Room-temperature quantum microscopy for advanced nanoscale imaging. Original, inspired and most often cross-disciplinary efforts are the only way to solve some of nature's most obscure mysteries. Successful development of high-resolution quantum microscopy will lead to a range of benefits for the community and the nation; from graduate student training in cutting edge technology, building links between academic, industry and government groups to providing new insights and approaches into diseas ....Room-temperature quantum microscopy for advanced nanoscale imaging. Original, inspired and most often cross-disciplinary efforts are the only way to solve some of nature's most obscure mysteries. Successful development of high-resolution quantum microscopy will lead to a range of benefits for the community and the nation; from graduate student training in cutting edge technology, building links between academic, industry and government groups to providing new insights and approaches into disease identification and therapy. This project aims to demonstrate a world-first in imaging sensitivity, and success will directly enhance Australia's global reputation as a leader in innovation and collaboration. Read moreRead less
Integrated Piezoelectric Microsystems for Actuation and Sensing. Piezoelectric transducers provide the highest positioning accuracy of any known actuator and the highest dynamic force resolution of any known sensor. However, these capabilities are limited to macro scale applications since piezoelectric materials are not compatible with integrated circuit (IC) or Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems fabrication processes. This project aims to extend the use of piezoelectric materials to the meso- and ....Integrated Piezoelectric Microsystems for Actuation and Sensing. Piezoelectric transducers provide the highest positioning accuracy of any known actuator and the highest dynamic force resolution of any known sensor. However, these capabilities are limited to macro scale applications since piezoelectric materials are not compatible with integrated circuit (IC) or Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems fabrication processes. This project aims to extend the use of piezoelectric materials to the meso- and micro-scale by fabricating miniature piezoelectric positioning and sensor systems. These devices will include six-axis nano-positioners and ultra-high resolution accelerometers and gyroscopes. This technology will create a new market for devices that are lower cost than macro-scale systems but provide higher performance than silicon based microsystems.Read moreRead less
Designing a spectrometer to search for life on extrasolar planets. Finding indicators of life on extrasolar planets is one of the greatest science questions of our time. Astronomers have found rocky, earth-like exoplanets; now we need powerful spectrometers to search for biomarkers in their atmospheres, detecting the faint imprints from molecules associated with life in the colour spectrum of stars. This project will develop the instruments and technologies required to enable spectroscopy with m ....Designing a spectrometer to search for life on extrasolar planets. Finding indicators of life on extrasolar planets is one of the greatest science questions of our time. Astronomers have found rocky, earth-like exoplanets; now we need powerful spectrometers to search for biomarkers in their atmospheres, detecting the faint imprints from molecules associated with life in the colour spectrum of stars. This project will develop the instruments and technologies required to enable spectroscopy with massively multiplexed telescopes. A spectrometer design with large spectral bandwidth and high resolution, optimised for a facility consisting of thousands of small telescopes, and novel optical fibres to link them, will open the door for breakthrough science requiring an entirely new class of telescope.Read moreRead less
Ringed photonic crystal fibres for broadband nonlinear optics. The technology developed from this project will enable organic molecules to be detected, identified and quantified. Because the technology is compact, easily engineered and low cost, it will lead to a dramatically increased capability for infrared spectroscopic measurement throughout biology and medicine, with specific benefits in agriculture, the food industry and defence.
