Metaphotonics and metasurfaces for disruptive sensing technologies. This project aims to address a big challenge in nanophotonics by developing revolutionary methods for efficient chiral sensing of molecules without the need for spectrometry, frequency scanning, or moving mechanical parts, and to enhance chiroptical signals a hundredfold with the help of metasurface structures. Resonant metasurfaces are arrays of engineered dielectric nanoparticles with extraordinary characteristics, and they wo ....Metaphotonics and metasurfaces for disruptive sensing technologies. This project aims to address a big challenge in nanophotonics by developing revolutionary methods for efficient chiral sensing of molecules without the need for spectrometry, frequency scanning, or moving mechanical parts, and to enhance chiroptical signals a hundredfold with the help of metasurface structures. Resonant metasurfaces are arrays of engineered dielectric nanoparticles with extraordinary characteristics, and they would allow to overcome current limitations of chiral sensing analytical tools. Detecting chiral molecules in low concentrations is crucially important to many fields of biology, chemistry, and pharmacy, as well as to the food and cosmetics industries, constituting a market of tens of billions of dollars.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101076
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,985.00
Summary
Resolving nanoscale structure-activity for rational electrocatalyst design. This project aims to investigate the structural and functional properties of electrocatalysts at the nanoscale. The project expects to develop state-of-the-art electrochemical imaging technology that can examine the active sites of electrodes during operation. Understanding electrode performance on this scale is expected to enhance our capability to rationally design cheaper and more-efficient electrocatalysts, notably ....Resolving nanoscale structure-activity for rational electrocatalyst design. This project aims to investigate the structural and functional properties of electrocatalysts at the nanoscale. The project expects to develop state-of-the-art electrochemical imaging technology that can examine the active sites of electrodes during operation. Understanding electrode performance on this scale is expected to enhance our capability to rationally design cheaper and more-efficient electrocatalysts, notably for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction. This should provide significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, through the development of next-generation energy storage and conversion materials that can be utilized by households and businesses to store renewable energy in the form of carbon-neutral fuels.Read moreRead less
An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefi ....An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefits, as the predictive surface-wettability model will enhance controllability and productivity of diverse manufacturing processes and lead to new applications, high-value products and economic benefits in mining, energy, electronics, biomedicine and other fields.Read moreRead less
Enhancing gravitational wave detector sensitivity and bandwidth for astronomy. This project aims to create small optomechanical devices that amplify the signals in gravitational wave detectors, increasing their sensitivity, especially for higher frequency signals. Calibrated against the 2015 first detection of gravitational waves from black hole mergers, this technology could allow humanity to listen to black holes merging up to 30 times every day, while giving much greater sensitivity to signal ....Enhancing gravitational wave detector sensitivity and bandwidth for astronomy. This project aims to create small optomechanical devices that amplify the signals in gravitational wave detectors, increasing their sensitivity, especially for higher frequency signals. Calibrated against the 2015 first detection of gravitational waves from black hole mergers, this technology could allow humanity to listen to black holes merging up to 30 times every day, while giving much greater sensitivity to signals from smaller black holes and neutron stars. The new technology, which uses nano-scale suspended tiny mirrors controlled by laser light, is likely to have applications in making sensors and quantum devices for advanced instrumentation, improve mineral exploration and measure tiny electromagnetic signals.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
Laser-free on-chip super-resolution microscopy. The project aims to develop a compact, cost-effective on-chip super-resolution microscope through an innovative combination of imaging algorithms, optics and integrated photonics. This project addresses limitations in imaging algorithms that increase laser system complexity and constrain imaging speed and applications, as well as nanostructure fabrication issues. Expected outcomes include the discovery of emitter self-interference microscopy, new k ....Laser-free on-chip super-resolution microscopy. The project aims to develop a compact, cost-effective on-chip super-resolution microscope through an innovative combination of imaging algorithms, optics and integrated photonics. This project addresses limitations in imaging algorithms that increase laser system complexity and constrain imaging speed and applications, as well as nanostructure fabrication issues. Expected outcomes include the discovery of emitter self-interference microscopy, new knowledge in imaging, photonics and biophysics, the world’s fastest super-resolution technology, compact on-chip nanoscopy that can be added to existing technology and proof of concept in three areas. Benefits are anticipated in commercialisation, improved photonics devices and usage in biophysics.Read moreRead less
