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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
In situ Raman spectroscopic studies of iron and calcium biomaterials in marine chiton teeth. The future of biomaterial science in Australia depends upon the discovery and refinement of new materials. This project characterizes the biomaterials in the feeding apparatus of Australian marine chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Like many biological structures, chiton teeth are sophisticated composite materials that have been refined by evolution over millions of years. Initially composed of the poly ....In situ Raman spectroscopic studies of iron and calcium biomaterials in marine chiton teeth. The future of biomaterial science in Australia depends upon the discovery and refinement of new materials. This project characterizes the biomaterials in the feeding apparatus of Australian marine chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Like many biological structures, chiton teeth are sophisticated composite materials that have been refined by evolution over millions of years. Initially composed of the polysaccharide chitin, these extremely hard teeth are mineralized with calcium and iron compounds and used to excavate the rocks on which they live, as they graze for food. Understanding the mechanism of biomineralization is vital for devising synthetic routes to composite materials for industrial purposes.Read moreRead less
Development of Cathodic Arc Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) for biomaterials applications. Medical prostheses have intricate geometries, consisting of shapes such as screws, holes, wedges, cones and textured surfaces. Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation using metal or carbon ions produced by a cathodic arc has been found to be an excellent process for producing surface modification with the properties required in medical applications, such as low stress and excellent adhesion of very thic ....Development of Cathodic Arc Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) for biomaterials applications. Medical prostheses have intricate geometries, consisting of shapes such as screws, holes, wedges, cones and textured surfaces. Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation using metal or carbon ions produced by a cathodic arc has been found to be an excellent process for producing surface modification with the properties required in medical applications, such as low stress and excellent adhesion of very thick coatings. To date this process has only been applied to simple, flat substrates. Extending it to shapes of interest for biomaterials applications will require comprehensive understanding and control of the sheath dynamics, which our combined theoretical and experimental approach will provide.Read moreRead less
Micromachined electrode arrays for improved performance and manufacturability of cochlear neuroprostheses. The cochlear implant for the deaf, and bionic eye for the blind are two devices where Australian researchers possess considerable expertise. Benefit can be had from collaborative research between these non-competing scientific fields. Microelectrodes is an area wherein overcoming the unique requirements of one field offers new opportunities in the other. We aim to enhance Australia's leader ....Micromachined electrode arrays for improved performance and manufacturability of cochlear neuroprostheses. The cochlear implant for the deaf, and bionic eye for the blind are two devices where Australian researchers possess considerable expertise. Benefit can be had from collaborative research between these non-competing scientific fields. Microelectrodes is an area wherein overcoming the unique requirements of one field offers new opportunities in the other. We aim to enhance Australia's leadership in cochlear implants by applying decade-long research on electrode fabrication techniques for the bionic eye into 3D shapes for the cochlea. Furthermore, we aim to further improve the effectiveness, safety and reliability of the cochlear implant while facilitating increased electrode numbers.Read moreRead less
Structures and properties of tissue engineering matrices for cartilage and bone: Imaging, visualising and modelling tissue/scaffold constructs in 3D. Tissue engineering of bone and cartilage has the potential to lower costs and improve outcomes. The first stage requires the design of porous 3D scaffolds. To date they have been found less than ideal for clinical applications. Our ability to design and optimise scaffolds has been ad hoc, as local structure and properties have not been measurable ....Structures and properties of tissue engineering matrices for cartilage and bone: Imaging, visualising and modelling tissue/scaffold constructs in 3D. Tissue engineering of bone and cartilage has the potential to lower costs and improve outcomes. The first stage requires the design of porous 3D scaffolds. To date they have been found less than ideal for clinical applications. Our ability to design and optimise scaffolds has been ad hoc, as local structure and properties have not been measurable during tissue growth and repair. In this proposal, an interdisciplinary group from three universities will utilise microCT imaging, visualisation and numerical modelling to determine these structures and properties. This will provide an invaluable understanding for the further development of tissue engineering scaffolds.Read moreRead less
