Professor R John Watling

BSc(Hons), PhD, DIC, FRSC, FRACI, CChem, CSCI, Registered Analytical Chemist.

Expertise

Chemical analysis, absorption (AA, UV and IR) and emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), laser ablation and solution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS and ICP-MS), x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and diffraction (XRD), sensors, liquid (LC) and gas (GC) coupled techniques, forensic science scene of crime (CSI), expert witness, spectral fingerprinting and pattern recognition.

Contribution to the Centre

Analytical chemistry practical and theoretical, sensor development especially related to scene of crime and foodstuffs, research coordination identification of synergism and combining disciplines, providing international and national linkage to related groups in Police forces, University Forensics, International and national art museums, galleries and collectors (nanomarkers), European Economic Community (TRACE) food provenancing, analytical chemistry research groups throughout Europe and Australia for practical use, field testing and specification of research areas for forensic and food nanosensors. Incorporation of femtosecond laser technology into analysis of functional groups on nanosensors. Development of an MSc course in Analytical Science at UWA will provide relevantly trained analytical chemists for the Centre.

Current Projects in the Centre

• Development of carbon tube based nanosensors (with Lee Hubble and Prof Colin Raston).

Grants and research contracts relevant to the Centre Activities

Nanoforensics is a new area of research and as such this area is presumptive, however, the following areas will grow in relevance to the Centre:

• TRACE (European Economic Community food provenancing initiative (19million Euros)). We are at present involved in establishing the Australia and New Zeeland arm of this (TRAZE).
• Member of the John de Laeter Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry, State Centre of Excellence Initiative.
• Provenancing Art (Rio Tinto $100K (2005-8)). This area to include nanomarkers.

Relevant Networks

• NITE-CRIME (Natural Isotopes and Trace Elements in Forensic Criminalistics). European/American/Australasian network of Forensic Analysts. TRACE/TRAZE.

Postgraduates working on core projects in the Centre

• Lee Hubble (with Colin Raston)

Visitors

• Dr Jurian Hoogerwerff, European coordinator for TRACE, 2006

Contact Details

Email: john.watling@uwa.edu.au

Telephone: +61 (08) 6488 7285