• Todays the day! .: :.::. :..' '. ':,:. :: ::: :: . as a B. AU ST 1, 1981 'World first' opens up newfields of chemical analysis Monash chemists have achieved a world first. They have developed a method of detecting the .pectrallines ­ the"chemical fingerprints" - of electrically charged molecules. The method, which opens up new fields of chemical analysis, was conceived by Professor Ron Brown in 1975. Success came last week with the detection by his team of the spectral line. of an electrically charged molecule of carbon monoxide. Chemists are able to determine the composition of substances by the established techniques of emission spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, or, where the energy emitted is in the microwave region of the spectrum, by microwave spectroscopy. All set for high-flying All are powerful methods of Today - August 1 - is Monash's chemical analysis, but they only work 13th Open Day and Modern Dance where the molecules are uncharged. Group member Penny Mudd Open Day "Molecules that carry an electric characterises what organisers hope the charge are more difficult to study," Day will be - 8 soaring success. Also, there will be a re-enactment of Professor Brown says, "because the electric charge makes the molecules fly The emphasis of the Day is on solid Ned Kelly's last stand - on the lawns '''''',",101 Ron Brown academic and careers counselling. But northwest of the Union at 3 p.m. Kelly apart (like charges repel each other). it will have its lighter side, too, as "You can' t get a large enough of charged molecul~s.-­ Some had given Gang armour will be on display. up the attempt. ( representatives of departments, clubs As well, those who have invested in a collection of the molecules to study and societies present special activities them. The complicated technique used by Rubik Cube and are now about to the Monash team to "crack" the to show that University life is multi­ throw it out the window can have their " It's impcrtant to know the spectral faceted - and can be fun! lines of charged molecules if you are to spectral code of electrically charged Cube restored to the pristine state in carbon monoxide involves the use of a For example, the Monash Modem the Mathematics department. There's know their molecular shape, how their Dance Group will be presenting atoms are arranged, or if you want to beam of charged molecules, a dye also a competition for Cube masters. laser, the frequency of which can be highlights from their annual The free Open Day official program find out whether they are in the production Instep '81 in the Alex­ substance or object you are studying." varied at will, and microwave has all the details. radiation. ander Theatre at noon_ The program Photo: Rick Crompton Professor Brown says a number of will feature jazz, classical, Afro­ scientists overseas had attempted un­ The laser beam is shone along the Cuban, contemporary and tap dance. • More Open Day news Page successfully to develop a method of beam of molecules. If the laser fre­ Admission is free. 2. determining the "chemical signature" quency is correct, the molecules absorb the light from the laser and fluoresce. The fluorescence at that stage is too Inside Reporter Raising the Australian flag feeble to be detected but it can be amplified and detected if the molecule In this issue we look at two Monash projects is bombarded simultaneously by on distinctively Australian topics, microwave radiation of the right fre­ Later this month the first volume of the Quency. limited edition botanical work, The Banksia., This frequency is a measure of the featuring the watercolour drawings of Univer­ molecule's spectral line. sity artist Celia Rosser. will be released. For a Professor Brown's team hopes to preview of the superb art work tum to page 7. map the spectral lines of a wide range This rare species of dwarf kangaroo (right) of charged molecules. But the has the unusual ability to grow new sets of equipment is expensive to run. Even teeth. A study on it is shedding new light on small part. are espensive. An dental development in mammals, page 3. el~tronic oecillator, for example, a vital piece of equipment, bums out • Electronics giant acquires hi-fi invention. ,2 within 100 hours and alone costa ~ • Survey on the 'going rate' for graduates .4 to replace. • The rituals that bind Sumbanese clans ...5 Working with Professor Brown are • Attack on Australian defence pclicies ... .8 Dr Peter Godfrey. Dr Don • The new 'humanism' in architecture .....9 McGIlvery, senior profeoaional officer, John Cnfb and research 888istant, Michael AtIdneon. Majority Research yields export Income• favours Negotiationa have been oompleted frequencies. perhaps even 1... than for the giant Pioneer Electronic 0.01 per cent. but distortion increaseo Corporation of Japan to acquire a at low and high frequenciee. the