New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells ....New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells, which continues to be a major challenge in stem cell science and which could have fundamental biological and commercial significance.Read moreRead less
Development of mock circulatory system for complex haemodynamic modelling. This project aims to develop a unique mock experimental system to study blood flow dynamics in anatomically realistic coronary artery phantoms. The field of cardiology involves complex fluid dynamic problems, which require the expertise of the fluid dynamics engineer to understand the hemodynamics. Significant innovation in manufacturing and experimental measurement methodologies will be required to develop accurate model ....Development of mock circulatory system for complex haemodynamic modelling. This project aims to develop a unique mock experimental system to study blood flow dynamics in anatomically realistic coronary artery phantoms. The field of cardiology involves complex fluid dynamic problems, which require the expertise of the fluid dynamics engineer to understand the hemodynamics. Significant innovation in manufacturing and experimental measurement methodologies will be required to develop accurate models, which will be designed to allow the partner organisation to undertake further hemodynamic research.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100085
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Micro/Nanofluidic Characterisation Facility. Micro/nanofluidic characterisation facility: Microfluidics promises to enable diagnosis of medical diseases using devices which perform laboratory experiments but on a scale which means the entire system can be hand-held. Whilst the fabrication of miniaturised fluidic channels is well established, the challenge is to bring additional functions onto the chip reducing the reliance on external pumps and electronics. This facility will allow the character ....Micro/Nanofluidic Characterisation Facility. Micro/nanofluidic characterisation facility: Microfluidics promises to enable diagnosis of medical diseases using devices which perform laboratory experiments but on a scale which means the entire system can be hand-held. Whilst the fabrication of miniaturised fluidic channels is well established, the challenge is to bring additional functions onto the chip reducing the reliance on external pumps and electronics. This facility will allow the characterisation of technologies which address on-chip sample preparation using pulsed ultrasonic waves, filtration and pumping using nanofluidic structures, and detection using on-chip circuitry. As such the facility will have the capability to directly address the challenges which must be met to allow diagnosis in rural underprivileged areas. Read moreRead less
Harnessing sperm dynamics in microfluidic sorting technologies. Mammalian reproductive tract is a complex microenvironment that has evolved to select the best sperm for fertilisation using a range of rheological, biochemical and geometrical cues. The project aims to engineer the first multiplexed platform, informed by the natural process, for fully automated and rapid selection of sperm based on all key selection criteria: morphology, swimming behaviour, and DNA integrity. The expected outcome i ....Harnessing sperm dynamics in microfluidic sorting technologies. Mammalian reproductive tract is a complex microenvironment that has evolved to select the best sperm for fertilisation using a range of rheological, biochemical and geometrical cues. The project aims to engineer the first multiplexed platform, informed by the natural process, for fully automated and rapid selection of sperm based on all key selection criteria: morphology, swimming behaviour, and DNA integrity. The expected outcome is the next generation technology for sperm sorting and analysis. This should provide significant benefits, such as new biophysical insights into mammalian reproduction, with potential for future improvement of assisted reproduction technologies – a field in which Australia has a world leading history.Read moreRead less
Acoustic single cell traps: Understanding the woods by examining the trees. This project aims to define the underlying physics behind the manipulation of individual cells in a microfluidic chip using acoustic forces. The technology investigated would offer biomedical researchers a unique capability: that of tracking individual cell responses. It is known for example that drug resistance and latency emerge from small sub-populations of cells, so crucial information is lost when cells are studied ....Acoustic single cell traps: Understanding the woods by examining the trees. This project aims to define the underlying physics behind the manipulation of individual cells in a microfluidic chip using acoustic forces. The technology investigated would offer biomedical researchers a unique capability: that of tracking individual cell responses. It is known for example that drug resistance and latency emerge from small sub-populations of cells, so crucial information is lost when cells are studied at a population level. To trap single cells, the acoustic wavelength excited must be reduced to the order of a cell diameter. By enabling the analysis of different responses due to subtle cell difference, information pertinent to infection pathways and drug response could be gathered.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101402
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Advanced laser micromachining with femtosecond vector beams. This project is aimed at developing a new method for ultra-precision laser micromachining and dissection of biological tissues using femtosecond vector beams. The capability of these unconventional laser beams to process different materials with unsurpassed precision and efficiency offers significant economic and clinical benefits.
Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla: Resolving the fundamental radiofrequency field-tissue interaction problem at ultra-high field. Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems offer the potential for faster, more accurate diagnostic imaging. However, current applications are limited by the fundamental challenge of strong interactions between the electromagnetic field and human tissues, which result in poor image quality and/or compromised patient safety. Using a novel, s ....Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla: Resolving the fundamental radiofrequency field-tissue interaction problem at ultra-high field. Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems offer the potential for faster, more accurate diagnostic imaging. However, current applications are limited by the fundamental challenge of strong interactions between the electromagnetic field and human tissues, which result in poor image quality and/or compromised patient safety. Using a novel, subject-specific imaging approach, this research will design and develop an ultra-high-field radiofrequency technology capable of offering high-performance imaging without jeopardising patient safety. This research will lay the groundwork for the translation of ultra-high field MRI research into clinical practice, generating new capabilities for diagnostic technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101741
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,220.00
Summary
Development of a Self-powered Wireless Sensor Network from Renewable Energy for Integrated Structural Health Monitoring and Diagnosis. This project aims to develop a green and sustainable self-powered wireless sensor network from renewable energy sources, such as wind, sea wave and operational vibrations, for integrated structural health monitoring and diagnosis to support infrastructure management. Vibration based energy harvesting techniques will be investigated to power the wireless sensor ne ....Development of a Self-powered Wireless Sensor Network from Renewable Energy for Integrated Structural Health Monitoring and Diagnosis. This project aims to develop a green and sustainable self-powered wireless sensor network from renewable energy sources, such as wind, sea wave and operational vibrations, for integrated structural health monitoring and diagnosis to support infrastructure management. Vibration based energy harvesting techniques will be investigated to power the wireless sensor networks and support the long term condition monitoring. Vibration data from the sensor network will be used for damage detection, performance assessment and safety evaluation of structures. The impact of the project output includes fundamental advances in vibration energy harvesting, wireless sensor network and intelligent structural health monitoring strategy for Australian infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Integrity prediction of ground precision surfaces. This project aims to establish a new approach to enable a reliable and accurate prediction of precision surface grinding. Precision grinding is often the final step in the manufacturing chains for a broad range of metal, ceramic, optical glass and semiconductor components, which must have ultra-high surface integrity and accurate dimensions. To date, the surface integrity of a ground component cannot be predicted due to the involvement of many r ....Integrity prediction of ground precision surfaces. This project aims to establish a new approach to enable a reliable and accurate prediction of precision surface grinding. Precision grinding is often the final step in the manufacturing chains for a broad range of metal, ceramic, optical glass and semiconductor components, which must have ultra-high surface integrity and accurate dimensions. To date, the surface integrity of a ground component cannot be predicted due to the involvement of many random factors and variables in a precision surface grinding process, resulting in high failure rates and processes requiring repeated surface measurements. The novel approach for surface integrity prediction developed by this project will make a vital step forward in advancing the discipline of precision surfacing, establish a new knowledge base and bring about significant technological impacts to the manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
A Multi-Optrode Array for Closed-Loop Bionics. We will design, implement and characterise a disruptive multi-channel optrode array (MOA) to record and stimulate excitable living tissue. The MOA will be a combination of individual optical electrodes (optrodes) that either comprise a new class of liquid crystals, used to passively sense extracellular biopotentials, or microphotovoltaic cells that will be used for electrical stimulation of excitable tissue. By employing light for communication with ....A Multi-Optrode Array for Closed-Loop Bionics. We will design, implement and characterise a disruptive multi-channel optrode array (MOA) to record and stimulate excitable living tissue. The MOA will be a combination of individual optical electrodes (optrodes) that either comprise a new class of liquid crystals, used to passively sense extracellular biopotentials, or microphotovoltaic cells that will be used for electrical stimulation of excitable tissue. By employing light for communication with optrodes, this new approach alleviates many of the wiring, packaging and encapsulation issues associated with existing devices. Computational modelling and in vitro testing in cardiac tissue and retinal neurons will demonstrate the utility of the MOA to sense and control electrical activity.Read moreRead less