Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their ....Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their collective behaviour. The project will investigate in detail the geometry, topology, materials science and statistical physics of networks, leading to design and characterization of robust self-assembled materials and complex systems.Read moreRead less
Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap. The success of this project will allow for improvement of existing technologies in diverse fields, from optics to green energy production. Realization of 3D complete Photonic Band-Gap (PBG) structures is the first step toward full optic-based data processing systems, which will be one of the most revolutionary achievements in technology after introductio ....Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap. The success of this project will allow for improvement of existing technologies in diverse fields, from optics to green energy production. Realization of 3D complete Photonic Band-Gap (PBG) structures is the first step toward full optic-based data processing systems, which will be one of the most revolutionary achievements in technology after introduction of electronic-based processors. Improvement of energy conversion efficiency of existing solar cells and polymer-based solar cells will be achievable thanks to implementation of PhCs as high-reflective layers. The establishment of scaleable protocols for production of high quality materials for photonics will put Australia among the leading countries in the future photonic-devices market.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, de ....Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications. This project, aiming for developing zinc and nitrogen epitaxial nanowires, addresses specific National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technology and advanced materials. Outcomes will significantly advance the understanding of the evolution of epitaxial nanowire structures and their demonstrated properties. This project will provide informative guidelines for designing, developing and manufacturing nanowire-based nanostructures for future nanodevices and nanosystems, which is strategically important to Australia's emerging high-tech industries. This project will also enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
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
Dopants, defects and related issues in Zinc Oxide. ZnO is a promising semiconductor for optoelectronic devices namely green, blue, ultraviolet (UV) and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and ultimately UV lasers. It can also act as a transparent conductive oxide which has applications in flat panel displays and photovoltaic devices. Because of these potential applications, ZnO is the 'hottest' semiconductor with abounding literature and four new international conferences organised on progress in ....Dopants, defects and related issues in Zinc Oxide. ZnO is a promising semiconductor for optoelectronic devices namely green, blue, ultraviolet (UV) and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and ultimately UV lasers. It can also act as a transparent conductive oxide which has applications in flat panel displays and photovoltaic devices. Because of these potential applications, ZnO is the 'hottest' semiconductor with abounding literature and four new international conferences organised on progress in this research area in recent years. This project is an excellent opportunity for Australia to increase its strength in optoelectronic device research and to provide an understanding of some fundamental issues in doping, defect formation, diffusion and annihilation in ZnO.Read moreRead less
Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transfo ....Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transformed to design and application guidelines for the materials engineers and scientists to develop innovative and structurally/functionally reliable ferroelectromagnetic composites and their various devices and products.Read moreRead less
Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the k ....Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the key outcomes from the project will be a demonstration of biopolymer-based photoelectrochemical and solid-state p-i-n solar cells, and an improved understanding of the physics and chemistry of these important biological macromolecules.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
Epitaxial Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industrial sectors and multi-trillion dollar economic activity is expected by 2020. Nanowires are considered to be new building blocks for future electronics and photonics technologies and our aim is to develop nanowire based technologies which are of benefit to Australian industry. This project will develop patentable technologies as well as enhance international links with UK, ....Epitaxial Nanowires for Optoelectronic Device Applications. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industrial sectors and multi-trillion dollar economic activity is expected by 2020. Nanowires are considered to be new building blocks for future electronics and photonics technologies and our aim is to develop nanowire based technologies which are of benefit to Australian industry. This project will develop patentable technologies as well as enhance international links with UK, China, Sweden and Norway. Training of postgraduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the field of nanotechnology will be of immense benefit to Australian industries, research and academic institutions. 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