Improvement of critical current density in MgB2 wires and tapes and Y-Ba-Cu-O coated conductors. The technology of superconducting wires and tapes has emerged as one of the most important basic engineering technologies, which can create technical innovation and improvement in the quality of life in the fields of electric power, energy, machinery, transportation and the environment in the 21st century. The aim of the proposed program is to develop magnesium diboride superconductor and YBCO coated ....Improvement of critical current density in MgB2 wires and tapes and Y-Ba-Cu-O coated conductors. The technology of superconducting wires and tapes has emerged as one of the most important basic engineering technologies, which can create technical innovation and improvement in the quality of life in the fields of electric power, energy, machinery, transportation and the environment in the 21st century. The aim of the proposed program is to develop magnesium diboride superconductor and YBCO coated conductors by using novel nano-precursor powders. Superconducting tapes doped with nano-sized powders are expected to show enhancement in flux pinning properties. The expected outcome is the capability to produce a new generation of superconductors having high performance at low cost.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of nanowires and application as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections. This project is expected to bring significant scientific, economic and social benefits. We will develop a number of techniques for the controlled growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will have important applications in chemistry and biology. Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used f ....Synthesis of nanowires and application as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections. This project is expected to bring significant scientific, economic and social benefits. We will develop a number of techniques for the controlled growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will have important applications in chemistry and biology. Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used for early diagnostics of cancer disease, detection of viruses, and genomic DNA screening. The nanosensors could also provide a molecular tool for probing living cells without destroying them, through which we can track life within cells in real time.Read moreRead less
Investigation of a series of metallic sustrate materials suitable for developing long Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors. Aims: Researchers from Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, the University of Wollongong (UoW) & the Dept. Mat. Sci & Eng., University of Cincinnati (UC) in USA will build strong collaborations through joint research on a series of metallic substrate materials. Significance: The research work will contribute to the development of the second generation of high temper ....Investigation of a series of metallic sustrate materials suitable for developing long Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors. Aims: Researchers from Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, the University of Wollongong (UoW) & the Dept. Mat. Sci & Eng., University of Cincinnati (UC) in USA will build strong collaborations through joint research on a series of metallic substrate materials. Significance: The research work will contribute to the development of the second generation of high temperature superconducting wire technology. Expected outcomes: strengthen international research experience for junior researchers and develop new collaborations between senior researchers from UoW in Australia and UC in USA.Read moreRead less
Fine Structured Optical Fibre Fabrication - Soot, Rheology and Nanostructure in Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition. For 30 years photonics and telecommunications have relied heavily on optical fibres made by Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition (MCVD), a complex, highly dynamic process with many interacting variables, which is still more art than science. The results are good enough for most purposes but the next generation of photonics demands fibres with intricate, precisely defined internal s ....Fine Structured Optical Fibre Fabrication - Soot, Rheology and Nanostructure in Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition. For 30 years photonics and telecommunications have relied heavily on optical fibres made by Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition (MCVD), a complex, highly dynamic process with many interacting variables, which is still more art than science. The results are good enough for most purposes but the next generation of photonics demands fibres with intricate, precisely defined internal structures. A multi-disciplinary team will elucidate and quantify the exact nature of the fundamental science underlying MCVD - of silicate soot formation, deposition and heat treatment - and translate this into reproducibly fabricated fine structured fibres with high optical and mechanical performance.Read moreRead less
Study on the deposition of superconducting REBCO film via chemical route for coated conductor. Second generation high temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductor is the essential raw material for the next generation of high-efficiency electric power application such as power transmission cables, transformers, motors and generators, and grid protection devices (FCL) as well as medical, transportation, and high energy physics. The high efficiency and compactness of HTS devices promises grea ....Study on the deposition of superconducting REBCO film via chemical route for coated conductor. Second generation high temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductor is the essential raw material for the next generation of high-efficiency electric power application such as power transmission cables, transformers, motors and generators, and grid protection devices (FCL) as well as medical, transportation, and high energy physics. The high efficiency and compactness of HTS devices promises great savings in energy and reduction in CO2 emissions, which is vital for decreasing greenhouse effects.Read moreRead less
