User Meeting 2018

Australia/Melbourne
Australian Synchrotron

Australian Synchrotron

800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria, 3168
Chris McNeill (Monash University), Michael James (Australian Synchrotron)
Description

Australian Synchrotron User Meeting 2018

The Australian Synchrotron's annual User Meeting showcases some of the best research and investigations undertaken at the facility, and provides our user community with updates on the latest developments and technical advances in synchrotron science, both at home and at our sister light sources overseas. Organised by the Australian Synchrotron User Advisory Committee, the 2018 meeting will again be held at the award-winning National Centre for Synchrotron Science (NCSS).

 

Registration Fees

Two Day Student Registration (Thursday & Friday)            $100

Two Day Conference Registration (Thursday & Friday)      $250

One Day Conference Registration                                          $150

 

Travel Grants for Students

The New Zealand Synchrotron Group (NZSG) will be making available grants towards travel costs for a limited number of New Zealand students to attend UM2018.

NZSG will contact all New Zealand students who have an abstract accepted to explain the application process.

Click here to submit an abstract.

 

Important Dates

Abstract submissions open: 30 July 2018
Abstract submissions close: Midnight 14 September 2018 (AEST)
Abstract submissions for Posters close: 05 November 2018
New Synchrotron Awards submissions open: 30 July 2018
New Synchrotron Awards submissions close: Midnight 3 September 2018 (AEST)
Registrations Open 06 September 2018
Registrations Close  02 November 2018
Bettina Richen, Events
  • Thursday, 22 November
    • 08:00 09:00
      Registration 1h NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 09:00 09:15
      Welcoming & Opening Address 15m Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Speaker: Chris McNeill (Monash University)
    • 09:15 10:00
      Organisational Update 45m Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Speakers: Andrew Peele (Australian Synchrotron), Michael James (Australian Synchrotron)
    • 10:00 10:45
      Plenary 1: Dr. Qun Shen, Deputy Director for Science, NSLS-II Sponsored by Monash University Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Chris McNeill (Monash University)
      • 10:00
        Source II National Synchrotron Light – the First Three Years 45m

        Qun Shen
        qshen@bnl.gov
        National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II)
        Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA

        Abstract

          National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is one of the newest 3 GeV storage-ring synchrotron facilities in the world. It is designed and built with a 792 m circumference, 500 mA operating current, and a horizontal emittance of ~0.6 nm-rad with optimized DBA lattice (http://www.bnl.gov/ps/). Since the start of its user operations in July 2015, NSLS-II has rapidly ramped up its science capabilities and user programs. As of August 2018, NSLS-II operates at 400 mA top-off, and has 26 beamlines in operations and 3 other beamlines under construction. In fiscal year that ended September 30, 2017, more than 1000 distinct users conducted their experiments at NSLS-II. This number is projected to increase to above 1300 in 2018.

        The vision for NSLS-II is to develop world-leading scientific capabilities and leverage them to enable and conduct a broad range of high-impact, discovery class science and technology programs to address the critical scientific grand challenges in energy security, advanced materials synthesis and manufacturing, the environment, and human health. Working with the scientific community, NSLS-II has identified three science priority areas that will drive the research and development activities in the near term at NSLS-II: quantum and complex materials, operando chemistry and structural science, and multiscale structures and functions. In this talk, I will present the current status of our facility and beamlines, and our plans and initiatives to further expand our technical capabilities and enhance our science programs at NSLS-II.

        NSLS-II is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Scientific User Facility operated for the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences by Brookhaven National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-SC0012704.

        Speaker: Dr Qun Shen
    • 10:45 11:15
      Morning Tea 30m NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 11:15 12:45
      Parallel Session 1: Technique Development 1 Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Peter Kappen
      • 11:15
        Detector Development for Photon Science at PSI 30m

        The detector group of the Swiss Light Source (SLS) at the Paul
        Scherrer Institut (PSI) in Switzerland has many years of experience
        in the development of single photon counting systems like Pilatus,
        Mythen and Eiger. Due to the startup of the european XFEL and
        SwissFEL the focus of the SLS detector group moved from photon
        counting to charge integrating detector systems. The charge
        integrating systems overcome many limitations of single photon
        counting systems like count rate, energy range or pixel size. In
        the talk I will present the charge integrating hybrid pixel detectors
        Jungfrau and Mönch and first results using them. Mythen3, a new
        single photon counting microstrip system, will also be presented
        and compared to Mythen 2.

        Speaker: Dr Bernd Schmitt (Paul Scherrer Institut)
      • 11:45
        Chemical Crystallography at the Australian Synchrotron MX Beamlines: an update 15m

        The recent deployment of a Dectris 16M Eiger detector on MX2 has changed the ‘standard’ data collection protocol for CX work to a new shutterless 360° oscillation yielding 3600 frames in 36 seconds. This step change in sample and data throughput has led to challenges in user workflow and highlights that the biggest dead time during beamtime arises during manual sample handling with the need to search and secure the endstation (robotic mounting does allow sample changes to occur in less than 40 seconds).
        The dynamic range of the Eiger is substantially greater than a CCD detector, however ‘overloaded’ pixels can occur. These ‘overflows’ are not immediately obvious in the frames, but can have a significant effect during count rate correction of the Eiger output. New tools are being developed to better quantify data quality prior to structure solution. Other software tools are being developed to aid in data processing.
        Future upgrades are underway to further improve MX1 with goniometer modifications and a Dectris 9M Eiger detector scheduled for early 2019. Given the dramatic increase in experimental throughput, what additional opportunities can be embraced by the Australian Synchrotron’s chemical crystallographic community? A review of current developments and discussion of future directions will be presented.

        Speaker: Rachel Williamson (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 12:00
        X-ray Optics Upgrade Program for the AS Powder Diffraction Beamline 15m

        The Powder Diffraction (PD) beamline at the Australian Synchrotron has operated its User program for 11 years with over 1200 proposals submitted and more than 650 experiments completed. These experiments and the collaborations with the beamline team have assisted the User Community in producing over 600 publications across a broad range of scientific fields. As the PD beamline ages, several end-of-life issues have arisen requiring replacement of key internal optical components. A major upgrade program has been undertaken by ANSTO to address the end of life issues at the PD beamline and improve its performance by modifying the design to match the properties of the source, optics and endstation to enable enhanced performance for the future. This presentation will describe the features of the optical upgrade program to be undertaken at the PD beamline and outline the future benefits to the User Community.

        Speaker: Dr Justin Kimpton (Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO))
      • 12:15
        Update on X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy at the Australian Synchrotron. 15m

        X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) can be used for elemental and chemical microanalysis across length scales ranging from millimeter to nanometer. XFM is ideally suited to quantitatively map trace elements within whole and sectioned plant, biological specimens such as tissue sections, environmental and soil samples. The high elemental sensitivity of X-ray fluorescence microprobes coupled with deep penetration of hard X-rays enables measurement of an incredibly diverse range of samples in situ and under environmental conditions with a minimum of preparation.

        Event mode X-ray fluorescence detection methods pioneered by the Maia detector system at the Australian Synchrotron XFM beamline enable high definition imaging which can approach megapixel per minute rates. The ability to rapidly acquire 2D images enables higher-dimensional studies such as fluorescence tomography, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) imaging, and XANES tomography in realistic times.

        Full spectral XANES imaging takes advantage of fast XFM and results in X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra from X-ray fluorescence at each pixel in the image. The speed and efficiency is gained by employing on-the-fly raster scanning and large solid angle, often multi-element, detectors with high count rate capabilities. The efficiency and speed ensures the lowest possible dose alongside high throughput.

        In addition we are implementing high-resolution coherent imaging combining hard X-ray ptychography correlated with X-ray fluorescence imaging to reveal ultrastructure at high resolution.

        Speaker: David Paterson (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 12:30
        Can you trust your data? Sample integrity and radiation exposure 15m

        With increased resolution and extra dimensional imaging, an increased radiation dose is delivered to the specimen. After some point, the integrity of the specimen will be compromised, and therefore so will the data. Here we present a method for assessing the radiation induced changes in the specimen, taking into account variations in noise and resolution between measurements. We apply this method to X-ray fluorescence microscopy of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, providing data that sets elemental specific limits for an acceptable radiation dose.

        Speaker: Michael Jones (QUT)
    • 11:15 12:45
      Parallel Session 2: Biological Systems 1 - Sponsored by Curtin University Seminar Room

      Seminar Room

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Hannah Wells (Massey University)
      • 11:15
        It’s a living breathing moving thing: advances in functional X-ray imaging of respiratory system health for Cystic Fibrosis. 30m

        The absence of non-invasive measurements of detailed lung and airway function has greatly limited respiratory system health and disease management in medicine. Recent developments in synchrotron phase-contrast imaging in live animal models has enabled significant advances in measurement of physiological stability and change airways and lungs. Beginning at SPring-8, and paralleled later at the IMBL, our team has progressively advanced the animal care and outcome-measurement technologies to enable us to ask and answer novel and detailed questions about the physiology of the respiratory system, related to the genetic disease of cystic fibrosis (CF).Using examples from free-breathing or ventilated animals - from mice to pigs – new techniques, key findings, and future directions will be presented that reveal a steady advance in respiratory system functional imaging capabilities.

        Speaker: Dr David Parsons (Univ of Adelaide / Women's and Children's Hospital)
      • 11:45
        Correlative synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy for the detection of cellular DNA damage 15m

        Single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) and Synchrotron Fourier transform infrared (S-FTIR) spectroscopy are two techniques capable of elucidating unique and valuable detail and are especially suited for interrogation of biological samples. SMLM provides images of the structures and distributions of targeted biomolecules at spatial resolutions up to an order of magnitude better than the diffraction limit, whereas S-FTIR spectroscopy objectively measures the holistic biochemistry of an entire sample thereby revealing any variations in overall composition.

        Previuosly, we have correlated these two techniques to probe the biochemical changes that common cell fixation and labelling methods cause, characterizing crosslinking and dehydration-induced losses of biomolecular composition and perturbation to cellular ultrastructure. More recently, we have expanded these studies to investigate the effects of drugs that cause DNA replicative and transcriptional stress.

        In this study we acquired S-FTIR spectra of single drugged live cells alongside SMLM super resolution images of these cells after fixation, visualizing the DNA damage sites and their associated repair proteins. The complementary nature of these techniques allowed us to detect subtle changes to the cellular metabolism as well as the chromatin structure. Remarkably, we were even able to differentiate undamaged cells from those treated with low drug dosages that cause damage usually undetectable by conventional methods. These studies strikingly demonstrate the potential sensitivity of these combined techniques for the correlated detection of biochemical changes while also highlighting the types of structural and compositional changes that could only be revealed by one of the two techniques.

        Speaker: Dr Donna Whelan (La Trobe University)
      • 12:00
        Exploring the Spatial Distribution of Chemical Species within Latent Fingermarks using Infrared Microscopy 15m

        The successful recovery of latent fingermarks is a valuable tool in crime scene investigations to establish connections between suspects, objects and locations. The chemical composition of fingermark residue is a complex mixture of aqueous (eccrine fraction) and lipid (sebaceous fraction) secretions with contaminants such as food and cosmetic residues. By visualising the relative abundance and distribution of chemical components within fingermark residue we can provide explanations for the variation in reproducibility of latent fingermark detection with existing methods, and to identify new strategies to increase detection capabilities.

        Infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been used to study fingermarks in situ to investigate aging, donor variation and chemical changes in fingermark residue over time. Despite the relative improvement of spatial resolution obtained with FTIR compared to other methods (e.g. imaging mass spectrometry), the spatial resolution is still hampered by the long wavelengths of light used relative to optical microscopy, as well as the limitation of substrates when working with transmission FTIR. One alternative is to use attenuated total reflectance FTIR (ATR-FTIR), which improves spatial resolution and enables measurement of fingermarks deposited on infrared-opaque substrates (such as glass). [1] The best possible spatial resolution is achieved with the technical capabilities of the synchrotron, the increased signal to noise ratio provides increased sensitivity and spatial resolution for the complex analysis of fingermark residue. [2]

        In this investigation, we have used infrared microscopy to probe the spatial distribution of the sebaceous and eccrine chemical components within latent fingermarks. Whilst conventional FTIR spectroscopy fitted with a focal plane array detector allowed imaging across a large area of the sample, synchrotron sourced ATR-FTIR was used for the complex analysis of fingermark residue at sub-micron pixel resolution. By imaging individual droplets across a fingermark ridge we have been able to prove that fingermark droplets have a varying chemical composition of hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, closely resembling an emulsion (see attached Figure 1).[3] These results advance our current understanding of fingermark composition, providing information which will assist in future research into fingermark residue and its interaction with fingermark detection methods.

