A miniaturised laser manipulator for ultra-precise and pain-free dentistry. This project aims to develop a miniaturized high-precision laser robotic device that can fit comfortably in the mouth to perform pain-free, vibration-free dental operations by utilising silicon-carbide on silicon technology to create a millimetre-sized two-axis controllable, highly-reflective mirror robust to high-power ultra-short laser pulses. This project expects to generate new knowledge in micro-mirror control using ....A miniaturised laser manipulator for ultra-precise and pain-free dentistry. This project aims to develop a miniaturized high-precision laser robotic device that can fit comfortably in the mouth to perform pain-free, vibration-free dental operations by utilising silicon-carbide on silicon technology to create a millimetre-sized two-axis controllable, highly-reflective mirror robust to high-power ultra-short laser pulses. This project expects to generate new knowledge in micro-mirror control using optically excited piezo-resistive sensors, and cold femtosecond laser ablation of hard dental tissue. Expected outcomes include a working prototype for laser removal of tooth materials at speeds exceeding dental drills, providing benefits in miniaturized laser devices and ultimately removing pain from dental procedures. Read moreRead less
Scaling manufacture of three-dimensional microstructures for the medical devices industry. Scaling manufacture of three-dimensional microstructures for the medical devices industry. This project aims to transform microscale three-dimensional prototyping into a cheap high volume manufacturing process through a novel soft embossing process. Although three-dimensional printing has been hailed as a disruptive technology, because it can print complex shapes directly from drawings, it is too slow at m ....Scaling manufacture of three-dimensional microstructures for the medical devices industry. Scaling manufacture of three-dimensional microstructures for the medical devices industry. This project aims to transform microscale three-dimensional prototyping into a cheap high volume manufacturing process through a novel soft embossing process. Although three-dimensional printing has been hailed as a disruptive technology, because it can print complex shapes directly from drawings, it is too slow at microscale for high volume manufacture. This research will develop microdevices for painless collection of blood, its analysis, and drug delivery. Cost-effective manufacture of these microdevices is expected to tap into the large medical devices industry, leading to establishing new businesses in the point-of-care and drug delivery markets.Read moreRead less
Combined optical and electrical stimulation of auditory neurons. The bionic ear, which has now helped to improve the hearing of over 200,000 people worldwide, is a great example of Australian innovation success. This project aims to develop the fundamental technology that will underpin the next generation of these devices using a combination of infrared light and electrical signals to stimulate auditory nerves.
Rapid detection of rare-event cells by strong UP-conversion
encoded nano-radiators (SUPER Dots): finding a needle in a haystack. Current diagnostic tests are not sensitive enough to detect cancer in its very early stages or early recurrence following treatment. The new technologies developed by this project will be able to find single cancer cells in blood and urine samples heralding a new era in medical diagnostics.
A novel scintillating optical fibre array for cancer imaging and therapy. This project aims to realise a next-generation detector technology that delivers the first fully integrated solution to the X-ray imaging and dose measurement needs of cancer radiation therapy. It is planned that this will be achieved by optimising an experimental prototype device employing a scintillating optical fibre array to generate an optical signal that preserves a tissue-equivalent detector response. The acquired d ....A novel scintillating optical fibre array for cancer imaging and therapy. This project aims to realise a next-generation detector technology that delivers the first fully integrated solution to the X-ray imaging and dose measurement needs of cancer radiation therapy. It is planned that this will be achieved by optimising an experimental prototype device employing a scintillating optical fibre array to generate an optical signal that preserves a tissue-equivalent detector response. The acquired digital image can thus be used to simultaneously verify geometric accuracy (correct patient positioning) and dosimetric accuracy (correct dose distribution). This is not currently possible with existing X-ray detector technology and offers an improvement in treatment accuracy.Read moreRead less
