Surface tension-confined microfluidics: moving towards a flexible platform for diagnostics. The point-of-care industry is poised to fulfil the international need for effective and mobile diagnostics tools; however current strategies are restricting this from becoming a reality. Surface tension-confined microfluidics provide an opportunity to meet the requirements necessary for flexible platform for point-of-care devices.
Engineering functional nerves using microtailored culture systems. The aim of this work is to develop new culture systems for developing and growing nerves outside of the body. The project will generate knowledge and engineering technology for production of neural implants suitable for medical applications. The availability of engineered nerve grafts to repair neural injuries will improve patient health outcomes.
New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells ....New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells, which continues to be a major challenge in stem cell science and which could have fundamental biological and commercial significance.Read moreRead less
Design of Microstructures for Materials and Composites with Desired Functional Properties. The creation of new and advanced materials and composites will underpin the growth in many industrial and economic activities in Australia. This project will meet the substantial scientific and technological challenges in exploring and finding optimal microstructures for materials and composites with desired functional properties. The proposed research will significantly extend a topological optimization t ....Design of Microstructures for Materials and Composites with Desired Functional Properties. The creation of new and advanced materials and composites will underpin the growth in many industrial and economic activities in Australia. This project will meet the substantial scientific and technological challenges in exploring and finding optimal microstructures for materials and composites with desired functional properties. The proposed research will significantly extend a topological optimization technique known as ESO/BESO - an Australian initiative that has earned a widespread international recognition. Its further development and applications will enable the Australian researchers and engineers to maintain and enhance the national capacity to exploit a niche market in the design of novel materials and composites.Read moreRead less
Elliptical nozzles: the shape of silence? This project aims to leverage the aeroacoustic properties of elliptical nozzle geometries to significantly reduce installed jet noise. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding methods to reduce installed jet noise, a serious problem for the aerospace industry. Regulatory constraints inhibit the implementation of efficiency-increasing configurations but still fail to eliminate public health impacts. Expected outcomes include a set of tools ....Elliptical nozzles: the shape of silence? This project aims to leverage the aeroacoustic properties of elliptical nozzle geometries to significantly reduce installed jet noise. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding methods to reduce installed jet noise, a serious problem for the aerospace industry. Regulatory constraints inhibit the implementation of efficiency-increasing configurations but still fail to eliminate public health impacts. Expected outcomes include a set of tools for optimizing nozzle designs capable of significantly reducing installed jet noise. This will provide significant benefits, as jet noise is a serious health issue for the Australian public. This project represents an opportunity to reduce its impact while improving fuel efficiency.Read moreRead less
The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this plan ....The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this planet. This research project will result in technological advancement and provide important training for future generations of researchers. This will entrench the Australian engineering and scientific community as world leaders in this area of scientific research.Read moreRead less
The structure of turbulence at high Reynolds numbers. The aim of this project is to gain a physical understanding of the process of turbulence in fluid motion, focusing on boundary layers adjacent to the surface of bodies, such as submarines and turbines. As turbulence is of fundamental importance in many engineering tasks, developing our understanding of the mechanisms involved will lead to progress in many areas. For example, accurate prediction of drag on vehicles, aircraft and ships, result ....The structure of turbulence at high Reynolds numbers. The aim of this project is to gain a physical understanding of the process of turbulence in fluid motion, focusing on boundary layers adjacent to the surface of bodies, such as submarines and turbines. As turbulence is of fundamental importance in many engineering tasks, developing our understanding of the mechanisms involved will lead to progress in many areas. For example, accurate prediction of drag on vehicles, aircraft and ships, resulting in reductions in fuel consumption. The wind tunnel used in this project is the largest of its type in the world, enabling pioneering experiments to be undertaken which will extend our understanding of the physics of turbulence for applied flows.
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Biodegradable immuno-therapeutic nanoparticles. The national benefit relates directly to Promoting and Maintaining Good Health through preventative healthcare as this project will develop a new vaccine delivery platform that will contribute to preventing a host of diseases such as viral infections and malaria. The health benefits of better vaccines directly enhance a Healthy Start to Life and Ageing Well. This area of nanoparticle therapies is a global 'hot spot' and this multi-disciplinary team ....Biodegradable immuno-therapeutic nanoparticles. The national benefit relates directly to Promoting and Maintaining Good Health through preventative healthcare as this project will develop a new vaccine delivery platform that will contribute to preventing a host of diseases such as viral infections and malaria. The health benefits of better vaccines directly enhance a Healthy Start to Life and Ageing Well. This area of nanoparticle therapies is a global 'hot spot' and this multi-disciplinary team could make huge and rapid progressions in this area of therapeutics. New intellectual property in the area of therapeutic particle production is the cornerstone of this project and could deliver lasting economic benefits through the creation of new health products and patents.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
Surface roughness and its effects on wall-bounded turbulence. Examples in engineering where turbulence is important are: wind tunnel model testing, numerical prediction of turbulent skin friction drag over an aircraft wing, turbulent forces and acoustic field around a submarine or a road vehicle, and the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. Turbulence may also be beneficial, for example, in improving engine combustion and decreasing pollutant emissions. Hence this study will have national ....Surface roughness and its effects on wall-bounded turbulence. Examples in engineering where turbulence is important are: wind tunnel model testing, numerical prediction of turbulent skin friction drag over an aircraft wing, turbulent forces and acoustic field around a submarine or a road vehicle, and the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. Turbulence may also be beneficial, for example, in improving engine combustion and decreasing pollutant emissions. Hence this study will have national benefits in many scientific fields, for example, in fuel savings (economy and energy ), stability of road vehicles (safety and health), noise generation and acoustic signatures of submarines (transforming defence technology and safeguarding Australia).Read moreRead less