Stronger zinc alloys for more flexible biodegradable stents. This project aims to develop stronger zinc alloys for a new class of biodegradable metallic stents. A key challenge for biodegradable stent technology is to make stents as thin as possible while also being strong. This project will develop ultra-high strength zinc alloys that can be used to fabricate thinner biodegradable stents for easier surgical operation. The project outcomes should be a major step in the design and development of ....Stronger zinc alloys for more flexible biodegradable stents. This project aims to develop stronger zinc alloys for a new class of biodegradable metallic stents. A key challenge for biodegradable stent technology is to make stents as thin as possible while also being strong. This project will develop ultra-high strength zinc alloys that can be used to fabricate thinner biodegradable stents for easier surgical operation. The project outcomes should be a major step in the design and development of a new generation of biodegradable stents that will avoid the risks associated with existing products and potentially create a better life for millions of patients worldwide.Read moreRead less
Novel biomaterials from improved understanding of the structure of starch. The microstructure of starch, comprising two polymers of glucose: amylose (linear, except for a few long branches) and amylopectin (with a complex tree-like architecture), is described by a high-dimensional function. This project examines simplified measures of the full microstructure, such as the distribution of lengths if all links were cut, and also properties which depend on the full architecture, such as viscoelastic ....Novel biomaterials from improved understanding of the structure of starch. The microstructure of starch, comprising two polymers of glucose: amylose (linear, except for a few long branches) and amylopectin (with a complex tree-like architecture), is described by a high-dimensional function. This project examines simplified measures of the full microstructure, such as the distribution of lengths if all links were cut, and also properties which depend on the full architecture, such as viscoelastic response and adhesion. Theory, simulation and neural networks will be used to guide experiments to elucidate which partial structure measures control which property. Outcomes will include means of helping biotechnology create improved biomaterials, and plant breeders to improve food quality.Read moreRead less
Functional Strontium Phosphate Coated Magnesium Alloys For ?Orthopaedic Use. This project aims to develop a functional strontium-release surface on magnesium-based orthopaedic implants to suppress the rapid degradation rate of magnesium, facilitate new bone formation and ultimately shorten the healing process. The development of practical, bone-favourable and degradation-inhibiting surfaces for magnesium implants are in demand and can bring significant patient benefits. The project seeks to esta ....Functional Strontium Phosphate Coated Magnesium Alloys For ?Orthopaedic Use. This project aims to develop a functional strontium-release surface on magnesium-based orthopaedic implants to suppress the rapid degradation rate of magnesium, facilitate new bone formation and ultimately shorten the healing process. The development of practical, bone-favourable and degradation-inhibiting surfaces for magnesium implants are in demand and can bring significant patient benefits. The project seeks to establish an understanding of the formation mechanisms of strontium-releasing coatings and determine the critical release rate of strontium to activate bone cell responses.Read moreRead less
Elastic softening of Ti alloys by plastic deformation for safer and more durable bone implants. This project will explore a critical factor that will form the basis of improving the biomechanical compatibility of titanium alloys for human bone implants. The outcomes will be a major step in optimising the design and development of human bone implants that will last a lifetime, avoiding the agony and risk associated with implant failure.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101495
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Biodegradable porous shape memory alloys by additive manufacturing. This project aims to create a class of biodegradable Fe-Mn-Si based shape memory alloys and use additive manufacturing to fabricate porous structures with desired properties from these shape memory alloys. Biodegradable shape memory alloys offer great promise for biomedical applications due to their unique biodegradability, shape memory effects and superelasticity. However, a huge knowledge gap exists in developing and fabricati ....Biodegradable porous shape memory alloys by additive manufacturing. This project aims to create a class of biodegradable Fe-Mn-Si based shape memory alloys and use additive manufacturing to fabricate porous structures with desired properties from these shape memory alloys. Biodegradable shape memory alloys offer great promise for biomedical applications due to their unique biodegradability, shape memory effects and superelasticity. However, a huge knowledge gap exists in developing and fabricating biodegradable shape memory alloys with desired properties for biomedical applications. The project expects to fill the critical knowledge gap and open up new opportunities for biomedical applications of biodegradable shape memory alloys. This project will provide significant benefits through the creation of novel materials for application in the healthcare industry such as biomedical devices.Read moreRead less
