Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Advance Materials Characterisation Facility Seminar

Figure 1: Ultrahard abrasion resistant radular teeth
of the giant chiton.

Title:            
From Nature to Engineering: Bio-mimetic and Bio-inspired Materials

Speaker:     
Professor David Kisailus,
University of California at Riverside
Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences 
Winston Chung Endowed Professor in Energy Innovation Biomimetics and Nanostructured Materials Lab
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

When:         
Friday 2th of May 2014
4.00pm-5.00pm Talk5.00pm to 6.00pm Drinks with Speaker

Where:        
University of Western Sydney
School of Science and Health
Parramatta North Campus
Building LZ.G.14
Cnr Pemberton Street and Victoria Road, Rydalmere NSW 2116
(Parking is available on the campus for $7)

Abstract:

From Nature to Engineering: Bio-mimetic and Bio-inspired Materials
There is a growing need for the development of new light-weight structural materials with high strength and durability that are low-cost and recyclable. Nature has evolved efficient strategies, exemplified in the crystallized tissues of numerous species, to synthesize materials that often exhibit exceptional mechanical properties. These biological systems demonstrate the ability to control nano- and microstructural features that significantly improve the mechanical performance of otherwise brittle materials. In this work, we investigate a variety of organisms, specifically, the hyper-mineralized combative dactyl club of the stomatopods, a group of highly aggressive marine crustaceans, and the heavily crystallized radular teeth (Figure 1) of the chitons, a group of elongated mollusks that graze on hard substrates for algae. In addition, we will discuss developments in a bioluminescent and ultrahard mollusk.

From the investigation of structure-property relationships in these unique organisms using modern chemical, microscopic, morphological, and mechanical characterization techniques, we are now developing and fabricating cost-effective and environmentally friendly engineering composites with impact resistance and biologically inspired nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage.

This work is being done in collaboration with Dr. Kisailus’ Biomimetic and Nanostructured Materials Lab at the University of California at Riverside and Dr. LeighSheppard (Engineering) and Dr. Ric Wuhrer (AMC Facility), both at the University of Western Sydney.

Figure 2: The highly aggressive peacock mantis shrimp.













Biography: Professor David Kisailus is the Winston Chung Associate Professor of Energy Innovation in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Riverside. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Drexel University), a M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering (University of Florida), a Ph.D. in Materials Science and post-doctoral research in the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (both at University of California, Santa Barbara). Prior to joining UCR, he was a research scientist at HRL Laboratories (Malibu, CA). His current research encompasses crystal growth and bio-inspired materials synthesis of nanomaterials, structure-function analyses of biological materials and synthesis of biomimetic composites.

For more information regarding the University of Western Sydney Centralised Research Facilities please visit http://www.uws.edu.au/innovation/centralised_research_facilities 

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy Workshop


UWS Innovation has great pleasure in inviting you to the 2nd UWS Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy Workshop.

UWS’s world class SIMS research facility houses the only instrument of its kind on the east coast of Australia, and we are excited to see that the University’s substantial investment in upgrading this cutting edge equipment has benefited both researchers and Industry. The SIMS provides high-sensitivity trace element depth profiling and secondary ion microscopy imaging.

The Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer is a valuable analytical tool that has can be used in many areas of research including:
·         Semiconductor devices
·         Energy conversion components
·         Materials science
·         Geology
·         Biological materials that can sustain ultra high vacuum

We invite both existing users and those wishing to expand their research to join us for the 2014 SIMS Workshop, which will give you the chance to learn more about Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, tour the facility and hear presentations by SIMS users.

The 2014 SIMS workshop will include presentations by:
 

Dr Rong Liu UWS SIMS Operator 
Dr Philip Tanner Research Fellow, Queensland Microtechnology Facility
Dr John Denman ToF-SIMS Technologist, University of South Australia 
Mr James Sharp UWA PhD Student


Attendance is free and includes lunch and refreshments
RSVP – 20th June 2014 to Victoria Hirst on 02 9685 9742 or v.hirst@uws.edu.au

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)


Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS):
Techniques and Applications in Materials and Biological Science

Dr Rong Liu
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
Wednesday 16th April, 3.00 pm
Building LZ.G.14, Parramatta North Campus,
University of Western Sydney, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia

Abstract
SIMS is one of the most powerful characterization techniques for materials, chemistry, physics, and biology because of its unique capabilities to provide trace sensitivity (ppm to sub-ppb range) and excellent depth (as good as 1 nm) and lateral resolution (< 1 µm for ion microscopes and 30 nm for ion microprobes). In particular, it has become an indispensable characterization technique in the fields of material, marine and biological science which require analytical techniques capable of probing small areas and detecting impurities at low concentrations. A succinct review on the basic principles of SIMS, will be given, followed by a description of the current status on the SIMS technique. The principles of SIMS data acquisition will be illustrated as well as an evaluation of procedures to achieve useful information on the elemental, isotopic, and molecular composition of the respective samples. Some most intriguing results of SIMS studies in materials, marine and biological science will be reviewed (including studies of diatom and otolith samples) and a comparison of SIMS with other micro-analytical techniques - such as AES, XPS, EPMA, TOF-SIMS, laser ablation ICP-MS, and RBS will be made.


