Nanoscale Particle Control by Rigid Biomineralised Surfaces. The proposed research will increase understanding of the strategies diatoms use to sort particles. Our hypothesis is that in the process of understanding how these diatom surfaces control particles, blueprints for microfluidic devices will be identified. The appeal of diatoms goes beyond consideration of the geometrical patterning on their surfaces, because their frustules (the diatomic shells) are made primarily out of silica, a mater ....Nanoscale Particle Control by Rigid Biomineralised Surfaces. The proposed research will increase understanding of the strategies diatoms use to sort particles. Our hypothesis is that in the process of understanding how these diatom surfaces control particles, blueprints for microfluidic devices will be identified. The appeal of diatoms goes beyond consideration of the geometrical patterning on their surfaces, because their frustules (the diatomic shells) are made primarily out of silica, a material also used in nanofabrication. We expect that some of the strategies and patterns used by cells will be able to be directly transferred to microfluidics, and bypass years of empirical development in nanofabrication and lab-on-a-chip devices.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560716
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,610.00
Summary
A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The o ....A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The outcome will be a strategically important Australian T-ray facility that will provide immediate and transparent nationwide access. Historically, industry is transformed every time a new part of the electromagnetic spectrum becomes accessible - T-rays are the next frontier.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100146
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Ultra high vacuum scanning probe microscope facility. Ultra high-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy underpins advances in the understanding of novel materials for electronics, engineering and medical applications, including thin-films, nanostructures, advanced semiconductors, nanostructured (organic or inorganic) conductors, and nanoscale interfaces (heteronanostructures). It is a core technique underpinning the new Superscience agenda in Future Technologies. A number of present and future re ....Ultra high vacuum scanning probe microscope facility. Ultra high-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy underpins advances in the understanding of novel materials for electronics, engineering and medical applications, including thin-films, nanostructures, advanced semiconductors, nanostructured (organic or inorganic) conductors, and nanoscale interfaces (heteronanostructures). It is a core technique underpinning the new Superscience agenda in Future Technologies. A number of present and future research fields will benefit from the presence of this instrument, which will enhance Australia's competitiveness in nanotechnology research and development. Training of PhD and graduate students in this area is essential to exploit the potentiality of nanotechnology for the future benefit of Australia.Read moreRead less
Development of modal control systems for adaptive optics. This project will develop a simple, robust and low-cost modal servo system for dynamic control and correction of the propagation and focussing properties of light beams. This new system will incorporate a novel optical sensor, which will be developed in this project, and a new optical corrector being developed at the University of Durham. Currently available astronomical adaptive-optics systems have produced excellent results but are expe ....Development of modal control systems for adaptive optics. This project will develop a simple, robust and low-cost modal servo system for dynamic control and correction of the propagation and focussing properties of light beams. This new system will incorporate a novel optical sensor, which will be developed in this project, and a new optical corrector being developed at the University of Durham. Currently available astronomical adaptive-optics systems have produced excellent results but are expensive and complicated. A low-cost alternative will dramatically increase the use of adaptive optics in industrial, environmental and medical applications. The compensation of distortions in low-cost optical atmospheric sensors will be demonstrated.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775649
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
An Integrated Multi-Node Microfluidics Facility. The establishment of the proposed facility will enhance Australia's position in microfluidics research, thus contributing to all National Priority areas, particularly the National Priority area 3 through advancement in breakthrough science and frontier technologies. In addition to researchers from participating institutions, the Facility will be made available to other Australian researchers from non-participating organisations at minimum cost. Th ....An Integrated Multi-Node Microfluidics Facility. The establishment of the proposed facility will enhance Australia's position in microfluidics research, thus contributing to all National Priority areas, particularly the National Priority area 3 through advancement in breakthrough science and frontier technologies. In addition to researchers from participating institutions, the Facility will be made available to other Australian researchers from non-participating organisations at minimum cost. The socio-economic potentials of the research carried out using the proposed facility are significant and include: R&D development, small scale high technology manufacture, exports, and improved methods of biochemical processing and medical diagnostics.Read moreRead less