Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority go ....Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority goal of the National Research Priority "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to personnel involved in such activities. This research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise, and create a critical mass of researchers in this field. Read moreRead less
Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR sy ....Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR system to be used to correct the simultaneously acquired PET data for patient motion. This research is an excellent opportunity for Australian researchers to make important contributions to an emerging technology with high economic potential, and will strengthen Australia's international position in engineering and biomedical systems development.Read moreRead less
Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements ....Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements, his project aims to determine the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay accurately for medical isotopes. The outcome will be accurate dose data for radioisotopes, plus essential knowledge to develop new cancer treatments based on Auger electrons, which target a fraction of a cell.Read moreRead less
A hybrid magnetic resonance imaging: linear accelerator (Magnetic resonance imaging-Linac) for highly accurate radiotherapy cancer treatment. Radiotherapy is often used to treat cancer, however it is very difficult to ensure the radiation doses the tumour properly as the tumour moves during treatment due to breathing. This project will produce an image-guidance system that will allow much better targeting of the treatment and thus produce better outcomes.
Nanoparticle radiosensitisation. This project aims to develop new knowledge through a better understanding of physics interactions of particles in compounds with sub-micron size. Research on radiosensitisation by sub-micrometre sized nanoparticles (NPs) is hot worldwide because it could treat cancer, but the physical/physico-chemical/biological mechanism of radiosensitisation is unclear because no physical models describe particle interactions at nanometre scale in solid state nanometre sized ob ....Nanoparticle radiosensitisation. This project aims to develop new knowledge through a better understanding of physics interactions of particles in compounds with sub-micron size. Research on radiosensitisation by sub-micrometre sized nanoparticles (NPs) is hot worldwide because it could treat cancer, but the physical/physico-chemical/biological mechanism of radiosensitisation is unclear because no physical models describe particle interactions at nanometre scale in solid state nanometre sized objects. This project will develop and evaluate specialised physics models to describe particle interactions in NPs and help optimise nanoparticle technology. It will develop expertise in Australia in physics modelling for nanomedicine and other applications of nanotechnology exposed to radiation (e.g. telecommunications, aviation and space).Read moreRead less
Novel technologies for motion-compensated simultaneous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. The aim of this work is to develop motion tracking and motion correction techniques for an emerging hybrid imaging technology, MR-PET. The MR-PET scanner simultaneously acquires structural MR images and functional PET images. The work will provide clearer images without the effects of motion blur for both research and clinical applications.
Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce th ....Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to people involved in such activities. This fundamental research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise and create a critical mass of researchers working in this sector.Read moreRead less
Radiation detectors to better understand ion interactions. This project aims to build a Heavy Ion Therapy Research and Treatment Centre in Australia. Understanding how ions interact with matter and their radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is important. The project will introduce an Australian detector technology platform to research ion interaction physics and their RBE. It will develop radiation detectors for ion measurement with a wide energy range, including a practical RBE quality assurance ....Radiation detectors to better understand ion interactions. This project aims to build a Heavy Ion Therapy Research and Treatment Centre in Australia. Understanding how ions interact with matter and their radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is important. The project will introduce an Australian detector technology platform to research ion interaction physics and their RBE. It will develop radiation detectors for ion measurement with a wide energy range, including a practical RBE quality assurance tool with submillimetre spatial resolution. The proposed Australian radiation detection technology is expected to improve understanding of the scientific mechanisms underpinning the radiobiological effectiveness of heavy ion radiation.Read moreRead less
High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and ....High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and choice of Stokes frequency shift. The project will investigate a range of key issues for these materials including control of the Stokes wavelength, associated polarisation control, and pump-resonator configurations giving maximum Raman laser power and efficiency. The project will lead to state-of-the-art source technology with outstanding prospects for commercialisation and practical application.Read moreRead less
Spatiotemporal dynamics and analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) produces signals generated by brain activity in fine detail, but links between activity and images are poorly understood, posing a barrier to full use of the technology. Predictions from our new theory of such links will be made, tested experimentally and used to improve fMRI and discover new phenomena.