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Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering The Australian National University, Canberra, AUSTRALIA
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-- Theoretical and Experimental endeavours at the boundaries of physics, chemistry & biology --
Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering
The Australian National University, Canberra,
AUSTRALIA
--
Theoretical
and Experimental
endeavours at the boundaries of physics,
chemistry
& biology
--
Information for Prospective Students
A number of study options are available at the Department, ranging from Summer Vacation scholarships, Honours projects, and post-graduate studies such as Doctoral and Masters degrees.
Link to our impressive Experimental Facilites
Back to the
RSPhysSE
student projects page
Honours
Year Projects
More information on the following projects can be obtained by contacting the staff members involved.
Modelling fluid flow in porous
materials: The department's new high
resolution computed tomography X-ray machine will allow us to image
porous materials (like rocks, bones) in three dimensions with
remarkable detail. We would like to understand better how two
immiscible fluid phases flow in these materials. This has
traditionally been done using network models, which assume that the
pore space of the material can be well described as a network of
spheres connected by tubes. This project will examine alternatives to
network modelling that consider the full geometry of the pore space.
Adrian
Sheppard, Rob
Sok, Mark
Knackstedt
Effect of dissolved air on
hydrophobic interaction: Many
biological or industrial processes involve interaction between
hydrophobic molecules or hydrophobic surfaces in aqueous solutions.
Aqueous solvents normally also contains small amounts of dissolved
air (O2 and N2 molecules) that are attracted to hydrophobic surfaces.
The hydrophobic attraction is enhanced by these solutes, and in more
dramatic cases one finds bubble formation. An example studied in this
Department is the DNA nuclease activity (Eur. Phys. J. E 2001, 4,
411-417) where microscopic cavitation in a hydrophobic pocket is
thought to be responsible for the enzymatic activity.
The attraction between dissolved N2 or O2 molecules in water can be accurately estimated using the information on the radial distribution function of water. The interaction between dissolved O2 or N2 and a hydrophobic surface would need to be calculated in a simulation. The appropriate molecular dynamics code exists.
Once we obtain these effective potentials,
it is not difficult to evaluate the resulting attraction between
hydrophobic surfaces. The computer code for this last step is also
available. Stjepan
Marcelja, David
Williams, Siewert-Jan Marrink (U. of
Groningen, The Netherlands).
Effective potentials in aqueous
solutions: It has been known for a
very long time that the stability of folded proteins in solution
depends on the type of the salt present. Effectiveness of each ion in
"salting out" the proteins follows the well-established Hofmeister
series. Many other examples of ion specificity are known and poorly
understood.
Recently we began studies of interaction of surfaces and macromolecules in an aqueous electrolyte solution using more advanced ion-ion potentials obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. In addition to the Coulomb interaction, such potentials contain short-range interaction induced by the structure of the aqueous solvent.
The data presently available provide Na-Na,
Na-Cl, Cl-Cl and Ca-Cl effective potentials. Computer code exists to
generate many more pairs. Our colleagues in Strasbourg, France have
commenced experiments in CsNO3 solutions.
We would like to compute more ion-ion pair
potentials and use them to calculate typical interactions between
surfaces in electrolytes. From such information, we hope to be able
to better understand the origin of the Hofmeister series and other
ion-specific effects in solutions. Stjepan
Marcelja, David
Williams, Alexander Lyubartsev
(Stockholm University).
New crystalline patterns in space
from non-euclidean geometry:
(Theoretical computer modelling and
graphics) We have developed a technique to generate three-dimensional
crystalline networks using tilings of hyperbolic space. The work
involves pure geometry and topology, with advanced computer graphics
(joint with the Vizlab, ANU Computer Centre). The direction of the
project can be toward analysis, using group theory and conformal
maps, or more geometric. The aim of the work is to explore more fully
the possible forms of three-dimensional networks. For a taste of the
work, go
here. Stephen
Hyde, Stuart
Ramsden.
An investigation of the liquid-gas
transition using alpha shapes:
Positions of atoms in crystaline
solids are well described by symmetric lattices of points. At the
other extreme, the atoms of an ideal gas have no long-range order and
are modelled by a uniformly random distribution of points. The
geometric structure of liquids is not so well understood - the
distribution of atoms is disordered, but visibly different from that
of a gas. This project will use existing fluid simulation software to
generate positions of fluid atoms obeying a Leonard-Jones potential.
