Organic Bionics: Soft Materials to Solve Hard Problems in Neuroengineering. This project aims to combine innovations in organic conductors, nanotechnology, 3D biofabrication and neuroengineering to develop a bioelectronic system capable of wireless neuromodulation with unprecedented stability and precision. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote optical neuromodulation and new strategies to obtain long-term material stability in biologic ....Organic Bionics: Soft Materials to Solve Hard Problems in Neuroengineering. This project aims to combine innovations in organic conductors, nanotechnology, 3D biofabrication and neuroengineering to develop a bioelectronic system capable of wireless neuromodulation with unprecedented stability and precision. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote optical neuromodulation and new strategies to obtain long-term material stability in biological environments. The expected outcome is to generate new material design rules to facilitate wireless neuromodulation technologies in biomedical engineering. The project will position Australia as a leader in bionic devices by creating a new 3D bioprinting hub for low-cost fabrication of bioelectronic systems.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Biotechnological Process for Production of Lactic Acid from Carbohydrate-Waste Streams by Rhizopus sp. Lactic acid is the most widely occurring multifunctional organic acid. It has enormous applications in food and food-related industries, and great potential use for production of biodegradable and biocompatible polylactate polymers. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative biotechnological process, incorporating simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, which int ....An Integrated Biotechnological Process for Production of Lactic Acid from Carbohydrate-Waste Streams by Rhizopus sp. Lactic acid is the most widely occurring multifunctional organic acid. It has enormous applications in food and food-related industries, and great potential use for production of biodegradable and biocompatible polylactate polymers. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative biotechnological process, incorporating simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, which integrates the production of lactic acid with the treatment of high strength food industry ?effluent? streams - carbohydrate waste streams. The proposed SSF process will cultivate an identified fungal Rhizopus sp strain on the waste streams, as production substrates, leading to an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable new technology for the food industry.Read moreRead less
Organic Bioelectronics: Solving Key Barriers to Precision Neuromodulation. This project aims to combine the principles of molecular electronics and neurobiology to create organic conductors with enhanced biocompatibility that enable optical neuromodulation. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote connectivity with neurons and the ability of new microscopy tools to visualise this bio-interface. The expected outcome of this project includes ....Organic Bioelectronics: Solving Key Barriers to Precision Neuromodulation. This project aims to combine the principles of molecular electronics and neurobiology to create organic conductors with enhanced biocompatibility that enable optical neuromodulation. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the properties of materials that promote connectivity with neurons and the ability of new microscopy tools to visualise this bio-interface. The expected outcome of this project includes new high performing materials, measurement tools and fabrication approaches to overcome the key challenges to precision neuromodulation. A significant benefit of the new materials is their printability, providing the opportunity to establish a sovereign capability to manufacture low-cost bioelectronic systems in Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineering of Biomaterial Surfaces to Tailor Innate Immune Responses. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that surface nanotopography induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins can activate or deactivate immune cells. These exciting findings are important because they show that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in ....Nanoengineering of Biomaterial Surfaces to Tailor Innate Immune Responses. The overarching aim of this project is to provide a mechanistic understanding of how surface nanotopography affects inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that surface nanotopography induced conformational changes in adsorbed proteins can activate or deactivate immune cells. These exciting findings are important because they show that it may be possible to engineer the nanotopography of a biomedical device surface in a manner which leads to a desired and predictable level of inflammation. The outcomes of the project will create new fundamental knowledge that in the future can instruct the development of the next generation of biomaterials capable of controlling and directing the body’s inflammatory responses.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC180100024
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary engineers and to transform the orthopaedic and maxillofacial implant industry in Australia. In collaboration with industry, universities and hospitals, the Centre will build a dynamic training environment for interdisciplinary engineers to develop and evaluate personalised implants and surgeries. It will create new networks, internatio ....ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary engineers and to transform the orthopaedic and maxillofacial implant industry in Australia. In collaboration with industry, universities and hospitals, the Centre will build a dynamic training environment for interdisciplinary engineers to develop and evaluate personalised implants and surgeries. It will create new networks, international collaborations and a generation of industry-ready researchers critical for growing Australia’s industry. The advances in materials and savings in time for procedures will reduce costs.
