New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells ....New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells, which continues to be a major challenge in stem cell science and which could have fundamental biological and commercial significance.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100609
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,000.00
Summary
Mechanobiology: a new model of integrin activation by membrane tension. This project aims to address a fundamental question in mechanobiology on how integrin receptor coordinates with force to mediate cell spreading, migration, growth and survival. With an observation that membrane deformation enhances integrin binding, the project expects to establish a new model of integrin activation by membrane tension. It will develop an integrated approach combining single-molecule force probes, super reso ....Mechanobiology: a new model of integrin activation by membrane tension. This project aims to address a fundamental question in mechanobiology on how integrin receptor coordinates with force to mediate cell spreading, migration, growth and survival. With an observation that membrane deformation enhances integrin binding, the project expects to establish a new model of integrin activation by membrane tension. It will develop an integrated approach combining single-molecule force probes, super resolution microscopy, microfluidics and molecular dynamics simulations. It is expected that the role of membrane tension in promoting cell adhesion will be defined at molecular scale, and the link between integrin activation and Piezo calcium channel mediated membrane tension sensing will be delineated.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100821
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,000.00
Summary
Hyper-domain luminescence lifetime imaging for mapping molecular dynamics. This project aims to enable lifetime-multiplexed optical imaging of molecular dynamics of biological systems in real time. The grand challenge of modern life sciences is to understand the molecular origins of complex processes. Using lifetime measurement, this project will realise highly-multiplexed real-time luminescence imaging with simultaneous ultrahigh detection sensitivity and spatial resolution. By generating fresh ....Hyper-domain luminescence lifetime imaging for mapping molecular dynamics. This project aims to enable lifetime-multiplexed optical imaging of molecular dynamics of biological systems in real time. The grand challenge of modern life sciences is to understand the molecular origins of complex processes. Using lifetime measurement, this project will realise highly-multiplexed real-time luminescence imaging with simultaneous ultrahigh detection sensitivity and spatial resolution. By generating fresh insights into molecular fingerprints of relevance for future disease diagnostics and treatment, the project outcomes are expected to consolidate Australia’s leading position in the health sciences. Upon commercialisation, the intellectual property is expected to generate considerable economic returns.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$950,000.00
Summary
A customised triple-beam microscope for precise fabricating/characterising . This project aims to establish a customised triple-beam microscope to enable precise fabrication and polishing (using ion beams) and characterisation (using electron beam) of a wide range of advanced materials. It will provide solutions to prepare ultra-high quality and artefact-free specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies, and allow fabrication of unique nanostructures and nanostructured templates for hi ....A customised triple-beam microscope for precise fabricating/characterising . This project aims to establish a customised triple-beam microscope to enable precise fabrication and polishing (using ion beams) and characterisation (using electron beam) of a wide range of advanced materials. It will provide solutions to prepare ultra-high quality and artefact-free specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies, and allow fabrication of unique nanostructures and nanostructured templates for high-performance applications. The customised features of the proposed instrument are the first of its kind in Australia. The new knowledge developed through this project will significantly impact on scientific insights and practical applications of new materials related to physics, chemistry, biology, geology and engineering.Read moreRead less
Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequen ....Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequency coils, an essential component of MRI systems, can distort images and induce potentially harmful tissue heating. The aim is to design and develop a rotating multi-channel radiofrequency coil array, with dedicated image reconstruction software, to overcome these limitations. This would facilitate detailed images that can be obtained quickly and safely.Read moreRead less