Development of novel ferroelectric magnetic materials for multi-functional applications. Ferroelectric magnets having simultaneous ferroeletricity and ferromagnetism is an area of emerging scientific interest. This project is to develop novel ferroelectric magnetic materials for multifunctional applications and falls into National Research Priority, Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. This project will provide trainings for postgraduate students and develop ....Development of novel ferroelectric magnetic materials for multi-functional applications. Ferroelectric magnets having simultaneous ferroeletricity and ferromagnetism is an area of emerging scientific interest. This project is to develop novel ferroelectric magnetic materials for multifunctional applications and falls into National Research Priority, Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. This project will provide trainings for postgraduate students and develop patentable science and technologies. The scope for use of the novel multifunctional materials will be enormous with great markets in the fields of magnetoelectronics, magnetic electromechanical industrial devices. It will benefit Australian manufacturing industry in the long term. Read moreRead less
Frustrated magnets: a new platform for multiferroic materials. Ferroelectric materials with simultaneous ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are one of the most important new emerging fields in the materials science and condensed matter physics communities. Novel magneto-electronic devices based on new multiferroic materials will open up a huge market for these devices, which are expected to have a huge impact on modern science and daily life. The purpose of this project is to make Australia one ....Frustrated magnets: a new platform for multiferroic materials. Ferroelectric materials with simultaneous ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are one of the most important new emerging fields in the materials science and condensed matter physics communities. Novel magneto-electronic devices based on new multiferroic materials will open up a huge market for these devices, which are expected to have a huge impact on modern science and daily life. The purpose of this project is to make Australia one of the leading countries in this field and to work with colleagues inside Australia and around the world to move this field forward for mutual benefit. Read moreRead less
Fabrication, charge and spin ordering, magnetoresistance, and polaron effects in nano-size and single crystals of novel transition metal perovskite oxides. The aim of the project is to synthesize a systematic series of novel colossal magnetoresistance manganese, cobalt and iron based transition metal perovskite oxides in the forms of nano-structures, nano-structured composites and single crystals using advanced nano-technology and crystal growth techniques. Extensive fundamental studies on magne ....Fabrication, charge and spin ordering, magnetoresistance, and polaron effects in nano-size and single crystals of novel transition metal perovskite oxides. The aim of the project is to synthesize a systematic series of novel colossal magnetoresistance manganese, cobalt and iron based transition metal perovskite oxides in the forms of nano-structures, nano-structured composites and single crystals using advanced nano-technology and crystal growth techniques. Extensive fundamental studies on magnetoresistance, spin and change ordering, and nano-scale behaviors will be carried out by neutron diffraction, synchrotron radiation, transport and magnetic measurements over a wide temperature range and magnetic fields. The outcomes of this project are likely to lead to a better undertanding of the colossal magnetoresistance mechanisms, the discovery of fascinating new physical phenomena and suitable magnetoresistance materials for superior magnetic recording, sensing and switch devicesRead moreRead less
Application of First-principles Theory in Condensed Matter Physics, Surface Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering: Coatings, Catalysis, and Devices. The project addresses areas of high technological interest, namely the development of nitride-based materials for hard-coatings, spintronic (control and use of electron spin) and optoelectronic (in the blue/UV energy range) devices - as well as the area of heterogeneous oxidation catalysis. Using state-of-the-art methods it will lead to the developme ....Application of First-principles Theory in Condensed Matter Physics, Surface Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering: Coatings, Catalysis, and Devices. The project addresses areas of high technological interest, namely the development of nitride-based materials for hard-coatings, spintronic (control and use of electron spin) and optoelectronic (in the blue/UV energy range) devices - as well as the area of heterogeneous oxidation catalysis. Using state-of-the-art methods it will lead to the development of new materials and devices of relevance to industry.Read moreRead less
Exploration for new materials for spintronics. The scope for use of spintronic materials in practical applications will be enormous and there will be a huge market for spintronic devices. In fact, giant magnetoresistance spintronic materials are already used in practical applications such as magnetic recording and storage devices. The success of this project will certainly lead to a discovery of novel magnetic semiconductor spintronic materials and better understanding of spin dependent magneti ....Exploration for new materials for spintronics. The scope for use of spintronic materials in practical applications will be enormous and there will be a huge market for spintronic devices. In fact, giant magnetoresistance spintronic materials are already used in practical applications such as magnetic recording and storage devices. The success of this project will certainly lead to a discovery of novel magnetic semiconductor spintronic materials and better understanding of spin dependent magnetic interactions. It will enhance the international competitiveness and export power of Australian industry in the areas of information technology, quantum computing, magnetic recording and magneto-electronics. Read moreRead less