High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and ....High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and choice of Stokes frequency shift. The project will investigate a range of key issues for these materials including control of the Stokes wavelength, associated polarisation control, and pump-resonator configurations giving maximum Raman laser power and efficiency. The project will lead to state-of-the-art source technology with outstanding prospects for commercialisation and practical application.Read moreRead less
Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR sy ....Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR system to be used to correct the simultaneously acquired PET data for patient motion. This research is an excellent opportunity for Australian researchers to make important contributions to an emerging technology with high economic potential, and will strengthen Australia's international position in engineering and biomedical systems development.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354751
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Bio-Metals Research Network. The aim of the Bio-Metals Research Network is to connect the extensive Australian expertise in the study of metal ions in relation to the Environment, Health and Frontier Technologies. The Network is inter-disciplinary and brings together over 50 group leaders in the biological, biomedical and physical sciences. A major aim of the Network will be to provide a molecular understanding of biological and environmental processes and disease states as well as pr ....Australian Bio-Metals Research Network. The aim of the Bio-Metals Research Network is to connect the extensive Australian expertise in the study of metal ions in relation to the Environment, Health and Frontier Technologies. The Network is inter-disciplinary and brings together over 50 group leaders in the biological, biomedical and physical sciences. A major aim of the Network will be to provide a molecular understanding of biological and environmental processes and disease states as well as providing new materials for the development of new technologies. The Network will interact in research and education with Bio-Metals groups around the world and will develop collaborative funding proposalsRead moreRead less
Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve ....Ultrahigh resolution crystallography and ultrafast laser spectroscopy to uncover the evolution and mechanisms of a unique algal light harvesting system. The results of our research will provide the first comprehensive understanding of a biological light harvesting system at high temporal, energetic and spatial resolution. This will allow us to understand how nature has evolved highly efficient strategies for trapping light. The benefits of this work include spawning ideas as to how to improve current technologies for enhancing optoelectronic devices and solar collectors. Protein systems are by nature nanotechnology. The understanding gained through probing a natural nanosystem will enhance our understanding of how human designed nanophotonic systems will behave. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882855
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
High-resolution imaging of live cells and tissue. Understanding the machinery of life and developing technologies that support life's processes requires biological and physical scientists and engineers to monitor molecular events in living systems. The aim is to take advantage of very recent developments in light microscopy to enable the non-invasive imaging of live cells and tissue at a previously unreachable level of detail. The instruments will form the nucleus of a new imaging facility. Sign ....High-resolution imaging of live cells and tissue. Understanding the machinery of life and developing technologies that support life's processes requires biological and physical scientists and engineers to monitor molecular events in living systems. The aim is to take advantage of very recent developments in light microscopy to enable the non-invasive imaging of live cells and tissue at a previously unreachable level of detail. The instruments will form the nucleus of a new imaging facility. Significant advances in research areas including vascular research, cancer, immunology, cell and molecular biology, functional genomics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and material engineering will be of major benefit both nationally and globally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453608
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,230.00
Summary
Multifunctional confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved and two photon imaging and fluorescence correlation capabilities. We seek to establish an Australian first confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy capabilities. Its advantages include ultrasensitive detection of weak fluorescent emissions against high autofluorescent background by using fluorescence lifetime signatures, with over three orders of magnitude discrimi ....Multifunctional confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved and two photon imaging and fluorescence correlation capabilities. We seek to establish an Australian first confocal laser scanning microscope with time resolved imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy capabilities. Its advantages include ultrasensitive detection of weak fluorescent emissions against high autofluorescent background by using fluorescence lifetime signatures, with over three orders of magnitude discrimination improvement. The system will also be able to monitor binding of single molecules. These techniques will open new and exciting avenues for interdisciplinary research at the frontier between biological and physical sciences. The microscope will operate within an existing multi-user Optical Characterisation Facility supporting research of an established network of scientists in the Sydney area.Read moreRead less
Spectral analysis with selective harmonic emphasis. This project lies under ARC research priority area "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries". The signal processing algorithms to be developed in this project will be useful in many important practical applications, which include various bio-medical imaging modalities, beamforming, radar, sonar and target tracking using sensor arrays. The idea is to use the prior knowledge to enhance certain desired properties ....Spectral analysis with selective harmonic emphasis. This project lies under ARC research priority area "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries". The signal processing algorithms to be developed in this project will be useful in many important practical applications, which include various bio-medical imaging modalities, beamforming, radar, sonar and target tracking using sensor arrays. The idea is to use the prior knowledge to enhance certain desired properties of the algorithms via intelligent processing. In this light the project also lies within the ARC research priority area of "Smart Information use".Read moreRead less
Quantitative Brain Dynamics. This proposal will benefit Australia through unique and fundamental contributions to understanding brain dynamics via the development of innovative approaches and technologies. It will contribute to the national priority goals of Breakthrough Science, Frontier Technologies, and Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy. Science outcomes will include improved understanding and probing of brain self-organization, dynamics, and function, including unique contributio ....Quantitative Brain Dynamics. This proposal will benefit Australia through unique and fundamental contributions to understanding brain dynamics via the development of innovative approaches and technologies. It will contribute to the national priority goals of Breakthrough Science, Frontier Technologies, and Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy. Science outcomes will include improved understanding and probing of brain self-organization, dynamics, and function, including unique contributions to understanding alertness and the foundations of vision. These outcomes will be applied to develop new technologies for brain imaging and monitoring.Read moreRead less
Quantitative dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging. By modeling and verifying the dynamics of brain activity and blood flow that underlie functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this project will yield improved scientific outcomes and imaging sensitivity. The new data analysis techniques and technologies that result will yield potentially patentable intellectual property, and will increase the standing of Australia in this rapidly developing field, including via links being bu ....Quantitative dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging. By modeling and verifying the dynamics of brain activity and blood flow that underlie functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this project will yield improved scientific outcomes and imaging sensitivity. The new data analysis techniques and technologies that result will yield potentially patentable intellectual property, and will increase the standing of Australia in this rapidly developing field, including via links being built to leading international workers. The National Research Priority Goals of Frontier Technologies, Breakthrough Science, Smart Information Use, and Promoting an Innovation Economy will thus be advanced.Read moreRead less
Parametric Brain Imaging via Modeling and Analysis of Electroencephalographic Signals. Parameters of brain function and physiology will be spatially imaged with high time resolution via their effects on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, a form of imaging that is impossible with existing methods. This will be achieved by improving existing physiologically-based models of the generation of EEGs and developing analysis tools based on fitting of model predictions to multielectrode EEG data. T ....Parametric Brain Imaging via Modeling and Analysis of Electroencephalographic Signals. Parameters of brain function and physiology will be spatially imaged with high time resolution via their effects on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, a form of imaging that is impossible with existing methods. This will be achieved by improving existing physiologically-based models of the generation of EEGs and developing analysis tools based on fitting of model predictions to multielectrode EEG data. The results will be used to probe spatiotemporal features of EEGs in normal subjects to explore the underlying fundamental mechanisms and to infer novel parameter variations of practical relevance.Read moreRead less