A Dual-species Ion Trap with Precision Optical Clocks. This project will enable new technological capabilities to overcome challenges in scaling up quantum computation and advancing quantum clocks. It will develop a versatile dual-species atomic instrumentation paired with precision laser systems. This advanced technological platform will be augmented by an extensive toolbox of quantum control engineering protocols to perform error-robust quantum operations for fault-tolerant quantum computation ....A Dual-species Ion Trap with Precision Optical Clocks. This project will enable new technological capabilities to overcome challenges in scaling up quantum computation and advancing quantum clocks. It will develop a versatile dual-species atomic instrumentation paired with precision laser systems. This advanced technological platform will be augmented by an extensive toolbox of quantum control engineering protocols to perform error-robust quantum operations for fault-tolerant quantum computation and high-precision spectroscopy. The expected outcomes will also benefit other disciplines: advanced quantum simulations for chemical dynamics, precision spectroscopy for astronomy, next-generation lasers, tests of fundamental physics, and quantum-enhanced positioning, navigation, and timing. Read moreRead less
Advanced model-based control for ultra-fast and ultra-high-precision nanoscale positioning. Australia faces unique challenges due to its small population and distance from international markets. To maintain a high standard of living Australia needs to further develop its high-tech base particularly in emerging fields such as nanotechnology. This research program is aimed at placing Australia at the forefront of international research in nanoscale positioning systems by building a world-class tea ....Advanced model-based control for ultra-fast and ultra-high-precision nanoscale positioning. Australia faces unique challenges due to its small population and distance from international markets. To maintain a high standard of living Australia needs to further develop its high-tech base particularly in emerging fields such as nanotechnology. This research program is aimed at placing Australia at the forefront of international research in nanoscale positioning systems by building a world-class team of talented researchers and equipping them with world-class research infrastructure. The global market for nanotechnology is projected to be in the tens of billions of dollars by 2020. The proposed research will enhance Australia's competitive advantage through high-impact scientific and technological innovations in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Beyond Spectral Detection: Engineering SUPER Dot Probes for High-Throughput Discovery. Molecules that are altered as a result of a pathological condition are generally present in very low abundance, and pose a “needle-in-a-haystack” problem. Current detection, quantification and localisation technologies use fluorescent probes that are limited by sensitivity and analysis time. This project will develop a new generation of nanophotonic luminescent probes (Strong Upconversion Photo-stable Encoded ....Beyond Spectral Detection: Engineering SUPER Dot Probes for High-Throughput Discovery. Molecules that are altered as a result of a pathological condition are generally present in very low abundance, and pose a “needle-in-a-haystack” problem. Current detection, quantification and localisation technologies use fluorescent probes that are limited by sensitivity and analysis time. This project will develop a new generation of nanophotonic luminescent probes (Strong Upconversion Photo-stable Encoded nano-Radiators (SUPER) Dots), based on purpose-engineered up-conversion nanocrystals that are ultra-bright and have low background interference, high specificity, speed, and large-scale multiplexing capacity. These probes will allow microscopy and flow cytometry to measure hitherto undetectable rare-event molecules and cells, opening new frontiers for the discovery of new biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of innovative high precision rolling technology in micromanufacturing. This project will focus on the establishment of high precision rolling technology for manufacturing microparts in Australia by using a unique profile and flexible rolling method. A successful outcome will provide an important breakthrough in the microrolling area and new knowledge for advanced micromanufacturing technology and its applications.
Raman conversion in diamond: Next generation long and far infrared and terahertz lasers. Through the creation of practical and powerful long wave infrared and terahertz lasers, this project will enable more rapid progress in many fields of science and technology, and in important medical, environmental and safeguarding applications of national priority. Australia also stands to benefit economically via commercialization of diamond-based Raman lasers and instruments into the market. The project w ....Raman conversion in diamond: Next generation long and far infrared and terahertz lasers. Through the creation of practical and powerful long wave infrared and terahertz lasers, this project will enable more rapid progress in many fields of science and technology, and in important medical, environmental and safeguarding applications of national priority. Australia also stands to benefit economically via commercialization of diamond-based Raman lasers and instruments into the market. The project will produce highly-trained researchers and students in the theory, design and development of diamond sources, enhance Australia's existing strengths in waveguide optics and photonics, and place Australia at the forefront of research in long-wave infrared and terahertz science.Read moreRead less
Quantum Opto-Mechatronics. Quantum science is the precise study of the physical world in the nanoscopic realm. It accurately predicts a wide range of physical phenomena that have no classical analogues. Understanding and controlling these quantum phenomena will play an increasingly important role in transforming 21st century technologies. This fellowship aims to realise the potential of combining optical, mechanical, and atomic systems in the quantum regime to deliver quantum enhancement to a ra ....Quantum Opto-Mechatronics. Quantum science is the precise study of the physical world in the nanoscopic realm. It accurately predicts a wide range of physical phenomena that have no classical analogues. Understanding and controlling these quantum phenomena will play an increasingly important role in transforming 21st century technologies. This fellowship aims to realise the potential of combining optical, mechanical, and atomic systems in the quantum regime to deliver quantum enhancement to a range of applications such as future-proofing information security via quantum cryptography and improving sensor technology with quantum measurement.Read moreRead less