A New Nano Tip Fabrication Technique for Atomic Force Microscopy. This project aims to develop a new fabrication technique for high-aspect-ratio (long and sharp) tips for atomic force microscopy. The technique is expected to overcome the current fabrication limitation, that is fabricating one tip at a time which is unsuitable for batch fabrication. The proposed technique can be scaled up to mass produce nano tips. The technique is expected to create new commercial products and intellectual prope ....A New Nano Tip Fabrication Technique for Atomic Force Microscopy. This project aims to develop a new fabrication technique for high-aspect-ratio (long and sharp) tips for atomic force microscopy. The technique is expected to overcome the current fabrication limitation, that is fabricating one tip at a time which is unsuitable for batch fabrication. The proposed technique can be scaled up to mass produce nano tips. The technique is expected to create new commercial products and intellectual property. This innovation will lead to the emergence of breakthrough technologies in nanofabrication and nanomaterials synthesis. The benefits to Australia include new job opportunities and the development of local expertise in the field.Read moreRead less
Innovative Electrohydrodynamic Atomisation for Improved Nasal Drug Delivery. Inhalation offers high and rapid drug absorption into the bloodstream. This project aims to establish key technologies for a revolutionary system in inhaled nanomedicine delivery. The study will investigate the underlying physics of nanoparticles to create a world-first electrostatic nebuliser, enabling the more effective drug delivery. This technique is expected to overcome the current limitations by providing better c ....Innovative Electrohydrodynamic Atomisation for Improved Nasal Drug Delivery. Inhalation offers high and rapid drug absorption into the bloodstream. This project aims to establish key technologies for a revolutionary system in inhaled nanomedicine delivery. The study will investigate the underlying physics of nanoparticles to create a world-first electrostatic nebuliser, enabling the more effective drug delivery. This technique is expected to overcome the current limitations by providing better control over the size and charge of delivered drugs. The outcomes of this project will benefit pharmaceutical companies in developing products with more efficient nasal delivery of advanced drugs, vaccines, and nanocariers, make it easier for doctors to prescribe, and benefit patients with more accurate dosages.Read moreRead less
A miniaturised laser manipulator for ultra-precise and pain-free dentistry. This project aims to develop a miniaturized high-precision laser robotic device that can fit comfortably in the mouth to perform pain-free, vibration-free dental operations by utilising silicon-carbide on silicon technology to create a millimetre-sized two-axis controllable, highly-reflective mirror robust to high-power ultra-short laser pulses. This project expects to generate new knowledge in micro-mirror control using ....A miniaturised laser manipulator for ultra-precise and pain-free dentistry. This project aims to develop a miniaturized high-precision laser robotic device that can fit comfortably in the mouth to perform pain-free, vibration-free dental operations by utilising silicon-carbide on silicon technology to create a millimetre-sized two-axis controllable, highly-reflective mirror robust to high-power ultra-short laser pulses. This project expects to generate new knowledge in micro-mirror control using optically excited piezo-resistive sensors, and cold femtosecond laser ablation of hard dental tissue. Expected outcomes include a working prototype for laser removal of tooth materials at speeds exceeding dental drills, providing benefits in miniaturized laser devices and ultimately removing pain from dental procedures. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100600
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
A microfluidic platform for optimised detection of protein complexes. This project aims to develop an integrated lab-on-a-chip platform interfacing droplet-based microfluidics with conventional mass spectrometry. The platform detects suitable protein complexes using a fraction of the samples used in conventional tools. The system creates droplets on demand, injects and mixes a controlled volume of reagents into a single droplet using an array of embedded electrodes. This technology will screen d ....A microfluidic platform for optimised detection of protein complexes. This project aims to develop an integrated lab-on-a-chip platform interfacing droplet-based microfluidics with conventional mass spectrometry. The platform detects suitable protein complexes using a fraction of the samples used in conventional tools. The system creates droplets on demand, injects and mixes a controlled volume of reagents into a single droplet using an array of embedded electrodes. This technology will screen drug-like samples. This technology is expected to replace traditional time-consuming drug screening techniques, and reduce time and cost of drug discovery. Its commercialisation would complement the existing tools in the pharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less
Microfluidics with core-shell beads: handling liquids like solids. Reducing waste of consumables in chemical reactions promises to solve environmental problems as well as enable novel applications in space. This project aims to establish a revolutionary fluid handling technology that lowers waste in the labs and in satellites. The project deciphers the fundamental physics behind our recent discovery of encapsulating a tiny liquid content in a solid shell, allowing for handling liquid samples lik ....Microfluidics with core-shell beads: handling liquids like solids. Reducing waste of consumables in chemical reactions promises to solve environmental problems as well as enable novel applications in space. This project aims to establish a revolutionary fluid handling technology that lowers waste in the labs and in satellites. The project deciphers the fundamental physics behind our recent discovery of encapsulating a tiny liquid content in a solid shell, allowing for handling liquid samples like solid particles. Examples of the benefit of this project are more precise detection of bacteria on earth and compact reactors in space. The research outcomes are instrumental for promoting a clean environment, good health, and creating new business opportunities, particularly in space industry, for Australians.Read moreRead less
Integrated on-chip force and displacement sensors for high-speed atomic force microscopy of ultimate sensitivity. This project aims to develop next generation atomic force microscopy systems based on a novel interferometric method for on-chip force and displacement sensing. The proposed sensitivity improvement of two orders of magnitude over the present state-of-the-art will provide a disruptive innovation for various present and future nanotechnologies.
Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. This project aims to use a new sensing platform for hydrocarbon monitoring in water to evolve optical on-chip position sensing of suspended micro-structures. Microelectromechanical systems dominate the world in sensing technology; they are common in smartphone, automotive, aerospace, and military applications. However, this multibillion dollar industry has failed to make ch ....Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. This project aims to use a new sensing platform for hydrocarbon monitoring in water to evolve optical on-chip position sensing of suspended micro-structures. Microelectromechanical systems dominate the world in sensing technology; they are common in smartphone, automotive, aerospace, and military applications. However, this multibillion dollar industry has failed to make chem/bio sensing profitable, mostly due to the absence of a robust and compact read-out technology for sensing in liquids. This project is expected to lead to a unified parallel sensing platform of ultimate sensitivity delivering aqueous sensing for wide ranging applications and markets.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL230100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,362,355.00
Summary
Highly efficient microscale liquid handling and bio interfacing. The aim is to establish the exciting new field of micro elastofluidics, enabling the development of a highly competitive, sovereign capability in Australia, utilising flexibility and stretchability for efficient and precise handling of tiny volumes of liquid. The program will fill a critical gap in fundamental knowledge in fluid-structure interactions, leading to the development of wearable and implantable devices. The expected out ....Highly efficient microscale liquid handling and bio interfacing. The aim is to establish the exciting new field of micro elastofluidics, enabling the development of a highly competitive, sovereign capability in Australia, utilising flexibility and stretchability for efficient and precise handling of tiny volumes of liquid. The program will fill a critical gap in fundamental knowledge in fluid-structure interactions, leading to the development of wearable and implantable devices. The expected outcomes include innovative platform technologies for sample storage, handling and unique device-human interfaces with broad applications in health and defence. Expected benefits include enhanced capabilities in medical diagnostics, defence force protection and Australia’s sovereign high-tech manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla: Resolving the fundamental radiofrequency field-tissue interaction problem at ultra-high field. Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems offer the potential for faster, more accurate diagnostic imaging. However, current applications are limited by the fundamental challenge of strong interactions between the electromagnetic field and human tissues, which result in poor image quality and/or compromised patient safety. Using a novel, s ....Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla: Resolving the fundamental radiofrequency field-tissue interaction problem at ultra-high field. Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems offer the potential for faster, more accurate diagnostic imaging. However, current applications are limited by the fundamental challenge of strong interactions between the electromagnetic field and human tissues, which result in poor image quality and/or compromised patient safety. Using a novel, subject-specific imaging approach, this research will design and develop an ultra-high-field radiofrequency technology capable of offering high-performance imaging without jeopardising patient safety. This research will lay the groundwork for the translation of ultra-high field MRI research into clinical practice, generating new capabilities for diagnostic technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,000.00
Summary
Multi-scale fabrication facility for complex three-dimensional surface generation from nano to macro dimensions. This facility will support advances in the manufacturing of free-form surfaces with submicron features. Its unique characteristics, such as the universal profiling ability and nanometre accuracy across large dimensions, will enable many science and engineering innovations which are presently impossible to be realised in Australia.