For more information about the University of Western Sydney’s Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Facility or any of our other Research Facilities please visit our website:   
http://www.uws.edu.au/innovation/centralised_research_facilities


Sunday, March 16, 2014

An introduction to mass spectrometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography



 
The UWS Mass Spectrometry Facility is running a workshop for interested researchers to provide an introduction to mass spectrometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).  We will cover:

  •  What is mass spectrometry?
  • What is UPLC?
  • How these technologies work
  • Instrumentation in the UWS MS Facility
  •  Applications
  • The workshop will consist of an informal lecture followed by a visit to the MS Facility to see the instruments in action.  No need to book, just turn up.  Any questions please contact the Mass Spec Facility manager.

When: 10 am, Wednesday 19 March 2014
Where: Seminar room 30.2.07, School of Medicine, Campbelltown Campus

Mass Spectrometry Facility
Dr David Harman
Mass Spec Facility Manager
Email: d.harman@uws.edu.au
Tel: +61 2 4620 3909

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

AMMS and AMAS Technical Meeting


The Advanced Material Characterisation (AMC) Facility is hosting a talk by Professor Bob Price as part of the AMMS and AMAS Technical Meeting.

Title:           
Some aspects of imaging in colon cancer research 
(Confocal and EM Research)

Speaker:      
Professor Bob Price,
Research Professor, Developmental Biology & Anatomy
Department Cell Biology and Anatomy 
School of Medicine 
University of South Carolina

When:        
Monday 10th of February 2014
4.30pm-5.00pm Welcome drinks with Speaker
5.00pm-6.00pm Talk by Professor Bob Price
6.00pm to 6.30pm Drinks with Speaker

Where:    
University of Western Sydney
School of Science an Health
Parramatta North Campus
Building LZ.G.14
Cnr Pemberton Street and Victoria Road, Rydalmere NSW 2116
(Parking is available on the campus for $6)

RSVP: 
Friday 7th of February 2014 to Richard Wuhrer (Richard.Wuhrer@uws.edu.au)


Some aspects of imaging in colon cancer research (Confocal and EM Research)

Abstract: Investigators in the Center for Colon Cancer Research at the University of South Carolina use the APCMin/+ mouse model to address a number of questions concerning the development of tumors, organization of tumor vasculature, and structural changes in peripheral muscle as a result of weight loss (cachexia) associated with tumor development. In this presentation I will briefly address aspects of the confocal and electron microscopy studies we have performed to study this important model of colon cancer. The APCMin/+ mouse is a genetic model of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis that involves the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Mice that are heterozygous for this allele spontaneously develop multiple adenomatous polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This phenotype is similar to that found in humans with familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited form of colon cancer. The same gene is mutated in a majority of sporadic human colorectal cancers [1]. Various forms of imaging are important in study of the model and ongoing microscopy projects examining the distribution of bone marrow derived cell (BMDC)  infiltration of intestinal tumors, vascular casting and in vivo confocal imaging of tumor vasculature, and ultrastructural changes that occur in skeletal muscle associated with cachexia in the model will be described.

Biography: Professor Bob Price is the Research Professor for the Developmental Biology & Anatomy within the Department Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina. Bob is also the Editor, Biological Applications, Microscopy and Microanalysis and the Editor-in-Chief, Microscopy and Microanalysis, The Journal of the Microscopy Society of America.

Dr. Price has managed core biotechnology facilities for more than 27 years and has extensive training and research experience in a variety of microscopy technologies including light, confocal scanning laser, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. He has received a number of research and equipment grants from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association related to heart development, colon cancer, and various imaging technologies. He has also reviewed grants for NIH, the National Science Foundation, AHA and other granting agencies that involve imaging technology. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Microscopy and Microanalysis, the journal of the Microscopy Society of America and the Official Journal of AMMS, has recently co-authored a book on confocal microscopy “Basic Confocal Microscopy” published through Springer, and in 2012 was elected as a Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America.

For further information regarding the AMC Facility Please visit our website http://www.uws.edu.au/innovation/home/instrumentation