Sampling and processing for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. This project aims to develop optimal, efficient and robust signal processing methods for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) with reduced scan times. A child, possibly distressed, can only be motionless long enough to undergo a basic dMRI scan of the brain, but enhanced forms of dMRI need at least 60 minutes. The project’s processing methods will use spherical geometries, which encode information about white matter fibres ....Sampling and processing for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. This project aims to develop optimal, efficient and robust signal processing methods for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) with reduced scan times. A child, possibly distressed, can only be motionless long enough to undergo a basic dMRI scan of the brain, but enhanced forms of dMRI need at least 60 minutes. The project’s processing methods will use spherical geometries, which encode information about white matter fibres in the brain, to collect and reconstruct images. The project is expected to reduce dMRI scan times and ultimately make non-invasive and inexpensive early detection of neurological disorders such as dementia feasible.Read moreRead less
Unified framework of intestinal motility. The project aims to establish how a few fundamental mechanisms determine the large repertoire of intestinal motor patterns responsible for moving nutrients along the digestive tract. The project will combine experimental and theoretical data, with biomechanical and electrophysiological models to create a new understanding of this essential function of the body.
Analysing the protective role of platelets during malaria infection. Platelets protect the host during malarial infection. This project aims to study how platelets kill the malaria parasite by investigating the role of host molecules and their potential as novel antimalarial agents. The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria syndrome will also be investigated.
Structural Characterization of Ion Beam Synthesized Metallic Nanocrystals using Advanced Synchrotron based Analytical Techniques. Metallic nanocrystals formed by ion implantation represent a highly relevant class of nanomaterials with significant potential applications in communication technology. A detailed understanding of the structure of such crystals, as proposed in the project, will yield considerable information for efficient utilization of ion beam synthesized nanocrystals. This will enh ....Structural Characterization of Ion Beam Synthesized Metallic Nanocrystals using Advanced Synchrotron based Analytical Techniques. Metallic nanocrystals formed by ion implantation represent a highly relevant class of nanomaterials with significant potential applications in communication technology. A detailed understanding of the structure of such crystals, as proposed in the project, will yield considerable information for efficient utilization of ion beam synthesized nanocrystals. This will enhance Australia's strength in nanotechnology and materials science and create the potential for technical innovation. Furthermore, this project will produce significant know-how in synchrotron based analytical techniques which is invaluable with respect to future research at the forthcoming Australian synchrotron facility.Read moreRead less
Probing and harnessing the light-matter interactions in two-dimensional phosphorene. This project aims to investigate phosphorene, a new two-dimensional material, for the development of new optical and electronic devices. Such materials have unique optical and electronic properties due to their flat physical structure, which gives rise to strong interactions between light and matter. The expected outcome of this project will be new kinds of near infrared light emitting diodes, single photon emit ....Probing and harnessing the light-matter interactions in two-dimensional phosphorene. This project aims to investigate phosphorene, a new two-dimensional material, for the development of new optical and electronic devices. Such materials have unique optical and electronic properties due to their flat physical structure, which gives rise to strong interactions between light and matter. The expected outcome of this project will be new kinds of near infrared light emitting diodes, single photon emitters and ground-breaking lasers. These developments will enable the fabrication of new low-power light sources that can integrate with communication technologies now, and quantum communication technologies in the future.Read moreRead less
Ion implantation induced diffusion and defect evolution in Si nanostructures. A fundamental understanding of nanostructures is essential for the development of nanoscale electronic devices. This project will investigate ion implantation of dopant atoms into Si nanostructures. The goal is to develop a broad understanding of the effect of the nanostructure dimensions on point-defect-induced diffusion and the formation of extended defects. In particular, the influence of multiple surfaces on point- ....Ion implantation induced diffusion and defect evolution in Si nanostructures. A fundamental understanding of nanostructures is essential for the development of nanoscale electronic devices. This project will investigate ion implantation of dopant atoms into Si nanostructures. The goal is to develop a broad understanding of the effect of the nanostructure dimensions on point-defect-induced diffusion and the formation of extended defects. In particular, the influence of multiple surfaces on point-defect recombination will be investigated. Concurrently, the techniques necessary for the analysis of nano-structures will be developed.
