 Chemistry Service Teaching Load (EFTSL)

2.3 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Chemistry Major

2.4 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Forensic Science Major

2.5 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Nanotechnology

2.6 Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Chemistry)

2.7 New HDR Enrolments for 2011

2.8 Postgraduate Research Students

2.9 Successful Postgraduate Completions

2.10 Student Prizes and Awards

2.11 Enrolments (Headcount)

2.12 Teaching Allocations

students


0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

400.0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

2 STUDENTS 2.1 Chemistry Total Teaching Load (EFTSL)

2.2 Chemistry Service Teaching Load (EFTSL)

Year Total EFTSL

2007 391.0 2008 346.9 2009 339.0 2010 359.9 2011 364.5

Year Total EFTSL

2007 283.9 2008 274.0 2009 257.9 2010 262.3 2011 278.8


2.3 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Chemistry Major Name Project Title Supervisor Christopher Driscoll Finding the Boundary Between DSP and Geopolymer

Formation Dr Franca Jones and Dr Daniel Southam

Fern Burgess Methods to Degrade Pigments and Porphyrins to Maleimides for Compound Specific Carbon Isotope Analysis

Professor Kliti Grice, Dr Tobias Ertefai and Dr Kate Trinajstic

Phillip Wright Synthesis and Characterisation of Dinuclear Rhenium Tetrazolato Complexes

Dr Massimiliano Massi

Brodie Reid Synthesis and Photophysical Investigation of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Rhenium(I) Complexes

Dr David H.Brown

Xiang Li Marine Atmospheric Corrosion of Resistant Alloys in the Splash Zone

Dr Stuart Bailey

Keith Giglia Modelling the Kinetics of Bayer Liquor Desilication and the Impact of Different Seed Materials

Dr Franca Jones

2.4 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Forensic Science Major Name Project Title Supervisor Sara Zadnik Spectroscopic Studies of the Chemical Composition of

Latent Fingermark Residues Professor Simon Lewis

2.5 Honours Students – BSc (Honours) Nanotechnology Name Project Title Supervisor Krishnan Murugappan Electrochemical Ammonia Gas Sensing on Screen Printed

Electrodes Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean and A/Prof Damien Arrigan

Brendan Ennis Combining Calixarenes and Lanthanoids: a "Plug-and-Play" Approach for the Preparation of Luminescent Polymers.

Professor Mark Ogden, Dr David H.Brown, Dr Massimiliano Massi

2.6 Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Chemistry) Name Project Title Supervisor Kasturi Vimalanathan Crystallisation of Calcium Oxalate and Urea in the Presence

of Tetrazoles Dr Franca Jones and Dr Massimiliano Massi

2.7 New HDR Enrolments for 2011

Abdul Aziz, Salmah Maric, Mark D’Alessio, Daniel Mathavan, Sangeetha Dogra, Aneeta Moussa, Vasoulla Frick, Amanda Mulder, Ashley Fritz, Patrick Pages, Anais Holman, Alexander Sairi,Masniza Kunchitha, Vinod Smith, Erin Lombardo, Daniel Vaughan, Jamila Magee, Karen Werrett, Melissa


2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 0 2 4 6 8

10 12 14 16 18 20

2.8 Postgraduate Research Students

New enrolments in each calendar year are as follows:

Name Commenced PhD

Supervisor Status1

Support2 Title

Abdul Aziz, Salmah 7/02/2011 A/Prof Arrigan, Dr Silvester-Dean FT MARDI Biosensors Based on Ion-Transfer with Bio-Modified Nanopore Membranes.

Alvarez De Aulate, Eva 21/10/2010 A/Prof Arrigan, Dr Silvester-Dean FT CIPRS Electrochemical Studies Toward Proteomic Analysis. Blyth, Kristy 28/11/2002 Prof Ogden, Prof Parkinson PT Causes of Growth Rate Inhibition in Lactose. Botsis, Nicole 13/02/2006 Prof Van Bronswijk, Prof Watling FT APA/SFS Prediction, modeling and fundamental understanding of nickel

laterites and its impact on the leaching process. Burnett, Stephen 05/09/2007 Prof Ogden, Dr Jones, Dr

McKinnon, Dr Baker PT The Effect Of Organic Compounds On The Crystallisation And Surface

Chemistry Of Sodium Oxalate.

1 FT: Full Time; PT: Part Time; SUB: Submitted in 2011 2 AusAID: Australian Agency for International Development; AINSE: Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Scholarship; APA: Australian Postgraduate Award; APA(I): Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry); CCS: Curtin Completion Scholarship; CIPRS: Curtin International Postgraduate Research Scholarship; CRC CS: CRC Care Scholarship; CRC WQT: CRC Water Quality and Treatment Scholarship; CRS: Curtin Research Scholarship; CSIRO PS: CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarship; CSIRS: Curtin Strategic International Research Scholarship; CUPS: Curtin University Postgraduate Scholarship; MARDI: Malaysian Agriculture Research & Development Institute; SFS: School Funded Scholarship; SPIRT: Strategic Partnership Industry Research Training Scheme; TIGeR: The Institute for GeoScience Research (TIGeR); WA:ERA Western Australian Energy Research Alliance

2005 8 2006 15 2007 11 2008 4

2009 12 2010 7 2011 18


Chan, Emilyn 01/09/2006 Dr Bailey, Dr John SUB CUPS/SFS/ WA:ERA

Magnetite and its Galvanic Effect on the Corrosion of Carbon Steel under Carbon Dioxide Environments.

D’Alessio, Daniel 30/06/2011 Dr Massi, Prof Ogden FT APA/AINSE Iridium Dendrimers as Optical Contrast Agents in Biology. Dogra, Aneeta 23/08/2011 Dr Southam, Prof Treagust,

A/Professor Mocerino PT An Exploration of Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning in

Secondary Chemistry Classes. Driessen, Hanna 01/03/2006 A/Prof Joll, A/Prof Heitz FT CRC WQT Chlorinous Off-Flavours In Drinking Water.

Ehsani, Hoda (Master of Philosophy) 12/04/2010 Prof Gubner, Dr Lepkova, Mr

Charlesworth FT BAKER/

WOODSIDE Influence of MEG on the Corrosion Inhibition of Wet-Gas flow lines.

Frick, Amanda 14/03/2011 A/Prof Lewis, Prof Van Bronswijk FT In-Situ Studies of the Composition of Latent Finger mark Residues Using Chemical Imagine.

Fritz, Patrick 10/10/11 A/Prof Lewis, Prof Van Bronswijk FT In-Situ Studies of the Composition of Latent Finger mark Residues Using Chemical Imaging.

English, Phillip 23/02/2007 Dr Richmond, Prof Gale SUB APA(I) Structural Studies of Titanyl and Zirconyl Sulfate Hydrates.

Goh, Ching Yong 19/03/2007 A/Prof Mocerino, Prof Ogden, Dr Jones

FT APA/CRS Bio-Inspired Calixarene Additives for Crystal Growth Modification.

Gyem, Phub 28/02/2005 Prof De Marco, Dr Bailey SUB Deployment of chemical sensors for long-term monitoring of water quality in mine void lakes (Lake Kepwari) in Collie, WA.

Halim, Amalia (Master of Philosophy) 27/07/2009 Prof Gubner, Dr Watkin SUB AusAID Investigation of the Impact of Nutrient Injection during Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) on Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRAs) in Oil and Gas Pipelines.

Hamilton, Stacey 01/03/2004 A/Prof Joll, Dr Greenwood LOA Characterisation and Treatability of Natural Organic Matter in Groundwaters Used for Drinking Water.

Hartley, Jeremy 08/07/2009 A/Prof Joll, A/Prof Heitz, Dr Linge, Prof VonGunten

FT APA(I)/CRS Destruction of micropollutants in treated wastewater by andvanced oxidation processes.

Holman, Alexander 1/02/2011 Prof Grice, Dr Jaraula, Dr Evans/Dr Huston/Dr Yeats

FT APA/CSIRO Organic Geochemistry and Thermodynamics of Mineral Deposits

Jee, Elaine Ai Yung 17/03/2008 Prof De Marco, Dr Pejcic, Dr Ross FT APA/CRS/ CSIRO PS

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Hydrocarbon Detection.

Kunchitha, Vinod 17/01/2011 Prof Gubner, Dr Wasnik FT WA:ERA CRA for Low Cost Development of Production Flowlines – Selection Criteria for Flowlines.

Ladjavardi, Mojgan 16/03/2009 Prof Grice, Prof Horsfield, Dr Volk FT CIPRS Establishing the Source of Gas in the Perth Basin Petroleum System. Lang, Dale 14/03/2005 A/Prof Mocerino, Dr Bastow, Dr

Van Aarssen SUB CSIRO PhD

Award Distinguishing Contamination Degradation Compounds from Natural Organic Matter.

Lee, Felicia 31/03/2002 Prof Van Bronswijk, Prof Parkinson, Dr Vernon

PT Tuning of Electrochemical Devices Using Quantum Confinement Effects.


Lee, Wade Junqiao 8/02/2010 A/Prof Arrigan, Dr Silvester-Dean, Prof De Marco, Dr Carter, Prof Mancera

FT CIPRS Investigating of Organic-Materials for their Potential Applications as Chemical Sensors and their Sensing Mechanisms.

Loi, Clara 03/03/2009 A/Prof Joll, Dr Linge, Dr Busetti FT APA/CRS/SFS Benzotriazoles and Benzothiazoles in Australian Wastewaters and Drinking Water Sources.

Lombardo, Daniel 12/09/2011 Dr Payne, A/Prof Mocerino FT APA Development of New Anti-inflammatory Drugs to Treat Soft Tissue Injuries

Lunkov, Sergey 05/06/2009 Prof Gale, Prof Wright, Dr Barnard

FT CIPRS Modelling metal complexation in solvent extraction systems.

Machuca Suarez, Laura 01/03/2009 Dr Bailey, Dr John, Dr Watkin FT CIPRS Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of Common Alloys used for Subsea Applications.

Magee, Karen 22/02/2011 Dr Brown, Dr Massi, A/Prof Baker PT Polydentate N-Heterocyclic carbine metal complexes – a single platform for new catalysts and medical agents.

Maier, Jens 01/04/2007 Dr Bailey, Prof Kinsella, Dr Leadbeater

FT CIPRS/SFS Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking of 13Cr Weldable Martensitic Steels.

Maric, Mark 31/01/2011 A/Prof Lewis, Prof Van Bronswijk, Dr Pitts

FT APA Spectroscopic Characterisation of Automotive Paint for Forensic Science.

Mathavan, Sangeetha 10/10/2011 Dr Massi, Dr Payne Preparation of Novel Phosphorescent Rhenium (I) Azulene complexes and investigate these Compounds as Cellular Labels.

Melendez Mogollon, Ines Mercedes 1/07/2010 Prof Grice FT CIPRS Novel Biomarkers and their Stable Isotopic Compositions Associated with End-Permian and End-Devonian Mass Extinction Events.

Morton, Jonathon 31/03/2003 Prof Ogden, Prof Rohl, Dr Ward LOA Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide.

Moussa, Vasoulla 31/01/2011 Dr Payne, A/Prof Mocerino PT Efficient Synthesis for Drug Discovery Using Australian Plants and Thiopene-1, 1-Dioxide.

Mulder, Ashley 22/02/2011 Prof Buntine, Dr Massi, A/Prof Charrois

PT Exploring the Composition of Petroleum Products Via Direct Liquid Injection and (Infrared) IR Laser Desorption and Ultraviolet (UV) Ionisation Coupled with a Reflection Time-of-Flight (OF) Mass Spectrometry.

Nottle, Caroline 14/04/2008 A/Prof Joll, A/Prof Heitz, Prof VonGunten

FT APA(I) Advanced Water Treatment Technologies to Minimize the Formation of Emerging Disinfection By-Products in Potable and Reuse Water.

Oehler, Mike 15/06/2009 Dr Bailey, Dr John FT CIPRS/Chevron/ Nalco

Top of The Line Corrosion Control By Continuous Chemical Treatment.

O’Sullivan Shane 27/10/2010 A/Prof Arrigan, Dr Silvester-Dean FT CIPRS Electrochemical Detection of Biomolecules at Liquid – Liquid Interfaces.

Pages, Anais 28/01/2011 Prof Grice, Dr Lockhart, Dr Greenwood

FT APA/CIPRS

Hydropyrolysis of extant microgial mats, corals, sponges and jellyfish to yield biomarkers preserved in the rock record.


Pandarinathan, Vedapriya 25/03/2010 Prof Gubner, Dr Lepkova FT CIPRS Investigating of Inhibition Processes as Sand-Deposited Surfaces. Patton, Emma 03/03/2008 A/Prof Lewis, Dr Brown FT APA/CRS The Role of Metal Ions in the Development of Latent Fingermarks on

Porous Surfaces. Pierce, Kieran 24/07/2006 Prof Alexander, Prof Kagi, Prof

Grice PT CUPS/CRS Hydrocarbon Reaction Mechanisms During Petroleum Formation.

Pringle, Paul 02/06/2009 A/Prof Heitz, A/Prof Joll FT APA/CRS Characterisation of the Organic Chemical Composition in Bayer liquors and the Impact of Wet Oxidation.

Sairi, Masniza 1/02/2011 A/Prof Arrigan, Dr Silvester-Dean, Dr Li

FT MARDI The Preparation and Electrochemical Characterization of Nanopore Array Membranes.

Senaputra, Alexander 14/06/2010 Dr Jones, Dr Fawell, Prof Wright FT CSIRO PS/ CIPRS The Impact of Desilication Product on the Flocculation, Sedimentation and Consolidation Properties of Bauxite Residue.

Slowig, Melissa 31/08/2009 Prof Gubner, Dr Lepkova FT CIPRS Development of a Standard Test Method for Under Deposit Corrosion in Carbon Dioxide.

Smith, Erin 28/03/2011 Dr Payne, Prof Mocerino, Dr Best, Dr Keenan

FT APA Development of Fungal Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitors as New Drug Leads for the Treatment of Chagas Disease.

Sperinck, Shani 02/02/2009 Prof Wright, A/Prof Marks FT SFS The Structure/Property Relations of Geopolymers: Insights from Computer Simulation.

Taylor, Zoe 27/02/2006 Prof Gale, Dr Piana SUB APA/Divisional Scholarship

Improving the efficiency of computation of free energy differences.

Travers, Guy 8/02/2010 Dr Brown, Dr Payne FT New Carbene-Nickel Complexes as Catalysts. Tulipani, Svenja 07/04/2009 Prof Grice, Dr Greenwood FT CSIRS/CIPRS The Sedimentary Origin and Significance of Perylene and

Perylenequinones and their Diagenetic Alteration in Devonian Reefs and Other Sediments.

Vaughan, Jamila 1/08/2011 Dr, Brown, Dr Massi FT APA Novel Biological Imaging Agents Based on Rhenium;;N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes;;

Werrett, Melissa 30/03/2011 Dr, Brown, Dr Massi, Prof Filgueira

FT APA Design, Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Metal Tetrazolato Complexes in Biological Imaging

White, Dawn

07/11/2006 Prof Grice, Dr Greenwood, Mr Trolio

FT CIPRS The use of stable isotopes for the characterisation of NOM and investigation of the different organic precursors of aquatic systems.

Wilson, Tracy 4/01/2010 Prof Ogden, Dr Jones FT Silver-Rich Gold Ores: A study of the Hydrometallurgical Processing of Gold Ores Containing Concentrations of Silver.

Wu, Fei 01/07/2008 Dr Richmond, Dr Smith FT CIPRS Aluminous goethite in the Bayer (digestion) process and impact on alumina reversion.


2.9 Successful Postgraduate Completions

Doctor of Philosophy: PhD Burak Cankurtaran Christiane Eiserbeck Christiane Vitzthum Von Eckstaedt Ercin Maslen Jean-Pierre Veder Laurence Dyer Lisa Swann Renee Jelly

2.10 Student Prizes and Awards

John Wiley & Sons Australia Prize Most outstanding Full Time Student enrolled in a Bachelor of Science completing Chemistry 101 and Chemistry 102

Bradley Gallagher

The Cristal Global Company Prize Most Outstanding Full Time Student in 2nd year Chemistry enrolled in a Chemistry Major

Anita Hyde

BP Refinery Prize Most Outstanding Full Time Student in 3rd year Chemistry enrolled in a Chemistry Major

Georgina Sauzier

Geotechnical Services Pty Ltd Prize Most Outstanding Full Time Chemistry Honours Student Brodie Reid & Phillip Wright

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute, WA Branch Prize

Most Outstanding Full Time Student completing a single degree course in Chemistry

Georgina Sauzier

Kagi-Alexander HDR Publication Prize HDR student, enrolled in the Department of Chemistry, who has published an outstanding paper in a peer-reviewed journal in the previous calendar year

Ching Yong Goh

The Pearson Education Department of Chemistry Prize

Awarded for the Most Outstanding Chemical Research Methods 362 Project Report by Full Time Student

Georgina Sauzier


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2.11 Enrolments (Headcount) 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 1st Year 7042 Analytical Chemistry 112 (Deactivated in 2010) 69 47 81 - - 310777 Chemical Development and Image Capture of Fingerprints 100 - 7 2 5 2 307628 Chemistry 027 26 65 99 143 199 308006 Chemistry 028 19 50 64 102 126 7039 Chemistry 101 210 232 235 241 281 7040 Chemistry 102 172 177 202 256 251 7230 Chemistry 117 (Replaced by Chemistry 181) 244 235 250 - - 7231 Chemistry 118 (Replaced by Chemistry 182) 148 124 136 - - 7348 Chemistry 119 (Deactivated in 2010) 6 6 14 - - 7023 Chemistry 121 (Deactivated in 2010) 146 145 152 - - 7024 Chemistry 122 (Deactivated in 2008) 152 - - - - 7076 Chemistry 123 170 182 164 171 142 7077 Chemistry 124 139 147 123 120 106 10009 Chemistry 127 (Deactivated in 2010) 198 198 88 - - 8686 Chemistry 128 (Replaced by Chemistry 182) 108 107 76 - - 10223 Chemistry 131 (Replaced by Chemistry 181) 14 16 90 - - 7078 Chemistry 141 75 39 95 - - 7079 Chemistry 142 16 12 9 13 - 1626 Chemistry 143 16 19 25 - - 7080 Chemistry 144 31 35 27 4 - 7230 Chemistry 181 - - - 433 604 7231 Chemistry 182 - - - 195 220 10223 Chemistry 184 - - - 120 71 7726 Chemistry 187 27 46 54 203 28 303978 Chemistry for Foundation Studies 011 11 12 - - - 10732 Chemistry for Foundation Studies 012 15 12 - - - 310764 Crime Scene Investigation 100 - 3 2 6 1 310770 Forensic Investigation 100 - 5 - 1 - 310772 Forensic Quality Management 100 - 6 9 - - 305541 Introduction to Forensic Science 101 38 23 43 44 36 311025 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry 121 - 167 140 142 164 310776 Latent Fingerprints 100 - - - 13 1 310800 Scientific Instruments used for Document Examination 100 2 - 1 - - Total Enrolments for 1st Year Units 2052 2117 2181 2212 2232


2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2nd Year 8024 Analytical Chemistry 201 35 32 25 - - 312490 Analytical Chemistry 202 - - - 54 52 310762 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 200 8 9 9 9 6 312493 Biological Chemistry 221 - - - 36 38 310782 Case Law and Historical Events of Fingerprints 200 - - - 8 4 312485 Chemical Energetics and Kinetics 211 - - - 36 53 312492 Chemical Reactions and Mechanisms 212 - - - 57 38 312489 Chemical Structure and Spectroscopy 201 - - - 66 53 2950 Chemistry Work Experience 201 9 11 1 10 13 302549 Chemistry Work Experience 202 13 20 9 - - 310766 Digital Photography for Forensics 200 - 16 10 19 5 311070 Fingerprint Fundamentals and Identification Systems 200 - - 5 8 1 310767 Fingerprint Science 200 - - 7 25 3 310780 Fingerprinting of Deceased 200 10 - - 5 3 310768 Footwear and Tyre Impression Evidence 200 11 5 14 3 3 13574 Forensic Trace Evidence 270 (Previously called Physical Examination of

Evidence 302) 34 37 22 26 23

8029 Inorganic Chemistry 201 66 49 35 - - 8030 Inorganic Chemistry 202 51 60 44 - - 310787 Introduction to Document and Handwriting for Forensics 200 - - 2 - - 312491 Materials Chemistry 231 - - - 52 46 312493 Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 222 - - - 36 38 8027 Organic Chemistry 201 48 39 41 - - 8028 Organic Chemistry 202 42 32 34 - - 310969 Paper Documents 201 1 - - - - 8025 Physical Chemistry 201 45 34 34 - - 8026 Physical Chemistry 202 51 44 43 - - 310773 Physical Comparison 200 9 5 1 1 - 310774 Post Blast Examination 200 11 - - 4 8 310781 Questionable Latents 200 - - 6 8 - Total Enrolments for 2nd Year Units 444 393 342 463 387

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 3rd Year 310786 Advanced Chemical Development Techniques for Forensics 300 11 - 2 3 2 302546 Analytical Chemistry 301 (Replaced by Analytical Chemistry and

Spectroscopy 301) 37 31 26 22 -

312487 Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy 301 - - - - 40 310762 Blood Stain Pattern Analysis 300 - - - - 6 312498 Chemistry Research Methods 362 - - - - 36 10015 Chemistry and Technology 302 26 18 - - - 310785 Court Presentation for Forensics Experts 300 - - - 8 - 310765 Crime Scene Management for Forensics 300 - - 9 - 7 312494 Environmental Chemistry 352 - - - - 19 310784 Fingerprint Analysis 300 - - 4 10 - 310759 Forensic Case Studies 370 - - - - 23 13579 Forensic Toxicology 302 - 13 13 10 - 7755 Inorganic Chemistry 301 20 37 16 17 - 13572 Introduction to Toxicology 301(Deactivated in 2010) - - 14 - - 312488 Materials Chemistry 332 - - - - 23 312495 Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 321 - - - - 13 305409 Nanochemistry 301 (Deactivated in 2011) 13 15 10 11 - 305410 Nanochemistry 302 (Deactivated in 2011) 16 8 12 8 - 312497 Nanochemistry 341 - - - - 14 7756 Organic Chemistry 301 35 26 21 18 - 7757 Organic Chemistry 302 9 11 4 15 - 7753 Physical Chemistry 301 31 10 10 14 - 7754 Physical Chemistry 302 21 23 13 18 - 312496 Synthetic Methods in Chemistry 311 - - - - 40 Total Enrolments for 3rd Year Units 219 192 154 154 223

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Honours 302540 Analytical Chemistry 401 15 8 9 - - 302532 Chemistry 401 7 9 14 13 9 302541 Chemistry 402 20 12 9 10 10 302991 Chemistry Honours Dissertation 497 & 499a 4 6 8 10 6 312429 Chemistry Honours Dissertation 498 - - - 14 6 302992 Chemistry Honours Dissertation 499b 5 3 - - - 12196 Chemistry Project 311 17 15 14 9 6 9048 Chemistry Project 390 31 39 18 20 - 310759 Forensic Case Studies 401 19 18 7 9 21 306891 Forensic Investigation Practicum 401 10 4 2 6 1 302877 Forensic Science Honours Dissertation 497 9 4 - 2 - 302878 Forensic Science Honours Dissertation 498 2 4 - 2 - 13573 Legal Issues in Forensic Science 401 9 4 3 5 1 Total Enrolments for Honours 148 126 84 100 60

