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Taking part in the AIIM laboratory unveiling ceremony are leaders of ... |
Korean scientists take part in laboratory unveiling
A joint research laboratory was today (May 28) unveiled at the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) marking the latest collaboration between materials scientists at the University of Wollongong’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) and the Korean Centre for Bio-Artificial Muscle at Hanyang University.
A team of Australian and Korean researchers led by Professor Geoffrey Spinks and Professor Seon Jeong Kim unveiled a plaque to commemorate the collaborative research laboratory that will be dedicated to actuator “or artificial muscle” research. (This research is being successfully applied in areas such as the cochlear ear implant, an electronic Braille screen, rehabilitation garments and robotics).
To date, this collaboration has resulted in the development of materials for actuators developed for artificial muscles and artificial-muscle technologies.
Recent discoveries include a novel, highly porous, sponge-like material for biomedical implants. The unique characteristic of this material is that it shows mechanical properties which closely resemble those of biological soft tissues.
These new soft and tough materials are more suitable than other existing synthetic materials for the growth of artificial tissue and organs. An additional advantage is the electrical conductivity of the new material, which can also be used for other applications such as in electrodes for mechanical actuators, energy storage, and sensors.
Professor Spinks from IPRI said that soft tissues in our bodies were marvellous “nano” materials that have been hard to copy with synthetic systems.
“Natural tissue like heart muscle is very soft and also very tough -- which is important considering what this organ needs to do. Normally when making a soft material, it also becomes very fragile – jelly is a good example.
“However, by combining the Korean’s knowledge and expertise in biopolymers (like DNA) and our interest in carbon nanotubes and ionic liquids, we have been able to prepare various new materials that are simultaneously soft and tough. These are exciting “biomimmetic” materials for actuators and sensors,” Professor Spinks said.
Research carried out by this team has been included in current edition the high-profile journal “Advanced Materials” and will feature in an article in the scientific journal “Angewandte Chemie”. The two groups have been collaborating since 2004 with regular exchanges of students and staff between their laboratories in Wollongong and Seoul.
[AIIM appeared in the headlines recently, when the Federal Budget announced the go-ahead for the $50 million AIIM Processing and Devices Building. This building will be developed alongside the existing AIIM Building at UOW’s Innovation Campus and when developed will house 150 staff and students. Building is expected to start before the end of this year and be completed by the end of 2010.]