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
Developing next-generation mass spectrometry imaging with isomer resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly emerging technology for mapping molecular distributions within biological samples. This project will bring together market-leading MSI instrumentation from the industry partner Waters Corporation with unique technologies developed at QUT and UOW to develop an integrated MSI-platform capable of achieving high mass- and spatial-resolution, as well as discrimination of lipid iso ....Developing next-generation mass spectrometry imaging with isomer resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly emerging technology for mapping molecular distributions within biological samples. This project will bring together market-leading MSI instrumentation from the industry partner Waters Corporation with unique technologies developed at QUT and UOW to develop an integrated MSI-platform capable of achieving high mass- and spatial-resolution, as well as discrimination of lipid isomers. Resolution of lipid isomers using this instrumentation will afford researchers a first glimpse of isomer-resolved images that will be used to visualise tissue-specific changes resulting from underlying chemical, physical or metabolic processes; changes that are currently invisible to contemporary imaging technologies.Read moreRead less
Breakthrough technologies in implantable bionics. This project aims to introduce revolutionary changes in implantable bionics via miniaturisation, automation and improved reliability and generating new knowledge by leveraging recent advances in laser processes. Expected outcomes include innovative hybrid thin-film/thick-film electrode arrays with more channels and charge-carrying capacity for neuromodulation; novel glass interfaces that facilitate deeply-miniaturised hermetic packages; and failu ....Breakthrough technologies in implantable bionics. This project aims to introduce revolutionary changes in implantable bionics via miniaturisation, automation and improved reliability and generating new knowledge by leveraging recent advances in laser processes. Expected outcomes include innovative hybrid thin-film/thick-film electrode arrays with more channels and charge-carrying capacity for neuromodulation; novel glass interfaces that facilitate deeply-miniaturised hermetic packages; and failure analysis to ensure study aims result in new processes that are as or more reliable than the current state-of-the-art. This work will create new and novel manufacturing processes, and trains the next generation of innovators equipped with the tools to advance implantable bionics into the future.Read moreRead less
The Fluid-Particle Mechanics of a Synthetic Jet-based Dry Powder Inhaler. This project aims to untangle the fundamental principles that govern the fluid mechanics and particulate interactions in a novel concept chip-based micro-zero-net-mass-flux (micro-ZNMF) jet-assisted dry powder inhaler (DPI). Respiratory diseases affect 6.2 million Australians. The treatment of these diseases is hampered by the poor efficiency of current delivery systems, with conventional DPI devices exhibiting sub-optimum ....The Fluid-Particle Mechanics of a Synthetic Jet-based Dry Powder Inhaler. This project aims to untangle the fundamental principles that govern the fluid mechanics and particulate interactions in a novel concept chip-based micro-zero-net-mass-flux (micro-ZNMF) jet-assisted dry powder inhaler (DPI). Respiratory diseases affect 6.2 million Australians. The treatment of these diseases is hampered by the poor efficiency of current delivery systems, with conventional DPI devices exhibiting sub-optimum performance, delivering typically less than 20% of the loaded dose to the target site, the lungs. The new fundamental knowledge resulting from this research will enable the engineering of a high-efficiency groundbreaking DPI, with the potential to be fully adaptive user-specific benefiting millions of Australians. Read moreRead less
Understanding production and application of alpha emitting radionuclides. This project aims to develop new materials to improve the efficiency of production of radionuclides, as well as tools to improve our understanding of isotope decay products to to improve efficiency of delivery. High performance polymers will be evaluated to establish optimal design properties for enhanced radionuclide collection from novel generators of isotopic lead (Pb-212), and new methods will be developed to improve u ....Understanding production and application of alpha emitting radionuclides. This project aims to develop new materials to improve the efficiency of production of radionuclides, as well as tools to improve our understanding of isotope decay products to to improve efficiency of delivery. High performance polymers will be evaluated to establish optimal design properties for enhanced radionuclide collection from novel generators of isotopic lead (Pb-212), and new methods will be developed to improve understanding of isotope product stability. Anticipated outcomes will provide greater production and utility of radioisotopes in radiopharmaceuticals, while building strong ties with partner AdvanCell Isotopes. This could improve manufacture of radionuclides, expanding capability and applications in radiopharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
