Australian researchers have started the year on a high note, with the creation of an entirely new type of sound wave.

RMIT acoustics experts unveiled the new class of sound wave, saying the development could lead to a revolution in stem cell therapy.

The RMIT team combined two different types of acoustic sound waves - bulk waves and surface waves - to create the new hybrid, “surface reflected bulk waves”.

Bulk sound waves usually operate like a carpet being held at one end and shaken; vibrating their entire substrate as one entity. On the other hand, surface sound waves operate more like ocean waves, which roll along with little effect on the deeper waters below.

The new waves are gentle enough to be used to manipulate highly-fragile stem cells without causing damage or affecting their integrity, opening new possibilities in stem cell treatment.

The local team has already used the discovery to dramatically improve the efficiency of the innovative new “nebuliser” device, which could deliver vaccines and other drugs directly to the lungs.

“We have used the new sound waves to slash the time required for inhaling vaccines through the nebuliser device, from 30 minutes to as little as 30 seconds,” says Dr Amgad Rezk from RMIT’s Micro/Nano Research Laboratory.

“But our work also opens up the possibility of using stem cells more efficiently for treating lung disease, enabling us to nebulise stem cells straight into a specific site within the lung to repair damaged tissue.

“This is a real game changer for stem cell treatment in the lungs.”

The “surface reflected bulk waves” have been incorporated into a breakthrough device, dubbed HYDRA, which converts electricity passing through a piezoelectric chip into mechanical vibration, or sound waves.

These intense waves are used to break liquid into a spray.

“It’s basically ‘yelling’ at the liquid so it vibrates, breaking it down into vapour,” Rezk said.

“The combination of surface and bulk wave means they work in harmony and produce a much more powerful wave.

“As a result, instead of administering or nebulising medicine at around 0.2ml per minute, we did up to 5ml per minute. That’s a huge difference.”

The HYDRA device is being used to improve the effectiveness of a revolutionary new type of nebuliser developed at RMIT called Respite, which can deliver everything from precise drug doses to patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis, to insulin for diabetes patients, and needle-free vaccinations to infants.

The research has been published in the journal Advanced Materials.