Linkage Project — Australian Research Council — 2024

LP230200649, “Engineering optimal particle maturation in multicomponent sprays”

AUD 547k over 3 years – This project aims to develop novel methods to precisely measure and control particle maturation processes in multicomponent technical aerosols. The project expects to generate knowledge in the field of multiphase fluid mechanics and aerosol science through a combination of laser fluorescence, X-ray scattering and microscopy techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include a capacity to engineer particle size and shape in multicomponent aerosols across a range of aerosol devices which are capable of outperforming currently available products while enabling the transition to more environmentally friendly propellant chemicals. This project aims to benefit the pharmaceutical industry by accelerating the design of aerosol delivery systems.

Discovery Project — Australian Research Council — 2023

DP230100154, “Carbon in a Bubble: Cavitation in Ionic Liquids”

AUD 430k over 3 years – This project aims to investigate the potential of pressure-driven phase change as an energy-efficient mechanism for removing dissolved gases from low melting point salts, by advancing understanding of the cavitation behaviour of ionic liquids. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of fluid mechanics through an innovative combination of advanced computational simulations and synchrotron X-ray measurement techniques developed by the investigators. Expected outcomes of this project include expanded understanding of the physics of ionic liquids, and the ability to engineer more efficient gas separation systems. The project aims to benefit the chemical and energy sectors through improved energy efficiency.

Linkage Project — Australian Research Council — 2020

LP190100938, “Enabling precise droplet control in hydrofluorocarbon free sprays.“

AUD 450k over 3 years – This project aims to investigate the use of blended propellants to replace hydrofluorocarbons in technical aerosols. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of multiphase fluid mechanics and aerosol science through a combination of modeling, optical and synchrotron X-ray measurement techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include a capacity to develop environmentally friendly technical aerosol formulations which can match and potentially outperform currently available hydrofluorocarbon based products. This should provide significant benefits to the pharmaceutical industry through the generation of new knowledge regarding the fundamental physics of multicomponent sprays.

Discovery Project — Australian Research Council — 2020

DP200102016, “Engineering an environmentally-friendly metered dose inhaler”

AUD 180k over 3 years – This project aims to deliver a novel simulation framework to accurately predict the behaviour of metered dose inhaler sprays using advanced numerical methods for flash-evaporating turbulent flows developed by the investigators. The project expects to generate new knowledge of the complex physics which occur in these devices through a first of its kind combination of unsteady non-equilibrium thermodynamics, turbulence and spray models. Expected outcomes of this project include a novel ability to predict and optimise the performance of inhalers to suit environmentally-friendly replacement propellants. This will significantly benefit the pharmaceutical sector as it will accelerate the design of next-generation inhalers and propellants.

Faculty of Engineering RSP Small Equipment Grant – 2021 – AUD 50,000

Faculty of Engineering 2021 ECA Support Program – 2021 – AUD 5,000

National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme ECR Merit Allocation — 2018,19

250k core-hours per year on National Computational Infrastructure (Australia) high performance computing facilities to undertake computational fluid dynamics simulations of pressurised metered dose inhaler sprays. Early career researcher category.

Monash University Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Travel Grant — 2018, 2019

Awarded a total of 4.9k over 2 years to support research visits to the United States.

Monash-Penn State Collaboration Seed Fund — 2018

Project Title – “An inside look at fluidic inserts – X-ray measurements of novel noise-reduction strategies for supersonic jets”.  AUD 20k over 12 months.

Australian Synchrotron – International Synchrotron Access Program — 2018

Proposal 14204, “Time-resolved X-ray radiography and fluorescence measurements of medical inhaler sprays.” AUD 6400 travel grant.

Engineering Discovery Seed Fund — Monash University Faculty of Engineering — 2018

Project title – “Engineering particle surfaces for advanced spray drying”. AUD 23k over 1 year

Linkage Project — Australian Research Council — 2017

LP160101845 – “Improving respiratory drug delivery through targeted nozzle design”
Industry Partner – Chiesi Limited

AUD 555k over 3 years – The project aims to develop designs for inhaler components which significantly reduce the existing variability in the sprays they produce, as well as an enhanced capacity to predict inhaler performance through development of new empirical models. The long term benefit from this research will be improved delivery efficiency and shorter product development times, leading to reduced dose-rate costs. This understanding will enable the development of the next generation of treatment devices with enhanced efficiency in delivery of the drugs used to treat these diseases and reduced costs per dose.

Discovery Early Career Research Award — Australian Research Council — 2017

DE170100018 – “Engineering suspended particle sprays through controlled cavitation”

AUD 362k over 3 years – This project aims to establish how cavitation can be used to engineer particle size in sprays of micronised particles suspended in a propellant, and deliver a physical mechanism by which this process occurs. This will be achieved through a novel combination of high-resolution optical imaging techniques and synchrotron x-ray diagnostics. This research will provide physical insight that will have applications for inhaled and topical pharmaceutical sprays, as well as industry spray drying of food products. 

Co-operative Research Project, Agilent Technologies Australia — 2017

AUD 256k over 2 years – “Novel Sample introduction techniques for Plasma based Atomic Spectroscopy”.

Laboratory Directed Research & Development (LDRD) Seed Grant — 2016

Grant 2017-098-N0 – “X-ray Investigation of the Potential of Pressure-Assisted Atomization Technology for Medical Inhaler Sprays.”

Received USD 25.5k in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to undertake a 6-month research project using synchrotron x-rays at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to investigate the commercial potential of pressure assisted atomization for pharmaceutical sprays.