Optically-driven micromachines and microtools. The use of optical forces to trap and manipulate microscopic particles has developed from a novelty into a widely used versatile research tool - optical tweezers. New advances, such as the application and optical measurement of optical torque, have been brought to the brink of practical application. We will apply these methods to the development and production of micromachines of unprecedently small size, and the development of new medical diagnosti ....Optically-driven micromachines and microtools. The use of optical forces to trap and manipulate microscopic particles has developed from a novelty into a widely used versatile research tool - optical tweezers. New advances, such as the application and optical measurement of optical torque, have been brought to the brink of practical application. We will apply these methods to the development and production of micromachines of unprecedently small size, and the development of new medical diagnostic techniques, and industrial and research tools.Read moreRead less
Intravital super-resolution imaging via Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy (STED)-microendoscopy. We will develop a new technology to enable the imaging of sub-cellular structures within a biological specimen, with super-resolution. This intravital super-resolution imaging technology will build off world leading techniques to image objects with super-resolution and to perform this within a specimen, with minimal invasion. The broad ramifications of this technology apply to biology, medical ....Intravital super-resolution imaging via Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy (STED)-microendoscopy. We will develop a new technology to enable the imaging of sub-cellular structures within a biological specimen, with super-resolution. This intravital super-resolution imaging technology will build off world leading techniques to image objects with super-resolution and to perform this within a specimen, with minimal invasion. The broad ramifications of this technology apply to biology, medical science, imaging and sensing. Important applications include the early detection of debilitating diseases and the advancement of understanding of cellular biology. This research will raise Australia's profile as a world leader in science and technology, building on our emerging presence in the biophysical sciences.Read moreRead less
Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further ....Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers. This project aims to develop probe-free biophysical force and torque measurement methods based on optical tweezers. Many areas of research in cell biology are hampered by a lack of quantitative force measurements. This project aims to provide accurate quantitative measurements to enable in-depth understanding of forces at work during cell division, properties of blood cells and sperm motility which could generate further research leading to health benefits.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of constrained Brownian motion of neuro-secretory vesicles. This project will shed light on a fundamental problem the mechanism of brain cell communication by use of quantitative biophotonics methods including laser tracking, optical tweezers and three dimensional fluorescence microscopy. This work will give valuable new clues to finally solve the dynamics of molecular interactions underpinning neuronal communication.
Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells. The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true ....Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells. The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true optical force is critical for this technique to reach its full potential. This project will develop novel techniques to quantitatively determine the absolute optical force applied to the cell component using the process of ingestion (phagocytosis) as a proof-of-principle test, and measure forces in chromosome movement and vesicle transport within cells.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668398
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$177,900.00
Summary
Advanced Microwave Facility for Quantum-Atom Optics. Atoms can be controlled using light in visible and infra-red regions, as well as electromagnetic waves of longer wavelength in the microwave (MW) and radiofrequency (RF) part of the spectrum. We presently use optical radiation to control atoms at the quantum level where they can behave like waves and can interact with light to store and manipulate information. The MW and RF facility will extend our abilities and enable more complete control of ....Advanced Microwave Facility for Quantum-Atom Optics. Atoms can be controlled using light in visible and infra-red regions, as well as electromagnetic waves of longer wavelength in the microwave (MW) and radiofrequency (RF) part of the spectrum. We presently use optical radiation to control atoms at the quantum level where they can behave like waves and can interact with light to store and manipulate information. The MW and RF facility will extend our abilities and enable more complete control of the atoms, which will help us develop the first generation quantum technology. This will enable the creation of quantum devices such as atom lasers, atom interferometers and quantum information networks for communication and ultra-sensitive measurement applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882580
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Laser facility for quantum optics, imaging, and fabrication. The laser facility will play a role in advancing high-profile leading-edge Australian research underpinning a diverse range of technologies, from quantum communications and quantum computing, to biomedical imaging, fibre sensing and nanofabrication.
Quantum coherence of electronic transport in layered magnetoresistive materials. The continued rapid expansion of information technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer memories are based on new materials which consist of layers of complex arrays of atoms. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and steel. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design better ma ....Quantum coherence of electronic transport in layered magnetoresistive materials. The continued rapid expansion of information technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer memories are based on new materials which consist of layers of complex arrays of atoms. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and steel. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design better materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Sensing single electrons with single molecules. The focus of this project is on optical detection of single electron transport in solids and in large/bio molecules. Successful experimental demonstration of the proposed technique will considerably enhance Australia's standing in high profile areas of natural sciences. In practical terms, it can contribute to development of new generation solar cells, artificial photosynthetic centres, and a new generation of nanoprobes for biomedical application ....Sensing single electrons with single molecules. The focus of this project is on optical detection of single electron transport in solids and in large/bio molecules. Successful experimental demonstration of the proposed technique will considerably enhance Australia's standing in high profile areas of natural sciences. In practical terms, it can contribute to development of new generation solar cells, artificial photosynthetic centres, and a new generation of nanoprobes for biomedical applications. Because the single-molecule technique is a new and dynamic field, opportunities exist for significant commercial property development. The project will also train a number of students in several fields of high technology, all of which are likely to have high demand in the future.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453320
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,886.00
Summary
Advanced Spectroscopy for Nano-characterisation of Materials Chemistry and Properties. This application proposes to establish a cutting-edge spectroscopic facility which includes; electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), cathodoluminescence (CL), photoluminescence (PL) and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Each of the spectrometers to be installed has significantly higher sensitivity and resolution than any other facility available in Australia and is capable ....Advanced Spectroscopy for Nano-characterisation of Materials Chemistry and Properties. This application proposes to establish a cutting-edge spectroscopic facility which includes; electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), cathodoluminescence (CL), photoluminescence (PL) and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Each of the spectrometers to be installed has significantly higher sensitivity and resolution than any other facility available in Australia and is capable of full spectrum imaging. This new spectroscopic infrastructure will enable the knowledge-based development of new materials by allowing complete characterisation of structure-composition-property relationships at the nanometre level.Read moreRead less