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Novel Silicon-Based Photonic Devices. Silicon's pre-eminence in high-speed digital electronics does not extend to optoelectronics where the demand is for devices that can generate, guide, detect and process light. However, the properties of silicon are dramatically altered when it is reduced to nanometre dimensions. Advances in the understanding of such effects and in the fabrication and application of nanoscale silicon have provided the prospect of new and innovative Si-based photonic devices, ....Novel Silicon-Based Photonic Devices. Silicon's pre-eminence in high-speed digital electronics does not extend to optoelectronics where the demand is for devices that can generate, guide, detect and process light. However, the properties of silicon are dramatically altered when it is reduced to nanometre dimensions. Advances in the understanding of such effects and in the fabrication and application of nanoscale silicon have provided the prospect of new and innovative Si-based photonic devices, and of fully integrated electronic and photonic functionality. This project aims to extend the understanding of nanoscale silicon and to develop and prototype novel Si-based photonic devices based on this material.Read moreRead less
Development of microwave tomography techniques and inverse methods for biomedical imaging applications. Microwave tomography is a rapidly emerging imaging technology with highly significant applications in industry and medicine. In particular, given its sensitivity to differences between normal and malignant breast tissue, non-invasive microwave imaging has been the subject of intense research interest in the last ten years. In collaboration with workers at Chalmers University in Sweden, we wi ....Development of microwave tomography techniques and inverse methods for biomedical imaging applications. Microwave tomography is a rapidly emerging imaging technology with highly significant applications in industry and medicine. In particular, given its sensitivity to differences between normal and malignant breast tissue, non-invasive microwave imaging has been the subject of intense research interest in the last ten years. In collaboration with workers at Chalmers University in Sweden, we will develop and evaluate a scanning microwave imaging tomographic system with a number of potential industrial and biomedical applications. This appears to be a new Australian initiative.Read moreRead less
The Physical and Optical Properties of Self-Assembled Si Nanocrystals. The properties of nano-scale materials can differ significantly from those of their bulk counterparts. As such, they can provide materials with new and novel properties as well as proving a useful test of modern theories. An outstanding example of the significance of such effects is provided by quantum confined silicon structures, such as porous or nanocrystalline silicon, which exhibit luminescence efficiencies up to a milli ....The Physical and Optical Properties of Self-Assembled Si Nanocrystals. The properties of nano-scale materials can differ significantly from those of their bulk counterparts. As such, they can provide materials with new and novel properties as well as proving a useful test of modern theories. An outstanding example of the significance of such effects is provided by quantum confined silicon structures, such as porous or nanocrystalline silicon, which exhibit luminescence efficiencies up to a million times greater than bulk silicon. This project aims to understand the novel optical properties and interactions that underpin potential applications of this technologically important material.Read moreRead less
Generating Highly Entangled Photons from Nonlinear Monolayer Domes. This project aims to investigate novel monolayer domes for the development of high-performance quantum photon sources. This research expects to expand our understanding of fundamental physics of photon pair generation in nonlinear optical materials. Such monolayer domes have ultra-high optical nonlinearity, which gives rise to strong light-matter interactions and enables high-efficiency photon pair generation. The expected outco ....Generating Highly Entangled Photons from Nonlinear Monolayer Domes. This project aims to investigate novel monolayer domes for the development of high-performance quantum photon sources. This research expects to expand our understanding of fundamental physics of photon pair generation in nonlinear optical materials. Such monolayer domes have ultra-high optical nonlinearity, which gives rise to strong light-matter interactions and enables high-efficiency photon pair generation. The expected outcome is demonstration of a prototype light-weight and intense quantum photon source based on novel materials, which can be readily integrated with photonic circuits for quantum communication technologies. This research could strengthen the development of new industries and lead to job creation.Read moreRead less