Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifica ....Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifically, the enabling of molecular imaging will enhance the study of many more disease states and rapid assessment of new in vivo therapeutic agents. The side-stream benefit to biomedical research and development in Australia is therefore substantial. Read moreRead less
Geotechnical and soil-structure interaction properties of soils in Perth CBD. A new underground railway (City Project) will shortly begin construction in Perth CBD. This construction, and its associated high level of monitoring instrumentation, offers a unique opportunity for an extensive and thorough examination of the mechanical properties of Perths soils. The research results emanating from the proposed combination of field monitoring, laboratory investigation and numerical analysis, will gre ....Geotechnical and soil-structure interaction properties of soils in Perth CBD. A new underground railway (City Project) will shortly begin construction in Perth CBD. This construction, and its associated high level of monitoring instrumentation, offers a unique opportunity for an extensive and thorough examination of the mechanical properties of Perths soils. The research results emanating from the proposed combination of field monitoring, laboratory investigation and numerical analysis, will greatly improve the reliability (and hence cost) of future foundation and basement designs in Perth and elsewhere.Read moreRead less
Interferometric Distributed Feedback Fibre Laser Sensors. This project will solve important problems in realising next generation underwater optical fibre sensor systems for defence and marine exploration. OFTC's expertise in specialty optical fibre and devices will be combined with Thales' expertise in underwater sensor systems to give Australia a global lead. The benefits are commercial, national security and research standing. Domestic manufacture of a major optical system will assist maturat ....Interferometric Distributed Feedback Fibre Laser Sensors. This project will solve important problems in realising next generation underwater optical fibre sensor systems for defence and marine exploration. OFTC's expertise in specialty optical fibre and devices will be combined with Thales' expertise in underwater sensor systems to give Australia a global lead. The benefits are commercial, national security and research standing. Domestic manufacture of a major optical system will assist maturation of the sector which is dominated by component companies. This system for underwater surveillance is obviously important to a country with a large coastline to defend. This project will build Australia's global reputation renowned for research excellence in fibre and fibre devices.Read moreRead less
Development of electrical probes and advanced classification algorithms for early detection of cancer. The curable precursor of cervical cancer is cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). Various cancer probes will be constructed for the identification of CIN based on electrical measurements on tissue. Through studies of the cellular structure and the junction between cells, a theoretical model of the electrode/mucus/tissue system will be developed at and below the surface of the tissue under ....Development of electrical probes and advanced classification algorithms for early detection of cancer. The curable precursor of cervical cancer is cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). Various cancer probes will be constructed for the identification of CIN based on electrical measurements on tissue. Through studies of the cellular structure and the junction between cells, a theoretical model of the electrode/mucus/tissue system will be developed at and below the surface of the tissue under examination. Theoretical modelling, probe development and detection algorithms will be used to identify CIN in real-time with concurrently high sensitivity and specificity. Effective electrical probes for early detection of cancer (cervical, lung and breast) will be of enormous national and international benefit.Read moreRead less
New open MRI Technology for Kinematic Orthopaedic Imaging. This application intends to significantly enhance Open MRI as applied to dynamic joint imaging by technological and methodological innovation. Expected outcomes include better technology for the imaging of joints under loaded movement and consequently, improved understanding of joint function and disease. This technology will provide unique ability in Australia and brings together highly skilled groups in Biomedical Engineering, medical ....New open MRI Technology for Kinematic Orthopaedic Imaging. This application intends to significantly enhance Open MRI as applied to dynamic joint imaging by technological and methodological innovation. Expected outcomes include better technology for the imaging of joints under loaded movement and consequently, improved understanding of joint function and disease. This technology will provide unique ability in Australia and brings together highly skilled groups in Biomedical Engineering, medical equipment manufacturing and design and musculo-skeletal imaging.Read moreRead less
