Regulation of the Cell Bus Voltages of Large Scale Modular Multilevel Converters: Advanced Energy Converters for Future Electricity Grids. Large scale power electronic converters are essential to the emerging “Smart Grid” electrical distribution networks, using large numbers of cascaded cells to operate at the very high voltages that are required for direct grid connection. At present, the fundamental factors that drive the fluctuations of the cell DC link voltages, including in particular the c ....Regulation of the Cell Bus Voltages of Large Scale Modular Multilevel Converters: Advanced Energy Converters for Future Electricity Grids. Large scale power electronic converters are essential to the emerging “Smart Grid” electrical distribution networks, using large numbers of cascaded cells to operate at the very high voltages that are required for direct grid connection. At present, the fundamental factors that drive the fluctuations of the cell DC link voltages, including in particular the complex non-linear interactions caused by the physical cell switching processes, are very poorly understood. This project will use a new harmonic analysis strategy to investigate the basic engineering science that underpins this voltage fluctuation phenomena, to achieve a quantum step in the understanding of the fundamental operating processes of large scale cascaded converters.Read moreRead less
Interrogating protein hydration by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Interrogating protein hydration by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. This project aims to develop advanced terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) techniques to understand how a protein’s interaction with excipients in solution can alter the hydration layers around them and how this affects properties such as viscosity and stability. THz-TDS can detect overlapping extended hydration layers around proteins, revealing ne ....Interrogating protein hydration by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Interrogating protein hydration by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. This project aims to develop advanced terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) techniques to understand how a protein’s interaction with excipients in solution can alter the hydration layers around them and how this affects properties such as viscosity and stability. THz-TDS can detect overlapping extended hydration layers around proteins, revealing new knowledge in protein-protein interactions and protein behaviour in an aqueous environment. The intended outcome is to use THz-TDS to better understand how proteins such as monoclonal antibodies interact in high concentration solutions, and in doing so make better medicines.Read moreRead less
Improved Capacitor Voltage Balance for Multicell Power Electronic Converters Controlled by Spectrally Optimal Modulation. There is a growing demand for high power and medium voltage energy conversion systems in a wide range of applications, including Rail, Renewable Energy, Defence and Electricity Distribution. Multicell-type multilevel converters are a very attractive means of satisfying this demand, but only if the cell voltages can be precisely regulated so as to ensure protection of the conv ....Improved Capacitor Voltage Balance for Multicell Power Electronic Converters Controlled by Spectrally Optimal Modulation. There is a growing demand for high power and medium voltage energy conversion systems in a wide range of applications, including Rail, Renewable Energy, Defence and Electricity Distribution. Multicell-type multilevel converters are a very attractive means of satisfying this demand, but only if the cell voltages can be precisely regulated so as to ensure protection of the converter while simultaneously ensuring the synthesis of switched waveforms with the required spectral quality. This project offers the potential to eliminate this barrier to the use of Multicell converter technology. In addition this project emphasises the development and training of people skilled in the design and development of this technology.Read moreRead less
Engineering the Next Generation of Broadband Terahertz Technologies. This project proposes a new broadband, high-power, laser technology for THz sensing. This semiconductor laser based THz technology is crucial for a wide range of applications requiring the acquisition of THz spectral signatures of materials and high-frame rate hyper-spectral THz imaging. We propose two pathways to engineer this novel THz technology: using a tuneable, coupled-cavity quantum cascade semiconductor laser and by c ....Engineering the Next Generation of Broadband Terahertz Technologies. This project proposes a new broadband, high-power, laser technology for THz sensing. This semiconductor laser based THz technology is crucial for a wide range of applications requiring the acquisition of THz spectral signatures of materials and high-frame rate hyper-spectral THz imaging. We propose two pathways to engineer this novel THz technology: using a tuneable, coupled-cavity quantum cascade semiconductor laser and by creating the broad emission spectra through active mode locking in a THz semiconductor laser. The THz laser coupled with the self-detection technique is the key to realising this, and will be explored both in model and experiment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: De160101032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Summary