Mastering the Microenvironment - Integrated, functional, biosynthetic scaffolds for tissue engineering. Organ transplantation is available to only the lucky few, with, for example, less than 3000 of Australia's annual 30,000 patients suffering end-stage renal failure receiving transplants. Tissue engineering of soft, functional tissues using in vitro and/or in vivo methods offers the potential to replace missing or non-functioning tissues, such as liver, pancreas, lung, heart, fat and muscle, wi ....Mastering the Microenvironment - Integrated, functional, biosynthetic scaffolds for tissue engineering. Organ transplantation is available to only the lucky few, with, for example, less than 3000 of Australia's annual 30,000 patients suffering end-stage renal failure receiving transplants. Tissue engineering of soft, functional tissues using in vitro and/or in vivo methods offers the potential to replace missing or non-functioning tissues, such as liver, pancreas, lung, heart, fat and muscle, with newly created tissue. This project will deliver integrated, functional polymeric scaffolds for organ replacement. Over 12 higher degree candidates and one research associate will be trained in the field of tissue engineering, representing a significant benefit to the Australian scientific community.Read moreRead less
Failure of Complex Biomechanical Structures. Layer structures are replete in biological systems, both natural and artificial. Issues concerning the lifetime of such systems are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our aging society. Our project will analyse damage in brittle layer systems that simulate dental crown structures. We are now at a critical point in the understanding of how these structures fail, and are beginning to make substantive predictions to improve des ....Failure of Complex Biomechanical Structures. Layer structures are replete in biological systems, both natural and artificial. Issues concerning the lifetime of such systems are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our aging society. Our project will analyse damage in brittle layer systems that simulate dental crown structures. We are now at a critical point in the understanding of how these structures fail, and are beginning to make substantive predictions to improve designs for prolonged life. The project is connected to the dental community and international crown material manufacturers through a broader NIH project in the USA. The improved materials and crown designs resulting from this project will have impact worldwide, including Australia.Read moreRead less
Matched experimental observation and finite-element simulation of flow-induced oscillations in uniform and tapered-stiffness collapsible tubes. Flexible tubes that can be flattened are widespread in the body and can act to limit flow-rate. Limitation is usually associated with spontaneous oscillation (repetitive opening and closing). There are many candidate explanations, but none has been shown to correspond with a given experiment. Through computer models and matched experiments on this couple ....Matched experimental observation and finite-element simulation of flow-induced oscillations in uniform and tapered-stiffness collapsible tubes. Flexible tubes that can be flattened are widespread in the body and can act to limit flow-rate. Limitation is usually associated with spontaneous oscillation (repetitive opening and closing). There are many candidate explanations, but none has been shown to correspond with a given experiment. Through computer models and matched experiments on this coupled system (the fluid flow interacts with the tube shape), we seek to demonstrate for the first time that a given theory/computer model encompasses the physics controlling a given observed oscillation. The solution will find application in other flexible-structure design problems in engineering, and also potentially in medicine.Read moreRead less
Matched experiments and numerical simulations of flow-induced oscillations in uniform and tapered-stiffness collapsible tubes. Flexible tubes that can be flattened are widespread in the body and can act to limit flow-rate. Limitation is usually associated with spontaneous oscillation (repetitive opening and closing). There are many candidate explanations, but none has been shown to correspond with a given experiment. Through computer models and matched experiments on this coupled system (the ....Matched experiments and numerical simulations of flow-induced oscillations in uniform and tapered-stiffness collapsible tubes. Flexible tubes that can be flattened are widespread in the body and can act to limit flow-rate. Limitation is usually associated with spontaneous oscillation (repetitive opening and closing). There are many candidate explanations, but none has been shown to correspond with a given experiment. Through computer models and matched experiments on this coupled system (the fluid flow interacts with the tube shape), we seek to demonstrate for the first time that a given theory/computer model encompasses the physics controlling a given observed oscillation. The solution will find application in other flexible-structure design problems in engineering, and also potentially in medicine.Read moreRead less
Failure of Worn Tooth Structures. Layer structures are replete in biological systems, both natural and artificial. Issues concerning the lifetime of such systems are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our aging society. Our project will analyse damage in brittle layer systems that simulate natural teeth and dental crown structures that have been subject to wear. The project is connected to the dental community and international crown material manufacturers through a bro ....Failure of Worn Tooth Structures. Layer structures are replete in biological systems, both natural and artificial. Issues concerning the lifetime of such systems are paramount to the quality of life and economic well being of our aging society. Our project will analyse damage in brittle layer systems that simulate natural teeth and dental crown structures that have been subject to wear. The project is connected to the dental community and international crown material manufacturers through a broader National Institutes of Health project in the USA. The improved understanding of damage mechanisms in natural teeth and crown designs resulting from this project will have impact worldwide, including Australia.Read moreRead less