deep .test-tube non-e:l:clllSlve licence to a new feed­ bass and high treble sounds. back IYltem invented by Monash Dr Cherry. with his nested feedback electrical engineer, A••ociate loops principle, is able to improve on births Profeolor E. M. Cherry. the distortion achieved by any other Three out of four Au.trallanl meaDS, and reduce it down to a level of approve ofIn vitro fertilisation for The system reduces distortion in only a few parta per million over the couplel who otherwise could not amplifiers to only a few parta per entire range of audible frequenciee. To have children. acoordlng to a million over the entire range of audible do this he invented a new recent .Aultralla-wlde survey. frequencies. mathematical principle. The survey was conducted at the The agreement will net Monash A paper deecribing the principle won end of June by the Roy Morgan more than $400.000 by 1983. him the 1978 Norman Hayes Medal. Reeearch Centre and the results The negotiations were succeosfully The medal is awarded annually for were released on the eve of the birth concluded in Japan a few weeks ago by the "most meritorious paper published last week of Pippin Brennan, Mills Audio Components Pte. Ltd.• the in the Proceedings of the Institution of Australia's 11th test tube baby. Singapore subsidiary of J. H. Radio and Electronics Engineers. Ninety-nine per cent of all people Reproducers (Aust). which has an Australia during the preceding year." surveyed had heard of the in vitro agreement with the University to Adjudication alternatee between ths fertilisation technique. and 77 per promote the invention. Institution of Electrical and Electronic cent approved. Eleven per cent Pioneer Electronic Corporation has Engineers (New York) and the disapproved. and 12 per cent were agreed to make a substantial initial Institution of Electrical Engineers undecided. payment under the new agreement and (London). to pay an annual licence fee over the Significantly. only one per cent of Dr Cherry's principle enables all people aurveyed said they were next two years. negative feedback far in exceas of the against test tube births on religious Pioneer has already begun formerly accepted theoretical limit to grounds, but five per cent manufacture of four models of its be applied to an amplifier. disapproved on tbe grounds tbat the integrated amplifiers with two further The Vice-Chancellor. Profelsor method. was "not natural". models to follow. incorporating the Ray MartIn. has expresaed delight at The University. he said. had also People interviewed were told that invention under the style "nested feed­ the successful completion of the received advice from Milia Audio at preeent married couplee bave to back loope (NFL)". negotiations. Components Pte. Ltd.. tbat other pay about S350 per treatment. and The arrangement was the In addition to the financial return manufacturers had been approached that about one-in-eight treatments culmination of detailed negotiations that would be received by the Univer­ concerning the invention and already one bad been aucceesful. with Pioneer over the past few months. sity. be says. the negotiations have other Japanese manufacturer had Reepondents were then asked: The typical distortion level for com­ opened the way for .further co· expressed considerable interest in "In your opinion, should couples be mercial high-fidelity amplifiers is a operation between tbe University and adopting the Cherry feedback principle able to claim their test-tube baby fraction of one per cent at middle Pioneer Electronic Corporation. into its products. treatment on health insurance, or not?" kite making. together with two autben­ Of all people surveyed. 70 per tic replicas of Lawrence Hargrave's box cent said couples should be able to More Open Da~ news: kites. claim tbe test tube treatment on The Monalh Artl and Crafto also those starting in later months. will Lawrence Hargrave was an health insurance. 21 per cent said Centre will be open on Open Day be available on Open Day. Australian pioneer of aviation, who tbey shouldn·t. and nine per cent with demonotrationl by tutors and made the important discoveries that a were undecided. For tbose intereeted in kites. in the curved surface has twice the lift of a students and an el<hibltion of works foyer area (first floor) of the Hargrave Other points to emerge from the by tutors in the centre'. gallery. flat one. and tltat a kite with two survey were: Library. there will be a display of separate cells or double planes has the * People who already have one The exhibition will remain open publications on the history of kites and greatest stability and soaring power. or two children were more likely to throughout August. favour IYF (82 per cent) than thoee with no children (73 per cent). Several counee begin at tbe Arta and We're open tomorrow, too! * Weetern Australia.