Electronics of the future: self-powering wireless circuit design. The aim of this project is to build a foundation for ultra-low-power wireless circuit design using technologies other than silicon. Scaling of transistors in silicon has been pushed to its limit and is of marginal benefit for low-power wireless circuit design. This project aims to address these limits by developing energy-efficient technology for wireless applications. The intended outcome of this project will be a self-powered, h ....Electronics of the future: self-powering wireless circuit design. The aim of this project is to build a foundation for ultra-low-power wireless circuit design using technologies other than silicon. Scaling of transistors in silicon has been pushed to its limit and is of marginal benefit for low-power wireless circuit design. This project aims to address these limits by developing energy-efficient technology for wireless applications. The intended outcome of this project will be a self-powered, high data rate receiver that will be critical in 5th-generation wireless systems. This could be used for a range of innovative wireless applications, for example in health care and environmental monitoring.Read moreRead less
Dynamic signal processing with currents. Today's digital computers and communications devices, such as mobile phones, contain continuous time filters as necessary and important components. We will investigate an integrated circuit design methodology for the creation of fully programmable versions of such filters. Currently these filters are redesigned for each application and are often external to the IC. This increases the size and cost of the design. Another outcome of the methodology is a cur ....Dynamic signal processing with currents. Today's digital computers and communications devices, such as mobile phones, contain continuous time filters as necessary and important components. We will investigate an integrated circuit design methodology for the creation of fully programmable versions of such filters. Currently these filters are redesigned for each application and are often external to the IC. This increases the size and cost of the design. Another outcome of the methodology is a current domain signal processor. This will be capable of modelling complex systems such as biological neurons and stock option pricing. We will build these systems and interface them with digital computers.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.
Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This ....Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This project will also develop assessment tools to examine the impact of renewable energy penetration on power quality aspects, network stability and protection performance. This research will provide remedies for potential problems introduced by their integration and improve voltage support in the electricity networks. Read moreRead less
Listen and see: Remote sensing and imaging of insect pests. Australia is the third largest market for termite control, after the USA and Japan. It has been estimated by CSIRO that about one in three Australian houses will be attacked by termites at some stage. Currently, an Australian designed, patented and manufactured product is the only reliable termite detector. This research, developing a novel sensor array and imaging technology, will further consolidate Australia's world leading position ....Listen and see: Remote sensing and imaging of insect pests. Australia is the third largest market for termite control, after the USA and Japan. It has been estimated by CSIRO that about one in three Australian houses will be attacked by termites at some stage. Currently, an Australian designed, patented and manufactured product is the only reliable termite detector. This research, developing a novel sensor array and imaging technology, will further consolidate Australia's world leading position in termite detection technology, revolutionise how termite behavioural research will be conducted and significantly increase the world-wide capability in termite control and hence reduce the costs of termite damage. It will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101501
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Printed back electrodes enabling low-cost perovskite solar cells. This project aims to address back electrode material, a bottleneck functional material in state-of-the-art perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By engineering printable and conductive materials based on carbon and gold nanowires, the project expects to enable highly-efficient and scalable PSCs while reducing cost of materials and production. These expected outcomes are to be implemented in PSCs and their impact rigorously tested in rese ....Printed back electrodes enabling low-cost perovskite solar cells. This project aims to address back electrode material, a bottleneck functional material in state-of-the-art perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By engineering printable and conductive materials based on carbon and gold nanowires, the project expects to enable highly-efficient and scalable PSCs while reducing cost of materials and production. These expected outcomes are to be implemented in PSCs and their impact rigorously tested in research cells to large-area PSCs modules produced through industry-relevant, scalable, and low-cost printing and coating methods. This will provide significant benefits to Australian industry, from small to medium enterprises to larger utility power companies, while creating economic opportunities and enabling sustainable societies.Read moreRead less