Research Programs
The Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis (ACMM) has an active native research program with about 50 academics, research fellows and students, and visitors. Research interests range through the biological and physical sciences to archaeological studies.
Examples of research programs within the centre include:
- Applying quantitative atom probe tomography to light alloys, allowing development of principles for alloy design at the atomic scale.
- Exploring biological systems by means of correlative imaging, thereby providing unprecedented insights into processes related to cancer.
- Probing molecular energy transfer processes at the nanometre scale within fluorescent protein arrays in coral polyps, generating the fundamental understanding necessary to help protect corals against global warming.
- Using scanned probe microscopy to study the electrical properties of DNA and other molecules for potential nanoelectronic devices.
- Applying analytical transmission electron tomography to explore the morphology and properties of nanoparticles and nanoporous materials for use in next-generation catalysts.
- Characterising nanostructured dilute magnetic semiconductors for design of new spintronic systems.
If you are interested in conducting a PhD at the ACMM, please refer to the Available Research Projects and Scholarships pages for more information.
| Program | Project | Investigator/s |
|---|---|---|
| Techniques in Atom Probe Tomography | New Directions in Data Analysis for Atom Probe Tomography | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Michael Moody |
| Computational Techniques in Nanostructural Analysis | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Michael Moody |
|
| New Approaches to Reconstruction in Atom Probe Tomography | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Tim Petersen |
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| Atom Probe Tomography of Less Conductive Materials | Prof. Simon Ringer | |
| New Approaches to Understanding Grain Boundary Chemistry | Dr Julie Cairney | |
| Advanced Steels | Nanostructure of Strip Cast Steels: The Role of Microalloy Additions and Heat Treatment in Optimising Properties | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Julie Cairney |
| Techniques in Transmission Electron Microscopy | Development of a Novel and Quantitative Approach to Phase Imaging with Applications to Functional Nanomaterials | Dr Tim Petersen |
| 3-D Characterisation of Nanostructured Materials by Electron Tomography | A/Prof. Zongwen Liu Prof. Simon Ringer |
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| Design of Light Alloys | Three-Dimensional Imaging of Atoms in Advanced Titanium Alloys | Prof. Simon Ringer |
| Advanced Characterisation of Zirconium Alloys for the Nuclear Industry | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Julie Cairney |
|
| Structures and their Effect on Deformation Mechanisms in Nanostructured Materials Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Xiaozhou Liao |
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| Design of a Novel Al Alloy for High Toughness | Prof. Simon Ringer | |
| Design with Cluster Strengthening for Enhanced Strength and Elongation | Prof. Simon Ringer | |
| Quantitative Atom Probe Tomography: Understanding Bonding in Cold-Spray-Formed Hybrid Nanomaterials | Prof. Simon Ringer Dr Julie Cairney |
|
| Functional Nanomaterials | Growth Mechanisms of Nanocrystals and in Amorphous Materials | Prof. Simon Ringer |
| Carbon Nanotube for the Optical Sensing of DNA and DNA Sequence Variations | ||
| Microscopic Origin of Ferromagnetism of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors | Dr Rongkun Zheng Prof. Simon Ringer |
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| High-resolution In-situ Characterisation of the Vapour-deposition Growth, the Structures and the Plasmonic Properties of Metallic Nanostructures | A/Prof. Zongwen Liu Prof. Simon Ringer |
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| Nanotube Nanothermometers – Synthesis, Characterisation and Application | ||
| Ferroelectric-Ferromagnetic Tunnel Junctions | Dr Tim Petersen | |
| Mineralogical Characterisation | X-ray Tomographic Analysis and Modelling of Coke | A/Prof. Allan Jones |
| X-ray Tomographic Analysis and Modelling of Nickle Laterites | A/Prof. Allan Jones | |
| Biological Studies with Advanced Microscopy | Analysis of Orthodontically Induced Tooth Damage Using SEM and XRMT | A/Prof. Allan Jones |
| X-ray Micro-tomography Validation of HRCT-Based Airway Measurements | A/Prof. Allan Jones | |
| Visualizing the Vestibular and Cochlear Receptor Structures of the Inner Ear | A/Prof. Allan Jones | |
| Second Harmonic Imaging of Collagen | A/Prof. Guy Cox | |
| Properties and Function of Coral Fluorescent Pigments | ||
| Structural Organization of the fts-Z Protein in Bacillus | A/Prof. Guy Cox A/Prof. Liz Harry (UTS) |
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| Single-Molecule Electrical Studies of DNA on Silicon Surfaces | A/Prof. Filip Braet | |
| Live-cell Imaging in 3-D Matrices | Dr Lilian Soon Sandra Fok |
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| Measurement of Molecular Dynamics Using a Photoconvertible Protein | Dr Lilian Soon Dr Renee Whan |
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| Vesicle Tracking Using Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (TIRFM) | Dr Lilian Soon | |
| Nanobiology of Cancer | Modelling Biomolecular Signalling Pathways in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Using Multi-dimensional Correlative Imaging Techniques | A/Prof. Filip Braet |
| X-Ray Micro-Computed Imaging of Bioreactor Liver Tissue: A Model for Colorectal Metastasis | A/Prof. Filip Braet | |
| 3-D Microscopic Analysis of Colorectal Cancer | A/Prof. Filip Braet | |
| Apoptosis-inducing Anti-Actin Drugs: A Potential Approach for Suppressing the Onset of Hepatic Metastasis | A/Prof. Filip Braet | |
| Development of Correlative Fluorescence and Scanning, Transmission Electron Microscopy Imaging Methods for Biomolecular Investigation of Colorectal Metastasis | A/Prof. Filip Braet | |
| Transendothelial Transport Mechanisms of the Hepatic Sinusoid: From Cell to Molecule | A/Prof. Filip Braet | |
| In Vivo and In Vitro Metastatic Models | Dr Lilian Soon A/Prof. Filip Braet |
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| Mechanisms of Cancer Cell Invasion | Dr Lilian Soon | |
| Mechanisms of Chemokinesis and Chemotaxis | Dr Lilian Soon | |
| Assay Development for the Simulation of Sharp Gradients for Investigating Rapid and Long-term Cancer Cell Processes | Dr Lilian Soon | |
| Intravital Imaging of Tumour Cell Motility along Tumor and Microfabricated Collagen Fibres | Dr Lilian Soon | |
| Archaeological Science | First Australians, Last Megafauna? Modern Approaches to a Prehistoric Puzzle | Dr Judith Field |
| Functional Investigation of Flaked and Ground Stone Tools and Studies of Ancient Starch | Dr Judith Field | |
| Studies of Ancient Starches | Dr Judith Field | |
| Taphonomy of Modern and Fossil Bone | Dr Judith Field |