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
Light Activated Electrochemistry: Microelectrode Arrays with just one wire. Electrochemistry requires each electrode to be connected to the external circuit by a wire. With many electrodes this means many wires. Wires limit electrode density in arrays and dictate that the electrode architecture must be predetermined. This project aims to remove the need for a wire for each electrode by using light to sequentially connect each electrode to a single wire. This will be achieved using modified silic ....Light Activated Electrochemistry: Microelectrode Arrays with just one wire. Electrochemistry requires each electrode to be connected to the external circuit by a wire. With many electrodes this means many wires. Wires limit electrode density in arrays and dictate that the electrode architecture must be predetermined. This project aims to remove the need for a wire for each electrode by using light to sequentially connect each electrode to a single wire. This will be achieved using modified silicon electrodes where irradiating with light causes an increase in conductivity at the illumination spot. The project will explore the variables that influence the spatial resolution and apply the ideas to making soft connects for nanoelectronics and making high density electrode arrays for electroanalysis.Read moreRead less
Robotic microsurgery: intra-operative measurement, modelling and micromanipulation control. This research will significantly improve microsurgery and minimally invasive surgery techniques, and further produce important benefits to medicine and healthcare. The project will also open new domains in the capabilities of modelling and control of complex systems with significant impact and benefits to numerous science and engineering practices.
Sub-picosecond studies of matter using intense light from a Free Electron Laser. An Australian research group will use their new ultra-fast timing technology in combination with a new, extremely bright light source, the FERMI Free Electron Laser, Italy. FERMI makes picosecond wide light pulses - the timing technology measures times significantly shorter than a nanosecond. In combination, the way intense light effects the structure of atoms & molecules is studied, leading to an in-depth understa ....Sub-picosecond studies of matter using intense light from a Free Electron Laser. An Australian research group will use their new ultra-fast timing technology in combination with a new, extremely bright light source, the FERMI Free Electron Laser, Italy. FERMI makes picosecond wide light pulses - the timing technology measures times significantly shorter than a nanosecond. In combination, the way intense light effects the structure of atoms & molecules is studied, leading to an in-depth understanding of the processes involved. The new detector technology will be characterised using an electron recycling spectrometer, a new method for making electron beams of a particular energy by storing electrons in a racetrack orbit.Read moreRead less
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
Redefining Temperature. The international system of units, which is at the basis of every accurate measurement, requires coherent definitions for its basic units (eg. metre, second, kelvin). Unfortunately, at the moment this is not so, and a global call has gone out to redefine every basic unit in terms of fundamental constants, which are by definition the same anywhere and anytime. This project will develop a new laser-based approach to measuring temperature which can be widely deployed and us ....Redefining Temperature. The international system of units, which is at the basis of every accurate measurement, requires coherent definitions for its basic units (eg. metre, second, kelvin). Unfortunately, at the moment this is not so, and a global call has gone out to redefine every basic unit in terms of fundamental constants, which are by definition the same anywhere and anytime. This project will develop a new laser-based approach to measuring temperature which can be widely deployed and uses fundamental principles for its operation: this can bring accuracy to thermometry in industry for the first time. These outcomes will generate high-level recognition for this Australian project and provide opportunities for high level research training.Read moreRead less
High speed, high sensitivity thermal imaging. This project aims to increase sensitivity-speed product of thermal imagers by the novel using porous materials. Increased sensitivity-speed products will improve thermal imager effectiveness in motion capture and high resolution remote sensing applications. To develop these porous materials, this project will study the interdependence of optical, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties at the micro- and nano-scale. It will create a narrowband r ....High speed, high sensitivity thermal imaging. This project aims to increase sensitivity-speed product of thermal imagers by the novel using porous materials. Increased sensitivity-speed products will improve thermal imager effectiveness in motion capture and high resolution remote sensing applications. To develop these porous materials, this project will study the interdependence of optical, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties at the micro- and nano-scale. It will create a narrowband resonant cavity detector which increases sensitivity and provides spectral filtering for remote sensing and gas detection. This technology is built on a low-cost scalable all-silicon platform. This technology could benefit road safety, border security, defence, aerospace, remote sensing and industrial monitoring.Read moreRead less
Spin dynamics in magnetic nanostructures by spin-polarized single- and two-electron spectroscopy. The technological and fundamental outcomes will underpin development of spin-polarized electron dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. Electron spin dynamics offers active control and manipulation of electron spin in ultrathin films as the basis of novel technology. Potential applications are high-speed filters, sensors, quantum transistors. The surface science-based industry will find applications f ....Spin dynamics in magnetic nanostructures by spin-polarized single- and two-electron spectroscopy. The technological and fundamental outcomes will underpin development of spin-polarized electron dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. Electron spin dynamics offers active control and manipulation of electron spin in ultrathin films as the basis of novel technology. Potential applications are high-speed filters, sensors, quantum transistors. The surface science-based industry will find applications for manufacturing and control in nanotechnology. This project contributes to postgraduate and postdoctoral research and training to encourage excellence, with depth of knowledge in interdisciplinary research, a scientific environment providing access to research not otherwise in Australia, and experience in construction of scientific instruments.Read moreRead less
Precision tests of fundamental physics at the electroweak unification scale. The project aims to advance novel precision frequency generation and measurement techniques beyond the present state of the art, through the implementation of sapphire and quartz bulk acoustic wave resonator and related technology at low temperature. The project plans to apply this technological advancement to extremely sensitive tests of General Relativity able to probe suppressed effects emanating from the Planck scal ....Precision tests of fundamental physics at the electroweak unification scale. The project aims to advance novel precision frequency generation and measurement techniques beyond the present state of the art, through the implementation of sapphire and quartz bulk acoustic wave resonator and related technology at low temperature. The project plans to apply this technological advancement to extremely sensitive tests of General Relativity able to probe suppressed effects emanating from the Planck scale. Such tests include new tests of Lorentz invariance violations of photons and phonons, tests of fundamental constant invariance and other tests of fundamental physics. Results could lead to the discovery of the correct theory of quantum gravity, a major unsolved problem in contemporary physics.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms controlling displacement pile behaviour in sands. The project will exploit the potential of the drum centrifuge and recent innovations in earth pressure cell design to provide a uniquely comprehensive investigation into the factors controlling the performance of displacement piles in sand. A wide range of factors affecting the stresses that develop at the pile-soil interface will be examined in a systematic fashion to facilitate the derivation of more reliable and efficient design app ....Mechanisms controlling displacement pile behaviour in sands. The project will exploit the potential of the drum centrifuge and recent innovations in earth pressure cell design to provide a uniquely comprehensive investigation into the factors controlling the performance of displacement piles in sand. A wide range of factors affecting the stresses that develop at the pile-soil interface will be examined in a systematic fashion to facilitate the derivation of more reliable and efficient design approaches for piles.Read moreRead less