Portable three-dimensional ultra-low field MRI. This project aims to address low signal-to-noise ratio in ultra-low-field (ULF) MRI, using dynamic, mechanically-operated small permanent magnet arrays to generate magnetic fields needed for pre-polarisation and spatial encoding. Superconducting magnets make conventional MRI scanners too heavy and expensive for much of the world’s population. ULF MRI instruments offer image contrast mechanisms, are less costly and potentially portable, so can be us ....Portable three-dimensional ultra-low field MRI. This project aims to address low signal-to-noise ratio in ultra-low-field (ULF) MRI, using dynamic, mechanically-operated small permanent magnet arrays to generate magnetic fields needed for pre-polarisation and spatial encoding. Superconducting magnets make conventional MRI scanners too heavy and expensive for much of the world’s population. ULF MRI instruments offer image contrast mechanisms, are less costly and potentially portable, so can be used in unconventional situations. This project will design, construct and evaluate an instrument capable of three-dimensional 3D ULF-MRI. This technology is expected to be useable in field hospitals and emergency settings, and to benefit fields including magnetic refrigeration and remote sensing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100229
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$293,920.00
Summary
Ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging with an array of localised magnetic field sensor . The aim of this project is to design and construct a multifunctional ultra-low magnetic field (ULF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument equipped with novel magnetic field sensors. This project is significant because it will deliver an instrument with enhanced sensitivity which is capable of obtaining non-invasive three-dimensional structural imaging of sample ....Ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging with an array of localised magnetic field sensor . The aim of this project is to design and construct a multifunctional ultra-low magnetic field (ULF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument equipped with novel magnetic field sensors. This project is significant because it will deliver an instrument with enhanced sensitivity which is capable of obtaining non-invasive three-dimensional structural imaging of samples. This instrument will enable operation of highly sensitive ULF-MRI or ULF-NMR with regenerative energy sources and be a low-cost solution; reducing operation and maintenance costs as well as power consumption.Read moreRead less
Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequen ....Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequency coils, an essential component of MRI systems, can distort images and induce potentially harmful tissue heating. The aim is to design and develop a rotating multi-channel radiofrequency coil array, with dedicated image reconstruction software, to overcome these limitations. This would facilitate detailed images that can be obtained quickly and safely.Read moreRead less
Breakthrough technologies in implantable bionics. This project aims to introduce revolutionary changes in implantable bionics via miniaturisation, automation and improved reliability and generating new knowledge by leveraging recent advances in laser processes. Expected outcomes include innovative hybrid thin-film/thick-film electrode arrays with more channels and charge-carrying capacity for neuromodulation; novel glass interfaces that facilitate deeply-miniaturised hermetic packages; and failu ....Breakthrough technologies in implantable bionics. This project aims to introduce revolutionary changes in implantable bionics via miniaturisation, automation and improved reliability and generating new knowledge by leveraging recent advances in laser processes. Expected outcomes include innovative hybrid thin-film/thick-film electrode arrays with more channels and charge-carrying capacity for neuromodulation; novel glass interfaces that facilitate deeply-miniaturised hermetic packages; and failure analysis to ensure study aims result in new processes that are as or more reliable than the current state-of-the-art. This work will create new and novel manufacturing processes, and trains the next generation of innovators equipped with the tools to advance implantable bionics into the future.Read moreRead less
Model-based estimation methods for improved classification of electroencephalographic data: application to monitoring depth of anaesthesia. This project will use advanced computing methods applied to electrical brain wave recordings to track how the brain changes as a person undergoes general anaesthesia during surgery. This will lead to better anaesthesia monitoring devices and reduce the chances of people experiencing pain during surgery or IQ deficits after the anaesthesia.
