High Performance Twist Drill Design and Drilling Operations for Machining Mould Steel. In this project a high performance drill point design, based on low drilling forces and high drill-life criteria when machining mould steel will be developed together with a computer application software for drilling force predictions, based on the ¡®unified-generalised mechanics of cutting approach¡¯, and optimal drilling feed and speed selection for minimum cost and time per hole, based on a multi-constraint ....High Performance Twist Drill Design and Drilling Operations for Machining Mould Steel. In this project a high performance drill point design, based on low drilling forces and high drill-life criteria when machining mould steel will be developed together with a computer application software for drilling force predictions, based on the ¡®unified-generalised mechanics of cutting approach¡¯, and optimal drilling feed and speed selection for minimum cost and time per hole, based on a multi-constraint drilling optimization analysis. Particular attention will be given to the manufacture of the drill point geometry. It is anticipated that the application software will enable the drill design, manufacture, performance and drilling conditions to be integrated.Read moreRead less
Predictive Mechanics of Cutting Models for Forces and Torque in Machine Tapping Operations with Straight and Helical Flute Taps. This project is aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of the cutting process as well as mechanics of cutting mathematical models and software for reliable predictions of all the force components, torque and power in machine tapping of both wrought and sintered metallic materials with straight and helical fluted taps. This investigation will provide useful fun ....Predictive Mechanics of Cutting Models for Forces and Torque in Machine Tapping Operations with Straight and Helical Flute Taps. This project is aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of the cutting process as well as mechanics of cutting mathematical models and software for reliable predictions of all the force components, torque and power in machine tapping of both wrought and sintered metallic materials with straight and helical fluted taps. This investigation will provide useful fundamental and practical information and data on the tapping operations, renowned as 'some of the most neglected operations in machining research' and as 'bottleneck operations in practice'. This project heads towards satisfying the internationally recognised pressing need for quantitatively reliable machining performance data and equations.Read moreRead less
High speed multi-channel discharge machining of difficult-to-cut materials. This project aims to develop a novel approach to high speed machining of difficult-to-cut materials by resolving the contradictory surface quality and machining efficiency problem with a new theory. It is expected to advance the fundamental knowledge of electrical machining. The outcomes are new machining theories, novel methods and models of using multiple low energy sparks which occur nearly simultaneously for high spe ....High speed multi-channel discharge machining of difficult-to-cut materials. This project aims to develop a novel approach to high speed machining of difficult-to-cut materials by resolving the contradictory surface quality and machining efficiency problem with a new theory. It is expected to advance the fundamental knowledge of electrical machining. The outcomes are new machining theories, novel methods and models of using multiple low energy sparks which occur nearly simultaneously for high speed machining of a wide range of advanced materials. It should significantly increase machining speed and thus dramatically reduce the costs of producing products such as titanium medical implants, alloyed engine components and new cutting tools which are vital for the biomaterials, aerospace and manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less
Haptic exploration and manipulation of micro/nano scale environment. The proposed research is novel and innovative in character and it has potential benefits in many frontier areas utilising micro/nano manipulation systems. These include micromanufacturing and instrumentation, microbiology, microsurgery and nanotechnology. The outcomes of this project will add to the growth of world-class Australian engineering science, and consolidate Australia's position in innovative technologies and internat ....Haptic exploration and manipulation of micro/nano scale environment. The proposed research is novel and innovative in character and it has potential benefits in many frontier areas utilising micro/nano manipulation systems. These include micromanufacturing and instrumentation, microbiology, microsurgery and nanotechnology. The outcomes of this project will add to the growth of world-class Australian engineering science, and consolidate Australia's position in innovative technologies and international R&D. This highly challenging project will provide training for postdoctorate researchers, postgraduate and honours students. These researchers will gain expertise in many areas including micro/nano manipulation, sensing and control, system design and analysis, virtual reality and experimental techniques.Read moreRead less
Robotic microsurgery: intra-operative measurement, modelling and micromanipulation control. This research will significantly improve microsurgery and minimally invasive surgery techniques, and further produce important benefits to medicine and healthcare. The project will also open new domains in the capabilities of modelling and control of complex systems with significant impact and benefits to numerous science and engineering practices.
