Dynamic Mechano-Microscopy for use in Mechanobiology . We will develop an innovative microscope that will enable new discoveries in biology. Most microscopes form images of a sample's optical properties, instead we will image a sample's mechanical properties. The reason our novel approach is needed is that cell behaviour depends on the stiffness of it's environment, but current microscopes are unable to image this. Our microscope will provide insights in biology that can improve our understandi ....Dynamic Mechano-Microscopy for use in Mechanobiology . We will develop an innovative microscope that will enable new discoveries in biology. Most microscopes form images of a sample's optical properties, instead we will image a sample's mechanical properties. The reason our novel approach is needed is that cell behaviour depends on the stiffness of it's environment, but current microscopes are unable to image this. Our microscope will provide insights in biology that can improve our understanding of cells, the building blocks of life. We will achieve this by: 1. Developing a microscope that combines microscopic resolution with rapid imaging; 2: Developing the capability to image both within the cell and its surrounding environment; and 3. Using our microscope to make discoveries in biology.Read moreRead less
Harnessing opto-acoustic interactions for on-chip optical isolation. The project aims to develop practical on-chip photonic isolators – one-way optical circuits – by harnessing light–sound interactions in a nanoscale platform novel in its materials, design and mechanism. The project should develop new nanofabrication techniques and transform understanding of the physics of one-way photonic processes. Expected outcomes include enhanced design and fabrication capabilities for photonic circuits, ul ....Harnessing opto-acoustic interactions for on-chip optical isolation. The project aims to develop practical on-chip photonic isolators – one-way optical circuits – by harnessing light–sound interactions in a nanoscale platform novel in its materials, design and mechanism. The project should develop new nanofabrication techniques and transform understanding of the physics of one-way photonic processes. Expected outcomes include enhanced design and fabrication capabilities for photonic circuits, ultra-compact, high-performance optical isolators and circulators that shield sensitive optical components, and a suite of theoretical tools for describing propagation and noise in these devices. These new high performance photonic circuits should benefit telecommunications, radar, defence, and sensing applications. Read moreRead less
Shedding Light on the Proton Radius Puzzle with Ultracold Helium. This project aims to shed light on an outstanding discrepancy in physics known as the proton radius puzzle, first seen in hydrogen but now being studied in helium. Capitalising on existing international collaboration between experiment and theory to exploit the advantages of ultracold helium, this project aims to determine the isotopic nuclear charge radius difference with unprecedented precision, using our state-of-the-art quantu ....Shedding Light on the Proton Radius Puzzle with Ultracold Helium. This project aims to shed light on an outstanding discrepancy in physics known as the proton radius puzzle, first seen in hydrogen but now being studied in helium. Capitalising on existing international collaboration between experiment and theory to exploit the advantages of ultracold helium, this project aims to determine the isotopic nuclear charge radius difference with unprecedented precision, using our state-of-the-art quantum electrodynamic theory. This will not only answer fundamental questions about helium atomic structure, but may also reveal new physics beyond the current Standard Model. The validation of atomic structure theory should provide benefits in applications including the realisation of more accurate atomic clocks.Read moreRead less
Towards non-thermal hydrogen-boron fusion. Laser-induced non-thermal fusion of hydrogen and boron 11 is a promising approach to reach practical sustainable energy generation. In addition, being aneutronic, this specific fusion reaction virtually avoids the deleterious environmental impact associated with high energy neutron radiation. The recent observation of this reaction under non-thermal conditions is not only exciting but begs for a better understanding of its dynamics. This industry suppor ....Towards non-thermal hydrogen-boron fusion. Laser-induced non-thermal fusion of hydrogen and boron 11 is a promising approach to reach practical sustainable energy generation. In addition, being aneutronic, this specific fusion reaction virtually avoids the deleterious environmental impact associated with high energy neutron radiation. The recent observation of this reaction under non-thermal conditions is not only exciting but begs for a better understanding of its dynamics. This industry supported proposal thus aims at establishing an experimentally-proven analysis framework underpinning the future development of a viable hydrogen-boron fusion reactor. In the long term, its successful implementation would constitute a sea change by providing a virtually limitless source of energy.Read moreRead less