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76%

13%

8%

2% 1%

2011 Enrolments

1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year Honours Postgraduate

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Postgraduate - Coursework 99003 Master Thesis - Applied Chemistry - - 2 2 - 302552 Analytical Chemistry 501 - - 1 - - 302553 Analytical Chemistry 502 1 - 1 - - 2857 Chemistry 501 1 - - - - 2860 Chemistry Project 590 (Deactivated in 2008) 1 - - - - 310854 Chemistry Project Report 590 - - 1 - 4 5779 Chemistry Project Report 591 - - - - 1 310855 Chemistry Project Report 592 - - 1 - - 313629 Corrosion Chemistry 500 - - - - 12 313617 Flowline Corrosion 500 - - - - 8 Total Enrolments for Postgraduates 3 0 6 2 25

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Year Total Enrolments

2007 2866 2008 2828 2009 2767 2010 2931 2011 2927


2.12 Teaching Allocations

Teaching and Learning - Delivered A/Prof Damien Arrigan • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 321 • Nanochemistry 341 Dr Stuart Bailey • Chemical Energetics and Kinetics 211 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 101 • Chemistry 102 • Corrosion Chemistry 500 • Materials Chemistry 231 • Materials Chemistry 332 Dr Thomas Becker • Chemistry 401 Dr David Brown • Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy 301 • Chemical Reactions and Mechanisms 212 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemical Structure and Spectroscopy 201 • Synthetic Methods in Chemistry 311 Prof Mark Buntine • Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy 301 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 101 • Chemistry 102 • Chemistry 401 • Environmental Chemistry 352 A/Prof Jeffrey Charrois • Analytical Chemistry 202 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Environmental Chemistry 352 Prof Julian Gale • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Nanochemistry 341 Prof Kliti Grice • Chemistry 402 • Environmental Chemistry 352

Prof Rolf Gubner • Corrosion Chemistry 500 • Flowline Corrosion 500


A/Prof Anna Heitz • Analytical Chemistry 202 • Chemistry 401 • Chemical Research Methods 362 A/Prof Cynthia Joll • Analytical Chemistry 202 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 123 • Chemistry 124 • Chemistry 401 • Environmental Chemistry 352 Dr Franca Jones • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Materials Chemistry 231 • Materials Chemistry 332

Dr Lynne Jones • Chemical Energetics and Kinetics 211 • Chemistry 123 • Chemistry 181 • Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry 121 A/Prof Simon Lewis • Analytical Chemistry 202 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 101 • Chemistry Project 311 • Forensic Case Studies 370 • Forensic Investigation Practicum 401 • Forensic Trace Evidence 270 • Introduction to Forensic Science 101 • Legal Issues to Forensic Science 401 Dr Kathryn Linge • Analytical Chemistry 202 • Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy 301 • Chemical Research Methods 362 Dr Max Massi • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 402 • Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 222 • Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 321 • Synthetic Methods in Chemistry 311 A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 102 • Chemistry 402 • Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 222


Prof Mark Ogden • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 402 • Materials Chemistry 332 • Nanochemistry 341 • Nanotechnology 101

Dr Alan Payne • Chemical Reactions and Mechanisms 212 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemistry 401 • Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 222 • Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 321 • Nanotechnology Project 401 • Synthetic Methods in Chemistry 311

Dr Paolo Raiteri • Nanochemistry 341 Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Nanochemistry 341 Dr Daniel Southam • Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy 301 • Chemistry 101 • Chemistry 102 • Chemistry 124 • Chemical Research Methods 362 • Chemical Structure and Spectroscopy 201 Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez • Chemical Research Methods 362 Dr Mike Tan • Chemistry 123 • Chemistry 402 • Corrosion Chemistry 500 • Flowline Corrosion 500 • Materials Chemistry 231 • Materials Chemistry 332 Mr Chris Taylor • Chemistry 181 • Chemistry 182 • Chemistry 184 • Engineering Chemistry 100


Teaching and Learning - Coordinated Director of Undergraduate Studies • A/Prof Simon Lewis First Year Coordinator • Dr Daniel Southam Second Year Coordinator • A/Prof Simon Lewis Third Year Coordinator • Dr Stuart Bailey Honours Coordinator • A/Prof Cynthia Joll

Postgraduate (Research) Coordinator • Dr David Brown Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator • Dr Mike Tan • A/Prof Mauro Mocerino

BSc Forensic Investigation Course Coordinator • A/Prof Simon Lewis

33.1 Seminars by Visitors

3.2 Other Visitors to the Department

visitors


3 VISITORS

3.1 Seminars by Visitors

Coordinated by Dr Franca Jones

• Doctor Beat A Keller, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland, “Materials Characterization Using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry”, 11th February

• Doctor Takuya Tsuzuki, Senior Research Academic – Deakin University, “Applied Nanotechnology

and Green Material Research”, 15th February

• Encarnación Ruiz-Agudo, Institut für Mineralogie, Universität Münster, (Germany) and Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, (Spain), “The effect of water structure and solute hydration on the kinetics of crystal growth and dissolution”, 16th February

• Geoff Quinton, Cross Sectoral Co-ordinator in WA, “Australian Curriculum: Science”, 2nd March

• Assistant Professor Duncan A. Wild, UWA, ”Prospecting for spectra of charged species out in the

wild west”, 6th April

• Doctor Keith Barnard, CSIRO, “LIX63 Chemistry in Synergistic Solvent Extraction Systems”, 20th April

• Doctor Stephen Blanksby, School of Chemistry at the University of Wollongong, “Fats, free radicals

and fences: mass spectrometry, is there anything it cannot do?”, 21st April

• Doctor Jonathan Thabano, Physical Evidence Laboratory, ChemCenter, “Sensitivity Enhancement in Capillary Electrophoresis”, 4th May

• Doctor Leonie Hughes, Chemistry and Mineral Science Academic Chair, School of Chemical and

Mathematical Sciences, Murdoch University, “Nitrogen removal from wastewater under limited organic carbon supply: Development of the PND system and ongoing work”, 11th May

• Professor Michael Thompson, Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biomaterials and

Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, “Label-free detection – from small molecules to neural cell populations”, 18th May

• Doctor Andreas Stasch, Monash University, “The Chemistry of Molecular Magnesium(I)

Compounds”, 8th June

• Sally Brooker, University of Otago, New Zealand, “Spin crossover complexes and [M₃Ln] macrocyclic single-molecule magnets”, 26th July

• Doctor Benjamin Fraser, Organic Chemistry Task Leader, ANSTO LifeSciences Division,

“Stereoselective Synthesis of Anti-biotic and Anti-viral Compounds”, 17th August

• Doctor Craig M. Williams, University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, “Natural Product Inspired Synthetic Organic Methodology: Purpose design and accidental discoveries of new methods (and limitations of older methods)”, 20th October

• Andrew Hind, Agilent Technologies, Victoria, “An evolution in elemental spectroscopy: Microwave

Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES)”, 3rd November


• Doctor Julie Culbert, AWQC, SA Water, “The War Against Cyanobacterial Metabolites and

Disinfection By-Products in Water”, 30th November 3.2 Other Visitors to the Department

Short term visits to the Department of Chemistry from industry representatives, researchers from universities and other research organisations and others during 2011 included:

• Melissa Burke, visiting PhD student, University of Minnesota Duluth • Prof. Urs von Gunten, Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Switzerland • Prof. Steve Hrudey, University of Alberta, Canada • Dr Richard Bull, MoBull Consulting, USA • A/Prof. William A. Mitch, Yale University, USA • Prof. Xing-Fang Li, University of Alberta, Canada • Dr Susan Richardson, USEPA • Dr Benjamin Fraser, ANSTO • Zenon Mateo, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program • Michio Kawai, Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Corporation, Japan • Jim Gill, Curtin Chancellor and former Water Corporation CEO • Dr Susan Richardson, U.S. EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory, Athens, GA, USA • Ms Jodieann Dawe, CEO Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA) • A/Prof William A. Mitch, Yale University • Richard Walker, Water Corporation of WA • Prof. Zhonglin Chen, Harbin Institute of Technology • Jessica M. Boyd, PhD student Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of

Alberta • Dr Blanca Biel, University of Granada, Spain • Prof. Nancy Cromar, Deputy Dean School of the Environment Flinders University • Dr David Quigley, Department of Physics/Centre for Scientific Computing, University of Warwick • Prof. Mike Allen, Department of Physics/Centre for Scientific Computing, University of Warwick • Prof. Mark Rodger, Department of Chemistry/Centre for Scientific Computing, University of

Warwick • Profs. Andrew and Christine Putnis, & Dr Encarnacion Ruiz-Agudo, Institut für Mineralogie,

Universitat Münster, Germany • Prof. D Goujet, Natural History Museum Paris, Dr. S Sanchez ESRF synchrotron facility • Dr V Dupret Upsalla Univeristy and Dr B. Choo Beijing Institute of Palaeontology • Prof. Gavin Young ANU, Dr Catherine Boisevert Monash University • Dr Carole Burrow Queensland Museum • Charline Toulliou, Masters of Analytical Chemistry Intern Student, Chimie Paris-Tech • Dr John Moreau, Melbourne University • Prof. Richard Bush, Southern Cross University • Prof. Leigh Sullivan, Southern Cross University • Prof. Roger Summons, EAPS, MIT, Sundowner presentation • Prof. Joan Bernard, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute • Prof. Pieter Visscher, University of Connecticut • Prof. Kenneth Peters, Schlumberger and Stanford University • Prof. Lorenz Schwark, University of Kiel • Dr Thorsten Bauserachs, University of Kiel • Prof. Brendan Keely, University of York • A/Prof. Jochen Brocks, ANU • Prof. John Dodson ANSTO • Dr Alison Blyth, Open University


• Dr Dennis Mather, AINSE/ ANSTO • Prof. Lyn Beazley -WA Chief Scientist • Dr Laurie Byrne-Newnes, JDLC • Dr Svetlana Tessalina, JDL fellow • Prof. Campbell McCuaig, CET, UWA • Prof. Malcolm McCulloch, Premier’s Fellow, UWA • Dr Chris Yeats, CSIRO • Dr Julie Trotter, UWA • Dr Eric Tohver, UWA • Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk, GSWA and UNSW • Dr Andrew Murray, Woodside • Dr Daniel Dawson, Woodside • Dr Robert Hough, CSIRO • Dr John Walshe, CSIRO • Dr Alex Bevan, WA Museum • Dr Steven Fisher, Department of Water • Dr James Cleverley, CSIRO • Dr Joseph Curiale, Chevron • Dr Matt Verney Oil Spill Response Coordinator, WA Department of Transport • Captain David Heppingstone, WA Department of Transport • PhD Shagufta Nasir, Lahore, Pakistan • PhD Shahid Nadeem, Lahore, Pakistan • Mona Lisa Malick, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

44.1 Conferences - Invited presentations

4.2 Conferences - Contributed presentations

4.3 Travel

professional activities


4 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

4.1 Conferences - Invited presentations International

Prof Mark Buntine • “POGIL and the ASELL (Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory) Project in

Australia”, ‘Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) Across the Curriculum and Around the World’ symposium, 43rd IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August

• “POGIL across borders: transnational implementation in Australian and Malaysian classrooms”, ‘Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) Across the Curriculum and Around the World’ symposium, 43rd IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August

Dr Raffaella Demichelis • MSSC2011 - Ab initio Modelling in Solid State Chemistry, “Special symmetries: carbon and

inorganic nanotubes”, Torino, 4th-9th September Prof Julian Gale • CECAM workshop on “Grand Challenges in Understanding Interfaces between Hard and Soft

Matter”, Lausanne, Switzerland • American Chemical Society Fall Meeting, Symposium on “Mechanisms of Non-Classical

Mineralization: Understanding the Roles of Pre-Nucleation Clusters, Transient Precursor Phases, Aggregation, and Oriented Attachment”, Denver, USA

• International Society for Theoretical Chemical Physics VII conference, University of Waseda, Tokyo, Japan

• New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Annual Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand Prof Kliti Grice • Exploring mass extinction events (Triassic/Jurassic and Permian/Triassic): association with global

warming events, Interlaken, Switzerland, Plenary Presentation, 18th -23rd September • D of biomarkers in relation to modern plants and mass extinction events. Hydrogen isotopes as

environmental indicators. Le Stadium, Loire Valley, Institute for Advanced Studies. CNRS, Orleans Campus, France, 15th -16th September

• Exploring mass extinction events and their association with global warming events from muliproxy biomarker and isotopic approaches, AGU Fall Meeting, Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, California, 5th-9th December

A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • POGIL across borders: transnational implementation in Australian and Malaysian classrooms, 43rd

IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, Improving the laboratory experience with better prepared teaching assistants, active Student Learning and the ASELL (Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the laboratory), Project in Australia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August

Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean • “Investigation into the Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Electrochemical Sensors” to Prof.

Richard Compton’s research group at Oxford University, UK, June Dr Daniel Southam • POGIL across borders: Transnational implementation in Australian and Malaysian classrooms,

43rd World Chemistry Congress and 46th General Assembly, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August


Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez • NanoteC11 “Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Nanomaterials”, Nantes, France, 31st August- 3rd

September Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Synchrotron virtual palaeohistology: a new tool for studying the évolution of

bone microstructures in 3D. 1st International Symposium on Paleohistology, Barcelone (Espagne) Conferences - Invited presentations National A/Prof Damien Arrigan • “Electrified soft interfaces – bio and nano aspects”, invited lecture at ACES Electromaterials

Symposium, Nanostructured Electromaterials and New Materials for Energy, University of Wollongong, NSW, 9th -11th February

Prof Julian Gale • CSIRO Computational and Simulation Sciences meeting, Melbourne • White Conference, Shine Dome, Canberra Prof Kliti Grice • Exploring mass extinction events (Triassic/Jurassic & Permian/Triassic): Association with global

warming events. 13th Conference on Australasian Vertebrate Evolution Palaeontology and Systematics, Perth

• Exploring mass extinction events: Association with global warming events 11th Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference & 3rd Australasian Hydrogeology Research Conference, Cairns, Queensland, 12th-14th July

Dr Franca Jones • AJ Parker Hydrometallurgy Conference on ‘Sustainable Hydrometallurgy’, “Geopolymers - what

are they and what role do they play in sustainable hydrometallurgy?”, Brisbane, 2nd-3rd September Dr Ina Kristiana • Formation and Occurrence of Emerging Disinfection By-Products of Human Health Concern:

Western Australia Perspectives, Disinfection By-Product (DBP) Workshop: Emerging Issues in DBP Research and the Way Forward, Curtin University, 17th May

A/Prof Simon Lewis • “Every Contact Leaves a Trace: A Beginner’s Guide to Forensic Science”, Science Teachers

Association of Western Australia (STAWA) Primary Science Conference, Swan Valley, 20th March • “Placing early childhood science back on the agenda” Transforming Practice: Boroondara Early

Years Conference, Melbourne, 5th August Dr Alan Payne • “Thiophene-1,1-dioxides in Synthesis”, SynthCon1, Yara Glenn, VIC, April Dr Katherine Trinajstic • The advancement of early vertebrate Palaeontology through the use of new technologies.

Conference of Australasian Vertebrate Evolution Palaeontology and Systematics, 27th-30th April


4.2 Conferences - Contributed presentations International A/Prof Damien Arrigan • Characterization of Regularly-aligned Nanopore Array Membranes Filled with Electrolyte Solutions

and their use for Detection of Nucleic Acid Hybridization, lecture at 219th Electrochemical Society Meeting, Montreal, Canada, May

• Biosensing at nanopore and nanoelectrode arrays, presentation at 7th NanoBioEurope Conference, Cork, Ireland, June

• Nano-texturing of medical–grade stainless steel for endothelial cell studies, presentation at 7th NanoBioEurope Conference, Cork, Ireland, June

• Controlled neuron growth for electrophysiological studies, presentation at 7th NanoBioEurope Conference, Cork, Ireland, June

• Fabrication and Electrochemical Characterization of Micro and Nanoelectrode Arrays for Sensor Applications, presented at Sensors and Their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, September

• Macromolecular sensing at the liquid-liquid interface, presented at Sensors and Their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, September

• Development of nano-structured stent surfaces for cardiovascular applications, poster at European Society of Biomaterials annual meeting (ESB2011), Dublin, September

Dr Stuart Bailey • International Corrosion Congress ICC, Bacterial community structure in natural marine biofilms

and the corrosion of carbon steel in seawater, Perth, November • NACE Corrosion 2011, Microbiologically influenced corrosion of high resistance alloys in seawater,

Houston, March • DoD Corrosion Conference 2011, The Development of an Online Course in Corrosion Engineering

– A Critical Aspect in any Corrosion Management System, La Quinta, California, August • International Conference on Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, Microbial

Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steels for Marine Energy Installations, Shanghai, October • International Conference on Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, A Laboratory

Technique for Evaluating Marine Splash Zone Corrosion, Shanghai, October Dr Lyndon Berwick • Hyper-accumulations of monosulfidic sediments: Implications for the understanding of

fundamental sulfur biomineralisation pathways, 25th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry (IMOG), Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

Dr Raffaella Demichelis • Goldschmidt 2011, “Structure and relative stability of hydrous and anhydrous Ca-Mg carbonates

from first-principle calculations”, Prague, CZ , 14th-19th August • MSSC2011, “Chrysotile and imogolite: quantum mechanical ab initio study of structure and

energetics” Ab initio Modelling in Solid State Chemistry, Torino,4th-9th September Prof Kliti Grice • Holocene hydrologic and thermal coherence at Lakes Albert and Victoria, East Africa, American

Geophysical Union, San Francisco,5th-9th December • Biomarkers of sulfate reducing bacteria from a variety of different aged samples including a

modern microbial mat, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, 5th-9th December • Highest resolution for oil dating (≤ 10 Ma): Implications for the Paleocene-Eocene thermal

maximum from stable isotope data, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September • Role of biosynthesis leading to the saw-toothed profile in δ13C and δ2H of n-alkanes and

systematic isotopic differences between n-, iso- & anteiso-alkanes in leaf waxes of land plant, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland,18th-23rd September


• Biomarkers and stable isotopes of euxinia and their role in fossil preservation, IMOG Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• Organic geochemistry of entrapped bitumen within kerogen/mineral matrix of an Australian Late Paleoproterozoic lead-zinc-silver deposit, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• The age and palaeoenvironmental conditions spanning the Permian/Triassic boundary in the northern onshore Perth Basin by using biomarker distributions and stable isotopes (C,H) IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• Characteristics of biodegraded Australian oils via catalytic hydropyrolysis, IMOG,Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• Significance of aromatic biomarkers to characterize petroleum of the Southern Indus Basin, Pakistan, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• Microbial deposits from Shark Bay and their geologic significance - a multidisciplinary re-visit, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• An integrated inorganic and organic geochemical study to evaluate the origin/age of crude oils, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• Climate variability in the Lake Victoria region (East Africa) since the Late Pleistocene as shown by molecular biomarkers, Interlaken, Switzerland, IMOG 18th-23rd September

• Stable carbon and hydrogen isotope excursions of fire events from controlled burning experiments and applications to the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, Interlaken, Switzerland, IMOG, 18th-23rd September

• The significance of novel A-norsteranes and perylene in Devonian reefs and crude oils, IMOG, Interlaken, Switzerland, 18th-23rd September

• Geochemical record of ancient sediments from the Potwar Basin Pakistan, inferred by biomarker and stable isotopic signatures, Interlaken, Switzerland, IMOG, 18th-23rd September

• Biomarkers of sulfate reducing bacteria from a variety of different aged samples including a modern microbial mat, Stanford University, 9th December

• Biomarkers and stable isotopes of euxinia and their role in fossil preservation, Stanford University, 9th December

Dr Caroline Jaraula • Constraining stable carbon and hydrogen isotope excursions of fire events from controlled

burning experiments and applications to the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event. Jaraula CMB, Grice K, Vitzthum von Eckstaedt C, Kelly D, Clayton S, Opazo LF, Twitchett R. International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry 2011. Interlaken, Switzerland.

Dr Ina Kristiana • Nitrogenous disinfection by-products formation potential from molecular weight fractions of

natural organic matter, 4th IWA Specialty Conference Natural Organic Matter: From Source to Tap and Beyond, Costa Mesa, California, USA, 27th – 29th July

A/Prof Simon Lewis • Synchrotron Infrared Microscopy Studies of the Chemical Composition of Latent Fingermark

Residues, International Fingerprint Research Group Meeting 2011, Linkoping, Sweden, June • Detection of latent fingermarks on thermal printer paper by dry contact with 1,2-indanedione,

International Fingerprint Research Group Meeting 2011, Linkoping, Sweden, June • “I want to talk about clue one.” Implementing forensic science into preschool as scientific inquiry.

