Optimisation of the electrical and optical properties of ZnO nanowires for advanced nanodevice applications. It is widely accepted that nanowires and related structures will provide the key for the construction of future functional nano-devices with unprecedented performance. In this project we will develop robust protocols for the fabrication of ZnO nanowires in the lab which can be meet the needs of specific nanotechnology and nanodevice applications and once established these growth technique ....Optimisation of the electrical and optical properties of ZnO nanowires for advanced nanodevice applications. It is widely accepted that nanowires and related structures will provide the key for the construction of future functional nano-devices with unprecedented performance. In this project we will develop robust protocols for the fabrication of ZnO nanowires in the lab which can be meet the needs of specific nanotechnology and nanodevice applications and once established these growth techniques can reconfigured for industrial scale fabrication. Development of these nanowire growth techniques will enable Australia to be at the leading edge in the rapidly emerging field of nano-science and nano-technology.Read moreRead less
A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element an ....A Mechanistic Approach to the Compression Properties of Z-Pinned Composites. The proposed research is a fundamental investigation of the compressive mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites reinforced with z-pins. These composites are a new material with strong potential applications in aerospace structures subject to high compressive loads, however their compressive properties are poorly understood. Using theoretical modelling, finite element analysis and experimentation, the research program will greatly enhance the fundamental understanding of the strengthening and failure mechanisms of z-pinned composites. A key outcome of the research will be design guidelines for optimising the pinning of composites for maximum structural performance in aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
Band gap engineering of novel (In,Ga)SbN epitaxial semiconductors for high-performance long-wavelength optoelectronic devices. This proposal is at the forefront of a number of important fields, and therefore the outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including national defence, health care, environment and manufacturing. This novel material system could create new high technologies for various infrared devices. The outcomes of this project will pos ....Band gap engineering of novel (In,Ga)SbN epitaxial semiconductors for high-performance long-wavelength optoelectronic devices. This proposal is at the forefront of a number of important fields, and therefore the outcomes are expected to be of great interest to a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including national defence, health care, environment and manufacturing. This novel material system could create new high technologies for various infrared devices. The outcomes of this project will position Australian researchers among the pioneering groups in this area and will be beneficial to several major technology-related fields: global warming and associated environmental monitoring, security systems, thermal-imaging systems for night vision, and healthcare with the emphasis on disease diagnosis and treatment.Read moreRead less
Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industri ....Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industrial applications will advance Australia's knowledge and skill base, and help Australia's high-tech industries to stay competitive, including the development of new high-tech industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Understanding, Control, and Optimisation of Free Volume Mediated Transport in Technologically Important Materials. The understanding gained by this work will enable Australian scientists to outpace their competitors in rational materials design for transport of atoms and molecules in materials while reducing the costly trial and error stage of research. Specific examples studied and new materials investigated have important technological significance from use in flat panel TV screens, to solid ....Understanding, Control, and Optimisation of Free Volume Mediated Transport in Technologically Important Materials. The understanding gained by this work will enable Australian scientists to outpace their competitors in rational materials design for transport of atoms and molecules in materials while reducing the costly trial and error stage of research. Specific examples studied and new materials investigated have important technological significance from use in flat panel TV screens, to solid state electrolytes for application in a wide range of electrochemical devices. The understanding gained by this work can be applied to a wide range of important materials e.g. separation membranes, nanofilters and catalysts which help address a number of National Research Priorities.Read moreRead less
Development of ultrafine Grained Steels. This project will develop new methods to produce steels with much finer microstructures, and investigate how these microstructures form. This will markedly increase the strength and toughness of these steels, which is particularly required for the pipeline, off shore platform and large construction industries. The method to be used involves controlling the hot deformation of the steel and control of the phase transformation during or after deformation. ....Development of ultrafine Grained Steels. This project will develop new methods to produce steels with much finer microstructures, and investigate how these microstructures form. This will markedly increase the strength and toughness of these steels, which is particularly required for the pipeline, off shore platform and large construction industries. The method to be used involves controlling the hot deformation of the steel and control of the phase transformation during or after deformation. Current work has shown that it is possible to reduce the grain size from 5 to 1microns using quite simple methods.Read moreRead less
Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides. With advances in solar cell and flexible display technologies the demand and performance requirements for transparent conductors used as electrodes in these devices will increase dramatically. This research program is focused on developing new materials to meet the demand and the challenges of new, more advanced technologies. The project has the potential to generate valuable intellectual property in the form of new generation transpar ....Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides. With advances in solar cell and flexible display technologies the demand and performance requirements for transparent conductors used as electrodes in these devices will increase dramatically. This research program is focused on developing new materials to meet the demand and the challenges of new, more advanced technologies. The project has the potential to generate valuable intellectual property in the form of new generation transparent conducting oxide materials for a rapidly growing set of applications. The new devices will directly improve our standard of living and additional economic benefits will come from commercialisation of the technology both here and overseas.Read moreRead less
Development of growth strategies to fabricate wide band gap ferromagnetic semiconductors for spin electronics applications. Spin Electronics technology will enable a revolutionary class of electronic devices. Gallium nitride (GaN) containing transition metals (TM) (eg Mn, Ni and Fe) is a very promising dilute magnetic semiconductor for practical spintronics applications as this material exhibits magnetic behaviour above room temperature. However, electronic and magnetic properties of this new cl ....Development of growth strategies to fabricate wide band gap ferromagnetic semiconductors for spin electronics applications. Spin Electronics technology will enable a revolutionary class of electronic devices. Gallium nitride (GaN) containing transition metals (TM) (eg Mn, Ni and Fe) is a very promising dilute magnetic semiconductor for practical spintronics applications as this material exhibits magnetic behaviour above room temperature. However, electronic and magnetic properties of this new class of semiconductors have not yet been optimised. This project aims to develop and test a new growth strategy, known as the co-doping method for the fabrication of high quality TM doped GaN. A broad range of complementary advanced spectroscopic techniques will be used to evaluate and refine this new fabrication method.Read moreRead less
The Coupling of Plasticity, Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Design of Novel Magnesium Alloys for the Automotive Industry. The desire to reduce the weight of automobiles due to legislative requirements on fuel emissions and to reduce overall fuel consumption is the driving force behind research into the development of new Mg-based alloys to replace the heavier steel and Al-alloy components in automobiles. Given the enormous worldwide transportation market and the environmental and ....The Coupling of Plasticity, Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Design of Novel Magnesium Alloys for the Automotive Industry. The desire to reduce the weight of automobiles due to legislative requirements on fuel emissions and to reduce overall fuel consumption is the driving force behind research into the development of new Mg-based alloys to replace the heavier steel and Al-alloy components in automobiles. Given the enormous worldwide transportation market and the environmental and legislative motivation for reducing fuel emissions, the development of new Mg-based alloys capable of meeting this demand from automotive manufacturers represents both a potentially large economic advantage to the country of development as well as helping to address the environmental concern about fuel emissions.Read moreRead less
Novel Carbon Coatings for Exceptional Performance. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. This project will develop new types of carbon coat ....Novel Carbon Coatings for Exceptional Performance. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. This project will develop new types of carbon coatings with properties and performance tailored to applications in biomedical engineering, energy conversion, automotive engineering, manufacturing and microelectronics. The result will be a range of new carbon coatings with exceptional properties and cost-effective synthesis methods.Read moreRead less