New generation pulsed magnetron sputtering for the synthesis of advanced materials. Magnetron sputtering underpins the manufacture of many products ranging from semiconductor microelectronics to energy efficient windows. This project will create a new generation sputtering process fully compatible with current technology but capable of synthesising new phases and new film microstructures with greatly enhanced performance.
Novel fuel-cell structures based on electroactive polymers. This project will tackle some of the challenges currently hindering progression of our society into a post-petroleum era via materials developments that will lead to in-expensive, more efficient fuel cell technologies. Specifically, a new class of organic catalysts and novel ion conducting membranes will be integrated into functional fuel-cells.
Low-temperature plasma processes for high-quality graphene films. The project aims to develop novel plasma-enabled processes for low-cost, energy-efficient, and scalable growth of high-quality graphene films for applications in touch screen, solar cell and other devices. It aims to discover non-equilibrium plasma-surface interactions enabling nucleation and growth of graphene films with large and low-defect domains on metal catalysts at low temperatures, and then develop energy-efficient, enviro ....Low-temperature plasma processes for high-quality graphene films. The project aims to develop novel plasma-enabled processes for low-cost, energy-efficient, and scalable growth of high-quality graphene films for applications in touch screen, solar cell and other devices. It aims to discover non-equilibrium plasma-surface interactions enabling nucleation and growth of graphene films with large and low-defect domains on metal catalysts at low temperatures, and then develop energy-efficient, environment-friendly, and scalable fabrication and device transfer processes. These processes are designed to retain high quality of graphene films upon scale-up and will be compatible with the existing and emerging applications in touch screens and other devices. The expected outcomes include fundamental understanding and novel practical approaches to control synthesis and device integration of two-dimensional atomically-thin materials.Read moreRead less
Engineering the Microstructure of Electrodes for Advanced Fuel Cells. A polymer solution-based integration technique is proposed to be developed to fabricate polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, allowing for effective engineering of the porous networks and interfaces within electrodes and cells. This novel systems materials engineering approach is expected to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional hot pressing method, enabling precise integration of nanostructured electrodes and membrane ....Engineering the Microstructure of Electrodes for Advanced Fuel Cells. A polymer solution-based integration technique is proposed to be developed to fabricate polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, allowing for effective engineering of the porous networks and interfaces within electrodes and cells. This novel systems materials engineering approach is expected to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional hot pressing method, enabling precise integration of nanostructured electrodes and membrane into high-performance, flexible fuel cells. The outcomes of this research aim to provide a unique opportunity for Australia to become a world leader in the rapidly-emerging clean energy technology, and critical manufacturing of new energy generation systems for domestic uses and exports, thereby producing important economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Design and synthesis of boron nitride thin film coatings with exceptional properties. This project will develop new types of boron nitride thin film coatings with properties and performance tailored to meet the needs of applications ranging from advancing the lifetime of tools and components to the production of advanced semiconductor light sources.
Defect engineering in molecular beam epitaxy-grown mercury cadmium telluride. This project aims to develop high quality mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) materials with lower defect density and lower background doping levels. This will enable future, high-performance, lower-cost infrared sensors with the unique features of higher yield, larger array size and higher operating temperature. The project will generate new science and technologies on defect engineering in the epitaxial growth of sem ....Defect engineering in molecular beam epitaxy-grown mercury cadmium telluride. This project aims to develop high quality mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) materials with lower defect density and lower background doping levels. This will enable future, high-performance, lower-cost infrared sensors with the unique features of higher yield, larger array size and higher operating temperature. The project will generate new science and technologies on defect engineering in the epitaxial growth of semiconducting HgCdTe on cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) substrates. This will contribute to the development of core Australian industry sectors such as defence, environmental monitoring, medical imaging, earth remote sensing, mining, and oil and gas.Read moreRead less
Cadmium telluride/Germanium (CdTe/Ge) tandem-junction solar cells for efficiency enhancement in thin-film photovoltaics. The purpose of this project is to improve the efficiency of large-area, thin-film CdTe solar cells by using them in a tandem arrangement with thin-film Ge cells. An increase of 25 per cent in efficiency appears possible, which would greatly improve the prospects for cost-competitive photovoltaic power generation.
Bandgap engineered mercury cadmium telluride heterostructures on gallium antimonide alternative substrates. This project aims to develop bandgap engineered mercury cadmium telluride heterostructures on gallium antimonide alternative substrates to enable high performance lower-cost infrared sensors with high yield, large array size, multiband detection and higher operating temperature. High performance infrared sensors and systems are core enabling technologies in civilian and defence application ....Bandgap engineered mercury cadmium telluride heterostructures on gallium antimonide alternative substrates. This project aims to develop bandgap engineered mercury cadmium telluride heterostructures on gallium antimonide alternative substrates to enable high performance lower-cost infrared sensors with high yield, large array size, multiband detection and higher operating temperature. High performance infrared sensors and systems are core enabling technologies in civilian and defence applications such as remote sensing, environmental monitoring, night vision and national security. This project expects to research into defect generation mechanisms in epitaxial growth of semiconducting mercury cadmium telluride on lattice mismatched substrates. This is expected to contribute to Australian industry sectors, thereby benefiting the Australian economy, society, environment, and national security.Read moreRead less
HgCdSe: A novel II-VI semiconductor material for next generation infrared technologies. High performance infrared sensors and systems represent core technologies in various civilian and defence applications such as remote sensing, environment monitoring, night vision and national security. The goal of this project is to develop new mercury cadmium selenide-based materials on gallium antimonide substrates for future high performance infrared sensors with the unique features of low cost, large arr ....HgCdSe: A novel II-VI semiconductor material for next generation infrared technologies. High performance infrared sensors and systems represent core technologies in various civilian and defence applications such as remote sensing, environment monitoring, night vision and national security. The goal of this project is to develop new mercury cadmium selenide-based materials on gallium antimonide substrates for future high performance infrared sensors with the unique features of low cost, large array size, room temperature operation as well as multiband detection. The outcomes of this project will lead to new science and next generation infrared sensors of benefit to Australian industry and defence technology. Read moreRead less
New carbon nanotube electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. The demand for clean, secure and sustainable energy sources has stimulated great interest in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. The efficiency of water splitting and fuel cells is however strongly dependent on the activity of the electrocatalysts. The objective of the project is to develop new electrocatalysts based on the recently discovered phenomena that car ....New carbon nanotube electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. The demand for clean, secure and sustainable energy sources has stimulated great interest in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. The efficiency of water splitting and fuel cells is however strongly dependent on the activity of the electrocatalysts. The objective of the project is to develop new electrocatalysts based on the recently discovered phenomena that carbon nanotubes with specific size and number of walls are very active and significantly promote the reaction of water splitting and fuel cells. The proposed project is expected to open a new research field in the development of new electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts for advanced energy conversion and storage technologies.Read moreRead less