DROP DEFORMATION IN CONFINED MICROFLUIDIC GEOMETRIES. Increasingly, high technology applications in biotechnology and microtechnology industries need to process complex (non-Newtonian) fluids with dispersed particles/droplets in channels as small as several microns (microfluidics). A computational fluid dynamic model of non-Newtonian droplet deformation in microfluidic geometries will be developed, and validated using experimental measurements of the flow field in this project. The aim is to und ....DROP DEFORMATION IN CONFINED MICROFLUIDIC GEOMETRIES. Increasingly, high technology applications in biotechnology and microtechnology industries need to process complex (non-Newtonian) fluids with dispersed particles/droplets in channels as small as several microns (microfluidics). A computational fluid dynamic model of non-Newtonian droplet deformation in microfluidic geometries will be developed, and validated using experimental measurements of the flow field in this project. The aim is to understand and quantify factors influencing droplet deformation. Coupling non-Newtonian characteristics with microfluidic geometries will allow the continuous manufacture of micro-particles of specified size and shape for existing and new applications, and will provide guidance for further extending the process to nano-particle manufacture.Read moreRead less
Electro-viscous effects on pressure-driven liquid flow in microchannels. Australian biotechnology, information technology and food technology industries will benefit from the development of new tailored micro- and nano-fluidic devices for processing of non-Newtonian fluids. The efficiency of functional elements such as valves, pumps, mixers, reactors, heat exchangers can be optimised for specific fluids by understanding the coupling between the fluid properties, the device geometry, surface cha ....Electro-viscous effects on pressure-driven liquid flow in microchannels. Australian biotechnology, information technology and food technology industries will benefit from the development of new tailored micro- and nano-fluidic devices for processing of non-Newtonian fluids. The efficiency of functional elements such as valves, pumps, mixers, reactors, heat exchangers can be optimised for specific fluids by understanding the coupling between the fluid properties, the device geometry, surface charge, and the numerical predictions. This understanding will complement development in related projects on non-Newtonian drop and particle formation in microfluidic flows which envisage continuous particle manufacture for novel materials possessing programmable, enhanced functional properties.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775692
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Micro/nano optomechatronics sensing, measurement, and control research facility. This project aims to establish a facility that enhances the capabilities for sensing, positioning, and manipulating of micro/nano scale objects and environment, and as such constitutes the building block for many frontier technologies such as nanotechnology, bio/nano medicine, microsurgery and neurosurgery, biotechnology, microbiology, microfluidics, and micro/nano manufacturing, all of which are still in their infa ....Micro/nano optomechatronics sensing, measurement, and control research facility. This project aims to establish a facility that enhances the capabilities for sensing, positioning, and manipulating of micro/nano scale objects and environment, and as such constitutes the building block for many frontier technologies such as nanotechnology, bio/nano medicine, microsurgery and neurosurgery, biotechnology, microbiology, microfluidics, and micro/nano manufacturing, all of which are still in their infancy and promise to be the challenging areas of research for the next two decades. The outcomes will strengthen Australia's position in world-class innovative scientific research. It also strengthens collaboration between major engineering institutions and medical experts for innovative research and training of researchers.Read moreRead less
Exploring the Dynamics of Nanostructure Self-Organisation during Compound Semiconductor Epitaxy. The application of LEEM to GaAs and InAs will be a world first, positioning Australia at the forefront of nanoscale self-organisation, leading to important international recognition and publicity. The spectacular movies obtained will revolutionise our basic understanding of compound semiconductor self-organisation and facilitate an improved control over nanostructure fabrication using MBE. This will ....Exploring the Dynamics of Nanostructure Self-Organisation during Compound Semiconductor Epitaxy. The application of LEEM to GaAs and InAs will be a world first, positioning Australia at the forefront of nanoscale self-organisation, leading to important international recognition and publicity. The spectacular movies obtained will revolutionise our basic understanding of compound semiconductor self-organisation and facilitate an improved control over nanostructure fabrication using MBE. This will generate entirely new device structures relevant to the frontier technologies of photonics and quantum information processing. The project will provide high level training for post-graduate and honours students in nanoscale characterisation and synchrotron science.Read moreRead less
Simulating two-phase electrodynamic flows in droplet-based microfluidic circuit elements. The knowledge, data and analysis tools developed within this project will facilitate the economical production of electrodynamically controlled integrated droplet-based microfluidic devices for critical high-demand applications such as: genome sequencing; protein evolution, synthesis and crystallisation; micro-structured pharmaceuticals; disposable devices for biomedical analysis; portable point-of-entry (b ....Simulating two-phase electrodynamic flows in droplet-based microfluidic circuit elements. The knowledge, data and analysis tools developed within this project will facilitate the economical production of electrodynamically controlled integrated droplet-based microfluidic devices for critical high-demand applications such as: genome sequencing; protein evolution, synthesis and crystallisation; micro-structured pharmaceuticals; disposable devices for biomedical analysis; portable point-of-entry (biochem)security analysis devices. Hence this project is an investment in enabling technologies to benefit Australia's growing biotech, pharmaceutical and micro/nanotechnology sectors. Tangible community benefits (e.g., in improved diagnostic technologies, pharmaceuticals) will result.Read moreRead less
