Biomechanics of Needle Insertion. Needle insertion is one of the most common neurosurgical procedures. However, the biomechanics of this process is poorly understood. The unknown factors include brain tissue deformation under load imposed by the needle and needle deflection when penetrating brain tissue. We will develop computational models of needle insertion. They will include non-linear material properties of the brain tissue, large deformations, and needle-tissue contact model including fric ....Biomechanics of Needle Insertion. Needle insertion is one of the most common neurosurgical procedures. However, the biomechanics of this process is poorly understood. The unknown factors include brain tissue deformation under load imposed by the needle and needle deflection when penetrating brain tissue. We will develop computational models of needle insertion. They will include non-linear material properties of the brain tissue, large deformations, and needle-tissue contact model including friction. The Japanese group will develop testing methods to validate mathematical models. Experimental set-up includes bi-axial x-ray to measure deformation within the tissue and needle deflection, and a sensor measuring reaction force on needle tip and friction force on needle sides.Read moreRead less
Computational biomechanics for image-guided neurosurgery. Our results will lead to significant improvements to the efficacy and efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours. Visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient's brain, obtained by sparse intra-operative MRI, merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data will become possible. In current practice, the neurosurgeon must mentally fuse the information from pre-operative fMRI and DTI by projecting it ....Computational biomechanics for image-guided neurosurgery. Our results will lead to significant improvements to the efficacy and efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours. Visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient's brain, obtained by sparse intra-operative MRI, merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data will become possible. In current practice, the neurosurgeon must mentally fuse the information from pre-operative fMRI and DTI by projecting it through the 3D spatial and temporal changes the patient's brain has undergone. We propose to replace this mental fusion with computations based on the biomechanical model that will allow visualisation of the transformed pre-operative data matched to the current shape of the patient's brain.Read moreRead less
Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge re ....Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge reduction in their usage. We could assess thick tissues enabling early noninvasive diagnosis of malignancy in tumours in situ or muscle characterization for meat quality or muscular dystrophy. These benefits impact on research, animal ethics, and on health, and have commercial potential in life and medical sciences, and the meat industry.Read moreRead less
Frequency stabilisation in the Extremely High Frequency band. All precision communication and measurement systems (i.e. radar and navigation) rely on high quality oscillator technology. Any improvement in oscillator performance has a direct impact on the performance of the system and hence is of potential economic benefit. This project will realise the most stable frequencies ever produced in the underused Extremely High Frequency band, which is also important for space communications and naviga ....Frequency stabilisation in the Extremely High Frequency band. All precision communication and measurement systems (i.e. radar and navigation) rely on high quality oscillator technology. Any improvement in oscillator performance has a direct impact on the performance of the system and hence is of potential economic benefit. This project will realise the most stable frequencies ever produced in the underused Extremely High Frequency band, which is also important for space communications and navigation technology. System enhancement will include, better angular resolution, higher bandwidths, faster transmission rates and narrower beam widths without the susceptibility of absorption apparent from the optical domain.Read moreRead less
Development of Optical Clocks and Their Applications to Precision Frequency Measurements and Time Keeping. The goal of the proposed international researcher exchange program is to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Frequency Standards and Metrology (FSM) Group at the University of Western Australia and leading US research institutions, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the field of (i) laser cooled atomic frequency standards, (ii) methods of optical ....Development of Optical Clocks and Their Applications to Precision Frequency Measurements and Time Keeping. The goal of the proposed international researcher exchange program is to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Frequency Standards and Metrology (FSM) Group at the University of Western Australia and leading US research institutions, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the field of (i) laser cooled atomic frequency standards, (ii) methods of optical frequency synthesis and coherent time transfer between widely separated parts of electromagnetic spectrum and (iii) generation of low noise microwave signals directly from frequency stabilised ultra-fast pulsed lasers.Read moreRead less
Micro-engineered Optical Fibre Clocks. Clocks and oscillators are crucial components of all communication, navigation and computing technologies. Improvements in the performance of these internal clocks results in improvement in the performance of the dependent system, and are thus of high economic and technological value. A great need presently exists for compact and high performance clocks for improving optical fibre communication systems. The goal of this project is join the expertise of t ....Micro-engineered Optical Fibre Clocks. Clocks and oscillators are crucial components of all communication, navigation and computing technologies. Improvements in the performance of these internal clocks results in improvement in the performance of the dependent system, and are thus of high economic and technological value. A great need presently exists for compact and high performance clocks for improving optical fibre communication systems. The goal of this project is join the expertise of the University of Western Australia group with that of the University of Bath team to develop a new type of clock to fulfil this need.Read moreRead less
Microwave characterisation of new magnetic and dielectric structures and materials. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric and polycrystalline ferrite materials at microwave frequencies, from room temperature down to liquid helium temperature. Also cylindrical and spherical resonant Bragg structures will be investigated using some of these materials. The dielectric rod resonator technique will be used for all materials and the whis ....Microwave characterisation of new magnetic and dielectric structures and materials. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric and polycrystalline ferrite materials at microwave frequencies, from room temperature down to liquid helium temperature. Also cylindrical and spherical resonant Bragg structures will be investigated using some of these materials. The dielectric rod resonator technique will be used for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique will be used to measure the lowest loss materials. Very accurately measured microwave parameters of electric and magnetic materials will be made available to designers of new components and systems (especially useful for operation at cryogenic temperatures).Read moreRead less
Investigations and characterization of new materials for wireless communications. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric materials available from different sources at microwave frequencies, in a wide range of temperatures from room down to liquid helium temperatures. Two measurement techniques are proposed to be used for this purpose: the dielectric rod resonator technique for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique ....Investigations and characterization of new materials for wireless communications. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric materials available from different sources at microwave frequencies, in a wide range of temperatures from room down to liquid helium temperatures. Two measurement techniques are proposed to be used for this purpose: the dielectric rod resonator technique for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique to measure the lowest loss materials. A principal benefit to wireless communication is that very accurately measured microwave parameters of electronic materials will be made available to designers of new components and systems (especially useful for operation at cryogenic temperatures).Read moreRead less
Next generation global navigation satellite systems ambiguity resolution. In the next five years, four new satellite-based navigation and positioning systems, called Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), will come to challenge/complement the well-known US global positioning system (GPS). In order to get the highest accuracy and most reliable results from these GNSSs, a procedure known as ambiguity resolution (AR) is essential. This collaborative project will bring Professor Peter Teuniss ....Next generation global navigation satellite systems ambiguity resolution. In the next five years, four new satellite-based navigation and positioning systems, called Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), will come to challenge/complement the well-known US global positioning system (GPS). In order to get the highest accuracy and most reliable results from these GNSSs, a procedure known as ambiguity resolution (AR) is essential. This collaborative project will bring Professor Peter Teunissen, the inventor of the famous LAMBDA method that is currently used in all GPS AR software, to Australia to work on AR for a combined new GNSS AR solution that is also optimised for Australian users. Read moreRead less