A/Professor Jing Fu
A/Professor Jing Fu
I received Marcus Fellowship from Pennsylvania State University (USA) and completed a M.Eng. (2007) and Ph.D. (2008) in the same institute with a focus on manufacturing engineering and microfabrication. Subsequently, in 2008 I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue research and training at NIH Bethesda, Maryland campus with postdoctoral mentor, Sriram Subramaniam. During my fellowship, I acquired extensive knowledge and experience of developing novel approaches to investigate biological cells which was crucial for work undertaken by my group in recent years.
Qualifications
- Postdoctoral fellow, NIH.
- M.Eng / Ph.D Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
- M.Phil, Hong Kong Univ. of Science and Technology.
- B.Eng, Hong Kong Univ. of Science and Technology.Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Professional Appointments/Affiliations
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, (2010.3 – present).
Postdoctoral fellow, National Cancer Institute, NIH, (2008.7 – 2010.3).
Graduate teaching/research assistant, Dept of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Penn State University (2004 – 2008).
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), Microscopy Society of America (MSA), Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (AMMS)
Research Interests
My contribution to various fields of engineering have pushed the structure size into the nano-pico regime (Fig. 1b). Such micro/nano/pico structures have potential in various applications including opto-electronics and sensing. I have explored site specific tuning of nanomaterials by charged particle beams such as ion beam or electron beam to fabricate unprecedented 1D and 3D nanostructures. Research highlights from the PhD students I have mentored include polygonal germanium nanostructure, and the dynamics of silicon nanowires.
Special interests in the two techniques, Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and Atom Probe Tomography (APT), and their applications to investigate the atomic and molecular signatures in different cellular systems (Fig. 1a). My training in both engineering and biology has enabled me to make significant contributions to the advances of FIB and APT for frozen hydration samples which are desired in life science. My team first explored applying extremely thin conductive coating to “disguise” the surface of insulated and biological samples, followed by imaging with APT in voltage pulse mode which is considered to work for conductive materials only. The successful imaging of bacterial cells with voltage mode APT, provided the first atom-by-atom view of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (superbugs), revealing compositional changes potentially linked to the resistant mechanism. Graphene encapsulation was first explored as another conductive coating only for APT, and accidently trapped water inspired a new route for liquid imaging without the cryo-transfer most leading groups are building, allowing us to recently become the first group to image protein and nanoparticles in solution with atom probe.
Research Projects
Past projects
Advanced focus ion beam microscope with secondary ion mass spectrometer from trace element characterisation and nanomachining of hard and soft matter.
This project aims to fill the critical gap in 3D imaging and compositional characterisation of metals, functional materials, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics and minerals at micro- and nano-scales. For the first time in Australia, coupling of dual column focused ion beam microscopy with secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis will resolve the long-standing limitation of light and trace element analysis in scanning electron microscopes. Along with the ability to characterise a diverse range of materials in 3D, the new system will enable fabrication of functional nanoscale devices for nanotechnology, biomedical and energy applications. This will strengthen the international competitiveness of Australian fundamental and applied researchers.
Investigation of capillarity and photonics for inexpensive and accurate electrophoresis instrumentation.
Capillary electrophoresis in the form of a laboratory-on-a-chip device offers enhanced diagnostic support in a general urban healthcare context. In a rural setting, it maximizes the benefits of fast online medical consultation. The quest for it to operate using small sample volumes, which has strong advantages, is currently hindered by manufacture and usage limitations inherent in closed fluidic designs. In this project, we seek to harness the use of liquid capillarity, novel optical sensing and particle trapping to surmount these problems. This technology will be applied for accurate measurement of protein and small peptide concentrations in blood to facilitate cardiovascular disease studies and their monitoring.
3D Cryo-FIBSEM Imaging Facility for Biological and Material Sciences.
The proposed cryo-Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (Cryo-FIBSEM) will reveal isometric
3D information on the structure and composition of specimens at the nanometer scale. The cryo-FIBSEM will
be the first instrument of this type in Australia able to operate in a low temperature cryogenic mode. This will
enable the imaging of vitrified biological materials in a near native state and of non-biological material to allow imaging of for example fluids, emulsions, gels and interfaces between biological and non-biological materials. Synergistic workflows incorporating unique high-end microscopes at Monash will enable studying complex biological structures in their native context and atomic scale imaging of beam sensitive materials.
Targeting NDM-producing 'superbugs': optimising novel combinations with 'old' polymyxins using pharmacological, molecular imaging and systems biology approaches.
Unravelling the secrets of tooth enamel: implications for human evolution, 2025-2027
Fiorenza, L. (, Fu, J. , Benazzi, S. , Kullmer, O. & Mosca, C.
3D Cryo-FIBSEM Imaging Facility for Biological and Material Sciences.
Ramm, G., Arns, C., Bhaskaran, M., Birbilis, N., Etheridge, J., Fu, J., Gaus, K., Manefield, M., McCulloch, D. G. & Whisstock, J.
3D printing of custom musical instruments for heritage and industry needs
Corn, A., McCormack, J., Carty, J., Tse, N., Fu, J., Parikesit, G., Robertson, W., Skinner, A. & Wanambi, W.
Advanced focus ion beam microscope with secondary ion mass spectrometer from trace element characterisation and nanomachining of hard and soft matter
Engineering approaches towards atomic imaging of bacterial cells.
Fu, J., Marceau, R. K. W. & Li, J.
Investigation of capillarity and photonics for inexpensive and accurate electrophoresis instrumentation
Ng, T., Fu, J., Liew, O. W. & Richards, M.
Targeting NDM-producing ‘superbugs’: optimising novel combinations with ‘old’ polymyxins using pharmacological, molecular imaging and systems biology approaches
Li, J., Boyce, J., Butler, M., Fu, J. & Nation, R.
Xe-plasma dual beam for advanced future materials
Motta, N., Golberg, D., Gu, Y., Yan, C., Ostrikov, K. (., Zou, J., Nogita, K., Nguyen, N. T., Dao, D. V., Fu, J., Alan, T. & Bradac, C.
Teaching Commitments
- MEC5884 - Sustainable Engineering Systems (Semester 2)
- MEC3416 - Engineering Design II (Semester 2).
Research Opportunities
If you are interested in doing a PhD
Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Expression of Interest (EOI) (for Clayton campus, Australia)
Please submit this Expression of Interest (EOI) form if you are seeking an Invitation to Apply letter for your graduate research degree application. As part of the EOI assessment, I may organise a supervisor-applicant interview. Please ensure you are able to attend.
Applying for a graduate research degree can sometimes be a lengthy process and we advise that it can take up to 6 weeks.
A full step-by-step application guide can be found on our website.
In addition to the scholarships offered by Monash University, international applicants can consider applying through Australian government scholarships, IITB-Monash Research Academy (India) and CSC scholarship (China).
Final Year Project and Short Term
If you are a student in ENG4701 seeking a topic of Final Year Project
Please visit the FYP portal for the most updated information.
For any other inquires, you can email me directly at jing.fu@monash.edu