Microfluidic Separation Science: Innovative Technology for Characterising Complex Chemical Systems. At present there is a need for fast and detailed chemical analysis of complex samples, such as those important to biomedical diagnostics and forensic science. Innovative technology will be developed here in order to reduce analysis time whilst maintaining the integrity of the chemical information contained within the sample. This step change in separation science will directly aid biomedical diagn ....Microfluidic Separation Science: Innovative Technology for Characterising Complex Chemical Systems. At present there is a need for fast and detailed chemical analysis of complex samples, such as those important to biomedical diagnostics and forensic science. Innovative technology will be developed here in order to reduce analysis time whilst maintaining the integrity of the chemical information contained within the sample. This step change in separation science will directly aid biomedical diagnostics, forensic sample determination and industrial process monitoring through decreased analysis time with an increase in the chemical information gained. By performing chemical separations on a microfluidic scale a reduction in both the cost of analysis and impact of solvent waste on the environment will be achieved.Read moreRead less
A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of ....A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of interest to capture the miRNA. Application of a magnetic field allows the levels of miRNA to be detected electrochemically. The expected outcome is a commercialisable biosensor for miRNA both as a diagnostic early detection device and a prognostic device for a range of miRNA biomarkers.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100074
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,210.00
Summary
Nanoscale laser cooling in physiological environment. By developing fluorescence pattern-based 3D motion-detection technology in optical tweezers, this project aims to reveal how to achieve nanoscale laser cooling in physiological media. It plans to discover new mechanisms of cooling associated with surface phonons and energy looping in optically trapped lanthanide-doped nanoparticles. Key expected outcomes are technology and a toolset to create interaction between cooled nanoscale objects and b ....Nanoscale laser cooling in physiological environment. By developing fluorescence pattern-based 3D motion-detection technology in optical tweezers, this project aims to reveal how to achieve nanoscale laser cooling in physiological media. It plans to discover new mechanisms of cooling associated with surface phonons and energy looping in optically trapped lanthanide-doped nanoparticles. Key expected outcomes are technology and a toolset to create interaction between cooled nanoscale objects and biological samples. These are expected to create a research area of biological laser refrigeration, enabling intracellular organelles cooling, nanoscale membrane disruption and high sensitivity force-sensing for integrin study for use in single-molecule biophysics and multimodality subcellular sensing.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
Integration of DNA switches into wearables for smart chemical monitoring. This project addresses the scientific challenge of real-time monitoring of dynamic biological changes in the secretions found in sweat. By creating a wearable wireless device to monitor chemicals which interests Nutromics, using a novel electronic skin technology platform, the work aims to generate new knowledge of physiological changes in sweat secretions. Lying at the interface of analytical chemistry, functional materia ....Integration of DNA switches into wearables for smart chemical monitoring. This project addresses the scientific challenge of real-time monitoring of dynamic biological changes in the secretions found in sweat. By creating a wearable wireless device to monitor chemicals which interests Nutromics, using a novel electronic skin technology platform, the work aims to generate new knowledge of physiological changes in sweat secretions. Lying at the interface of analytical chemistry, functional materials and biomedical engineering, the project will contribute to the training of young researchers in these emerging technologies which interest Nutromics Pty Ltd. The project will improve Australia's standing in technology around wearable devices, improving our global competitive edge with economic and scientific impact.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,705.00
Summary
National facility for nanoscale characterisation of luminescent materials. The project aims to establish a national facility for nanoscale characterisation of advanced optoelectronic materials, including atomically-thin materials, luminescent nanocrystals, metamaterials, and plasmonic nanostructures. The combination of a highly focused electron beam, and novel light detection optics, will enable temperature-dependent, angle, polarisation and time-resolved luminescence analysis with unprecedented ....National facility for nanoscale characterisation of luminescent materials. The project aims to establish a national facility for nanoscale characterisation of advanced optoelectronic materials, including atomically-thin materials, luminescent nanocrystals, metamaterials, and plasmonic nanostructures. The combination of a highly focused electron beam, and novel light detection optics, will enable temperature-dependent, angle, polarisation and time-resolved luminescence analysis with unprecedented resolution. It is expected this will yield discoveries in nanoscale physics and materials science. It will create interdisciplinary collaborations by linking Australian scientists who use high-resolution multimodal characterisation methods to innovate and develop materials and device technologies.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL150100060
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,875,097.00
Summary
The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis. The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis: This fellowship project aims to develop a new type of diagnostic device that measures single molecules or single cells. Such measurements seek to revolutionise analysis by allowing heterogeneity and rare events in samples to be identified, rather than the average information provided by existing tools. With single molecule devices, the heterogeneity in respo ....The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis. The first generation of single entity measurement tools for analysis: This fellowship project aims to develop a new type of diagnostic device that measures single molecules or single cells. Such measurements seek to revolutionise analysis by allowing heterogeneity and rare events in samples to be identified, rather than the average information provided by existing tools. With single molecule devices, the heterogeneity in response enables the development of multiplexed, calibration free sensors. The outcomes of the project are hoped to be completely new thinking on performing measurements, new knowledge regarding heterogeneity in biology and the potential for novel commercialised sensors. It is expected that this will be important not only in biological discovery, but also in providing far more robust sensors for applications such as environmental monitoring, disease prediction, personalised medicine or drug discovery.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101101
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,741.00
Summary
Single-Molecule Circuitry for Nanoscale Electronic Devices. The aim of this project is to develop novel methods for forming robust single-molecule circuitry. The use of single molecules in electronics represents the next level of miniaturisation of electronic components, which would enable us to meet the expanding demands of modern technologies and to continue the downscaling trend in electronic devices. This project aims to address the requirements needed to translate single-molecule electronic ....Single-Molecule Circuitry for Nanoscale Electronic Devices. The aim of this project is to develop novel methods for forming robust single-molecule circuitry. The use of single molecules in electronics represents the next level of miniaturisation of electronic components, which would enable us to meet the expanding demands of modern technologies and to continue the downscaling trend in electronic devices. This project aims to address the requirements needed to translate single-molecule electronics from its current status as a fundamental tool to real-world applications. Key approaches will be the use of surface chemistry to develop new methods of wiring single molecules and the integration of robust single-molecule junctions with semiconducting electrodes. The expected project outcomes pave the way for single-molecule electronic and analytical devices.Read moreRead less
Non-classical motion of a macroscopic mechanical resonator. This project will create the experimental tools to fully control the motion of a mechanical oscillator at the single-quanta level, opening a rich avenue for fundamental research and the development of quantum physics enhanced applications. This project will prepare a quantum state of a macroscopic mechanical resonator exhibiting quantum interference fringes at at an unprecedented mass scale. The observation of these fringes will enable ....Non-classical motion of a macroscopic mechanical resonator. This project will create the experimental tools to fully control the motion of a mechanical oscillator at the single-quanta level, opening a rich avenue for fundamental research and the development of quantum physics enhanced applications. This project will prepare a quantum state of a macroscopic mechanical resonator exhibiting quantum interference fringes at at an unprecedented mass scale. The observation of these fringes will enable the study of the intricacies of quantum decoherence and ultimately even probe quantum gravitational phenomena. To achieve these goals it will employ micro-scale optical resonators fabricated by established techniques, that also provide the ideal platform for scalable mechanical-oscillator-based quantum information applications.Read moreRead less