Opto-Microfluidics: A Rapid and Sensitive Platform for Biological Diagnostics. One in four people above 25 years suffer from diabetes-related diseases in Australia, with an associated economic cost exceeding $3 billion a year. A microdevice for continuous glucose monitoring would help patients to manage the disease, leading to huge individual, clinical and societal benefits. Life expectancy is expected to increase along with quality of life. Integration of the microdevice with insulin delivery w ....Opto-Microfluidics: A Rapid and Sensitive Platform for Biological Diagnostics. One in four people above 25 years suffer from diabetes-related diseases in Australia, with an associated economic cost exceeding $3 billion a year. A microdevice for continuous glucose monitoring would help patients to manage the disease, leading to huge individual, clinical and societal benefits. Life expectancy is expected to increase along with quality of life. Integration of the microdevice with insulin delivery would realise an 'artificial pancreas', revolutionising the management and treatment of the disease. The technology will also provide a platform for other point-of-care medical diagnostic devices, which will allow early participation in this emerging market and cement Australia's position in bionanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347464
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Setting up an integrated wirebonding and testing facility for MEMS applications. This project intends to setup an integrated wire bonding and testing facility suitable for Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) applications. Wire bonding is an essential step for making the contacts of any micro device with external power supply or signal conditioning circuitry. The contact pads for such devices vary in size from 0.050 mm x 0.050 mm to few 100s of micrometers. The proposed facility will be requi ....Setting up an integrated wirebonding and testing facility for MEMS applications. This project intends to setup an integrated wire bonding and testing facility suitable for Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) applications. Wire bonding is an essential step for making the contacts of any micro device with external power supply or signal conditioning circuitry. The contact pads for such devices vary in size from 0.050 mm x 0.050 mm to few 100s of micrometers. The proposed facility will be required for making contacts either using thermal or ultrasonic methods with complete automatic stages. The electrical contacts are used to drive or monitor MEMS, Polymer micro devices and nano- fluidic systems. This facility will be used for different applications including photonics and communication devices (RMIT), flexi circuits and microwave devices (DSTO) and micro/nano fluidic systems (SUT). This will be the only advanced integrated facility in Victoria, which will have the wire bonding(ball & wedge), die bonding and bond testing facilities together.Read moreRead less
Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices w ....Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices with high refractive index. In addition, nanoporous TiO2 has numerous applications in the fields of nanotechnology, bioengineering, diagnostics, materials science, and in the building industry. Australia will greatly benefit from the research and development of such a product with its promising market.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668381
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
Foundational National Nanotechnology Infrastructure. Breakthough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise useful devices for absolutely secure transmission of information encoded in quantum states, ultra-rapid searching through genome databases for unique gene sequences, faster electronic and photonic devices, robust devices made from diamond and better processing of biomedical materials for diagnosis of illness. Fabrication and characterization of these devices provides training for ....Foundational National Nanotechnology Infrastructure. Breakthough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise useful devices for absolutely secure transmission of information encoded in quantum states, ultra-rapid searching through genome databases for unique gene sequences, faster electronic and photonic devices, robust devices made from diamond and better processing of biomedical materials for diagnosis of illness. Fabrication and characterization of these devices provides training for research students in state-of-the-art techniques with many uses. Deeper understanding of these quantum technologies will lead to better models for some of the most puzzling aspects of quantum mechanical systems that are the foundation of the physical processes of
our universe.Read moreRead less
Nano-optics and ultra-thin materials for an infrared spectrometer-on-a-chip. Aims: This project aims to advance optical nanoresonators and ultra-thin materials in the infrared spectral region. The project aims to use this knowledge to demonstrate an infrared spectrometer on a chip.
Significance: Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful method for identifying and study matter but is carried out using instruments that are generally large, heavy, power hungry and costly.
Expected outcomes: It is expec ....Nano-optics and ultra-thin materials for an infrared spectrometer-on-a-chip. Aims: This project aims to advance optical nanoresonators and ultra-thin materials in the infrared spectral region. The project aims to use this knowledge to demonstrate an infrared spectrometer on a chip.
Significance: Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful method for identifying and study matter but is carried out using instruments that are generally large, heavy, power hungry and costly.
Expected outcomes: It is expected that this project will generate knowledge that will allow dramatic reductions in the size, weight, power consumption and cost of infrared spectrometers.
Benefits: This should allow infrared spectrometers to be used in applications for which the size/weight/power consumption/cost of current approaches prevent their use.
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