Paper presented at the biennial conference of the European Science Education Research Association, Lyons, France, September

• The Development of an Online Course in Corrosion Engineering - A Critical Aspect in any Corrosion Management System, DoD Corrosion Conference 2011, La Quinta, CA, USA, August

Dr Suzanne McDonald • Nitrogenous disinfection byproducts formation potential from molecular weight fractions of

NOM. Conference on Natural Organic Matter: From Source to Tap and Beyond, Irvine, USA, 27th-29th July


A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • 11th International Conference on Calixarene Chemistry (Calix2011), Proline-functionalised

calix[4]arene: An efficient hydrogelator, Tarragona, Spain, June • Monash Pharmacy Education Symposium 2011, Active Learning in University Science.Prato, Italy,

11th-13th July Prof Mark Ogden • “X-Ray Crystal Structure of Three Nickel-Alpha-Hydroxyoxime-Carboxylic Acid Synergist

Complexes”, XIX International Solvent Extraction Conference, Santiago, Chile, 3rd-7th October Dr Paolo Raiteri • “Nucleation of amorphous CaCO3: a combined theoretical and experimental perspective”

Goldschmidt, Prague, Czech Republic, 14th-19thAugust • “Thermodynamics of Ca-Mg carbonates and their hydrates” ACS Annual Meeting, Denver,

Colorado,28th August – 1st September • “A combined theoretical and experimental study of the nucleation of amporphous CaCO3” MRS

Meeting, Boston, USA, 28th November -2nd December Dr Marc Robinson • Symposium A - Material Challenges in Current and Future Nuclear, “The effect of structure on

threshold displacement energy: A case study of TiO2 polymorphs”, Materials Research Society Fall Meeting, Boston, MA, US, 28thNovember -2nd December

Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez • Diamond 2011, “Self-assembly of amorphous carbon nanorods into nanotubes”, Bavaria,

Germany , 4th-8th September Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Fossil bone histology revealed in 3D thanks to the synchrotron light:palaeobiological

implications, ESRF Science Days, Val Cenis-Lanslebourg, France • Functional morphology and ontogeny of the earliest jawed vertebrates The Palaeontological

Association 55th Annual Meeting, Plymouth, UK, 17th-20th December • Bite me! Ecology of early jawed vertebrates investigated through microwear texture analysis The

Palaeontological Association 55th Annual Meeting, Plymouth, UK, 17th-20th December • Update on the strange new jawed fish from the Late Devonian Gogo Formation, Western Australia

12th International Symposium on Early/Lower Vertebrates, Dallas, Texas, June • Observations on a new 3-D Coelacanth from the Late Devonian Gogo Formation 12th International

Early Vertebrates Lower Vertebrates, Dallas, Texas, 10th-14th June • Funktionsmorphologie und Ontogenese der ersten Wirbeltiergebisse Symposium

on"functionalmorphology of vertebrate dentitions" at the Meeting of the German Palaeontological Society in Vienna

• Insights on the Evolution of the Pelvic Girdle of early Gnathosotmes from the development of the elephant shark (Callorhinchus milli) and preserved soft tissue in Devonian Placoderms Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology, Las Vegas, November

Conferences - Contributed presentations National A/Prof Damien Arrigan • Electrochemical Study of Ion Transfer at Room Temperature Ionic Liquid (RTIL)-Water

Microinterfaces, lecture presentation at ACES Electromaterials Symposium 2011, Nanostructured Electromaterials and New Materials for Energy, University of Wollongong, NSW, 9th-11th February


• Electrochemistry of proteins at arrays of micro-scale liquid-liquid interfaces, lecture presentation at Research and Development Topics in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, December

• Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of lysozyme via adsorption-desorption at liquid|liquid microinterfaces, lecture presentation at Research and Development Topics in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, December

Dr Lyndon Berwick • Environmental and organic geochemical applications of advanced analytical pyrolysis and mass

spectrometry. Proceedings of the 23rd Australian and New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference 2011, Fremantle, 29th January-3rd February

Dr David Brown • Inorganic Chemistry Conference - IC11,"Luminescent N-heterocyclic carbene-pyridyl rhenium(I)

tricarbonyl complexes" Perth, 4th-8th December

• RACI Inorganic Chemistry Conference - IC11, "Synthesis, solution studies, and catalytic activity of benzimidazolin-2-ylidene pincer nickel(II) complexes", Perth, 4th-8th December

• RACI Inorganic Chemistry Conference - IC11, "Group 10 and 11 metal complexes of a N-heterocyclic carbene pincer ligand with a triazine core",Perth, 4th-8th December

• RACI Inorganic Chemistry Conference - IC11, "Synthesis and photophysical investigation of imidazol-2-ylidene-pyridyl rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes",Perth, 4th-8th December

• RACI Inorganic Chemistry Conference - IC11, "Hydrogelation by self-inclusion of a proline-functionalised calix[4]arene",Perth, 4th-8th December

• RACI Inorganic Chemistry Conference - IC11, "Combining Calixarenes and Lanthanoids: a Plug-and-Play Approach for the Preparation of Luminescent Polymers", Perth, 4th-8th December

Prof Mark Buntine • “Laser-Based Formation and Properties of Metal Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution”,

BioPhysChem2011 (RACI Physical Chemistry Division Meeting), Wollongong, NSW, December • “Examining the Electronic Interactions of Ligated Copper Nanoparticles Generated by Laser

Ablation Synthesis in Solution (LASiS)”,BioPhysChem2011 (RACI Physical Chemistry Division Meeting), Wollongong, NSW, December

A/Prof Jeffrey Charrois • Formation of nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) in raw and treated drinking water,

Ozwater ’11, Adelaide, 9th-11th May • Preformed monochloramine for maintenance of disinfectant residuals in chloraminated drinking

water distribution systems, Ozwater ’11, Adelaide, 9th-11th May • Iodo-disinfection by-product: An emerging concern, Ozwater ’11, Adelaide, 9th-11th May Prof Kliti Grice • Analytical pyrolysis and compound specific d13C analysis with lasers and other thermal methods.

Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference & 3rd Australasian Hydrogeology Research Conference, Cairns, Queensland, 12th-14th July

• Biomarkers and stable isotopes of euxinia and their role in fossil preservation Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference & 3rd Australasian Hydrogeology Research Conference, Cairns, Queensland, 12th-14th July

• Hydropyrolysis and stable isotope analyses of extant biomass to yield biomarkers preserved in the rock record. Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference & 3rd Australasian Hydrogeology Research Conference, Cairns, Queensland, 12th-14th July

• Biomarkers and stable isotopes and their role in preservation, Western Australia, ANZSMS, Perth, February

• Biomarker distributions and stable isotopes (C, H) establish the age and palaeoenvironmental conditions spanning the Permian/Triassic in the northern onshore Perth Basin, ANZSMS, Perth, February


• An extraction process appropriate for studies of hydrogen isotope fractionations during plant lipid biosynthesis, ANZSMS, Perth, February

• The significance of perylene and low-molecular-weight norsterane biomarkers in Devonian reefs (Canning Basin, WA) and associated crude oils, ANZSMS, Perth, February

• Exploring mass extinction events – using biomarkers & stable isotopes (carbon and hydrogen) ANZSMS, Perth, February

• A molecular and isotope study of crude oils and source-rocks from Tertiary deltaic basins from the Arctic and South East Asia, ANZSMS, Perth, February

Dr Caroline Jaraula • Stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes of components derived from controlled burning

experiments of C3 and C4 plants and their use as environmental proxies for tracking fire history. 23rd biennial Australian and New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference, Fremantle

Dr Ina Kristiana • An improved method for prediction of monochloamine stability in the disinfection of potable

water, Ozwater ‘11, Adelaide, 9th-11th May • The impact of bromide ion on the production of brominated disinfection by-products in a Western

Australian drinking water, Ozwater ’11, Adelaide, 9th-11th May • Electrochemical treatment of problematic reverse osmosis membrane concentrates, Urban Water

Security Research Alliance Science Forum, Brisbane, 14th-15th September Dr Kathryn Linge • Formation of Nitrogenous Disinfection By-products (N-DBPs) in Raw and Treated Drinking Water,

Ozwater 2011, Adelaide, 9th- 11th May • An Occurrence Survey of Benzotriazoles and Benzothiazoles in an Australian Metropolitan Area,

Ozwater 2011, Adelaide, 9th-11th May • Occurrence of Benzotriazoles and Benzothiazoles in Wastewater Treatment Plants in an Australian

City. Micropol and Ecohazard 2011, 7th IWA Specialist Conference on Assessment and Control of Micropollutants/Hazardous Substances in Water, Sydney, 11th-13th July

• Impact of Conventional Wastewater Treatment on N-Nitrosamine Formation in Secondary Wastewater. Micropol and Ecohazard 2011, 7th IWA Specialist Conference on Assessment and Control of Micropollutants/Hazardous Substances in Water, Sydney, 11th-13th July

Dr Suzanne McDonald • The impact of bromide ion on the production of brominated disinfection by-products in a Western

Australian drinking water, Ozwater ‘11, Adelaide, 9th-11th May • The variability of dissolved organic carbon reactivity in low pH and high iron waters. 50th ASL

Congress & 43rd NZFSS Congress, Brisbane, 27th-29th September A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Hydrogelation by self-inclusion of a proline-functionalised calix[4]arene Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean • Seminar entitled “Electrochemical Study of Ion Transfer at Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

(RTIL)|Water Microinterfaces” at the Electromaterials Symposium 2011 “Nanostructured Electromaterials/New Materials for Energy”, Wollongong, February

• Seminar entitled “Electrochemistry in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Applications in Chemical Sensors” at the Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, Perth, March

Dr Daniel Southam • Active learning in a blended environment: Using technology to support student diversity", Australian

Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Melbourne, September • "mI ready for mLearning?", TL Forum, Perth, January


Dr Katherine Trinajstic • 3D Bone microstructures of the placoderm Compagopiscis (Gogo Formation, Australia) revealed

by Synchrotron virtual palaeohistology Conference of Australasian Vertebrate Evolution Palaeontology and Systematics, 27th-30th April

4.3 Travel

Dr Damien Carter • European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France, March

Dr Raffaella Demichelis • University of Torino, Department of Chemistry IFM, Torino, Italy, August - September

55.1 Invited Seminar presentations

5.2 Outreach Activities

external activities


5 EXTERNAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 5.1 Invited Seminar presentations

International Prof Kliti Grice • Exploring mass extinction events and their association with global warming events from muliproxy

biomarker and isotopic approaches, Stanford University,9th December Dr Piotr Kowalczyk • “Anomalous transport in carbon molecular sieves”, National Technical University of Athens,

Greece, 7th May • “Analytic continuation approach to quantum dynamics”, National Technical University of Athens,

Greece, 9th May • “Anomalous transport in carbon molecular sieves”, Rzeszow University of Technology, Poland, 7th

May • “Analytic continuation approach to quantum dynamics”, Rzeszow University of Technology,

Poland, 9th May A/Prof Simon Lewis • Guest lecture on fingerprint chemistry research, Centre for Applied Science and Technology Home

Office Science (formerly Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch), St Albans, UK, 8th June

• Guest speaker, Year 11 and 12 Students, Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dover, UK, 9th June Dr Kathryn Linge • Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, Nevada, USA. Research at the Curtin Water

Quality Research Centre (CWQRC), 16th March Dr Max Massi • Metal Based Phosphorescence in Materials and Life Science: from synthesis to application,

University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, 19th September A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • European Chemistry and Chemicial Engineering Education Network (EC2E2N) Conference,

Bratislava, SLOVAKIA, May • Higher Education in Australia and Active Learning in Large Lectures, (Plenary Lecture),Monash

Pharmacy Education Symposium 2011, Prato, Italy, July • How do we balance science and practice in pharmacy curricula?, (Plenary Lecture), 43rd IUPAC

World Chemistry Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 2011 Dr Paolo Raiteri • “Carbonate minerals: from forcefield development to nucleation” Max Plank Institute for

Biophysics, Frankfurt, August Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean • Invited seminar entitled “Ion Transfer Electrochemistry at Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

(RTIL)|Water Microinterfaces” at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry in Niigata, Japan, September

• Invited Plenary lecture entitled “Electrochemistry in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids” at the International Symposium on Green Science 2011, Kochi University, Japan, September

• Three presentations given at Australian Nanotechnology Network (ATN) meetings (Tongji, Fudan and Zhejiang Universities), China, October. The purpose of these meetings was to enable discussions for collaboration between Australian and Chinese research groups


Invited Seminar presentations National Prof Julian Gale • Royal Society of Western Australia – Public Lecture A/Prof Simon Lewis • “Every Contact Leaves a Trace: Synchrotron Infrared Studies involving Forensic Exchange

Evidence”, 2011 WA Synchrotron Symposium, 23rd November Dr Kathryn Linge • Recycling Research Sharing Forum, Water Corporation of Western Australia, Leederville. Chemical

Hazard Assessment – Advanced Oxidation Project, 19th April • RACI WA Branch Members’ Meeting, Recent Developments in Recycling Wastewater For Drinking

Purposes in Western Australia, 19th July Dr Suzanne McDonald • Disinfection and the impact of bromide ion on the production of brominated disinfection by-

products in a Western Australian drinking water, University of Western Australia, Perth, 15th September

Dr Katherine Trinajstic • A new model of bone growth revealed through synchrotron virtual histology of extinct and extant

animals WA Synchrotron Symposium, 23rd November • Seminar for “Curtin Women’s Research – Making a Difference.” International Women's Day

presentations, 8th March 5.2 Outreach Activities

Dr Thomas Becker • Open Day, Curtin University, August • ChemFest, 12th November Prof Mark Buntine • Open Day, Curtin University, August • ChemFest, 12th November • RACI Titration Stakes, Curtin University A/Prof Jeffrey Charrois • Co-organiser of: Disinfection By-Products (DBP) Workshop: Emerging Issues in DBP Research and

the Way Forward, held at Curtin University, 17th May Dr Raffaella Demichelis • ChemFest, 12th November Prof Kliti Grice • Open Day, Curtin University, August • ChemFest, 12th November • Biogenuis mentor of Aaron O’Rieley


Dr Franca Jones • Scientists in Schools, Thornlie Primary School Term 4 A/Prof Simon Lewis • John Curtin College of the Arts, Forensic Science Project with Year 8 Academic Excellence Program

Students (in collaboration with Scitech) • Oberthur Primary School, Scientist in Schools Partnership • National Science Week Presentation at Al-Hidiyah Islamic Primary School, 19th August • ChemFest, 12th November • Open Day, Curtin University, August Dr Kathryn Linge • Presented National Chemistry Quiz plaques and certificates at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls • Presented the RACI-sponsored Third Year Chemistry Prize at the Curtin Science and Engineering

Faculty Prize Giving Ceremony, February • Open Day, Curtin University, August Dr Max Massi • RACI Titration Stakes, Curtin University • Open Day, Curtin University, August • ChemFest International Year of Chemistry, Curtin University Dr Suzanne McDonald • Open Day, Curtin University, August A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Scientists in Schools participant • RACI Crystal Growing competition, August - November Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Presentation In the Wild West Lectures 2011 Series 2: Western Australian Museum, Perth, 25th

November • National Youth Science Forum Guest Lecturer with Prof Tim Senden at the Rotary Dinner,

Canberra, 6th January • Opening address at The Science Experience (Curtin University) 18th January • National Youth Science Forum Guest Lecturer at the Rotary Dinner Perth 19th January • Keynote Lecture The Science Experience (Murdoch) 19th January • Guest Speaker at the Faculty of Science and Engineering Prize Giving 17th February • Participant in MEET-THE-SCIENTIST Scitech April • Guest Lecturer, Kimberley Society of WA, Perth, 8th July • Graduation Address, Curtin University, 27th August • Science Week Speaker, Albany Museum, 25th-26th August (4 lectures over 2 days) • Mentor, WA BioGENEius Challenge

66.1 Editorships

6.2 Committee Memberships

6.3 Other

scientific involvement


6 SCIENTIFIC INVOLVEMENT

6.1 Editorships

A/Prof Damien Arrigan • Member, Advisory Board of the Analyst (Royal Society of Chemistry) • Editorial Board of Current Analytical Chemistry • Editorial Board of the Global Journal of Analytical Chemistry • Series Editor – RSC Series in Detection Science Prof Mark Buntine • Member, Ownership Board, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) • Editor, ACELL Experiment Database Prof Julian Gale • Editorial Advisory Board, Theoretical Chemistry Accounts, Springer • Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry Prof Leslie Glasser • Member, International Advisory Board of South African Journal of Chemistry • Peer Reviewer for National Priorities Research Program of Qatar National Research Fund • Member, Editorial Team of Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry (AusJEC) • Member, Editorial Board of Nanomaterials (ISSN 4991-2079) Prof Kliti Grice • Associate Editor, Geology • Associate Editor, Organic Geochemistry • Associate Editor, Paleoceanography A/Prof Simon Lewis • Editorial Board of The Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences (2nd Edition), Elsevier • Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Identification Dr Kathryn Linge • Member, Editorial Board of Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry Prof Mark Ogden • Editorial Board – Supramolecular Chemistry Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Associate Editor (Palaeontology) Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia


6.2 Committee Memberships A/Prof Damien Arrigan • Member of the Committee of the Electroanaytical Sensing Systems Group, Royal Society of

Chemistry (UK) • Member of the organising committee of the 2013 Faraday Discussion on Electroanalysis at the

Nanoscale (Royal Society of Chemistry UK) • Chair of the organising committee for the 18th Australasian Electrochemistry Symposium, to be

held at Curtin University 15th April 2012 • Member of the Local Organising Committee of the International Society of Electrochemistry

Thematic Meeting, Perth, 15th-16th April 2012 • Member of the Scientific Committee of the XVI Sensors and Their Applications meeting, Cork,

Ireland, September Dr David Brown • Secretary of the Synthetic and Organic Chemistry Group of the WA Branch of the Royal Australian

Chemical Institute • Secretary of the Organising committee of IC'11, the 2011 Conference of the Inorganic Division of

the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Prof Mark Buntine • Member, Executive Committee, Australian & New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry

(ANZSMS) • Fellow, RACI Australian Chemical Institute • President – Elect, RACI Australian Chemical Institute A/Prof Jeffrey Charrois • Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). Swan River Trust, Perth, WA Prof Julian Gale • Member, Systems Project Control Group, Pawsey Centre, WA • Member, Merit Allocation Committee, National Compute Infrastructure, Canberra • Chair, iVEC Allocation Committee • Member, Nanotechnology Research Strategy Working Group and Chair, Nanoscale Theory and

Computation sub-committee, Australian Academy of Science Prof Leslie Glasser • Reviewer for a number of international journals in physical/inorganic/educational chemistry Prof Kliti Grice • CSIRO Cluster Leader of Minerals Down-under collaboration cluster fund, Australia • Scientific Advisory Committee Sinopec Petroleum Exploration Research, WUXI, China • Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute • ARC College of Experts (Discovery Project and Linkage Project grants: Physics, Chemistry and

Earth Sciences) • Executive member of the Australia and New Zealand Mass Spectrometry Society (ANZSMS) • Member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists • Member, Geological Society of America (GSA) • Appointed ‘Best Paper Award’ Committee of the Organic

Geochemistry Division, GSA • Appointed committee member of the EAOG Travel Awards • Appointed ARC College of Experts – Linkage Infrastructure grants • Member, Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia • Australasian Research Management Society, WA Chapter


• Member, European Association of Organic Geochemistry Dr Franca Jones • Secretary, Australian Association for Crystal Growth Dr Ina Kristiana • Member of the International Water Association – Australia (IWA-A) Committee • Member of the National Representatives Committee of the Australian Water Association Young

Water Professionals (AWA YWP) Specialist Network A/Prof Simon Lewis • Chair, Royal Australian Chemical Institute WA Branch Chemical Education Group • Member, Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society WA Branch Committee Dr Kathryn Linge • Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) WA Branch Health Safety and Environment Group,

Chair • RACI WA Branch Committee Member • Member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Water Works

Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Standard Methods Committee for review and approval of methods for inclusion in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater

• Program Committee Member for Micropol and Ecohazard 2011, the 7th International Water Association specialised conference on assessment and control of micropollutants/hazardous substances in water

• Member of the Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA) Education Committee • Member of the IWA Australia Branch Committee Dr Max Massi • Member of the Organising Committee for the RACI Inorganic Chemistry Conference IC11, 4th-7th

December Dr Suzanne McDonald • NOM Conference committee member • International Humic Substance Society A/Prof Mauro Mocerino • Member, WA Chemical Education Group of the RACI Prof Mark Ogden • Treasurer on the Organising Committee for 2011 Conference of the Inorganic Division of RACI,

IC11, 4th-8th December Dr Alan Payne • Committee Member, RACI Synthetic and Organic Chemistry Group Dr Daniel Southam • Committee Member, Western Australian Chemical Education Group, Royal Australian Chemical

Institute • Management Committee Member and Chair of the Website Working Group, Australian Network

of Tertiary Chemistry Educators (ChemNet) Dr Mike Tan • Committee Member, Australasian Corrosion Association, WA Branch


Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Vice President Royal Society of Western Australia • Council Member Royal Society of Western Australia

6.3 Other A/Prof Damien Arrigan • Academic Visitor at Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland • Member, Peer Review College of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Dr Stuart Bailey • Reviewer – Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance • Reviewer – Australian Synchrotron Prof Mark Buntine • Member, American Chemical Society • Chair, 23rd Australian & New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry (ANZSMS) Conference, Perth,

January Dr Damien Carter • Reviewer for the Elsevier journal “Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids” Dr Raffaella Demichelis • Member, European Association of Geochemistry • Member, Australian Nanotechnology Network • Reviewer, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry Accounts, and Physicas Status

Solidi B Dr Yolanta Gruchlik • Member, Australian Water Association (AWA) Prof Kliti Grice • Biogenius mentor program • Journal reviewer - Organic Geochemistry, Environmental Science and Technology, Chemical

Geology, Geology, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Paleo3, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Applied Geochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Chromatography, Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Science, Nature Geoscience

• Grant reviewer - Natural Environment Research Council UK, 1998–present, National Science Foundation USA, 2007–present, American Chemical Society – Petroleum research fund, 1998–present, Dutch research Foundation, 2002–present, German Research Foundation, 2002–present

Dr Caroline Jaraula • Reviewer, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta and Organic Geochemistry A/Prof Cynthia Joll • Member, The Royal Australian Chemical Institute • Member, Australian Water Association • Member, American Water Works Association Dr Franca Jones • Member, American Chemical Society


Dr Ina Kristiana • Reviewer, ACS, Elsevier, Springer and IWA Journals A/Prof Simon Lewis • Australian Synchrotron Beamtime, Merit: Synchrotron IR studies of the chemical composition of

latent fingermarks: Substrates and Simulants, 09:00 23rd February - 08:00 25th February • Australian Synchrotron Beamtime, Foundation Investor: Characterisation of automotive paint

samples for forensic purposes, 09:00 19th October - 08:00 20th October Dr Kathryn Linge • Member, Australian Water Association’s Community of Experts, reviewing abstracts and papers

for Ozwater • Refereed journal papers for Journal of Chromatography A, Environmental Science & Technology,

and Environmental Monitoring and Assessment • Assessor for the Australian Research Council • Member, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Australian Water Association, and the

International Water Association Dr Max Massi • Visiting Scientist at the University of Bologna – September Dr Suzanne McDonald • Science at the Shine Dome attendee, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, ACT, 4th-6th May • DBP workshop attendee, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 17th May Dr Marc Robinson • Visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM, US, Discussion of the latest simulation techniques

for modelling radiation damage, 5th-8th December • Visit to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Sydney, Discussion

of current work regarding radiation damage in TiO2, 24th- 25th May Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez • External evaluator for Philip Wagner (committee de suivi la these), University of Nantes, France Dr Katherine Trinajstic • Convener Conference of Australasian Vertebrate Evolution Palaeontology and Systematics, 27th-

30th April

77.1 National Competitive Grants

7.2 Grants and Awards from Industry and Other Sources

7.3 Curtin Research Grants, Institutional Partnerships

research grants


7 RESEARCH GRANTS

7.1 National Competitive Grants

Investigators Project Fund Reference

Funding Organisations Year List Awarded Awarded (Cash) 2011

N A Marks, B Uberuaga Unique Chemistry from Radioactive Decay in the Solid-State

DP1097076 Australian Research Council 2010-2012 $305,000.00 $108 ,867.00

K Trinjastic, C Boisvert, P Ahlberg, Z Johanson, M Smith

Fleshing out the fossil record: using organically preserved soft tissues and bone to explore the evolution of unique vertebrate characters

DP110101127 Australian Research Council 2011-2015 $710,000.00 $162,519.00

K Grice, P Greenwood, R Summons, C Snape

Linking modern biolipids and pigments to ancient biomolecules using innovative laser and hydro pyrolysis and compound specific stable isotope techniques

DP1096729 Australian Research Council, Curtin University of Technology, Other ARC Funding

2010-2012 $450,000.00 $150,340.00

M Massi, F Biscarini Design and synthesis of novel lanthanoid complexes for the fabrication of light emitting devices

DP0985481 Australian Research Council 2009-2012 $260,000.00 $68,759.00

J D Gale, P Raiteri, M Parrinello, S Price, J Harding, P Rodger

Learning to predict polymorphism through simulation of nucleation and nanoparticle evolution


2009-2013 $907,160.00 $187,405.00

N A Marks, D McCulloch, J Partridge, B Tay,

Graphene based nanostructures for high performance devices

DP0986713 Australian Research Council, RMIT University

2009-2011 $230,000.00 $60,000.00

K Grice, R Summons, R Twitchett Characteristics of organic matter formed in toxic, sulfide-rich modern and ancient environments