Auger, Quantum Electro-Dynamics, Axions and New Technology. New technology developed by Australia, Sweden and the United States will be applied to major questions about the application of relativistic quantum mechanics to atomic structure and dynamics and spectroscopy, especially including critical issues in quantum electro-dynamics for atomic physics and applications. Discrepancies in quantum electro-dynamics have dominated international debate for decades, with claimed explanations annually fa ....Auger, Quantum Electro-Dynamics, Axions and New Technology. New technology developed by Australia, Sweden and the United States will be applied to major questions about the application of relativistic quantum mechanics to atomic structure and dynamics and spectroscopy, especially including critical issues in quantum electro-dynamics for atomic physics and applications. Discrepancies in quantum electro-dynamics have dominated international debate for decades, with claimed explanations annually failing to reveal the cause. Also a pattern of discrepancies has been seen at X-ray energies in first row metal atoms, with a similar sign and magnitude. A combined experimental an theoretical investigation will aim to reveal new light on these anomalies and serve to develop our understanding of the universe.Read moreRead less
Optical frequency conversion in nonlinear dielectric metasurfaces. This project aims to investigate the mixing of light colours in semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in an ultra-thin transparent film, called a nonlinear metasurface. Understanding of the resonant nonlinear interactions in such metasurfaces will allow for the up and down frequency conversion of light beams and images with efficiencies well beyond current capabilities. The outcomes of the project will form the basis for novel cost ....Optical frequency conversion in nonlinear dielectric metasurfaces. This project aims to investigate the mixing of light colours in semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in an ultra-thin transparent film, called a nonlinear metasurface. Understanding of the resonant nonlinear interactions in such metasurfaces will allow for the up and down frequency conversion of light beams and images with efficiencies well beyond current capabilities. The outcomes of the project will form the basis for novel cost-effective and compact devices for infrared imaging, and will also enable ultra-fast sources of quantum light with tailored spatial and spectral correlations. These will benefit important applications in defence and security, including night vision, security holograms, quantum cryptography and communications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101577
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,639.00
Summary
Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for Next-Generation Batteries. This project aims to develop advanced two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (COF) materials for sodium and potassium-ion batteries. It expects to generate a new family of few-layered 2D COF materials and their 2D-2D heterostructured composites with improved electrochemical properties, and develop processing technologies and fundamental understanding of COF-based electrodes for flexible sodium and potassium-ion ba ....Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for Next-Generation Batteries. This project aims to develop advanced two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (COF) materials for sodium and potassium-ion batteries. It expects to generate a new family of few-layered 2D COF materials and their 2D-2D heterostructured composites with improved electrochemical properties, and develop processing technologies and fundamental understanding of COF-based electrodes for flexible sodium and potassium-ion batteries. Expected outcomes include novel materials, technologies, and energy-storage options for Australia. Significant economic and environmental benefits are expected from developing advanced sodium and potassium-ion batteries with low cost, high energy density, and improved safety for renewable energy storage.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Advanced Multifunctional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical Analysis Platform. This project aims to build an advanced multi-functional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical analysis platform for characterizing nanomaterials and micro-/nano-scale devices. This platform expects to provide rich and unique characterization capabilities (electrical, optical, magnetic and mechanical) for hybrid devices with low temperature and high vacuum environment. The expected outcomes include multidisciplinary research co ....Advanced Multifunctional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical Analysis Platform. This project aims to build an advanced multi-functional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical analysis platform for characterizing nanomaterials and micro-/nano-scale devices. This platform expects to provide rich and unique characterization capabilities (electrical, optical, magnetic and mechanical) for hybrid devices with low temperature and high vacuum environment. The expected outcomes include multidisciplinary research collaborations and a wide range of next-generation technologies including non-invasive medical instruments, wearable devices, communication, quantum information systems and energy storage solutions. This should enable local design and construction of hybrid devices and advance the growth of local high-technology industries.Read moreRead less