Experimental Demonstrations of New Theorems of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics. In the last decade, two theorems have been proposed to revolutionise the field of thermodynamics. These theorems lift the restriction of the thermodynamic limit, allowing thermodynamic concepts to be applied to small systems such as nanomachines, and characterise systems that may be far-from-equilibrium. These theorems are at odds with a traditional understanding of 19th century thermodynamics where equilibrium is cent ....Experimental Demonstrations of New Theorems of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics. In the last decade, two theorems have been proposed to revolutionise the field of thermodynamics. These theorems lift the restriction of the thermodynamic limit, allowing thermodynamic concepts to be applied to small systems such as nanomachines, and characterise systems that may be far-from-equilibrium. These theorems are at odds with a traditional understanding of 19th century thermodynamics where equilibrium is central and the Second Law inviolate. However they are critical to the application of thermodynamic concepts to modern systems of the 21st century. Using Optical Tweezers, we will experimentally demonstrate these theorems, present irrefutable evidence of their validity, and demonstrate their application in modern systems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775646
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,000.00
Summary
Surface and Magnetic structure of crystalline materials. This proposal brings together significant research groups in La Trobe University, Monash University, the University of Western Australia, Newcastle University and Sydney University to establish a unique materials characterisation facility which will enable surface and magnetic structures of technologically significant materials to be determined. It will support developments in the areas of new magnetic phenomenon which is used in magnetic ....Surface and Magnetic structure of crystalline materials. This proposal brings together significant research groups in La Trobe University, Monash University, the University of Western Australia, Newcastle University and Sydney University to establish a unique materials characterisation facility which will enable surface and magnetic structures of technologically significant materials to be determined. It will support developments in the areas of new magnetic phenomenon which is used in magnetic sensing and in the exploration of processes of size reduction for electronic devices. It will enable this new, world leading technology, to be applied to surface structures relevant in the areas of nanotechnology and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Spin-dependent interactions: a fundamental basis for spin-electronics. This project will establish a comprehensive understanding of spin-dependent interactions and correlated behaviour of multi-electron systems that are responsible for spin-relaxation, spin transport and spin coherence in spin-electronic devices. Our approach is based on the spin-resolved two-electron coincidence spectroscopy that is inherently suited for studying electronic correlations. Systematic investigations of spin-depend ....Spin-dependent interactions: a fundamental basis for spin-electronics. This project will establish a comprehensive understanding of spin-dependent interactions and correlated behaviour of multi-electron systems that are responsible for spin-relaxation, spin transport and spin coherence in spin-electronic devices. Our approach is based on the spin-resolved two-electron coincidence spectroscopy that is inherently suited for studying electronic correlations. Systematic investigations of spin-dependent interactions in atoms, molecules and ultrathin films will increase understanding of magnetic (spin) properties of artificially structured materials with reduced dimensionality for the benefit of nanotechnology. This understanding will be used to design and control, at the quantum mechanical level, the building blocks of spin-electronic devices.Read moreRead less
The Mechanics of Nanoscale Devices. Australian developments in biosensing, medical diagnostics, clean energy, communication and security technologies, are rapidly growing due to our mounting capacity in nanoscale fabrication. Vital for evolution of next-generation nanodevices is an understanding of how mechanical processes operate at such small scales. This application will contribute to this scientific knowledge base. This will in turn assist Australian industries to progress these applications ....The Mechanics of Nanoscale Devices. Australian developments in biosensing, medical diagnostics, clean energy, communication and security technologies, are rapidly growing due to our mounting capacity in nanoscale fabrication. Vital for evolution of next-generation nanodevices is an understanding of how mechanical processes operate at such small scales. This application will contribute to this scientific knowledge base. This will in turn assist Australian industries to progress these applications and devices, leading to economic, social and technological gains for the Australian community.Read moreRead less
Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant adv ....Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in helium atom microscopy and would significantly enhance the reputation of Australian science. Moreover, this project strengthens and supports a key collaboration between the Universities of Newcastle and Cambridge and is at the core of this emerging technology.Read moreRead less
Decoherence in quantum computing and quantum electromechanical systems. Australia is one of the world leaders in fundamental studies and implementation of quantum computing and quantum electromechanical systems. By developing a framework to quantify and control noise due to decoherence in such systems, this research will facilitate progress in the development and understanding of quantum computing and quantum electromechanical devices. The project will also significantly strengthen the general r ....Decoherence in quantum computing and quantum electromechanical systems. Australia is one of the world leaders in fundamental studies and implementation of quantum computing and quantum electromechanical systems. By developing a framework to quantify and control noise due to decoherence in such systems, this research will facilitate progress in the development and understanding of quantum computing and quantum electromechanical devices. The project will also significantly strengthen the general representation of research on decoherence, a field of crucial importance to many areas of theoretical and experimental physics, in Australia. Funding of this project will enable Australia to further expand its leading position in cutting-edge science and next-generation technology.
