Surface engineering of biomaterials for optimal bone bonding characteristics. The ideal bone-implant material is hydroxyapatite. Chemically similar to bone mineral, hydroxyapatite is capable of inducing bone ongrowth. An ideal surface coating for metal hip implants, plasma spraying has been the preferred commercial hydroxyapatite coating technique. Until recently, it was always presumed that the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite resulted from its surface chemistry. However, a recent study has shown ....Surface engineering of biomaterials for optimal bone bonding characteristics. The ideal bone-implant material is hydroxyapatite. Chemically similar to bone mineral, hydroxyapatite is capable of inducing bone ongrowth. An ideal surface coating for metal hip implants, plasma spraying has been the preferred commercial hydroxyapatite coating technique. Until recently, it was always presumed that the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite resulted from its surface chemistry. However, a recent study has shown that the bioactivity of HAp coatings strongly correlates with surface roughness on the scale of bone cells. This project will explore cell-attachment behaviour for hydroxyapatite coatings prepared by plasma spraying compared with engineered surface morphology/chemistry by microlithography and vapour coating.Read moreRead less
Functionally graded fibre-polymer composites: a novel material for spinal disk prostheses. Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. A strong social/economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucle ....Functionally graded fibre-polymer composites: a novel material for spinal disk prostheses. Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. A strong social/economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the alternative spinal disk protheses in clinical use or in the patent literature.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100311
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Multidirectional stretchable and wearable tactile sensors. This project aims to establish a new platform for multidirectional wearable tactile sensors with high sensitivity and stretchability based on rational material designs and structural engineering. Wearable tactile sensors with multidirectional force-sensing capabilities are of great importance in robotics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation devices. This novel form of tactile sensing will be developed through fundamental research into the wo ....Multidirectional stretchable and wearable tactile sensors. This project aims to establish a new platform for multidirectional wearable tactile sensors with high sensitivity and stretchability based on rational material designs and structural engineering. Wearable tactile sensors with multidirectional force-sensing capabilities are of great importance in robotics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation devices. This novel form of tactile sensing will be developed through fundamental research into the working mechanism of directional sensors to enable detection of different force intensities. Combined with new device fabrication techniques, and innovative material structural engineering, the expected outcome is a new multidirectional tactile sensor system with high sensitivity and stretchability.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100284
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,008.00
Summary
Stretchable strain sensors based on three-dimensional structured nano-carbon. This project aims to develop a class of stretchable strain sensors based on three-dimensionally (3D) structured carbon nanomaterials for wearable devices. The project plans to design and fabricate 3D-structured carbon with structures and physical properties for developing nanocomposites for strain sensing applications. The expected outcome is wearable sensors capable of monitoring human movements with potential applica ....Stretchable strain sensors based on three-dimensional structured nano-carbon. This project aims to develop a class of stretchable strain sensors based on three-dimensionally (3D) structured carbon nanomaterials for wearable devices. The project plans to design and fabricate 3D-structured carbon with structures and physical properties for developing nanocomposites for strain sensing applications. The expected outcome is wearable sensors capable of monitoring human movements with potential applications in personal health monitoring. These wearable devices could ultimately improve health care substantially while reducing its costs.Read moreRead less
Development of high-performance lead-free piezoelectric superlattices for environmentally-friendly and biocompatible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) applications. This program is aimed at development of environmentally friendly and biocompatible lead-free piezoelectric thin films and superlattices for the potential applications in pMUTs. The expected outcome includes deposition of BNT and BZT-based thin films and superlattices, and enhancement of their physical propert ....Development of high-performance lead-free piezoelectric superlattices for environmentally-friendly and biocompatible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) applications. This program is aimed at development of environmentally friendly and biocompatible lead-free piezoelectric thin films and superlattices for the potential applications in pMUTs. The expected outcome includes deposition of BNT and BZT-based thin films and superlattices, and enhancement of their physical properties by strain and interface engineering.Read moreRead less
Development of a solid nitrogen cooled magnesium diboride (MgB2) magnet for persistent-mode operation. Soaring price for liquid helium has increased demand for cryogen-free superconducting magnets more than ever. If magnetic resonance imaging magnets, which represent over 50 per cent of the world superconducting markets, could be operated without liquid helium, magnetic resonance imaging would be much more affordable and enable reduced health care costs.
New directions to miniaturized power sources: Integrated all-solid-state rechargeable batteries. This project will lead to the development of safe integrated all-solid-state miniaturized lithium ion batteries for small autonomous devices, such as implantable medical devices, hearing aids, small autonomous devices with sensing and actuation, and for communications and rapid chemical/biological analysis. This will make a significant contribution to the nation in the areas of science, technology, h ....New directions to miniaturized power sources: Integrated all-solid-state rechargeable batteries. This project will lead to the development of safe integrated all-solid-state miniaturized lithium ion batteries for small autonomous devices, such as implantable medical devices, hearing aids, small autonomous devices with sensing and actuation, and for communications and rapid chemical/biological analysis. This will make a significant contribution to the nation in the areas of science, technology, health, and the economy. The development of new scientific knowledge related to this project will place Australia at the forefront of an emerging domain of research. The project will also provide excellent training for postgraduate students and young researchers to develop their skills in chemistry, materials science, and battery technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,294,000.00
Summary
Facility for in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance of advanced materials and devices. This unique characterisation facility will support and enhance high-quality research in four key areas: electro-materials and nanotechnology, light metal alloys, biotechnology and energy related devices. This research will lead to new materials and new technologies in clean energy, carbon dioxide capture and health care.
Metal-air batteries with improved rate capability and safety for hearing applications. Hearing impairment affects on average 20% of the adult population in western society, with the impact being as high as 50% in older adults. Effective hearing devices require a significant amount of power, supplied by a battery, to support their function. Current batteries require very frequent replacement and represent a significant impediment to advances in the technology. This project will develop improved ....Metal-air batteries with improved rate capability and safety for hearing applications. Hearing impairment affects on average 20% of the adult population in western society, with the impact being as high as 50% in older adults. Effective hearing devices require a significant amount of power, supplied by a battery, to support their function. Current batteries require very frequent replacement and represent a significant impediment to advances in the technology. This project will develop improved energy and power density batteries which will lead to immediate implementation of more powerful signal processing algorithms, making hearing aids much more effective and appealing to the user. This, in turn, will improve recipient compliance and thus the quality of life for those with severe hearing impairment. Read moreRead less