Measuring large deformation tissue mechanical behaviour in living humans. This project aims to develop new in vivo imaging methods to characterise the nonlinear mechanical behaviour of soft biological tissues, and use them to measure the properties of muscle, liver and adipose tissue in human subjects. Comprehensively characterising the mechanical properties of an individual person’s body tissues in vivo is a long-standing challenge in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. These new methods a ....Measuring large deformation tissue mechanical behaviour in living humans. This project aims to develop new in vivo imaging methods to characterise the nonlinear mechanical behaviour of soft biological tissues, and use them to measure the properties of muscle, liver and adipose tissue in human subjects. Comprehensively characterising the mechanical properties of an individual person’s body tissues in vivo is a long-standing challenge in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. These new methods aim to overcome major imitations of current biomechanical imaging methods, and make new measurements of the nonlinear mechanical properties of muscle, liver and adipose tissues. These techniques may be useful for future diagnostic, biomechanics and mechanobiology applications.Read moreRead less
Prediction and optimisation of the acoustic performance of mufflers for sleep apnea devices. ResMed is a world leader in the technology of developing products for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). ResMed provided the first successful non-invasive treatment of OSA with their sleep apnea device. Noise reduction is an important issue in the development of this product, since these devices operate on a bedside table. This project will enable the acoustic performance of these small irregularly ....Prediction and optimisation of the acoustic performance of mufflers for sleep apnea devices. ResMed is a world leader in the technology of developing products for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). ResMed provided the first successful non-invasive treatment of OSA with their sleep apnea device. Noise reduction is an important issue in the development of this product, since these devices operate on a bedside table. This project will enable the acoustic performance of these small irregularly shaped mufflers to be reliably predicted and optimised. The successful outcomes will improve the quality of the well-being of the user. This research also has relevance to the design of mufflers for use in broader applications such as locomotives and ferries.Read moreRead less
An innovative manufacturing technology enabling new generations of hip joint prostheses. The success of the present project will revolutionise the way we produce hip joint prostheses, resolve the critical issues caused by the wear of the hip joint bearing surfaces, and dramatically improve patients' life quality. The project will open an entirely new application field for the Australian made materials which have a very limited market so far. With the innovative technology and the new generations ....An innovative manufacturing technology enabling new generations of hip joint prostheses. The success of the present project will revolutionise the way we produce hip joint prostheses, resolve the critical issues caused by the wear of the hip joint bearing surfaces, and dramatically improve patients' life quality. The project will open an entirely new application field for the Australian made materials which have a very limited market so far. With the innovative technology and the new generations of hip joint prostheses, the international competitive edge of the Australian industry will be markedly sharpened. Patients, and the Australian economy, are expected to benefit greatly from successful developments in this project.Read moreRead less
Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon durin ....Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon during training and rehabilitation. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the loading conditions that optimise tendon metabolism. Based on this, it then intends to develop new technologies to estimate the mechanical behaviour of the human Achilles tendon in real time based on integrated use of wearable technology, and new training guidelines that will optimise human tendon adaptation.Read moreRead less
Effects of prosthesis design on bone remodelling and longevity of dental restorations. The project targets both the 'Promoting and Maintaining Good Health' and 'Advanced Materials' designated research priority areas. The research will underpin Australia's leading role on some emerging interdisciplinary frontiers of biomechanics, biomaterials, health sciences and biomedical software. The development of computer aided clinical plan will help optimise dental restorations for 'long-term success'. Th ....Effects of prosthesis design on bone remodelling and longevity of dental restorations. The project targets both the 'Promoting and Maintaining Good Health' and 'Advanced Materials' designated research priority areas. The research will underpin Australia's leading role on some emerging interdisciplinary frontiers of biomechanics, biomaterials, health sciences and biomedical software. The development of computer aided clinical plan will help optimise dental restorations for 'long-term success'. The benefit will be to improve the ongoing performance and longevity of dental restoration, which complies with the highly demanding national goal of 'ageing well'. The study will also provide a new means to improve the therapy effect for many young Australians' effort towards a 'healthy start to their life'.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
