A miniaturised laser manipulator for ultra-precise and pain-free dentistry. This project aims to develop a miniaturized high-precision laser robotic device that can fit comfortably in the mouth to perform pain-free, vibration-free dental operations by utilising silicon-carbide on silicon technology to create a millimetre-sized two-axis controllable, highly-reflective mirror robust to high-power ultra-short laser pulses. This project expects to generate new knowledge in micro-mirror control using ....A miniaturised laser manipulator for ultra-precise and pain-free dentistry. This project aims to develop a miniaturized high-precision laser robotic device that can fit comfortably in the mouth to perform pain-free, vibration-free dental operations by utilising silicon-carbide on silicon technology to create a millimetre-sized two-axis controllable, highly-reflective mirror robust to high-power ultra-short laser pulses. This project expects to generate new knowledge in micro-mirror control using optically excited piezo-resistive sensors, and cold femtosecond laser ablation of hard dental tissue. Expected outcomes include a working prototype for laser removal of tooth materials at speeds exceeding dental drills, providing benefits in miniaturized laser devices and ultimately removing pain from dental procedures. Read moreRead less
Noise-free Cryogenic Wavefront Sensing. This project aims to optimise the prototype adaptive optics technology for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) by leveraging past investment in adaptive optics instrumentation and shortwave infrared detector systems. This project expects to generate significant improvements in GMT performance, with ten times greater image resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope and current estimates of >90% sky coverage, compared with ~50% coverage for current technology ....Noise-free Cryogenic Wavefront Sensing. This project aims to optimise the prototype adaptive optics technology for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) by leveraging past investment in adaptive optics instrumentation and shortwave infrared detector systems. This project expects to generate significant improvements in GMT performance, with ten times greater image resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope and current estimates of >90% sky coverage, compared with ~50% coverage for current technology. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of a highly trained workforce and continued international collaboration in the field of high-technology sensor systems. This contribution to the GMT will provide significant benefits—it will change the way we view the Universe.Read moreRead less
Bioinks that Advance 3D bioprinting of cells to the 4th dimension. The aim of this research is to provide a simple method for creating complex 3D cell cultures for in vitro cell based assays using 3D printing. A versatile polymer system as a bioink made from entirely commercially available components, will be advanced that gives a full range of soft tissue mimics and which can be dynamically change on-demand after printing of the 3D cell cultures. The latter will provide in vitro mimics of in vi ....Bioinks that Advance 3D bioprinting of cells to the 4th dimension. The aim of this research is to provide a simple method for creating complex 3D cell cultures for in vitro cell based assays using 3D printing. A versatile polymer system as a bioink made from entirely commercially available components, will be advanced that gives a full range of soft tissue mimics and which can be dynamically change on-demand after printing of the 3D cell cultures. The latter will provide in vitro mimics of in vivo events never previously possible with more realistic models of what is found in vivo. Applications are in fundamental cell biology, studying diseases and developing new drugs. The outcomes from this research will be new knowledge on designing cheap extracellular matrix mimics and high throughout 3D cell assays.Read moreRead less
Nanopore sensors for multiplexed, ultra-fast gene detection. The aim of this research is to develop the application of protein nanopores for multiplex identification of DNA samples for ultrafast gene detection. This is a type of barcoding of organism DNA that allows for rapid gene identification. This technology aims to address a significant need for rapid, on-the-spot identification of organisms. Applications include rapid identification of pathogenic bacteria in infections and identification o ....Nanopore sensors for multiplexed, ultra-fast gene detection. The aim of this research is to develop the application of protein nanopores for multiplex identification of DNA samples for ultrafast gene detection. This is a type of barcoding of organism DNA that allows for rapid gene identification. This technology aims to address a significant need for rapid, on-the-spot identification of organisms. Applications include rapid identification of pathogenic bacteria in infections and identification of organisms in environmental sampling. Current methods are relative slow, require DNA amplification and specialised laboratories.
