Cell–fluid interaction: inside and outside cells. The project aims to measure mechanics at the cellular level using a combination of optical tweezers for measurement of nano-scale environment around/inside cells and light-sheet microscopy for imaging. The project expects to generate new knowledge about movement of cells through their environment, relating to collective behaviour which is of importance in understanding infections and formation of biofilms. Expected outcomes include deepened under ....Cell–fluid interaction: inside and outside cells. The project aims to measure mechanics at the cellular level using a combination of optical tweezers for measurement of nano-scale environment around/inside cells and light-sheet microscopy for imaging. The project expects to generate new knowledge about movement of cells through their environment, relating to collective behaviour which is of importance in understanding infections and formation of biofilms. Expected outcomes include deepened understanding of an enigmatic process conserved from amoebae to humans, by which cells ‘drink and eat’ by ‘gulping’ fluid and supplement their nutrient intake by degrading proteins and cell debris. It will generate new knowledge of these processes to better understand how mechanics affects cellular life.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Mechano-Microscopy for use in Mechanobiology . We will develop an innovative microscope that will enable new discoveries in biology. Most microscopes form images of a sample's optical properties, instead we will image a sample's mechanical properties. The reason our novel approach is needed is that cell behaviour depends on the stiffness of it's environment, but current microscopes are unable to image this. Our microscope will provide insights in biology that can improve our understandi ....Dynamic Mechano-Microscopy for use in Mechanobiology . We will develop an innovative microscope that will enable new discoveries in biology. Most microscopes form images of a sample's optical properties, instead we will image a sample's mechanical properties. The reason our novel approach is needed is that cell behaviour depends on the stiffness of it's environment, but current microscopes are unable to image this. Our microscope will provide insights in biology that can improve our understanding of cells, the building blocks of life. We will achieve this by: 1. Developing a microscope that combines microscopic resolution with rapid imaging; 2: Developing the capability to image both within the cell and its surrounding environment; and 3. Using our microscope to make discoveries in biology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100972
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$382,462.00
Summary
Reaching deeper into neuronal networks using optical physics. Understanding the functions and intricacies of the brain is a fundamental challenge in scientific research. This project aims to develop new technologies to construct a microscope able to alter and make sense of neuronal activity in situ. This project also aims to investigate the precise role of a key brain region involved in sensory processing: the locus coeruleus. The results will reveal how this brain region influences brain dynami ....Reaching deeper into neuronal networks using optical physics. Understanding the functions and intricacies of the brain is a fundamental challenge in scientific research. This project aims to develop new technologies to construct a microscope able to alter and make sense of neuronal activity in situ. This project also aims to investigate the precise role of a key brain region involved in sensory processing: the locus coeruleus. The results will reveal how this brain region influences brain dynamics as well as behaviour. Expected outcomes include state of the art microscopes, high impact publications, and international collaborations. The anticipated benefits are the high quality training of the Australian workforce and further establishment of Australia as a leader in microscopy and neuroscience.Read moreRead less
Atomic sensors for dark matter, rotation and magnetic fields. This project aims to develop ultra-high-performance sensors. The research will explore new methods for using the magnetic and optical properties of atomic gases to enable multi-parameter sensing without crosstalk between measurements. It is expected that techniques will be developed to allow simultaneous sensing of rotation and magnetic fields using devices that are compact, ultra-precise and energy efficient. It is also anticipated t ....Atomic sensors for dark matter, rotation and magnetic fields. This project aims to develop ultra-high-performance sensors. The research will explore new methods for using the magnetic and optical properties of atomic gases to enable multi-parameter sensing without crosstalk between measurements. It is expected that techniques will be developed to allow simultaneous sensing of rotation and magnetic fields using devices that are compact, ultra-precise and energy efficient. It is also anticipated that these new atomic sensors will support a global network looking for dark matter, which although never seen, is thought to make up 85% of the mass of the universe. The outcomes are expected to benefit medical science, geo-exploration, high-tech manufacturing, navigation and our understanding of the universe.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101085
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,000.00
Summary
3D metafibre optics for advanced imaging. The aim is to design and interface multi-functional metasurfaces with optical fibres by using 3D laser printing technology. The anticipated goal is to develop innovative metafibres interfaced with achromatic meta-lenses, polarisation-selective metasurfaces, and Fourier-space imaging metasurfaces for all-on-fibre achromatic, full-Stokes polarimetric, and Fourier endoscopic imaging, respectively. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in fibre meta-optics ....3D metafibre optics for advanced imaging. The aim is to design and interface multi-functional metasurfaces with optical fibres by using 3D laser printing technology. The anticipated goal is to develop innovative metafibres interfaced with achromatic meta-lenses, polarisation-selective metasurfaces, and Fourier-space imaging metasurfaces for all-on-fibre achromatic, full-Stokes polarimetric, and Fourier endoscopic imaging, respectively. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in fibre meta-optics and a novel metafibre manufacturing platform in a critical sector of the 21st-century economy. The novel ultracompact, flexible, and versatile metafibre technology is expected to have a profound impact on fibre-optic imaging in photonic, biological, and telecommunications applications.Read moreRead less
