Fibre-Polymer Composites With Graded Microstructure. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the current generation of spinal disk protheses (metal plates with springs/polymers as shock absorber ....Fibre-Polymer Composites With Graded Microstructure. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the current generation of spinal disk protheses (metal plates with springs/polymers as shock absorbers). Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. Therefore a strong social and economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem.Read moreRead less
Surface engineering of biomaterials for optimal bone bonding characteristics. The ideal bone-implant material is hydroxyapatite. Chemically similar to bone mineral, hydroxyapatite is capable of inducing bone ongrowth. An ideal surface coating for metal hip implants, plasma spraying has been the preferred commercial hydroxyapatite coating technique. Until recently, it was always presumed that the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite resulted from its surface chemistry. However, a recent study has shown ....Surface engineering of biomaterials for optimal bone bonding characteristics. The ideal bone-implant material is hydroxyapatite. Chemically similar to bone mineral, hydroxyapatite is capable of inducing bone ongrowth. An ideal surface coating for metal hip implants, plasma spraying has been the preferred commercial hydroxyapatite coating technique. Until recently, it was always presumed that the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite resulted from its surface chemistry. However, a recent study has shown that the bioactivity of HAp coatings strongly correlates with surface roughness on the scale of bone cells. This project will explore cell-attachment behaviour for hydroxyapatite coatings prepared by plasma spraying compared with engineered surface morphology/chemistry by microlithography and vapour coating.Read moreRead less
Functionally graded fibre-polymer composites: a novel material for spinal disk prostheses. Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. A strong social/economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucle ....Functionally graded fibre-polymer composites: a novel material for spinal disk prostheses. Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. A strong social/economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the alternative spinal disk protheses in clinical use or in the patent literature.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561186
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,967.00
Summary
Surface Mechanical Property Analysis Facility. The aim of this proposal is to develop a facility for the mechanical properties analysis of material surfaces. The facility will enable an understanding of the performance of materials in a wide range of contact and abrasion situations and in very small volumes such as thin films and components of multiphase composites. The unique features of the proposed facility are that it is capable of analysis down to exceptionally low sub-micron length scale, ....Surface Mechanical Property Analysis Facility. The aim of this proposal is to develop a facility for the mechanical properties analysis of material surfaces. The facility will enable an understanding of the performance of materials in a wide range of contact and abrasion situations and in very small volumes such as thin films and components of multiphase composites. The unique features of the proposed facility are that it is capable of analysis down to exceptionally low sub-micron length scale, under multiple forms of loading and over a range of temperatures. It is applicable to the design of abrasion resistant materials, characterisation of very thin surface films for applications such as microelectronics and biomedical implants and design of advanced composites.Read moreRead less
Guided droplet deposition: Microfabrication of advanced materials. The progress of micro and nanofabrication is opening an array of new opportunities with a new degree of freedom for manufacturing. This process will complement the existing micromanufacturing facilities in Melbourne. While metal printing and deposition of polymers is presently available, the guided droplet deposition will extend current capabilities to include ceramics and high melting temperature metals. Direct application to me ....Guided droplet deposition: Microfabrication of advanced materials. The progress of micro and nanofabrication is opening an array of new opportunities with a new degree of freedom for manufacturing. This process will complement the existing micromanufacturing facilities in Melbourne. While metal printing and deposition of polymers is presently available, the guided droplet deposition will extend current capabilities to include ceramics and high melting temperature metals. Direct application to medical devices will provide a more effective surface for improved performance and allow the incorporation of smart and sensor materials for multifunctional devices. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100012
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$890,000.00
Summary
Dual Column-Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscope facility for Queensland. Dual column focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope facility: This facility will precisely cut specimens and surfaces that can be imaged in a variety of ways, including crystallographic and elemental space, of particular use for physical scientists, as well as biological specimens. This instrument will provide information at resolutions between optical and transmission electron microscopy, images that will ....Dual Column-Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscope facility for Queensland. Dual column focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope facility: This facility will precisely cut specimens and surfaces that can be imaged in a variety of ways, including crystallographic and elemental space, of particular use for physical scientists, as well as biological specimens. This instrument will provide information at resolutions between optical and transmission electron microscopy, images that will effectively provide the biologist with the ability to develop the complete correlative picture of organelles and cells. The instrument will also provide a much needed resource for researchers across disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology and engineering.Read moreRead less
Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other ....Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other expected outcomes include discovering how heat is converted into electricity in thermoelectric materials and how precipitates affect alloy strength. The benefits may include more informed materials design, more efficient thermoelectrics for sustainable energy technologies, and higher strength-to-weight ratio alloys.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100149
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Spectroscopic imaging for materials, minerals and life sciences. The spectroscopic imaging equipment highlighted in this proposal will produce a number of outcomes of national benefit. First, it will elevate the impact of research in materials, minerals, and life sciences in Australia, all of which are key areas for the national economy and community. Second, the equipment will be integral to the teaching and research nexus and experiential learning facility for a new wave of materials science ....Spectroscopic imaging for materials, minerals and life sciences. The spectroscopic imaging equipment highlighted in this proposal will produce a number of outcomes of national benefit. First, it will elevate the impact of research in materials, minerals, and life sciences in Australia, all of which are key areas for the national economy and community. Second, the equipment will be integral to the teaching and research nexus and experiential learning facility for a new wave of materials science and engineering students to be educated at UniSA in the EIF-funded M2 building at Mawson Lakes. Finally, the anticipated outcomes of the research to be supported are significant and relate clearly to a number of National Research Priorities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,200,000.00
Summary
Advanced focused ion beam (FIB) / scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for nanometre scale characterisation and fabrication. These instruments are designed to provide fundamental insights into physical and biological systems though characterisation and fabrication of structures at nanometre length scales. These versatile platforms will support a wide range of projects covering three national research priority areas. These range from the characterisation of light alloys for improving and building ....Advanced focused ion beam (FIB) / scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for nanometre scale characterisation and fabrication. These instruments are designed to provide fundamental insights into physical and biological systems though characterisation and fabrication of structures at nanometre length scales. These versatile platforms will support a wide range of projects covering three national research priority areas. These range from the characterisation of light alloys for improving and building Australia's Aluminium, Magnesium and Titanium alloy industries, to the study of aerosol particles for improved pulmonary drug delivery for asthma patients, the development of advanced solar cells and the study of the integrated behaviour of the soil-microbe system for sustainable agriculture.Read moreRead less
Electro-mechanics of natural load-bearing materials: understanding mechanisms of toughening, remodelling, and self-healing. Nature provides some of the most advanced functional structural materials, with the capability to remodel and strengthen under changing loads. The origins of the functional properties which allow them to do this will be explored, providing the possibility of developing materials which mimic this behaviour.