Industrial-strength X-ray Phase Tomography. The unique 3D imaging capability provided as a result of this project will have application to advanced manufacturing as a non-destructive evaluation for materials and micro-components. For instance, the internal structure of aerogels, porous light metals, polymers and carbon fibre based materials can all be imaged at the microscale. Similar benefits flow in health sciences where organic processes can be observed in place and where, for instance, small ....Industrial-strength X-ray Phase Tomography. The unique 3D imaging capability provided as a result of this project will have application to advanced manufacturing as a non-destructive evaluation for materials and micro-components. For instance, the internal structure of aerogels, porous light metals, polymers and carbon fibre based materials can all be imaged at the microscale. Similar benefits flow in health sciences where organic processes can be observed in place and where, for instance, small animals used in research and clinical testing can be inspected internally without having to destroy them, thus allowing for repeated measurements.Read moreRead less
Zirconium alloying and grain refinement of magnesium alloys with ZirCAST. Zirconium alloying and grain refinement is a key issue restricting the commercial production of value-added zirconium-containing magnesium alloys for use in the automotive industry. This 3-year linkage program builds on the applicants' invention of a proprietary grain refiner ZirCAST, and is undertaken to investigate the major fundamental aspects of zirconium alloying and grain refinement with ZirCAST. In addition to an ex ....Zirconium alloying and grain refinement of magnesium alloys with ZirCAST. Zirconium alloying and grain refinement is a key issue restricting the commercial production of value-added zirconium-containing magnesium alloys for use in the automotive industry. This 3-year linkage program builds on the applicants' invention of a proprietary grain refiner ZirCAST, and is undertaken to investigate the major fundamental aspects of zirconium alloying and grain refinement with ZirCAST. In addition to an excellent postgraduate training environment, it aims to provide and develop, in partnership with industry, optimum zirconium alloying and grain refinement technology with ZirCAST and enhance Australia's leading global position in this strategically and commercially important area.Read moreRead less
Pulsed oscillating mass analyser. Mass spectrometers are ubiquitous components in chemical analysis, but are often large and expensive. We have developed a new method for mass analysis, which is smaller and cheaper than existing technology. However, the analyser needs further research to determine whether it has the performance specifications to match the other technologies. The objective of this research is to characterise, explore and extend the prototype and to develop the appropriate math ....Pulsed oscillating mass analyser. Mass spectrometers are ubiquitous components in chemical analysis, but are often large and expensive. We have developed a new method for mass analysis, which is smaller and cheaper than existing technology. However, the analyser needs further research to determine whether it has the performance specifications to match the other technologies. The objective of this research is to characterise, explore and extend the prototype and to develop the appropriate mathematical algorithm for mass analysis. Success in this project may lead to a new mass analyser that can be incorporated into analytical instruments, many of which are manufactured in Australia.Read moreRead less
Modelling and characterisation of radiation beams used in radiotherapy. The purpose of this project is to use computer modelling of radiation fields in radiotherapy to investigate and improve their precision. It is expected that this will result in improved outcomes and fewer side-effects for radiotherapy patients.
Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excel ....Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excellent training for PhD students and post doctoral Research Fellows, enabling them to work in and contribute to the development of new nanotechnology industries in Australia.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
Increasing the efficacy of laboratory x-ray sources for imaging. X-ray laboratory sources are used extensively for imaging: from the humble dental and medical x-ray to sophisticated 3D non-destructive testing methods; from the microscopic to large mechanical parts. This project will pursue methods that improve the imaging capability of such equipment with direct application across the fields of materials and medical imaging.
Spectroscopy of complex and biological micro-objects for biosensing applications. The optically based test for specific DNA binding resulting from the conclusion of this project is of great potential benefit to all Australians as DNA is the building block of all living organisms. The technique developed and resulting biosensor will provide an invaluable tool for the determination and analysis of specific DNA reactions. The general technique developed for the genetic targeting of specific DNA rea ....Spectroscopy of complex and biological micro-objects for biosensing applications. The optically based test for specific DNA binding resulting from the conclusion of this project is of great potential benefit to all Australians as DNA is the building block of all living organisms. The technique developed and resulting biosensor will provide an invaluable tool for the determination and analysis of specific DNA reactions. The general technique developed for the genetic targeting of specific DNA reactions makes the detection of diseases and toxins like Chlamydia and anthrax, for example cheap, quick and accurate, keeping Australian's healthy, and strengthening national security.Read moreRead less
A Method to Characterise an Aberration-Corrected Electron Wave Field - a step towards quantitative electron microscopy. Australia has recently invested in a powerful, new electron microscope, one of the first in the world, which can image features at the atomic scale that could not be seen before. This project will forge a strategic partnership with the designer and the distributor of this microscope, to develop special new methods that will further increase the microscope's imaging power. This ....A Method to Characterise an Aberration-Corrected Electron Wave Field - a step towards quantitative electron microscopy. Australia has recently invested in a powerful, new electron microscope, one of the first in the world, which can image features at the atomic scale that could not be seen before. This project will forge a strategic partnership with the designer and the distributor of this microscope, to develop special new methods that will further increase the microscope's imaging power. This will give Australian scientists unique capabilities with which to investigate and engineer new materials for advanced technological applications and it will train young Australian scientists in these cutting-edge techniques.Read moreRead less
Advanced waste slurry processing in the dairy industry. The dairy industry typically disposes of its wastes as low solids slurries. An aim for the future is to produce higher solids outputs. This project will examine the dewatering behaviour of a range of waste sludges and examine the molecular components that control dewaterability. The project will provide quantitative directions as to the best choice of dewatering methodologies to the dairy industry for the treatment and disposal of wastes ....Advanced waste slurry processing in the dairy industry. The dairy industry typically disposes of its wastes as low solids slurries. An aim for the future is to produce higher solids outputs. This project will examine the dewatering behaviour of a range of waste sludges and examine the molecular components that control dewaterability. The project will provide quantitative directions as to the best choice of dewatering methodologies to the dairy industry for the treatment and disposal of wastes. This will allow for better strategic design and management of waste treatment options.Read moreRead less