Investigation of 1/f noise mechanisms in HgCdTe heterostructure IR photodiodes. Since the performance of any photon detector is defined by its signal to noise ratio, the reduction of noise generating mechanisms is equally important to improvement of the signal. In this project we propose to carry out, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of noise generating mechanisms in HgCdTe detectors using recently developed, two-dimensional analysis procedure. The main objective of this project is t ....Investigation of 1/f noise mechanisms in HgCdTe heterostructure IR photodiodes. Since the performance of any photon detector is defined by its signal to noise ratio, the reduction of noise generating mechanisms is equally important to improvement of the signal. In this project we propose to carry out, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of noise generating mechanisms in HgCdTe detectors using recently developed, two-dimensional analysis procedure. The main objective of this project is to prove that 1/f noise in HgCdTe photodetectors is caused by dark current fluctuations in the high electric field regions of the detector structure. The primary outcome of this work will be the first comprehensive two-dimensional device model that can predict 1/f noise in a semiconductor device.Read moreRead less
The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized ele ....The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized electrodes in biological media, especially single cells and minute samples in biology and forensic science, etc. Extensive use of neutron characterization techniques aligns strongly this project with the new OPAL reactor to be commissioned in 2007.Read moreRead less
Probing the internal contacts of all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. The results of this research will enable the development of robust and reliable all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. These sensors will enable solutions to significant environmental problems such as soil salinity and acidity, and may pave the way for new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., miniaturized implantable sensors for in-vivo use, microfluidics and Forensic Science, single blood droplet clinical analyzers, ....Probing the internal contacts of all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. The results of this research will enable the development of robust and reliable all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. These sensors will enable solutions to significant environmental problems such as soil salinity and acidity, and may pave the way for new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., miniaturized implantable sensors for in-vivo use, microfluidics and Forensic Science, single blood droplet clinical analyzers, rugged solid contact ion sensors for use in submersible oceanographic analyzers, etc. The research will develop a unique in-situ neutron reflectometry technique for the study of electrochemical interfaces, providing scientific opportunities for the new Australian Replacement Research Reactor.Read moreRead less
Probing the interfaces of electrochemical sensors. The nanostructured surfaces of electrochemical sensors for iron, mercury and cadmium will be characterised by using a range of state-of-the-art surface analysis techniques. Whilst electrochemical sensors are extremely valuable in monitoring of trace metals in the aquatic environment, a knowledge of the surface chemical physics of the systems is vital in order to widen their use in analytical/environmental chemistry. This project will derive a u ....Probing the interfaces of electrochemical sensors. The nanostructured surfaces of electrochemical sensors for iron, mercury and cadmium will be characterised by using a range of state-of-the-art surface analysis techniques. Whilst electrochemical sensors are extremely valuable in monitoring of trace metals in the aquatic environment, a knowledge of the surface chemical physics of the systems is vital in order to widen their use in analytical/environmental chemistry. This project will derive a universal model for the surface chemistry and physics of electrochemical sensors, enabling environmental scientists to develop unique sensor methods for studying the speciation of environmentally important trace metals such as those mentioned above.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775551
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Integrated Advanced X-ray Diffraction Facility. The new equipment will provide a unique facility for single crystal, powder and thin film structure elucidation using X-ray diffraction techniques. No other techniques have the capabilities in structure determination of materials at an atomic level which are necessary for delivering applications in nano-technology, health care products, amongst many fields, for the benefit for the community at large. The facility will foster a more innovative resea ....Integrated Advanced X-ray Diffraction Facility. The new equipment will provide a unique facility for single crystal, powder and thin film structure elucidation using X-ray diffraction techniques. No other techniques have the capabilities in structure determination of materials at an atomic level which are necessary for delivering applications in nano-technology, health care products, amongst many fields, for the benefit for the community at large. The facility will foster a more innovative research culture and provide excellent research training at the highest international level, and will provide a platform to maximise access to the new Opal Research Reactor and Australian Synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fu ....Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fundamental physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of EMD. The results will be of benefit in optimising the process and ensuring that EMD with superior performance can be consistently produced.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first t ....Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first time a multidisciplinary team has made such a concerted effort to understand the unusual science of gold nanoparticles and will strengthen Australia's already considerable reputation in this field.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347797
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,000.00
Summary
A Versatile High-resolution X-ray Diffractometer for Materials Research. The aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art triple-axis x-ray diffraction facility capable of non-destructively analysing complex semiconductor materials and structures investigated by all Australian semiconductor-growing groups. Growers and device engineers will be able to control growth processes accurately and correlate device performance with structural analysis. Modern triple-axis instruments can also b ....A Versatile High-resolution X-ray Diffractometer for Materials Research. The aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art triple-axis x-ray diffraction facility capable of non-destructively analysing complex semiconductor materials and structures investigated by all Australian semiconductor-growing groups. Growers and device engineers will be able to control growth processes accurately and correlate device performance with structural analysis. Modern triple-axis instruments can also be used for high-resolution texture analysis and surface reflectivity measurements on numerous types of materials. Thus chemists, geologists, and materials scientists with interests outside of the semiconductor growth community will gain substantial benefit from this instrument for the investigation of materials of technological and economic importance.Read moreRead less
Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software ....Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software and hardware, will have the capacity to extend the numerical techniques to a vast range of collision systems of interest to science and industry, where visualisation and sheer computer power will play a major role in both
code development and production runs.Read moreRead less
Blocking of the interfaces of polymeric ion sensors - implications for novel sensor applications. Control of the transmembrane fluxes of polymeric ion sensors represents a paradigm shift that has revolutionised the use of these analytically important devices. This project will develop and characterise innovative methods for controlling these fluxes by using blocked interfaces, and this has important ramifications for the development of robust and reliable sensors, as well as novel biosensors.