Fabrication of Magnesium Diboride (MgB2) thick films. The recent discovery of superconductivity at 39 K in MgB2 has stimulated considerable interest in terms of both fundamental research and applications. The purpose of the proposed project is to conduct fundamental studies on the synthesis, structures and microstructures, and physical properties of doped and undoped MgB2 thick films. The ultimate goal of this study is to fabricate high quality MgB2 thick films on different substrates and to gai ....Fabrication of Magnesium Diboride (MgB2) thick films. The recent discovery of superconductivity at 39 K in MgB2 has stimulated considerable interest in terms of both fundamental research and applications. The purpose of the proposed project is to conduct fundamental studies on the synthesis, structures and microstructures, and physical properties of doped and undoped MgB2 thick films. The ultimate goal of this study is to fabricate high quality MgB2 thick films on different substrates and to gain a better understanding of their various properties with a view to device application.Read moreRead less
Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain ....Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain the world-leading status of the Australian Fast Ferry industry. The technology also has the potential to expand the market for Australian-manufactured adhesives. The project also offers a stimulating learning environment for a PhD student.Read moreRead less
Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid. Australia has a rich natural gas reserve, most of which is in remote locations. This project will lead to a new technology to use the remote gas that would be flared into the atmosphere, thus benefiting both Australian economy and green house gas reduction. It will also reduce the risk of relying on importing oil from Overseas thus contributing to Australia's energy security. In addition, while crude-based oil emits SOx, NOx a ....Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid. Australia has a rich natural gas reserve, most of which is in remote locations. This project will lead to a new technology to use the remote gas that would be flared into the atmosphere, thus benefiting both Australian economy and green house gas reduction. It will also reduce the risk of relying on importing oil from Overseas thus contributing to Australia's energy security. In addition, while crude-based oil emits SOx, NOx and particulates etc into air, the liquid fuels from gas are pure and burns cleanly thus also contributing to air pollution control. Read moreRead less
Low temperature fabrication of silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) for flat panel displays - an entirely new approach. This project represents an entirely new approach to low temperature crystallization of amorphous silicon, and its application to TFT fabrication in flat panel displays, and involves a partnership with the Australian high-tech company, WRiota. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology, since the technology is based on materials modificati ....Low temperature fabrication of silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) for flat panel displays - an entirely new approach. This project represents an entirely new approach to low temperature crystallization of amorphous silicon, and its application to TFT fabrication in flat panel displays, and involves a partnership with the Australian high-tech company, WRiota. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology, since the technology is based on materials modification at the nanoscale by nanoindentation. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and ECRs to gain experience in both the industrial and academic worlds and skills needed for Australia's nanotechnology workforce.Read moreRead less
Next generation, very high efficiency thin silicon cells. A new type of thin silicon solar cell, with an efficiency potential of 21% or greater, is to be developed and characterized.
These cells should be cheaper, and have better efficiency, power to weight ratio and radiation tolerance than existing commercial silicon solar cells opening interesting possible applications. Novel solar cell designs and associated interconnection and encapsulation schemes for the cells suitable for space and hi ....Next generation, very high efficiency thin silicon cells. A new type of thin silicon solar cell, with an efficiency potential of 21% or greater, is to be developed and characterized.
These cells should be cheaper, and have better efficiency, power to weight ratio and radiation tolerance than existing commercial silicon solar cells opening interesting possible applications. Novel solar cell designs and associated interconnection and encapsulation schemes for the cells suitable for space and high altitude aircraft applications superior to existing technologies are expected to be developed. This should lead to a new, internationally competitive Australian industry.