We will then investigate spatial structure in the data using alpha
shapes - a powerful tool for investigating the geometrical and
topological structure of point data. In particular, we will look for
quantities that change significantly as a fluid undergoes the phase
transition from liquid to gaseous form. Vanessa
Robins
Mesostructure of liquid
crystals: (Experimental chemical
physics) Liquid crystals are central to the function of biological
cells, found in lipid membranes across all life forms. They are also
of intrinsic interest, as a form of condensed matter intermediate to
solids and liquids. We are interested in looking at the structures of
"hexagonal" phases in simple surfactant-water mixtures, as we have
developed a number of novel theoretical forms, and suspect they are
found in these systems. The work will involve optical microscopy and
small angle X ray scattering studies of samples. The project will
provide a good introduction to these unusual states of matter, and
may yield important insights into the complex structures of these
systems. The extent of theoretical modelling of the structures is
flexible, and up to the interest of the student, and computations of
stability and structure will be possible. Stephen
Hyde
Friction and adhesion between perfect
and imperfect surfaces: A new device
has been developed in the Department of Applied Mathematics for
measuring friction between atomically smooth surfaces in order to
study these effects at a fundamental level. Frictional and adhesion
effects are of importance in almost all areas of technology. This
project in the area of experimental nanoscience will consist in
carrying out measurements on surfaces subjected to different surface
treatments. Experience will be gained in electronic instrumentation
and surface chemistry. Andrew
Stewart, Satomi
Ohnishi
Paper
Performance: (Experimental surface
science) Relating the nanoscale and microscale structure of paper to
paper performance is an important objective of the Co-operative
Research Centre for Functional Communication Surfaces (CRC-FCS). In
order to produce high value, high performance paper products a
greater knowledge of the relationship between microscale paper
parameters and paper performance is required. Projects involving
novel investigations of paper or polymer materials using
Ellipsometry, Atomic Force Microscopy, Plasma treatment and Wetting
studies are available. These projects provide opportunities for
students to closely work with industry partners. Vincent
Craig, Tim
Senden.
Kinetics and Structure of Surfactant
Adsorption: Knowledge of the
kinetics and structure of surfactant adsorption is important to
understanding many processes from detergency to minerals separation.
Using a state-of-the-art imaging spectral ellipsometer the adsorption
of surfactants to solid surfaces will be investigated. The
ellipsometer can determine the thickness of adsorbed films with very
high precision. Adsorption can be resolved both spatially and
temporally. These studies in collaboration with Reflectometry studies
at the University of Newcastle will extend our knowledge of the slow
adsorption kinetics of surfactants and the aggregate structures that
are formed at surfaces. This project may be extended to include
polymer adsorption and mixed surfactant/polymer adsorption.
Vincent
Craig
Gassing
Emulsions: Emulsions containing a
volatile organic component (gasser) that changes phase upon an
increase in temperature are currently being investigated by an
honours student in 2001. The confinement of the gasser into small
droplets results in predictable deviations in boiling point of the
gasser and in droplet size dependent volume changes of the emulsion
upon expansion. These emulsions find application in ultrasound
imaging and as explosives. This successful project can be extended
with investigations of multi-component gassers and mixed droplet size
emulsions. An associated project will investigate applying the
theoretical and experimental advances made in this area to the
characterisation of microemulsion systems. Vincent
Craig
Surface Cleaning
Protocols: Fundamental to all
surface measurements is the requirement that the surface under
investigation is free of significant contamination. This project
involves assessing the efficacy of a variety of surface preparation
techniques in order that researchers in the field can be confident in
the surface preparation protocols that are being utilised. These
include chemical treatment, plasma treatment and UV irradiation. The
surfaces will be investigated primarily by Atomic Force Microscopy
and Imaging spectral Ellipsometry. A variety of other techniques ma
also be employed such as XPS and electron microscopy.
Vincent
Craig, Tim
Senden
Stellar Constellations from the Minimal Spanning Tree: How did people come to group visible stars into distinct constellations? The answer certainly depends on the proximity and luminosity of the stars. We can investigate the clustering of stars using tools from computational geometry, starting with the minimimal spanning tree. The project will involve writing a program to compute and visualise the MST using a spherical distance function. We can then compare this MST with standard constellation patterns and test whether different threshold criteria give rise to the Eastern and Western astronomical charts. Vanessa Robins
Many of the above honours
projects can be adapted to shorter
Summer Vacation Projects. If the topic interests you, just contact
the staff
members involved.
Doctoral
and Masters study
Students interested in pursuing studies at
the doctoral and masters level are encouraged to visit
us to meet members of the department
and see the research facilities first hand. The list of
honours
projects will give you some idea of
potential topics. More information about research in the department
can be found be found here,
and on the personal web pages of Applied
Maths staff.
Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to students in the Research School of Physics. Information is available from the following links:
Summer vacation scholars
Honours and Post-Graduate students
Visit The
Applied Maths Department
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the department. For students outside of Canberra, we are willing to pay for a return rail or coach fare and accommodation for a couple of days so you can see first-hand the leading research we do and discuss possible research projects.
We are interested in students with a broad range of backgrounds including physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. If you are interested in this offer please email David Williams giving a brief CV (with subjects taken and grades obtained). We will then arrange a time for you to visit.
Information on campus services such as accommodation, child care, health services, disability support, transport, the Library Network, etc. can be found at the ANU internal home page.
PARSA (Postgraduate and Research Students' Association) and the undergraduate association are good place to look at for alternative, and frank, views about Canberra, the Campus and life in general.
The sports union has a wide range of activities and clubs that make the most of the wilderness around Canberra including diving, skiing, caving, mountaineering, etc.