The first International Neutron Scattering Conference to be held in Australia, launched today, will reveal the latest cutting-edge neutron scattering research into the molecular and atomic structure of biological, industrial and semiconductor materials ─ research which impacts on a broad range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals.
Launched today by Professor Gavin Brown, Vice Chancellor of Sydney University, the conference – which runs until the end of the week and sponsored by ANSTO, ANBUG and AINSE – has over 600 leading physicists, chemists and engineers from around the globe in attendance.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for Australia to have such knowledge under one roof,” said Conference Chairman Dr Brendan Kennedy, Sydney University. “It lets our scientists’ network on current and future projects as well as showcase what we have to offer in the field of neutron science.
“Neutron scattering is cutting edge science used to investigate a wide range of materials such as polymers, emulsions, geological samples, alloys, superconductors, ceramics and biological molecules like proteins and membranes,” he said.
“It is therefore it is an incredibly useful tool for helping us to understand how structures work or can be affected by properties such as heat and pressure.
“Neutrons are also particularly useful in finding the right manufacturing process engine components or the novel methods of drug delivery.”
For example, collaborative research between ANSTO and Monash University is using neutron scattering to study a substance derived from chitin – a natural polymer found in lobsters, shrimp, crabs, coral and jellyfish.
It is believed that by understanding the gel-like scaffold structure of Chitosan – a polysaccharide chitin product – makes when warmed from liquid at room temperature to a gel at body temperature, may be found suitable to support the growth of stem cells being used to repair diseased or damaged human tissue.
ANSTO’s new reactor OPAL will have the latest neutron scattering instruments attached to it by the time it is completed at the end of 2006 and promises to be one of the top neutron scattering research facilities in the world.
Published: 28/11/2005