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Professor Joe ShapterSchool of Chemistry, Physics & Earth SciencesPosition: Professor of Nanotechnology Contact details:
Location: Room: 202 Physical Sciences Building Map reference: 54 (Physical Sciences) Nearest car park: 9, 7 Key responsibilities: Course Coordinator for Nanotechnology. Course Curriculum Committee. ASMS. Topic coordinator for:
Teaching
Other Activities
Recent Publications
Research InterestsOur work centres around the use of a technique called scanning probe microscopy (SPM). In simple terms, this is a relatively new form of microscope (invented in the earlier 1980’s) which has the capability to see the finest detail of material (atoms). Our ability to image atoms and molecules is among the best in the world and this has lead to many national and international collaborations and has the added bonus of seeing our group involved in many and varied research areas. Selected Research areas: Flat Gold Substrates Our group developed a new technique to make gold surfaces that were flat on an atomic scale. This is very important for the construction of molecular scale devices. It is not unlike building a house—the first thing you have to start with is flat piece of land. These substrates are now used around the country at UNSW and Monash and this world has lead to collaborations with colleagues in Canada on various imaging projects undertaken here at Flinders. Biosensors Work with colleagues at UNSW has seen the development of a glucose biosensor. This is important work for diabetics who must continuously monitor their glucose level to determine if they need an insulin injection. Our sensor is based on the flat gold substrates mentioned earlier and is much more efficient than current methods but still have the weakness of low term stability. Our work to address this continues. Molecular Control In collaboration Prof. S. J. Langford at Monash, we are assembling molecules on to a surface and then imaging these assemblies. The combination of synthesis and imaging allows us to fine tune the dimensions of the components of devices at the molecular level. This control is at the cutting edge of Nanotechnology and will for example allow the construction of solar cells that are far superior to any in use today. Pearls and Bones Biominerals are of course very important. Our work with the IMVS is examining osteoarthritic bone in comparison to “normal” bone. This work is identifying differences in the structure of the two samples which is leading to an understanding of the different ways the two materials grow. This will lead to better treatment of the condition. Carbon Nanotubes Carbon nanotubes are a new form of carbon with amazing properties such as the ability to conduct electrons better that copper and strength higher than steel. We have developed new ways to attach these nanotubes to silicon which is of great interest in areas such as electronics, biosensors and solar cells. Our work in this area has been the subject of many papers and talks. Additionally one of my students won a grant to expand our work into the area of microfluidics and this work was done at Cambridge University. Molecular Grids In collaboration with Prof. L. K. Thompson at Memorial University in Canada, supramolecular [3 x 3] MnII grids adsorbed on ultra-flat Au(111) substrates are investigated using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). The images of these grids shown submolecular resolution and are proposed for application as high capacity information storage components based on their uniform structure, interesting electronic and magnetic properties and highly dense packing. Biological Membranes A recent area of interest in collaboration with Prof. J. Miners has been the examination of biological membranes. Our work has used novel scanning probe techniques which has revealed unprecedented resolution of membrane dynamics when the temperature is changed or when the membrane is exposed to a drug. The student working on this project is currently working in the Barcelona at one of the leading labs in the world in this area. Energetic Materials Our work in this area focuses on detection of peroxide based explosives. This work is being carried in collaboration with Prof. Justin Gooding at UNSW and is funded by the National Institute of Forensic Science. We have developed a very promising new approach to sensing the material and work continues to refine conditions to give the best response. |
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