1. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
2. Chemistry store
3. FTIR spectroscopy
4. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
5. High field NMR facility
6. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis
7. Peptide Synthesis
8. Protein Analysis and Facilities
9. Protein/Peptide Sequencing
10. Powder X-ray diffraction
11. Single crystal X-ray diffraction
12. The WA EPR facility
13. Thermogravimetric analysis

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is an elemental analysis technique for dissolved samples.

It is a simpler and more cost-effective technique than ICP when analysing a large number of samples for a very small number of elements. It is also useful for fewer elements than ICP analysis, although some of these require special preparation to minimise chemical and physical interferences.

Our machine is a Varian AA100, one of the current generation of computer-operated instruments.

• Contact: Oscar Del Borrello.

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Chemical storeroom

The Chemistry store supplies glassware, consumables and chemicals for teaching and research to Chemistry. Other UWA schools can also purchase items using an internal T form.

Store opening hours are 9:00am-1:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm daily. Closed for morning tea 10:45-11:00am daily.

• Contact: Adam Hamilton

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FTIR spectroscopy

Chemistry has four Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectrometers available for general use:

• Perkin Elmer Spectrum One

  Purchased in late 2003, it has 0.5 cm-1 resolution, with typical range 400-4000 cm-1.

• Mattson Sirius

  A liquid-nitrogen-cooled Cadmium-Telluride detector is capable of 0.125 wavenumber resolution. The Mattson has recently been upgraded with a Windows-based operating system to improve data management.

• Bio-Rad FTS40

  This has 0.5 cm-1 resolution, with typical range 400-4000 cm-1

• Bio-Rad FTS45

  This has 0.125 cm-1 resolution, typical range 400-4000 cm-1

• Contact: Oscar Del Borrello.

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Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The Mass spectrometer facility contains two mass spectrometers.

The older mass spectrometer is a HP5896 mass spectrometer and has facilities for solid probe electron impact mass spectrometry (EI) and for gas chromatography mass spectrometry (EI GC/MS). It is used for all routine samples for undergraduates and postgraduates.

The new mass spectrometer is a VG Autospec high-resolution mass spectrometer. It has the facilities for low and high resolution (up to ~20,000) solids probe EI, chemical ionisation (CI), EI GC/MS, CI GC/MS, fast atom bombardment (FAB or LSIMS) and electrospray mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ion. Both LSIMS and electrospray are used as HPLC inlets.

Access to the mass spectrometry facilities are available to Chemistry students at The University of Western Australia and to other users outside of this discipline. Access is usually gained by entering collaborative agreements with members of the mass spectrometry facility or other academics within the Chemistry. However, external users may also purchase time on these instruments.

Please contact Dr Tony Reeder of the mass spectrometry facility for further details.

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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facilities

The NMR facility provides a range of services for the scientific community of Western Australia.

The facility houses state-of–the-art NMR equipment capable of supporting research projects in a wide range of disciplines. It also provides commercial services to industry and government bodies.

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Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry is a technique for elemental analysis that is applicable to most elements over a wide range of concentrations.

It can't be used for Rb, Cs, Cl, Br, F, O, N or the inert gases, however. In addition there are a few elements which are too hazardous to deal with - for example, plutonium. Otherwise, most elements of the periodic table can be analysed. Samples have to be dissolved prior to analysis.

The instrument is an ARL 3520B sequential scanning ICP-OES. We run a 20mm torch, 1200W incident power, an MDSN nebuliser with 1.14mm peristaltic pump tubing. An AIM-101 autosampler is used when large numbers of samples are to be analysed.

• Contact: Oscar Del Borrello

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Peptide Synthesis

We use an Applied Biosystems 433A peptide synthesiser, which uses FastMoc solid has chemistry to prepare synthetic peptides.

During synthesis, direct monitoring of the amino acid deprotection step leads to greater efficiency, even for difficult peptide sequences. Peptides are chemically cleared and purified by HPLC.

We can also help with peptide design and conjugation for antibody production.

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Protein Analysis and Facilities

• HPLC (ABI 140B microboe and Perkin-Elmer 250 preparative HPLC systems

• FPLC (gel filtration, ion exchange or affinity chromatography)

• Capillary electrophoresis

• Molecular modeling

• Advice on protein analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and surface plasmon resonance (Biacore)

For more information about the availability of this facility, please visit the Lotterywest State Biomedical Facility – Proteomics Node.

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Protein/Peptide Sequencing

UWA's Protein Facility houses the only N-terminal sequencer in Western Australia. 

We have an Applied Biosystems 476 sequencer, which is equipped to analyse proteins and peptides blotted onto PVDF membranes or in solution (for example, after reverse-phase HPLC). 

We can currently identify PTH amino acids from Edman degradation at the lower picomole level. Please enquire for detailed information on preparing samples for sequence analysis.

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Powder X-ray diffraction

The discipline has three powder X-ray diffractometers.

• Siemens D-5000 (Siemens is now called Bruker.)

  A 2.2 kW state-of-the-art powder diffractometer was purchased in 1991.

  It is PC-controlled with resident software, including DIFFRAC, a peak search program giving d spacings and intensities, and EVA, a search/match program that compares the observed diffraction pattern with those in the JCPDS Powder Diffraction File database and identifies the material by matching.

  Post-diffraction monochromator attachments include a sample spinner and a high-temperature evacuable cell for collecting diffraction data at temperatures of up to 1600°C.

• Siemens D-500

  An older but refurbished 2 kW generator, PC-controlled. Post-diffraction monochromator attachments: automatic sample changer to hold 40 samples for continuous running.

• Rigaku Miniflex

  A small table-top unit used in teaching.

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Single crystal X-ray diffraction

We operate and maintain two area-detector diffractometers (a Bruker AXS CCD and a MAR345 image-plate) and three four-circle diffractometers. Computing support includes a range of PCs, workstations (including eight DIGITAL alphas) and peripheral storage and print devices.

• Contact: Professor Allan White.

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The West Australian Facility for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (WAEPR)

The Facility was established in 1995 to provide researchers in the region with access to a state-of-the-art EPR and ENDOR spectrometer.

It was funded by a DETYA [now DEEWR] Research Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) grant with support from Chemistry, Geology and Geophysics, Geography and Physiology at UWA, Applied Chemistry at Curtin University of Technology, and Chemistry at Murdoch University.

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Thermogravimetric analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis incorporates three closely related techniques.

1. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

   which involves monitoring weight while varying temperature.

2. Differential thermal analysis (DTA)

   which involves comparing the precise temperature difference between a sample and an inert reference material, while heating both.

3. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

   Similar to DTA except that electrical energy is used to restore the cooler of the two materials to the same temperature as the other. This allows direct measurement of energy changes.

These techniques are useful for determining glass points, phase changes, water of crystalisation and mixtures where the components have different melting or decomposition points.

Our machine is a Rigaku Thermoflex thermogravimetric analyser. It can handle samples as small as 10mg, can be used from room temperature to 1200°C, and can use alternative atmospheres such as nitrogen, argon and argon/oxygen mixtures.

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