Development of electrophoretic cell sorters. The aim of this research is to develop the next generation of cell sorters to scale production of viable sperm and other cell types. Our approach is to understand the factors that control the migration of cells in an electric field so that we can design large-scale devices to purify cells using electrophoretic separation. The outcomes of this research enable large-scale production of viable sperm for human and animal-assisted conception, benefiting in ....Development of electrophoretic cell sorters. The aim of this research is to develop the next generation of cell sorters to scale production of viable sperm and other cell types. Our approach is to understand the factors that control the migration of cells in an electric field so that we can design large-scale devices to purify cells using electrophoretic separation. The outcomes of this research enable large-scale production of viable sperm for human and animal-assisted conception, benefiting infertile couples and the livestock breeding industry. Successful development of an efficient cell separation technology would add significant commercial value to the Australian biomanufacturing sector. Read moreRead less
Developing a hybrid waterjet-laser micromachining technology and associated process models for damage-free fabrication of silicon substrates. This hybrid micromachining technology will make it possible for damage-free, fast micro-fabrication of high-integrity devices such as high performance silicon solar cells. It will open new directions for the Australian manufacturing industry in micro-technologies. The environmental and economic benefits to the nation will be highly significant.
A novel precision-engineered microfluidic chip for wear particle research. This project aims to develop 1- novel protocols to generate clinically-relevant wear particles from spinal implants in-vitro and 2- a technological framework for the fabrication of a novel microfluidic 3D spinal implant-on-a-chip with tailored mechanical, material and biological properties. This will provide a cost-effective tool, currently unavailable, that allows investigation into the impact of wear particles on health ....A novel precision-engineered microfluidic chip for wear particle research. This project aims to develop 1- novel protocols to generate clinically-relevant wear particles from spinal implants in-vitro and 2- a technological framework for the fabrication of a novel microfluidic 3D spinal implant-on-a-chip with tailored mechanical, material and biological properties. This will provide a cost-effective tool, currently unavailable, that allows investigation into the impact of wear particles on healthy spinal disc cells. We expect our technological framework to become an invaluable tool for biomedical engineers, biologists, and bio-engineers to work together and generate clinically relevant in-vitro data that supports optimisation for spinal implant design, fabrication, and safety. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100156
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,500.00
Summary
3D Two-Photon Nanoprinter for Advanced Multi-Functional Materials & Devices. The Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 Two-Photon 3D Printer enables tailoring materials’ architecture at nanoscale. This results in unique optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biochemical, and acoustic properties enabling a wealth of cutting-edge research activities in variety of fields including mechanical/optical/electrical metamaterials, bioinspired hard/soft materials, biomaterials (e.g., structured cell-ti ....3D Two-Photon Nanoprinter for Advanced Multi-Functional Materials & Devices. The Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 Two-Photon 3D Printer enables tailoring materials’ architecture at nanoscale. This results in unique optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biochemical, and acoustic properties enabling a wealth of cutting-edge research activities in variety of fields including mechanical/optical/electrical metamaterials, bioinspired hard/soft materials, biomaterials (e.g., structured cell-tissue interfaces), biomedical devices (implantable devices and drug-delivery systems), nanofluidics, and photonic crystals. In each of these fields, we will use GT2 to print variety of polymers, hydrogels, metals and ceramics, for example by printing polymer-derived nanoceramics that will be simultaneously strong and tough.Read moreRead less
Micromanufacturing and the mechanics of novel composite micro drills. The aim of this project is to develop a novel micromanufacturing technology to produce composite micro drills with desirable properties and reduced production costs. The developed micro drills have significant applications for the printed circuit board industry, medical devices, personal computers, mobile phones and digital cameras. The expected outcomes include optimisation of the micromanufacturing process for improved prope ....Micromanufacturing and the mechanics of novel composite micro drills. The aim of this project is to develop a novel micromanufacturing technology to produce composite micro drills with desirable properties and reduced production costs. The developed micro drills have significant applications for the printed circuit board industry, medical devices, personal computers, mobile phones and digital cameras. The expected outcomes include optimisation of the micromanufacturing process for improved properties of composite micro drills and an enhanced awareness of the mechanics of micromanufacturing composite micro drills to increase reliability in subsequent micro drilling processes. The outcomes have the potential to contribute to the competitiveness of Australia's manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Integrated Functional Printing Facility for Advanced Material Technologies. The project aims to develop Australia’s first fully integrated small-scale and agile prototyping facility for printing. This facility will provide critical infrastructure to deposit a wide range of advanced materials with unprecedented precision & process flexibility allowing realistic form, configuration and device-ready formats with minimal usage of functional ink. Using this unique facility, researchers will be able t ....Integrated Functional Printing Facility for Advanced Material Technologies. The project aims to develop Australia’s first fully integrated small-scale and agile prototyping facility for printing. This facility will provide critical infrastructure to deposit a wide range of advanced materials with unprecedented precision & process flexibility allowing realistic form, configuration and device-ready formats with minimal usage of functional ink. Using this unique facility, researchers will be able to assess integration of novel functional materials in a wide range of devices and applications, including critical components of affordable healthcare diagnostic devices, advanced security features in banknotes, integrated RFID tracking systems, high performance solar cells and separation membranes. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100688
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,446.00
Summary
Nanosensors in artificial cochlea for natural hearing. This project aims to develop a miniaturised and implantable cochlear that closely mimics the human auditory system by utilising advanced microfabrication techniques. This project expects to generate new knowledge in engineering hearing and vestibular hair cells and also on tonotopic organisation of cochlear. Expected outcomes include study of auditory hair cells and development of implantable ear-on-a-chip devices. This project is expected t ....Nanosensors in artificial cochlea for natural hearing. This project aims to develop a miniaturised and implantable cochlear that closely mimics the human auditory system by utilising advanced microfabrication techniques. This project expects to generate new knowledge in engineering hearing and vestibular hair cells and also on tonotopic organisation of cochlear. Expected outcomes include study of auditory hair cells and development of implantable ear-on-a-chip devices. This project is expected to enable low-cost production of highly engineered implant cochlear with great potential for commercialisation.Read moreRead less
A thermodynamic pathway to intracellular delivery. Cells transmit information through molecules. By delivering foreign molecules into cells, such as DNA and proteins, it is possible to engineer and reprogram cells just like a computer. This proposal aims to develop a novel microfluidic device for intracellular delivery. The device will work by exposing cells to rapid thermal shock to generate transient disruptions in cell membranes and thereby enable influx of foreign molecules into cells. To un ....A thermodynamic pathway to intracellular delivery. Cells transmit information through molecules. By delivering foreign molecules into cells, such as DNA and proteins, it is possible to engineer and reprogram cells just like a computer. This proposal aims to develop a novel microfluidic device for intracellular delivery. The device will work by exposing cells to rapid thermal shock to generate transient disruptions in cell membranes and thereby enable influx of foreign molecules into cells. To understand how the method can be optimized, the thermodynamic pathway of membrane disruption will be investigated at a single cell level. The methods and insights arising from this project could eventually lead to novel, patentable and lower-cost health technologies.Read moreRead less