Enabling diamond nanoelectronics with metal oxide induced surface doping. This project aims to use diamond for radio frequency power electronics. This builds on the investigator’s success in controlling diamond surface conductivity using transition metal oxides. Diamond is highly desirable for building high-power, high-frequency electronic devices, particularly for use in electrical power control/conversion and telecommunication. The lack of effective and stable doping methods has impeded the re ....Enabling diamond nanoelectronics with metal oxide induced surface doping. This project aims to use diamond for radio frequency power electronics. This builds on the investigator’s success in controlling diamond surface conductivity using transition metal oxides. Diamond is highly desirable for building high-power, high-frequency electronic devices, particularly for use in electrical power control/conversion and telecommunication. The lack of effective and stable doping methods has impeded the realisation of this prospect. This project expects the high performance and technically viable device technologies will enable diamond electronic devices for applications in telecommunications, radars and the next-generation electricity grid.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101102
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,748.00
Summary
Single-Atom Catalysts on Atomically Thin Nanomaterials for H2O2 Production. Single-atomic sites supported on graphene analogs is an ideal structural mode for the design of electrocatalysts due to its ultimate small size limit, atomic thickness, and easily tuned electronic properties. This project aims to use a theory-guided approach to develop efficient electrocatalysts for the production of value-added hydrogen peroxide. The structural advantages of graphene analogs will be fully utilised to un ....Single-Atom Catalysts on Atomically Thin Nanomaterials for H2O2 Production. Single-atomic sites supported on graphene analogs is an ideal structural mode for the design of electrocatalysts due to its ultimate small size limit, atomic thickness, and easily tuned electronic properties. This project aims to use a theory-guided approach to develop efficient electrocatalysts for the production of value-added hydrogen peroxide. The structural advantages of graphene analogs will be fully utilised to unlock the catalytic power of single-atomic sites, and consequently achieve high catalytic activity and selectivity. The outcome will set a solid scientific foundation to enable economically viable technologies for eco-friendly hydrogen peroxide production and bring significant socioeconomic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Molecular Thermoelectric Materials: A New Hot Topic. This project aims to use the principles of chemistry and molecular electronics to synthesize and study molecules able to directly convert waste heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect. This project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the wire-like properties of molecules and conditions that lead to a high Seebeck coefficient, together with interference effects to suppress thermal conductance. Expected outcomes of this project ....Molecular Thermoelectric Materials: A New Hot Topic. This project aims to use the principles of chemistry and molecular electronics to synthesize and study molecules able to directly convert waste heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect. This project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the wire-like properties of molecules and conditions that lead to a high Seebeck coefficient, together with interference effects to suppress thermal conductance. Expected outcomes of this project include a deeper understanding of chemical structure - molecular electronic property relationships, and enhanced international collaboration with the UK. This should provide benefits in terms of low-cost conversion of waste heat to electrical energy. Read moreRead less
Development and investigation of functional solid-state nano-pore membranes. This project aims to develop robust membranes with molecular size pores using atomically thin layers and silicon-based materials. Using state-of-the-art characterisation techniques and computer simulations it seeks to derive a fundamental understanding of the membrane formation processes and pore properties. Expected outcomes include industrially compatible fabrication processes that should enable rapid integration of t ....Development and investigation of functional solid-state nano-pore membranes. This project aims to develop robust membranes with molecular size pores using atomically thin layers and silicon-based materials. Using state-of-the-art characterisation techniques and computer simulations it seeks to derive a fundamental understanding of the membrane formation processes and pore properties. Expected outcomes include industrially compatible fabrication processes that should enable rapid integration of the membranes into advanced device applications as well as enhancing national capabilities for materials characterisation. Significant benefits should result from novel applications of the technologies in the areas of medical- and bio-sensing, filtration, and lab-on-the-chip devices.Read moreRead less
A Transportable Self-referenced Quantum Current Standard on a Silicon Chip. The field of metrological science strives for continuous improvement in precision and reproducibility, a goal only achievable by exploiting the fundamental constants of nature. In electrical metrology, both voltage (V) and resistance (R) standards have reached this milestone, but not current (I). We aim to develop novel self-referenced nanoelectronic charge-pump devices that can generate a highly accurate, error-detectab ....A Transportable Self-referenced Quantum Current Standard on a Silicon Chip. The field of metrological science strives for continuous improvement in precision and reproducibility, a goal only achievable by exploiting the fundamental constants of nature. In electrical metrology, both voltage (V) and resistance (R) standards have reached this milestone, but not current (I). We aim to develop novel self-referenced nanoelectronic charge-pump devices that can generate a highly accurate, error-detectable output current utilising Australian-developed silicon-based single-electron transistor technology. We will undertake high-precision measurements in collaboration with leading European standards institutes and researchers, establishing the technological basis for a new world current standard that is reproducible worldwide.Read moreRead less