In vivo molecular imaging using engineered affinity reagents and fluorescent laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy. The goal of this project is to develop laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy as a tool for basic scientific discovery and rapid detection of disease biomarkers. The cutting-edge instrument and associated technologies will provide scientists with unprecedented access to dynamic biological processes as they occur in real-time. In addition, it will enable the development of virtual ....In vivo molecular imaging using engineered affinity reagents and fluorescent laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy. The goal of this project is to develop laser scanning confocal endomicroscopy as a tool for basic scientific discovery and rapid detection of disease biomarkers. The cutting-edge instrument and associated technologies will provide scientists with unprecedented access to dynamic biological processes as they occur in real-time. In addition, it will enable the development of virtual biopsies and instant diagnosis without the need for costly and time-consuming histopathological reports. Thus, it will not only drive transformative research but also transform health care delivery. It will also be a major boost to the Australian biotechnology industry with potential for enormous economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Conformal Bionics - addressing the challenges in bringing miniaturised implants to the site of therapeutic delivery. Smaller, more sophisticated, lifetime-implantable bionic devices capable of being placed at the site of therapeutic delivery will facilitate new or improved opportunities for treatment of disease. Three critical areas of research aim to be explored in pursuit of this goal will be addressed within this study: introduction of new fabrication materials that enable devices to conform ....Conformal Bionics - addressing the challenges in bringing miniaturised implants to the site of therapeutic delivery. Smaller, more sophisticated, lifetime-implantable bionic devices capable of being placed at the site of therapeutic delivery will facilitate new or improved opportunities for treatment of disease. Three critical areas of research aim to be explored in pursuit of this goal will be addressed within this study: introduction of new fabrication materials that enable devices to conform to the anatomy of the targeted site of therapeutic delivery; improved means of addressing the data and energy transfer needs of devices implanted in confined spaces; and innovation of novel sensors for testing and monitoring of atmospheric conditions within the implant to anticipate and safely manage issues relating to a breach of hermetic encapsulation barriers.Read moreRead less
Scaling microfluidics for cell manufacture. Scaling microfluidics for cell manufacture. This project aims to scale microfluidic devices for cell manufacture. Large-scale cell manufacturing processes (cell selection, gene transfer and culture expansion) are expensive, multistep and labour-intensive processes. Lab-on-a-chip devices can automate and integrate these complex processes at microscale. This project will evaluate a prototype bioreactor. This research is expected to make cell therapies ch ....Scaling microfluidics for cell manufacture. Scaling microfluidics for cell manufacture. This project aims to scale microfluidic devices for cell manufacture. Large-scale cell manufacturing processes (cell selection, gene transfer and culture expansion) are expensive, multistep and labour-intensive processes. Lab-on-a-chip devices can automate and integrate these complex processes at microscale. This project will evaluate a prototype bioreactor. This research is expected to make cell therapies cheap enough to become standard treatment, which would benefit patients with diseases that are incurable by conventional therapies (surgery and drug treatments). It should also benefit the Australian advanced manufacturing sector, particularly biopharmaceutical and cell therapy industries.Read moreRead less
Haemodynamic investigation of flow diverter stents for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. This project will explore the engineering of a flow diverter, an endovascular device for the treatment of brain aneurysms. The project will determine the optimal design of new types of flow diverters, which in turn could improve the effectiveness of treatments, thus reducing the associated costs of cerebral haemorrhage and stroke.
Technology platform for noninvasive measurement of intracranial pressure. The project aims to investigate a technology platform for noninvasive measurement of fluid pressure in the brain to improve assessment of brain function. Engineering approaches will aim to characterise the relationships between arterial and intracranial pressure from experimental data, computational models and signal processing of noninvasive blood pressure in the aorta, pressure in the eye and blood flow in brain and reti ....Technology platform for noninvasive measurement of intracranial pressure. The project aims to investigate a technology platform for noninvasive measurement of fluid pressure in the brain to improve assessment of brain function. Engineering approaches will aim to characterise the relationships between arterial and intracranial pressure from experimental data, computational models and signal processing of noninvasive blood pressure in the aorta, pressure in the eye and blood flow in brain and retinal vessels. Findings are expected to produce novel engineering advances in development of techniques and devices for intracranial pressure measurement, a procedure currently limited to high-risk invasive methods.Read moreRead less