Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100810
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,450.00
Summary
Optical tweezers for bio-nanotechnologies. This project aims to develop a platform of diamond nanosensors and novel optical tweezers for probing cellular processes with single-molecule resolution, in vivo and over physiologically relevant time scales. In biomedicine, long-term imaging of single-molecules is beyond reach with existing bio-labels. The project combines the superior properties of nanodiamond biomarkers (brightness, stability, small size and non-toxicity), with new optical tweezers w ....Optical tweezers for bio-nanotechnologies. This project aims to develop a platform of diamond nanosensors and novel optical tweezers for probing cellular processes with single-molecule resolution, in vivo and over physiologically relevant time scales. In biomedicine, long-term imaging of single-molecules is beyond reach with existing bio-labels. The project combines the superior properties of nanodiamond biomarkers (brightness, stability, small size and non-toxicity), with new optical tweezers which exploit laser trapping of atoms to manipulate nanodiamonds in three-dimensional biological environments. By accessing smaller size and higher force regimes, the platform will improve bio-imaging and bio-manipulation techniques, and potentially advance pathogentracking and early detection of diseases.Read moreRead less
Dual nanoparticles to distinguish between right and left biomolecules. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of optical activity to ultralow molecular concentration samples. Optical activity is a commercially available technique used to distinguish chemically identical and morphologically different biomolecules (enantiomers). Unlike other scattering techniques, near-field enhancing of optical activity has not been achieved, thus limiting these measurements to high molecular concentrations ....Dual nanoparticles to distinguish between right and left biomolecules. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of optical activity to ultralow molecular concentration samples. Optical activity is a commercially available technique used to distinguish chemically identical and morphologically different biomolecules (enantiomers). Unlike other scattering techniques, near-field enhancing of optical activity has not been achieved, thus limiting these measurements to high molecular concentrations. There is evidence indicating that optical activity can be enhanced using dual nanoparticles (ie small particles with the same response to electric and magnetic fields). This project aims to advance our understanding of these dual nanoparticles and experimentally implement their use to enhance optical activity.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101371
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Designer defects in diamond for solid state quantum networks. This project aims to develop an artificial atom in diamond that can connect to other nodes in a network. Network connectivity and data distribution are increasingly important in today's information economy. Tiny glowing artificial atoms in coloured diamonds can receive, store and send information in a network using laser light and microwaves. Because they work at the level of individual atoms and photons, they can use quantum-weirdnes ....Designer defects in diamond for solid state quantum networks. This project aims to develop an artificial atom in diamond that can connect to other nodes in a network. Network connectivity and data distribution are increasingly important in today's information economy. Tiny glowing artificial atoms in coloured diamonds can receive, store and send information in a network using laser light and microwaves. Because they work at the level of individual atoms and photons, they can use quantum-weirdness to achieve feats impossible even for supercomputers on the classical internet. The proposed device is expected to make it easier to construct technologies that move beyond the limitations of existing infrastructure thus satisfying the unmet core requirements for a quantum network.Read moreRead less
Drawing out spider silk photonics and technology. We discovered certain spider webs are an optical device of amazing sophistication – the result of 136 million years of evolution. New photonic and electron microscopy techniques will measure the unique optical and materials properties of the webs, and the resulting knowledge will have high impact for advanced, self- assembled, photonic materials.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100067
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A femtosecond Mmd-IR optical parametric amplifier source for waveguide nonlinear optics. The mid-infrared is an immensely important region of the optical spectrum for sensing toxic or illicit molecules or pollutants using their spectral fingerprints. The equipment will facilitate the development of new techniques for sensing based on nonlinear processes in waveguides.
Nanoscale quantum metrology using circuit quantum electrodynamics. Using superconducting microcircuits, we aim to control microwave photons in order to achieve detection of nanoscale electrical and mechanical systems that is limited only by the constraints imposed by quantum mechanics. Such quantum-limited measurements will enable the use of quantum feedback for enhanced control of these nanoscale devices.
Star and planetary system assembly with the VAMPIRES instrument. Understanding the origins of the Earth and our Solar System comprises one of the landmark challenges for contemporary astronomy. This project will commission the VAMPIRES instrument which will open a unique window upon planetary nurseries around distant stars. These dusty disks will be perturbed by any newborn planets orbiting within causing several subtle signatures which our instrument is designed to read. Such data will make a c ....Star and planetary system assembly with the VAMPIRES instrument. Understanding the origins of the Earth and our Solar System comprises one of the landmark challenges for contemporary astronomy. This project will commission the VAMPIRES instrument which will open a unique window upon planetary nurseries around distant stars. These dusty disks will be perturbed by any newborn planets orbiting within causing several subtle signatures which our instrument is designed to read. Such data will make a critical contribution to our understanding of planetary assembly. Revealing the primordial state, before the onset of structural changes as the system evolves, informs expectations for exoplanetary system architecture and for the chance that life is harboured around distant stars.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100131
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
National Facility for Cryogenic Photonics. National facility for cryogenic photonics: The project will establish a multi-disciplinary, multi-user facility for the development and analysis of photonic materials and devices at cryogenic temperatures, heralding a new paradigm in quantum optical research in Australia. The two nodes, one for photonic materials development and one for quantum device characterisation, will enable new physical phenomena to be discovered, new materials to be developed an ....National Facility for Cryogenic Photonics. National facility for cryogenic photonics: The project will establish a multi-disciplinary, multi-user facility for the development and analysis of photonic materials and devices at cryogenic temperatures, heralding a new paradigm in quantum optical research in Australia. The two nodes, one for photonic materials development and one for quantum device characterisation, will enable new physical phenomena to be discovered, new materials to be developed and will ultimately result in the creation of ground-breaking new photonic technologies. This collaborative facility will play a role in the quantum revolution, hailed as the next major step in societal evolution, providing breakthroughs in modern technology and placing Australia at the forefront of this field.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100320
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Increasing efficiency in tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells. This project aims to increase the efficiency of silicon solar cells. Organo-halide perovskites semiconductors will improve crystalline silicon’s single-junction solar cell efficiency from its current ~25% record to the theoretical limit of 30% at an affordable cost for the market. This project will integrate organo-halide perovskite semiconductors with silicon cells in a tandem solar cell, a structure that harvests sunlight more eff ....Increasing efficiency in tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells. This project aims to increase the efficiency of silicon solar cells. Organo-halide perovskites semiconductors will improve crystalline silicon’s single-junction solar cell efficiency from its current ~25% record to the theoretical limit of 30% at an affordable cost for the market. This project will integrate organo-halide perovskite semiconductors with silicon cells in a tandem solar cell, a structure that harvests sunlight more efficiently. This project should lead to the development of solar cells with state-of-the-art efficiencies greater than 30% at an affordable cost for the energy market.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100070
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Optical wavelength conversion in nonlinear dielectric nano-resonators. This project aims to uncover new opportunities to change the colour of light on the nanoscale, taking advantage of revolutionary advances in high-precision nano-fabrication. It will bring deeper understanding of the interaction between light and matter in dielectric resonators with sizes smaller than the visible light wavelength. This is expected to open a pathway for new telecommunication and microscopy-related technologies ....Optical wavelength conversion in nonlinear dielectric nano-resonators. This project aims to uncover new opportunities to change the colour of light on the nanoscale, taking advantage of revolutionary advances in high-precision nano-fabrication. It will bring deeper understanding of the interaction between light and matter in dielectric resonators with sizes smaller than the visible light wavelength. This is expected to open a pathway for new telecommunication and microscopy-related technologies and move towards increasing energy efficiency, scalability and security of optical communication networks of the future.Read moreRead less