The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized ele ....The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized electrodes in biological media, especially single cells and minute samples in biology and forensic science, etc. Extensive use of neutron characterization techniques aligns strongly this project with the new OPAL reactor to be commissioned in 2007.Read moreRead less
Electronic and atomic collision theory. Recently there has been rapid progress in the field of electronic and atomic collisions. Consequently, many new problems have emerged of interest to science and industry. The proposed collaboration will determine the most promising theoretical techniques for their solution. The problems include, for example, electron
collisions with noble gases, cesium and mercury, of interest to the laser, lighting and plasma processing industries. Time-dependent and tim ....Electronic and atomic collision theory. Recently there has been rapid progress in the field of electronic and atomic collisions. Consequently, many new problems have emerged of interest to science and industry. The proposed collaboration will determine the most promising theoretical techniques for their solution. The problems include, for example, electron
collisions with noble gases, cesium and mercury, of interest to the laser, lighting and plasma processing industries. Time-dependent and time independent, relativistic and non-relativistic approaches will be considered, thereby determining the direction of the field for the foreseeable future.Read moreRead less
Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices. Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Spa ....Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices. Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Space Station and new atomic clocks, the physics community is embarking on an experimental program that will make use of the microgravity environment of space. Combined with the new improved timing it will be possible to perform new experimental tests of general and special relativity, tests for drifts in the fine structure constant and tests for a preferred direction of the speed of light at unprecedented sensitivity.Read moreRead less
Micro-engineered Optical Fibre Clocks. Clocks and oscillators are crucial components of all communication, navigation and computing technologies. Improvements in the performance of these internal clocks results in improvement in the performance of the dependent system, and are thus of high economic and technological value. A great need presently exists for compact and high performance clocks for improving optical fibre communication systems. The goal of this project is join the expertise of t ....Micro-engineered Optical Fibre Clocks. Clocks and oscillators are crucial components of all communication, navigation and computing technologies. Improvements in the performance of these internal clocks results in improvement in the performance of the dependent system, and are thus of high economic and technological value. A great need presently exists for compact and high performance clocks for improving optical fibre communication systems. The goal of this project is join the expertise of the University of Western Australia group with that of the University of Bath team to develop a new type of clock to fulfil this need.Read moreRead less
Frequency stabilisation in the Extremely High Frequency band. All precision communication and measurement systems (i.e. radar and navigation) rely on high quality oscillator technology. Any improvement in oscillator performance has a direct impact on the performance of the system and hence is of potential economic benefit. This project will realise the most stable frequencies ever produced in the underused Extremely High Frequency band, which is also important for space communications and naviga ....Frequency stabilisation in the Extremely High Frequency band. All precision communication and measurement systems (i.e. radar and navigation) rely on high quality oscillator technology. Any improvement in oscillator performance has a direct impact on the performance of the system and hence is of potential economic benefit. This project will realise the most stable frequencies ever produced in the underused Extremely High Frequency band, which is also important for space communications and navigation technology. System enhancement will include, better angular resolution, higher bandwidths, faster transmission rates and narrower beam widths without the susceptibility of absorption apparent from the optical domain.Read moreRead less
Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which in ....Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which includes devices for the European Space Agency's Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space mission, which is due for launch in 2010. This project highlights the importance of Australian Science in a high profile international mission.Read moreRead less
Blocking of the interfaces of polymeric ion sensors - implications for novel sensor applications. Control of the transmembrane fluxes of polymeric ion sensors represents a paradigm shift that has revolutionised the use of these analytically important devices. This project will develop and characterise innovative methods for controlling these fluxes by using blocked interfaces, and this has important ramifications for the development of robust and reliable sensors, as well as novel biosensors.
Investigation of spin excitations in ferromagnetic submicro- and nanostructures. The project will last 12 months and will be devoted to investigation of spin-wave dynamics in thin ferromagnetic-film sub-micro- and nano-structures for possible applications to microwave\millimetre wave electronic devices and to novel magnetic memory devices. Excitation of spin-wave modes in confined in magnetic nano- and submicro-objects (from the super-paramagnetic size limit up to 700 nm) will be theoreticall ....Investigation of spin excitations in ferromagnetic submicro- and nanostructures. The project will last 12 months and will be devoted to investigation of spin-wave dynamics in thin ferromagnetic-film sub-micro- and nano-structures for possible applications to microwave\millimetre wave electronic devices and to novel magnetic memory devices. Excitation of spin-wave modes in confined in magnetic nano- and submicro-objects (from the super-paramagnetic size limit up to 700 nm) will be theoretically studied. In co-operation with other research groups the obtained theoretical results will be experimentally verified. New information on microwave properties of the structures will be obtained. Possibility of application of the magnetic structures to construct new microwave devices will be considered.Read moreRead less
Verification and prototypes of Opto-ULSI Processors for MicroPhotonic Applications. The aim of the program is to establish efficient linkage between Australia and Korea by stimulating research towards the rapid integration of VLSI systems into photonic components, hence creating a new platform in intelligent MicroPhotonic systems, which are core elements for future-generation reconfigurable telecommunication networks. Our ultimate target is to (1) design a low-power 256-phase Opto-ULSI processor ....Verification and prototypes of Opto-ULSI Processors for MicroPhotonic Applications. The aim of the program is to establish efficient linkage between Australia and Korea by stimulating research towards the rapid integration of VLSI systems into photonic components, hence creating a new platform in intelligent MicroPhotonic systems, which are core elements for future-generation reconfigurable telecommunication networks. Our ultimate target is to (1) design a low-power 256-phase Opto-ULSI processor, (2) experimentally verify various reconfigurable MicroPhotonic architectures for optical telecommunication applications, (3) develop efficient software for the various MicroPhotonic systems, and (4) develop and verify working prototypes.Read moreRead less
Materials World Network for the Study of Macromolecular Ferrofluids. This work will develop an understanding that will allow us to optimise the properties of ferrofluids (magnetic liquids) to suit particular applications. Although the primary application that will be investigated is the treatment of retinal detachment, the results will be applicable to a wide range of applications including ferrofluid-based actuators, electromagnetic micropumps and fluid based valves and sealing systems. During ....Materials World Network for the Study of Macromolecular Ferrofluids. This work will develop an understanding that will allow us to optimise the properties of ferrofluids (magnetic liquids) to suit particular applications. Although the primary application that will be investigated is the treatment of retinal detachment, the results will be applicable to a wide range of applications including ferrofluid-based actuators, electromagnetic micropumps and fluid based valves and sealing systems. During the course of this work, young Australian scientists will be trained in a cross-disciplinary environment in a variety of aspects of both nano- and bio- technology that are a key part of the National Research Priority: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.Read moreRead less