Microfabrication of integrated silicon optical cross-switches interfaced with silica optical waveguides. Project aims to fabricate novel silicon based optical switches in the form of cantilevered mirrors integrated to interface with silica optical waveguides integrated collimation lens. Significantly, it paves the way for low cost integration of optical switches with array waveguides for an all-optical dynamically reconfigurable dense wavelength division multiplexing network used in modern broad ....Microfabrication of integrated silicon optical cross-switches interfaced with silica optical waveguides. Project aims to fabricate novel silicon based optical switches in the form of cantilevered mirrors integrated to interface with silica optical waveguides integrated collimation lens. Significantly, it paves the way for low cost integration of optical switches with array waveguides for an all-optical dynamically reconfigurable dense wavelength division multiplexing network used in modern broadband telecommunication systems. International market demand for such devises is enormous. Expected outcomes include the development of arrays of low loss 2x2 integrated optical waveguide cross-switches prototypes, securing the intellectual property rights and disseminating the work internationally.Read moreRead less
Biologically-inspired detection, pursuit and interception of moving objects by unmanned aircraft systems. Although it is well known that aggressive honeybees are very effective at detecting, pursuing and intercepting moving targets, this behaviour has never been studied quantitatively. This project will use high-speed video cinematography to investigate this behaviour, to develop visual algorithms for the detection of moving targets, and to create dynamical models of the mechanisms that control ....Biologically-inspired detection, pursuit and interception of moving objects by unmanned aircraft systems. Although it is well known that aggressive honeybees are very effective at detecting, pursuing and intercepting moving targets, this behaviour has never been studied quantitatively. This project will use high-speed video cinematography to investigate this behaviour, to develop visual algorithms for the detection of moving targets, and to create dynamical models of the mechanisms that control pursuit. The resulting algorithms will be incorporated into unmanned aerial vehicles for detecting, monitoring and tracking other objects in the sky, and their performance will be evaluated. The results will provide a better understanding of the biological basis of pursuit behaviour, as well as lead to novel technologies for aerial surveillance and safety.Read moreRead less
Atomic-scale structural characterisation of quantum-dot nanostructures for novel photovoltaic applications. This project aims to design, fabricate and characterise innovative quantum-dot solar cells in order to overcome the atomic-scale defects that limit current approaches. The scientific and engineering understanding acquired through this project will enable the rapidly growing global solar-cell industry to produce higher-efficiency III-V solar cells.
Novel power system architecture and control for 'More Electric Aircraft'. This project aims to propose a new conceptual design of an internal aircraft electrical system and its control, which minimises the issues of traditional power systems and takes advantage of contemporary control and technology advances to minimise weight/volume and maximise reliability. The project will target a specific design, which includes consideration of novel power electronic topologies, to achieve these goals. The ....Novel power system architecture and control for 'More Electric Aircraft'. This project aims to propose a new conceptual design of an internal aircraft electrical system and its control, which minimises the issues of traditional power systems and takes advantage of contemporary control and technology advances to minimise weight/volume and maximise reliability. The project will target a specific design, which includes consideration of novel power electronic topologies, to achieve these goals. The results will be validated through simulation, experiments and field testing. It is anticipated that the ideas developed within this project will have a major impact on More Electric Aircraft technology, as well as on general interconnected energy resource systems, such as DC and AC microgrids.Read moreRead less
Control and communications for high value distributed electrical storage. The project aims to develop a new framework to support the successful deployment of resilient ‘prosumer-based’ energy systems. The increasing deployment of new energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and battery and other energy storages, challenges the current operating regimes of energy systems. The successful and active participation of prosumers, who are both producers and consumers of energy, ....Control and communications for high value distributed electrical storage. The project aims to develop a new framework to support the successful deployment of resilient ‘prosumer-based’ energy systems. The increasing deployment of new energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and battery and other energy storages, challenges the current operating regimes of energy systems. The successful and active participation of prosumers, who are both producers and consumers of energy, becomes a critical issue in the operation and management of such systems. The proposed framework explores ways to integrate new technology into existing systems, focusing on new methods of energy management with interactions with millions of devices and storage units, and real-time communications to devices.Read moreRead less