        1. Ricci C, Phiriyavityopas P, Curum N, Chan KA, Jickells S, Kazarian SG. Chemical imaging of latent fingerprint residues. Applied Spectroscopy. 2007;61(5):514-22.
        2. Fritz P, van Bronswjik W, Lepkova K, Lewis SW, Lim KF, Martin DE, et al. Infrared microscopy studies of the chemical composition of latent fingermark residues. Microchemical Journal. 2013;111:40-6. 10.1016/j.microc.2012.08.005
        3. Dorakumbura BN, Boseley RE, Becker T, Martin DE, Richter A, Tobin MJ, et al. Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy. Analyst. 2018;143(17):4027-39. 10.1039/C7AN01615H
        Speaker: Rhiannon Boseley (Curtin University)
      • 12:15
        Investigating Sulfur Speciation in Biological Samples Using Medium Energy X-rays 15m

        The medium energy x-ray range that spans ~2-5 keV covers the K-edge of important biological elements P and S, as well as important biological ions, Cl-, K+, Ca2+. This energy range fills the “gap” between energies typically accessed at soft x-ray or hard x-ray beamlines, The energy range is also referred to as the “tender” or “squishy” x-ray range, but regardless the name, this energy range is important to biology!
        The wide range of oxidation states in which sulfur can exist facilitates many biological processes, and the thiol disulfide redox switch is a classic example. In addition, highly oxidised forms of sulfur, such as sulfonic acids (+4) and sulfates (+6) have important roles in biology.
        Studying the chemical form of sulfur, “sulfur speciation” in biological systems is difficult. Few methods exist for direct detection of sulfur, and due to its redox active nature, sample preparation and assay protocols frequently modify sulfur oxidation state. For these reasons, x-ray absorption spectroscopy is an ideal technique, to directly investigate sulfur speciation in biological samples. In this presentation I will describe my work at international facilities of the last 5 years, using medium energy x-rays to access the sulfur K-edge (~2470 eV), to study sulfur speciation in a range of biological samples (brain tissue, cartilage tissue, and muscle tissue).

        Speaker: Mark John Hackett (Curtin Univeristy)
      • 12:30
        Localised Synchrotron Radiation In Mice Induces Persistent Systemic Genotoxic Events Mediated By The Functional Immune System 15m

        The discovery of the radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) (1) has expanded knowledge of radiobiological mechanisms beyond the scope of the central dogma of radiation biology, i.e. that only cells that absorbed a dose of ionising radiation (IR) are affected and the response is dose-dependent. The RIBE is now a well-established phe-nomenon comprising cyto- and genotoxic effects in out-of-field cells associated with irradiated cells. A counterpart in vivo phenomenon, a change in an organ or tissue distant from the irradiated region, was termed the radiation-induced abscopal effect (RIAE) (2). The mechanisms of the RIAE are only beginning to be understood, however the immune system has been proposed as the main mediator.
        It is not known how radiation settings affect non-targeted normal tissues and therefore the risk of radi-ation-related adverse abscopal effects. At the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL), the Australian Synchrotron, we examined systemic effects of microbeam radiotherapy (MRT) and broad beam (BB) configurations, in mice that were locally exposed to a very short pulse of a high dose-rate X-ray synchrotron beam (49 Gy/sec). We determined how radiation volume and dose impact the RIAE. We associated the propagation of these systemic effects with the induction of innate and adaptive immune effector responses and with modulations of plasma cytokine concentrations. Finally, we compared the RIAE in mice with the functional immune system and in immune-deficient mice. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with 10 or 40 Gy incident dose of MRT or BB in an 8x8, 8x1, or 2x2-mm area of the right hind leg. For irradiation with MRT, a collimator produced beam widths of 25 µm and microbeam centre-to-centre spacings of 200 µm. The absorbed doses of incident and scattered radiation were measured with the radiochromic EBT3 and XRQA2 films. Blood samples, irradiated skin and a variety of normal unirradiated tissues were collected for DNA damage analysis of double-strand breaks (DSBs) quantified as gamma-H2AX foci in tissue sections and oxidatitive clustered DNA lesions (OCDL) measured by constant field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA treated with pyrimidine- and abasic site-specific enzymes. We also measured the systemic immune response (plasma cytokine concentrations) and the local immune response (in-situ quantification of immune cells). The 10 Gy 8x8 mm MRT irradiation experiment was repeated in immune-deficient mice; (i) NOD SCID gamma (NSG), (ii) CCL2/MCP1 knock-outs, and (iii) in C57BL/6 mice treated with anti-CSF1R ASF98 antibody which effectively depletes macrophages.
        OCDLs elevated in a wide variety of unirradiated normal tissues. In out-of-field duodenum, a trend for elevated apoptotic cell death was observed under most irradiation conditions, however DSBs elevated only after exposure to lower doses (10 Gy peak dose, but not 40 Gy). These genotoxic events were accompanied by changes in concentrations of MDC, CCL2/MCP1, Eotaxin, IL-10, TIMP-1, VEGF, TGFβ-1 and TGFβ-2 plasma cytokines and by changes in frequencies of macrophages, neutrophils and T-lymphocytes in duodenum. Overall, systemic radiation responses were dose-independent (3). Strikingly, these effects and the abscopal innate and adaptive immune effector responses were completely or partially abrogated in the mice with various immune deficiencies (4), highlighting the role of the functional immune system in propagation of systemic genotoxic effects of localised irradiation.
        These findings have implications for the planning of therapeutic and diagnostic radiation treatment to reduce the risk of radiation-related ad-verse systemic effects.

        References:
        1. KM Prise & JM O'Sullivan, Nature Reviews. Cancer. 9:351-360 (2009).
        2. S. Siva et al, Cancer Letters 356:82-90 (2015).
        3. J. Ventura et al, Cancer Research 77:6389-6399 (2017).
        4. P. Lobachevsky et al, IJROBP (under review).

        Speaker: Olga Martin (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
    • 11:15 12:45
      Parallel Session 3: Advanced Materials 1 Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium ()

      Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Convener: Chris McNeill (Monash University)
      • 11:15
        Elastic Flexibility in Molecular Crystals 30m

        Molecular crystals are generally considered to be brittle and inelastic but they can in fact display remarkable elastic flexibility. For example, acicular crystals of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) can be tied, reversibly, in an overhand knot.

        We have investigated the dynamic crystalline supramolecular chemistry that gives rise to this elasticity. In so doing we have determined the mechanism of elastic flexing of a single crystal, for the first time and with atomic resolution, using single crystal microcrystallography (1) (MX2 Beamline, Australian Synchrotron).

        The relationships between supramolecular chemistry, crystal packing, crystal morphology, elasticity and the mechanism of elastic contortion of [Cu(acac)2] crystals will be presented along with a discussion of the significance of this work in the context of current and widely-held perceptions of crystalline materials.

        (1) Worthy A, Grosjean A, Pfrunder MC, Xu Y, Yan C, Edwards G, Clegg JK, McMurtrie JC, Nature Chem., 2018, 10, 65-69.

        Speaker: Prof. John McMurtrie (Queensland University of Technology (QUT))
      • 11:45
        Strategies for morphological control in organic photovoltaic devices 15m

        While inorganic solar cells enjoy a level of success, high manufacturing costs and bulky modules limit their broad applicability. In contrast, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices employ flexible thin-films of organic small molecules or polymers as the photoactive layer. OPV could provide a low-cost alternative to traditional PV, and a system of solution processing coupled with roll-to-roll printing of lightweight, flexible solar cells is envisioned.

        One complication of organic photovoltaic technology is the heavy dependence on the active layer morphology obtained by the component donor and acceptor materials. The optimal morphology will maximize the donor/acceptor interface to insure free charge generation but must also conduct charges efficiently, which requires pure and crystalline percolation pathways oriented relative to the electrodes. These qualities are often at odds with each other, and their interplay and the resultant photovoltaic performance are of great importance to the OPV field.

        Here we discuss two routes we have taken towards understanding and controlling morphology in OPV thin films. In the first system, the modulation of bulky substituents in nematic liquid-crystalline small molecules was investigated as a means of controlling their orientation, phase separation, and crystallinity in films. In these novel p-type materials, it was demonstrated through depth-dependent grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) studies that the degree of crystallinity and the distribution of crystallite orientations throughout the films is determined by solubility and can have a large effect on device performance. In the second system, we have employed a bottom-up approach to morphological control by covalently linking the donor and acceptor materials to form amphiphilic block copolymers. Using GIWAXS in conjunction with resonant soft X-ray scattering, these block copolymers were shown to spontaneously self-assemble into well-defined and crystalline domains in thin films. The results of both systems demonstrate the value of careful molecular design for the morphological control of organic photovoltaic active layers.

        Speaker: Dr Valerie Mitchell (University of Melbourne)
      • 12:00
        Element-specific contributions to the electronic structures of inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites revealed by resonant X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy 15m

        Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites (such as CsPbIBr2) constitute an emerging class of high performance semiconducting materials, delivering promising device performances in solar cells and light emitting devices. Despite the rapid development of device optimisation, many fundamental issues remain open. One of the questions attracting huge attention is: do the constitute elements contribute equally to the electronic structures of perovskites? To address this, synchrotron-based resonant photoelectron spectroscopy (resPES) was employed to resolve the low binding energy region from -5 eV to 100 eV (valence band and shallow core levels) of a model inorganic perovskite material – CsPbIBr2, which delivers high air stability and satisfactory solar cell performance. Taking advantage of the energy tunability provided by synchrotron, the incident X-ray energy was tuned around the absorption edges of the component elements, including Cs+, Pb2+, I-, and Br-. With the high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy at the low binding energy region from -5 eV to 100 eV, it was found that the photoemission cross-sections at the shallow core levels of the constitute elements and valence band region follow different trends when the incident X-ray energy was tuned toward the absorption edges of different elements. Intriguingly, additional photoemission bands emerged around the valence band region when Cs+ was selectively excited, while the X-ray excitations around other constitute elements do not show such extra photoelectron bands. With the aid of resPES, direct experimental evidence was obtained to support that different constitute elements contribute, in a dissimilar way, to the electronic structure of inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites. This exciting work is believed to be able to experimentally verify or disapprove the proposed electronic structure models of high performance perovskite materials.

        Speaker: Dr Xuechen Jiao (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 12:15
        Low energy electron inelastic mean free path of Zinc from XAFS using XERT techniques at room temperature. 15m

        The electron inelastic mean free path (IMFP) is the average distance travelled between successive inelastic collision for an electron moving with a particular energy in a given material [1]. IMFP and Electron Loss Functions (ELF) are used in electron diffraction and LEED and EELS techniques where low energy inelastic scattering is dominant in electron transport. Measurements and theoretical understanding of these are also critical for Monte Carlo detector and scattering transport codes and applications. However, experimental data usually only exists at high energies. Our research work develops a unique experimental technique at the XAS beamline for determining low energy electron inelastic mean free path of photoelectrons with high accuracy XAFS measurements.

        There are significant discrepancies between theoretical and experimental IMFPs. Resolution of these discrepancies requires a series of high accuracy experimental XAFS measurements. Our group has developed the X-ray extended range technique (XERT) to obtain precise XAFS measurements. In this work, precise XAFS measurements of zinc metal at room temperature were collected at the Australian Synchrotron. We are able to diagnose and correct for most systematic errors such as dark current, thickness, scattering linearity etc. Our high accurate data sets permit the determination of beam-line independent, critical measurements of IMFPs.

        Using these high quality data and with the technique developed to measure low energy based on the coupled plasmon models by Chantler and Bourke, room temperature low energy electron inelastic mean free paths of Zinc will be calculated. This will answer questions about the interaction of photoelectron with condensed systems. It will investigate the scaling of the theoretical curves which have often been said to follow a 'Universal Curve' despite different theory predicting different universal curves. It will also investigate the relevance of coupling of plasmon resonances in the theory and experiment, and the possible influence of correlation as has been discussed by several authors recently.

        References:
        [1] Schalken MJ, Chantler, CT (2018) Synch. Rad. Vol25-4 920-934

        Speaker: Prof. C.T. Chantler (School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Australia)
      • 12:30
        Oxidant or Catalyst for Oxidation? A Study of How Structure and Disorder Changes Selectivity for Direct vs. Catalytic Oxidation Mediated by Manganese (III,IV) Oxides 15m

        Structural type and disorder have become important questions in catalyst design with the most active catalysts often noted to be “disordered” or “amorphous”. To quantify the effects of disorder and structural type systematically, a test set of manganese (III,IV) oxides was developed and their reactivity as oxidants and catalysts tested against three substrates; methylene blue, hydrogen peroxide and water. We find that disorder destabilises the materials thermodynamically making them stronger chemical oxidants but not necessarily better catalysts. For the disproportionation of H2O2 and the oxidative decomposition of methylene blue- MnOx mediated direct oxidation competes with catalytically-mediated oxidation, making the most disordered materials the worst catalysts. Whereas, for water oxidation the most disordered materials and the strongest chemical oxidants are also the best catalysts. Even though the manganese (III,IV) oxide materials were able to oxidize both methylene blue and peroxides directly, the same materials were able to act as catalysts for the oxidation of methylene blue in the presence of peroxides. This implies that effects of electron transfer timescales are important and strongly affected by structural type and disorder. This is discussed in the context of catalyst design.

        Speaker: Rosalie Hocking (Swinburne University of Technology)
    • 12:45 13:45
      Lunch 1h NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

      NCSS, Exhibition Space

    • 13:45 15:15
      Parallel Session 4: Industry Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Kerry Hayes (ANSTO)
      • 13:45
        Working with industry - from the scientist's perspective 30m

        Scientists live in an environment of other scientists, technical journals and complex equipment and often esoteric scientific interests. The economy, which generates wealth for the country, is run by industry people that are less interested in the curiosity of scientific discovery and more interested in solving practical problems and creating new products and processes. Governments are understandably interested in the huge investment in science leading to economic benefits in timescales that are measured in years not multiple decades. Therefore there is increasing pressure for scientists to address issues that may lead to higher value industrial outputs. One obvious way to facilitate this is to get scientists talking to industry and creating a connection between research and industry. Some grant applications require this. There are both advantages and risks in working with industrial partners. This talk with give a personal account of many years of working with industrial partners with some good experiences and some not so good experiences with observations of how to make it a rewarding scientific exercise and to avoid some of the potential pitfalls.

