Complex plasmas: self-organized dusty matter from nanotechnology to astrophysics. The importance of complex plasmas is based on their intricate self-organized behaviour, on their rich variety in nature and extensive use in the laboratory and advanced technologies. This project aims at breakthrough results advancing the fundamental knowledge and contributing to frontier technologies such as nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as reliability of space technological systems and communication ....Complex plasmas: self-organized dusty matter from nanotechnology to astrophysics. The importance of complex plasmas is based on their intricate self-organized behaviour, on their rich variety in nature and extensive use in the laboratory and advanced technologies. This project aims at breakthrough results advancing the fundamental knowledge and contributing to frontier technologies such as nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as reliability of space technological systems and communications. The project will boost fundamental and applied aspects of the Australian science as well as international collaborative links of Australian research and technology by allowing access and involvement to advanced multi-national programs and high-profile experiments such as those on board the International Space Station.Read moreRead less
Physics of High Power Pulsed Plasmas for Materials Synthesis. The new science produced will have a direct benefit on the synthesis of a new generation of materials for many applications, such as transparent conductive oxides, multilayer structures, and heat mirror materials for glazings. Many of these materials will help reduce energy consumption in the built environment and hence Australia's emission of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, it will help to develop environmentally clean production met ....Physics of High Power Pulsed Plasmas for Materials Synthesis. The new science produced will have a direct benefit on the synthesis of a new generation of materials for many applications, such as transparent conductive oxides, multilayer structures, and heat mirror materials for glazings. Many of these materials will help reduce energy consumption in the built environment and hence Australia's emission of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, it will help to develop environmentally clean production methods for many existing as well as new applications by replacing liquid based production techniques such as electroplating which generate toxic liquid wastes. Read moreRead less
Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic d ....Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic devices will be advanced. The expected outcomes are highly relevant for the nano-materials and optoelectronic technologies, rapidly emerging areas of high-tech industries worldwide.Read moreRead less
The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understa ....The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understanding of the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic driving forces, which govern nano-particle nucleation, growth and stability. This project will investigate the role of surface thermodynamics and growth kinetics in the nucleation, growth and stability of metallic nano-crystals in order to understand how to control their synthesis.Read moreRead less
Concepts towards the next generation of dye-sensitised solar cells: tandem and plasmonic solar cells. This project aims at exploring the feasibility of novel device concepts to enhance the performance of dye-sensitised solar cells. These concepts include tandem solar cells as well as novel energy relay systems based on the ability of nanoparticles to effectively act as antenna systems that can funnel energy towards a sensitising dye molecule.
Development of novel cathodes for next generation solid oxide fuel cells. This project will provide novel cathodes to reduce the operating temperature of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) as low as 500 degrees celsius. The technology may lead to widespread utilization of SOFCs, thus providing great assistance to Australia's industries in term of reducing carbon dioxide emission and easing pressure from carbon tax.
Plasma-assisted on-surface assembly for hydrogen production and beyond. This project aims to discover how to catalyse the formation and control the structure of functional materials with atomic precision using plasmas. New mechanisms of ultra-fast, plasma-catalytic on-surface nanoasembly will translate into energy-efficient, scalable digital fabrication of subnano-cluster and single-atomic-site catalysts over large 3D surface areas, tailored for advanced electrocatalysis. The outcomes including ....Plasma-assisted on-surface assembly for hydrogen production and beyond. This project aims to discover how to catalyse the formation and control the structure of functional materials with atomic precision using plasmas. New mechanisms of ultra-fast, plasma-catalytic on-surface nanoasembly will translate into energy-efficient, scalable digital fabrication of subnano-cluster and single-atomic-site catalysts over large 3D surface areas, tailored for advanced electrocatalysis. The outcomes including new concepts and insights into synergistic action of plasmas and solid surfaces will bridge atomic-scale materials formation and digital fabrication at industrial scales. The benefits including the new nanofabrication platform and clean energy will go beyond the demands of digital manufacturing and hydrogen economy. Read moreRead less
Hybrid cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This project aims to develop molten carbonate-perovskite hybrid cathode materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) possessing both high catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and high tolerance to carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon dioxide in air can poison nearly all the perovskite cathode materials developed for LT-SOFCs (below 600 degrees C) so far. These materials will not be practically useful ....Hybrid cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This project aims to develop molten carbonate-perovskite hybrid cathode materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) possessing both high catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and high tolerance to carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon dioxide in air can poison nearly all the perovskite cathode materials developed for LT-SOFCs (below 600 degrees C) so far. These materials will not be practically useful until carbon dioxide poisoning can be prevented. This project expects to make these LT-SOFC cathode materials commercially viable, solving a problem for the widespread use of low temperature solid oxide fuel cells.Read moreRead less
Magnetically controlled drug release from tissue scaffolds for the treatment of acute burns. Severe skin burns are frequently associated with functionally disabling scarring and the risk of death. New magnetically activated wound seals for the treatment of acute burns will be developed that reduce the need for frequent painful dressing changes and hence facilitate rapid healing with a significantly reduced chance of scarring.
High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Solid oxygen fuel cells are a clean energy generation device with very high energy efficiency and if with hydrogen as fuel, the emission is zero. However, the utilisation of hydrogen is limited by on-board storage. Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier and can be directly fed to solid oxide fuel cells without fuel storage problem, and the products are just hydrogen and nitrogen. For direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells, the key ....High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Solid oxygen fuel cells are a clean energy generation device with very high energy efficiency and if with hydrogen as fuel, the emission is zero. However, the utilisation of hydrogen is limited by on-board storage. Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier and can be directly fed to solid oxide fuel cells without fuel storage problem, and the products are just hydrogen and nitrogen. For direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells, the key challenge is the anode. This project aims to develop a high performance anode for direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells with both high activity and high stability at low temperature (below 600 degree C), thus addressing a key issue to make the direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells commercially viable.Read moreRead less