From Temples to Kidney Stones : New Research Facilities

Bangkok--Mar 26--Curtin University of Technology Identifying stolen artifacts from ancient historic sites in South East Asia, reducing corrosion in oil and gas pipelines, and combating kidney stones... These are just some of the diverse areas of important research set to benefit from two new world-class applied chemistry laboratories which have now been opened in Western Australia. The new laboratories at Curtin University of Technology will enhance a broad range of research projects, from mining to medicine, with potential benefit across the South East Asian region. The additions to Curtin's School of Applied Chemistry, in the Division of Engineering and Science, are the Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility - the most comprehensive of its type in Australia - and the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Facility. The new ICP-MS facility could be used to verify the provenance of artifacts thought to have been stolen from such ancient heritage sites as Ankor Wat in Thailand, and the world's biggest archaeological site, the Preah Khan temple complex in Cambodia. It is already being used to 'fingerprint' gold and diamonds, trace the sources of drugs and to identify sources of ancient gold, jade and ceramic artifacts to establish their authenticity. Curtin's Professor of Applied Chemistry, Robert Kagi, and Head of the School, said the new laboratories add to Curtin's international reputation for leading edge research. "The scanning probe microscope is a major advance and can, working at the level of single atoms, characterise materials in their natural environments," Professor Kagi said. "The facility will advance research into the growth of biological crystals, to stop the growth of kidney stones, to avoid teeth and bone problems, and to produce better quality pearls. "As a result of developments made by Curtin staff, the facility is now uniquely able to study chemical reactions in real time in the hot, highly corrosive liquids commonly used by industry. "It can help develop better corrosion inhibitors for oil and gas pipelines, giving fundamental insights into chemical reactions and leading to more efficient industrial process for minerals processing in the chemical, oil and gas industries. "The ICP-MS facility will be able to assist medical and clinical scientists in the identification and mapping of the movement of cancer and arthritis therapeutic drugs around the body, without the need for radioisotope labeling." The ICP-MS facility will be incorporated into a new Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry in Western Australia, announced at the Curtin laboratories' launch by State Deputy Premier and Minister for Commerce and Trade, Hendy Cowan. Mr Cowan said the WA Government will provided $AUD2.1 million over five years towards the establishment of the Centre. The centre is a collaborative initiative by Curtin University of Technology, the University of Western Australia and CSIRO which will also provide opportunities for industry involvement. Curtin, one of the region's most dynamic and innovative higher education institutions, has been ranked by the Australian Government's Quality Assurance Committee as being among Australia's top universities in research management process, research improvement and community service. A recent Asiaweek survey identified Curtin as the best science and technology university in Australia, and third in the Asian region for academic reputation. The University has a strong research profile in a wide range of disciplines and is a principal member in six Commonwealth Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) - the strongest involvement of any university within the Australian Technology Network of universities (ATN). For further information: Sally Rowe Media Coordinator Curtin University of Technology Western Australia Tel: (+ 61 8) 9266 2793 Mobile: 0417 945 889 E-mail: [email protected] End.

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