        Speaker: Prof. Richard Haverkamp (Massey University)
      • 14:15
        Using beamlines to look inside complex Additive Manufactured structures 15m

        Conflux Technology has a mission to pioneer thermal technology. We are a passionate team of Additive Manufacturing scientists, engineers and commercialisation experts. Our goal is to facilitate the rollout of AM through its application in addressing thermal management challenges. The primary technical challenge we face is "managing the meltpool" in order to reduce the variability in the microstructures of the geometries we produce. This requires high resolution imaging of very complex structures that can not be inspected through traditional means. Collaboration with the Australian Synchrotron makes this analysis possible and influences the development direction of Conflux specifically and will impact AM more broadly.

        Speaker: Mr Michael Fuller (Conflux Technology)
      • 14:30
        Technology and Production Advances in the Australian Composites Sector and the Role of Collaborative Partnerships 15m

        N/A

        Speaker: Ms Kerryn Caulfield
      • 14:45
        Industry Engagement at the Australian Synchrotron: Lessons learned 15m

        It is important that Australia’s landmark research infrastructure, including the Australian Synchrotron, is well-recognised, understood and, where relevant, utilised by industry for the economic and social benefit of Australia and all Australians. A dedicated Industry Engagement team aims to support Australian Industry to utilise synchrotron technology to problem-solve and innovate for the ultimate benefit of the community.

        Working with industry clients, however, presents different challenges to working with the academic community and requires a different approach. In most instances, you will need to work with clients to help them articulate the problem they are trying to solve which is very different to presenting your own research and hoping it is of interest to a client.
        This presentation will:

        • Highlight key differences in approach to commercial vs academic engagement

        • Explore ways to measure your efforts and track the progress you are making towards a successful project

        • Examine how to manage client expectations and avoid getting off target

        • Discuss how to raise awareness and understanding of technical capabilities to potential commercial clients

        • Share ways to inspire businesses to explore applications and capitalise on the opportunities arising from our world class infrastructure

        • Showcase existing case studies, demonstrating successful connections between science and industry

        Speaker: Dr Robert Acres (ANSTO)
      • 15:00
        Industry Session Q&A 15m

        N/A

        Speaker: Kerry Hayes (ANSTO)
    • 13:45 15:15
      Parallel Session 5: Soft Matter 1 Seminar Room

      Seminar Room

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Tamar Greaves (RMIT University)
      • 13:45
        Ten years of asking "why not?" at the SAXS/WAXS beamline 30m

        We have been using the SAXS/WAXS beamline extensively since it began operation to ask questions that we have not been previously able to address around lipids, lipid self-assembly, their behaviour under a wide range of stimuli, what that means for drugs where present, and what happens when we combine lipids with other materials at interfaces both spatially and temporally. In the process we have continually pushed the capabilities of the beamline, invented new ways of looking at systems, and had a lot of fun in the process. In this presentation, I will highlight a number of aspects of our research on the beamline, that demonstrate its versatility and have led to some important breakthroughs in drug delivery and other fields.

        Speaker: Ben Boyd (Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
      • 14:15
        Fluctuation powder diffraction of the lipidic cubic phase: a 3D view of lattice disorder 15m

        Fluctuation scattering methods employ the statistical analysis of large scattering datasets to obtain a more accurate structural characterization of a material. Fluctuation methods were extensively developed for electron microscopy and are also topical in coherent x-ray imaging. We have developed novel fluctuation analysis methods for powder diffraction data to exploit extra structural information in spotty or textured powder rings. Generalizing 1D pair-distribution analysis, we extract 3D real-space distributions of three- and four-atom statistics from the fluctuation powder data. We have made a proof-of-principle demonstration with lipidic cubic phase collected at the SAXS beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. We have studied the lattice disorder induced by cholesterol doping, protein uptake and lysozyme crystallization. Data was collected with the Lipidico viscous-flow syringe injector that was used at the SAXS beamline for the first time.

        Speaker: Dr Andrew Martin (School of Science, RMIT University)
      • 14:30
        Interfacial Structure of Tailorable Nanocarrier Emulsions: X-ray and Neutron Scattering Approaches. 15m

        The oil/water interface is crucial to many industrial systems, for example emulsions (food, cosmetics, drug delivery and others), chemical extraction (both aqueous to organic and the subsequent back extraction). Tailorable nanocarrier emulsions (TNEs) are a novel class of oil-in-water emulsions stabilised by molecularly-engineered biosurfactants that permit single-pot stepwise surface modification with related polypeptides that may be chemically conjugated or genetically fused to biofunctional moieties. The interfacial properties of such materials particularly when one component is on the nanoscale have a profound influence on biodistribution and stability as well as the effectiveness of sophisticated surface-encoded properties such as active targeting to cell surface receptors.

        The target droplet size for the TNE is in the 100 -200 nm range with low polydispersity. Molecular scale characterisation of the liquid/liquid interface in such systems is challenging. It is nonetheless of prime importance in a variety of physico-chemical-biological areas both fundamentally and practically. We have simplified the approach to this system by beginning with x-ray and neutron scattering methodolgies to studying the structure and molecular conformation at planar oil/water interfaces.

        I will discuss our current work on related to TNEs for drug delivery. The TNEs consist of an oil in water emulsion where the interface is stabilised by a rationally designed single alpha helix peptide (AM1). To the AM1 stabilised emulsion a related four-helix peptide (DAMP4) is added. The DAMP4 can be linked to a range of biologically functional elements including antibodies or protein resistant molecules. The arrangement of the AM1 and DAMP4 at the oil/water interface and competition between the two species are important questions, the answers to which help to guide the TNE design. Furthermore, the presentation, conformation and orientation of the antibody into the aqueous phase impacts upon the TNE design and ultimately activity.

        Speaker: Stephen Holt (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
      • 14:45
        Self-Assembly of Pluronic Polymers in Protic Ionic Liquids 15m

        Development of alternate templating for mesoporous metals can contribute to various areas, including the development of novel battery electrodes and catalyst scaffolds. Due to their sol-gel properties and drastic rheology changes with temperature at high concentrations, Pluronic triblock copolymers in ionic liquids could potentially be used for templating applications. A high throughput study was conducted using Small Angle X-ray Scattering to understand the nanostructure of the self-assembly of Pluronic polymers as a function of ionic liquid solvophobicity. Representative Pluronic triblock copolymers with varying PEO block lengths, F127 (PEO106−PPO70–PEO106), P123 (PEO20-PPO70-PEO20) and L121 (PEO5−PPO70−PEO5) were investigated in the nitrate based protic ionic liquids of ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), ethanolammonium nitrate (EtAN) and propylammonium nitrate (PAN) using the SAXS/WAXS beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. Complex phase behaviour was observed in the polymer/ionic liquid compositions, with the solvophobicity of the ionic liquids having a noticeable effect on the formation of higher order phases.

        References
        1. Lopez-Barron Carlos R., Li Dongcui, Caplan Jeffery L., Macromolecules, 2014, 47.21, 7484-7495.
        2. Greaves, Tamar L., and Calum Drummond J., Chemical Reviews, 2008, 108, 206-237.

        Speaker: Sachini Kadaoluwa Pathirannahalage (RMIT University)
      • 15:00
        Lyotropic liquid crystal phase behavior of various amphiphiles in ternary protic ionic liquid containing solvents 15m

        Amphiphiles exhibiting micellar and higher order lyotropic mesophases in aqueous solvent environments have been extensively used in a broad range of applications such as detergents, sol-gel processes, biocatalysis, microencapsulation, nano-material synthesis and drug delivery [1, 2]. In recent years the use of non-aqueous solvents, or their binary/ternary mixtures, in self-assembly processes has received increasing attention due to their advantageous features, such as enhanced protection against hydrolysis of bio-active materials and hence, improved long-term stability of these compounds [3]. In particular, protic ionic liquids (PILs) are the largest and most tailorable class of non-aqueous solvents possessing the ability to support amphiphile self-assembly.
        In this work, lyotropic liquid crystal phase (LLCP) behavior of the various amphiphiles including cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and monopalmitolein (MP) as investigated in the ternary solvent system of water, ethylamine and nitric acid, where the stoichiometric acid-base composition corresponds to the well characterised PIL of ethylammonium nitrate (EAN). A total of 26 unique solvent environments were used, covering the pH and ionicity ranges of 0-13.5 and 0-11 M, respectively. The effect of amphiphile concentration and temperature on the formation of LLCPs was also determined. The LLCPs in these solvent environments were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, cross polarized optical microscopy and small and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Neat water and EAN were used as reference environments for comparison. Phase diagrams were separately constructed for amphiphile concentrations of 50 wt% and 70 wt% between 25 °C and 75 °C, as it is given in Fig. 1 for CTAB representatively. LLCPs were identified as micellar, hexagonal and cubic phases and were present from 35 °C in some of the solvent composition. Thermal stability and diversity of phases were found to be greater and broader in solvent compositions with excess ethylamine present. In acid-rich solvent combinations, some structural changes were observed due to the dramatic change in solubility of amphiphiles and its effect on the phase behavior was also examined.

        Speaker: Ms Dilek Yalcin (RMIT University)
    • 13:45 15:15
      Parallel Session 6: Imaging sponsored by The Dodd Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Convener: Sherry Mayo (CSIRO)
      • 13:45
        Phase contrast X-ray imaging of the lung at birth 30m

        The transition to newborn life after birth represents one of life’s greatest of challenges, yet for most of us we pass through this phase of our lives with only a brief cry that is greeted with much relief and joy by our expectant parents. Nevertheless, even in developed countries like Australia, we are much more likely to die on the day we are born than on any other day of our lives, until we reach the grand old age of 110. This simply reflects the extent and complexity of the physiological changes that must occur for the newborn to survive after birth. At birth, the airways are liquid-filled and so the lungs must aerate before they can become the sole organ of gas exchange and the resistance to blood flow through lungs must dramatically decrease. The latter enables the lungs to accept 100% of right ventricular output and allows the two circulations (pulmonary and systemic) to separate. As a result, the pulmonary circulation can work at a much lower pressure than the systemic (15 vs 100 mmHg), which is vital for respiratory function after birth. Lung aeration is not only vital for establishing the onset of pulmonary gas exchange, but is also vital for triggering the decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance, which in turn triggers the circulatory changes required for survival after birth. However, until recently, our understanding of the mechanisms controlling airway liquid clearance (=lung aeration) were restricted to an osmotic process that is slow and cannot account for lung aeration in premature infants. This lack of understanding greatly limited the clinical options available to assist infants who are unable to aerate their lungs at birth and therefore require assistance.

        The ability of phase contrast X-ray imaging to visualise air liquid interfaces has greatly advanced our understanding of lung aeration at birth, enabling us to identify the mechanisms involved and to investigate treatments that can be used to facilitate this process. Visualising lung aeration in real time allowed us to demonstrate that transpulmonary pressure gradients, however they are applied, regulates the rapid movement of water out of the airways and into the surrounding tissue from where it is cleared. Discovering this mechanism allowed us to devise strategies that can be used to facilitate this process, which have been adopted into clinical practice. In addition, when combined with angiography, we were able to define the spatial and temporal relationship between lung aeration and the increase in pulmonary blood flow after birth. As a result, we identified a major mechanism responsible for the increase in pulmonary blood flow that was previously undescribed. More recently, we have used phase contrast X-ray imaging to investigate laryngeal function in the newborn and a rapid computed tomography approach to track lung liquid as it leaves the airways after birth.

        In summary, the unique properties of synchrotron generated X-rays have allowed us solve many of the questions surrounding how we make the transition to new born life. For the last 50 years or more we have either had no idea or mistakenly thought other mechanisms controlled these vital processes, which has greatly limited our capacity to intervene and assist infants at birth. However, with our new understanding we are making good progress in improving the outcomes for all newborn infants that require assistance at birth.

        Speaker: Stuart Hooper (Monash University)
      • 14:15
        Towards clinical imaging and radiotherapy of human patients: An overview of IMBL techniques and programmes 15m

        The Imaging and Medical beamline provide facilities for imaging, including phase contrast and in vivo movies, computed tomography (CT), including physio-triggered CT, radiotherapy, and with

        • samples from 1mm3 to 1m3 and weight up to 100kg
        • beam width up to 50cm
        • energies from 20keV to 120keV (monochromatic) and 350keV (pink)

        It is a unique research tool applicable to many fields, from engineering to life sciences, paleontology to new materials, food science, cultural heritage, volcanology, minerals, industrial processes, and of course in vivo research with translational applications, clinical programmes, veterinary research and other work, especially the study of physiological processes.

        IMBL leads the field of large animal imaging by combining robotic positioning with an extensive support infrastructure and an experienced veterinarian on the staff. As many programmes are well established and bringing in new users, we are now concentrating on two new programmes: clinical imaging of human patients and canine radiotherapy.

        For clinical imaging we have installed a ‘patient positioning system’ to be used from 2020 for phase contrast breast CT with human patients. This newly funded programme includes the addition of a beam expander to deliver a 10cm high, 20cm wide beam to our satellite building bunker at 140m. Combined with a high efficiency, large area detector, this new feature will enable new applications of imaging and CT in many fields besides our clinical programmes.

        The canine programme will validate the full treatment process - treatment planning, dosimetry and image guided dose delivery – using a broad beam and patients supplied by veterinarians. After validation this process will be reliably established to move to micro-beam radiotherapy treatments to quantify the response of spontaneous tumors to micro-beams and gather long term toxicology data. This work is a critical and necessary step towards validation with human patients.

