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
Creation of New Precision Optical and Microwave Technologies and their Application to Testing the Fundamental of Physics. Clocks and oscillators are crucial for the highest precision scientific and industrial measurements and are the foundation of modern communications technology. Recent developments in laser-cooled optical clocks promise a wave of revolutionary changes to global navigation, timekeeping and precision measurement. Our group has already achieved world's-best performance in this f ....Creation of New Precision Optical and Microwave Technologies and their Application to Testing the Fundamental of Physics. Clocks and oscillators are crucial for the highest precision scientific and industrial measurements and are the foundation of modern communications technology. Recent developments in laser-cooled optical clocks promise a wave of revolutionary changes to global navigation, timekeeping and precision measurement. Our group has already achieved world's-best performance in this field. To stay at the forefront of this wave we propose a broad-ranging program of research aimed at:
- new clocks of 100 times higher performance than any existing clock,
- development of extremely low noise photonic oscillators,
- the application of these new technologies to test the foundations of Physics, including involvement in a space-based experiment.
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Worldwide Collaboration for the Creation of New Frequency Standards, and their Application to testing the Foundations of Physics. Frequency standards are crucial for the highest precision scientific measurements as well as in modern communication and information technology (C&IT). Having already achieved world-best performance for short-term frequency stability, our research team is seeking support to participate in a broad international program with three particular objectives:
(i) create ne ....Worldwide Collaboration for the Creation of New Frequency Standards, and their Application to testing the Foundations of Physics. Frequency standards are crucial for the highest precision scientific measurements as well as in modern communication and information technology (C&IT). Having already achieved world-best performance for short-term frequency stability, our research team is seeking support to participate in a broad international program with three particular objectives:
(i) create new frequency standards based on laser-cooled atoms,
(ii) develop femtosecond laser technology for generating low noise microwave and optical signals,
(iii) develop microwave technology suitable for operation in space.
Improved frequency standards will allow decisive measurements on several fundamental scientific questions, as well as leading to commercial applications in C&IT.
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Control of Instabilities in Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors. Gravitational wave technology from UWA has already given rise to significant spin-offs including sapphire oscillators for radar applications and vibration isolators for airborne mineral exploration. This project will lead to techniques for increasing the sensitivity of already extraordinary sensitive instruments, and could have applications in many areas. The project will strengthen Australia's role in the world wide quest to det ....Control of Instabilities in Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors. Gravitational wave technology from UWA has already given rise to significant spin-offs including sapphire oscillators for radar applications and vibration isolators for airborne mineral exploration. This project will lead to techniques for increasing the sensitivity of already extraordinary sensitive instruments, and could have applications in many areas. The project will strengthen Australia's role in the world wide quest to detect gravitational waves, which is one of the most significant and challenging human endeavours. The project will use the superb national research facility at Gingin. Its content contributes to the Eureka Prize winning Gravity Discovery Centre also located at the site, which is a major centre for science education.Read moreRead less
Exploring Synergies between Frontier Microphotonics and Advanced Time and Frequency Technology. Recently scientists have developed the means to manufacture objects that are on the same microscopic scale as light itself. These structures can deliver exquisite control of the properties of the light beams. Our existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and the pure colours generated by lasers. By combining these two technologie ....Exploring Synergies between Frontier Microphotonics and Advanced Time and Frequency Technology. Recently scientists have developed the means to manufacture objects that are on the same microscopic scale as light itself. These structures can deliver exquisite control of the properties of the light beams. Our existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and the pure colours generated by lasers. By combining these two technologies, both of which lie at the extreme limit of precision, we will develop a new generation of technology for fundamental science objectives as well as for industrial needs.Read moreRead less
In vivo mechano-microscopy: a discovery platform for cell mechanics. This project aims to develop a platform for quantitative 3-D imaging of cell elasticity in tissue which may make possible new discoveries in cell mechanics. Mechanical properties, in concert with chemical properties, act to determine the function and behaviour of cells, and play a vital role in diseases such as cancer. Measurement of the mechanical properties of the cell in its native tissue environment, currently not possible, ....In vivo mechano-microscopy: a discovery platform for cell mechanics. This project aims to develop a platform for quantitative 3-D imaging of cell elasticity in tissue which may make possible new discoveries in cell mechanics. Mechanical properties, in concert with chemical properties, act to determine the function and behaviour of cells, and play a vital role in diseases such as cancer. Measurement of the mechanical properties of the cell in its native tissue environment, currently not possible, could accelerate the understanding of cell mechanics. This project plans to develop in vivo mechano-microscopy by combining innovations in optical microscopy, micro-mechanical loading, and computational methods. It then plans to demonstrate its capability by producing the first 3-D elasticity maps of skeletal muscle cells in living animals.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100104
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Capability for the fabrication and characterisation of mid-infrared photonic materials. The proposed facility will support the development of new glass materials suitable for transmitting and generating light in the mid-infrared spectral region. This research will allow Australia to lead the world in developing new technologies that make use of the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Particular applications that will flow from this research include the development of new optical ....Capability for the fabrication and characterisation of mid-infrared photonic materials. The proposed facility will support the development of new glass materials suitable for transmitting and generating light in the mid-infrared spectral region. This research will allow Australia to lead the world in developing new technologies that make use of the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Particular applications that will flow from this research include the development of new optical fibre-based laser sources for defence and surgery, new technologies for detecting and treating cancer, and other in-vivo detection methods.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,288.00
Summary
Miniaturised fibre-optic probes for biomedical image and sensor data fusion. The project aims to develop new types of tiny biomedical imaging devices based on optical fibres that can be inserted into the body via hypodermic needles or catheters. These devices will have the ability to generate a three-dimensional image of the tissue region. As the devices will also be able to sense biochemical or mechanical properties of the tissue, they can be used to differentiate healthy from diseased tissue. ....Miniaturised fibre-optic probes for biomedical image and sensor data fusion. The project aims to develop new types of tiny biomedical imaging devices based on optical fibres that can be inserted into the body via hypodermic needles or catheters. These devices will have the ability to generate a three-dimensional image of the tissue region. As the devices will also be able to sense biochemical or mechanical properties of the tissue, they can be used to differentiate healthy from diseased tissue. These minimally invasive devices will produce information-rich multidimensional fused image and sensor data, opening up new possibilities for biologists and medical researchers to study disease progression and treatment in living animals and humans, with great potential for scientific discovery.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,000.00
Summary
Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins ....Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins a modern, technically advanced society. With this facility Australian researchers will lead the world in the fabrication of optical crystalline devices for a broad range of industrial and research applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,000.00
Summary
Equipment for International Collaboration in Gravitational Wave Detection. Equipment for international collaboration in gravitational wave detection: This project will allow the Australian Consortium for Gravitational Astronomy to install optical equipment at its dedicated research facility, and to install data analysis pipelines on new iVEC Pawsey Centre GPU-enabled supercomputers. The equipment is required for research aimed at stabilising instabilities in the new international gravitational w ....Equipment for International Collaboration in Gravitational Wave Detection. Equipment for international collaboration in gravitational wave detection: This project will allow the Australian Consortium for Gravitational Astronomy to install optical equipment at its dedicated research facility, and to install data analysis pipelines on new iVEC Pawsey Centre GPU-enabled supercomputers. The equipment is required for research aimed at stabilising instabilities in the new international gravitational wave detectors currently being commissioned in the USA and Europe. Real time data from the new detectors will be analysed using innovative new techniques. Scientists across Australia will be able to rapidly localise potential gravitational wave sources to direct robotic telescope observations. This could enable the first detection of gravitational waves.Read moreRead less