(19)

(11)

EP 1 007 946 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 (21) Application number: 97947655.3 (22) Date of filing: 17.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 21/35, G01N 21/31, G01J 3/02 (86) International application number: PCT/AU9700/850 (87) International publication number: WO 9827/416 (25.06.1998 Gazette 1998/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 18.12.1996 AU PO425896 (71) Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG Wollongong, NSW 2522 (AU)	(72) Inventors: ESLER, Michael, Brian Wollongong, NSW 2500 (AU) GRIFFITH, David, William, Tracy Mangerton, NSW 2500 (AU) (74) Representative: Findlay, Alice Rosemary  Lloyd Wise, Tregear & Co.,Commonwealth House,1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)