Advanced fluid mechanics modelling of complex leukocyte-endothelial interactions. This project adopts an interdisciplinary approach toward understanding the mechanical interactions between blood cells and vessel walls, under different hydrodynamic conditions. Outcomes will have downstream benefits to vascular biology in relation to diagnosis of problems such as atherosclerotic plaques. These vascular problems are associated with several major health problems including coronary heart disease, h ....Advanced fluid mechanics modelling of complex leukocyte-endothelial interactions. This project adopts an interdisciplinary approach toward understanding the mechanical interactions between blood cells and vessel walls, under different hydrodynamic conditions. Outcomes will have downstream benefits to vascular biology in relation to diagnosis of problems such as atherosclerotic plaques. These vascular problems are associated with several major health problems including coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and kidney dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Development of Model Systems to Investigate Blood Hydrodynamic Parameters Affecting Blood Cell Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach. National benefit will come through this research contributing to a better understanding of blood flow biology and pathology, both of which are of particular relevance to the aging Australian population. This benefit is well aligned with the 2008 National research priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health; Priority Goal 3. Preventative Health. The synthes ....Development of Model Systems to Investigate Blood Hydrodynamic Parameters Affecting Blood Cell Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach. National benefit will come through this research contributing to a better understanding of blood flow biology and pathology, both of which are of particular relevance to the aging Australian population. This benefit is well aligned with the 2008 National research priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health; Priority Goal 3. Preventative Health. The synthesis of both extensive expertise in platelet/cardiovascular research and bioengineering/rheology should provide a substantial platform from which fundamental new discoveries in this niche area can be made. The development of novel platelet analysis tools arising from this work may also ultimately lead to new intellectual property and attract industry based funding.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and Stability of Thin Electrowetting Films. Electrowetting is of importance to numerous industrial, biomedical and daily life settings such as microfluidic biopharmaceutical applications, coating technology, electronic displays, optical focusing devices, miniaturised chemical analysis systems for homeland security, etc. The work, aimed at generating an understanding of the complex hydrodynamic and physicochemical processes involved, is fundamental research having generic benefit ....Characterisation and Stability of Thin Electrowetting Films. Electrowetting is of importance to numerous industrial, biomedical and daily life settings such as microfluidic biopharmaceutical applications, coating technology, electronic displays, optical focusing devices, miniaturised chemical analysis systems for homeland security, etc. The work, aimed at generating an understanding of the complex hydrodynamic and physicochemical processes involved, is fundamental research having generic benefits to researchers in interfacial science, electrokinetics and microfluidics. The results will also be beneficial to industrial workers in providing engineering protocols for the development of these devices by identifying optimal conditions for fluid manipulation without prone-to-wear mechanical components. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453629
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,077.00
Summary
Integrated Combustion Research Facility for Biomass Derived Fuels. Bio-mass derived fuels are gaining in importance because they can contribute to solving the problems arising from the world wide decline in the reserve to production ratio of crude oil, the emission of greenhouse gases and energy security. In Australia they can also assist in mitigating dry-land salinity by increasing the viability of large-scale plantation of locally indigenous trees. However significant technical and political ....Integrated Combustion Research Facility for Biomass Derived Fuels. Bio-mass derived fuels are gaining in importance because they can contribute to solving the problems arising from the world wide decline in the reserve to production ratio of crude oil, the emission of greenhouse gases and energy security. In Australia they can also assist in mitigating dry-land salinity by increasing the viability of large-scale plantation of locally indigenous trees. However significant technical and political issues remain to be addressed before this potential can be realised. The Integrated Combustion Research Facility for Biomass Derived Fuels to be established by this grant will provide the necessary infrastructure to address these issues.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346870
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,000.00
Summary
High framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility. This proposal seeks to establish a specialised high framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility for the measurement of rapidly changing velocity fields in complex flows. The proposed facility is currently not available in Australia and is significant in that it provides a continuous time sequence of rapidly changing 3D velocity fields in a two-dimensional plane. The facility will provide e ....High framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility. This proposal seeks to establish a specialised high framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility for the measurement of rapidly changing velocity fields in complex flows. The proposed facility is currently not available in Australia and is significant in that it provides a continuous time sequence of rapidly changing 3D velocity fields in a two-dimensional plane. The facility will provide experimental validation for models and theories developed for fast transient flows in non-periodic time dependent flows, multi-phase flows, solid mechanics and natural convection.Read moreRead less