        This presentation will include descriptions of the techniques available on the IMBL, examples of the most exciting work done by users across the fields listed above and an overview of our clinical imaging and canine RT programmes.

        Figure caption: Imaging bunker at 140m with the large sample positioning robot, the standard CT stage (middle) and the patient positioning robot.

        Speaker: Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 14:30
        Time resolved measurements of medical inhaler sprays at the Advanced Photon Source 15m

        In the search for new and improved medical inhaler devices for the treatment of asthma and other pulmonary diseases, pharmaceutical device makers must understand how small changes in drug properties and the design of the delivery device can affect the properties of the micron-size droplets these devices produce. The scientific challenge underlying this effort is that dense liquid sprays present a very challenging measurement environment. The density of gas-liquid interfaces inside the spray scatters visible light so effectively that the spray becomes opaque. The time and length scales present in these sprays are typically on the order of microseconds and microns. As a result, the laser based techniques which the industry has relied on for decades are no longer able to deliver all the answers to the challenges they currently face. At the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois USA, researchers from Monash University are working with beamline scientists from Argonne's Time Resolved Research group (Sectors 7-BM and 9-ID) to use synchrotron radiation to address these challenges. X-rays are not scattered as strongly as visible light by the droplet field, allowing us to probe inside the dense regions near and inside the inhaler nozzle where laser diagnostics cannot. This allows us to see in great detail for the first time the complex fluid mechanics that occur in these devices. A range of techniques have been applied. Time resolved X-ray radiography provides a quantifiable density distribution in the spray. Time resolved X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy allows us to track the drug concentration independent of any other chemicals in the formulation throughout the spray, as many common inhaled drugs contain tracer elements such as bromine. Ultra-fast X-ray phase contrast imaging also reveals the qualitative structure of the liquid-gas interfaces in the device itself. Most recently, ultra small angle X-ray scattering has allowed us to make average composition measurements of the droplets in flight, in the dense region of the spray where the droplet size is ultimately determined. The insights gained through these measurements will enable the development of more physically robust models which can then be used in the development of new devices. The research also aims to address some major open questions about the physics of how droplets form in medical inhaler sprays. This work is supported by the Australian Research Council and Chiesi Limited through the DECRA and Linkage Project schemes. Travel to the APS for Monash Researchers was made possible through an International Synchrotron Access Program grant from ANSTO and the Australian Synchrotron.

        Speaker: Dr Daniel Duke (Monash University)
      • 14:45
        Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT): A progress report 15m

        The Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT) beamline is one of the first two beamlines to be constructed at the Australian Synchrotron as part of the BR–GHT program. This new beamline will be operational for user experiments by mid-2021. A report on the current status of the MCT project will be provided. MCT will complement the existing X-ray tomography capability provided by the Imaging & Medical Beamline (IMBL), targeting applications requiring higher (sub-micron) spatial resolution, with commensurately smaller field-of-view.

        MCT is currently in the procurement phase, with particular emphasis being placed on the photon-delivery system (PDS). The key X-ray optical element in the PDS will be a double-multilayer monochromator (DMM). Detailed calculations related to the design of the DMM will be discussed, including important aspects which inform the possible choices for the multilayer stripes. The operational X-ray energy range (8 to 40 keV) and bandpass requirements for different imaging (including phase-contrast) modalities need to be considered. However, an appropriate choice of multilayer stripes also needs to be guided by practical issues such as: thermal and radiation-hardness properties of the materials involved; reducing surface roughness and thereby increasing reflectivity; reducing overall thickness to relieve possible stress and deformation; having grazing-incidence angles which are not so small that the mirror lengths and/or their separation become prohibitively large.

        Speaker: Dr Andrew Stevenson (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)
      • 15:00
        Session finishes 15m
    • 15:15 15:45
      Afternoon Tea 30m NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 15:45 16:45
      Parallel Session 7: Mark Ridgway Session Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Chris Glover (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 15:45
        Mark Ridgway Talk: Chris Glover 15m
        Speaker: Chris Glover (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 16:00
        In memory of Professor Mark Ridgway: a champion for Australian synchrotron science 15m

        This presentation will give an overview of Mark’s distinguished scientific career and the leadership he provided for Australian synchrotron science. It will present some examples of the work Mark has done at the ANBF and the AS that has defined the state of the art in the field and inspired many young researchers.

        Speaker: Patrick Kluth (Australian National University)
      • 16:15
        Mark Ridgway Talk: The Early Days, ANBF and ASRP 15m
        Speaker: Richard Garrett (ANSTO)
      • 16:30
        XAS and MEX – Reflection and Perspective 15m

        Mark Ridgway was a key advocate for XAS techniques at the Australian Synchrotron. He was and will remain an integral part of its family.

        Looking into the near future of X-ray absorption spectroscopy in Australasia, we wish to connect with Mark’s legacy and highlight trends and developments around the MEX and XAS beamlines.

        Speaker: Peter Kappen
    • 15:45 16:45
      Parallel Session 8: Radiotherapy Seminar Room

      Seminar Room

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 15:45
        Preparations for the first veterinary trials of synchrotron radiation therapy 30m

        The aim of our research is to undertake the first large animal trial of Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) at the Australian Synchrotron to treat spontaneous cancers. The Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) at the Australian Synchrotron is one of only four facilities in the world expressly designed to enable the clinical application of synchrotron radiotherapy for cancer patients. There are new robotic positioning systems recently installed at the IMBL now which are capable of positioning large animals and humans in the synchrotron beam for radiotherapy purposes. We will use this new capability and our existing medical physics research program to treat canine tumours with synchrotron radiotherapy. This has never been attempted before and we anticipate this proof-of-concept work will directly lead to clinical trials in humans for certain unresponsive, or recurring cancers where conventional radiotherapy has failed.

        Synchrotron MRT is an experimental form of radiotherapy that is fundamentally different to conventional radiotherapy (CRT) [1, 2]. There is emerging evidence that synchrotron MRT is more effective in destroying tumours than CRT and has fewer side effects than CRT [3-6]. There is therefore potential for MRT to significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients. The long-term aim of our project is to translate MRT to a clinical reality. At present, MRT can only be performed using a synchrotron, which is not achievable at hospitals. As a pre cursor to clinical trials, we propose veterinary trials of synchrotron radiation with real, spontaneous cancers in dogs in close collaboration with our veterinary colleagues.

        Our aim in 2019 is to plan and treat approximately 9 live dogs with spontaneous tumours. Our preferred, initial target will be skin tumours or bone tumours in the legs of the dog. These tumours are easy to locate and position in the synchrotron beam. For this pilot study, we will select small tumours that are located at shallow depths in order to maximise the dose coverage. We will do a simple dose escalation (‘3+3 study’) whereby we irradiate 3 dogs with a low dose (e.g. an integrated dose of 8 Gray in a single fraction) followed by an approximately 20% increase in the dose to 10 Gy for the next 3 dogs. We will increase to 12 Gy for the next 3 dogs if the acute radiation toxicity is minimal.

        We will consider the project a success if we can safely and verifiably deliver a low dose (palliative dose) of synchrotron radiation to live (sedated) dogs using the robotic couch at the IMBL. If this pilot study is successful we will have made major steps towards initiating a new radiotherapy paradigm with synchrotron radiation; the significance of such an outcome for cancer patients everywhere cannot be overstated. There are some brain and lung cancer patients for example who have failed current treatments and have few if any treatment options available to them. Synchrotron MRT may offer hope to these patients. Our group has over 10 years’ experience of Synchrotron MRT experiments using mouse models of healthy and malignant tissue. We now want to progress from our mouse model work (with artificial tumours) to larger animals with real, spontaneous tumours (e.g. pet dogs). Such work will be an invaluable proof of concept before we attempt MRT in human cancer patients.

        In recent years, we have made tremendous progress towards realising our goals, most notably in the medical physics area. We have commissioned a computerised Treatment Planning System [7], completed a protocol for measuring the absorbed dose from the synchrotron radiation [8, 9], and developed sophisticated image-guided radiotherapy protocols [10]. Our work is at the stage now where we can plan and treat a dog on the robotic positioning system on the IMBL. In the radiobiology field, we have systematically characterised the toxicity of MRT for a range of treatment sites which is crucial for choosing safe doses for our proposed veterinary trials [11]. In recent work (April & July 2018) we planned and irradiated a dead lamb and dog with conventional (uniform) and microbeam radiation fields to test the physical components of the beamline.

        References:
        1. Brauer-Krisch, E., et al., Effects of pulsed, spatially fractionated, microscopic synchrotron X-ray beams on normal and tumoral brain tissue. Mutat Res, 2010. 704(1-3): p. 160-6.
        2. Smyth, L.M., et al., The normal tissue effects of microbeam radiotherapy: What do we know, and what do we need to know to plan a human clinical trial? Int J Radiat Biol, 2016. 92(6): p. 302-11.
        3. Bouchet, A., et al., Early gene expression analysis in 9L orthotopic tumor-bearing rats identifies immune modulation in molecular response to synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy. PLoS One, 2013. 8(12): p. e81874.
        4. Dilmanian, F.A., et al., Tissue-sparing effect of x-ray microplanar beams particularly in the CNS: is a bystander effect involved? Exp Hematol, 2007. 35(4 Suppl 1): p. 69-77.
        5. Formenti, S.C. and S. Demaria, Combining radiotherapy and cancer immunotherapy: a paradigm shift. J Natl Cancer Inst, 2013. 105(4): p. 256-65.
        6. Sprung, C.N., et al., Genome-wide transcription responses to synchrotron microbeam radiotherapy. Radiat Res, 2012. 178(4): p. 249-59.
        7. Poole, C.M., et al., Synchrotron microbeam radiotherapy in a commercially available treatment planning system. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, 2017. 3(2): p. 025001.
        8. Lye, J.E., et al., Absolute dosimetry on a dynamically scanned sample for synchrotron radiotherapy using graphite calorimetry and ionization chambers. Phys Med Biol, 2016. 61(11): p. 4201-22.
        9. Stevenson, A.W., et al., Quantitative characterization of the X-ray beam at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL). J Synchrotron Radiat, 2017. 24(Pt 1): p. 110-141.
        10. Pelliccia, D., et al., Image guidance protocol for synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy. J Synchrotron Radiat, 2016. 23(Pt 2): p. 566-73.
        11. Smyth, L.M.L., et al., Comparative toxicity of synchrotron and conventional radiation therapy based on total and partial body irradiation in a murine model. Scientific Reports, 2018. 8(1): p. 12044.

        Speaker: Dr Jeffrey CROSBIE (RMIT University)
      • 16:15
        High resolution fibre-optic dosimetry: towards a MRT quality assurance device 15m

        Synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is a novel external beam therapy under investigation for its application in the treatment of brain tumours. Key characteristics of these x-ray microbeams is their high flux, high spatial fractionation and large dose rates. For clinical quality assurance, the dose rate in the microbeams (peaks) and between them (valleys) must be measured accurately. We present the progress we have made improving a scintillator fibre optic dosimeter design to be applied to MRT quality assurance. From a one-dimensional spatial resolution initially of 100 μm, we have now achieved microbeam measurements with a 10 μm dosimeter probe. Challenges with these devices include low sensitivity due to the small scintillator volume optically coupled to the fibre optic. The high dose rate of MRT partly overcomes this issue but remains a challenging area with smaller probe sensitive volumes. There is also a 20-30% over-response at low depths when compared to dose readings with ionisation chamber, consistent across all resolution probes tested. The works presented have demonstrated the incremental improvements in the scintillator fibre optic dosimeter and the achievability of its application in MRT. The probe has many desirable qualities, such as water-equivalence, ease of manufacture and relative inexpensiveness compared to other dosimetry devices. We anticipate that this work can lead to a commercial QA dosimetry device in the future.

        Speaker: James Archer (University of Wollongong)
      • 16:30
        Identifying optimal clinical scenarios for synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy 15m

        Background: Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is a pre-clinical modality characterised by a periodically alternating peak-valley dose-distribution. Dosimetry studies using clinical datasets have not yet been conducted. Our aim was to identify optimal settings for a future Phase I trial from a range of clinical scenarios refractory to standard treatments.

        Materials and methods: Seven clinical scenarios were chosen for MRT planning. A hybrid algorithm which combines Monte Carlo and convolution-based approaches was used for dose-calculation. The objective of MRT plans was to ensure the valley dose to organs at risk (OARs) was within the tolerance doses achieved in the corresponding clinical plans. We then assessed the corresponding peak doses and peak-to-valley dose ratio (PVDRs) at the tumour target volume.

        Results: Tumours with small and shallow volumes could receive peak doses greater than 80 Gy in a single fraction with PVDRs greater than 10. These scenarios included recurrent glioblastoma, head and neck tumours, and select loco-regionally recurrent breast cancer sites. Treatment volume was a more important factor than treatment depth in determining the PVDR. The mean PVDR correlated strongly with the size of the target volume (r = -0.70, p = 0.01).

        Conclusion: In the context of the current physical limitations of a horizontal beam-line, our findings suggest that intra-cranial and head and neck sites will be optimal scenarios for a future trial of MRT.

