Hybrid resonant acoustics for microfluidic materials synthesis. This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a new class of sound waves as a microfluidic micronisation platform for high throughput particle synthesis and crystallisation of active pharmaceutical ingredients.It will use theoretical and numerical studies to research the fundamental physics of a hybrid between bulk and surface waves. This platform is expected to improve energy efficiency a thousandfold, providing an economical ....Hybrid resonant acoustics for microfluidic materials synthesis. This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a new class of sound waves as a microfluidic micronisation platform for high throughput particle synthesis and crystallisation of active pharmaceutical ingredients.It will use theoretical and numerical studies to research the fundamental physics of a hybrid between bulk and surface waves. This platform is expected to improve energy efficiency a thousandfold, providing an economical and environmental alternative to conventional processes such as spray drying, and potentially transforming practice across the pharmaceutical, food and other industries.Read moreRead less
Skin in the game: biomimetics, fitness and the springtail cuticle. This project aims to examine the relationship between cuticle (skin) properties, water balance, and fitness in springtails, key players in soil systems. Springtail cuticles are diverse, responsive, and extremely resistant to wetting by water, alcohol and other substances. Their Australian diversity has not been well explored for biomimetic new materials. This project expects to explore options for new applications in materials sc ....Skin in the game: biomimetics, fitness and the springtail cuticle. This project aims to examine the relationship between cuticle (skin) properties, water balance, and fitness in springtails, key players in soil systems. Springtail cuticles are diverse, responsive, and extremely resistant to wetting by water, alcohol and other substances. Their Australian diversity has not been well explored for biomimetic new materials. This project expects to explore options for new applications in materials science and engineering by generalising the cuticle structure-function relationship. Expected outcomes are new information to harness for industry the diversity of nature’s self-cleaning, water repellent surfaces. Significant benefits lie in potential new biomimetic manufacturing options.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms and Platforms for Acoustomicrofluidic Intracellular Delivery . This project aims to advance a novel platform to facilitate faster and more effective molecular transport into cells as a means for enhancing cell engineering. Besides elucidating the fundamental physicochemical and biological mechanisms underpinning this new method of intracellular transport through a combination of theoretical modelling and advanced imaging and neutron diffraction, the project aims to show the scalabilit ....Mechanisms and Platforms for Acoustomicrofluidic Intracellular Delivery . This project aims to advance a novel platform to facilitate faster and more effective molecular transport into cells as a means for enhancing cell engineering. Besides elucidating the fundamental physicochemical and biological mechanisms underpinning this new method of intracellular transport through a combination of theoretical modelling and advanced imaging and neutron diffraction, the project aims to show the scalability of the technology for high throughput processing to handle the large cell numbers typically required for doses to be effective in practice. Given recent breakthroughs in cell therapies, it is expected that translation of the technology in the longer term will improve treatments for cancer and other infectious diseases.Read moreRead less
Ultra-fast alchemy: a new strategy to synthesise super-dense nanomaterials. We have recently created a new super-dense aluminium phase by ultrafast laser microexplosion. This project will search further for new super-dense material phases with drastically different and exotic properties, such as those inside planets and stars, and which have great potential as new nanomaterials for industrial applications.
Acoustomicrofluidic platforms for two-dimensional materials processing. This project aims to exploit high frequency vibration through a novel microfluidic platform for efficiently synthesising and manipulating two-dimensional materials. The project is anticipated to circumvent practical limitations with current synthesis methods, particularly in terms of controllability and reproducibility. The expected outcome is a versatile means for rapidly and uniformly coating these materials on a variety o ....Acoustomicrofluidic platforms for two-dimensional materials processing. This project aims to exploit high frequency vibration through a novel microfluidic platform for efficiently synthesising and manipulating two-dimensional materials. The project is anticipated to circumvent practical limitations with current synthesis methods, particularly in terms of controllability and reproducibility. The expected outcome is a versatile means for rapidly and uniformly coating these materials on a variety of surfaces. Given their remarkable properties, such disruptive technology for consumer/industrial-scale production will provide tremendous opportunities for their application in electronics, energy and catalysis, among other uses.Read moreRead less