Current Research

The Centre for Biomedical Material undertakes research in the field of smart and advanced materials and their composites, through the collaboration of academe, private industry and the government in developing basic and applied research programs with a focus on biomedical application. The aim of the research group is to develop novel material system that have the capability to integrate elemental functions such as sensing, actuating and processing.

Current Research

In general, CBM's research activities can be divided into two main areas - Biosmart Materials and "Smart" Optics.

Biosmart Materials
  • Development of a conductive polymer-composite sensor
    There has been great interest in the study of conductive polymer composites for various industrial sensor applications. Electrically conductive polymer composites filled with carbon black can exhibit the mechanical behaviour of a polymer and metallic electrical conductivity. Unfortunately, excessive amounts of carbon black can produce brittle films and too little carbon black can result in low conductivity. Composite conductivity can be dramatically improved by fully dispersing the carbon particles in the polymer matrix.
  • Modelling and Micro fabrication of a biodegradable polymer micro-needle array
    The aim of this project is to design, fabricate and test an array of biodegradable polymer micro needles. This will be used as a non-invasive tool for skin biomarkers across the skin. This project is conducted in collaboration with HortResearch.
  • Preparation and Characterization of Nanomaterial reinforced polymer composite
    The goal of this project is to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composite by experimentation in order to improve shear and flexural properties, tensile and compressive properties, adhesion to substrates besides investigating the possibility of modifying and controlling any other significant mechanical properties. This project is run in collaboration with Materials Optimization. A $ 25,000 TIF proposal has been lodged to support this project.
Smart Optics
  • Optimisation of the Optical Properties of Piezoelectric Materials for Optical Applications
    This research focuses on improving the transparency and rigidity of polyurethane and other prospective smart polymers. Initial investigations have been conducted that involved an extensive experimental program including complicated heating, drying and stacking processes. These tests have shown the potential of these materials to function as smart lenses. A full understanding of the mechanical, piezoelectric and electrical characteristics is still outstanding, but is essential for developing the final shape of the lens and the development of an electronic circuit to drive the material. The latter requires state of the art technology and requires further development and improvement.
  • Optimisation and Modelling of Optical Properties of Electro-active Polymers (EAPs)
    electro active polymer model

The feasibility of using electro active polymer (EAP) hydrogels as materials in a changeable focal length lens has also been investigated by our group. Gel polymers are inexpensive, easy to manufacture, transparent and have good voltage-to-strain conversion and this makes them very attractive for use in optical applications. Previous work has focussed on identifying and controlling the various parameters such as crosslinker concentration and the degree of neutralisation, which affect the various polymer gel properties. These properties include the optical transparency, structural rigidity and electroactive response. Thus far, an optical transmittance of greater than 70% has been achieved for light in the range of 400-700nm.This research is to develop a finite element model (FEM) to describe the gel swelling processes. It is hoped that this research can be used to aid in the design of future lenses and actuators built with these materials. Specifically, this work aims to:

- Gain an Improved comprehension understanding of material formulation of gel swelling models.

- Qualitatively adapt discrete models to realistic polymer gel materials.

- Develop the appropriate algorithm to implement the computer simulation of the model.

- Establish experimental design to produce a polymer hydrogel to verify the model developed.

- Determine the suitability of the polymer hydrogel for use as a material for smart system applications.

- Investigate the validity of the proposed model by experimentation.