New insights into fundamental carrier transport in type-II superlattices. Type-II superlattice (T2SL) based semiconductors have emerged as a rival to well-established HgCdTe-based IR detectors, promising comparable performance at significantly lower cost. T2SLs are complex nanostructures that exhibit multiple-carrier and highly-anisotropic electronic transport properties, which renders them exceedingly challenging to study experimentally. The lack of reliable experimental data has limited optimi ....New insights into fundamental carrier transport in type-II superlattices. Type-II superlattice (T2SL) based semiconductors have emerged as a rival to well-established HgCdTe-based IR detectors, promising comparable performance at significantly lower cost. T2SLs are complex nanostructures that exhibit multiple-carrier and highly-anisotropic electronic transport properties, which renders them exceedingly challenging to study experimentally. The lack of reliable experimental data has limited optimisation and modelling efforts, and thus hampered progress. This project aims to systematically study electronic transport in T2SLs, both experimentally and theoretically, by employing world-leading mobility spectrum techniques developed at UWA and state-of-the art T2SL structures from three world leaders in T2SLs.Read moreRead less
Safe, Plug and Play, Multi Agent Dynamic Systems. From driverless cars, to networks of nano satellites, and complex biological networks, the modern world has many examples of multi agent dynamic systems that need careful coordination and control to perform correctly. In many cases, these systems are built up using designs based on intuition, computer simulations and empirical testing. However, there is a clear need to advance the fundamental understandings of such systems: (i) Verifiable overall ....Safe, Plug and Play, Multi Agent Dynamic Systems. From driverless cars, to networks of nano satellites, and complex biological networks, the modern world has many examples of multi agent dynamic systems that need careful coordination and control to perform correctly. In many cases, these systems are built up using designs based on intuition, computer simulations and empirical testing. However, there is a clear need to advance the fundamental understandings of such systems: (i) Verifiable overall dynamic system properties need to be derived to give assurance of performance in situations not previously envisaged; (ii) It is also critical to understand stable system behaviours not just with fixed configurations, but with agile configurations such as splitting, merging, and morphingRead moreRead less
Biological pattern generator for control and optimization of locomotion systems. This proposal exploits the interdisciplinary nature of systems and control area and incorporates biology science. It is expected to generate a synergy between biology science and control engineering and to advance scientific understanding in both fields. The proposed research will have impact on new innovations in a variety of fields. This will bring economic benefits for Australia. It will help to develop engineers ....Biological pattern generator for control and optimization of locomotion systems. This proposal exploits the interdisciplinary nature of systems and control area and incorporates biology science. It is expected to generate a synergy between biology science and control engineering and to advance scientific understanding in both fields. The proposed research will have impact on new innovations in a variety of fields. This will bring economic benefits for Australia. It will help to develop engineers for industry who have team-oriented problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary working environment. It will also stimulate students' intellectual curiosity into engineering and science through a series of innovative interdisciplinary research/educational activities.Read moreRead less
Development of new membrane-electrode assemblies for low temperature fuel cells. New electrodes and electrolytes for low temperature fuel cells will herald in a new epoch in the hydrogen economy for Australia. The IP developed in this project will form the basis for new transportation systems that do not lead to chemical pollution in Australia's cities. The new materials and processing techniques will lead to cheaper and more efficient fuel cells, allowing their use in portable computers, small ....Development of new membrane-electrode assemblies for low temperature fuel cells. New electrodes and electrolytes for low temperature fuel cells will herald in a new epoch in the hydrogen economy for Australia. The IP developed in this project will form the basis for new transportation systems that do not lead to chemical pollution in Australia's cities. The new materials and processing techniques will lead to cheaper and more efficient fuel cells, allowing their use in portable computers, small electrical appliances, public transport and in private cars in about ten years. Read moreRead less
Nanoscope-in-a-needle: nanoscale imaging and sensing deep inside tissue. This project seeks to make possible nanoscale and microscale imaging deep inside living human tissue. By miniaturising advanced optical imaging, sensing and spectroscopy systems into a hypodermic needle – a nanoscope-in-a-needle – it would be possible to study the structure and function of living biological systems in their native, three-dimensional environment up to centimetres deep in soft tissue but with unprecedented n ....Nanoscope-in-a-needle: nanoscale imaging and sensing deep inside tissue. This project seeks to make possible nanoscale and microscale imaging deep inside living human tissue. By miniaturising advanced optical imaging, sensing and spectroscopy systems into a hypodermic needle – a nanoscope-in-a-needle – it would be possible to study the structure and function of living biological systems in their native, three-dimensional environment up to centimetres deep in soft tissue but with unprecedented nano- and micro-scale resolution. A suite of new nanoscopes would underpin biological discovery and help advance human health and wellbeing.Read moreRead less