Astonishing discovery for Higher Degree by Research Student

Chris Hindson, a PhD student in Deakin’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences, has made the discovery that has eluded scientists for more than 30 years.

Chris has provided experimental evidence of the long postulated biradical intermediate thought to occur in bioluminescent and chemiluminescent light-producing pathways.

A key focus of analytical chemistry research at Deakin is the application of chemiluminescence (the emission of light from a reaction) to chemical measurement.

Probably the most familiar chemiluminescent reactions are those that occur in living organisms. Fireflies and glow worms produce light without heat this way.

If that all sounds complicated to the non chemist, that’s because it is, but it won’t stop Chris’ discovery having some profound real world impacts especially in analytical chemistry but also in the provision of emergency lighting – light sticks - where non-electric, non-flame sources are essential.

“It was a great feeling, “ Chris said. “I guess we had a few Eureka moments when we finally confirmed to our satisfaction we had found what we had been looking for.

“My supervisor, Professor Neil Barnett arranged for me to travel to the University of Queensland to work with another Professor there, Graeme Hanson.

“We made a model that emulated nature and after a series of experiments we found what we were looking for.

“Scientists have been postulating the existence of the dioxy biradical in the thermal decomposition of 1.2 dioxetanes for more than 30 years.

“There have also been more than 30 papers written on the subject, but until now no one had the proof that we have been able to produce.”

A proud Professor Barnett congratulated Chris on his find.

“It’s really fantastic for a PhD student to be involved in work like this,” he said. “And it proves yet again that at Deakin we’re involved in research that’s right out there, that’s cutting edge and with vast potential to make a difference.

“This discovery has the potential to have any number of real world outcomes.

“As we come to understand the chemiluminescent process more and more – and this discovery takes us a long way down this path - it will be highly advantageous in analytical chemistry.

“Outside the laboratory, we can see applications in non-electric, non flame light sources that are important in emergency situations. I know for instance the Navy is interested in this aspect of it.”

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