New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray s ....New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray scientists of tomorrow, whose expertise will allow Australia to capitalize on its investment in the Australian Synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Scaling-up microstructured fibres for terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation is the last region of the electromagnetic spectrum to be fully utilised. Many applications have been identified but their practicality has been limited by a lack of low-loss flexible waveguides. The waveguides to be developed in this project will build on Australia's existing international lead and investments in photonics as well as extend the dynamic field of microstructured optical fibres, indentified as the 'futur ....Scaling-up microstructured fibres for terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation is the last region of the electromagnetic spectrum to be fully utilised. Many applications have been identified but their practicality has been limited by a lack of low-loss flexible waveguides. The waveguides to be developed in this project will build on Australia's existing international lead and investments in photonics as well as extend the dynamic field of microstructured optical fibres, indentified as the 'future' of optical fibres. Low-loss flexible waveguides will enable imaging and spectroscopy applications that can reveal and object's internal structure and composition. This will have immediate applications in security, quality control, medical imaging and other safety or industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,792.00
Summary
Silicon Imaging Device Construction Facility - Wirebonder. The development of state-of-the-art, high precision semiconductor imaging devices (for high energy particle physics, synchrotron science and medical imaging ) requires a significant capability in modern assembly facilities. In constructing test and 'production' modules consisting of fine-grained, multi-channel bare silicon or other semiconductor imaging devices and custom electronic chips, a high-reliability, highly flexible wire-bonding ....Silicon Imaging Device Construction Facility - Wirebonder. The development of state-of-the-art, high precision semiconductor imaging devices (for high energy particle physics, synchrotron science and medical imaging ) requires a significant capability in modern assembly facilities. In constructing test and 'production' modules consisting of fine-grained, multi-channel bare silicon or other semiconductor imaging devices and custom electronic chips, a high-reliability, highly flexible wire-bonding machine is an essential tool. The international reputation from success in several challenging projects under difficult conditions, gained by the Chief Investigators has resulted in several more projects being planned in addition to a foreseen program of device development. A modern wirebonder, to replace the existing 30 year-old machine, has become critical to maintain our leading position in this area.Read moreRead less
Super-resolution in microscopy and optical recording. The classical resolution limit imposes severe restrictions on the performance of optical instruments, especially in optical microscopy and optical recording. Improved understanding of the fundamental principles involved in super-resolution should allow substantial increases in resolution to be achieved. We aim to explore theoretically and experimentally the performance of different super-resolution schemes alone and in combination, including ....Super-resolution in microscopy and optical recording. The classical resolution limit imposes severe restrictions on the performance of optical instruments, especially in optical microscopy and optical recording. Improved understanding of the fundamental principles involved in super-resolution should allow substantial increases in resolution to be achieved. We aim to explore theoretically and experimentally the performance of different super-resolution schemes alone and in combination, including optical masks, near-field optics, detector arrays, multi-photon imaging and digital deconvolution. Selected methods will be demonstrated with practical examples in multi-photon microscopy. Applications in super-high density optical recording will also be studied.Read moreRead less
Optical supercontinuum generation from high pulse-energy optical sources. The aim of this project is to develop a broadband and high brightness optical fibre source based on optical supercontinuum generation (i.e. low-coherence optical signals with octave or more bandwidth). Unlike similar sources demonstrated recently which rely on expensive bulk femtosecond pump lasers, this source will be pumped by a large pulse-energy optical fibre laser and use stimulated Raman scattering to seed the contin ....Optical supercontinuum generation from high pulse-energy optical sources. The aim of this project is to develop a broadband and high brightness optical fibre source based on optical supercontinuum generation (i.e. low-coherence optical signals with octave or more bandwidth). Unlike similar sources demonstrated recently which rely on expensive bulk femtosecond pump lasers, this source will be pumped by a large pulse-energy optical fibre laser and use stimulated Raman scattering to seed the continuum generation. The primary outcome will be a compact low-cost all-fibre supercontinuum source with a wide range of applications in areas such as optical metrology, optical coherence tomography, and high resolution non-contact position and motion sensing.Read moreRead less
Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority go ....Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority goal of the National Research Priority "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to personnel involved in such activities. This research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise, and create a critical mass of researchers in this field. Read moreRead less
Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce th ....Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to people involved in such activities. This fundamental research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise and create a critical mass of researchers working in this sector.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560716
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,610.00
Summary
A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The o ....A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The outcome will be a strategically important Australian T-ray facility that will provide immediate and transparent nationwide access. Historically, industry is transformed every time a new part of the electromagnetic spectrum becomes accessible - T-rays are the next frontier.Read moreRead less
Analysis, Optimization, and Control of Scanning Atomic Force Microscope Micro-Cantilever Probes. Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM's) are widely used for the examination of samples smaller than can be observed with an optical microscope. A tiny 'finger', only a few atoms wide at its sharpest point, is used to 'feel' the surface of a sample. This project aims to increase the resolution of AFM images by actively controlling the sensor probe dynamics.
Better quality AFM images would allow scientists ....Analysis, Optimization, and Control of Scanning Atomic Force Microscope Micro-Cantilever Probes. Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM's) are widely used for the examination of samples smaller than can be observed with an optical microscope. A tiny 'finger', only a few atoms wide at its sharpest point, is used to 'feel' the surface of a sample. This project aims to increase the resolution of AFM images by actively controlling the sensor probe dynamics.
Better quality AFM images would allow scientists to further investigate the atomic and molecular structure of such samples as: metals, polymers, cells, and proteins.
This research will contribute to the design of an Australian made Scanning Probe Microscope. Development of local expertise will provide a valuable resource for Australian scientific and industrial research.
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Active polymer surfaces for control of fluid movement. The realisation of a diverse array of remote or portable chemical/biological monitoring systems depends on the development of low power fluid management protocols. The use of appropriate conducting polymer surfaces should enable this to occur. We envisage the integration of these fluid management platforms into portable, remote autonomous monitoring systems for environmental industrial and biomedical applications.