        Speaker: Lloyd Smyth (University of Melbourne, ICON Cancer Centre)
    • 15:45 16:45
      Parallel Session 9: Earth & Environment Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium ()

      Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Convener: Richard Haverkamp (Massey Univeristy)
      • 15:45
        Illuminating the mineralogy and geochemistry of mineral processing byproducts with coupled synchrotron XRD and XANES 30m

        Increasing global demand for mineral and energy resources, coupled with declining ore grades, are creating growing global stockpiles of by-products including waste rock (~ 56 GT/yr) and tailings (~7 GT/yr). These are unusual geological materials, at extremes of pH and salinity, typically exhibiting elevated concentrations of elements and minerals present at otherwise low concentrations throughout Earth’s crust, bearing process-derived minerals that are unstable under Earth surface temperatures and pressures, and in the case of tailings, with very fine particle sizes. Understanding and predicting the weathering behaviour of these materials, and opportunities for reprocessing or reuse, hinges on accurate mineralogical identification and quantification, which can be challenging in such complex, multi-phase mixtures often bearing novel minerals. Using synchrotron XRD and XANES, our work with bauxite residue (alumina refining tailings) has solved structures for novel process minerals in the sodalite and cancrinite groups, and identified mineralogical hosts and speciation of trace elements including As, Cr, and V. Incorporation of anions into sodalites increases unit cell size in the order carbonate<chloride<sulfate<aluminate, with unit cells ranging from 8.89 to 9.02 Å. Chloride-, sulfate-, and aluminate-type sodalites tend to lie in space group P43n, whereas space group P23 more accurately describes carbonate-type sodalite. Iron oxides have been identified as major hosts for Cr and V, incorporated through isomorphous substitution; whereas As appears to be present mostly as surface sorbed arsenate. Hosts and speciation did not change during pH neutralisation, indicating that potential release during weathering is minimal. Ongoing thermodynamic and physical analysis of these materials, coupled with the mineralogical data above, will be used to improve the accuracy of existing geochemical models for predicting weathering behaviour, and can be used as a pre-screening tool to identify suitable reuse pathways for tailings.

        Speaker: Talitha Santini (University of Western Australia)
      • 16:15
        Understanding a million dollar reaction - the mineral replacement of chalcopyrite by chalcocite - insights from in-situ XRD and in-situ XAS techniques. 15m

        Australia is host to world’s 2nd largest copper deposits - yet it’s only the 5th largest copper exporter in the world. The copper industry in Australia faces significant challenges in mineral process owing to the complicated paragenesis of these copper deposits. Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is among the most common Cu minerals. The replacement of chalcopyrite to chalcocite (Cu2S) in a copper-rich aqueous medium at mild hydrothermal conditions is an emerging method in mineral processing to upgrade the chalcopyrite-rich concentrates while rejecting deleterious elements. Despite its potential as a cost-effective method to upgrade copper ores, the underlying reaction mechanism and kinetics of the mineral replacement of chalcopyrite by chalcocite remains poorly understood.

        In fluid-mediated mineral replacement reactions, a comprehensive understanding of the reactions involves the careful observation of changes in the mineral phase (phase transitions, mineralogical changes) and the fluid phase (concentrations and redox state of dissolved components) during the reaction. To probe the mineral replacement of chalcopyrite by chalcocite we have performed two sets of in-situ experiments at two different beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron.

        At the PD beamline we have carried out a series of in-situ XRD experiments to follow the reaction at high temperatures (180 ˚C – 240 ˚C). The results revealed the reaction pathway as well the metastable reaction species generated in the reaction. The major findings from the in-situ XRD experiments include, i) observation of in-situ replacement of chalcopyrite by digenite-high/covellite in all experiments, ii) observation of szomolnokite (FeSO4•H2O) and djurleite (Cu1.96S) as the metastable species during the mineral replacement reaction.

        Pivoted on the observation from the in-situ XRD experiments we have been successfully awarded beamtime to study the redox evolution of the fluid during the replacement of chalcopyrite to chalcocite using our in-house high pressure - high temperature ‘mAESTRO’ cell for in-situ XAS spectroscopy at the Australian synchrotron. Combining the results from the in-situ XRD experiments (nature and relative proportions of solids) and the in-situ XAS experiments (Fe and Cu concentrations and oxidation state in the fluid during the reaction) - we’ll be able to construct a coherent understanding of the reaction mechanism governing the replacement of chalcopyrite by chalcocite.

        Speaker: Alok Chaudhari (Monash University)
      • 16:30
        Shining a light on Jarosite alteration and stability using synchrotron microdiffraction and imaging techniques. 15m

        Jarosites and related minerals are of great importance to a range of mineral processing and research applications. They are used in the removal of iron species from smelting processes; they occur in metal bioleaching systems, and in the desulphurisation of coal; they are present in acid mine drainage environments.

        There has been a recent resurgence in interest in jarosite and associated minerals since their detection on Mars by the MER rover Opportunity. In this context, the presence of jarosite has been recognised as a likely indicator of liquid water at the surface of Mars in the past and it is hoped that their study will provide insight into the environmental history of Mars.

        Acid sulfate soils cover large areas of the Australian coastline and are likely to be a major constituent of the Martian environment. The oxidation of acid sulfate soils, coupled with potential release of heavy metals and acidic groundwaters, can have serious consequences for fragile ecosystems. Understanding these sediments will provide insight into the biogeochemical processes that affect the lifetimes of transient mineral species on Earth, and may be used to better understand soil acidification, contaminant mobility at sites affected by acid and metalliferous drainage, and even constrain past weathering and putative biosignatures on Mars.
        Knowledge of the behaviour of jarosite minerals under the actual conditions that they are found in is crucial to understanding their potential environmental impacts on both Earth and Mars. To this end, we are engaged in a program to study the formation, stability and alteration of jarosite minerals using a complementary suite of in situ synchrotron and neutron techniques.
        In this contribution we discuss the results of parallel neutron and X-ray imaging at OPAL and the Australian Synchrotron, combined with synchrotron microdiffraction to map the mineralogy and structural relationships within naturally occurring jarosite nodule handspecimens formed from hydrothermal alteration.

        Speaker: Helen Brand (Australian Synchrotron)
    • 16:45 17:30
      Plenary 2: Research Award Talk: Dr. Neeraj Sharma, University of NSW Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Chris McNeill (Monash University)
      • 16:45
        Elucidating structural transformations of electrodes while they are being used: The wonderful world of in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction 45m

        Electrodes account for a significant proportion of battery function, where atomic-scale perturbations or changes in the crystal structure during an electrochemical process permit the reversible insertion/extraction of charge carriers. A method to both understand battery function and improve their performance is to probe the crystal structure evolution in operando or in situ, i.e., while an electrochemical process is occurring inside a battery. In my group we heavily utilize the Powder Diffraction Beamline to track the evolution of the lattice parameters and/or charge carriers, e.g. sodium and potassium, in electrode materials used in rechargeable alkali-ion, primary lithium-metal, Li-S and solar batteries.

        In undertaking in situ and in operando experiments there are a number of critical factors that need to be considered, for example optimised cell design to marry electrochemical performance with sufficient diffraction signal. Once the practicalities of such experiments are achieved, the parameter space that can be explored and correlated allows for unprecedented insight into function. Electrochemical parameters such as applied current rates, potential cut-offs and long term cycling can be correlated to chemical parameters such as composition and particle size distribution. Using this information we can design next generation electrode materials, optimising electrochemical performance parameters at a crystallographic level.

        In addition to diffraction, my group is expanding our footprint with in situ analytical techniques, including in operando neutron imaging, in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and in situ solid-state NMR allowing us to probe non-crystalline components in devices. The combination of these techniques provides more (and multi-scale) insight into the mechanism of device operation and the interactions at play.

        This talk will provide a flavor of the work being undertaken in my group, emphasizing the highlights and our future directions.

        Speaker: Neeraj Sharma (UNSW)
    • 17:30 18:00
      Poster Slam - sponsored by ACEx 30m Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Speaker: Michael James (Australian Synchrotron)
    • 18:00 20:00
      Poster Session & Welcome Function - sponsored by CSIRO 2h NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

  • Friday, 23 November
    • 07:30 08:30
      UAC Breakfast Meeting (by Invitation only) 1h NCSS Boardroom

      NCSS Boardroom

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 08:00 08:45
      Registration 45m NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 08:45 09:30
      Plenary 3: Lifetime Contribution Award Talk: Prof. Emeritus Dudley Creagh, University of Canberra Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Hannah Wells (Massey University)
      • 08:45
        DIY meets Bespoke in Synchrotron Radiation Science: an Australian perspective 45m

        Dudley Creagh
        Emeritus Professor, University of Canberra

        Radiation science using dedicated synchrotron storage rings has existed for only 38 years. And in that time the advances in both technology and techniques have been astonishing. The time when researchers took their own laboratory equipment to SR beamlines is long gone. Researchers now have a wide range of beamlines and techniques from which to choose to satisfy their experimental needs: each beamline possesses a variety of environmental specimen stages; dedicated beamline scientists are on hand to give advice; funding for travel and accommodation is provided. This lecture reflects on how it is that Australian scientists are blessed with the facilities they currently enjoy.

        Speaker: Prof. Dudley Creagh
    • 09:30 10:00
      2018 Australian Synchrotron Stephen Wilkins Thesis Medal 30m Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Speaker: Andrew Peele (Australian Synchrotron)
    • 10:00 10:30
      UAC Town Hall Meeting 30m Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Speaker: Hannah Wells (Massey University)
    • 10:30 11:00
      Morning Tea 30m NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 11:00 12:30
      Parallel Session 10: Advanced Materials 2 & Soft Matter 2 - Sponsored by Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Stephen Holt (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
      • 11:00
        Protective Frameworks for Biomolecule Applications 30m

        Biomolecules such as enzymes, DNA and other proteins are increasingly being used in various biotechnology and industrial applications. However, they rely on their structural complexity for activity and specificity [1] making them vulnerable to environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and solvents. Encapsulation of these molecules, especially enzymes, improves their stability and allows them to retain their activity, therefore increasing their utilisation in a range of applications such as industrial catalysis and biopharmaceutical delivery.[2]

        We have been developing an encapsulation process using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with inspiration from natural biomineralisation processes whereby molecular architectures are fabricated by living organisms to provide exoskeletal “shields” and structural support. Biomolecules of interest such as proteins and enzymes are used as agents to initiate the encapsulation process by introducing them into aqueous solutions containing the MOF precursors (organic ligands and metal cations). The MOF self-assembles around the biomolecules, forming a protective shield, analogous to the exoskeleton of the sea-urchin. The resulting bio-composites, are then simply separated via centrifugation and subsequent washing and can be released upon change in pH.[3]

        Using Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) at the Australian Synchrotron, we have been studying the formation mechanisms involved with the biomineralisation process. In this presentation we will discuss the investigation into crystallisation during the assembly, washing and releasing processes. Understanding the material behaviour and stability of the metal-organic frameworks is crucial for applying these materials in industrial applications.

        [1] S. Mitragotri, P. A. Burke and Langer, R. Overcoming the challenges in administering biopharmaceuticals: formulation and delivery strategies. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 2014, 13, 655–672.
        [2] a) U. T. Bornscheuer et al. Engineering the third wave of biocatalysis. Nature 2012, 485, 185-194; b) N. Savage, Logistics: keeping cool. Nature 2014, 507, S8-S9.
        [3] K. Liang, R. Ricco, C. M. Doherty, M. J. Styles, S. Bell, N. Kirby, S. Mudie, D. Haylock, A. J. Hill, C. J. Doonan and P. Falcaro, Biomimetic mineralization of metal-organic frameworks as protective coatings for biomacromolecules, Nat. Comm., 2015, 6, 7240.

        Speaker: Dr Cara Doherty (CSIRO)
      • 11:30
        Using SAXS/WAXS to determine the influence of collagen structure on material properties within acellular dermal matrix materials. 15m

        Collagen tissues such as skin and pericardium are remarkably strong and malleable. These physical charactersitics, along with the biocompatibility benefits of being a natural product, make collagen tissues an excellent source material for making surgical patches and implants. Our studies have involved investigating the natural collagen structure within acellular dermal matrix (ADM) materials derived from skin of various species to see how collagen structure can affect material properties and how collagen is able to react to strain. Synchrotron based small angle X-ray scattering was the main investigative technique. We were able to show that collagen fibril alignment in the planar direction results in a stronger ADM material, and when under tension, collagen fibrils realign in the direction of the force before stretching themselves. This behaviour was demonstrated by an initial increase in orientation index upon strain, followed by an increase in D-spacing and decrease in intermolecular spacing and fibril diameter at greater strains.

        Speaker: Dr Hannah Wells (Massey University)
      • 11:45
        Stiffness of modified collagen fibril structures manipulated by moisture content 15m

        Flexibility and strength are both desirable characteristics in skin derived collagen materials, like leather. Dehydration of skin during production of leather transforms tissue into a stiffer material. The hydration state is a key parameter in leather production controlling the material strength and flexibility. The structural basis for flexibility in leather was investigated and the moisture content varied. Mechanical properties of collagen are known to change with moisture content. Leather produced by tanning under strain increases the leather strength through increased fibril alignment but also reduces flexibility. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to determine collagen structures and three point bend tests to measure flexibility. Results show how the interplay between moisture content and fibril alignment can be used to optimize properties in leather.