Novel modelling of fluid-structure interactions in biological flows. The objective of this project is to develop a novel method to model fluid-structure interactions and turbulence in cardiovascular systems. The cardiovascular system is essential in providing nutrient and waste transport throughout the body. Because blood vessels and red blood cells are flexible, they are subjected to large deformations with significant effects on physiological functions such as blood distribution and oxygen rel ....Novel modelling of fluid-structure interactions in biological flows. The objective of this project is to develop a novel method to model fluid-structure interactions and turbulence in cardiovascular systems. The cardiovascular system is essential in providing nutrient and waste transport throughout the body. Because blood vessels and red blood cells are flexible, they are subjected to large deformations with significant effects on physiological functions such as blood distribution and oxygen release. Fluid-structure interactions are critical for understanding the intricacies of such systems but it is still a challenge to model these systems realistically using numerical methods. Expected outcomes of the project include better simulations of three-dimensional fluid-structure interactions and improved understanding of the behaviours of biological systems.Read moreRead less
Development of new methods to measure in vivo properties of human body tissues. This project will develop new methods of noninvasively measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in live humans, using a novel magnetic resonance elastography technique. These methods will be applied to study the operation of the human muscle-tendon system, differences in neck muscle properties with age and gender and to measure the properties of the human brain, kidney and liver in vivo. These techniques ....Development of new methods to measure in vivo properties of human body tissues. This project will develop new methods of noninvasively measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in live humans, using a novel magnetic resonance elastography technique. These methods will be applied to study the operation of the human muscle-tendon system, differences in neck muscle properties with age and gender and to measure the properties of the human brain, kidney and liver in vivo. These techniques may be useful in diagnosing soft tissue disease or injury which are currently difficult to detect using standard imaging techniques. It will also explain how the muscle-tendon unit moves during normal motion in live humans.Read moreRead less
Fundamental theoretical and experimental investigation of cartilage mechanics. Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms are one of the leading causes of disability in the community, yet a fundamental understanding of joint mechanics has yet to be realised. The aim of this project is to develop a new state-of-the-art mathematical model describing cartilage behaviour in humans. The model will explain how activities like walking maintain healthy cartilage by transferring growth factors through the tiss ....Fundamental theoretical and experimental investigation of cartilage mechanics. Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms are one of the leading causes of disability in the community, yet a fundamental understanding of joint mechanics has yet to be realised. The aim of this project is to develop a new state-of-the-art mathematical model describing cartilage behaviour in humans. The model will explain how activities like walking maintain healthy cartilage by transferring growth factors through the tissue, and quantitatively explain how wear is minimised in cartilage through weeping lubrication. This model will progress our understanding of cartilage mechanics in health and disease, and so help Australians age well and productively.Read moreRead less
Pedal and motor cycle helmet performance study. Cycling is a form of recreation and transport. Both pedal and motor cyclists are exposed to risks of head and neck injury. These injuries occur in young people and can have substantial health and economic impacts on the individuals and society. It is believed that injury rates can be reduced and an active lifestyle encouraged by improving helmet performance and understanding factors that lead to non-use. As helmet use is mandatory it is importa ....Pedal and motor cycle helmet performance study. Cycling is a form of recreation and transport. Both pedal and motor cyclists are exposed to risks of head and neck injury. These injuries occur in young people and can have substantial health and economic impacts on the individuals and society. It is believed that injury rates can be reduced and an active lifestyle encouraged by improving helmet performance and understanding factors that lead to non-use. As helmet use is mandatory it is important that Australians are provided with optimal helmets. The specification of product standards is also relevant for international trade agreements. Read moreRead less
Topography Optimisation of Implants for Enhancing Osseointegration. With recent increased life expectancy, the ratio of implant recipients to total population has dramatically increased. The project will address a critical issue in ensuring long-term success of prosthetic treatment. The proposed computational multiscale modelling will provide a sound scientific alternative means to optimisation of overall implant design including surface topography. The anticipated outcomes of this research will ....Topography Optimisation of Implants for Enhancing Osseointegration. With recent increased life expectancy, the ratio of implant recipients to total population has dramatically increased. The project will address a critical issue in ensuring long-term success of prosthetic treatment. The proposed computational multiscale modelling will provide a sound scientific alternative means to optimisation of overall implant design including surface topography. The anticipated outcomes of this research will help improve the quality of prosthetic therapy, and benefit our prosthodontic and orthopaedic professionals and their patients. The study clearly aligns with the national research goals of frontier technologies and maintaining good health.Read moreRead less