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Advanced Siloxane Waveguide Devices for Telecommunications. This project will develop new methods for fabricating compact, high performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for use in future telecommunications networks in films of proprietary Inorganic Polymer Glasses (IPGs) commercialised by RPO Pty Ltd. New fabrication methods are required to overcome limitations of the current approach to patterning IPGs used by RPO Pty Ltd. Research will concentrate on hard contact lithography in conjunct ....Advanced Siloxane Waveguide Devices for Telecommunications. This project will develop new methods for fabricating compact, high performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for use in future telecommunications networks in films of proprietary Inorganic Polymer Glasses (IPGs) commercialised by RPO Pty Ltd. New fabrication methods are required to overcome limitations of the current approach to patterning IPGs used by RPO Pty Ltd. Research will concentrate on hard contact lithography in conjunction with dry (plasma) etching as well as ion beam milling; laser machining or UV writing for grating production. IPGs present special challenges for these technologies. The project outcomes will include new approaches to processing and the demonstration of the fabrication of innovative PICs in IPGs.Read moreRead less
Value Adding to Australian Cashmere Fleece. This project will lead to major technical advance in the processing of both cashmere fibres and cashmere guard hair. Reducing the level of breakage in fine cashmere fibres will add significant premium to the price of cashmere fibres and products. In addition, the large amount of coarse guard hair removed from cashmere dehairing process will be converted into quality fine powders, which will add significant value to an otherwise 'waste' product. This pr ....Value Adding to Australian Cashmere Fleece. This project will lead to major technical advance in the processing of both cashmere fibres and cashmere guard hair. Reducing the level of breakage in fine cashmere fibres will add significant premium to the price of cashmere fibres and products. In addition, the large amount of coarse guard hair removed from cashmere dehairing process will be converted into quality fine powders, which will add significant value to an otherwise 'waste' product. This project will benefit the entire animal fibre industry, particularly the rare animal fibre industry.Read moreRead less
Development of new methods for the synthesis of plasmonically-active precious metal rods and shells. This project directly addresses the National Research Priority on building and transforming Australian industries. It will position an Australian manufacturer as the world-leading supplier of speciality precious metal nanoparticles. The project is designed to add significant value to the precious metals products emanating from Australia. In addition to benefiting an existing manufacturing operati ....Development of new methods for the synthesis of plasmonically-active precious metal rods and shells. This project directly addresses the National Research Priority on building and transforming Australian industries. It will position an Australian manufacturer as the world-leading supplier of speciality precious metal nanoparticles. The project is designed to add significant value to the precious metals products emanating from Australia. In addition to benefiting an existing manufacturing operation, it is also expected to assist Australian researchers to capture a leadership role in commercialising new applications for these materials.Read moreRead less
Roll bite lubrication in hot strip rolling. Roll bite lubrication has been applied in hot strip rolling with significant cost savings in reduced rolling force, reduced roll wear and increasede productivity. However the mechanics of roll bite lubrication in the interface is not well understood due to the high temperature of the strip, scale oxide on the surfaces and contact asperities. It is known how the surface roughness is generated after rolling. This proposed project will develop a model to ....Roll bite lubrication in hot strip rolling. Roll bite lubrication has been applied in hot strip rolling with significant cost savings in reduced rolling force, reduced roll wear and increasede productivity. However the mechanics of roll bite lubrication in the interface is not well understood due to the high temperature of the strip, scale oxide on the surfaces and contact asperities. It is known how the surface roughness is generated after rolling. This proposed project will develop a model to simulate the roll bite lubrication process, to determine the roughness transfer from the roll surface to the strip surface, and optimise roll bite lubriation process.Read moreRead less
Development of Low Cost, High Quality Nitrides for Solid-State Lighting and Other Power Saving Applications. The advent of high brightness, low cost, compact, low power white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will revolutionise lighting as we currently know it. Incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes are inefficient light sources and their replacement with high efficiency solid state LED lighting over the next 10 years will provide a 10% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. The develo ....Development of Low Cost, High Quality Nitrides for Solid-State Lighting and Other Power Saving Applications. The advent of high brightness, low cost, compact, low power white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will revolutionise lighting as we currently know it. Incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes are inefficient light sources and their replacement with high efficiency solid state LED lighting over the next 10 years will provide a 10% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. The development and enhancement of a recent Australian innovation for the fabrication of low cost high brightness LEDs will enable Australia to be at the frontier of this technology and to be a world leader in the next stage of its development.Read moreRead less