2008-2012 $660,000.00 $90,427.00

R Bush, K Grice, J Moreau, L Sullivan, E Burton, A Rose, S Johnston, A McElnea, C Ahern

Electron flow in iron hyper-enriched acidifying coastal environments: reaction paths and kinetics of iron-sulfur-carbon transformations

LP110100732 Australian Research Council, Southern Cross University, The University of Melbourne, Qld Dept of Environment and Resource Management

2011-2013 $1,200,000.00 $114,005.00

C Joll, J Charrois, K Linge, R Henderson, S Hrudey

Advanced water treatment technologies to minimise nitrogenous disinfection by-products in drinking water: understanding the role of organic nitrogen

LP110100548 Australian Research Council, Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA), Water Corporation of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology

2011-2013

$680,000.00 $231,733.00


C Joll, A Heitz, U Von Gunten Novel water treatment technologies for minimisation of bromide and iodide in drinking water

LP100100285 Australian Research Council, Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA), Water Corporation of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

2010-2013 $720,000.00 $329,603.00

R Bush, K Grice, L Sullivan, E Burton, S Appleyard, P Greenwood, S Fisher

Hyper-accumulations of monosulfidic sediments: Exploring a biogeochemical extreme to resolve fundamental sulfur biomineralisation pathways

LP0991658 Southern Cross University, Australian Research Council

2009-2011 $253,899.00 $91,136.00

A Heitz, C A Joll, U Von Gunten, K L Linge

Treating wastewater for potable reuse: removal of chemicals of concern using advanced oxidation processes

LP0989326 Australian Research Council, Curtin University of Technology, Other ARC Funding, GHD, Water Corporation of Western Australia

2009-2013 $1,080,000.00 $323,874.00

A Heitz, R I Kagi, C A Joll, U Von Gunten

Advanced water treatment technologies to minimize the formation of emerging disinfection by-products in potable and reuse water

LP0882550 Australian Research Council, Curtin University of Technology, Other ARC Funding, Water Corporation, GHD

2008-2010 $370,000.00 $9,217.00

A Heitz, Z Yuan, J Keller, R Melchers, R Stuetz, P Bond, M Valix, J Witherspoon, W Verstrraete, P Vanrolleghem, J P Steyer, H Bustamante, I Suffet

Optimal management of corrosion and odour problems in sewer systems

LP0882016 University of Queensland, Australian Research Council

2008-2012 $124,201.00 $39,207.00

K Grice, D Murphy, P Greenwood, A Heitz, P Grierson, F Busetti, D Wacey, D Gleeson

High resolution liquid chromatography mass specrometry (orbitrap) for analyses of polar compounds in biomass, petroleum, potable and reclaimed water

LE100100127 Australian Research Council, Curtin University of Technology, University of Western Australia, Water Corporation of Western Australia, John de Laeter Centre of Mass Spectrometry

2010 $300,000.00 $30,000.00

K Wilkinson, A Ball, K Grice, D Taylor, G Elsey, V Jiranek, K Trinajstic, B Kaiser, M Perkins, J Coumbaros

Advanced gas chromatography mass spectrometry instrumentation for the analysis of highly complex systems

LE110100119 Australian Research Council, University of Adelaide

2011 $370,000.00 $295,000.00


M Ogden Western Australian Nanochemistry Research Institute (WANRI)

R0800/200604 Office of Science & Innovation 2005-2011 $1,067,000.00 $171,000.00

K Grice, J D Gale, K Evans, B Rasmussen

Organic-inorganic interactions in mineral systems

CSIRO CSIRO Flagship 2011-2014 $3,000,000.00 $300,000.00

$12,687,260.00 $2,763,092.00 Bold font highlights the Curtin Chemistry Staff


7.2 Grants and Awards from Industry and Other Sources Investigators Project Fund Reference Funding Organisations Year List Total Actual

Awarded 2011 S Bailey Study on the Corrosion Behaviour of

Advanced Offshore Structural Steels and Alloys

CH090106 Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research (DIISR) PREVIOUSLY DEST

2010-2011 $20,000.00 $4,800.00

A Heitz, C Joll, F Busetti, J Tan

Investigation of Bayer organic compounds

T3 CSIRO – Parker Cooperative Centre for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions

2011-2012 $40,000.00 $20,000.00

Y Gruchlik, H Driessen, L Fouche, A Heitz, I Kristiana, J Charrois, C Joll

Laboratory scale investigations of possible odour reduction strategies in biosolids

Water Corporation of Western Australia 2010-2012 $160,000.00 $80,000.00

N A Marks, J DGale, P Raiteri

Computer Simulation of Nuclear Materials

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

2010-2013 $300,000.00 $100,000.00

N A Marks, J D Gale Radioparagenesis: Robust NuclearWaste Form Design and Novel Materials Discovery

Los Alamos National Laboratory 2011-2013 $270,000.00 $81,092.00

R Gubner, L Capelli, D Wasnik

Carbon Steel for Low Cost Development of Production Flowlines

Woodside Energy Ltd 2010-2013 $641,000.00 $285,000.00

I Kristiana, A Heitz, C Joll

Bulk dosing of monochloramine into tanks/reservoirs to maintain disinfection residuals


K Grice, T Ertefai Novel approaches to establish records on environmental change

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

2009-2012 $387,000.00 $64,500.00

F Jones, T Radomirovic, W Richmond

Releasing the Economic Potential of High Si Bauxites

Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions (Parker Centre)

2009-2011 $228,000.00 $56,240.00

C Joll, A Heitz, J Hartley

Mechanisms of N-Nitrosamine Formation in Secondary Wastewaters and their Removal by Advanced Oxidation Processes - J Hartley Scholarship

4024-10 Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA)

2009-2012 $55,000.00 $12,883.00

A Heitz, R Kagi, C Joll, B Warton

Curtin Water Quality Research Centre - Centre Projects with Water Corporation



K Wright, A VanRiessen, F Jones, D Southam

Geopolymer Development for Dust Control: A project with Billiton Alumina Australia Pty Ltd

BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd (prev Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd)

2008-2010 $300,000.00 $100,000.00

M Ogden, N Gorham Synergistic Solvent Extraction and Fundamental Evaluation of Aqueous Solutions

Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions (Parker Centre)

2008-2011 $200,000.00 $90,500.00

D John Top of the Line Corrosion by Continuous Chemical Treatment

Chevron Energy Technology Company, Nalco Pacific PTE Ltd, WA:ERA

2008-2011 $150,000.00 $25,000.00

R Gubner Professorial Chair in Corrosion Engineering

Woodside Energy Limited, Chevron Energy Technology Pty Ltd

2007-2010 $1,250,000.00 $250,000.00

A Rohl

Western Australian Interactive Virtual Environment Centre

Department of Industry and Resources(NOW DEPT OF COMMERCE), CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia, Australian Partnership for Advanced Com

2004-2011 $5,465,000.00 $1,527,435.00

$9,646,000.00 $ 2,761,200.00 Bold font highlights the Curtin Chemistry Staff


7.3 Curtin Research Grants, Institutional Partnerships Investigators Project Funding Organisations Year List Awarded Awarded

Total 2011 J Charrois, A Heitz, C Joll, S McDonald

An Investigation of Water Quality in the Swan-Canning River System - Phase I

Curtin University

2010-2012 $150,000.00 $50,000.00

J Charrois Fellowship Curtin University 2011-2014 $385,000.00 $128,606.00 A Heitz, C A Joll Fellowship - Linge Curtin University 2007-2011 $387,000.00 $61,000.00 K Lepkova Development of electrochemical methodology for

investigation of corrosion mechanisms. Curtin University 2009-2013 $461,567.00 $112,504.00

D Silvester-Dean Investigation into the Fundamental and Applied Electrochemical Aspects of lon-Selective Electrodes and Membranes

Curtin University 2008-2012 $339,191.00 $115,331.00

D Brown IRG 2010 - Carbene-nickel complexes as homogenous catalysts

Curtin University 2011 $12,000.00 $12,000.00

A Payne IRG 2010 - Modular Chemical Synthesis using Thiophene-1,1-dioxides


D Silvester-Dean IRG 2010 - Development of an Electrochemical Gas Sensor for the Detection of Toxic Gases and Explosives


C Jaraula IRG 2010 - Investigating climate activity in the West Pacific Warm Pool using biomarkers and their stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes extracted from Philippine sediments


P Kowalczyk CRF 10084 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Multi-Component Greenhouse Gas Mixtures in Nanoconfinement


A Heitz Developing capacity for water quality research in Western Australlia


K Trinajstic Extinction and survival: achronostratigraphic approach to biotic changes accross key Devonian boundaries


K Wright Retention - Ogden-Nanochemistry Curtin University 2008-2011 $315,000.00 $82,000.00 J D Gale N Marks and Gale - Capacity build Curtin University 2008-2011 $537,000.00 $141,000.00 D Arrigan Biomolecular sensing via miniaturised liquid-liquid

interfaces Curtin University 2009-2014 $587,890.86 $112,886.00


P Raiteri Unlocking the secrets of natural self-assembly through the simulation of crystal growth from solution


R Gubner Corr-CERT Centre Funding Curtin University 2010-2012 $150,000.00 $50,000.00

$5,596,056.00 $1,210,862.00

88.1 ERA A* Rated

8.2 ERA A Rated

8.3 ERA B Rated

8.4 ERA C Rated

8.5 Non ERA Rated

publication list


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80

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Non ERA

8 PUBLICATION LIST

Refereed Journals Articles Publications are categorised according to the ARC’s ERA Journal rankings that remained active for the first quarter of 2011.

8.1 ERA A* Rated

1. Atahan, P., Dodson, J., Li, X., Zhou, X., Hu, S., Chen, L., Burtuch, F., and Grice, K. (2011) Early Neolithic diets at Baijia, Wei River valley, China: stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human and faunal remains, Journal of Archaeological Science 38, 2811-2817.

2. Bittencourt, C., Navio, C., Nicolay, A., Ruelle, B., Godfroid, T., Snyders, R., Colomer, J. f., Lagos, M. J., Ke, X., Van Tendeloo, G., Suarez-Martinez, I., and Ewels, C. P. (2011) Atomic Oxygen Functionalization of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes, Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115, 20412-20418.

3. Brown, D. H., and Skelton, B. W. (2011) Nickel complexes of a bis(benzimidazolin-2-ylidene)pyridine pincer ligand with four- and five-coordinate geometries, Dalton Transactions 40, 8849-8858.

4. Carter, D. J., Marks, N. A., Warschkow, O., and McKenzie, D. R. (2011) Phosphorus [delta]-doped silicon: mixed-atom pseudopotentials and dopant disorder effects, Nanotechnology 22.

5. Casson, L., Muzzioli, S., Raiteri, P., Skelton, B. W., Stagni, S., Massi, M., and Brown, D. H. (2011) N-Heterocyclic carbenes as pi*-acceptors in luminescent Re(i) triscarbonyl complexes, Dalton Transactions 40, 11960-11960.

6. Criquet, J., and Karpel Vel Leitner, N. (2011) Radiolysis of acetic acid aqueous solutions—Effect of pH and persulfate addition, Chemical Engineering Journal 174, 504-509.

7. Criquet, J., and Karpel Vel Leitner, N. (2011) Electron beam irradiation of aqueous solution of persulfate ions, Chemical Engineering Journal 169, 258-262.


8. Dawson, K., Strutwolf, J., Rodgers, K., Herzog, G., Arrigan, D. W. M., Quinn, A. J., and O’Riordan, A. (2011) Single Nanoskived Nanowires for Electrochemical Applications, Analytical Chemistry 83, 5535-5540.

9. Demichelis, R., Noel, Y., D'Arco, P., Rerat, M., Zicovich-Wilson, C. M., and Dovesi, R. (2011) Properties of carbon nanotubes: an ab initio study using large Gaussian basis sets and various DFT functionals, Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115, 8876-8885.

10. Demichelis, R., Noel, Y., Ugliengo, P., Zicovich-Wilson, C. M., and Dovesi, R. (2011) Physico-Chemical Features of Aluminum Hydroxides As Modeled with 2 the Hybrid B3LYP Functional and Localized Basis Functions, Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115, 13107-13134.

11. Driscoll, C., Reid, B., McIldowie, M., Muzzioli, S., Nealon, G., Skelton, B. W., Stagni, S., Brown, D. H., Massi, M., and Ogden, M. I. (2011) A ‘‘plug-and-play’’ approach to the preparation of transparent luminescent hybrid materials based on poly(methyl methacrylate), a calix[4]arene cross-linking agent, and terbium ions, Chemical Communications 47, 3876-3878.

12. Eiserbeck, C., Nelson, R. K., Grice, K., Curiale, J., Reddy, C. M., and Raiteri, P. (2011) Separation of 18 (H)-, 18 (H)-oleanane and lupane by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, Journal of Chromatography A 1218, 5549-5553.

13. Fawcett, P., Werne, J., Anderson, S., Heikoop, J., Brown, E., Berke, M., Smith, S., Goff, F., Donohoo-Hurley, L., Cisneros-Dozal, L., Schouten, S., Schow, E., Damste, J., Huang, Y., Toney, J., Fessenden, J., WoldeGabriel, G., Atudorei, V., Geissman, J., and Allen, C. (2011) Extended megadroughts in the southwestern United States during Pleistocene interglacials, Nature 470, 518-521.

14. Fong, Y.-y., Visser, B. R., Gascooke, J. R., Cowie, B. C., Thomsen, L., Metha, G. F., Buntine, M. A., and Harris, H. H. (2011) Photoreduction Kinetics of Sodium Tetrachloroaurate under Synchrotron Soft X-ray Exposure, Langmuir 27, 8099-8104.

15. Gale, J. D., Raiteri, P., and van Duin, A. (2011) A reactive force field for aqueous-calcium carbonate systems, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 13, 16666-166679.

16. Gauden, P. A., Terzyk, A. P., Pienkowski, R., Furmaniak, S., Wesolowski, R. P., and Kowalczyk, P. (2011) Molecular dynamics of zigzag single walled carbon nanotube immersion in water, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 13, 5621-5629.

17. Glasser, L., and Jenkins, H. D. B. (2011) Volume-Based Thermodynamics: A Prescription for Its Application and Usage in Approximation and Prediction of Thermodynamic Data, Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 56, 874-880.

18. Glasser, L., and Jenkins, H. D. B. (2011) Ambient Isobaric Heat Capacities, Cp,m, for Ionic Solids and Liquids: An Application of Volume-Based Thermodynamics (VBT), Inorganic Chemistry 50, 8565-8569.

19. Goh, C. Y., Becker, T., Brown, D. H., Skelton, B. W., Jones, F., Mocerino, M., and Ogden, M. I. (2011) Self-inclusion of proline-functionalised calix[4]arene leads to hydrogelation, Chemical Communications 47, 6057-6059.

20. Hudson-edwards, K. A., and Wright, K. V. (2011) Computer simulations of the interactions of the (0 1 2) and (0 0 1) surfaces of jarosite with Al, Cd, Cu2+ and Zn, Geochemica Et Cosmochimica Acta 75, 52-62.

21. Hughes, Z. E., Carrington, L. A., Raiteri, P., and Gale, J. D. (2011) A Computational Investigation into the Suitability of Purely Siliceous Zeolites as Reverse Osmosis Membranes, Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115, 4063-4075.


22. Karagiannidis, L. E., Gale, P. A., Light, M. E., Massi, M., and Ogden, M. I. (2011) Further insight into the coordination of 2,5-dicarbothioamidopyrroles: the case of Cu and Co complexes, Dalton Transactions 40, 12097-12105.

23. Kowalczyk, P., Gauden, P. A., and Ciach, A. (2011) Optimization of Coarse-Grained Interaction Potential: Inside Inherent Limitations of Coarse-Graining Methods, Journal of Physical Chemistry B 115, 6985-6994.

24. Kowalczyk, P., Gauden, P. A., Terzyk, A. P., and Furmaniak, S. (2011) Quantum fluctuations increase the self-diffusive motion of para-hydrogen in narrow carbon nanotubes, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 13, 9824-9830.

25. Kowalczyk, P., Gauden, P. A., Terzyk, A. P., Furmaniak, S., and Kaneko, K. (2011) Cryogenic Helium Adsorbed in Zeolite Rho: Inside Localization Controlled Self-Diffusion of Confined Quantum Particles, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C: Nanomaterials and Interfaces 115, 18105-18110.

26. Mead-Hunter, R., Mullins, B. J., Becker, T., and Braddock, R. D. (2011) Evaluation of the Force Required to Move a Coalesced Liquid Droplet along a Fiber, Langmuir 27, 227-232.

27. Rimboud, M., Hart, R. D., Becker, T., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Electrochemical behaviour and voltammetric sensitivity at arrays of nanoscale interfaces between immiscible liquids, Analyst 136, 4674-4681.

28. Silvester, D. S. (2011) Recent advances in the use of ionic liquids for electrochemical sensing, Analyst 136, 4871-4882.

29. Spagnoli, D., Allen, J. P., and Parker, S. C. (2011) The structure and dynamics of hydrated and hydroxylated magnesium oxide nanoparticles, Langmuir 27, 1821-1829.

30. Suarez-Martinez, I., and Marks, N. A. (2011) Effect of microstructure on the thermal conductivity of disordered carbon, Applied Physics Letters 99, 033101-033101.

31. Tan, Y. J., Mocerino, M., and Paterson, T. (2011) Organic molecules showing the characteristics of localised corrosion aggravation and inhibition, Corrosion Science 53, 2041-2045.

32. Trenfield, M. A., McDonald, S. R., Kovacs, K., Lesher, E. K., Pringle, J. M., Markich, S. J., Ng, J. C., Noller, B., Brown, P. L., and Van Dam, R. A. (2011) Dissolved Organic Carbon Reduces Uranium Bioavailability and Toxicity. 1. Characterization of an aquatic Fulvic Acid and Its Complexation with Uranium[VI], Environmental Science and Technology 45, 3075-3081.

33. Vitzthun von Eckstaedt, C., Grice, K., Ioppolo-Armanios, M., Chidlow, G. E., and Jones, M. (2011) [delta]D and [delta]13C analyses of atmospheric volatile organic compounds by thermal desorption gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry, Journal of Chromatography A 1218, 6511-6517.

34. Wang, D., Lu, S., Kulesza, P. J., Ming Li, C., De Marco, R., and Jiang, S. p. (2011) Enhanced oxygen reduction at Pd catalytic nanoparticles dispersed onto heteropolytungstate-assembled poly(diallyldimethylammonium)- functionalized carbonw nanotubes, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 13, 4400-4410.

35. Weijers, J., Bernhardt, B., Peterse, F., Werne, J., Dungait, J., Schouten, S., and Damste, J. (2011) Absence of seasonal patterns in MBT–CBT indices in mid-latitude soils, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 75, 3179-3190.


36. Werrett, M. V., Chartrand, D., Gale, J. D., Hanan, G. S., Maclellan, J. G., Massi, M., Muzzioli, S., Raiteri, P., Skelton, B. W., Silberstein, M., and Stagni, S. (2011) Synthesis, Structural, and Photophysical Investigation of Diimine Triscarbonyl Re(I) Tetrazolato Complexes, Inorganic Chemistry 50, 1229-1241.

37. Williford, K. H., Grice, K., Logan, G. A., Chen, J., and Huston, D. (2011) The molecular and isotopic effects of hydrothermal alteration of organic matter in the Paleoproterozoic McArthur River Pb/Zn/Ag ore deposit, Earth and Planetary Science Letters 301, 382-392.

8.2 ERA A Rated

38 Alexander, R., Berwick, L., and Pierce, K. J. (2011) Single carbon surface reactions of 1-octadecene and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol on activated carbon: Implications for methane formation in sediments, Organic Geochemistry 42, 540-547.

39 Asif, M., Fazeelat, T., and Grice, K. (2011) Petroleum geochemistry of the Potwar Basin, Pakistan: 1. Oil–oil correlation using biomarkers, [delta]13C and [delta]D, Organic Geochemistry 42, 1226-1240.

40 Baynton, A., Chandler, B. D., Jones, F., Nealon, G., Ogden, M. I., Radomirovic, T., Shimizu, G. K., and Taylor, J. M. (2011) Phosphonate additives do not always inhibit crystallization, CrystEngComm 13, 1090-1095.

41 Baynton, A., Radomirovic, T., Ogden, M. I., Raston, C., Richmond, W. R., and Jones, F. (2011) Small molecules induce mesocrystal formation: nanoparticle aggregation directed by self-assembling calixarenes, CrystEngComm 13, 109-112.

42 Beni, V., Collins, G., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Investigation into the voltammetric behaviour and detection of selenium(IV) at metal electrodes in diverse electrolyte media, Analytica Chimica Acta 699, 127-133.

43 Berwick, L., Alexander, R., and Pierce, K. J. (2011) Formation and reactions of alkyl adamantanes in sediments: Carbon surface reactions, Organic Geochemistry 42, 752-761.

44 Bilic, A., Gale, J. D., and Sanvito, S. (2011) From fused aromatics to graphene-like nanoribbons: The effects of multiple terminal groups, length and symmetric pathways on charge transport, Physical Review B 84, 205436-205436.

45 Blyth, A. J., Baker, A., Thomas, L. E., and Van Calsteren, P. (2011) A 2000-year lipid biomarker record preserved in a stalagmite from north-west Scotland, Journal of Quaternary Science 26, 326-334.

46 Bull, R. J., Reckhow, D. A., Li, X., Humpage, A. R., Joll, C. A., and Hrudey, S. E. (2011) Potential carcinogenic hazards of non-regulated disinfection by-products: Haloquinones, halo-cyclopentene and cyclohexene derivatives, N-halamines, halonitriles, and heterocyclic amines, Toxicology 286, 1-19.

47 Carter, D. J., and Rohl, A. L. (2011) Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations of (101) Surfaces of Potassium Dihydrogenphosphate, Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation 7, 1604-1609.

48 Collins, C. J., Strutwolf, J., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Pharmaceutical modulation of diffusion potentials at aqueous–aqueous boundaries under laminar flow conditions, Electrophoresis 32, 844-849.

49 Dick, J., and Shock, E. L. (2011) Calculation of the Relative Chemical Stabilities of Proteins as a Function of Temperature and Redox Chemistry in a Hot Spring, PLoS ONE 6.


50 Furmaniak, S., Terzyk, A. P., Gauden, P. A., Kowalczyk, P., and Harris, P. J. f. (2011) The influence of the carbon surface chemical composition on Dubinin–Astakhov equation parameters calculated from SF6 adsorption data—grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 23.

51 Furmaniak, S., Terzyk, A. P., Gauden, P. A., Marks, N. A., Rebecca, P. C., and Kowalczyk, P. (2011) Simulating the changes in carbon structure during the burn-off process, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 360, 211-219.

52 Herzog, G., Nolan, M.-t., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Haemoglobin unfolding studies at the liquid–liquid interface, Electrochemistry Communications 13, 723-725.

53 Howitt, C., Lewis, S. W., and Upson, E. (2011) It’s a mystery!” A case study of implementing forensic science into preschool as scientific inquiry, Australian Journal of Early Childhood 36, 45-55.