Micromanipulation system. Many frontier areas such as micromanufacturing, microsurgery, biotechnology, and nanotechnology require high precision micromanipulation systems. This project aims to investigate fundamental issues in micromanipulation systems using an ARC-LIEF funded research facility, and establish methodologies for modelling and analysis, together with their experimental verification to evaluate the influence of various parameters in such systems. The findings will be utilised to e ....Micromanipulation system. Many frontier areas such as micromanufacturing, microsurgery, biotechnology, and nanotechnology require high precision micromanipulation systems. This project aims to investigate fundamental issues in micromanipulation systems using an ARC-LIEF funded research facility, and establish methodologies for modelling and analysis, together with their experimental verification to evaluate the influence of various parameters in such systems. The findings will be utilised to establish sensory-based control techniques to solve problems associated with predictability, control, and efficiency for future advancement of such novel systems. The outcomes will include acquiring new knowledge in micromanipulation systems for potential utilization of the innovative concepts in the frontier areas.Read moreRead less
Paper fluidics - A novel approach to low cost printable microsensors. Printing is perhaps the cheapest means of mass production available, yet it is used almost exclusively to mass produce only one thing, i.e. the printed word! This project will enable the development of disposable printed sensors for assessing the quality of water or the health of an individual. Sensors are generally relatively expensive, but the ability to print them on paper by the thousand will bring down the cost to a few ....Paper fluidics - A novel approach to low cost printable microsensors. Printing is perhaps the cheapest means of mass production available, yet it is used almost exclusively to mass produce only one thing, i.e. the printed word! This project will enable the development of disposable printed sensors for assessing the quality of water or the health of an individual. Sensors are generally relatively expensive, but the ability to print them on paper by the thousand will bring down the cost to a few cents. Such cheap, portable, easy-to-use sensors if widely available could profoundly affect the lives of people living in remote areas and developing countries.Read moreRead less
Laser-based sensing, measurement and control of multi-axis flexure-based mechanisms for nano manipulations. The project aims to investigate fundamental issues in measurement, design, optimisation, and control of multi-axis flexure-based nano manipulators. It aims to establish novel sensing methodologies for position and orientation measurements and feedback, and advanced control techniques for nano manipulation in view of actuators’ nonlinearities, interferences among motion axes, and external d ....Laser-based sensing, measurement and control of multi-axis flexure-based mechanisms for nano manipulations. The project aims to investigate fundamental issues in measurement, design, optimisation, and control of multi-axis flexure-based nano manipulators. It aims to establish novel sensing methodologies for position and orientation measurements and feedback, and advanced control techniques for nano manipulation in view of actuators’ nonlinearities, interferences among motion axes, and external disturbances. The research is significant as such nano manipulators and methodologies represent the building blocks for many future scientific and engineering nano manipulation systems. The project will establish new knowledge, methodologies, and instrumentations for measurement, characterisation and control of multi-axis flexure-based nano manipulators.Read moreRead less
Segmental fibres having periodically-repeating multicomponent segments from T-junction microfluidic electrospinning. Segmental fibres, which have periodically-repeating multi-component segments along their length, represent a new fibre type offering enormous potential in creating new fibre functions. The present work aims to develop a technical platform to prepare segmental fibres and new knowledge on how the fibre segments contribute to the property, functionality and inter-fibrous interaction ....Segmental fibres having periodically-repeating multicomponent segments from T-junction microfluidic electrospinning. Segmental fibres, which have periodically-repeating multi-component segments along their length, represent a new fibre type offering enormous potential in creating new fibre functions. The present work aims to develop a technical platform to prepare segmental fibres and new knowledge on how the fibre segments contribute to the property, functionality and inter-fibrous interaction of fibres. This will be achieved using a special microfluidic electrospinning technique. The segmental fibres developed will be useful for development of various new functional fibres for diverse applications. 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