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
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
Pushing the limits: fabricating micro and nano actuators. This project will result in significant advances in micro/nano fabrication, that is the cornerstone of nanotechnology, and an understanding of the performance of micro/nano actuators produced from electroactive materials. The project outcomes will provide a technology platform to establish micro/nano robotic systems for vaccine and gene delivery, intelligent drug delivery systems, microfluidic systems for disease monitoring and treatment, ....Pushing the limits: fabricating micro and nano actuators. This project will result in significant advances in micro/nano fabrication, that is the cornerstone of nanotechnology, and an understanding of the performance of micro/nano actuators produced from electroactive materials. The project outcomes will provide a technology platform to establish micro/nano robotic systems for vaccine and gene delivery, intelligent drug delivery systems, microfluidic systems for disease monitoring and treatment, water treatment and pollution control kits, microrobotic systems for pipeline inspection and maintenance, and minimally invasive surgery. National benefits will be in the areas of human health, sustainable environment and frontier technologies to stimulate the growth of world-class Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Mechanical advantage: biomimetic artificial muscles for micro-machines. This project will develop better ways to operate miniature machines by copying the way that muscle operates in Nature. The outcome will be important for portable devices like digital cameras that need small, efficient motors. The artificial muscles developed in this project may also be used in medical prosthetics and more agile robots.
Non-invasive and safe human-machine interface (HMI) systems . This project aims to establish novel non-invasive human-machine interface systems based on multi-modal sensing and machine learning to intuitively command and control robotic and autonomous systems safely interacting and cooperating with humans. This will be achieved by harnessing the synergies across design optimisation, multi-modal sensing, additive manufacturing, machine learning, and assistive and cooperative robotic devices. Expe ....Non-invasive and safe human-machine interface (HMI) systems . This project aims to establish novel non-invasive human-machine interface systems based on multi-modal sensing and machine learning to intuitively command and control robotic and autonomous systems safely interacting and cooperating with humans. This will be achieved by harnessing the synergies across design optimisation, multi-modal sensing, additive manufacturing, machine learning, and assistive and cooperative robotic devices. Expected outcomes are a novel human-machine interface methodology, a new multi-purpose wearable data glove, and function and application-specific machine learning methods for cutting-edge applications in assistive robotic devices such as a prosthetic hand, advanced manufacturing, construction and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Machining-induced damage mechanisms in KDP crystals. This project aims to produce damage-free potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals. How machining-induced damage reduces these crystals’ property thresholds is unclear, which hinders the development of high performance devices relying on KDP. This project will use multi-scale modelling and in-situ experiments to research machining-induced damage in KDP. This project is expected to establish a knowledge base of machining-induced damage of K ....Machining-induced damage mechanisms in KDP crystals. This project aims to produce damage-free potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals. How machining-induced damage reduces these crystals’ property thresholds is unclear, which hinders the development of high performance devices relying on KDP. This project will use multi-scale modelling and in-situ experiments to research machining-induced damage in KDP. This project is expected to establish a knowledge base of machining-induced damage of KDP crystals, important for high performance systems and materials sensitive to environmental conditions, including moisture and temperature.Read moreRead less
A System Behavioral Approach to Big Data-driven Nonlinear Process Control. This project aims to develop a novel process control approach that utilises big process data to improve the cost-effectiveness of industrial processes. Existing monitoring systems in the industry have been collecting a tremendous amount of process operation data but little effort has been made to use the big process data to enhance process operations. Based on the system behavioural approach and dissipativity theory, inte ....A System Behavioral Approach to Big Data-driven Nonlinear Process Control. This project aims to develop a novel process control approach that utilises big process data to improve the cost-effectiveness of industrial processes. Existing monitoring systems in the industry have been collecting a tremendous amount of process operation data but little effort has been made to use the big process data to enhance process operations. Based on the system behavioural approach and dissipativity theory, integrated with machine learning techniques, this project expects to develop a novel framework for data-driven control using big process data. The outcomes are expected to benefit the Australian process industry, where many processes are controlled by inadequate logic controllers, by improving their operational efficiency.Read moreRead less
Mechanical Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes play important roles in the development of nanotechnology, a key technology in the twenty-first century. This project aims to establish the theories and techniques for characterizing the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. A novel method combining atomic analysis, predictive modeling and direct experimental quantification with atomic force microscopy will be used to achieve the objectives. The research will bring about new ....Mechanical Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes play important roles in the development of nanotechnology, a key technology in the twenty-first century. This project aims to establish the theories and techniques for characterizing the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. A novel method combining atomic analysis, predictive modeling and direct experimental quantification with atomic force microscopy will be used to achieve the objectives. The research will bring about new nanomechanics theories, resolve the existing paradox in nanotube deformation and provide an effective measuring method under complex loading. The achievement will contribute to the knowledge of nanotechnology and help the industry for further technical development.Read moreRead less
Developing and modelling an additive process for three-dimensional micro-fabrication. This project aims to develop new scientific knowledge to govern the optimum design and use of a three-dimensional fabrication technology for the precision manufacturing of micro-structures. It will also gain a fundamental understanding of the fabrication process and develop new models for predicting and optimizing the process performance. The intended outcomes will increase Australia's international research st ....Developing and modelling an additive process for three-dimensional micro-fabrication. This project aims to develop new scientific knowledge to govern the optimum design and use of a three-dimensional fabrication technology for the precision manufacturing of micro-structures. It will also gain a fundamental understanding of the fabrication process and develop new models for predicting and optimizing the process performance. The intended outcomes will increase Australia's international research standing in precision and nano/micro manufacturing, while the new technology developed will fill a process gap in fabricating micro-structures and enable industry to quickly respond to market demand at commercially viable cost, particularly for small batch and customized products, and in dental, medical and electronics applications.Read moreRead less
Developing a hybrid waterjet-laser micromachining technology and associated process models for damage-free fabrication of silicon substrates. This hybrid micromachining technology will make it possible for damage-free, fast micro-fabrication of high-integrity devices such as high performance silicon solar cells. It will open new directions for the Australian manufacturing industry in micro-technologies. The environmental and economic benefits to the nation will be highly significant.