        Speaker: Susyn Kelly (Massey University)
      • 12:00
        Insights into flash-nanoprecipitated drug solubilisation during in vitro digestion in milk using the SAXS/WAXS beamline 15m

        Strategies to administer drugs in a low cost and an effective manner are priorities to global health and many efforts have been made to re-formulate drugs that are highly lipophilic and have high variations in their oral bioavailability. One example of such drug is clofazimine, which has been recently identified as a potential new drug to treat cryptosporidiosis, the second leading cause of diarrhea in infants.1 Design of formulations for fast acting treatment of cryptosporidiosis with superior oral bioavailability to the commercially available clofazimine (Lamprene®) is therefore necessary and recent studies have demonstrated that flash-nanoprecipitated clofazimine nanoparticles could provide faster kinetics of drug release compared to Lamprene®.2,3 We herein investigate the solubilisation behaviours of clofazimine nanoparticles, taking into account intestinal digestion to more closely mimic the in vivo setting by tracking the evolution of diffraction peaks from crystalline drugs using the SAXS/WAXS beamline.4 The effects of fat in milk and infant formula on the solubilisation of clofazimine were also studied to better understand potential food effects in paediatric populations. Our results confirmed that clofazimine exhibits a fat-dependent solubilisation and that the solubilisation of drug from flash-nanoprecipitated clofazimine nanoparticles is faster than Lamprene®, which is highly desirable for treating Cryptosporidium infections in the small intestine.

        1. WHO Diarrhoeal disease; 2017.
        2. Zhang, Y.; Feng, J.; McManus, S. A.; Lu, H. D.; Ristroph, K. D.; Cho, E. J.; Dobrijevic, E. L.; Chan, H.-K.; Prud’homme, R. K., Mol. Pharmaceutics. 2017, 14, (10), 3480-3488.
        3. Feng, J., Zhang, Y., McManus, S.A., Ristroph, K.D., Lu, H.D., Gong, K., White, C.E. and Prud’homme, R.K, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2018, 1, (5) 2184-2194.
        4. Salim, M.; Khan, J.; Ramirez, G.; Clulow, A.J.; Hawley, A.; Ramachandruni, H; and Boyd, B.J., Mol. Pharmaceutics. 2018, 15, (8), 3535-3544.
        Speaker: Malinda Salim (Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
      • 12:15
        Liquid Crystalline Structures in Digesting Milk-like Emulsions and Their Potential for Drug Delivery Studied Using Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering 15m

        Andrew J. Clulow(1), Malinda Salim(1), Anna C. Pham(1), Gisela Ramirez(1), Adrian Hawley(2) and Ben J. Boyd(1,3)

        (1) Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
        (2) Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
        (3) Centre of Excellence for Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

        Milk is nature’s lipid-based formulation for delivering fat-soluble nutrients to infants and remains a mainstay of the adult diet thereafter. Commercially produced lipid-based formulations are used in the oral delivery of fat-soluble drugs, in which the emulsified lipids help to dissolve entrained drugs to promote absorption in the intestine and drug bioavailability. Critical to this absorption process is the digestion of the lipid carrier phase, in which apolar triglycerides are broken down into monoglycerides and fatty acids. Initial studies performed on the small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) beamline of the Australian Synchrotron revealed that these amphiphilic milk fat digestion products spontaneously assemble into a progression of liquid crystalline structures over time during in vitro lipid digestion.[1] This presentation will elaborate on those initial studies, discussing the liquid crystalline structures formed in a variety of milks and milk-like emulsions and the influence of milk processing on the structures that form.[2] By utilising two camera lengths on the SAXS/WAXS beamline we have been able to correlate the extent of digestion of milk lipids with both the self-assembled liquid crystalline structures formed during digestion and the crystalline forms of drugs present in the digesting emulsion.[3,4] When combined, these data reveal the key role of the lipid digestion process in determining the fate of fat-soluble drugs co-administered with milk.

        [1] Salentinig, S. et al., Formation of Highly Organized Nanostructures during the Digestion of Milk. ACS Nano 2013, 7 (12), 10904-10911.
        [2] Clulow/Salim et al., A closer look at the behaviour of milk lipids during digestion. Chem. Phys. Lipids 2018, 211, 107-116.
        [3] Clulow et al., The Curious Case of the OZ439 Mesylate Salt: An Amphiphilic Antimalarial Drug with Diverse Solution and Solid State Structures. Mol. Pharmaceutics 2018, 15 (5), 2027-2035.
        [4] Salim et al., Interactions of Artefenomel (OZ439) with Milk during Digestion: Insights into Digestion-Driven Solubilization and Polymorphic Transformations. Mol. Pharmaceutics 2018, 15 (8), 3535-3544.

        Speaker: Andrew Clulow (Monash University)
    • 11:00 12:30
      Parallel Session 11: Surfaces Seminar Room

      Seminar Room

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Chris McNeill (Monash University)
      • 11:00
        ARPES - A Toolbox for Surface Discoveries 30m

        Angle Resolved PhotoEmission Spectroscopy (ARPES) is a widely used technique for the investigation of the electronic structure of materials and can also be used to study many-body interactions such as electron-phonon couplings. The characteristic that separates ARPES from other surface science techniques is that it enables the direct visualisation of the electronic structure.
        In this talk, I will introduce the technique and provide examples of the type of measurements facilitated by ARPES. The focus of these examples will be on 2D materials.
        A short overview of research on other light sources, as well as the emerging possibilities on the newly installed ARPES beamline at the Australian Synchrotron will be discussed.

        Speaker: Dr Antonija Grubisic-Cabo (Monash University)
      • 11:30
        Demonstrating an electric field-tuned Topological Phase Transition in ultra-thin film Na3Bi using ARPES and STM 15m

        The electric field induced quantum phase transition from topological to conventional insulator has been proposed as the basis of a topological field effect transistor. In such a device an electric field can switch ‘on’ the ballistic flow of charge and spin along dissipationless edges of the two-dimensional (2D) quantum spin Hall insulator [1], and when ‘off’ is a conventional insulator with no conductive channels. Here we demonstrate that few-layer Na3Bi, normally a 3D Topological Dirac semimetal in its bulk[2][3], is a viable platform for realising such a topological transistor at room temperature.

        Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM)/spectroscopy (STS), supported by complementary angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES), we observe that mono- and bilayer Na3Bi behave as effectively 2D topological insulators with bulk bandgaps >400meV.

        Further, we demonstrate that upon the application of an external electric field [4] with an STM tip, a topological phase transition to trivial insulator with conventional gap greater than 100meV can be reversibly induced. The large bandgaps in both the conventional and quantum spin Hall phases suggest that Na3Bi is suitable for room temperature topological transistor operation.

        References:
        [1] C. L. Kane and E. J. Mele, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 226801 (2005)
        [2] Liu, Z. K. et al. Science 343, 6173, pp. 864–867 (2014)
        [3] C. Niu, et al., Phys. Rev. B 95, 075404 (2017)
        [4] Pan, H., Wu, M., Liu, Y. & Yang, S. A. Sci. Rep. 5, 1–10 (2015)

        Speaker: Mr James Collins (Monash University)
      • 11:45
        Substrate dependent ultrafast charge transfer dynamics in self-assembled monolayers with intramolecular orbital coupling – a combined spectroscopic and computational study 15m

        Abstract: Metal surfaces coated with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are often used in large area based molecular junctions. However, characterizing these junctions still eludes chemists and physicists alike because of the complexity associated with the orbitals involved in charge transport and their behaviour under varying temperature. The metal-molecule interaction in such a system helps to understand the mechanism of charge transport, whether it is the Landauer (coherent transport) model or the Marcus model (incoherent transport) or an “in-between” regime, and thus, is crucial to the field of molecular electronics [1]. Recently, we reported that SAMs terminated with ferrocenyl (Fc) units and attached to a conjugated diphenylacetylene (DPA) backbone via an alkyl bridge showed diode behaviour in that “in-between” regime. Tuning intramolecular orbital coupling between Fc and DPA resulted in the diode being in either the inverted Marcus regime or the direct Marcus regime [2]. While the number of alkyl units separating the conjugated units is one variable to change the metal molecule coupling, it can also be varied by changing the surface dipole at the metal-sulphur interface. Here we used synchrotron-based core-hole clock measurements to study the ultrafast charge transfer dynamics (in the order of a few fs) of the series shown in Figure 1 (FcCn(DPA)CS SAMs on M where M = Ag, Au, Pt; n = 0-3). In addition to the spectroscopic characterization, we also attempt to understand the quantum chemical picture of the metal-molecule interface by performing density functional theory calculations. The coupling of Fc is in the order Ag > Au > Pt.
        Keywords: charge transfer dynamics, core-hole clock spectroscopy, self-assembled monolayers, molecular electronics, density functional theory
        References:
        1. Migliore, A.; Schiff, P.; Nitzan, A. On the relationship between molecular state and single electron pictures in simple electrochemical junctions, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, 13746.
        2. Yuan, L.; Wang, L.; Garrigues, A. R.; Jiang, L.; Annadata, H. V.; del Barco, E.; Nijhuis, C. A. Transition from direct to inverted charge transport Marcus regions in molecular junctions via molecular orbital gating, Nat. Nanotech. 2018, 13, 322.

        Speaker: Harshini Annadata (National University of Singapore)
      • 12:00
        Understanding the effect of thionation on naphthalene diimide using first-principles predictions of near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectra 15m

        Conjugated organic materials, such as semiconducting polymers and small molecules, have shown great potential for electronic applications, boasting favorable properties such as being mechanically flexible and having low processing temperatures. Additionally, the organic components comprising semiconducting polymers and small molecules are interchangeable, resulting in a high degree of synthetic control over the electronic properties of conjugated semiconductors. For example, it has recently been shown that an increasing degree of thionation – the replacement of oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms – results in a systematic shift in the NEXAFS spectra of naphthalene diimide (NDI)-based molecules. While such changes are systematic, it is difficult to directly connect the changes to the measured C 1s to * manifold to the electronic properties of the molecule since the NEXAFS spectrum obtained contains transitions from carbon atoms in different environments and hence different core levels. In this study, we have used a first-principles approach, the eXcited Core Hole (XCH) model, in order to resolve individual atomic contributions to the NEXAFS spectrum of a series of NDI molecules with increasing thionation. The simulations yield an excellent correspondence with the experimentally measured NEXAFS spectra. Furthermore the calculations of both the x-ray absorption spectra, as well as the neutral and excited molecular orbital density distributions, indicate that the sulfur substitution decreases the core level shift of the molecule, lowering the energy required to excite an electron from a core level. The simulations also reveal how changes in the symmetry of the molecule with thionation affect the resulting molecular orbitals and hence electronic transitions. The successful application of computational methods to explain the rich fine structure observed experimentally thus enables direct connection between measurement and the underlying molecular transitions. Such insights are important for underpinning the application of NEXAFS spectroscopy and related soft x-ray techniques in characterizing the microstructure of organic semiconductor films, which in turn are being used to optimize the performance of organic electronic devices.

        Speaker: Ms Kira Rundel (Monash University)
      • 12:15
        Calcium and Magnesium Intercalation of Graphene on Silicon Carbide 15m

        Graphene has transformed experimental two-dimensional (2D) physics and has proven itself an indispensable testing-bed for improving our understanding of condensed-matter physics. Recent theoretical and experimental results from literature have suggested that graphene, highly doped with alkaline earths(through intercalation and/or surface decoration), can superconduct at relatively high temperatures, and is a potential platform for electronically mediated superconductivity. Furthermore, highly electron-doped graphene may be useful as a transparent conducting electrode with low workfunction for applications such as photovoltaics.

        This work will present recent results from X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) - conducted at the Soft X-ray (SXR) beamline at the Australian Synchrotron - and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM)- conducted in the Fuhrer Laboratory at Monash University - which elucidate the structure of calcium and magnesium intercalated graphene on silicon carbide.

        We study both epitaxial monolayer graphene (EMLG) and quasi-free standing (hydrogen intercalated) bilayer graphene (QFSBLG) on 6H-SiC(0001) substrates. The former consists of monolayer graphene on a carbon interface layer, which is partially covalently back-bonded to the silicon face on SiC - often termed 'zero layer graphene' or 'the buffer layer'. The latter is formed by hydrogen treatment of the EMLG whereby the hydrogen is able to bond to the silicon on the SiC surface, releasing the interface layer and forming another layer of graphene.

        Our XPS and STM data suggests that calcium and magnesium are able to intercalate underneath the graphene and bond with the silicon on the surface of the SiC – forming calcium/magnesium intercalated quasi-free standing bilayer graphene (Ca-QFSBLG/Mg-QFSBLG). Furthermore, the calcium may also intercalate between the graphene layers, which could result in highly n-doped graphene. Secondary electron cut-off (SECO) measurements show the change in workfunction for both intercalated materials. Surprisingly, the Ca-QFSBLG is stable to brief air exposures, indicating it may be useful as a transparent conducting electrode with low workfunction.

        Speaker: Mr Jimmy Kotsakidis (School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University)
    • 11:00 12:30
      Parallel Session 12: Structural Biology Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Convener: Mark John Hackett (Curtin Univeristy)
      • 11:00
        T cell recognition: few more tricks up their sleeves 30m

        Our immune system comprises an army of diverse cell types designed to defend our body against infections. These immune cells specifically recognise invaders (pathogens) and, once activated, elicit a targeted attack to eliminate the infection. Within the army of immune cells are cytotoxic T cells equipped with receptors (TCRs). TCRs recognise a fragment of a pathogen (i.e., bits of peptides, lipids, or small molecules) that are presented by a host-specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule found on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This interaction between a TCR and an antigen (i.e., a pathogen fragment) bound to an MHC molecule is critical, as it is the first event in the process of T cell activation that will, in turn, dictate the fate of an infection.