Smart design technology enabling the mid-infrared revolution. While mid-infrared (MIR) lasers have become indispensable to key industries ranging from research and healthcare to defence, industrial deployment of this technology has been hampered by the lack of cost-effective MIR optical fibres. This project aims to overcome this barrier through the creation of an innovative design toolkit for the fabrication of complex optical fibre structures. This efficient and commercially viable concept-to-m ....Smart design technology enabling the mid-infrared revolution. While mid-infrared (MIR) lasers have become indispensable to key industries ranging from research and healthcare to defence, industrial deployment of this technology has been hampered by the lack of cost-effective MIR optical fibres. This project aims to overcome this barrier through the creation of an innovative design toolkit for the fabrication of complex optical fibre structures. This efficient and commercially viable concept-to-manufacture development process will pave the way towards the MIR fibre technology revolution and will yield significant economic benefits spanning industrial process controls and environmental monitoring to hazardous chemical detection and biological sensing.Read moreRead less
Paradigm Shift in Mid-IR Fibre Laser. This project introduces a paradigm shift in 3.5µm mid-IR fibre lasers. A new laser process will be investigated to obtain high-power, simple and robust mid-IR fibre laser design. We will use advanced spectroscopy to characterize the fibre laser dynamics, computer modelling to optimize the laser design, and demonstrate the concept experimentally. The new design will enable agile, high precision polymer processing tailored to the unique absorption lines of car ....Paradigm Shift in Mid-IR Fibre Laser. This project introduces a paradigm shift in 3.5µm mid-IR fibre lasers. A new laser process will be investigated to obtain high-power, simple and robust mid-IR fibre laser design. We will use advanced spectroscopy to characterize the fibre laser dynamics, computer modelling to optimize the laser design, and demonstrate the concept experimentally. The new design will enable agile, high precision polymer processing tailored to the unique absorption lines of carbon-hydrogen bonds in different polymers where there is currently a lack of high power, high brightness low-cost light sources. It will also open the door for very high-resolution laser assisted glass 3D-printing. The project will give Australia a new edge in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Development of electrophoretic cell sorters. The aim of this research is to develop the next generation of cell sorters to scale production of viable sperm and other cell types. Our approach is to understand the factors that control the migration of cells in an electric field so that we can design large-scale devices to purify cells using electrophoretic separation. The outcomes of this research enable large-scale production of viable sperm for human and animal-assisted conception, benefiting in ....Development of electrophoretic cell sorters. The aim of this research is to develop the next generation of cell sorters to scale production of viable sperm and other cell types. Our approach is to understand the factors that control the migration of cells in an electric field so that we can design large-scale devices to purify cells using electrophoretic separation. The outcomes of this research enable large-scale production of viable sperm for human and animal-assisted conception, benefiting infertile couples and the livestock breeding industry. Successful development of an efficient cell separation technology would add significant commercial value to the Australian biomanufacturing sector. Read moreRead less
Quantum tunnelling of composite systems. This project aims to investigate profound physics problem of quantum tunnelling of composite systems such as atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei. Using new theoretical concepts and tools to describe low-energy fusion between atomic nuclei, this project is expected to generate new knowledge and improve understanding of nuclear reactions, the formation of elements in the cosmos, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australia ....Quantum tunnelling of composite systems. This project aims to investigate profound physics problem of quantum tunnelling of composite systems such as atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei. Using new theoretical concepts and tools to describe low-energy fusion between atomic nuclei, this project is expected to generate new knowledge and improve understanding of nuclear reactions, the formation of elements in the cosmos, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australian capacity in quantum and nuclear theory to produce the first predictive model of quantum tunnelling with a modern microscopic treatment of nuclear dynamics. It will provide new theoretical guidance to experimental programs with exotic beams and focussing on nucleosynthesis.Read moreRead less