54 Kahr, B., Shtukenberg, A., Gunn, E., Carter, D. J., and Rohl, A. L. (2011) Controlling Mesoscale Crystal Helicity with Additives, Again, Crystal Growth and Design 11, 2070-2073.

55 Kowalczyk, P., Ciach, A., Gauden, P. A., and Terzyk, A. P. (2011) Equilibrium clusters in concentrated lysozyme protein solutions, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 363, 579-584.

56 Kristiana, I., Joll, C. A., and Heitz, A. (2011) Powdered activated carbon coupled with enhanced coagulation for natural organic matter removal and disinfection by-product control: Application in a Western Australian water treatment plant, Chemosphere 83, 661-667.

57 Maselli, O. J., Gascooke, J. R., Lawrance, W. D., and Buntine, M. A. (2011) The dynamics of evaporation from a liquid surface, Chemical Physics Letters 513, 1-11.

58 Maslen, E., Grice, K., Le Metayer, P., Dawson, D., and Edwards, D. (2011) Stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual aromatic hydrocarbons as source and age indicators in oils from western Australian basins, Organic Geochemistry 42, 387-398.

59 Melis, C., Raiteri, P., Colombo, L., and Mattoni, A. (2011) Self-Assembling of Zinc Phthalocyanines on ZnO (101¯0) Surface through Multiple Time Scales, ACS Nano 12, 9639-9647.

60 Moujahid, W., Eichelmann-Daly, P., Strutwolf, J., Ogurtsov, V. I., Herzog, G., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Microelectrochemical Systems on Silicon Chips for the Detection of Pollutants in Seawater, Electroanalysis 23, 147-155.

61 Murugappan, K., Lee, J., and Silvester, D. S. (2011) Comparative study of screen printed electrodes for ammonia gas sensing in ionic liquids, Electrochemistry Communications 13, 1435-143

62 Oualid, O., Pawlak, R., Abel, M., Clair, S., Chen, L., Bergeon, N., Sassi, M., Oison, V., Debierre, J.-m., Coratger, R., and Porte, L. (2011) Substrate-mediated ordering and defect analysis of a surface covalent organic framework, Physical Review B 84, 125421-125421.

63 Power, G., Loh, J. S. c., Wajon, J. E., Busetti, F. M., and Joll, C. A. (2011) A review of the determination of organic compounds in Bayer process liquors, Analytica Chimica Acta 689, 8-21.

64 Raiteri, P., Gale, J. D., and Bussi, G. (2011) Reactive force field simulation of proton diffusion in BaZrO3 using an empirical valence bond approach, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 23.

65 Scanlon, M. D., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Enhanced Electroanalytical Sensitivity via Interface Miniaturisation: Ion Transfer Voltammetry at an Array of Nanometre Liquid–Liquid Interfaces, Electroanalysis 23, 1023-1028.


66 Silvester, D. S., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Array of water|room temperature ionic liquid micro-interfaces, Electrochemistry Communications 13, 477-479.

67 Simpson, P. V., Skelton, B. W., Brown, D. H., and Baker, M. V. (2011) Synthesis and Characterisation of Mono- and Bidentate Alkoxybenzimidazolin-2-ylidene Palladium Complexes: Interesting Solution Behaviour and Application in Catalysis, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2011, 1937-1952.

68 Sperinck, S., Raiteri, P., Marks, N. A., and Wright, K. V. (2011) Dehydroxylation of kaolinite to metakaolin—a molecular dynamics study, Journal of Materials Chemistry 21, 2118-2125.

69 Veder, J.-p., Nafady, A., Clarke, G. J., Williams, R., De Marco, R., and Bond, A. M. (2011) A flow cell for transient voltammetry and in situ grazing incidence X-ray diffraction characterization of electrocrystallized cadmium(II) tetracyanoquinodimethane, Electrochimica Acta 56, 1546-1553.

70 Vitzthun von Eckstaedt, C., Grice, K., Ioppolo-Armanios, M., and Jones, M. (2011) [delta]13C and [delta]D of volatile organic compounds in an alumina industry stack emission, Atmospheric Environment 45, 5477-5483.

71 Wagner, P., Ewels, C. P., Suarez-Martinez, I., Guiot, V., Cox, S. F., Lord, J. S., and Briddon, P. R. (2011) Behavior of hydrogen ions, atoms, and molecules in [alpha]-boron studied using density functional calculations, Physical Review B 83, 024101-024101-024101-024105.

72 Woltering, M., Johnson, T., Werne, J., Schouten, S., and Damste, J. (2011) Late Pleistocene temperature history of Southeast Africa: A TEX86 temperature record from Lake Malawi, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 303, 93-102.

73 Yaya, A., Ewels, C. P., Suarez-Martinez, I., Wagner, P., Lefrant, S., Okotrub, A., Bulusheva, L., and Briddon, P. R. (2011) Bromination of graphene and graphite, Physical Review B 83, 045411-045411-045411-045415.

8.3 ERA B Rated

74 Aboglila, S., Grice, K., Trinajstic, K., Snape, C., and Williford, K. H. (2011) The significance of 24-norcholestanes, 4-methylsteranes and dinosteranes in oils and source-rocks from East Sirte Basin (Libya), Applied Geochemistry 26, 1694-1705.

75 Asif, M., Nazir, A., Fazeelat, T., Grice, K., Nasir, S., and Saleem, A. (2011) Applications of Polycyclic

Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Assess the Source and Thermal Maturity of the Crude Oils from the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, Petroleum Science and Technology 29, 2234-2246.

76 Bartle, E. K., Dook, J., and Mocerino, M. (2011) Attitudes of tertiary students towards a group project in a science unit, Chemistry Education: Research and Practice 12, 303-311.

77 Bradshaw, R., Gormley, A. M., Charrois, J. W., Hrudey, S. E., Cromar, N. J., Jalba, D. I., and Pollard, S. J. t. (2011) Managing incidents in the water utility sector – towards high reliability?, Water Science and Technology: Water Supply 11, 631-641.

78 Busetti, F. M., Backe, W. J., Bendixen, N., Maier, U., Place, B., Giger, W., and Field, J. A. (2011) Trace

analysis of environmental matrices by large-volume injection and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 10.

79 Chester, R., Couton, D. M., Lobler, R., Mocerino, M., Ogden, M. I., Pettersen, J. K., Skelton, B. W., and White, A. H. (2011) The extraction of thallium(I) and silver(I) ions with 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene derivatives, Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry 71, 471-477.


80 Ciccioli, A., and Glasser, L. (2011) Complexities of One-Component Phase Diagrams, Journal of Chemical Education 88, 586-591.

81 Crisp, M. G., Kable, S. H., Read, J. R., and Buntine, M. A. (2011) A disconnect between staff and student perceptions of learning: an ACELL educational analysis of the first year undergraduate chemistry experiment ‘investigating sugar using a home made polarimeter’, Chemistry Education: Research and Practice 12, 469-477.

82 Glasser, L. (2011) Thermodynamics of Condensed Phases: Formula Unit Volume, Vm, and the Determination of the Number of Formula Units, Z, in a Crystallographic Unit Cell, Journal of Chemical Education 88, 581-585.

83 Miyazaki, J., Tan, B. H., Errington, S. G., and Kuo, J. (2011) Bacterial endophyte in Macropidia fuliginosa: its localisation and eradication from in vitro cultured basal-stem callus, Australian Journal of Botany 59, 363-368.

84 Patterson, B., Shackleton, M., Furness, A. J., Bekele, E., Pearce, J., Linge, K. L., Busetti, F. M., Spadek, T., and Toze, S. (2011) Behaviour and fate of nine recycled water trace organics during managed aquifer recharge in an aerobic aquifer, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 122, 53-62.

85 Rabett, R., Appleby, J., Blyth, A. J., Farr, L., Gallou, A., Griffiths, T., Hawkes, J., Marcus, D., Marlow, L., Morley, M., Tan, N. c., Son, N. v., Penkman, K., Reynolds, T., Stimpson, C., and Szabo, K. (2011) Inland shell midden site-formation: Investigation into a late Pleistocene to early Holocene midden from Tra`ng An, Northern Vietnam, Quaternary International 239, 153-169.

86 Radomirovic, T., Ogden, M. I., and Jones, F. (2011) Rod-shaped barium sulfate particles from a completely inorganic system, Journal of Crystal Growth 321, 78-84.

87 Robinson, M., Smith, R., Storr, M. B., and Kenny, S. D. (2011) Barium sulfate crystallization dependence on upper rim calix[4]arene functional groups, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 269, 2539-2548.

88 Zhou, Y., Grice, K., Chikaraishi, Y., Stuart-Williams, H., Farquhar, G. D., and Ohkouchi, N. (2011) Temperature effect on leaf water deuterium enrichment and isotopic fractionation during leaf lipid biosynthesis: Results from controlled growth of C3 and C4 land plants, Phytochemistry 72, 207-213.

8.4 ERA C Rated

89 Busetti, F. M., and Heitz, A. (2011) Determination of human and veterinary antibiotics in indirect

potable reuse systems, International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 91, 989-1012.

90 Herzog, G., Flynn, S., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Macromolecular sensing at the liquid-liquid interface, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 307, 012055-012055.

91 Kang, L.-l., Liu, T., Zhang, Q., Xu, L.-z., and Zhang, F. (2011) Study of electronic structures and absorption bands of BaMgF4 crystal with F colour centre, Chinese Physics B 20.

92 Said, N. a., Twomey, K., Ogurtsov, V. I., Arrigan, D. W. M., and Herzog, G. (2011) Fabrication and Electrochemical Characterization of Micro and Nanoelectrode Arrays for Sensor Applications, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 307, 012052-012052.


8.5 Non ERA Rated

93 Becker, T., Gorham, N. T., Shiers, D. W., and Watling, H. R. (2011) In situ imaging of Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans on pyrite under conditions of variable pH using tapping mode atomic force microscopy, PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY 46, 966-976.

94 Bojase, G., Nguyen, T. V., Payne, A. D., Willis, A. C., and Sherburn, M. S. (2011) Synthesis and properties of the ivyanes: the parent 1,1-oligocyclopropanes, Chemical Science 2, 229-232.

95 Creasey, R., Sharma, S., Gibson, C. T., Craig, J. E., Ebner, A., Becker, T., Hinterdorfer, P., and Voelcker, N. H. (2011) Atomic force microscopy-based antibody recognition imaging of proteins in the pathological deposits in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome, Ultramicroscopy 111, 1055-1061.

96 Demichelis, R., Raiteri, P., Gale, J. D., Quigley, D., and Gebauer, D. (2011) Stable prenucleation mineral clusters are liquid-like ionic polymers, Nature Communications, 2,590

97 Ellis, J. S., Herzog, G., Glynn, B., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Electrochemical Characterization of Regularly-aligned Nanopore Array Membranes Filled with Electrolyte Solutions and their use for Detection of Nucleic Acid Hybridization, ECS Transactions 35, 29-44.

98 Francis, M. J., and Pashley, R. M. (2011) The effects of feed water temperature and dissolved gases on permeate flow rate and permeate conductivity in a pilot scale Reverse Osmosis desalination unit, Desalination and Water Treatment 36, 363-373.

99 Francis, M. J., Pashley, R. M., and Rzechowicz, M. (2011) The effects of feed water de-gassing on the permeate flux of a small scale SWRO pilot plant, Desalination and Water Treatment 25, 150-158.

100 Frick, A. A., Berryman, D., and Lewis, S. W. (2011) MASS SPECTRAL IMAGING: A POWERFUL NEW TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF LATENT FINGERMARK CHEMISTRY, Identification Canadaro 34, 84-96.

101 Glasser, L. (2011) Predictive Thermodynamics for Condensed Phases,and Nanotechnology, The A to Z of Nanotechnology 1.

102 Heggie, M. I., Suarez-Martinez, I., Davidson, C., and Haffenden, G. L. (2011) Buckle, ruck and tuck: A proposed new model for the response of graphite to neutron irradiation, Journal of Nuclear Materials 413, 150-155.

103 Herzog, G., O'Sullivan, S., Ellis, J. S., and Arrigan, D. W. M. (2011) Sensing via Voltammetric Ion-Transfer at an Aqueous-Organogel Micro-Interface Array, Sensor Letters 9, 721-724.

104 Houck, M. M., Robertson, J., Found, B., Kobus, H., Lewis, S. W., Raymond, M., Reedy, P., Ross, A., Roux, C., and Vining, R. (2011) A Round Table Discussion on Forensic Science in Australia, Forensic Science Policy and Management 2, 44-54.

105 Twomey, K., Alvarez de Eulate, E., Marchesi, J. R., Kolida, S., Gibson, G., Arrigan, D. W. M., and Ogurtsov, V. I. (2011) Characterization of the Electrochemical Behavior of Gastrointestinal Fluids Using a Multielectrode Sensor Probe, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering 58, 2521-2527.

106 Yaya, A., Ewels, C. P., Wagner, P., Suarez-Martinez, I., Tekley, G. A., and Jensen, R. L. (2011) Purification of single-walled carbon nanotubes, The European Physical Journal Applied Physics 54, 10401-10401.

107 Yeung, A., Pyke, S. M., Sharma, M., Barrie, S. C., Buntine, M. A., Burke Da Silva, K., Kable, S. H., and Lim, K. F. (2011) The Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory (ASELL) Project:


The first Australian multidisciplinary workshop, International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education 19, 51-72.

108 Bailey, S.I. (2011) Techniques Used in Research for the Prevention of Top-of-the-line Corrosion,

EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION – VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1, 1 – 5.

99.1 Introduction

9.2 Research Profiles

research report


9 RESEARCH REPORT 9.1 Introduction

The Department of Chemistry continues to be active in a wide range of research programs in both fundamental and applied chemistry. Although the Department is engaged in a broad range of research programs, there are seven key areas of research that are aligned with the Department's teaching program, the needs of the Australian chemical community, and current international developments in chemistry research. Through the leadership provided by the Department Research Committee (established in 2009), the Department has also invested considerable effort into defining its priority areas of research activity and focus. These are:

• Analytical chemistry • Chemistry education • Computational chemistry • Corrosion science • Materials chemistry and spectroscopy • Minerals, water and geochemistry • Synthesis, medicinal and biological chemistry

Most staff members are engaged in more than one of these areas, and the summaries of research progress in 2011 are documented as brief Research Profiles.


9.2 Research Profiles

Associate Professor Damien Arrigan Office: 500-3115 Lab: 500-2222 Phone: 9266 9735 Email: [email protected] Electrochemistry at liquid-liquid interfaces: Our interests are in electrochemical behavior at interfaces between immiscible liquids and the use of that behavior as the basis for chemical and biochemical sensing and detection. Key progress was made during 2011 in the following areas: Arrays of water|room temperature ionic liquid micro-interfaces Voltammetry was used to characterise the micro-interface array between water and a hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) trihexyltetradodecylphosphonium tris (pentafluoroethyl) trifluoromethylphosphate ([P14,6,6,6][FAP]). The interface array was formed within the micropores of a silicon chip membrane. The transfers of three cations (tetraalkylammoniums) and three anions (tetraphenylborate, hexafluorophosphate and tetrafluoroborate) across the interface were studied, with the voltammogram shapes indicating that the RTIL filled the pores. This work is particularly relevant to the sensing and extraction of redox-inactive ions. Voltammetric sensitivity at arrays of nanoscale interfaces between immiscible liquids Arrays of nanoscale interfaces between immiscible electrolyte solutions were formed using silicon nitride nanopore array membranes. Nanopores in the range from 75 nm radius down to 17 nm radius were used to form the nano-interfaces. It was found that the liquid organic phase electrolyte solution filled the pores so that inlaid nano-interfaces were formed with the aqueous phase. Cyclic voltammetry at these nano-interface arrays demonstrated steady-state behaviour at the larger interfaces. The analytical sensitivity for ion transfer from the aqueous to the 1,6-dichlorohexane organic phase was estimated from calibration plots of current density versus concentration of aqueous tetraethylammonium cation. The sensitivity depended directly on the nano-interface inverse radius, implying that smaller interfaces will provide better sensitivity, due to the enhanced flux of analyte arising from convergent diffusion. Electrochemical behaviour of myoglobin at an array of microscopic liquid-liquid interfaces Electrochemistry at liquid-liquid interfaces provides a basis for the non-redox detection of biological molecules, based on ion-transfer or adsorption processes. The electroactivity of myoglobin at an array of micron-sized liquid-organogel interfaces was investigated. The array was formed using a silicon membrane containing an array of eight micropores. Using cyclic voltammetry, the protein was shown to adsorb at the interface and facilitate the transfer of the organic phase electrolyte anions to the aqueous side of the interface. The current response was linear with concentration in the range of 1 – 6 µM and the detection of the protein was only possibly when the pH of the aqueous phase was below the pI of the protein. These results provide the basis for label-free detection of myoglobin at the ITIES. Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of lysozyme at an array of liquid-liquid microinterfaces Electrochemical adsorption and voltammetry of hen-egg-white-lysozyme (HEWL) was studied at an array of micro-interfaces between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. Adsorption of the protein was achieved at an optimal applied potential of 0.95 V, after which it was desorbed by a voltammetric scan to lower potentials. The peak recorded during the desorption scan was dependent on the adsorption time and on the aqueous phase concentration of HEWL. Implementation of this adsorptive stripping voltammetric approach to HEWL detection demonstrated a linear dynamic range of 0.05 – 1 µM and a limit of detection of 0.03 µM, for 5 minutes preconcentration in unstirred solution - a more than ten-fold improvement on previous HEWL detection methods at liquid-liquid interfaces. These results provide the basis for a new analytical approach for label-free protein detection.

mailto:[email protected]


Dr Stuart Bailey Office: 500-4116 Phone: 9266 7808 Email: [email protected] Corrosion Chemistry and Corrosion Science My research is based on furthering the scientific understanding of corrosion processes, particularly through the application of chemistry research methods. The primary focus has been on issues relevant to the oil and gas production industries which are of major significance to Western Australia. Inhibition of carbon dioxide corrosion of carbon steel. Oil and gas production pipelines are susceptible to corrosion by carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide and water of some degree of salinity are invariable produced from oil and gas wells along with the desired hydrocarbons. Despite the absence of oxygen in reservoirs, the carbon dioxide solution in water is corrosive to the carbon steel which is commonly used in the fabrication of the pipeline, resulting in internal pipeline corrosion. Pipeline operators usually aim to limit the internal pipeline corrosion through addition of corrosion inhibitors into the production stream. We have conducted extensive research into the performance and mechanism of operation of the corrosion inhibitors, as applied to the aqueous phase in the production stream, where “bottom of the line” corrosion can occur. The mode of adsorption of the inhibitor has been demonstrated to have a vital influence on the electrochemical corrosion reaction of the steel. A somewhat less common, but very challenging, form of corrosion can occur where subsea pipelines experience external cooling (by the seawater). Deep reservoirs are at quite high temperatures, and so water vapour and volatile acid gases such as carbon dioxide and acetic acid are amongst the produced fluids. These may condense on the twelve o’clock surface of the pipeline, which is isolated from corrosion inhibitors applied to the bottom-of-the-line, and result in top-of-the-line-corrosion. We are carrying out research on the development of methods to study the top-of-the-line-corrosion process, and to assess the viability of attempting to control this corrosion through the use of inhibitors. Another issue in the use of corrosion inhibitors on the bottom of the line is that some wells may produce solids such as sand and clay. These lie on the bottom-of-the-line and can lead to “underdeposit corrosion”. We are applying electrochemical and other methods to assess the effectiveness of inhibitors against underdeposit corrosion. Corrosion of “stainless steel” alloys. One approach to limiting corrosion damage is the use of CRAs (corrosion resistant alloys). These materials are much more expensive than carbon steel, so the appropriate selection of material for the task is a critical part of project planning. These materials are also susceptible to “exotic” modes of corrosion failure such as intergranular stress corrosion cracking, splash zone corrosion and microbial influenced corrosion. We have projects on all of these areas.