Putting an end to hospital-borne infection with micronebulisation of lung-safe disinfectants. Dangerous infections are unfortunately common in hospitals, established and retransmitted via surfaces and handheld items, representing a leading contributor to death worldwide, and potentially a far more serious problem to come as antimicrobial resistance worsens. The project aims to exploit a newly discovered and unique low power nebulisation technology to nebulise a strongly antiviral, antibacterial ....Putting an end to hospital-borne infection with micronebulisation of lung-safe disinfectants. Dangerous infections are unfortunately common in hospitals, established and retransmitted via surfaces and handheld items, representing a leading contributor to death worldwide, and potentially a far more serious problem to come as antimicrobial resistance worsens. The project aims to exploit a newly discovered and unique low power nebulisation technology to nebulise a strongly antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal agent, triethylene glycol that is too viscous to do so by any other known method. Through refinement and engineering of the technology via this project, handheld and room-based continuously operating nebulisers will produce continuous microdroplet mists of these pathogen-killing agents that deposit on surfaces throughout a hospital.Read moreRead less
Engineering the Next Generation of Terahertz Laser Imaging Systems. This project aims to develop terahertz imaging systems based on quantum cascade lasers suitable for characterisation of skin, with major implications for early skin cancer detection. Despite advances in treatment regimes, the most significant predictor of skin cancer survivability remains early detection. The project’s approach uses the semiconductor laser in the optical-feedback interferometer configuration, and is designed to ....Engineering the Next Generation of Terahertz Laser Imaging Systems. This project aims to develop terahertz imaging systems based on quantum cascade lasers suitable for characterisation of skin, with major implications for early skin cancer detection. Despite advances in treatment regimes, the most significant predictor of skin cancer survivability remains early detection. The project’s approach uses the semiconductor laser in the optical-feedback interferometer configuration, and is designed to afford significant advantages over conventional terahertz imaging platforms. The project plans to explore new semiconductor physics of a quantum cascade laser under optical feedback, engineer the semiconductor laser-based platform for medical diagnostic applications, and develop supporting numerical techniques.Read moreRead less
High-resolution elastography – Using optical micro-imaging of tissue mechanics to identify disease. Optical elastography, the probing of tissue’s micro-mechanical properties using optical imaging, offers new tools in surgery and pathology to improve differentiation of tissues. This project lays the groundwork for optical elastography to become a new medical micro-imaging modality by removing impediments to progress in this rapidly emerging field. On the micro-scale, between the scales of cells a ....High-resolution elastography – Using optical micro-imaging of tissue mechanics to identify disease. Optical elastography, the probing of tissue’s micro-mechanical properties using optical imaging, offers new tools in surgery and pathology to improve differentiation of tissues. This project lays the groundwork for optical elastography to become a new medical micro-imaging modality by removing impediments to progress in this rapidly emerging field. On the micro-scale, between the scales of cells and organs. This project will elucidate the origins of tissue mechanical contrast and determine limits on its measurement. It will develop a suite of probes: noncontact, endoscopic and needle, to enable access to all tissues in the body. To progress toward a new modality and inform our research, the project will test our tools on breast cancer tissues and burn scars.Read moreRead less
Breathing and snoring sound analysis in sleep apnea. About 800,000 Australians suffer from the disease sleep Apnoea (OSA) which has snoring as its earliest symptom. We develop electronics and snore processing algorithms to classify snorers into OSA-positive and OSA-negative classes, based on advanced technology derived from speech recognition systems.
Bridging the gap between global mechanics and regional imaging in the lungs. The detailed mechanics of breathing are not well understood, due to a lack of regional lung measurement techniques. This project aims to develop a powerful analysis tool to image in vivo mechanical properties of the lungs. The expected outcome of this project is a novel platform for investigation and understanding of lung function, enabling information previously only available for the whole lung to be calculated for lo ....Bridging the gap between global mechanics and regional imaging in the lungs. The detailed mechanics of breathing are not well understood, due to a lack of regional lung measurement techniques. This project aims to develop a powerful analysis tool to image in vivo mechanical properties of the lungs. The expected outcome of this project is a novel platform for investigation and understanding of lung function, enabling information previously only available for the whole lung to be calculated for local lung regions within the body. The image analysis methods developed are intended to enable respiratory researchers to investigate lung function in unprecedented detail, leading to new insights into the workings of this complicated and vital organ. Read moreRead less