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 2^th 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 

Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy Workshop

UWS Innovation has great pleasure in inviting you to the 2^nd 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 – 20^th June 2014 to Victoria Hirst on 02 9685 9742 or v.hirst@uws.edu.au

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 16^th 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