Dr Thomas Becker Office: 500-1313 Lab: 500-C120 Phone: 9266 7806 Email: [email protected] Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) Scanning Probe Microscopes are powerful instruments for the nano-characterization of sample surfaces. The Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility is equipped with 7 top-range Scanning Probe Microscopes and 5 optical Microscopes to characterize samples from the micrometer- down to the nanometer-scale. In my position I am responsible to manage the SPM facility, which involves the maintenance and calibration of the equipment, training of new users, consultancy work and involvement in various research projects as well as giving lectures about Scanning Probe Microscopy. The instruments of the Facility include all standard imaging and operation modes for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and are used to measure the surface characteristics of a wide range of different samples. The measurements can be performed in air, liquids or controlled environment including temperature and humidity control. The Scanning Probe Microscopes are used for imaging and characterizing sample surfaces and to measure interaction forces between a sample and a probe using the Force-Spectroscopy. Surfaces can be modified on the nanometer scale as well as being tested using the nano-indentation equipment:

• Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) & Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS) • Contact, Intermittent Contact and Non-Contact Mode operation • Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM), • Electric Force Microscopy (EFM) & Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPM) • C-AFM module for current sensing applications (e.g. resistance mapping) • MAC ModeTM for high resolution in liquids • Measurements in air and gaseous environments, including humidity and temperature control • In situ measurements in fluids (in low and high pH and in most solvents) • Phase Imaging • Automatic cantilever spring constant calibration • Ultra-sensitive force measurements for Force-Spectroscopy • Force feedback to “feel” interaction forces between probe and sample surface • Nanolithography & -manipulation, Nanoindentation, -scratching & -wear testing • realtime AFM imaging (VideoAFM) in air and in solution

Fibrous network of an electrolyte-triggered hydrogel. (image size (5 x 5) μm2)



Dr Lyndon Berwick Office: 500-3201 Lab: 500-3220 Phone: 9266 2408 Email: [email protected] Dr. Lyndon Berwick is currently employed (Jan 2011- Jan 2014) as a full-time Research Fellow on an ARC Linkage project titled ‘Electron flow in iron hyper-enriched acidifying coastal environments: reaction paths and kinetics of iron-sulfur-carbon transformations’, in collaboration with Southern Cross University, the University of Melbourne and the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). The objective of this project is to explore fundamental pathways of Fe-S-C transformations and assist in developing remediation strategies for acid sulphate soils in Australian coastal environments. East Trinity Inlet is located approximately 1km from the centre of Cairns CBD (Queensland). Prior to being disturbed, the site was an ecologically diverse area comprising an estuarine floodplain covered with mangrove and samphire communities. In the early 1970’s a 7.4 km bund wall was constructed to prevent egress of tidal water onto the site and >700 ha of the wetlands were drained and cleared to grow sugar cane. Sugar cane production was eventually abandoned but changes to the hydrology of the site caused underlying acid sulfate soils (ASS) to oxidise, causing ongoing discharge of large quantities of sulfuric acid, iron, aluminium and other heavy metals into Trinity Inlet resulting in severely diminished populations of aquatic biota, mangroves and major fish kills. Remediation strategies based on tidal inundation have triggered anoxic reductive dissolution and redistribution of iron in this landscape on an unprecedented scale. Microbially-mediated reduction of the iron and sulfur is resulting in the progressive formation of iron sulfide minerals and iron carbonate (Keene et al 2010). The prominent topogradient zonation across the seawater inundation interface provides an ideal natural laboratory to explore fundamental pathways and kinetics of Fe-S-C transformations in a hyper-iron reductive environment. The Curtin group’s research component involves comprehensive organic geochemical and isotope characterisation of these highly acidic, iron hyper-enriched soils and sediments. The literature review for this project has commenced (ongoing) and the research approach and analytical protocol have been established. A field trip to the East Trinity site was completed in late August, 2011. 35 core samples of recent sediments/soils from 5 sampling sites were collected and freeze dried for detailed organic molecular and isotopic characterisation and cross-disciplinary integration of the organic data with new and previously published inorganic geochemical data and microbial community data collected by Eastern States collaborators. Ongoing extraction, fractionation and analysis of saturate, aromatic, polar and insoluble organic components of these samples using a suite of analytical techniques (e.g. GC-MS, LC-MS, GC-IRMS, Analytical Pyrolysis) to characterise and quantify biomarker and compound-specific C and H isotopic compositions has commenced. In addition, Dr. Berwick published two articles based on work from a previously completed ARC Linkage project (‘Reduction of risk in exploration for petroleum liquids ‘, Alexander, Grice, Murray, completed 2010) in the journal Organic Geochemistry.

http://wa-oigc.curtin.edu.au/people/lberwick.cfm



Dr David H Brown Office: 500-3118 Lab: 500-2219 Phone: 9266 1279 Email: [email protected]

The research interest of the Brown Research Group is focused on the synthesis and properties of metal complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. In particular we have an interest in the potential application of these complexes in the areas of catalysis and biomedical applications. Guy Travers (PhD student) has continued to explore the chemistry of nickel complexes of bis(benzimidazolin-2-yilidene)pyridyl pincer ligands (e.g. 1). The nickel complexes display catalytic activity in the Kumada reaction. After preliminary studies with the parent benzimidazole system Guy has started to explore the addition of electron donating substituents on the benzimidazolyl ring of the ligands (e.g. 2), and the influence these may have on the donor properties of the carbene carbons and the coordination chemistry of the resulting metal complexes. Karen MaGee commenced her PhD studies in 2011, exploring platinum complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in collaboration with Prof. Murray Baker (UWA) and Dr Max Massi. Karen's project will explore the synthesis, luminescence and potential biological application of these platinum complexes. Brodie Reid undertook honours in 2011, exploring the synthesis and photophysics of rhenium(I) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes. These types of complexes are luminescent and Brodie's project continued on from our recent publication on the first example of a luminescent rhenium(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complex, where the luminescence was a result of the acceptor nature of the carbene-pyridyl ligand (3). These types of complexes have potential application in the fields of LEDs and biological imaging. The project is in collaboration with Drs Max Massi and Paolo Raiteri (Curtin), and Dr Stefano Stagni (University of Bologna)


Professor Mark A. Buntine Office: 500-2114 Lab: 500-1239 Phone: 9266 7265 Email: [email protected] Laser Chemistry and Spectroscopy: During 2011 our on-going research focused on the laser-based formation kinetics and physical properties of metal nanoparticles, MNPs, in aqueous solution was extended to include an exploration of the changes in electronic properties of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) encapsulated with a variety of nitrogen-based ligands, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) encapsulated with various sulfur-based ligands. Varying the nature of the ligand has been shown to significantly influence the surface plasmon absorption characteristics of the MNPs. Associated synchrotron X-ray photoelectron studies have highlighted differing AuNP surface oxidation states as a function of surfactant (rather than ligand) environment [1]. On-going studies focused on measuring the internal energy distributions of benzene molecules that (a) spontaneously evaporate, and (b) are desorbed by a pulsed IR laser have also been published [2]. Ab initio Computational Chemistry: Throughout 2011 ab initio studies into anion binding with electron-deficient [3]-radialenes were undertaken, as were studies exploring the reaction potential energy surface of ruthenium complexes derived from alkyne carboxylate esters. Papers describing both projects have been submitted for publication. Chemistry Education: The Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory (ASELL) project and its progenitor chemistry-only ACELL variant have also continued [3-5]. These projects are designed to improve student learning outcomes in the undergraduate laboratory. The interested reader is directed to the project website (www.asell.org) for more details. My work with the ALTC-funded ‘Active learning in University Science’ (ALIUS) project has also been on-going. Through this project, we are exploring innovative methods for transforming undergraduate lectures from the traditional passive learning format associated with didactic leature delivery to student-focus active learning models. [1] The Photoreduction Kinetics of Sodium Tetrachloroaurate with Synchrotron Irradiation; Y.-Y. Fong, B. R. Visser, J. R. Gascooke, B. Cowie, L. Thomsen, G. F. Metha, M. A. Buntine and H. H. Harris, Langmuir, 27, 8099-8104 (2011). DOI: 10.1021/la200463k. [2] The Dynamics of Evaporation from a Liquid Surface; O. J. Maselli, J. R. Gascooke, W. D. Lawrance and M. A. Buntine, Chem. Phys. Lett. (Invited ‘Frontiers’ article), 513, 1-11 (2011). [3] The Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory (ASELL) Project: The Next Chapter; A. Yeung, S. M. Pyke, M. D. Sharma, S. C. Barrie, M. A. Buntine, K. Burke da Silva, S. H. Kable and K. F. Lim, International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 19(2), 51-72 (2011). [4] A disconnect between staff and student perceptions of learning: Am ACELL educational analysis of the First Year undergraduate chemistry experiment ‘Investigating Sugar using a Home Made Polarimeter’; M. G. Crisp, S. H. Kable, J. R. Read and M. A. Buntine, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., 12, 469-477 (2011). DOI: 10.1039/c0rp90015j. [5] The Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the laboratory (ASELL) Project: The next chapter; S. M. Pyke, A. Yeung, S. H. Kable, M. D. Sharma, S. C. Barrie, M. A. Buntine, K. Burke da Silva, K. F. Lim, in Proceedings of the 16th Uniserve Science Annual Conference, pp 7-12 (2010). ISBN 978-0-9808597-1-3. See this article also in: International Newsletter on Physics Education, vol. 62, pp 3-5, November 2011.



Dr Damien Carter Office: 500-3127 Phone: 9266 3126 Email: [email protected]

The activities for the main part of my research are split into two main sections, with one relating to density functional theory calculations with dispersion corrections (DFT-D) and the other relating to encouraging WA researchers to uptake or increase their usage of supercomputing resources (at iVEC and the NCI). During 2011 I had a number of papers published or accepted for publication relating to my DFT-D calculations of molecular crystals using the SIESTA code. My collaboration with Prof. Bart Kahr at New York University has also been productive with a several outputs relating to calculations of interactions of enantiomers of molecules with chiral crystal surfaces. A big highlight for the year was to travel to the ESRF in Grenoble, France for a synchrotron beam experiment studying the crystal structure of a shape memory alloy compound. During 2011 I was able to help a number of researchers from various research disciplines, both internal and external to Curtin University, with the use of the software packages (such as GDIS and GULP) and also aid them with access to and the usage of supercomputing facilities (in particular at iVEC). These include Dr Carl Cui (University of Sydney), Dr Franca Jones (Curtin) and Dr Kim Carter (Telethon Institute for Child Health Research).



Associate Professor Jeffrey Charrois Office: 500-2115 Lab: 500-3222, 3225, 3227 Phone: 9266-9793 Email: [email protected] Background Disinfection by-products (DBPs) were detected in drinking water over 35 years ago. Since then identification of DBP species has closely paralleled advances in analytical chemistry. Today over 600 individual DBP species, representing several chemical classes, have been identified in drinking water. Potential DBP health concerns reported by some toxicology and epidemiology studies include elevated risks of developing certain cancers or adverse reproductive outcomes. My research aims to be evidence-based and focuses on linking advances in analytical chemistry with emerging DBPs that have the biological plausibility to cause the adverse outcomes we seek to avoid. Notable DBP classes now being studied include: halonitromethanes, haloamides, halogenated furanones, haloaldehydes, haloquinones, as well as N-nitrosamines and iodo-DBPs. Improvements in extraction, separation, and detection technologies have improved our ability to identify DBP species that were once difficult, if not impossible, to detect by gas chromatography methods. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry applications are providing new insights into the monitoring of nonvolatile, high-molecular-weight, highly polar, hydrophilic, and thermally labile target by-products. Projects: Advanced water treatment technologies to minimise nitrogenous disinfection by-products in drinking water: understanding the role of organic nitrogen (ARC-Linkage with A/Prof Cynthia Joll and Dr. Kathryn Linge). Nitrogenous disinfection by-products are an emerging concern to drinking water utilities and health regulators due to their potent toxic and carcinogenic properties. Paradoxically, these compounds are formed preferentially by the new methods of disinfection which minimize formation of regulated, less toxic disinfection by-products. Increased use of water of more marginal quality will also lead to higher amounts of these compounds. This study will demonstrate the efficacy of different water treatment processes in removing precursors to nitrogenous disinfection by-products and provide new understanding of the chemistry of precursors. It will provide risk management tools for decision makers, allowing optimal use of limited water resources. This project is just getting underway.



Dr Raffaella Demichelis Office: 500-1105 Phone: 9266 3780 Email: [email protected] My research activity during 2011 has been mainly focused on the “Nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate”, in collaboration with Prof. Julian D. Gale and Dr. Paolo Raiteri (Computational Chemistry Group). Calcium carbonate is a common mineral that plays an important role in the chemistry of the hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, as well as being a technological hindrance in the form of scale. Three crystalline polymorphs corresponding to the CaCO3 formula are known. They are the final result of a non-classical nucleation process involving the formation of stable precursors, the nucleation of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), and the transformation of ACC into the crystalline forms (see Figure 1). This last step and the various species here involved, including two hydrated forms of CaCO3, is of crucial importance during mineralization and biomineralization because it determines the formation of one polymorph rather than the others. My research is contributing to reveal the atomic details of the various steps of this complex process, still surrounded by many unresolved questions.

Figure 1. Some species involved in the nucleation and crystallization of calcium carbonate in water: a simple CaCO3

ion pair, an example of pre-nucleation cluster (chain-like structure, or “dynamically ordered liquid like oxyanion polymer, DOLLOP”), an amorphous calcium carbonate nanoparticle, and the calcite crystalline polymorphs.

The research undertaken during the last year and the main outcomes are here summarised. - The early stages of the CaCO3 nucleation in pure water have been successfully investigated through computer simulation. The existence of thermodynamically stable pre-nucleation clusters preceding the nucleation of amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate has been confirmed, and these precursors have been shown to exhibit a dynamical ion-polymeric nature. This result is also a strong point in favour of a new non-classical nucleation theory, recently proposed to interpret the anomalous behaviour observed during crystal nucleation and growth of some minerals, and thus supports the recent radical change in thinking regarding nucleation. (Demichelis, Raiteri, Gale, Quigley, Gebauer, Nature Commun. 2011, 2, 590) - A major advance has been made towards understanding the disordered structure of vaterite (a calcium carbonate polymorph) that has puzzled scientists for the last half-century. Through first-principles computer simulation, we have been able to propose a new model, consistent with all the experimental evidence. (Demichelis, Raiteri, Gale, Dovesi, CrystEngComm 2012, 14, 44-47) - Investigation of the effect of organic molecules and other ions on the formation of pre-nucleation clusters and ACC is currently underway, using Molecular Dynamics and Free Energy methods.



Professor Julian Gale Office: 500-3122 Lab: 500-1105 Phone: 9266 7800 Email: [email protected] Calcium carbonate is one of the most abundant minerals, being found as limestone and in coral reefs. These occurances are as a result of the process of biomineralisation, whereby organisms convert calcium ions and dissolved carbon dioxide into minerals. This turns out to be a process rich in complexity as befits the many years that evolution has had to perfect its control. It is now believed that the calcium carbonate is initial formed as an amorphous phase, Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC), which may also contain water and impurities, which subsequently converts to one of several possible crystalline ordered polymorphs. Nature is able to store this ACC until more material is required and then select which of the polymorphs is needed depending on what purpose the substance will serve. However, the complexity doesn’t stop there – it was proposed in 2008 that there are small clusters of calcium carbonate formed that are stable in water even before the creation of ACC. Together with Drs Paolo Raiteri and Raffaella Demichelis from Curtin, as well as overseas collaborators from the Universities of Warwick in the UK and Konstanz in Germany, we have been investigating what the nature of these unusual species actually is. By using computer simulation we are able to simulate how the calcium and carbonate ions (that form from carbon dioxide when dissolved in alkaline water) assemble into structures.As a result of the investment by the Federal Government in the Pawsey Centre and the support of the State Government for iVEC – Western Australia’s high performance computing centre – we have been able to perform some of the largest simulations of ions assembling in water with over 6 million atoms in our model. Based on these computer models we have been able to demonstrate that these mineral precursors are an unusual dynamic polymer structure where ions come and go freely. The atoms can come together with many different topologies from linear chains, through rings to branched structures. As these clusters grow and get larger they begin to fold up into a ball while still trapping lots of water inside. What is really surprising is that all of these different structures have effectively the same energy and can be thought of as behaving like a liquid droplet that distorts with very little force. We have called this new time of substance a Dynamically Ordered Liquid Like Oxyanion Polymer (or DOLLOP for short). This is arguably the first time a mineral supramolecular polymer has been proposed as opposed to the more common organic varieties. Experimental information from our collaborators in Germany appears to confirm the predictions of our calculations. These results were published in the high profile journal Nature Communications.



Professor Leslie Glasser Office: 500-3127 Phone: 9266-3126 Email: [email protected]

Objectives We have developed a systematic system of Volume-Based Thermodynamics (VBT), applicable to condensed phases, which is now widely applied to many systems, including minerals, ionic liquids, and in inorganic synthesis. A feature of VBT is its simplicity, resulting in ready applicability without specialist knowledge or extensive computation. Present work is directed towards extending the range of materials and thermodynamic properties to which VBT is applicable. Activities The research involves collecting and collating thermodynamic data and examining correlations and relationships among the data. Outcomes Publication of results in well-recognised chemistry journals. Future Work Work will continue in these directions, recently having been extended to reporting on volume-based thermoelastic relations. We have published a series of papers in the ACS Journal of Chemical Education on three-dimensional representations of the pVT phase diagrams of simple materials: carbon dioxide, water and ammonia, and on the application of crystallographic data. I currently collaborate internationally with the following scientists: Prof HDB Jenkins, University of Warwick, UK – VBT collaborator Prof J Lee, University of Manchester, UK – VBT collaborator Prof JF Liebman, University of Maryland, USA – VBT collaborator Prof L von Szentpály, Stuttgart University, Germany – theoretical extensions of VBT Dr A Herráez, Universidad de Alcala, Spain – three-dimensional chemical displays via InterNet Prof. A. Ciccioli, University of Rome “Sapienza” – complex phase relations Prof A Every, University of the Witwatersrand – coulombic interactions



Professor Kliti Grice Office: 500-2116 Lab: 500- 3220 Phone: 9266 2474 Email: [email protected]

In 2011 WA-OIGC appointed 2 new early – mid career research fellows (Dr’s Jeffrey Dick, Martijn Woltering & Lyndon Berwick) on several new ARC Discovery & Linkage projects & $3M CSIRO Minerals Cluster. WA-OIGC had 90% success in ARC grants winning 1 ARC Linkage grants (Grice & collaborators), 1 ARC QEII (Trinajstic & co-workers), 1 AINSE/ ANSTO fellowship awarded to Dr Alison Blyth & 2 ARC LIEFP grants (Grice & collaborators), 2 PhD appointments (Anais Pages & Alexander Holman), 3 PhD students completed their thesis with minimal corrections & 1 Honours student. WA-OIGC staff & students received many publications, travel wards, grants & prizes. The centre have shown how major biological extinction events of the geological past have led to significant changes in the diversity & ecology of life on Earth (examples from two ARC Discovery grants are described below, other research outputs are described by research fellow appointed in several NCG schemes. Mass extinction Research (ARC QEII Discovery Fellowship Grice) Investigations into the causes of extinction (are under investigation for cause of the end-Devonian, Permian/Triassic & Triassic/Jurassic using a large range of complimentary analytical approaches e.g., biomarkers, compound specific isotopes, palynology, fossil data & δ34S of pyrite. An association has been recognised between several extinction events & valuable Australia’s petroleum reservoirs – including those of the Canning, Carnarvon & Perth Basins (Australia). On-going exploration & petroleum reservoir studies using novel tools will be applied to these & other global petroleum systems (including seepages). Biomarkers of Chlorobi have been identified within Permian/Triassic, Triassic/Jurassic & end-Devonian sections. Perturbations in the marine sulfur cycle & thus the redox state of the ancient seas are also reflected in the δ34S of pyrite. In a 380 million year old concretion from the Canning Basin, WA, fossilised soft tissue from a crustacean we have revealed biomarkers & stable isotopes from Chlorobi & sulfate reducing bacteria (Melendez et al., 2012 in press). The adjacent matrix only contained evidence of sulfate reducing bacteria that lived at the sediment/water interface & were microbially involved in the formation of the carbonate concretion. H2S at the chemocline played a pivotal role in the preservation of the organism. Since we have previously shown evidence for PZE associated with the Basinal muds (Gogo Formation, ARC QEII fellowship of Grice) it is imperative to establish the relationship of concretions within the black shales. Further work on Perth Basin & Canning Basins is underway. Hydropyrolyses of extant organisms is providing exciting and illuminating research with respect to algal, floral, fungal and microbial inhabitants (ARC Discovery grant II awarded to Grice in 2009). Highest age correlation of global crude oils Detailed measurement & appraisal of molecular & stable isotopic composition of hydrocarbons is fundamental to petroleum exploration endeavours. Grice has pioneered the application of compound specific stable isotopic analyses (particularly δD & δ13C) to oils & biomarkers, using the analyses from these & other newly developed methods for the characterisation of hydrocarbons & associated inorganics to provide high levels of oil classification, charged from multiple sources. Grice & team have also demonstrated the improved separation of higher plant biomarkers in crude oils & a learning set of rock extracts (from the Arctic) of the Tertiary using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) & stable carbon & hydrogen isotopes. Higher plant biomarkers have great potential for high resolution molecular chronostratigraphy of the Tertiary (including Cenozoic), thus, stimulating significant interest in the study of angiosperm derived biomarker distribution in geological samples of unknown age. However, they occur in various compound classes with an array of isomers that are challenging to separate & identify. Our approach has extended the application of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) to higher plant biomarkers. GC x GC-TOF provides two dimensions of chromatographic separation and a third dimension added by mass spectrometry. Abundances of specific angiosperm-derived biomarkers, we have for the first time achieved an age-resolution of around 10 million years.



Dr Yolanta Gruchlik Office: 500-3116 Lab: 500-3227 Phone: 9266 9748 Email: [email protected] Laboratory Scale Investigations of Possible Odour Reduction Measures in Biosolids Project Aims (a) Investigate the chemical compounds responsible for the odour in biosolids from our test site; (b) investigate chemical addition (aluminium sulphate, polyaluminium chloride and ferric chloride), as means of odour reduction and (c) investigate, whether reducing centrifuge speed is effective in reducing odour in biosolids cake from our test site. Outcomes Laboratory trials of chemical addition (alum, polyaluminium chloride and ferric chloride) to digested sludge prior to dewatering were conducted. Trials of chemical addition (alum) to plant dewatered cake were also conducted. The impact of reducing the centrifuge speed on biosolids odour was also investigated on a laboratory scale. To assess the effectiveness of the odour reduction measures trialled in this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS SPME-GC-MS) methods for the analysis of volatile sulphur compounds (e.g. DMS, DMDS, DMTS) and other volatile organic compounds (toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, p-cresol, indole, skatole and geosmin) were developed. Based on the results obtained from this preliminary (Phase I) study, aluminium sulphate addition to digested sludge prior to dewatering offered the best odour reduction strategy amongst the options we have investigated. While studies conducted in this project (Phase I) utilised sludge and biosolids samples from just one WA WWTP (Woodman Point), Phase II of the project could expand the scope of investigations to include biosolids and sludge sourced from different WWTPs to provide information on the odorous compounds present in biosolids produced at other Western Australian WWTPs and to determine if the chosen odour reduction strategy is applicable to more than one type of wastewater treatment system. This work was presented at the AWA Biosolids and Source Management National Conference in June 2012. A project brief for Phase II of the project has been submitted and accepted by the Water Corporation. Novel Treatment Technologies for the Minimisation of Bromide and Iodide in Drinking Water Project Aims (a) Better understand the impact and occurrence of high concentrations of bromide and iodide in source waters; (b) develop innovative new water treatment processes to selectively remove both bromide and iodide from potable water sources that are relatively easy to install and operate and that are economically viable for installation at both metropolitan and regional schemes and (c) determine if reducing the bromide and iodide concentration reduces the concentration of DBPs and improves the organoleptic properties of chlorinated and chloraminated finished waters. Outcomes to Date • A literature review on existing methods for removal of bromide and iodide has been completed. • Three processes for bromide and iodide removal have been chosen for study in this project. Process 1

involves removal of bromide and iodide by silver containing materials and separation/recovery of the halide loaded particles. Process 2 involves pre-oxidation of bromide and iodide to hypobromous/hypoiodous acids, which react with polyphenol particles, which can be separated from the water phase. Process 3 involves selective oxidation of iodide to iodate, an inert form of iodide.

• An analytical method for the analysis of iodo-trihalomethanes (I-THMs) has been developed and a paper on this method has been published in Journal of Chromatography A.

• A summary report on the current bromide and iodide concentrations (determined in the CWQRC laboratory) in selected WA source waters has been completed and suitable sites for further studies in this project have been identified.

• Experimental work for Process 3 has been completed and a summary report on this work has been submitted to the Water Corporation. A paper on the kinetics of iodide oxidation has been accepted for publication in Environmental Science and Technology. A paper on the oxidation of iodide using ozone is underway.



