Microscopy characterisation for the designing of Li-based batteries. This project aims to optimise the design of all-solid-state batteries by employing state-of-the-art microscopy and atomic tomography techniques. Demand for safer rechargeable batteries with higher energy densities has been rapidly increasing. The safety issues associated with current lithium batteries become more serious with the size change (small for portable electronics and large for vehicles) because of the difficulty in ha ....Microscopy characterisation for the designing of Li-based batteries. This project aims to optimise the design of all-solid-state batteries by employing state-of-the-art microscopy and atomic tomography techniques. Demand for safer rechargeable batteries with higher energy densities has been rapidly increasing. The safety issues associated with current lithium batteries become more serious with the size change (small for portable electronics and large for vehicles) because of the difficulty in handling of flammable organic liquid electrolytes. The scientific knowledge and engineering understanding acquired through this project will enable the battery industry to produce higher performance solid state batteries.Read moreRead less
Atomic-scale structural characterisation of quantum-dot nanostructures for novel photovoltaic applications. This project aims to design, fabricate and characterise innovative quantum-dot solar cells in order to overcome the atomic-scale defects that limit current approaches. The scientific and engineering understanding acquired through this project will enable the rapidly growing global solar-cell industry to produce higher-efficiency III-V solar cells.
Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nan ....Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nanowires through molecular dynamics simulations, empirical interatomic potential, and in situ TEM experiments. Expected outcomes include knowledge of the deformation mechanism of this layered titanate which can be broadened to technologically important layered ceramic materials.Read moreRead less
Drawing out spider silk photonics and technology. We discovered certain spider webs are an optical device of amazing sophistication – the result of 136 million years of evolution. New photonic and electron microscopy techniques will measure the unique optical and materials properties of the webs, and the resulting knowledge will have high impact for advanced, self- assembled, photonic materials.
Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performi ....Trapping and Watching Biomolecular Complexes near Nanopores. This project aims to develop a technology to trap and interrogate nanosized molecular complexes in their natural state. Nanosized complexes in water provide the core machinery of biological systems and require detailed understanding to help unravel fundamental biological mechanisms. A prototype of a methodology has been developed to trap and interrogate nanoscaled objects as small as 190 nanometres within a nanopore device. By performing research to fully understand, miniaturise and develop this method further, this project aims to enable the quantitative observation of nanoscaled biological machinery involved in cell-to-cell communication and DNA unfolding. Such a technology platform may have applications in areas such as biology, biotechnology and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Development of high efficiency nanocatalysts using novel electron beam fabrication and imaging techniques. This project will develop a new approach for fabricating and studying nanocatalysts based on our expertise in electron beam induced deposition (EBID) of nanostructured materials and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). ESEM will be used to conduct unique, time-resolved studies of nano-scale, catalysed chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The project will ....Development of high efficiency nanocatalysts using novel electron beam fabrication and imaging techniques. This project will develop a new approach for fabricating and studying nanocatalysts based on our expertise in electron beam induced deposition (EBID) of nanostructured materials and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). ESEM will be used to conduct unique, time-resolved studies of nano-scale, catalysed chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The project will advance fundamental understanding and applicability of EBID, ESEM and nanocatalysis. It will yield novel, highly efficient, industrially relevant nanocatalysts for the production of renewable (green) and low emission (clean) energy, with particular applications in hydrogen fuel cells and the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide.Read moreRead less
A Self-Repairing Entropy-Stabilized Oxide as a Protective Coating. All biological organisms, from plants to living creatures, can heal minor wounds and damages. Based on the recent breakthrough by the CI’s team, this project aims to design and develop a new oxide containing multiple elements in a form of (AlCoCrCu0.5FeNi)3O4 that can resist damages through a self-repairing mechanism. Fabricated by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering, this extraordinary self-repairing phenomenon makes this ....A Self-Repairing Entropy-Stabilized Oxide as a Protective Coating. All biological organisms, from plants to living creatures, can heal minor wounds and damages. Based on the recent breakthrough by the CI’s team, this project aims to design and develop a new oxide containing multiple elements in a form of (AlCoCrCu0.5FeNi)3O4 that can resist damages through a self-repairing mechanism. Fabricated by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering, this extraordinary self-repairing phenomenon makes this new material highly desirable as a coating to protect structures and machinery working in hash conditions. Therefore, it has broad applications in space technologies, nuclear power facilities and aerospace industry, as well as in shipbuilding industry. Read moreRead less
Interactions between linear and interfacial crystalline defects and their impact on mechanical properties in nanostructured metals and alloys. The project aims to apply in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy to investigate the interactions among crystalline defects in nanostructured metallic materials and to explore the effect of the interactions on mechanical properties. The results will guide the structural design of nanomaterials with superior mechanical properties.
Atomic scale information for the design of nanomaterials. This project aims to develop a new tool to measure the 3-D distribution of atoms within nanoparticles. For the rational design of nanoparticles, it is necessary to compare the atomic scale structure to the resulting performance. But this information is hard to access. This projects aims to develop new methods so that atom probe microscopy can be applied to experimentally measure the precise 3-D location and identity of the individual atom ....Atomic scale information for the design of nanomaterials. This project aims to develop a new tool to measure the 3-D distribution of atoms within nanoparticles. For the rational design of nanoparticles, it is necessary to compare the atomic scale structure to the resulting performance. But this information is hard to access. This projects aims to develop new methods so that atom probe microscopy can be applied to experimentally measure the precise 3-D location and identity of the individual atoms within nanoparticles, and apply them in the development of alloy catalyst nanoparticles that could make the sustainable production of liquid fuels from biomass commercially viable. These new tools would be useful across the wide range of engineering applications for which nanomaterials are currently being developed.Read moreRead less
Aberration-corrected atom probe tomography for materials engineering. Observing atomic-scale structure (AS) is key to unlocking advanced materials science and engineering (MSE).
Aims: We aim to (1) develop software that will enable the accurate observation of atoms in a material, and (2) apply this new software to additive manufactured alloys and quantum computing materials.
Significance: We expect to complete aberration-corrected atom probe tomography capability for the first time international ....Aberration-corrected atom probe tomography for materials engineering. Observing atomic-scale structure (AS) is key to unlocking advanced materials science and engineering (MSE).
Aims: We aim to (1) develop software that will enable the accurate observation of atoms in a material, and (2) apply this new software to additive manufactured alloys and quantum computing materials.
Significance: We expect to complete aberration-corrected atom probe tomography capability for the first time internationally. We intend to gain better insights into some longstanding questions in MSE that can only be answered by accurately observing AS.
Benefits: By making the outcomes commercially available, we aspire to improve consistency in the quality of products, and increased yield, that result from manufacturing processes.Read moreRead less