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Imaging with Neutral Atomic Beams: A Completely New Tool for Nanotechnology. The tantalising possibility of building an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has long been a goal of physical scientists across the world. This project aims to realise this goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in heliu ....Imaging with Neutral Atomic Beams: A Completely New Tool for Nanotechnology. The tantalising possibility of building an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has long been a goal of physical scientists across the world. This project aims to realise this goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in helium atom microscopy and would significantly enhance the reputation of Australian science. Moreover, this project maintains the position of Australian researchers and students at the core of this emerging technology.Read moreRead less
Redefining Temperature. The international system of units, which is at the basis of every accurate measurement, requires coherent definitions for its basic units (eg. metre, second, kelvin). Unfortunately, at the moment this is not so, and a global call has gone out to redefine every basic unit in terms of fundamental constants, which are by definition the same anywhere and anytime. This project will develop a new laser-based approach to measuring temperature which can be widely deployed and us ....Redefining Temperature. The international system of units, which is at the basis of every accurate measurement, requires coherent definitions for its basic units (eg. metre, second, kelvin). Unfortunately, at the moment this is not so, and a global call has gone out to redefine every basic unit in terms of fundamental constants, which are by definition the same anywhere and anytime. This project will develop a new laser-based approach to measuring temperature which can be widely deployed and uses fundamental principles for its operation: this can bring accuracy to thermometry in industry for the first time. These outcomes will generate high-level recognition for this Australian project and provide opportunities for high level research training.Read moreRead less
Measurement of the spatial distribution of temperature and velocity in lakes using Acoustic Tomography. This project will investigate the use of acoustic tomography in lakes to continuously measure the lake-wide distribution of temperature and velocity. The challenges with lake acoustic tomography are the accuracy required in the travel time measurements over shorter distances, acoustic losses due to reflections and ensuring enough rays travel through the thermocline, the region of greatest inte ....Measurement of the spatial distribution of temperature and velocity in lakes using Acoustic Tomography. This project will investigate the use of acoustic tomography in lakes to continuously measure the lake-wide distribution of temperature and velocity. The challenges with lake acoustic tomography are the accuracy required in the travel time measurements over shorter distances, acoustic losses due to reflections and ensuring enough rays travel through the thermocline, the region of greatest interest in lakes. A pilot experiment in a deep lake will investigate the quality of travel time measurements computed from rays travelling through the thermocline of a strongly stratified lake. This has wide applications for the water quality management of lakes and reservoirs.Read moreRead less
Principles of quantum nanotechnology. Quantum physics in the last two decades has blazed an entry path for a new technology based on manipulating matter and light at the quantum level. In this project I will formulate principles for emerging quantum nanotechnologies: quantum electromechanical systems (QEMS), quantum molecular electronics, quantum optics and coherent matter physics. The principle applications to be investigated include: quantum control, quantum metrology, quantum communication a ....Principles of quantum nanotechnology. Quantum physics in the last two decades has blazed an entry path for a new technology based on manipulating matter and light at the quantum level. In this project I will formulate principles for emerging quantum nanotechnologies: quantum electromechanical systems (QEMS), quantum molecular electronics, quantum optics and coherent matter physics. The principle applications to be investigated include: quantum control, quantum metrology, quantum communication and quantum information processing. The project will be an essential part of two major multi-institutional international research projects; one based in the US (in QEMS) and one EU-based project in quantum metrology.Read moreRead less