Using 3D printing technology to develop architecturally-controlled synthetic bone substitutes. With the ageing population, there is increasing demand for synthetic materials that can regenerate bone. However, purely synthetic bone-substitute biomaterials cannot regenerate large bone defects in weight-bearing conditions due to their fragility. This project aims to develop a customisable, biodegradable, biocompatible and mechanically strong and tough scaffold that overcomes this long-standing prob ....Using 3D printing technology to develop architecturally-controlled synthetic bone substitutes. With the ageing population, there is increasing demand for synthetic materials that can regenerate bone. However, purely synthetic bone-substitute biomaterials cannot regenerate large bone defects in weight-bearing conditions due to their fragility. This project aims to develop a customisable, biodegradable, biocompatible and mechanically strong and tough scaffold that overcomes this long-standing problem. The project aims to achieve this by applying an innovative combination of cutting-edge 3D printing technology, advanced computational modelling and design techniques to produce a next-generation bioceramic scaffold with optimised architecture. This approach aims also to enable the possibility of producing custom-made implants for individual requirements.Read moreRead less
The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation. Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron mi ....The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation. Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron microscopy techniques to explore the dependence of mechanical properties on size, morphology and structure of boron nitride nanotubes and the effect of mechanical strain on electrical properties, which will provide opportunities for composite materials reinforcement via nanotubes, and tune the electronic and optoelectronic properties of nanotubes via strain engineering.Read moreRead less
Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nan ....Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nanowires through molecular dynamics simulations, empirical interatomic potential, and in situ TEM experiments. Expected outcomes include knowledge of the deformation mechanism of this layered titanate which can be broadened to technologically important layered ceramic materials.Read moreRead less
The effect of structure and size on the mechanical behaviour of III-V semiconductor nanowires. The project aims to apply in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy to investigate the mechanical behaviour of compound semiconductor nanowires and the effect of structure and geometry on the behaviour. The results will uncover the fundamental mechanical properties of nanowires and will guide the design of nanowire-based devices.
Regulation of DNA synthesis and host evasion by Lentivirus Capsids. This project aims to investigate how a type of virus, exemplified by HIV, can synthesise DNA in the cytoplasm of a host cell, without triggering the cell’s innate immunity when DNA is detected outside the nucleus. It expects to advance understanding of the role of the virus’ protein shell in regulating DNA synthesis during infection. The project outcomes should include enhanced capacity for fundamental virus and cell biology re ....Regulation of DNA synthesis and host evasion by Lentivirus Capsids. This project aims to investigate how a type of virus, exemplified by HIV, can synthesise DNA in the cytoplasm of a host cell, without triggering the cell’s innate immunity when DNA is detected outside the nucleus. It expects to advance understanding of the role of the virus’ protein shell in regulating DNA synthesis during infection. The project outcomes should include enhanced capacity for fundamental virus and cell biology research in Australia. The project anticipates contributing to new tools for delivering genes to cells, benefiting therapeutic and biotechnology applications.Read moreRead less
The control of archaeal cell structure by tubulin-family proteins. The objective of this project is to deliver new insights into the evolution and diversity of cell structure and function. Cell theory has been a cornerstone of biology for over 150 years. Yet how early cells developed into modern forms is still a mystery. The primitive and poorly understood third domain of life, Archaea, could hold clues. Recently, proteins were discovered in archaea that are related to the tubulin proteins of al ....The control of archaeal cell structure by tubulin-family proteins. The objective of this project is to deliver new insights into the evolution and diversity of cell structure and function. Cell theory has been a cornerstone of biology for over 150 years. Yet how early cells developed into modern forms is still a mystery. The primitive and poorly understood third domain of life, Archaea, could hold clues. Recently, proteins were discovered in archaea that are related to the tubulin proteins of all higher organisms, which provide the structural framework of cells essential for survival. This project aims to reveal the basis of how the archaeal tubulin proteins control cell shape in response to environmental change, and to develop a new paradigm for archaeal cell biology. This may find application in Australia's biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of biofunctional materials. The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanism involved in the synthetic process in order to control the physical and functional properties of core-shell biomaterials. Biofunctional core-shell materials are of scientific interest due to their potential use in a variety of applications including food manufacturing. Among existing methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell biomaterials, ultrasonic technology o ....Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of biofunctional materials. The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanism involved in the synthetic process in order to control the physical and functional properties of core-shell biomaterials. Biofunctional core-shell materials are of scientific interest due to their potential use in a variety of applications including food manufacturing. Among existing methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell biomaterials, ultrasonic technology offers versatility and a wider choice of core and shell materials possessing specific biofunctionality. The outcomes of this project may include the establishment of a versatile technology for the fabrication of tailor-made biofunctional materials suitable for specific applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100067
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
The Vevo 2100 Micro-ultrasound plus LAZR Photoacoustic Imaging Platform . The Vevo 2100 micro-ultrasound plus LAZR photoacoustic imaging platform: The Vevo/LAZR ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging facility will allow researchers to achieve multiple outcomes: to visualise and quantify, non-invasively, tissue and molecular structures; the movement and behaviour of cells; and the delivery patterns of administered imaging dyes and nanoparticles in mouse models and reconstructed tissues. This will enabl ....The Vevo 2100 Micro-ultrasound plus LAZR Photoacoustic Imaging Platform . The Vevo 2100 micro-ultrasound plus LAZR photoacoustic imaging platform: The Vevo/LAZR ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging facility will allow researchers to achieve multiple outcomes: to visualise and quantify, non-invasively, tissue and molecular structures; the movement and behaviour of cells; and the delivery patterns of administered imaging dyes and nanoparticles in mouse models and reconstructed tissues. This will enable researchers to obtain anatomical, functional, physiological and molecular data simultaneously and in real-time, with resolution down to 40 micrometres. This will translate into both user efficiency and laboratory cost effectiveness, but more significantly is expected to result in greater understanding of fundamental mechanisms regulating the body's cell and tissue functions.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100274
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Design of alloys over multiple grain scales for improving fatigue performance. The project will significantly improve the development of engineering alloy design with high fatigue resistance and produce important benefits to Australian manufacturing industries. It will also establish new knowledge and capability in modelling fatigue behaviours, thus producing great benefits to many science and engineering fields.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100819
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$281,600.00
Summary
Measuring the improbable: optimal Monte Carlo methods for rare event simulation of maxima of dependent random variables. Some events occurring with low frequency can have dramatic consequences: natural catastrophes, economic crises, system malfunctions. Estimating their probabilities is a very difficult problem. This project will develop new simulation methods capable of delivering the most precise and efficient estimators for the probabilities of such events.