High-resolution optical studies of solids nucleation in cryogenic processes. During liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, low concentration impurities can freeze and block the cryogenic heat exchangers at the heart of the liquefaction process. Substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding the kinetics of these solids (i.e. the rate at which they form), especially at the part per million concentrations relevant to LNG. This project, in partnership with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, will us ....High-resolution optical studies of solids nucleation in cryogenic processes. During liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, low concentration impurities can freeze and block the cryogenic heat exchangers at the heart of the liquefaction process. Substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding the kinetics of these solids (i.e. the rate at which they form), especially at the part per million concentrations relevant to LNG. This project, in partnership with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, will use a proven high resolution optical technique to deliver new insight into solid nucleation and growth kinetics in the high-pressure cryogenic fluids that govern industrial blockage risk. The results will enable energy optimisation to increase liquefaction efficiency as well as tests of innovative blockage-remediation methods.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Development of a world-class facility for three dimensional dynamic testing. Development of a world-class facility for three dimensional dynamic testing: This project aims to establish a world-class facility for multi-directional dynamic testing. Currently there are no such facilities in Australia. The ability to recreate dynamic motion in all available degrees-of-freedom opens up enormous fields of research not currently possible in Australia. This includes such areas as vibration testing, mate ....Development of a world-class facility for three dimensional dynamic testing. Development of a world-class facility for three dimensional dynamic testing: This project aims to establish a world-class facility for multi-directional dynamic testing. Currently there are no such facilities in Australia. The ability to recreate dynamic motion in all available degrees-of-freedom opens up enormous fields of research not currently possible in Australia. This includes such areas as vibration testing, materials testing, biomechanics and human factors, blast and earthquake simulations, field robotics, automotive safety research, flight/vehicle simulation, and marine applications including sloshing of liquids and liquefaction of fines. In conjunction with a 3D laser doppler system this facility will be unique in the world for dynamic mechanical testing.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale silicon field-effect transistor diagnostic technology. This project aims to overcome barriers to the implementation of silicon field-effect transistor biosensors. It will investigate the biosensors’ physical and structural properties. This knowledge, combined with technological and conceptual advances, could foster the development of an advanced and translational point-of-care diagnostic technology to rapidly and sensitively detect malignant tissues. Such technology would have commerci ....Nanoscale silicon field-effect transistor diagnostic technology. This project aims to overcome barriers to the implementation of silicon field-effect transistor biosensors. It will investigate the biosensors’ physical and structural properties. This knowledge, combined with technological and conceptual advances, could foster the development of an advanced and translational point-of-care diagnostic technology to rapidly and sensitively detect malignant tissues. Such technology would have commercial potential and important societal benefits.Read moreRead less
Microcantilevers for multifrequency atomic force microscopy. This project aims to design a microcantilever with high-performing sensors more sensitive and with better noise performance than the typical optical system used in commercial Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs). The AFM, a nanotechnology instrument, uses a microcantilever (with an extremely shape probe) to interrogate a sample surface. It has made important discoveries in nanotechnology, life sciences, nanomachining, material science and d ....Microcantilevers for multifrequency atomic force microscopy. This project aims to design a microcantilever with high-performing sensors more sensitive and with better noise performance than the typical optical system used in commercial Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs). The AFM, a nanotechnology instrument, uses a microcantilever (with an extremely shape probe) to interrogate a sample surface. It has made important discoveries in nanotechnology, life sciences, nanomachining, material science and data storage systems. Despite its success, the technique’s spatial resolution and quantitative measurements are limited. This project could lead to breakthrough technologies such as atomic force spectroscopy to study elastic modulus of nanostructures, and establish Australia's prominence in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Aberration-corrected atom probe tomography for materials engineering. Observing atomic-scale structure (AS) is key to unlocking advanced materials science and engineering (MSE).
Aims: We aim to (1) develop software that will enable the accurate observation of atoms in a material, and (2) apply this new software to additive manufactured alloys and quantum computing materials.
Significance: We expect to complete aberration-corrected atom probe tomography capability for the first time international ....Aberration-corrected atom probe tomography for materials engineering. Observing atomic-scale structure (AS) is key to unlocking advanced materials science and engineering (MSE).
Aims: We aim to (1) develop software that will enable the accurate observation of atoms in a material, and (2) apply this new software to additive manufactured alloys and quantum computing materials.
Significance: We expect to complete aberration-corrected atom probe tomography capability for the first time internationally. We intend to gain better insights into some longstanding questions in MSE that can only be answered by accurately observing AS.
Benefits: By making the outcomes commercially available, we aspire to improve consistency in the quality of products, and increased yield, that result from manufacturing processes.Read moreRead less