Dr Caroline Jaraula Office: 500-3203 Phone: 9266 3819 Lab: 500-3220 Email: [email protected] Controlled burning experiments were performed on native Australian C3 and C4 plants. Their pre- and post-burn biomarker and compound-specific C and H isotopic compositions were investigated. This experiment is now refined to test intensity of burning. Ongoing biomarker and isotopic analyses on rocks across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary (c.a. 200 Million years old) from Larne, Ireland, Lyme Regis, Westbury and St. Audrie’s Bay, UK have been conducted to resolve the cause/s and traces of the terrestrial and marine extinction. Biomarker and isotopic analyses of the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool, areas with the warmest sea surface temperatures, was granted funding from Curtin University as an Internal Strategic grant to study recent water column and sediment dynamics due to global warming. Fieldwork was conducted in January and samples are currently analysed. Extremely cold and dry conditions in Taylor Valley, Antarctica, do not allow vascular plants and vertebrates to survive. Perennially ice-covered lakes have a water-column structure similar to the Black Sea and serve as oases to Eukarya, Archaea and Prokaryotes without overprint from vascular plants and vertebrates. Ongoing biomarker and isotopic analyses will help us refine our understanding of the dynamics between environmental controls and microbial ecosystems. Several ERA A/A* manuscripts are in preparation. GRANTS Jaraula, Grice, Mateo, Siringan - Curtin Internal Research Grant (AU$12K) - Investigating climate activity in the West Pacific Warm Pool using biomarkers and their stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes extracted from Philippine sediments May, Johns, Hefter, Luiten, Wanless, Lou, Burke,Diniz da Costa, Hall, Marsh, Boxall, May, Trengove, Stockenhuber, Radny, Webber, Stace, Smart, Maeda, Seo, Kozielski, Jaraula, Phan – ARC LIEFP ($275K) - A Raman Facility for Advanced Research Supporting Australia’s Natural Gas, Oil, Coal and Minerals Industries



Associate Professor Cynthia Joll Office: 500-3117 Lab: 500-3222, 3225, 3227 Phone: 9266 7229 Email: [email protected]

As Deputy Director of the Curtin Water Quality Research Centre (CWQRC), A/Prof Joll was involved in a variety of projects in 2011. A/Prof Joll supervised 6 PhD students during 2011. Many projects were funded by Water Corporation, including “Bulkdosing of monochloramine into tanks/reservoirs to maintain disinfection residuals”. A collaborative project with Dr Joanne Loh and Dr Greg Power of the CSIRO Light Metals Flagship was funded by the AJ Parker CRC in 2011. An international collaborative project between the CWQRC and the University of Alberta, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MoBull Consulting and the Australian Water Quality Centre produced a scholarly book and a journal article in Toxicology in 2011. A/Prof Joll was a Lead CI or CI on 3 ARC Linkage projects funded in 2011 and on two ARC LP with 2011 extensions. Progress on these ARC projects is described briefly below. Novel technology for improving disinfection outcomes in regional and remote drinking water distribution systems (LP0776766: 2007-2010): The aim was to develop technology that will improve the effectiveness and reliability of drinking water disinfection, particularly in rural and remote communities. The role of CWQRC in this project was to investigate the speciation of copper under conditions that are representative of a chloraminated distribution system. The study of copper speciation focused on the investigation of the role of reduced sulfur compounds in the sequestration of copper and in the decomposition of chloramine. The ARC has extended the end date of the project. Advanced water treatment technologies to minimise the formation of emerging disinfection by-products in potable and reuse water (LP0882550: 2008-2010) The overall aim was to develop predictive tools to evaluate and optimize water treatment technologies to improve disinfectant management and minimize the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), with a particular focus on emerging DBPs with potential adverse health effects. The ARC final report was submitted in December 2011. The focus in 2011 was on report and journal article preparation. Treating wastewater for potable reuse: removal of chemicals of concern using advanced oxidation processes (LP0989326: 2009-2011) The aim of this project is to minimise key micropollutants in treated wastewater to be used for groundwater replenishment. Novel advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), for treatment of a suite of micropollutants, have been investigated. A new Orbitrap-mass spectrometer has been purchased under ARC LIEF funding and has been commissioned. The impact of the performance of the wastewater treatment process on the advanced water treatment process for water recycling has been investigated. A French intern student completed a study of parameters affecting formation of a particular micropollutant at the Advanced Water Recycling Plant in Perth in 2011. PhD student Clara Loi has commenced a study period at Eawag, Switzerland, with PI von Gunten. Novel water treatment technologies for minimisation of bromide and iodide in drinking water (LP100100285: 2010-2013): The project aim is to develop innovative new water treatment processes to selectively remove both bromide and iodide from potable source waters. Two French Research Fellows have been appointed to the Curtin staff to work on three separate strategies: one of these Fellows was located at Curtin and the other at Eawag in Switzerland (working with PI von Gunten) in 2011. Excellent progress was made. DBP formation and aesthetic water quality of disinfected waters containing high concentrations of bromide and iodide will be examined at Curtin. Method development on the specific adsorbable organic halogen analyzer and the ion chromatograph has been a focus at Curtin in 2011. A journal article was submitted to Journal of Chromatography A at the end of 2011. Advanced water treatment technologies to minimise nitrogenous disinfection by-products in drinking water: understanding the role of organic nitrogen (LP110100548: 2011-2013): This study commenced in 2011 with the major aim to demonstrate the efficacy of different water treatment processes in removing precursors to nitrogenous disinfection by-products and provide new understanding of the chemistry of these precursors. Analysis of various water samples for nitrogenous disinfection by-products has been a focus in 2011. A journal article on the analysis of some nitrogenous disinfection by-products has been submitted to Journal of Chromatography A. A PhD student, starting 2012, has been recruited through an Australian Postgraduate Award at the University of New South Wales with CI Dr Rita Henderson as Principal Supervisor, and CIs Joll and Linge as Co-Supervisors.



Dr Franca Jones Office: 500-4121 Lab: 500-2222 Phone: 9266 7677 Email: [email protected] My research is focused on all things to do with crystallization from solution. This covers the entire spectrum from the purely fundamental to the industrially applied. At the fundamental level I am interested in finding out the various pathways that species in solution take in order to become solids and the factors that affect those pathways, in particular the role of impurities - both organic and inorganic. The crystallization of barium sulfate is studied as a model system but this solid also has interest from an industrial point of view; since it is a common scale component (scale being unwanted crystallization). This year we have been looking at the impact of tetrazoles in particular. Tetrazoles have been used as carboxylic acid analogues due to their similar acid-base properties. We have found that while there are similarities there are also important differences one of which is in their crystallization behaviour. A tetrazole functionalized with a formyl group has been shown to stabilize vaterite during calcium carbonate crystallization and this is not observed with the equivalent carboxylic acid analogue. We are currently investigating the impact of tetrazoles on the crystallization of calcium oxalate. On the applied side, research has been conducted into the crystallization of desilication products (DSP) in the Bayer process. Our work here is concentrating on obtaining information on how DSP impacts on the flocculation of hematite. In this work we have found that DSP has an adverse impact on settling of hematite and that this is quite different to when DSP is physically mixed with the hematite. This suggests the DSP is forming on the surface of the hematite and changing its surface properties. We are also looking at how silicate ions impact on barium sulfate crystallization and find that this is very sensitive to pH. At high pH unusual morphologies are observed and XRD shows silicate incorporation. In addition, FTIR and thermal analysis showed that water is also incorporated. We will be continuing this work looking at barium sulfate crystallization at pH 7 to better understand the nucleation kinetics in the presence of silicate ions.



Dr Piotr Kowalczyk Office: 500-3119 Lab: 500-1104 Phone: 9266 7882 Email: [email protected] Research into the development and application of analytical/computer simulation techniques to problems in soft condensed matter was conducted during the year. Below is a selection of some of the areas of research activity for 2011: (1) Quantum dynamics and thermodynamics at finite temperatures: Quantum particles, such as electrons and light atoms including hydrogen, are ubiquitous in many chemical and physical systems of current interest. Often understanding the dynamics and thermodynamics of these particles is of crucial importance. Arguably nowhere is this more significant at present than in the search for sources of clean energy. Here proton diffusion through membranes, hydrogen storage materials and electron transport for solar devices are just but a few examples of the role of mobile quantum particles. Since its original formulation in 1948, Feynman's path integral representation of time-dependent quantum mechanics has provided a powerful tool for studying many-body problems at finite temperatures without introducing uncontrolled approximations. We are developing and applying novel path integral techniques to understand the quantum world at the nanoscale and finite temperatures. Fundamental research is directed towards the atomistic level understanding of phase transitions and quantum dynamics at nanoscale confinement. (2) Adsorption-induced deformation of porous materials: Global warming, caused by a build-up of greenhouse gases, in particular carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere, has led to numerous proposals on how to capture and store carbon dioxide in order to mitigate the damaging emissions from fossil fuels. The sequestration of carbon dioxide into geologic formations is very promising method. Moreover, because the binding energy of carbon dioxide with the carbon matrix is higher than methane, the coalbed methane is displaced and desorbed during the carbon dioxide geosequestration. Thus, the invested money can be partially recovered. In practice, injected and compressed carbon dioxide produce a very high internal adsorption stress that can result in swelling of the coal matrix. Detailed understanding and prediction of adsorption-induced deformation of coal matrix upon geosequestration is crucial for avoiding of ecological catastrophes, such as leakage of carbon dioxide from underground reservoirs to water. Moreover, as has been experimentally reported the efficiency of carbon dioxide geosequestration can be drastically reduced due to closing of pores as well as transport channels by the swelled coal matrix. We are developing and applying new theory of adsorption-induced deformation of porous material in order to understand this complex phenomenon. (3) Adsorption and separation of fluid mixtures in nanoporous materials: The study of adsorption and separation of complex fluid mixtures on novel nanoporous materials is appealing from both practical as well as fundamental perspectives. From a practical perspective: developing methods to efficiently capture greenhouse and ozone-depleting gases is a challenge with enormous environmental implications. From a fundamental perspective: nano-spaces have a distinctively strong interaction potential for molecules, giving rise to unusual confinement effects. The nanoconfinement effect can accelerate a separation of fluid mixture components without the use of expensive technologies (e.g. absorption of carbon dioxide onto various amine-based solvents, cryogenic distillation, etc.). We have been studying various subjects related to the fundamental understanding of fluids at the nano-scale confinement. In particular, we have been focus on the problem of carbon dioxide capture and storage. (4) Equilibrium clusters in concentrated protein solutions: Spatial distribution of proteins in physiological solutions is very important for living matter; individual particles or clusters of particles can be associated with quite different properties or functions. In particular, a change of structural properties may lead to different diseases. For this reason it is important to understand how different factors influence the structure of proteins in different solutions. We are developing and applying a physics approach to understand the properties of salt-free protein solutions near physiological conditions.



Dr Ina Kristiana Office: 500-3206 Lab: 500-3227 Phone: 9266 9389 Email: [email protected] Advanced Water Treatment Technologies to Minimise the Formation of Emerging Disinfection By-Products in Potable and Reuse Water (ARC Linkage Project) The overall aim of the project is to develop predictive tools to evaluate and optimize water treatment technologies that will improve disinfectant management and minimise the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), with a particular focus on emerging DBPs that have potential adverse health effects to humans. The project involves isolation of natural organic matter (NOM), well-known precursors of DBPs, from selected source waters; separation of NOM based on its molecular size; identification of DBPs produced from chlorination and chloramination of the separated fractions of NOM; and investigation of the chemistry, mechanisms, and kinetics of the formation of these DBPs. In 2010 and the first half of 2011, fractions of NOM from the selected source waters were subjected to chlorination and chloramination, and the DBPs formed were identified and quantified. To support the project, a new instrumentation capable of measuring halogen-specific adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) was purchased and commissioned. Some of the outcomes from the project were presented at the 4th International Water Association Specialist Conference on Natural Organic Matter Research (platform presentation). Several journal articles were also prepared to communicate the outcomes of the project to the wider scientific community. The project was completed in mid-2011 and final reports were prepared for the Water Corporation and the ARC. Bulk Dosing of Monochloramine into Tanks and Reservoirs to Maintain Disinfection Residuals The project aims to develop a method to industrially prepare concentrated monochloramine solution that is stable under typical field conditions, to be used for disinfectant re-dosing in the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme to maintain disinfectant residual in the system. The project commenced in late 2009 with the preparation of a literature review on the chemistry of chloramines and the practical application of chlroamination worldwide. In 2010, investigations on the optimum conditions for, and limitations on, the formation of concentrated monochloramine solutions were conducted, and a kinetic model to predict the stability of a concentrated monochloramine solution over time was successfully developed. In 2011, further investigations were conducted to evaluate the impact of field conditions on the stability of highly concentrated monochloramine solution. The formation of hydrazine, an unwanted by-product, under these conditions was also studied. The project was completed in December 2011 and a final report was prepared for the Water Corporation. A Technology Transfer Seminar on the outcomes of the project was also given to Water Corporation personnel.



Associate Professor Simon Lewis Office: 500-4122 Lab: 500-3229 Phone: 9266 2484 Email: [email protected]

Detection of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces: The ability to detect latent fingermarks on porous surfaces, such as paper-based documents, is extremely important in resolving criminal cases. Detection methods that target amino acids present in latent fingermark deposits have achieved widespread use due to the binding of these acids to paper fibres resulting in a good representation of the fingermark. This research aims to develop novel methods for the detection of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces and through fundamental studies improve existing development techniques. This research is carried out in collaboration Dr David Brown and Prof Wilhelm van Bronswijk (Curtin University) and with Assoc Prof Kieran Lim (Deakin University), Prof Chris Lennard (University of Canberra) Prof Joseph Almog (Hebrew University of Jerusalem). Renee Jelly completed her PhD (graduating September 2011), her thesis was entitled “Natural products as Novel Reagents for the Detection of Latent Fingermarks”. Chemical composition of latent fingermark residues (with Prof Bill van Bronswijk): Successful development of latent fingermarks relies heavily upon the chemistry of the latent finger mark residue itself. A program of study investigating the chemical composition of latent fingermarks commenced in 2009 utilising a variety of advanced analytical techniques, including studies at the Australian Synchrotron in collaboration with Assoc Prof Kieran Lim (Deakin University). The information gained will provide knowledge useful for the development of new methods for the detection of latent fingermarks. It will also provide evidence for establishing protocols for the production of standard latent fingermark deposits for research and training of forensic fingerprint personnel. Decomposition chemistry: After death occurs, the body undergoes a series of interrelated chemical and physical changes known as decomposition. This research aims to gain an understanding of the complex chemistry involved during the course of decomposition of an animal (pig) model and the chemical reactions that occur as the soft tissue degrades. The first step to understanding this chemistry is identifying the compounds present in decomposition fluids and determining when they are produced. This has resulted in the necessity to develop suitable methods of chemical analysis based upon separation science. The knowledge gained from this research will improve the ability of forensic scientists to age decomposing bodies during forensic investigations. In addition, it will enable a greater understanding of the biochemical origins of these compounds that can be related back to the initial composition of the carcass. Some of the compounds identified so far in decomposition fluid are of significance for food chemistry, and may have application in the early detection of food spoilage. The PhD student working on this project, Lisa Swann, successfully completed her PhD (graduated September 2011) with a thesis entitled “Chemical markers of decomposition for forensic science”. Chemical characterization and classification of automotive paint clear coat: Automotive paints are important evidence in criminal and non-criminal investigations as evidence of contact. For example, in a hit and run case, automotive paint can be transferred to clothing worn by the victim. This transfer evidence can be very significant in the association of evidence to the offending automobile. This research aims to investigate the chemical analysis and classification of automotive paint clear coats for application to forensic investigations. This research is carried out in collaboration with Dr John Goodpaster and Prof Jay Siegel at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Prof Bill van Bronswijk. The project commenced in 2009, where samples from Australian automobiles were collected and analysed by UV-visible microspectrophotometry, the project has been continued by studies utilizing IR-ATR spectroscopy. The resulting datasets were analysed using variety of multivariate statistical methods such as discriminate analysis and principle component analysis and the preliminary results are very promising. This research resulted in a publication in the journal Applied Spectroscopy and there are plans to develop the project further by collaboration with forensic scientists within the Chemistry Centre of Western Australia.



Dr Kathryn Linge Office: 500-3207 Lab: 500-3227 Phone: 9266 7534 Email: [email protected] Dr Linge is a Senior Research Fellow in the Curtin Water Quality Research Centre (CWQRC), which is recognised globally for its excellence in research associated with its ability solve potable water issues. Dr Linge worked on two major projects in 2011 as described below. Her other activities within the Department of Chemistry include supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and undergraduate lecturing. 2009-2012 ARC Linkage Project LP0898326 ‘Treating Wastewater for Potable Reuse: Removal of Chemicals of Concern using Advanced Oxidation Processes’ Role: CI and Project Leader Funding Partners: ARC, WCWA, WQRA, GHD This project supports an innovative Western Australian trial reinjecting advanced treated wastewater into Perth’s major groundwater resource and will investigate removal of selected chemicals (N-nitrosamines, benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles) by a suite of novel advanced oxidation processes. The project will also study an emerging group of iodinated disinfection by-products not previously measured, and the composition of the DOC remaining in the advanced treated wastewater. Outcomes in 2011 Further study of N-nitrosamines confirmed that variability in secondary WW N-nitrosamine precursor concentrations was controlled by primary WW precursor concentrations and removal efficiency. Laboratory based studies of chloramine speciation determined that key factors for N-nitrosamine formation are contact time and pH, and surveys of pilot and full scale MF/RO Plants confirmed impact of pH and chloramine speciation on N-nitrosamine formation. Sampling at pilot and full scale MF/RO plants also demonstrated the presence of iodinated disinfection by-products and that Br/I ratio impacts on their speciation. Sampling of key wastewater, drinking water, and environmental samples demonstrated the ubiquity of benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles in the environment 2011-2013 ARC Industry funded project LP110100548 ‘Nitrogenous disinfection by-products including N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and other N-nitrosamines in Australian drinking waters’ Role: CI and Project Leader Funding Partners: ARC, WCWA, WQRA Nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) have not been studied extensively, but may form particularly in water sources with a high content of dissolved organic nitrogen. While N-DBPs are not yet regulated, many N-DBPs have been shown to be more genotoxic and cytotoxic than the presently regulated DBPs. However, analysis of N-DBPs in drinking water remains relatively rare. The objectives of this project are to determine the presence of N-DBPs in raw and distributed Western Australian drinking water supplies, and to identify and test methods of treatment to remove or minimise the concentration of N-DBPs Outcomes in 2011 A review of the current N-DBP literature was accepted for publication as a book chapter in Disinfection By-Products – Relevance to Human Health (IWA Publishing). Research focussed on consolidation of analytical method development, including validation of an analytical method for halonitromethanes and haloacetamides, submitted to Journal of Chromatography A. Development of a method of organic characterisation by fluorescence excitation emission matrix spectrometry has commenced and methods for chloramine speciation have also been tested. Studies on the effect of water treatment on N-DBP formation from chemicals commonly used in water treatment confirmed minimal N-nitrosamines formation from these chemicals, and these continue in 2012.



Dr Max Massi Office: 500-4126 Lab: 500-2219 Phone: 9266-2838 Email: [email protected]

The Massi Research Group is focused on the synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of coordination complexes, using transition metals (e.g. Re, Ir, Pt) as well as lanthanoid elements, and their application in materials and life science. Our projects, some of which are detailed below, are multidisciplinary and bridge across the disciplines of chemistry, materials science and biology.

Cellular Labels Based on Rhenium Tetrazolato Complexes. Our preliminary studies on phosphorescent Re complexes have shown that these compounds possess advantageous photophysical properties and hence they are promising candidates for application into cellular labeling [1]. In fact, these complexes are characterised by long excited state lifetime and large Stokes shift, therefore limiting autofluorescence issues when they are incubated within live cells and visualised with confocal microscopy. Our findings suggest that Re tetrazolato complexes tend to accumulate within the mitochondria, despite the fact that they are electrically neutral and do not possess thiol-reactive functionalities. We have therefore initiated a comprehensive structure-relationship investigation to further understand the biological behavior of these organometallic complexes. This work is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Luis Filgueira and Dr Paul Rigby at The University of Western Australia.

Multinuclear Rhenium Tetrazolato Complexes. We are investigating the construction of dinuclear and multinuclear tetrazolato-bridged Re complexes to assess whether the tetrazole ligand allows for metal-to-metal communication and hence affect the photophysical properties through energy or electron transfer processes. The investigation includes the assessment of the photophysical and electrochemical properties, the latter performed in ionic liquids and in collaboration with Dr Debbie Silvester at Curtin University [2]. Our investigation highlighted an unprecendented ability of Re tetrazolato complexes to coordinate a second metal centre on the tetrazole ring. Moreover, these complexes seem to undergo radiative decay governed by both electron transfer, via the tetrazole ring, and energy transfer between the two metal centres. The

photophysical work is carried out in collaboration with Dr Stefano Stagni and Dr Sara Muzzioli at the University of Bologna.

Other projects in collaboration with researchers at Curtin University include: i) the development of hybrid materials characterised by pure colour or white light emission for the fabrication of Light Emitting Devices in collaboration with Prof Mark Ogden and Dr David Brown [3]; ii) the use of tetrazole-containing species as crystal growth modifiers in collaboration with Dr Franca Jones [4]; iii) the stabilisation of metal-based nanoparticles, obtained with laser ablation techniques, with the use of tetrazolato ligands in collaboration with Prof Mark Buntine. [1] M. V. Werrett, D. Chartrand, J. D. Gale, G. S. Hanan, J. G. MacLellan, M. Massi, S. Muzzioli, P. Raiteri, B. W. Skelton, M. Silberstein, S. Stagni: Synthesis, structural, and photophysical investigation of diimine triscarbonyl Re(I) tetrazolato complexes, Inorg. Chem. 2011, 50, 1229. [2] D. S. Silvester, S. Uprety, P. Wright, M. Massi, S. Stagni, S. Muzzioli: Redox properties of a rhenium tetrazolato complex in room temperature ionic liquids: assessing the applicability of the Stokes-Einstein equation for a metal complex in ionic liquids, J. Phys. Chem. C 2012, 116, 7327. [3] C. R. Driscoll, B. L. Reid, M. J. McIldowie, G. L. Nealon, B. W. Skelton, S. Muzzioli, S. Stagni, D. H. Brown, M. Massi, M. I. Ogden: A “plug-and-play” approach to the preparation of transparent luminescent hybrid materials based on poly(methyl methacrylate), a calix[4]arene crosslinking agent and terbium ions, Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 3876. [4] M. Massi, M. I. Ogden, T. Rodomirovic, F. Jones: Tetrazoles: a new class of compound for crystallization modification, CrystEngComm 2010, 12, 4205.



Dr Suzanne McDonald Office: 500-3211 Lab: 500-3227 Phone: 9266 1110 Email: [email protected] Novel treatment technologies for minimization of bromide and iodide in drinking water Bromide and iodide are two naturally occurring constituents of almost all water sources. Reaction of bromide and iodide with natural organic matter (NOM) and disinfectants during water treatment processes can result in the formation of disinfection by-products that have potential adverse health effects. This project will examine novel treatment technologies to minimize bromide and iodide in drinking waters, thereby reducing the formation of DBPs. This project involves collaboration between CWQRC, the Water Corporation of Western Australia, Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA), and other international collaboration partners from EAWAG (Switzerland). A survey of bromide and iodide concentrations in Western Australian drinking water sources has been conducted. Optimisation and validation of a method to analyse adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) concentrations in drinking water is currently underway, with kinetics studies occurring at EAWAG. Swan-Canning The Swan-Canning River Basin is a state icon, and holds significant social, cultural and ecological values for the broader community. The Basin is also under strain due to urbanization, climate change and land-use changes. This project will contribute to our understanding of some of the potential environmental stressors associated with the Swan-Canning System. A variety of micropollutants have been monitored at selected study sites within the System. Sampling events will continue 2012. Bioavailable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) determination Dissolved organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems represents one of the largest reservoirs of carbon on the earth, and is an essential component of the microbial food web. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is composed of low molecular weight species that are readily bioavailable, and a more humic, complex fraction that is not as readily bioavailable. One of the aims of the drinking water treatment processes is to remove DOC, so that pathogenic organisms cannot grow on the bioavailable component of DOC. This project aims to develop a BDOC method and use this to measure the BDOC in Western Australian drinking water sources. So far, a suitable BDOC method has been developed, and final validation experiments are under progress. Use of metham sodium to eliminate Phytophthora from roading gravel The aim of this project is to examine the use of metham sodium for the elimination of Phytophtora from roading gravel. This project is a collaborative effort between ChemCentre, the Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Curtin Water Quality Research Centre, and industry partners. Emerging disinfection by-products (DBPs) Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed after drinking water disinfection, when the disinfectant can react with a variety of naturally occurring organic and inorganic species. Concern over the potentially toxic properties of some DBPs, has led to revision of drinking water guideline values, and further research into emerging DBPs of concern. This project examined the formation of disinfection by-products from various NOM sources and fractions from Western Australian drinking waters. This project was completed 2011.