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Nanoengineered gradient substrata as a novel approach for understanding infection mechanisms. This project will advance our understanding of how bacteria colonise surfaces and will also inform the development of novel antibacterial coatings and diagnostic tools for device-associated infections, which have a significant impact on patients and are a huge burden to the healthcare system.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100175
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,070.00
Summary
Three-dimensional additive bio-fabrication facility: printing bioprinters. This project aims to develop bioprinting systems that will provide new insights into fundamental biological processes. The 3D Additive Bio-Fabrication Facility - Printing Bioprinters capability will use 3D polymer and metal additive manufacturing technologies to create the next generation of bioprinting methodologies and 3D fabrication tools. It is the aim that these customised additive manufacturing systems will be used ....Three-dimensional additive bio-fabrication facility: printing bioprinters. This project aims to develop bioprinting systems that will provide new insights into fundamental biological processes. The 3D Additive Bio-Fabrication Facility - Printing Bioprinters capability will use 3D polymer and metal additive manufacturing technologies to create the next generation of bioprinting methodologies and 3D fabrication tools. It is the aim that these customised additive manufacturing systems will be used to produce structures wherein living cells are spatially organised in combination with appropriate biomaterials and bioactive components, such as drugs or growth factors, in order to influence subsequent biological behaviour.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100057
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
A high-resolution X-ray microtomography system. This project aims to establish a Scanco microCT 50 high resolution X-Ray microtomography system, to non-destructively visualise and quantitatively characterise complex samples, including advanced composites, tissue engineering constructs, biological tissues, minerals and fossils. The non-destructive characterisation of these samples is critical to advance research. The versatile system offers high spatial resolution (down to 500 nm voxel size) and ....A high-resolution X-ray microtomography system. This project aims to establish a Scanco microCT 50 high resolution X-Ray microtomography system, to non-destructively visualise and quantitatively characterise complex samples, including advanced composites, tissue engineering constructs, biological tissues, minerals and fossils. The non-destructive characterisation of these samples is critical to advance research. The versatile system offers high spatial resolution (down to 500 nm voxel size) and large sample size (up to 100 mm diameter). The project will enable progress in advanced composites, additive bio-manufacturing, physiology of biological tissues and palaeontology which will benefit Australian science. Additionally, through commercialisation and the formation of new companies, the project could potentially result in economic and health benefits to the wider Australian population and economy.Read moreRead less
Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable i ....Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable in hostile, corrosive environments, and will thus, transform industries such as manufacturing, mining and offshore oil exploration as well as enhance the lifetime of prosthetic devices.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100129
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,721.00
Summary
State-of-the-art atomic force microscopy facilities for South Australia. This project aims to transform our national capability in nano-(bio)characterisation by establishing a state-of-the-art atomic force microscopy (AFM) facility in South Australia. The facility will provide unparalleled capabilities not currently available in Australia and will catapult knowledge in multiple fields, from critical minerals and clean energy to mechanobiology. Expected outcomes include more efficient and eco-fri ....State-of-the-art atomic force microscopy facilities for South Australia. This project aims to transform our national capability in nano-(bio)characterisation by establishing a state-of-the-art atomic force microscopy (AFM) facility in South Australia. The facility will provide unparalleled capabilities not currently available in Australia and will catapult knowledge in multiple fields, from critical minerals and clean energy to mechanobiology. Expected outcomes include more efficient and eco-friendly resource recovery and energy production, future foods and cures, and advanced (bio)materials. The project will strengthen and amplify Australia’s capacity and global leadership to translate fundamental nano-scale phenomena and properties into innovative materials, technologies, and processes.Read moreRead less