Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561136
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,352.00
Summary
36-megapixel CCD camera for wide-field astronomy. This project aims to design and build a state-of-the-art 36-megapixel charge-coupled device (CCD) camera for wide-field imaging on a robotic telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. The camera will employ a mosaic of two 18-megapixel CCDs, which are amongst the largest ever fabricated. This new facility will have an unprecedented ability to obtain precision photometry over a wide field, and will enable breakthroughs in research into areas as diver ....36-megapixel CCD camera for wide-field astronomy. This project aims to design and build a state-of-the-art 36-megapixel charge-coupled device (CCD) camera for wide-field imaging on a robotic telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. The camera will employ a mosaic of two 18-megapixel CCDs, which are amongst the largest ever fabricated. This new facility will have an unprecedented ability to obtain precision photometry over a wide field, and will enable breakthroughs in research into areas as diverse as detection of extra-solar planets and nearby supernovae. The camera will also lead to collaborative research with ANU's newly-funded Skymapper telescope, as well as the Anglo-Australian Observatory's 6dF and 2dF instruments.Read moreRead less
New drives and control techniques for high performance piezoelectric actuation. Piezoelectric actuators are made from a ceramic material that expands in response to an applied voltage. Although these actuators develop the greatest forces and most precise motion of any actuator, a number of performance limitations exist. This proposal aims to overcome these limitations and greatly increase the performance of piezoelectric actuators.
Improved piezoelectric actuators will result in a parallel i ....New drives and control techniques for high performance piezoelectric actuation. Piezoelectric actuators are made from a ceramic material that expands in response to an applied voltage. Although these actuators develop the greatest forces and most precise motion of any actuator, a number of performance limitations exist. This proposal aims to overcome these limitations and greatly increase the performance of piezoelectric actuators.
Improved piezoelectric actuators will result in a parallel improvement of analytic and process machines throughout the scientific and industrial community. Examples include: improved atomic scale microscopes, finer tolerance steel rolling mills, more accurate micro-surgical tools, and automated manipulation of sperm and egg cells in IVF therapy.Read moreRead less