Fluid mechanical and biological studies of a stem cell bioreactor. The project has generic benefits toward the improvement of cell and tissue based approaches to diseases which involve replacement of dysfunctional, injured or missing tissues. This is currently a global effort with the overall aim of improving medicine by improving methods in biological sciences. The development of improved bioreactors and other biotechnologies will also have commercial benefits toward the development of effici ....Fluid mechanical and biological studies of a stem cell bioreactor. The project has generic benefits toward the improvement of cell and tissue based approaches to diseases which involve replacement of dysfunctional, injured or missing tissues. This is currently a global effort with the overall aim of improving medicine by improving methods in biological sciences. The development of improved bioreactors and other biotechnologies will also have commercial benefits toward the development of efficient production systems to replace existing systems which are labour intensive and time consuming. Read moreRead less
Fluidised bed nanoparticle reactors for gas-solid catalytic reactions. This is a "frontier technologies" (nanotechnology) project and promises to open up new opportunities for exciting development in molecular engineering. Catalytic gas-solid reactions are among the most important reactions in chemical industry and energy industry. The novel fluidised bed nanoparticle catalytic reactor is expected to have many important advantages over the conventional porous supported catalyst system. These rea ....Fluidised bed nanoparticle reactors for gas-solid catalytic reactions. This is a "frontier technologies" (nanotechnology) project and promises to open up new opportunities for exciting development in molecular engineering. Catalytic gas-solid reactions are among the most important reactions in chemical industry and energy industry. The novel fluidised bed nanoparticle catalytic reactor is expected to have many important advantages over the conventional porous supported catalyst system. These reactors promise to minimise the waste product generation from chemical and energy industries and so offer great benefit for the environment. Young researchers involved in the project will be equipped with knowledge at the forefront of nanotechnology, enabling them to contribute to Australia's new, high technology future.Read moreRead less
Understanding and modifying vortex structures in wind turbine wakes. At a fundamental research level, Australia's active participation in this area of national priority and research strength will be advanced through our published research, which will increase our understanding of wind turbine wakes and their effects in wind farms. This understanding will then be used to produce improved methods of predicting wind turbine performance. Such methods are needed by wind energy designers to produce b ....Understanding and modifying vortex structures in wind turbine wakes. At a fundamental research level, Australia's active participation in this area of national priority and research strength will be advanced through our published research, which will increase our understanding of wind turbine wakes and their effects in wind farms. This understanding will then be used to produce improved methods of predicting wind turbine performance. Such methods are needed by wind energy designers to produce better wind farms. It will also be used to recommend how to improve the aerodynamic design of turbine components, such as the blades and hub. Numerical tools will be developed for industry use, and training will be provided to personnel, thereby increasing the capabilities of Australia's growing wind energy industry.Read moreRead less
Feasibility Studies of Using AC Electrospraying for Biomaterials Synthesis. The proposed interdisciplinary research is anticipated to benefit workers in academia and industry as well as clinicians and patients. Given the demand for point-of-care drug delivery, micro/nano-encapsulation and biomaterials synthesis, the research will be beneficial to the pharmaceutical industry and spin-off/start-up microfluidic businesses interested in commercially developing these devices. It is intended that the ....Feasibility Studies of Using AC Electrospraying for Biomaterials Synthesis. The proposed interdisciplinary research is anticipated to benefit workers in academia and industry as well as clinicians and patients. Given the demand for point-of-care drug delivery, micro/nano-encapsulation and biomaterials synthesis, the research will be beneficial to the pharmaceutical industry and spin-off/start-up microfluidic businesses interested in commercially developing these devices. It is intended that the work will improve quality of life by advancing biomaterials technology and by making medical treatment more readily accessable, portable and more efficient. For patients, the proposed drug delivery device can help prevent sudden initial bursts of dose during administration, which could potentially have fatal consequences.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Multi-functional fluorescence microscopy laboratory. We have proposed a multipurpose fluorescent microscopy facility coupled to the RMIT microfabrication facility primarily for the study of the processes that make up lab-on-a-chip systems (the miniaturisation of a laboratory full of equipment to fit onto a credit card sized chip). Specifically the heart of the equipment, the variable wavelength pulsed laser coupled to an inverted microscope, will allow the study of temperature and fluid flow i ....Multi-functional fluorescence microscopy laboratory. We have proposed a multipurpose fluorescent microscopy facility coupled to the RMIT microfabrication facility primarily for the study of the processes that make up lab-on-a-chip systems (the miniaturisation of a laboratory full of equipment to fit onto a credit card sized chip). Specifically the heart of the equipment, the variable wavelength pulsed laser coupled to an inverted microscope, will allow the study of temperature and fluid flow in microchannels, the development of new electro-optic components, direct visualisation of electromagnetic radiation and its effect on cells, and the coupling of electrical and optical stimulation and sensing devices to microfluidic channels. Read moreRead less