        Over the last 20 years, the field of T cell immunology has greatly benefited from structural biology. The first structure of a TCR recognising an antigen bound by an MHC molecule was solved in 1996. Since then, numerous co-crystal structures of TCRs in complex with different MHC molecules bearing diverse antigens have been reported, providing us with a snapshot of this critical interaction. Studies linking structural and functional information about T cell recognition have also been highly informative. From the structures available, some common features of the molecular basis of antigen recognition by T cells have emerged. In particular, we have observed conserved docking modes and interactions across diverse TCRs and pathogens. However, new T cells have recently been discovered as a result of advances in isolating rare T cell populations and the development of targeted mass-spectrometry techniques to identify novel antigens. Surprisingly, these newly identified T cells do not follow the previous dogma, and have made us rethink the molecular basis of TCR recognition.

        Using X-ray crystallography to determine the specific interaction between the TCR and the antigens-MHC complexes, my group’s work has revealed some novel modes of antigen recognition by T cells. Those discoveries have opened up new avenues in the field of T cell immunology. Here I will present examples of those unusual TCR-antigen-MHC structures, and show that T cells still have a few more tricks up their sleeves in the fight against infection.

        Speaker: Dr Stephanie Gras (Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University. ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University. )
      • 11:30
        Broad CD8+ T cell receptor cross-recognition of distinct influenza A strains is facilitated by molecular mimicry in humans 15m

        Newly-emerged and vaccine-mismatched influenza A viruses (IAVs) result in a rapid global spread of the virus due to minimal antibody-mediated immunity. In that case, established CD8+ T-cells can reduce disease severity. However, as mutations occur sporadically within immunogenic IAV-derived T-cell peptides, understanding of T-cell receptor (TCRab) cross-reactivity towards IAV variants is needed for a vaccine design. We investigated TCRab cross-strain recognition across IAV variants within two immunodominant human IAV-specific CD8+ T-cell epitopes, HLA-B37:01-restricted NP338-346 (B37-NP338) and HLA-A01:01-restricted NP44-52 (A1-NP44). We found high abundance of cross-reactive TCRab clonotypes recognizing distinct IAV variants. Structures of the wild-type and variant peptides presented revealed preserved conformation of the bound peptides. Structures of a cross-reactive TCR-HLA-B37-NP338 complex suggest that molecular mimicry underpins TCR cross-reactivity towards the mutated variants. Overall, cross-reactive CD8+ T-cell responses, underpinned by molecular mimicry, facilitate recognition of distinct IAV variants, thus CD8+ T-cell targeted vaccines could provide protection across different IAV strains.

        Speaker: Dr Emma Grant (The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University )
      • 11:45
        Understanding CD4+ TCRs recognition of a single HIV epitope presented by multiple HLA class II molecules 15m

        Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major health issue. With 2 million people newly infected per year, there is an urgent need to develop an HIV cure. Without treatment, HIV infection leads to the progressive disruption of the immune system leading to AIDS, and the occurrence of multiple opportunistic infections.
        Surprisingly, a small fraction of HIV-infected individuals (< 0.5%) can spontaneously control HIV replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. These patients, named HIV controllers show signs of a particularly efficient cellular antiviral response, which control the virus.
        The role of CD8+ T cells in HIV has been extensively studied; however the role of CD4+ T cells remains unclear, due to the elimination of those cells upon infection. In HIV controller individuals the count of CD4+ T cells stays high, as they are able to control the viral load. These individuals provide a unique opportunity to study the immune system in the context of HIV infection.
        We recently identified a CD4+ T cell population specific from HIV individuals exhibiting a highly biased TCR repertoire recognizing an immunodominant capsid epitope (Gag293). Those T cells were of high affinity and polyfunctional, as well as able to recognise the Gag293 presented by diverse molecules called HLA.
        Using structural and functional approaches, our work published in Science Immunology[1] revealed for the first time how a single TCR can recognise so many different HLA molecules, and the role of the HIV epitope in driving this recognition. We provided the first functional and structural basis of the role of CD4+ TCRs in HIV infection in the context of HIV controller individuals, offering new avenues to develop immunotherapeutic approaches.

        Speaker: Dr Carine Farenc (Biomedicine Discovery Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia)
      • 12:00
        Cholesterol-Dependent Cytolysins: from Water-Soluble State to Membrane Pore 30m

        Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are a family of pore-forming toxins that punch holes in the outer membrane of eukaryotic cells. The CDCs exhibit a number of unique features amongst pore-forming toxins including an absolute dependence on the presence of cholesterol-rich membranes for their activity and the formation of oligomeric transmembrane pores greater than 150 Å in diameter. The first crystal structure of a CDC was that of perfringolysin O [1] and most of our understanding of CDC function is based on studies of this toxin [2-4]. We have subsequently determined structures of other family members that have confirmed that the 3D fold first seen in PFO is shared by all family members [5-9]. We have determined a number of CDC structures which are providing valuable insights into the role of receptor binding, oligomerisation and prepore assembly [8,9]. The conversion from water-soluble monomer to pore is highly complex: it is essential that the pore does not form prematurely otherwise the target cell won’t be successfully breached [10]. The crystal structures of the water-soluble states of these toxins, together with cryo-electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering data, fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations have proved very useful for modelling their membrane pores.

        [1] J. Rossjohn et al., Cell 89, 685 (1997).
        [2] O. Shatursky et al., Cell 99, 293 (1999).
        [3] R.J. Gilbert et al., Cell 97, 647 (1999).
        [4] M.P. Christie et al., Biophys. Revs., in press (2018)
        [5] G. Polekhina et al., PNAS 102, 600 (2005).
        [6] S.C. Feil et al., Structure 20, 248 (2012).
        [7] S.C. Feil et al., J. Mol. Biol. 426, 785 (2014).
        [8] S.L. Lawrence et al., Sci. Reps. 5, 14352 (2015).
        [9] S.L. Lawrence et al., Structure 5, 1488 (2016).
        [10] K.R. Wade et al., Proc. Natl., Acad. Sci. 112, 2204 (2015).

        Speaker: Prof. Michael Parker (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia and St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Victoria 3065, Australia.)
    • 12:30 13:15
      Lunch sponsored by Bruker 45m NCSS Exhibition Space

      NCSS Exhibition Space

      Australian Synchrotron

    • 13:15 14:30
      Parallel Session 13: Technique Development 2 - Sponsored by The Future Industries Institute FII, University of South Australia Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Marta Krasowska
      • 13:15
        A Novel Soft Contact Piezo-Controlled Liquid Cell for Probing Polymer Films under Confinement using Synchrotron FTIR Microspectroscopy 30m

        Soft polymer films, such as polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs), are useful coatings in materials science. The properties of PEMs often rely on the degree of hydration, and therefore the study of these films in a hydrated state is critical to allow links to be drawn between their characteristics and performance in a particular application. In this work, we detail the development of a novel soft contact cell for studying hydrated PEMs using FTIR microspectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy can interrogate the nature of the polymer film and the hydration water contained therein. In addition to reporting spectra obtained for hydrated films confined at the solid-solid interface, we also report traditional ATR FTIR spectra of the multilayers. The spectra (microspectroscopy and ATR FTIR) reveal that the PEM film build-up proceeds as expected based on the layer-by-layer assembly methodology, with increasing signals from the polymer FTIR peaks with increasing bilayer number. In addition, the spectra obtained using the soft contact cell indicate that the PEM film hydration water has an environment/degree of hydrogen bonding that is affected by the chemistry of the multilayer polymers, based on differences in the spectra obtained for the hydration water within the film compared to that of bulk electrolyte.

        Speaker: David Beattie (University of South Australia)
      • 13:45
        High-Resolution Macro ATR-FTIR Chemical Imaging Capability at Australian Synchrotron IR Beamline and Its Applications in Food Science 15m

        This work presents advances in high-resolution chemical imaging capability at Australian Synchrotron Infrared (IR) beamline, achieved through the use of an in-house developed synchrotron macro ATR-FTIR microspectroscopic device (1). The device was developed by modifying the cantilever arm of a standard macro-ATR unit to accept germanium (Ge) ATR elements with different contact facet sizes (i.e. 1 mm, 250 µm and 100 µm in diameter). Coupling synchrotron-IR beam to the Ge ATR element (n = 4) used in this device, has the effect of not only reducing the beam focus size (improving the lateral resolution) by a factor of 4, but also reducing the mapping step size by 4 times relative to the stage step motion. As a result, the macro ATR-FTIR measurement at Australian Synchrotron IR Beamline can be performed at minimum beam size of 1.9 μm using a 20x objective, and at minimum mapping step size of 250 nm, allowing high-resolution chemical imaging analysis. It can also be coupled to a temperature control unit, allowing temperature-dependent study, as well as measurements that require a fixed temperature such as analysis of dairy products at 4 oC similar to the usual storage condition in a household fridge.

        The development of the macro ATR-FTIR device has so far led to successful analysis of samples from a diverse range of research disciplinary. Key applications in food science to be presented include a range of dairy products (e.g. cheese and yoghurt), microencapsulated oil (2), plants and vegetables.

        References
        (1) V. K. Truong, M. Stefanovic, S. Maclaughlin, M. J. Tobin, J. Vongsvivut, M. Al Kobaisi, R. J. Crawford, E. P. Ivanova, “The evolution of silica nanoparticle-polyester coatings on surfaces exposed to sunlight,” J. Vis. Exp. 116, e54309, 1-11 (2016).
        (2) Y. P. Timilsena, J. Vongsvivut, M. J. Tobin, R. Adhikari, C. Barrow, B. Adhikari, “Investigation of lipid and protein distribution in spray-dried chia seed oil microcapsules using synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy,” Food Chem. (2018), doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.09.043.

        Speaker: Dr Jitraporn (Pimm) Vongsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 14:00
        Four-angle polarisation-resolved transmission FTIR mapping for materials orientation analysis 15m

        Molecular orientation in polymeric and composite materials can play a significant role in overall mechanical performance. Infrared absorption by specific functional groups occurs preferentially when the electric vector of the probing beam is aligned with the dipole oscillation corresponding to the absorbing frequency, and can therefore be used to gain information on the molecular orientation of selected molecules. The team at the Tokyo Institute of Technology has developed a method whereby the dipole orientation angle, θ for each pixel of a hyper-spectral image can be determined from equation 1, where Aθ 1;2;3;4 are absorbances at the four polarisation azimuths separated by π/4. The dipole orientation angle and strength are then plotted as “vectors” over each pixel within the spectral map, enabling the visualisation of molecular orientation. We have applied this method in the analysis of molecular re-orientation in silk fibres and in the study of the effects of additives to poly-lactic acid (PLA) composite materials. Figure 1 shows an example of the orientation vector map of spherulites formed in a PLA solvent cast film, showing the absorption strength (colour) and dipole orientation (vector line) for the C=O absorption at 1759 cm-1 (map = 150 x 150 µm).

      • 14:15
        Periodic Density Functional Theory for the Prediction of Terahertz Spectra 15m

        Accurate simulation of low-frequency fundamental and lattice modes, as obtained from terahertz and far-infrared spectroscopy of crystalline molecular solids, has long proved difficult. Long-range intermolecular interactions in the solid-state are notoriously difficult to model, resulting in deviation from experimental frequencies obtained from thin films and aerosols. In this talk, we present a series of calculations using the periodic DFT code CRYSTAL17 now installed on the parallel ASCI environment. These studies have yielded highly accurate simulated far-IR spectra (frequencies and intensities) for comparison to molecular crystal spectra measured at the THz and Far-IR beamline. The results have allowed the assignment of lattice vibrations pertaining to astrophysical ice and forensic samples, many for the first time. Potential for the coupled theory-to-experiment method applied to molecular organic framework (MOF) and pharmaceutical systems will be discussed.

        Speaker: Courtney Ennis (La Trobe University)
    • 13:15 14:30
      Parallel Session 14: Biological Systems 2 Seminar Room

      Seminar Room

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Dr Stephanie Gras (Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University. ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University. )
      • 13:30
        The Contribution of Brain Metal Homeostasis to Memory Loss and Dementia 15m

        Ashley Hollings,(1,2,3) Nicholas Fimognari,(2,4) Virginie Lam,(2,5) Cameron M. Kewish,(6) Martin de Jonge, (6) Ryu Takechi,(2,5) John C.L. Mamo,(2,5) Mark J. Hackett,(1,2,3)

        1)Curtin Institute for Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, Bentley Western Australia 6845, Australia
        2)Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
        3)School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPOBox U1987, Bentley Western Australia 6845, Australia
        4)School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
        5)School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
        6)Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
        * Corresponding Author: E-mail: mark.j.hackett@curtin.edu.au Tel.: +61 8 9266 3102

        Dementia has increasing prevalence in western society and poses significant health and economical concerns. It is expected that 131.5 million people will be affected by 2050 (1) and the associated health care cost will be USD $2 trillion in 2030 (2). In light of this, it is important to further characterise the chemical pathways leading to dementia onset and memory loss, which may help identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. There is substantive evidence of increased free radical mediated oxidative stress during ageing, which may drive a switch from healthy brain function to dementia. Many studies have examined increased metal levels in the brain during ageing, as a potential driver of heightened oxidative stress, yet, localised metal deficiency may also contribute to the pathology. Fe, Cu and Zn are essential for healthy brain function, and metal deficiency during neurodevelopment is catastrophic. Therefore, we are currently investigating the hypothesis that localised metal deficiency during ageing may contribute to memory impairment observed in dementia. To test this hypothesis we have begun characterisation of brain-metal levels in a mouse model of accelerated ageing (senescence accelerated mouse (SAM) model) using X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy (see attached figure 1). Our results have revealed alterations to copper, zinc and iron concentration within the brain during ageing, in this model (3). Specifically, the accelerated ageing model is characterised by substantial Zn deficiency within the hippocampus – a key brain region for spatial learning and memory. We have complemented our XFM elemental analyses with Fourier Transform infrared Microscopy studies, which appear to highlight a correlation between biochemical alterations to lipids and metal homeostasis (3). We hope continued investigation of our hypothesis may provide further insights into disease and memory loss mechanisms, which in turn, could reveal strategies for prevention.