Novel manufacturing methods for tissue engineering scaffolds. Novel methods of manufacturing biodegradable polymer scaffolds around which new tissue can be grown within the human body will be developed. Surfactant - polymer assemblies will be used to produce highly porous scaffolds of tunable pore size and connectivity, shape and strength. The results will create a new avenue for systematic investigations into the effects of scaffold structure on tissue growth. This research will lead to the dev ....Novel manufacturing methods for tissue engineering scaffolds. Novel methods of manufacturing biodegradable polymer scaffolds around which new tissue can be grown within the human body will be developed. Surfactant - polymer assemblies will be used to produce highly porous scaffolds of tunable pore size and connectivity, shape and strength. The results will create a new avenue for systematic investigations into the effects of scaffold structure on tissue growth. This research will lead to the development of reliable, well-controlled manufacturing techniques for tissue engineering scaffolds, revolutionising current scaffold manufacturing practices. It will enhance existing collaborations between the University of Melbourne and the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Advanced Surface Characterisation Facility. This proposal underpins a major expansion of surface characterisation resources at La Trobe University, one of Australia's leading providers in this field, and builds associated research programs and collaborations, in particular, with Monash University and Deakin University. New opportunities will be provided for hands-on training in state-of-the-art surface characterisation for postgraduates in fields such as physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, mater ....Advanced Surface Characterisation Facility. This proposal underpins a major expansion of surface characterisation resources at La Trobe University, one of Australia's leading providers in this field, and builds associated research programs and collaborations, in particular, with Monash University and Deakin University. New opportunities will be provided for hands-on training in state-of-the-art surface characterisation for postgraduates in fields such as physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, materials science and engineering. The Australian community will benefit through internationally significant research outcomes leading to, for example, enhanced medical testing technologies, biocompatible medical appliances, better waste water treatment processes, and new battery technologies.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354588
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Integrated Nanoscale Biosystems Network (INBN). The INBN will integrate high-priority research, already identified by the ARC, in materials nanoscience and engineering with nanoscale biology. The INBN will provide the means to consolidate world-class multidisciplinary Australian research groups in existing Centres of Excellence, including several Federation Fellows, into a nanobiotechnology focus. The significant outcomes of INBN are the critical mass of outstanding researchers in the nanobiosci ....Integrated Nanoscale Biosystems Network (INBN). The INBN will integrate high-priority research, already identified by the ARC, in materials nanoscience and engineering with nanoscale biology. The INBN will provide the means to consolidate world-class multidisciplinary Australian research groups in existing Centres of Excellence, including several Federation Fellows, into a nanobiotechnology focus. The significant outcomes of INBN are the critical mass of outstanding researchers in the nanobiosciences, facilitation of innovative research to produce novel intellectual property and provision of pathways into collaborative research with international scientists and industry, and the training and development of the next generation scientists for this emerging discipline.
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Meso- and Macro-porous Bioactive Glasses for Bone-repairing. This project aims to use self-assembly and pore engineering at different length scales to fabricate novel bioactive glasses of highly ordered mesoporous structure. By precisely controlling the composition, size and volume of both mesopores and macropores, bioactive glasses with improved bone forming activities will be obtained. The successful synthesis of such bioactive glasses is expected to lead to the fundamental understanding of st ....Meso- and Macro-porous Bioactive Glasses for Bone-repairing. This project aims to use self-assembly and pore engineering at different length scales to fabricate novel bioactive glasses of highly ordered mesoporous structure. By precisely controlling the composition, size and volume of both mesopores and macropores, bioactive glasses with improved bone forming activities will be obtained. The successful synthesis of such bioactive glasses is expected to lead to the fundamental understanding of structure-bioactivity relationship, and new materials effective for tissue engineering. This will also open up new opportunities for other applications such as drug delivery, implanting.Read moreRead less
Novel Biomimetic Nanosprings:Protein-based Elastomer for Engineering Applications. The ability to produce biomimetic elastomeric components with approximately infinite fatigue life offers significant impact on energy consumption and materials usage. In this project, we seek this goal by bio-macromolecular modification and understanding of the unique proteins from a number of different insects that provide the structural basis of novel bioelastomers with outstanding in-vitro fatigue properties. T ....Novel Biomimetic Nanosprings:Protein-based Elastomer for Engineering Applications. The ability to produce biomimetic elastomeric components with approximately infinite fatigue life offers significant impact on energy consumption and materials usage. In this project, we seek this goal by bio-macromolecular modification and understanding of the unique proteins from a number of different insects that provide the structural basis of novel bioelastomers with outstanding in-vitro fatigue properties. The project will translate the superior in-vivo properties of these proteins to real-world novel bioelastomers for engineering applications. Such functional materials will find potential use in areas such as microelectromechanical devices (MEMS), actuators, artificial muscles, drug delivery vehicles, etc.Read moreRead less