Silicon-germanium-carbon - a novel opto-mechanic material for optical micro-electromechanical systems. Evolving from past black-and-white images, through present red-green-blue multi-spectral capability, future remote imaging systems promise spectroscopic functionality across much broader wavelength ranges in a low-cost system. However, the high cost of multiple materials and technologies for each specific spectral band limits them to high-cost industry sectors. This project proposes a simple, l ....Silicon-germanium-carbon - a novel opto-mechanic material for optical micro-electromechanical systems. Evolving from past black-and-white images, through present red-green-blue multi-spectral capability, future remote imaging systems promise spectroscopic functionality across much broader wavelength ranges in a low-cost system. However, the high cost of multiple materials and technologies for each specific spectral band limits them to high-cost industry sectors. This project proposes a simple, low-cost, single material technology based on silicon-germanium-carbon thin films for mechanical and optical applications from ultraviolet to long-wave infrared, enabling widespread application of spectroscopic imaging to multiple fields extending from climate change research, through resource exploration, to cancer detection, and aerospace/defense.Read moreRead less
Adaptive multispectral imaging system for remote sensing applications. The many applications of remote sensing include environmental/crop monitoring, oil/mineral exploration, and aerospace/defence. However, remote sensing stands to benefit greatly from infrared spectral imaging devices. This project will develop the technology for an infrared spectral imaging system, suitable for numerous remote sensing applications.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100134
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Integrated photodetector array fabrication facility. Sensing is becoming a ubiquitous requirement for nearly all physical, chemical and biological research fields, and is increasingly important for Australia's national security and industry competitiveness. This proposal is aimed at building Australia's strengths in optoelectronic sensing technologies, enhancing and enabling research and technologies for innovative environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, new technologies for mineral expl ....Integrated photodetector array fabrication facility. Sensing is becoming a ubiquitous requirement for nearly all physical, chemical and biological research fields, and is increasingly important for Australia's national security and industry competitiveness. This proposal is aimed at building Australia's strengths in optoelectronic sensing technologies, enhancing and enabling research and technologies for innovative environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, new technologies for mineral exploration and improved evaluation of remediation of mine sites, through to the surveillance and sensing needs of customs, defence and national security. In doing so, it will enhance Australia's research profile as one of the world's leaders in the development and use of optoelectronic sensing.Read moreRead less
Complex magnetic structures for microwave, logic and memory applications. The proposed work addresses high profile fields of nanotechnology and frequency agile materials. Device prototypes of novel energy efficient components for microwave signal processing, for wave logic and for memory applications based on magnetic materials will be designed, fabricated and studied.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,000.00
Summary
A surface characterisation facility. This surface characterisation facility will provide scientists with an understanding of material's surfaces and interfaces. This will lead to a range of new technologies and innovative solutions required to address the many resource and environmental challenges facing our planet now and in the future.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100126
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,638.00
Summary
Advanced Maskless Photolitography for Western Australia. This project aims to close an existing gap in micro- & nano-fabrication in Western Australia and provide access to advanced maskless photolithography in support of Australian research flagships of international excellence which include advanced infrared and quantum technologies, semiconductor optoelectronics, chemical engineering, microelectromechanical systems, as well as dark matter and gravitational wave discovery. Notably, the new capa ....Advanced Maskless Photolitography for Western Australia. This project aims to close an existing gap in micro- & nano-fabrication in Western Australia and provide access to advanced maskless photolithography in support of Australian research flagships of international excellence which include advanced infrared and quantum technologies, semiconductor optoelectronics, chemical engineering, microelectromechanical systems, as well as dark matter and gravitational wave discovery. Notably, the new capability is of utmost importance for five distinct ARC Centres in multidisciplinary areas and will be available to all researchers via the WA Node of Australian National Fabrication Facility in support of high impact scientific research and to maintain strong engagement with industry and Australian economy.Read moreRead less
A fundamental study of electronic transport in advanced semiconductor nanostructures. The principal aim of this project is to attract and retain very high calibre early career researchers by providing them with the best-available infrastructure and research environment, combined with world-class supervision and mentoring. The project brings together an outstanding team of international collaborators, who will work with the early career researchers to ensure that they are trained and mentored at ....A fundamental study of electronic transport in advanced semiconductor nanostructures. The principal aim of this project is to attract and retain very high calibre early career researchers by providing them with the best-available infrastructure and research environment, combined with world-class supervision and mentoring. The project brings together an outstanding team of international collaborators, who will work with the early career researchers to ensure that they are trained and mentored at an international level. The new science, novel characterisation methods, and theoretical models that are outcomes of this project will provide new opportunities and expertise to advance the strategic defence and national security interests of Australia, and the emerging Australian semiconductor device and solar cell industry. Read moreRead less
Transistor-based sensor technology for fast, reliable and accurate in situ monitoring of recycled wastewater. Water recycling is becoming critical for water supplies worldwide, due to declining natural supplies of fresh water, combined with increasing demand. The greatest community and industry concerns over recycled water are quality assurance and relative cost. Ensuring quality requires monitoring of contaminants, yet no single real-time technology exists to measure the myriad of potential con ....Transistor-based sensor technology for fast, reliable and accurate in situ monitoring of recycled wastewater. Water recycling is becoming critical for water supplies worldwide, due to declining natural supplies of fresh water, combined with increasing demand. The greatest community and industry concerns over recycled water are quality assurance and relative cost. Ensuring quality requires monitoring of contaminants, yet no single real-time technology exists to measure the myriad of potential contaminants. This project will develop technology using AlGaN/GaN-based transistors, sensitised to different contaminants, enabling multi-analyte real-time sensor arrays. In situ monitoring systems based on such arrays will be fast, accurate, reliable, low-cost, and applicable to a broad variety of water recycling projects.Read moreRead less
Dark current and noise mechanisms in nBn HgCdTe infrared detectors. Novel mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer) infrared (IR) detectors are theoretically capable of operating at higher temperatures than conventional IR detectors. Their reduced cooling requirements lead to reductions in the size, weight and power of IR imaging systems without loss in IR detection performance. Unfortunately, HgCdTe nBn detectors are currently affected by non ....Dark current and noise mechanisms in nBn HgCdTe infrared detectors. Novel mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer) infrared (IR) detectors are theoretically capable of operating at higher temperatures than conventional IR detectors. Their reduced cooling requirements lead to reductions in the size, weight and power of IR imaging systems without loss in IR detection performance. Unfortunately, HgCdTe nBn detectors are currently affected by non-ideal dark current and noise levels whose physical origins and nature are poorly understood. The proposed experimental and theoretical investigations and optimisations are anticipated to minimise such non-idealities and thus enable the demonstration of HgCdTe nBn IR detectors capable of revolutionising portable IR detection systems for security and rescue applications.Read moreRead less