X-ray Ghost Imaging and Tomography. This project aims to achieve safer, faster, and cheaper 3D X-ray imaging through a technique known as ghost imaging. X-ray imaging provides valuable information about internal structures, however, X-rays are carcinogenic and exposure (or dose) should be limited. Ghost imaging is an unconventional technique developed with visible light that has many potential benefits over conventional imaging. This research group are world leaders in ghost imaging and expect t ....X-ray Ghost Imaging and Tomography. This project aims to achieve safer, faster, and cheaper 3D X-ray imaging through a technique known as ghost imaging. X-ray imaging provides valuable information about internal structures, however, X-rays are carcinogenic and exposure (or dose) should be limited. Ghost imaging is an unconventional technique developed with visible light that has many potential benefits over conventional imaging. This research group are world leaders in ghost imaging and expect to develop software and hardware techniques to realise its potential and extend it to ghost tomography. The focus of this project is on reducing cancer risk in medical imaging, and allowing real-time quality control for 3D printing in safety-critical industries such as aerospace.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics. The Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics will deliver breakthroughs in our understanding of the Universe through the pursuit of the discovery of dark matter particles which comprise 80% of the mass of the universe. It assembles for the first time a strong and diverse team of physicists from particle, nuclear, and quantum physics as well as particle astrophysics. It will deliver high-profile experiments using new cutting- ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics. The Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics will deliver breakthroughs in our understanding of the Universe through the pursuit of the discovery of dark matter particles which comprise 80% of the mass of the universe. It assembles for the first time a strong and diverse team of physicists from particle, nuclear, and quantum physics as well as particle astrophysics. It will deliver high-profile experiments using new cutting-edge technologies. The Centre will exploit the unique geographical location of the first underground physics lab in the Southern Hemisphere. The ultra-sensitive detectors and ultra-low radiation techniques will translate into a broad range of industrial applications and train a new generation of scientists.Read moreRead less
Formation and manipulation of ferroelectric domains with ultrafast light. This project aims to study the fundamental processes governing interaction of ultrafast light pulses with an important class of ferroelectric materials. In particular, it will investigate the physics of light-induced ferroelectric domain reversal in various types of ferroelectrics. Project outcomes will lead to the development of a novel, ultrafast laser domain patterning technique for application in nonlinear photonics, o ....Formation and manipulation of ferroelectric domains with ultrafast light. This project aims to study the fundamental processes governing interaction of ultrafast light pulses with an important class of ferroelectric materials. In particular, it will investigate the physics of light-induced ferroelectric domain reversal in various types of ferroelectrics. Project outcomes will lead to the development of a novel, ultrafast laser domain patterning technique for application in nonlinear photonics, optical memories, and photovoltaics. This technique will be employed to create the first example of three-dimensional domain patterns for versatile wave interactions. This project expects to expand Australia's knowledge in ultrafast laser engineering of materials and contribute towards its rapid uptake by industries, with great potential for commercialisation.Read moreRead less
A Dual-species Ion Trap with Precision Optical Clocks. This project will enable new technological capabilities to overcome challenges in scaling up quantum computation and advancing quantum clocks. It will develop a versatile dual-species atomic instrumentation paired with precision laser systems. This advanced technological platform will be augmented by an extensive toolbox of quantum control engineering protocols to perform error-robust quantum operations for fault-tolerant quantum computation ....A Dual-species Ion Trap with Precision Optical Clocks. This project will enable new technological capabilities to overcome challenges in scaling up quantum computation and advancing quantum clocks. It will develop a versatile dual-species atomic instrumentation paired with precision laser systems. This advanced technological platform will be augmented by an extensive toolbox of quantum control engineering protocols to perform error-robust quantum operations for fault-tolerant quantum computation and high-precision spectroscopy. The expected outcomes will also benefit other disciplines: advanced quantum simulations for chemical dynamics, precision spectroscopy for astronomy, next-generation lasers, tests of fundamental physics, and quantum-enhanced positioning, navigation, and timing. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,000,000.00
Summary
Australian Partnership in Advanced LIGO+: continuation. The aim of this project is, in collaboration with the USA and UK, to complete the installation and commissioning of the Advanced LIGO+ facilities in the USA in order to bring them to design sensitivity. These facilities expect to increase the event rate of gravitational wave signals by a factor of 125. This should lead to daily detections and the observation of new sources of gravitational waves. Given that only 5% of the universe is detect ....Australian Partnership in Advanced LIGO+: continuation. The aim of this project is, in collaboration with the USA and UK, to complete the installation and commissioning of the Advanced LIGO+ facilities in the USA in order to bring them to design sensitivity. These facilities expect to increase the event rate of gravitational wave signals by a factor of 125. This should lead to daily detections and the observation of new sources of gravitational waves. Given that only 5% of the universe is detectable by telescopes, the impact of gravitational wave detections on our understanding of the universe is inestimable. Australian partnership intends to enable our physicists and astronomers to be at the vanguard of this brand new field and inspire a new generation to study the physical sciences.Read moreRead less