        References
        1) Alzheimer’s Disease International [Internet]. United Kingdom: Alzheimer’s Disease International; c2016 [cited 2018 May 19]. Available from: https://www.alz.co.uk/research/worldalzheimerreport2016sheet.pdf
        2) Alzheimer’s Disease International (2015) The Global Impact of Dementia: An analysis of prevalence, incidence, cost and trends, World Alzheimer Report, Alzheimer’s Disease International.
        3) Fimognari N, Hollings A, Lam V, Tidy RJ, Kewish CM, Albrecht MA, et al. Bio-Spectroscopic Imaging Provides Evidence of Hippocampal Zn Deficiency and Decreased Lipid Unsaturation in an Accelerated Ageing Mouse Model. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. DOI:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00193.

        Speaker: Ms Ashley Hollings (School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPOBox U1987, Bentley Western Australia 6845, Australia)
      • 13:45
        Electronic structure of phenolic anti-oxidant trihydroxybenzoic acid using combined XPS and NMR spectroscopy 15m

        Gallic acid (GA, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) and derivatives have been found in a number of phytomedicines with diverse biological and pharmacological activities, including radical scavenging, interfering with the cell signalling pathways and apoptosis of cancer cells. GA exhibits both antioxidant as well as prooxidant characteristics [1]. The chemical properties of phenolic hydroxyls are significantly different from those of the aliphatic-OH in glucose. As result, it is important to understand the properties of phenolic acids such as GA at molecular level. The present study uses theory and experiment, which combines state of the art XPS and NMR techniques to reveal detail of gallic acid. Our accurate quantum mechanical calculations connect the measured XPS and NMR spectra to the structure of GA, revealing the nearly-equivalent atoms in GA which are unable to differentiate by XPS nor NMR. Certain structural correlation between the XPS and NMR signals indicates that the para-position, C(5) as indicated, to the carboxyl group -COOH of GA, contains interesting information. In addition, the present quantum mechanical calculation is able to decompose the valence orbital contributions to the binding energy spectrum based on their orbital symmetry.
        References
        1. B. Badhani, N. Sharma and R. Kakkar, RSC Adv., 2015,5, 27540-27557.

        Speaker: Mr Fredrick Backler (Swinburne University of Technology)
      • 14:00
        Development of Spectroscopic Protocols to Study the Relationship between Epicuticular Surface Chemistry and Flora during Stress and Ripening 15m

        Expanding human populations require increased land use and increased efficiency of land use, which makes it important to mitigate the effects of environmental stress on native flora and crops. The wax coating on the surface of plant leaves (epicuticular waxes) holds important physiological functions to protect plants against environmental stress, for example, minimising water loss, UV protection, protection from disease, as well as acting as an anti-feedent. Studying the composition and distribution of epicuticular waxes on the surface of plant leaves can provide valuable insight into plant fitness and the presence of environmental stressors. Current methods to study plant waxes require extraction of the wax from the leaf surface. This approach reveals substantial insight into chemical composition of plant waxes; but, destroys valuable information relating to the spatial distribution of waxes on the leaf surface. The development of analytical methods that can directly image epicuticular waxes across the surface of plant leaves is therefore, sought after to complement existing bulk analyses. I will present initial work on the development, adaption and validation of direct spectroscopic imaging methods, specifically Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, to enable investigation of the epicuticular wax distributions on plant leaves. This methodology may provide deeper understanding of how wax composition and distribution changes in response to altered plant physiology during environmental stress. Such information may be used to help monitor health and fitness of native flora populations, or assess fruit ripening processes.

        Speaker: Ms Karina Khambatta (Student)
      • 14:15
        Examining spider silk properties with SAXS/WAXS for biomimetic applications 15m

        With toughness greater than Kevlar®, spider dragline silk is nature’s greatest performing fibre. Accordingly, there is immense interest in generating new synthetic fibres that mimic its mechanical performance. Biomimetics is a growing new field that looks to nature for inspiration to synthesize new high performance materials and processes. Nonetheless, there is currently little cross disciplinary engagement between biologists and engineers, meaning most biomimetic programs are making slow progress. I have expanded my spider silk research program, in which I have investigated the ecological and evolutionary basis for spider dragline silk property variability, probing the nanostructural basis for silk mechanical property variability using SAXS/WAXS at Australia Synchrotron and mechanical performance testing techniques. I am now working with engineers and designers to develop fibre spinning technologies to produce synthetics for incorporation into a range of new practical smart materials and adhesives.

        Speaker: Dr Sean Blamires (University of New South Wales)
    • 13:15 14:30
      Parallel Session 15: Advanced Materials 3 Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Monash Biomedical Imaging Auditorium

      Convener: Rosalie Hocking (Swinburne University of Technology)
      • 13:15
        Overview of in-situ synchrotron X-ray imaging and powder diffraction techniques for Pb-free micro-electronic interconnects 15m

        The development of reliable advanced micro-electronic interconnects that are free of toxic materials such as lead depends on an in-depth understanding of the microstructures that exist in individual solder joints. This research combines the synchrotron techniques of in-situ imaging and powder diffraction (PD) to give an understanding of the development and stability of these microstructures. This presentation provides an overview these challenging techniques and provides key findings related to understanding the reliability of Pb-free solder joints. The following two advanced experimental approaches will be discussed, (1) Synchrotron X-ray imaging at SPring-8 synchrotron BL20B2 and BL20XU, (2) synchrotron PD at the Australian Synchrotron PD. This research has been conducted with support from the Australian Synchrotron (beamtime and international access grant IDs: AS101/PD/2249, AS112/PD/3712, AS113/PDFI/4113, AS/IA114/4743, AS121/PD/4524, AS122/PD/4903, AS123/PD/5327, AS/IA124/6235, AS131/PD/5784, AS142/PD/7943, AS/IA143/9218, AS/IA151/9538, AS161/PD/10430, AS/IA163/11874), SPring-8 synchrotron (beamtime IDs: 2009A1159, 2011B1048, 2012A1192, 2014B1620, 2015A1675, 2016B1319, 2017B1519) and an international cooperative research program between the University of Queensland and Kyushu University (Progress 100 project), Kyoto University, Imperial College London, UniMAP, Nihon Superior Co, with additional support from The Australian Research Council.

        Speaker: Kazuhiro Nogita (The University of Queensland)
      • 13:30
        Production of Light Metal Alloy Powders by Reduction of Metal Oxides 15m

        Light metal alloy components fabricated via powder metallurgy processes have significantly lower manufacturing costs compared to those formed by traditional methods. Traditionally, powders are made from bulk alloy ingots, but a number of recent reduction techniques allow high purity alloy powders to be generated directly from metal oxides.
        The Powder Diffraction beamline at the Australian Synchrotron was used to understand the reduction mechanism of various metal oxides used in light metal alloy formulations.
        By using in-situ synchrotron techniques, it was possible to observe these highly atmosphere sensitive reactions at high temperature, highlighting phases not predicted by thermodynamics. The high angular resolution available was essential to differentiate the peaks of the intermediate phases. When a mixture of oxides was studied, the reaction path and kinetics differed from those observed for single oxide reduction experiments.
        These insights will allow better understanding of the parameters that influence the process to make industrial fabrication more efficient.

        Speaker: Dr Pauline Calloch (Callaghan Innovation)
      • 13:45
        In-situ X-ray Diffraction Studies on Age Hardening of Mg alloys 15m

        Precipitates influence the relative hardening of slip and twin in magnesium alloys. The current work employs in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction to investigate the role of precipitate shape (e.g. plates and spherical precipitates) on the strengthening of Mg alloys. The critical resolved shear stresses (CRSS’s) of dislocation slip and deformation twinning and the subsequent changes following aging are evaluated during uniaxial compression deformation. By application of a high-angular resolution diffraction experiment, the effect of precipitates on the age hardening is investigated based on the lattice strain response of the precipitate and bulk Mg matrix phase.

        In this study, wrought Mg AZ91 and Mg-Sn-Zn-Na (MSZN) alloys were aged at 200C for ~12 h to produce basal plate and near spherical precipitates. In-situ compression tests were performed in the twin dominated strain paths – compression along the rolling direction in case of rolled AZ91 alloy and compression along the extrusion direction in case of extruded MSZN alloy. Based on the in-situ measurement of the lattice strain evolution with load, the CRSS for basal slip was determined. It was observed that the strengthening of basal slip is low (~5 MPa) in case of basal plate precipitates in agreement with literature, and the spherical precipitates strengthened the basal slip by ~15 MPa. The CRSS for deformation twinning was calculated from the drop in the intensity of parent grains. In the case of basal plate and spherical precipitates, the twins are hardened in the range of 30 – 35 MPa, despite the differences in the precipitate morphology and their elastic lattice strain changes in response to the applied deformation. By application of line profile analysis methods, the apparent area weighted twin size and dislocation density during twin onset was determined.

        Speaker: Sitarama R. Kada
      • 14:00
        Synchrotron based techniques for studying energy storage materials 15m

        Synchrotron radiation with high flux and high resolution gives us information that would not be possible from laboratory X-ray instruments. Synchrotron X-rays are available as an extremely intense beam that allow fast scattering or diffraction studies of energy storage materials. At synchrotron sources various techniques at different beamlines offer structural and chemical information on different time and length scales. For example, in-situ X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) uses the high intensity and resolution of synchrotron radiation for fast studies of phase transitions and detailed structure solution of novel compounds, while X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) uses the energy tunability properties of synchrotron radiation to provide inter atomic distances, bonding valence, and oxidation states of the samples. This presentation will describe some case studies of the energy storage materials undertaken at the PD and XAS beamlines and demonstrate the method to the user community.

        Speaker: Dr Qinfen Gu (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 14:15
        In situ small-angle x-ray scattering measurements of ion track etching in polymers 15m

        When a highly energetic heavy ion passes through a target material, the damaged region left in its wake often exhibits preferential chemical etching over the undamaged material. This etch-anisotropy can be used to create very high aspect ratio channels (pores) of up to tens of microns in length, with pore diameters as small as several nanometres. Membranes formed by this method are ideal for many advanced applications including ultra-filtration, bio- and medical sensing, nano-fluidics, and nano-electronic devices. The shape of the etched pores can be cylindrical, conical or double conical, depending on the etching conditions. One major advantage of the technique is the ability to generate arrays of pores that are highly parallel with extremely narrow size distributions.

        The aims of this research are to develop a detailed understanding of the track etching process and the etching kinetics in polymers by performing in situ small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements during the etching process. The SAXS measurements were carried out at the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne, Australia. Investigating the influence of etching parameters and pore areal density on nano-pore formation enables the controlled fabrication of nano-pore membranes with size and shape-specific pores. For our experiments we used 12 µm thick foils of PET and 20 and 30 µm thick polycarbonate (PC) foils, irradiated with 2 GeV $^{197}$Au-ions at the GSI UNILAC in Darmstadt, Germany. The irradiated material was subsequently etched in diluted sodium-hydroxide (NaOH) at several concentrations and temperatures. The etching was conducted in a custom-built sample environment while performing the SAXS measurements in transmission mode to determine the track etch rate as a function of etch time. These in situ scattering images were analysed using a batch fit method to determine the pore size as a function of etching time. An example of a transmission SAXS scattering image of cylindrical pores in PC is shown in Fig. 1. The results of the study indicate that the track etching behaviour is strongly influenced by temperature and concentration of the etchant, whereas the pore areal density only has a small effect on the etch rate. This allows the calculation of activation energies for radial etching of PET and PC depending on their pore areal densities. The etch rates for PC are largely linear, however PET seems to have two etch rates indicating a damaged halo.

        Speaker: Mr Alexander Kiy (Australian Nation University)
    • 14:30 15:15
      Plenary 4: Dr. Cathy Foley, Deputy and Science Director of CSIRO Manufacturing Oliphant Auditorium

      Oliphant Auditorium

      Australian Synchrotron

      Convener: Michael James (Australian Synchrotron)
      • 14:30
        A synchrotron and a nano-fab lab met in a bar 45m

        It is rare for a synchrotron and a fabrication facility are located so near each other. But we have this at Clayton. This talk will look at what ANFF Vic Node and the Australian Synchrotron are trying to do together as they aim to set up an x-ray lithography capability. This will enable extreme ultraviolet high-resolution lithography (EUVL) that is usually limited to industrial high-volume manufacturing and accessible by few research groups outside Australia due to cost. By combining Australian Synchrotron and ANFF capabilities, a novel EUV will be created.
        This will be useful as nanolithography has enormous potential. Not only will it be the driving-force behind manufacturing the next generation devices, it will also enable scale reduction in the fields of nanotechnology with applications in areas including future electronics, microbiology, biomaterials and surfaces and do this at scale. To realise this potential, routine and cost-efficient large-area nanopatterning and manufacture at length-scales below 50 nm must be achieved. EUVL is the leading candidate to meet this challenge, and will likely offer the next generation of lithography capable of high volume manufacturing at the sub 10 nm length scale. This talk will describe the vision and identify the unresolved technical challenges that limit EUVL resolution.

        Speaker: Dr Cathy Foley (CSIRO)
    • 15:15 15:30
      Final remarks, Prizes & Close 15m Australian Synchrotron (Oliphant Auditorium)

      Australian Synchrotron

      Oliphant Auditorium

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