Atomically Thin 3d Transition Metal Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The current industrial-scale hydrogen productions are reliant on high temperature steam reforming fossil fuels, consuming large quantity of energy and fossil resources, and emitting huge amounts of CO2. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful transition metal-based high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, enabling economically viable large-scale water electrolytic hydrogen production driven by renewable ....Atomically Thin 3d Transition Metal Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The current industrial-scale hydrogen productions are reliant on high temperature steam reforming fossil fuels, consuming large quantity of energy and fossil resources, and emitting huge amounts of CO2. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful transition metal-based high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, enabling economically viable large-scale water electrolytic hydrogen production driven by renewable electricity. A theory-guided catalyst approach will be used to guide the efficient design and development of high performance electrocatalysts. The success of the project will lead to a suit of high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, leaping forward water electrolytic hydrogen production technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101514
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$352,473.00
Summary
Nanodroplet platforms for engineering novel nanocarbon structures. This project aims to exploit surface nanodroplet array platforms to construct multi-scale level assembly of nanometer-scale carbon materials. The project expects to advance knowledge on the interactions between droplets and carbon nanomaterials to enable controlled construction of nanocarbon based optoelectric devices. Successful adoption of nanocarbon material-based optoelectronic devices by the energy conversion industry has th ....Nanodroplet platforms for engineering novel nanocarbon structures. This project aims to exploit surface nanodroplet array platforms to construct multi-scale level assembly of nanometer-scale carbon materials. The project expects to advance knowledge on the interactions between droplets and carbon nanomaterials to enable controlled construction of nanocarbon based optoelectric devices. Successful adoption of nanocarbon material-based optoelectronic devices by the energy conversion industry has the potential to increase efficiency of conversion and reduce the cost of manufacture. The expected outcomes are large scale and well-ordered nanocarbon structures with excellent electronic and optical properties.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100279
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,198.00
Summary
A nanodiamond voltage sensor: towards real-time, long-term neuronal sensing. This project aims to develop a voltage sensor that may ultimately be used to measure neuronal signals noninvasively in real-time and over hours. The project expects to generate the fundamental science needed to use nanodiamonds for fluorescence-based voltage sensing that can be easily measured using optical microscopy. The expected outcome is a biocompatible sensor that should provide a solution to one of the biggest ch ....A nanodiamond voltage sensor: towards real-time, long-term neuronal sensing. This project aims to develop a voltage sensor that may ultimately be used to measure neuronal signals noninvasively in real-time and over hours. The project expects to generate the fundamental science needed to use nanodiamonds for fluorescence-based voltage sensing that can be easily measured using optical microscopy. The expected outcome is a biocompatible sensor that should provide a solution to one of the biggest challenges in neuroscience; the fast, precise and long-term measurement of neuronal activity. This technology may one day inform our understanding of how the normal brain works and provide major insights into mental health conditions and neurodegenerative diseases.Read moreRead less
Catalysts for hydrogen-free ammonia production by electrochemical method. This project aims to realise the next generation of ammonia production under ambient conditions without hydrogen feedstock. Through a combination of theoretical molecular-level understanding and experimental materials engineering, a range of catalysts will be developed under a materials discovery scheme for electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia. These new catalysts, featuring high activity, efficiency, selectivity, ....Catalysts for hydrogen-free ammonia production by electrochemical method. This project aims to realise the next generation of ammonia production under ambient conditions without hydrogen feedstock. Through a combination of theoretical molecular-level understanding and experimental materials engineering, a range of catalysts will be developed under a materials discovery scheme for electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia. These new catalysts, featuring high activity, efficiency, selectivity, and stability, will facilitate an alternative artificial nitrogen fixation technology powered by renewable energies. This technology will enable the production of green fertilisers and provide renewable energy storage, which are key environmental and energy challenges that Australia and the world currently face.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,000.00
Summary
Developing Sustainable and Reliable Anode-free Lithium Metal Batteries. This project aims to investigate and optimise the functional properties of anode-free lithium metal battery electrodes. The project expects to develop a novel, high-throughput electrochemistry platform that can rapidly screen new materials and chemistries across length scales, from single atoms to entire battery cells. Understanding battery performance in such detail is expected to enhance our capability to design and manufa ....Developing Sustainable and Reliable Anode-free Lithium Metal Batteries. This project aims to investigate and optimise the functional properties of anode-free lithium metal battery electrodes. The project expects to develop a novel, high-throughput electrochemistry platform that can rapidly screen new materials and chemistries across length scales, from single atoms to entire battery cells. Understanding battery performance in such detail is expected to enhance our capability to design and manufacture smart battery materials that are higher performing, safer and longer lasting than current technologies. This should provide significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, through the development of commercially-feasible next-generation devices, used by households or businesses to store renewable energy.Read moreRead less