Multiscale Study on Biomechanical Roles of Soft Tissue on Bone Remodelling. The project aims to increase our knowledge of the processes of bone remodelling and the role of soft tissue in this process. Mechanical force is a key stimulus for regulating bone remodelling. A significant question in biomechanics is why orthodontics only use very small forces (1 Newton) to generate significant oral bone remodelling, whereas prosthodontics that apply three orders of magnitude higher forces (~1000 Newton ....Multiscale Study on Biomechanical Roles of Soft Tissue on Bone Remodelling. The project aims to increase our knowledge of the processes of bone remodelling and the role of soft tissue in this process. Mechanical force is a key stimulus for regulating bone remodelling. A significant question in biomechanics is why orthodontics only use very small forces (1 Newton) to generate significant oral bone remodelling, whereas prosthodontics that apply three orders of magnitude higher forces (~1000 Newton) do not move dental implants. This project aims to develop new multiscale modelling and remodelling techniques in computational mechanics to explore the roles played by connective soft tissue in bone adaptation. Expected project outcomes would increase our understanding in biomechanics and affect health care disciplines such as orthodontics, prosthodontics and orthopaedics.Read moreRead less
Multiscale modelling and nondeterministic optimisation for reliable stents. This project aims to study modelling and optimisation for a more reliable design of intravascular stents. Intravascular stents are a class of lifelong micro-devices to support blood vessel for restoring circulation. Despite its remarkable initial outcome, the high rate of long-term mechanical failure remains a major concern. This project will tackle plasticity, fatigue damage and fracture across different length scales. ....Multiscale modelling and nondeterministic optimisation for reliable stents. This project aims to study modelling and optimisation for a more reliable design of intravascular stents. Intravascular stents are a class of lifelong micro-devices to support blood vessel for restoring circulation. Despite its remarkable initial outcome, the high rate of long-term mechanical failure remains a major concern. This project will tackle plasticity, fatigue damage and fracture across different length scales. The proposed optimisation is expected to minimise failure, thereby enhancing the longevity and reliability of stent therapy. This will have significant benefits, such as accommodating variations in stents and service conditions for achieving a long-lasting and reliable therapeutical outcome.Read moreRead less
Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable i ....Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable in hostile, corrosive environments, and will thus, transform industries such as manufacturing, mining and offshore oil exploration as well as enhance the lifetime of prosthetic devices.Read moreRead less
Microstructural-Functional Effect of Silver Diammine Fluoride on Apatites. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding at the nanostructural level of the factors that contribute to the enhanced mineralisation and mechanical properties of dentine and enamel following the treatment with silver diammine fluoride (SDF). A variety of advanced nanomechanical, tomographic and microscopic techniques will be used to characterise sound, carious and SDF treated tissue. The new biomechanical ev ....Microstructural-Functional Effect of Silver Diammine Fluoride on Apatites. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding at the nanostructural level of the factors that contribute to the enhanced mineralisation and mechanical properties of dentine and enamel following the treatment with silver diammine fluoride (SDF). A variety of advanced nanomechanical, tomographic and microscopic techniques will be used to characterise sound, carious and SDF treated tissue. The new biomechanical evidence on the underlying mechanisms, alternative protocols, delivery systems enable to optimise the treatment. The scientific insights into arresting/repairing damage processes will provide critical data for developing minimal intervention protocols for pediatric and geriatric populations.Read moreRead less
Thermo-electro-chemo-mechanical properties of biological systems. The proposal is aimed at developing a new theoretical framework for piezoelectric biological materials and structures, through theoretical analysis, computation and numerical simulations, as well as experimental investigations, to produce high-reliability, high-performance hydrogel components and smart soft tissue structures. It is envisaged that successful outcomes of this program will give the Australian biological industry a te ....Thermo-electro-chemo-mechanical properties of biological systems. The proposal is aimed at developing a new theoretical framework for piezoelectric biological materials and structures, through theoretical analysis, computation and numerical simulations, as well as experimental investigations, to produce high-reliability, high-performance hydrogel components and smart soft tissue structures. It is envisaged that successful outcomes of this program will give the Australian biological industry a technology edge over their competitors and provide easy-to-use guidelines for the design of smart biological systems.Read moreRead less
Fracture Mechanics of Functionally Graded Materials: Coupled Thermoelectromechanical Problems. The primary goal of this project is to develop mathematical and computational models and techniques that are capable of novel design of functionally graded materials and structures that can dramatically increase the performance and reliability of artificial structures and devices. The applications areas are broad: from lightweight thermal protective coatings used in high-temperature environments to bio ....Fracture Mechanics of Functionally Graded Materials: Coupled Thermoelectromechanical Problems. The primary goal of this project is to develop mathematical and computational models and techniques that are capable of novel design of functionally graded materials and structures that can dramatically increase the performance and reliability of artificial structures and devices. The applications areas are broad: from lightweight thermal protective coatings used in high-temperature environments to biological hard tissues like bones and teeth. Efficient numerical methods will be developed to overcome difficulties encountered in material properties and loading conditions. The project will provide useful guidelines to design new, intelligent, multi-phase material systems, including biomaterial systems for biomedical applications.Read moreRead less
Structural design of third generation biomaterials. This project will design third generation biomaterials for heart valves, cartilage and bones that guide the formation of new tissue whilst being dissolved inside the human body. As a result, it is anticipated that painful and costly revision surgery will become obsolete. Major benefits will be achieved in paediatric health as implants will have the ability to grow with the child.
Novel Biocompatible Nickel-free Shape Memory Alloy Scaffolds For Biomedical Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,789.00
Summary
The current project is aimed at the development of a new class of novel biocompatible nickel-free shape memory alloy (SMA) scaffolds for metallic implant applications. The new scaffolds possess the ability to exert a mechanical force on the surrounding bones, and stimulate new bone tissue ingrowth, due to their shape memory effect, superelasticity and bone-mimicking porous structure. The outcomes from this project will provide innovative implant materials.
Improving Bionic Device Safety And Performance With Conductive Hydrogels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Bionic devices are being developed to treat a variety of neural disorders including blindness. Conductive hydrogels (CHs) are a new soft material developed by the CI to improve device performance and safety. This project will explore CH technologies with an aim of producing flexible organic electronics for high resolution devices, such as the bionic eye. Collaboration will be sought through industry, academia and clinical researchers to accelerate technology translation from bench to bedside.
Designing functional biomaterials with superior cellular interactions. This proposal aims to make a new class of biomaterials that direct important cellular functions such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This will be achieved by developing materials that leverage a previously unexplored mechanism that was recently identified in my lab: the co-engagement of integrin and syndecan-4 cell receptors. We will use these biomaterials to 1) fabricate 3D printed tissue engineering scaffo ....Designing functional biomaterials with superior cellular interactions. This proposal aims to make a new class of biomaterials that direct important cellular functions such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This will be achieved by developing materials that leverage a previously unexplored mechanism that was recently identified in my lab: the co-engagement of integrin and syndecan-4 cell receptors. We will use these biomaterials to 1) fabricate 3D printed tissue engineering scaffolds with a superior ability to promote the development of new tissue, and 2) create surfaces that will enable us to answer fundamental scientific questions regarding cell adhesion and cell/material interactions.Read moreRead less