Noval design of a Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (BVAD) Centrifugal Heart Pump as an Implantable Total Artificial Heart. In Australia, 40%(50,797) of all deaths each year are related to heart disease and accounted for 12% (A$4Billion) of total recurrent health expenditure. This innovative research aims at developing a single biventricular assist device (BVAD) driven by a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal pump impeller. Current techniques require two implantable devices, thus preventi ....Noval design of a Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (BVAD) Centrifugal Heart Pump as an Implantable Total Artificial Heart. In Australia, 40%(50,797) of all deaths each year are related to heart disease and accounted for 12% (A$4Billion) of total recurrent health expenditure. This innovative research aims at developing a single biventricular assist device (BVAD) driven by a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal pump impeller. Current techniques require two implantable devices, thus preventing smaller patients from access to BVAD technology. The expected outcomes will be a significantly small and compact device and provide an alternative to open-heart transplantation, thus helping to alleviate the demand on donor hearts, as well as the strain on the Australian Heath Care System caused by cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less
The effect of turbulence scale and intensity on water flow measurement using ultrasonic techniques. Management of water resources and water distribution networks is important as Australia and the world face increasing water shortages. A significant aspect of water management is prevention of supply losses in urban and non-urban water distribution networks - a vital factor in improving water security of Australian cities and agricultural production regions. This research will develop ultrasonic f ....The effect of turbulence scale and intensity on water flow measurement using ultrasonic techniques. Management of water resources and water distribution networks is important as Australia and the world face increasing water shortages. A significant aspect of water management is prevention of supply losses in urban and non-urban water distribution networks - a vital factor in improving water security of Australian cities and agricultural production regions. This research will develop ultrasonic flow-velocity technology, which can be retrofitted to existing water distribution networks, providing distributed high precision water flow measurement systems that can prevent the loss each year of more than 155GL of water through leaks and burst in Australia's capital cities alone.Read moreRead less
Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon durin ....Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon during training and rehabilitation. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the loading conditions that optimise tendon metabolism. Based on this, it then intends to develop new technologies to estimate the mechanical behaviour of the human Achilles tendon in real time based on integrated use of wearable technology, and new training guidelines that will optimise human tendon adaptation.Read moreRead less
Novel Early Warning System for Hypoglycaemia. An innovative technique will be developed for early detection of low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia), a life-threatening complication affecting millions of people with Type 1 diabetes worldwide. Real-time analysis of the effectiveness of skin impedance, ECG (in particular heart rate and QT interval), and EEG (alpha wave) will be combined with robust adaptive neural networks to provide a novel theoretical and practical basis for developing a non-i ....Novel Early Warning System for Hypoglycaemia. An innovative technique will be developed for early detection of low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia), a life-threatening complication affecting millions of people with Type 1 diabetes worldwide. Real-time analysis of the effectiveness of skin impedance, ECG (in particular heart rate and QT interval), and EEG (alpha wave) will be combined with robust adaptive neural networks to provide a novel theoretical and practical basis for developing a non-invasive hypoglycaemia monitor. This device has the potential to save lives, improve quality of life for people with diabetes and their carers, and put Australia at the forefront in this $US5 billion pa industry.Read moreRead less
From Milk to Curd: Molecular Assembly and Microstructure in Complex Dairy Products. This project will benefit rural and regional dairy communities and manufacturers. It will help offset the negative effects of drought and climate change by increasing productivity, yield and innovation. It should generate at least ten million dollars in increased dairy sales and provide new domestic and export market opportunities. The tools for increased product consistency and international research links wi ....From Milk to Curd: Molecular Assembly and Microstructure in Complex Dairy Products. This project will benefit rural and regional dairy communities and manufacturers. It will help offset the negative effects of drought and climate change by increasing productivity, yield and innovation. It should generate at least ten million dollars in increased dairy sales and provide new domestic and export market opportunities. The tools for increased product consistency and international research links will decrease risks in manufacturing and increase competitiveness. Social benefits include increased returns to dairy farmers, improved employment and increased spending in rural and regional areas. The project will also train engineers, addressing a recognised skills shortage and increase environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less