Liquid Metal for quench detection sensors and low resistance joints. This project aims to develop next-generation liquid metal-based superconducting joints and quench detection sensors to enable superconducting magnets to operate in “persistent mode”. This would make a significant contribution to improving the safety and performance of superconducting coil systems at a reduced cost. Furthermore, intelligent features will be formulated to prevent hazardous and inefficient operating conditions. Th ....Liquid Metal for quench detection sensors and low resistance joints. This project aims to develop next-generation liquid metal-based superconducting joints and quench detection sensors to enable superconducting magnets to operate in “persistent mode”. This would make a significant contribution to improving the safety and performance of superconducting coil systems at a reduced cost. Furthermore, intelligent features will be formulated to prevent hazardous and inefficient operating conditions. The expected outcome is that an advanced superconducting coil system with improved stability and safety is delivered with newly developed liquid metal-based materials and relevant fabrication techniques.Read moreRead less
Intelligent bioprocessing for next-generation nutritional yeast extracts. This project aims to provide new, science-based levers for optimising the industrial production of tailormade yeast extracts for food applications. Advanced biochemical and engineering methods will be used to develop new knowledge of the links between yeast growth conditions, cell biochemistry, processing and the flavour and texture profiles of yeast hydrolysates. This understanding will allow the properties of yeast hydro ....Intelligent bioprocessing for next-generation nutritional yeast extracts. This project aims to provide new, science-based levers for optimising the industrial production of tailormade yeast extracts for food applications. Advanced biochemical and engineering methods will be used to develop new knowledge of the links between yeast growth conditions, cell biochemistry, processing and the flavour and texture profiles of yeast hydrolysates. This understanding will allow the properties of yeast hydrolysates to be accurately tuned during yeast production and processing. The resulting process improvements and innovations will increase the efficiency and quality of current yeast extract products and allow the development of new food products.Read moreRead less
Effective, efficient and scalable processing of the graph of graphs. This project aims to develop novel approaches to realise the value of the graph of graphs (GoG), which has been widely used to capture the relations among the structured entities. Several key challenges will be addressed: better models to capture the similarity and cohesiveness of the structured entities, increased efficiency, and greater scalability of the processing and analytics of the GoG. The novel models and algorithms de ....Effective, efficient and scalable processing of the graph of graphs. This project aims to develop novel approaches to realise the value of the graph of graphs (GoG), which has been widely used to capture the relations among the structured entities. Several key challenges will be addressed: better models to capture the similarity and cohesiveness of the structured entities, increased efficiency, and greater scalability of the processing and analytics of the GoG. The novel models and algorithms developed within this project will be incorporated into a prototype for both evaluation and to demonstrate real-world practical value for business, industry, and academia. Success in this project should see significant benefits for many important applications such as health, cyber-security and e-commerce.Read moreRead less
Transfer Learning for Genome Analysis and Personalised Recommendation. This project aims to improve the accuracy, adaptability, and comprehensiveness of health characteristic predictions and provide personalised recommendations for healthcare service and disease prevention. The deliverables include uncertainty learning and multi-source transfer learning methodologies for predictions based on genome analysis that distils and transfers useful knowledge from multiple sources into an Australian geno ....Transfer Learning for Genome Analysis and Personalised Recommendation. This project aims to improve the accuracy, adaptability, and comprehensiveness of health characteristic predictions and provide personalised recommendations for healthcare service and disease prevention. The deliverables include uncertainty learning and multi-source transfer learning methodologies for predictions based on genome analysis that distils and transfers useful knowledge from multiple sources into an Australian genome analysis model. A federated cross-domain recommender system will be developed to profile individuals and generate personalised recommendations. The outcomes are expected to create a paradigm shift in learning-based prediction and personalised recommendations to support healthcare services in complex environments. Read moreRead less