Find out about the latest news, announcements and stories about chemistry at ANU.

Friday, 13 Nov 2015
  • News

While scientists have not yet invented a flux capacitor to enable time travel, today’s capacitor is the fundamental building block of any gadget that you can imagine. However, capacitors on the market don’t really stack up to meet our modern needs. ANU researchers are partnering with one of the top manufacturers in China to develop a capacitor that could be a game changer.
Have you ever wondered why your laptop computer works well for a few years, but then starts to give up the ghost? The main culprit is the capacitor—when that fails, the laptop fails.

Read the article
Thursday, 29 Oct 2015
  • News

Chemists have created a star-shaped molecule previously thought to be too unstable to be made.
The team created the five-pronged molecule [5]radialene, in work that could lead to more efficient ways to make medicinal agents, said lead researcher, Professor Michael Sherburn from Research School of Chemistry.
"This proof that we can make a compound that so many people thought couldn't be made opens up a world of new possibilities," said Professor Sherburn, a synthetic chemist.

Read the article
Monday, 12 Oct 2015
  • News

To help scientists better understand processes behind learning and memory, ANU PhD student Jason Whitfield has developed a new tool to track communication between cells within the brain.
Inspired by finding out what happens when our brain tries to learn something, Jason, along with Dr Colin Jackson from ANU and collaborators at the University of Bonn in Germany, developed a special kind of tool, called a biosensor.
This new biosensor can give scientists a visual picture of where chemicals are being used in the brain and is the latest addition to a rapidly growing field.

Read the article
Thursday, 01 Oct 2015
  • News

Scientists have developed a new way to view tiny movements of light atoms within the building blocks of materials, paving the way for new and better performing technologies.
Published in Nature Materials, the new technique combines synthesis and mathematical modelling from ANU with electron microscopy from Monash University to give scientists a new view of the world at the nano-scale.

Read the article
Thursday, 01 Oct 2015
  • News

The Faraday Club has been formed in order to establish the highest standards for the communication of science in the way demonstrated so outstandingly by Michael Faraday himself. Membership is by invitation to those who have significantly advance the field by practical innovation and achievement.

Read the article
Thursday, 01 Oct 2015
  • News

WE have late notice that street artists will work with young scientists from the ANU in a unique art meets science event by Lake Burley Griffin tomorrow.
“Co-Lab: Science Meets Street Art” is a creative collaboration between Canberra street artists and science PhD students from ANU, and has been organised by Lee Constable as part of her Master of Science Communication Outreach program at the university.

Read the article
Friday, 21 Aug 2015
  • News

Congratulations to Colin Jackson for being named the inaugural ACT Scientist of the Year. Colin was presented with this high distinction on Wednesday 19th of August at Questacon by the Government Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb and the ACT Chief Minister Mr Andrew Barr MLA.
The annual ACT Scientist of the Year Award recognises the achievements of an 'up and coming' scientist with significant potential to continue to achieve in their chosen field of research.
 
The objective of the award is to:

Read the article
Monday, 13 Jul 2015
  • News

Radio National Science Show intervew with Professor Ron Pace
In the final episode of Energy Futures, Carl Smith looks to the sun—the source of much of our planet’s energy.
Australia is one of the best-resourced countries for solar power. There are wide open spaces, and long hours of sunshine beating down on a continent much of which is desert. So is it best to harness that energy using rooftop systems or giant fields of solar panels? Or perhaps both!

Read the article
Monday, 06 Jul 2015
  • News

The ANU community is mourning the death of Foundation Professor of the ANU Research School of Chemistry (RSC), theoretical quantum chemist Professor David Craig, at age 94.

Read the article