Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary ....Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary outcome will be a series of robust fibre-based gain modules suitable for high power and very short optical pulses in the mid-infrared. These light sources will beneficially impact medicine, defence, sensing and manufacturing providing excellent opportunities for increasing Australian productivity and global competitiveness. Read moreRead less
Seeing the light: high-power visible-light generation using silicate fibre. Unlike their near-infrared counterparts, visible-light-emitting lasers are inefficient and complicated, impacting their broader deployment in industry, medicine, and telecommunications. To address this, we will create a new class of laser and amplifier based on an entirely new doped silicate glass fibre that will display low background loss and resilience to photodegradation from high-power visible light. This will solve ....Seeing the light: high-power visible-light generation using silicate fibre. Unlike their near-infrared counterparts, visible-light-emitting lasers are inefficient and complicated, impacting their broader deployment in industry, medicine, and telecommunications. To address this, we will create a new class of laser and amplifier based on an entirely new doped silicate glass fibre that will display low background loss and resilience to photodegradation from high-power visible light. This will solve one of the last important problems in fibre laser research. The primary outcome will be a series of high-power continuous-wave, ultrashort-pulse, all-fibre lasers emitting at yellow and red wavelengths, with significant benefits for space, defence, manufacturing, and human health.Read moreRead less
Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes inc ....Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes include the creation of intelligent photonic sensors that can, in principle, measure any environmental parameter using any optical waveguide material. It will create new critically needed measurement capabilities for challenging harsh environments, such as extreme temperature and in-vivo biochemical sensing.Read moreRead less
A novel precision-engineered microfluidic chip for wear particle research. This project aims to develop 1- novel protocols to generate clinically-relevant wear particles from spinal implants in-vitro and 2- a technological framework for the fabrication of a novel microfluidic 3D spinal implant-on-a-chip with tailored mechanical, material and biological properties. This will provide a cost-effective tool, currently unavailable, that allows investigation into the impact of wear particles on health ....A novel precision-engineered microfluidic chip for wear particle research. This project aims to develop 1- novel protocols to generate clinically-relevant wear particles from spinal implants in-vitro and 2- a technological framework for the fabrication of a novel microfluidic 3D spinal implant-on-a-chip with tailored mechanical, material and biological properties. This will provide a cost-effective tool, currently unavailable, that allows investigation into the impact of wear particles on healthy spinal disc cells. We expect our technological framework to become an invaluable tool for biomedical engineers, biologists, and bio-engineers to work together and generate clinically relevant in-vitro data that supports optimisation for spinal implant design, fabrication, and safety. Read moreRead less
A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology. This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain-sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive procedures. We achieve this through our novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals. We introduce ....A novel platform-technology for long-term subcutaneous neurophysiology. This project aims to develop a novel miniature device for subcutaneous and tetherless brain sensing. It addresses the lack of a device solution for brain-sensing that combines ultra-long-term reliable sensing capability and small dimensions for minimally-invasive procedures. We achieve this through our novel electrode architecture that significantly enhances the quality and reliability of recorded brain signals. We introduce a platform technology designed for subscalp anatomy with future use in various brain-machine interfacing applications relying on reliable, long-term and easy-to-implant systems. This project's device manufacturing, training, and intellectual property are expected to strengthen Australia's position in bioelectronics.Read moreRead less
Diamond Microneedles for Minimally Invasive Blood Collection. Blood sampling is a routine procedure for medical purposes to determine the physiological and biochemical status of patients. The aim of this project is to develop a reliable microneedle array for a blood collection procedures. Micro-scale needles for low-volume perforated blood samples are highly desirable due to its minimal invasiveness and painlessness. The miniaturization of sampling platforms driven by microneedles has the poten ....Diamond Microneedles for Minimally Invasive Blood Collection. Blood sampling is a routine procedure for medical purposes to determine the physiological and biochemical status of patients. The aim of this project is to develop a reliable microneedle array for a blood collection procedures. Micro-scale needles for low-volume perforated blood samples are highly desirable due to its minimal invasiveness and painlessness. The miniaturization of sampling platforms driven by microneedles has the potential to shift disease diagnosis and monitoring closer to the point of care. Expected outcomes include the development of synthetic diamond-based microneedles for the potential to greatly benefit society through improved and affordable healthcare and the development of new high-tech industries.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100692
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Multiphysics inertial microfluidics: from fundamentals to applications. Separation of particles and particularly cells is an indispensable process in disease diagnostics, chemical/biological assays and food/chemical industries. This project aims to study the interplay between inertial fluid flow, electricity, and magnetism in microscale for particle separation. The project is expected to establish the fundamental theory underpinning the development of the proposed advanced separation technology. ....Multiphysics inertial microfluidics: from fundamentals to applications. Separation of particles and particularly cells is an indispensable process in disease diagnostics, chemical/biological assays and food/chemical industries. This project aims to study the interplay between inertial fluid flow, electricity, and magnetism in microscale for particle separation. The project is expected to establish the fundamental theory underpinning the development of the proposed advanced separation technology. This disruptive technology is expected to enable the unique, high-performance and high-throughput separation of particles such as cells. The technology will potentially benefit the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, providing economic opportunities and maintaining high-quality healthcare for Australia.Read moreRead less
Characterization, modelling and control for robotic thermal ablation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues in robotic-assisted minimally invasive thermal ablation, an important therapy for patients with cancer. It aims to establish advanced characterisation and modelling methodologies for thermomechanical behaviours of soft tissues, together with automatic planning and precise manipulation control techniques for robotic thermal ablation therapies. The project will establish new know ....Characterization, modelling and control for robotic thermal ablation. This project aims to study the fundamental issues in robotic-assisted minimally invasive thermal ablation, an important therapy for patients with cancer. It aims to establish advanced characterisation and modelling methodologies for thermomechanical behaviours of soft tissues, together with automatic planning and precise manipulation control techniques for robotic thermal ablation therapies. The project will establish new knowledge and instrumentation for robotic-assisted thermal ablation and minimally invasive surgery. The outcomes of this project will produce important benefits to medicine, healthcare and medical technology industry, and further consolidate Australia’s position in innovative technologies and research and development of advanced healthcare systems and instruments.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,437.00
Summary
Femtoliter Liquid Deposition Facility. This project aims to create a research capacity for direct printing of femtolitre volumes of functional liquids onto devices and surfaces. This project expects to enable the development of new sensing and electronic devices that require a novel fabrication step with delicate materials that cannot be deposited using existing processes. Expected outcomes include new chemical and biological sensors created through collaborative research between the partner in ....Femtoliter Liquid Deposition Facility. This project aims to create a research capacity for direct printing of femtolitre volumes of functional liquids onto devices and surfaces. This project expects to enable the development of new sensing and electronic devices that require a novel fabrication step with delicate materials that cannot be deposited using existing processes. Expected outcomes include new chemical and biological sensors created through collaborative research between the partner institutions and researchers. The benefits of this project should include the creation of a new rapid prototyping facility for Australian researchers, and the application of these capabilities for the development of new low-cost sensors for environmental gas sensing and glucose monitoring.Read moreRead less