From investigating engine failures to testing the consistency of soap bubbles for wind-tunnel experiments, analytical chemists play a role in more of Defence’s work than many people realise.
Defence chemist Kilahney Murphy analyses materials, identifies risks and finds improvements across a wide variety of projects.
She helps ensure Defence equipment operates safely and performs reliably in harsh environments.
“Chemistry is everywhere,” Miss Murphy said when asked to give an example of a project her team has worked on.
“It’s difficult to say just one thing because we don’t do one single thing, we do everything.”
Analytical chemists at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) use a range of sophisticated laboratory instruments and different chemistry techniques. Importantly, they bring an understanding of the Defence context to their investigations.
One of the scientific methods they use is spectroscopy, which is a way of using light to find out the chemical make-up of materials.
Miss Murphy and her colleagues also specialise in thermal analysis, which involves observing how materials respond to different temperatures.
There’s no typical day for DSTG’s chemists, who provide expert advice to Defence on everything from battery safety to paint durability.
‘Everyone loves the explosions and colour-changing reactions, but understanding them is the real magic.’
Miss Murphy’s interest in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career was sparked by teachers who made the subjects accessible and exciting.
“In high school, I was thinking of studying something arty but my chemistry teacher basically bribed me with liquid-nitrogen ice cream, which I happily accepted,” she said.
“Huge credit to science outreach professionals and the fired-up science teachers who can make these bulky topics understandable and interesting. Everyone loves the explosions and colour-changing reactions, but understanding them is the real magic.”
While studying at Flinders University in Adelaide, Miss Murphy said she enjoyed being able to give back by leading STEM outreach activities in local schools.
Sharing these engaging, hands-on experiences reinforced her determination to apply her skills to solve real-world challenges.
She joined DSTG through the Defence Graduate Program, attracted by the prospect of using chemistry to make an immediate impact.
Three years later, while continuing to work for Defence, Miss Murphy is considering the possibility of undertaking a PhD.
‘Huge credit to science outreach professionals and the fired-up science teachers who can make these bulky topics understandable and interesting.’
She has a particular interest in researching vitrimers – a group of materials that could offer a solution to a longstanding problem with plastics.
“We all interact with plastics every day,” she said.
“The plastics that we have, you can either recycle them a few times and then they become quite weak, or they are very strong, rigid things that can never be recycled.”
Vitrimers are designed to be recyclable, like thermoplastics, but also tough and durable, like thermosets.
By combining these desirable properties, vitrimers could contribute to the global effort to reduce plastic waste and support the adoption of more sustainable materials for Defence and other applications.
“They’re still new, so we need to see what else we can do with them,” she said.
“Maybe they will fix the plastic problem, who knows. Maybe I’ll get to help – that would be cool.”
Miss Murphy’s career journey reflects the theme of this year’s National Science Week, which is ‘Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all’.
From inspiration in the classroom to real-world impact in the laboratory, her story highlights how an interest in STEM can develop into opportunities to do meaningful and varied work that supports national resilience.