This proposal aims to fine tune the properties of the large nanopore, polyC9, with respect to size and charge, as well as to identify and characterise novel large nanopores. Read moreRead less
Hierarchically porous polymer monoliths for separation science. Understanding the molecular composition of biomarkers involved in cell-cell communication and the fate of nanoparticles in the environment is critical to improve our understanding of diseases and environmental processes. This project will develop a new approach for the design of separation media that will greatly improve the efficiency of techniques used to analyse these complex samples. The separation media will consist of a polyme ....Hierarchically porous polymer monoliths for separation science. Understanding the molecular composition of biomarkers involved in cell-cell communication and the fate of nanoparticles in the environment is critical to improve our understanding of diseases and environmental processes. This project will develop a new approach for the design of separation media that will greatly improve the efficiency of techniques used to analyse these complex samples. The separation media will consist of a polymer containing large flow-through pores as well as well-defined mesopores. This dual porous skeleton will allow for the size-based separation of biomarkers and nanoparticles. The new separation media will enable the development of new technologies with applications in areas such medicine and environmental science.Read moreRead less
High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commerci ....High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commercial benefits can be fast tracked for Australian industry in the rapidly expanding nanomanufacturing field. The outcomes lead to a platform technology enabling broad impact and benefits to other high-tech applications requiring high precision and throughput, enhancing Australia’s leading position in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Terahertz lasers in the fight against illicit substances. This project aims to investigate the application of cutting-edge terahertz laser technology with new spectroscopic methods, for detection of illicit substances. Using a collaborative approach, the project aims to bring together expertise in laser physics, spectroscopy, law enforcement and instrumentation, and seeks to develop new sources and detection protocols which will offer new capabilities to law enforcement, aiding in detection and ....Terahertz lasers in the fight against illicit substances. This project aims to investigate the application of cutting-edge terahertz laser technology with new spectroscopic methods, for detection of illicit substances. Using a collaborative approach, the project aims to bring together expertise in laser physics, spectroscopy, law enforcement and instrumentation, and seeks to develop new sources and detection protocols which will offer new capabilities to law enforcement, aiding in detection and identification protocols for illicit substances.Read moreRead less
Robust, valid and interpretable deep learning for quantitative imaging. One of the biggest challenges in employing artificial intelligence is the “black-box” nature of the models used. This project aims to improve the effectiveness and trustworthiness of deep learning within quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Deep learning has great promise in speeding-up complex image processing tasks, but currently suffers from variable data inputs, predictions are not guaranteed to be plausible and it i ....Robust, valid and interpretable deep learning for quantitative imaging. One of the biggest challenges in employing artificial intelligence is the “black-box” nature of the models used. This project aims to improve the effectiveness and trustworthiness of deep learning within quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Deep learning has great promise in speeding-up complex image processing tasks, but currently suffers from variable data inputs, predictions are not guaranteed to be plausible and it is not clear to the end user how reliable the results are. The outcomes intend to deliver advanced knowledge and capability in artificial intelligence and machine learning that Australia urgently needs to capitalise on bringing deep learning into practical applications delivering economic, commercial and social impact.Read moreRead less
Agile synthesizers for quantum computing, simulation and sensing. The project aims to develop breakthrough technology for generating the complex radio and microwave pulses that underpin the revolution in quantum computing and quantum sensing. Quantum technologies are rapidly emerging from laboratory to real-world applications including neural imaging, defence surveillance, and mining exploration, but further advances require increased precision and flexibility in controlling the quantum states ....Agile synthesizers for quantum computing, simulation and sensing. The project aims to develop breakthrough technology for generating the complex radio and microwave pulses that underpin the revolution in quantum computing and quantum sensing. Quantum technologies are rapidly emerging from laboratory to real-world applications including neural imaging, defence surveillance, and mining exploration, but further advances require increased precision and flexibility in controlling the quantum states at the heart of these new capabilities. Our innovative and more flexible approach to signal generation requires a fraction of the size, weight, power and cost of conventional approaches, enabling the translation of quantum technology to commercial practicality.Read moreRead less
A new in-situ structural measurement capability during nanoindentation. A new in-situ structural measurement capability during nanoindentation. This project aims to develop an in-situ Raman capability to obtain dynamic structural and mechanical behaviour of materials as a function of pressure during nanoindentation; and apply the new capability to directly monitor phase changes in silicon and germanium under pressure and correlate them with the simultaneous electrical responses. Anticipated outc ....A new in-situ structural measurement capability during nanoindentation. A new in-situ structural measurement capability during nanoindentation. This project aims to develop an in-situ Raman capability to obtain dynamic structural and mechanical behaviour of materials as a function of pressure during nanoindentation; and apply the new capability to directly monitor phase changes in silicon and germanium under pressure and correlate them with the simultaneous electrical responses. Anticipated outcomes are new instrumentation to directly probe the pressure-temperature phase diagram, and measure electrical properties of novel end phases in these semiconductors.Read moreRead less