Associate Professor Mauro Mocerino Office: 500-4115 Lab: 500-2219 Phone: 9266 3125 Email: [email protected] Chemistry Education 1. Using active learning strategies to enhance student learning. Curtin University is a national leader in an ALTC project designed to develop and promote active learning strategies suitable for use in science classes with the Australian higher education context (the ALIUS project). We have developed and implemented a number of activities and strategies and are now developing and implementing tools to evaluate their effectiveness. Project status: ongoing. Collaborators: Daniel Southam, Mark Buntine, Venkat Vishnumolakala (PhD student, SMEC), David Treagust (SMEC) and Marjan Zadnik (Physics). 2. Evaluating and Improving learning in the laboratory by application of the ASELL Laboratory classes are an essential component of all chemistry and physics courses with the potential to achieve a number of practical and theoretical objectives. The ASELL project (Advancing Science by Enhancing Learning in the Laboratory) provides a means to design and evaluate existing and new experiments to better promote student learning. We are currently using the ASELL model to develop and evaluate our laboratory programs. Project status: ongoing. Collaborators: Daniel Southam, Mark Buntine, Marian Zadnik (Physics) and Salim Siddiqui (Physics). 3. Probing student understanding of chemical concepts. The impact of student's ability to use multiple levels of representation of chemical processes and concepts is investigated. A common tool used to identify students' alternative concepts is the two-tier concept test. Multiple choice questions are developed to probe a particular concept and each of these are linked to questions requiring the students to provide a reason for their selection. Project status: ongoing. Collaborators: David Treagust (SMEC), A. L. Chandrasegaran (SMEC) and K.C. Daniel Tan (Singapore). Amino acid functionalised calixarenes 1. A proline-functionalised calixarene hydrogelator was been developed. The hydrogelation properties can be switched on/off by changes in pH and electrolyte. We have demonstrated the importance of the macrocyclic framework, by the synthesis of the monomer unit of the macrocycle and related derivatives, and shown that none of these form gels. A recent crystal structure has provided a possible mechanism for the gel formation. Project status: ongoing. Collaborators: Ching Yong Goh (PhD student), Thomas Becker, Mark Ogden, David Brown and Brian Skelton (UWA). 2. We have shown previously that calixarenes functionalised at the lower rim with aspartic acid or glutamic acid moieties have a dramatic effect on the growth of calcium carbonate and barite. This project investigated the impact of upper rim functionalisation [eg (1)] and whether there was a synergistic effect of linking the lower rim functionalised calixarenes on crystal growth. Project status: ongoing. Collaborators: Ching Yong Goh (PhD student), Mark Ogden and Franca Jones.

Synthesis and reactions of chiral calixarenes In recent years the application of chiral calixarenes has attracted considerable interest and consequently many elegant syntheses of chiral calixarenes have been developed. We have developed a practical, high yielding “one pot” synthesis of C4 symmetric resorcin[4]arenes [eg (2)] and the resulting racemic mixtures can be readily resolved via their diastereomeric camphorsulfonyl derivatives. This project built on the current technology by synthesising chiral calixarenes bearing a range of functionalities for application as enantioselective transport agents. Project status: ongoing. Collaborators: Mark Ogden and Brian Skelton (UWA).



Professor Mark Ogden Office: 500-2118 Lab: 500-2218 Phone: 9266 2483 Email: [email protected]

My research interests are driven by the excitement of making compounds and materials that have never been made before – something that in my opinion lies at the very core of what chemistry is all about. Just as stimulating is the potential for these compounds to have useful applications in the short or longer term. The possibilities for synthetic chemistry are endless; the focussing of our activities arises from targeting both current and potential applications for the newly synthesised materials. Examples of specific research areas are given below. Coordination Chemistry

When a metal cation interacts with an organic molecule, the resulting coordination complex can have dramatically different properties from the individual components. The results can include changes in solubility (leading to industrial applications such as solvent extraction), light emission (applications in sensors, imaging etc), and controlled assembly (resulting in changes in bulk properties, such as the formation of gels – see below). In 2011, we reported metal coordination with amide pyrrole derivatives (Fig. 1) more typically used for anion binding (collaboration with Max Massi, and Phil Gale of the University of Southampton, UK).1 With Mauro Mocerino, we also reported the results from a long-standing

project studying the extraction of soft (and in many cases, very toxic) metal cations using calixarenes.2 Functional Materials This project area covers a range of activities. A longstanding interest is the control of crystal growth, typically using additive molecules, both industrial and newly synthesised. This work is done in collaboration with Franca Jones, and included the first report that small molecules can induce mesocrystallisation (essentially crystal growth via the assembly of nanoparticles),3 and an unusual example of crystal growth acceleration, rather than inhibition, induced by phosphonates.4 Our work on novel electrolyte-responsive hydrogelators has continued. This project, predominantly the work of PhD student Ching Yong Goh, involves collaboration with Mauro Mocerino, Franca Jones, and David Brown, as well as the atomic force microscopy (AFM) skills of Tom Becker.5 A growing area of activity is the synthesis of polymeric materials incorporating luminescent lanthanoid complexes, another excellent example of the collaborative nature of our work (with Max Massi, David Brown, and collaborators from the University of Bologna).6 Figure 2 shows a stylized representation of the process we have developed. This simple method allows us to control the light emitting properties of the polymer using simple cation exchange processes.

1. “Further insight into the coordination of 2,5-dicarbothioamidopyrroles: the case of Cu and Co complexes”, L.E. Karagiannidis, P.A. Gale. M.E. Light, M. Massi and M.I. Ogden, Dalton Trans., 40, 12097-12105 (2011).

2. “The extraction of thallium(I) and silver ions with 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene derivatives”, R.T. Chester, D. Couton, R. Lobler, M. Mocerino, M.I. Ogden, J.K. Pettersen, B.W. Skelton and A.H. White, J. Inc. Phenom., 71, 471-477 (2011).

3. “Small Molecules Induce Mesocrystal Formation: Nanoparticle Aggregation Directed by Self-Assembling Calixarenes”, A. Baynton, T. Radomirovic, M.I. Ogden, C.L. Raston, W.R. Richmond and F. Jones, CrystEngComm, 13, 109-112 (2011).

4. “Phosphonate additives do not always inhibit crystallisation”, A. Baynton, B.D. Chandler, F. Jones, G. Nealon, M.I. Ogden, T. Radomirovic, G.K.H. Shimizu, CrystEngComm, 13, 1090-1095 (2011).

5. “Self-Inclusion of Proline-Functionalised Calix[4]arene Leads to Hydrogelation”, C.Y. Goh, T. Becker, D.H. Brown, B.W. Skelton, F. Jones, M. Mocerino, and M.I. Ogden, Chem. Commun., 47, 6057-6059 (2011).

6. “A “plug-and-play” approach to the preparation of transparent luminescent hybrid materials based on poly(methyl methacrylate), a calix[4]arene crosslinking agent and terbium ions”, C.R. Driscoll, B.L. Reid, M.J. McIldowie, S. Muzzioli, G.L. Nealon, B.W. Skelton, S. Stagni, D.H. Brown, M. Massi, and M.I. Ogden, Chem. Commun., 47, 3876-3878 (2011).

Fig. 1 A dinuclear copper complex of a pyrrole thioamide1

Fig. 2 A schematic of the process used to create light emitting polymer materials, incorporating lanthanoid calixarene complexes6



Dr Alan Payne Office: 500-4125 Lab: 500-2219 Phone: 9266 1917 Email: [email protected]

Research in the group has concentrated on two areas of organic chemistry: The development on new synthetic methods and the application of small molecules to both biological and medicinal problems. There are still numerous unusual or exotic molecules that have yet to be fully studied. Some have synthetic potential, in addition to having interesting properties of their own. Thiophene-1,1-dioxide is a versatile molecule in organic synthesis that has been overlooked by the chemical community. Proof of principle studies on the Diels-Alder reactions of thiophene-1,1-dioxides have been performed and show they are good intermediates to make complex molecules.

Another aspect of the groups research is to apply organic chemistry to medicinal and biological appplications. A number of projects are being pursued: • The natural products of Dittrichia Graveolens and Dodonaea sp. from Western

Australia and their use in semisynthesis. • Development of new treatments for Chagas disease, in collaboration with

EpiChem Pty Ltd. • Development of nonpeptidomimetic N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors. • Development of compounds that inhibit or promote the fruit ripening process,

in collaboration with Prof. Zora Singh (Horticulture). These projects have been supported by a Curtin IRG Scheme and a Chantcler Grant for Medicinal Chemistry.



Dr Paolo Raiteri Office: 500-3120 Lab: 500-1105 Phone: 9266 2687 Email: [email protected]

In the past year my research has mainly focused on the study of dissolution and growth of minerals from solution using computational chemistry techniques. The most important outcome of this project was published in Nature Communications (v. 2, p. 590, y. 2011) and showed that calcium and carbonate ions aggregate in solution to form pre-nucleation clusters. These aggregates have a dynamic chain-like structure where the connectivity constantly and rapidly changes over time and have been named DOLLOP (Dynamically Ordered Liquid-Like Oxyanion Polymer). A topological analysis of the DOLLOP’s structures revealed a very low carbonate by calcium connectivity, which is in perfect agreement with the reported experimental measurements by Gebauer at al. (Science 2008, v. 322, p. 1819). This peculiar behaviour may not be unique to calcium carbonate and it offers an alternative way to interpret some unusual experimental observations in studies of the growth solution of other minerals prior to nucleation. Besides the above studies of calcium carbonate I was also involved in several other lines of research. A closely related project was that on the dissolution of barite (BaSO4), performed in collaboration with a group at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where the free energy barriers for the dissolution of the mineral were calculated using advanced computational techniques. These results were in perfect agreement with experiment and could potentially explain the observed non-steady-state reactions observed experimentally. Another important research direction of mine is that of the study of the electronic and optical properties of transition metal complexes (in collaboration with Dr. Max Massi). In this study first principles techniques have been used to calculate the absorption spectra of Re-tetrazolato complexes to interpret the photo-physical properties of the molecules synthesized in Dr. Massi’s group. Finally, last year a new collaboration with a group at the University of Cagliari was started. This collaboration aims to perform computational calculations on the use of metallo-organic complexes in photovoltaic applications and the first results on the self-assembly of Zn-phthalocyanines on a ZnO substrate were published in ACS Nano (v 5, p. 9639, y. 2011).



Dr Marc Robinson Office: 500-1104 Phone: 9266 3780 Email: [email protected]

Materials for future nuclear applications must all share one important property: the ability to maintain functionality during exposure to extreme levels of irradiation. Developing such materials requires an in-depth understanding of the atomic processes that attribute to the build up of radiation damage. Working in conjunction with ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization), this project employs atomic-scale simulations to discover the mechanisms of defect formation. This allows us to see first hand which factors contribute to a material’s radiation tolerance or susceptibility. In our research, we develop new techniques based on Molecular Dynamics (MD) computer simulation. MD allows us to accurately track the pathways of energetic particles through a material and predict the evolution of the damage created. Combining MD with thousands of processors from High Performance Computing (HPC) facilities has allowed us to carry out quantitative analysis to a very high degree of precision. One of the main focuses of this project was to tackle the question: What is the kinetic energy required to permanently displace an atom in a particular system? The answer is known as the threshold displacement energy or Ed and forms the basis for numerous models of radiation damage. To determine Ed, we have developed a robust and transferable methodology that precisely captures the exact moment of defect production. Using TiO2 as a candidate material to test our approach, we were able to calculate defect formation probability as a function of kinetic energy and extrapolate Ed. The values found supported experimental reports but more significantly, the simulations were able to highlight mechanisms that are beyond the capabilities of experimental methods. The next stage of this project is to apply the developed methodology to various other nuclear materials of interest, such as proposed oxide waste-forms (Y2Ti2O7) or reactor materials (graphite).



Dr Debbie Silvester-Dean Office: 500-4112 Lab: 500-2222 Phone: 9266 7148 Email: [email protected] Objectives: The aim of this research is to develop a better understanding of the electrochemical behaviour of species in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), a relatively new class of electrochemical solvent. This behaviour could be observed at solid electrodes (for analyte species dissolved directly in the RTIL), or at the liquid/liquid interface between water and RTILs. Various electrochemical techniques have been used to understand the behavior and/or electrochemical reaction mechanisms. This will provide vital information on the suitability of RTILs as electrochemical solvents, particularly in electrochemical sensing applications. Activities: The progress that has been made during 2011 is described below: 1.) Sensing of Ammonia Gas on Screen-Printed Electrodes in Ionic Liquids: Commercially available screen printed electrodes (SPEs) have been used for electrochemical ammonia (NH3) gas sensing in the RTIL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2mim][NTf2]). The SPEs consist of a d=4mm working electrode surface (carbon, platinum or gold) with a silver reference and C/Pt/Au counter electrode. No obvious voltammetric response was observed for NH3 oxidation on the carbon SPE, however, clear oxidation peaks were observed on Pt and Au. Linear calibration graphs were obtained for oxidation peak current vs. concentration in the range 240-1360 ppm NH3 on both Pt and Au SPEs, giving limits of detection of 50 ppm and 90 ppm, respectively. The voltammetry on Au was complicated by additional peaks (most likely due to water impurities in the RTIL), which leads us to suggest that Pt is the preferred electrode surface material. The conditions of the experiment were chosen to be as close to real conditions as possible (no pre-vacuuming of the RTIL and no polishing/electrochemical cleaning of the SPE surface before experiments) suggesting that Pt SPEs in conjunction with non-volatile RTILs may provide cheaper alternative sensing materials compared to those currently used in commercial amperometric gas sensing devices. This work has been published in Electrochemistry Communications. 2.) Ion Transfer and Adsorption of Proteins at the Water|RTIL Microarray Interface (with Damien Arrigan) In this work, a highly hydrophobic RTIL, trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tris(pentafluorethyl)trifluorphosphate [P14,6,6,6][FAP], was employed to form stable interfaces with aqueous electrolyte (W). When using an acidic aqueous phase, interactions between tris(pentafluorethyl)trifluorphosphate and protons were observed using cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltammetric analysis suggested a reversible diffusion-controlled transfer of hydronium across the W/[P14,6,6,6][FAP] interface, forming a thin neutral film layer. Furthermore protein detection was studied for the first time at W|RTIL microinterfaces. Within the available potential window, cyclic voltammetry was unable to detect the presence of lysozyme, a well-studied globular protein. Therefore, stripping voltammetry (SV) employing adsorptive accumulation at the W|RTIL interface, was examined. It was found that this process may involve lysozyme adsorption and facilitated transfer of transfer of [FAP]- anions across the interface when to form a complex with positively charged lysozyme, similar to the process at water-organic solvent ITIES. This work is of enormous interest for a better understanding of the behaviour of RTILs and their potential applications. Two papers are due to be submitted for publication in 2012. 3.) Redox properties of a Rhenium Tetrazolato Complex in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (with Max Massi): The redox properties of fac-[Re(CO)3(phen)L] (where L is 5-(4’-cyanophenyl)tetrazolate), have been studied by cyclic voltammetry in eight RTILs. One reduction and two oxidation peaks are observed. The reduction peak corresponds to ligand reduction and the two oxidation peaks are two one-electron oxidations of the metal. The redox potentials of the metal oxidations appear to be unchanged with the solvent, however, the potential for the reduction peak is more negative in RTILs containing the [P14,6,6,6]+ cation, suggesting a stabilization effect of the electrogenerated intermediate with the other RTIL cations studied. Potential step chronoamperometric experiments were used to calculate diffusion coefficients (D), and it was found that fac-[Re(CO)3(phen)L] diffuses very slowly through the RTIL.. A plot of D against the inverse of viscosity of the RTIL solvent showed a linear trend, suggesting that the Stokes-Einstein relationship generally applies for this complex in RTILs. This work has been published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry C.


Dr Manzar Sohail Office: 500-2202 Lab: 500-2222 Email: [email protected] Calibaration Free Coulometric Determination of Nitrate in Water A successful system for coulometric determination of nitrate in fresh water has been developed and applied to real-life water samples. In coulometry the total charge used for the electrolysis of an electroactive species is determined and number of moles can be calculated by using the Faraday’s law. Figure 1 shows the chronoapmerograms at -75 mV for different nitrate concentrations (10-100 µM) after the background subtraction. At this potential, for all concentrations the current decays back to near zero values. The initial current response follows Ohm’s law but as the time period increases, depletion of the thin layer sample causes the current to decay to near zero values within about 300 seconds. A linear relationship between charge and nitrate concentration was observed in between 10-100 µM of nitrate. The system was successfully employed for nitrate analysis in the real-life fresh water samples.

Figure 1. Chronoamperograms obtained for nitrate with a thin layer nitrate selective coulometric system at -75 mV for a) 10, b) 25, c) 50, d) 75 and e) 100 µM of nitrate. 10-3 M sodium chloride is present as the background electrolyte. 1-S.B. Adeloju, Manzar Sohail “Polypyrrole-Based Bilayer Nitrate Amperometric Biosensor with an Integrated Permselective Poly-ortho-Phenylenediamine Layer for Exclusion of Inorganic Interferences” , Biosensors and Bioelectronics,15(11), 2011, 4270-4275. 2-S.B. Adeloju, Manzar Sohail “Azure mediated polypyrrole based amperometric nitrate biosensor” , Electroanalysis 23 (4), 2011, 987-996. 3- Manzar Sohail, Roland De Marco, Eric Bakker, Thin Layer Coulometric Determination of Nitrate in Fresh water Samples, Submitted, 2011.

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Dr Daniel Southam Office: 500-4119 Phone: 9266 2380 Email: [email protected] Chemistry Education is my area of research interest. My broad aim is to improve students’ perceptions of chemistry and to develop capacity for real change in the depth of their understanding and enjoyment of Chemistry. To achieve these aims we must be able to measure aspects of interest using tools that perform within accepted standards, under defined conditions and in the local context. My research interests fall into three broad categories: Active learning in large lecture theatres Strategies, such as Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL), have been implemented at Curtin by placing emphasis on student-centred learning activities, in small groups, in the lecture theatre. There remains a number of outstanding questions about our implementation. We are examining the key issue of student motivation and whether aspects of what a student needs versus what the instructor does can influence their attitude toward Chemistry, both in and out of POGIL classes. We are also interested in examining an individual’s value of collaborative tasks. A significant shift toward collectivist approaches to learning, such as POGIL, may alter what a student values because they feel group work does not contribute to their individual learning. Students may then adopt strategic approaches to learning that negate the intended benefits of teamwork. Learning in the laboratory Good laboratory programs that lead to student engagement and motivation are viewed as an essential component of a science course, however not all experiences achieve the intended outcomes. Here we wish to evaluate and develop tools to explore student understanding of key skills and attributes of a practicing experimentalist by examining existing tools and developing new ways of assessing the skills embedded within a laboratory program. Interdisciplinary education A recent explosion of interdisciplinary courses, such as Forensic Science and Nanotechnology, pose particular challenges. These areas have a unique place in popular culture, and we have a diverse range of students who opt to study it at a tertiary level, potentially without an understanding of the underlying cross-disciplinary nature. This area of research aims to relate this diversity of attitudes and expectations and link it with a student’s discipline-specific cognitive and logical ability.



Dr Irene Suarez-Martinez Office: 500-3126 Phone: 9266 1843 Email: [email protected] - Production of carbon nanotubes from amorphous carbon nanowires precursors. The transformation of amorphous carbon nanowires into multi-wall nanotubes is studied using molecular dynamics. We have tested the effect of density, length, width and shape of the initial wire on the final tubular structure. High-temperature annealing simulations show that the transformation is a robust process which occurs at all densities, regardless of the nanorod shape. We explored the possibility of using this process to generate nanoscrolls but found that nanoscrolls appeared with very low probability. Our results suggest a new experimental route to produce multi-wall nanotubes with particular advantages for CNT-based electronic circuits. Using this route, the resulting multiwall nanotube would be precisely positioned with electrical contacts. A further advantage of such a technique would be the possibility of creating controlled multi-wall carbon nanotube junctions by patterning intersecting wires. This work has been funded by Australian Research Council Discovery grant DP110104415 ‘Mapping the family tree of carbon nanostructures: investigation of nanoscrolls and herringbones”. - Thermal conductivity of carbon materials Carbon structures are of interest across many of these areas due to their high melting point and a wide range of potential thermal conductivities: from diamond which is considered one of the best thermal conductors, to glassy carbons which thermal conductivity is just above the conductivity of water. Using computational methods, we have investigated the effect of the microstructure on the thermal behavior of a range of non-crystalline carbon materials. We compute the thermal conductivity of different amorphous carbons, graphitic structures and defective nanoforms. Our results reproduce experimental data for amorphous and glassy carbons and confirm previously proposed structural models for vitreous carbons. We demonstrate that the nanostructure of the solid influences the thermal properties more strongly than the density. Our work has been published in 2011 in the journal of Applied Physics Letters. This work was funded by Australian Research Council Discovery grant DP0986713 ‘Graphene based nanostructures for high performance devices’.



Dr Katherine Trinajstic Office: 500-3202 Phone: 9266 2492 Email: [email protected] Background I am a palaeontologist specializing in early-vertebrate evolution. My current research is largely focused on investigating developmental, molecular and morphological data in both fossil and living species to provide insights into the evolutionary mechanisms, which formed the musculo/skeletal system. Uncovering these evolutionary pathways has the potential to describe mechanisms common to all vertebrate and informs us about our own evolution. Projects 2011: QEII Fellowship I commenced my QEII Fellowship in August of 2011 . This project concentrates on looking at the soft tissue anatomy of fossils, which comprises about 95% of the average vertebrate body but is rarely preserved in fossils. However, fossils from Gogo, Western Australia, preserve three-dimensional soft tissues and bone. Our aim is to formulate an understanding of the evolutionary origin and establishment of the musculo/skeletal system. We are using the European Synchrotron Research Facility to scan uniquely informative Australian material, both fossil and living, in order to investigate the origin of vertebrate anatomy and preserved biomolecules. The results will illuminate the origin of the musculo/skeletal system, and also provide palaeobiochemical data informative about diets and the preservational environment of the fossils. Biostratigraphy of the Canning Basin This project is largely focused on testing new magnetostratigraphic techniques using know and well constrained biostratigraphic index fossils, namely conodonts. In addition, by looking at the growth and development of palmatolepid conodonts, it has been determined that changes in the rate and timing of developmental events led to the survival of some groups across the Frasnina/Famennian extinction event when others died out. Discoveries of this kind mean that we will develop a better understanding of animal responses to stressful environmental conditions.


Department of ChemistryCurtin UniversityGPO Box U1987Perth, Western Australia 6845

Tel: +61 8 9266 7265Fax: +61 8 9266 2300Web: chemistry.curtin.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA) 02637B (NSW)