Development of high performance III-V semiconductor photoconductive antennas for terahertz applications. The practical applications of terahertz (THz) radiation include scientific probing for material characterisation, screening for weapons, explosives and biohazards, imaging for concealed objects and medical diagnostics, chemical and biological analysis, astronomy and space research. The success of this project will lead to the creation of a new generation of high performance THz emitters/detec ....Development of high performance III-V semiconductor photoconductive antennas for terahertz applications. The practical applications of terahertz (THz) radiation include scientific probing for material characterisation, screening for weapons, explosives and biohazards, imaging for concealed objects and medical diagnostics, chemical and biological analysis, astronomy and space research. The success of this project will lead to the creation of a new generation of high performance THz emitters/detectors essential for above applications, making great contribution to the Nation in the areas of science, technology, health, security and economy.Read moreRead less
A high performance and environment-friendly piezoelectric detector platform for biosensor applications. The development of high performance, lead-free, piezoelectric films and their incorporation into devices is rapidly becoming an urgent task as a result of recent legislation banning the use of lead in electronic components. The successful development of piezoelectric biosensors, as proposed in this project, has numerous potential benefits including the prospect of rapid and cheap biosensor dev ....A high performance and environment-friendly piezoelectric detector platform for biosensor applications. The development of high performance, lead-free, piezoelectric films and their incorporation into devices is rapidly becoming an urgent task as a result of recent legislation banning the use of lead in electronic components. The successful development of piezoelectric biosensors, as proposed in this project, has numerous potential benefits including the prospect of rapid and cheap biosensor devices as well as an environment-friendly, sensitive and real time solution for on-site drug, chemical and biological sensing. Successful development of the latter would provide immediate benefit in the areas of national security, food safety as well as in environmental and health monitoring. Read moreRead less
ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functi ....ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functional materials, ii) high-tech IT/communications/sensing materials, iii) materials solutions for manufacturing, iv) materials for a sustainable Australia, and v) emerging materials technologies. Key programs will promote interdisciplinary workshops and early career researcher interactions.Read moreRead less
Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project a ....Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project aims at investigating the mechanical and acoustic properties of the newly discovered interlockable geometries (cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra and icosahedra) and identifying the areas of application. The project will promote the international leading role of the collaborating institutions in this novel field.Read moreRead less
A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types o ....A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types of interlocked assemblies will be modelled, produced and tested to determine their mechanical and acoustic properties. A range of experimental techniques tailored for these unusual assemblies will be employed. The expected outcome will be the implementation of the new design principle in multifunctional materials and structures.Read moreRead less
Preparation of silica-based thin film materials with large optical nonlinearity. There is currently a lack of advanced thin film materials suitable for fabricating integrated electro-optic devices to use in optical telecommunication. Such materials will be produced, and their application will be developed through this project. The physical mechanism of the marvelous optical nonlinearities of the materials will also be investigated. Thus the achievement of this project will bring great advancemen ....Preparation of silica-based thin film materials with large optical nonlinearity. There is currently a lack of advanced thin film materials suitable for fabricating integrated electro-optic devices to use in optical telecommunication. Such materials will be produced, and their application will be developed through this project. The physical mechanism of the marvelous optical nonlinearities of the materials will also be investigated. Thus the achievement of this project will bring great advancement in both scientific knowledge and technologies for Australia, and provide huge opportunities to boost Australian telecommunication industries, which are developing quickly in recent years.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, de ....Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, developing and manufacturing nanowire-based nanostructures for future nanodevices and nanosystems, which is strategically important to Australia's emerging high-tech industries. This project will also enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industrial sectors and multi-trillion dollar economic activity is expected by 2020. Nanowires are considered to be new building blocks for future electronics and photonics technologies and our aim is to develop nanowire based technologies which are of benefit to Australian industry. This project will develop patentable technologies as well as enhance international links with UK, ....Epitaxial Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industrial sectors and multi-trillion dollar economic activity is expected by 2020. Nanowires are considered to be new building blocks for future electronics and photonics technologies and our aim is to develop nanowire based technologies which are of benefit to Australian industry. This project will develop patentable technologies as well as enhance international links with UK, China, Sweden and Norway. Training of postgraduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the field of nanotechnology will be of immense benefit to Australian industries, research and academic institutions. Read moreRead less
Advanced products through multiscale microstructure engineering. The metals manufacturing industry is one of the most important in Australia. Future growth and sustainability of the sector is critically dependent on the development of innovative metal products and materials.. In this program Australia's leading research group in metal manufacturing will develop new products and processes through the controlled manipulation of the microstructure at a number of levels: from nano scale to macro s ....Advanced products through multiscale microstructure engineering. The metals manufacturing industry is one of the most important in Australia. Future growth and sustainability of the sector is critically dependent on the development of innovative metal products and materials.. In this program Australia's leading research group in metal manufacturing will develop new products and processes through the controlled manipulation of the microstructure at a number of levels: from nano scale to macro scale. The areas of application include the automotive industry, biomaterials, surface engineering and the emerging area of microforming technologiesRead moreRead less
Development of nano-structured thermoelectric materials for power generation from heat. To make thermoelectric technology attractive for practical power generation purposes, new high efficiency materials have to be developed. Our fabricated nanostructured thermoelectric materials will have improved performance due to the peculiarities in electrical and thermal transport. The novel thermoelectric materials and constructed prototype devices with high thermoelectric performance will be practically ....Development of nano-structured thermoelectric materials for power generation from heat. To make thermoelectric technology attractive for practical power generation purposes, new high efficiency materials have to be developed. Our fabricated nanostructured thermoelectric materials will have improved performance due to the peculiarities in electrical and thermal transport. The novel thermoelectric materials and constructed prototype devices with high thermoelectric performance will be practically used for various power generation purposes. This offers a long-term solution to the global warming threat through decreasing amounts of waste heat presently generated. It will also strengthen Australia's position in world-wide research on thermoelectricity.Read moreRead less