Model-Reduction Techniques for Control, Communication and Circuits. Model reduction is an important area of study in the analysis and design of dynamical systems. Its objective is to obtain a low-order model given a high-order system model such that the low-order model closely approximates the input-output behaviour of the original high-order system. Although theory and application of model reduction is well developed, there are many unresolved issues such as efficient model reduction techniq ....Model-Reduction Techniques for Control, Communication and Circuits. Model reduction is an important area of study in the analysis and design of dynamical systems. Its objective is to obtain a low-order model given a high-order system model such that the low-order model closely approximates the input-output behaviour of the original high-order system. Although theory and application of model reduction is well developed, there are many unresolved issues such as efficient model reduction techniques for large-scale circuit simulation and communication applications, frequency-weighted model reduction techniques for controller-design applications, and error bounds for the reduction techniques. The project aims to address these issues.Read moreRead less
Tools and techniques for cost effective creation of new, reliable and efficient microwave transistors for millimetre wave and wireless applications. Shifting the circuit design paradigm to the requirements of a circuit will provide a low-cost design solution for application with tight size, performance and lifetime constraints. This will enhance the international competitiveness of Mimix Broadband in the microwave wireless, aerospace, and radar markets, which will contribute to Australia's high ....Tools and techniques for cost effective creation of new, reliable and efficient microwave transistors for millimetre wave and wireless applications. Shifting the circuit design paradigm to the requirements of a circuit will provide a low-cost design solution for application with tight size, performance and lifetime constraints. This will enhance the international competitiveness of Mimix Broadband in the microwave wireless, aerospace, and radar markets, which will contribute to Australia's high performance circuit design sector. New knowledge and skilled researchers provided by this project will foster growth of the microwave and wireless industry. The local research community will be advantaged in international reputation and in its efforts to develop future high performance wireless systems.Read moreRead less
Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practic ....Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practice. Problems caused by unsatisfactory surface integrity represent a major outlay for the wireless and fibre optic semiconductor industry. The proposed research holds the very real possibility of reducing the capital cost and enhancing the quality of the integrated circuits of high capacity.Read moreRead less
Investigation of novel magneto-optic materials exhibiting high Faraday figure of merit. Magneto-optical materials have a wide range of potential applications in consumer products, telecommunications and defence. Nanotechnologies based on these materials offer an even broader range of emerging applications. Understanding and participating in the development of magneto-optic technologies will therefore be critical to maintaining Australia's knowledge base and expertise in future technological adv ....Investigation of novel magneto-optic materials exhibiting high Faraday figure of merit. Magneto-optical materials have a wide range of potential applications in consumer products, telecommunications and defence. Nanotechnologies based on these materials offer an even broader range of emerging applications. Understanding and participating in the development of magneto-optic technologies will therefore be critical to maintaining Australia's knowledge base and expertise in future technological advances. Given the early stages of development of these technologies, Australia's expertise in material science and the patent rights held by Australian companies in this area, Australia has the opportunity to make major contributions to this field, and the potential to capitalise on the application of these technologies in niche markets.Read moreRead less
Silicon Photonics and Third Generation Photovoltaics. The Fellowship would be used to launch a major new initiative addressing one of the key challenges facing microelectronics, the incorporation of optical functions into high density silicon integrated circuits, as well as accelerating development of a "third" generation of photovoltaic solar cells using similar techniques. This third generation thin-film technology would be capable of fundamentally higher energy conversion efficiency than ear ....Silicon Photonics and Third Generation Photovoltaics. The Fellowship would be used to launch a major new initiative addressing one of the key challenges facing microelectronics, the incorporation of optical functions into high density silicon integrated circuits, as well as accelerating development of a "third" generation of photovoltaic solar cells using similar techniques. This third generation thin-film technology would be capable of fundamentally higher energy conversion efficiency than earlier generations, at low cost. In both cases, the targeted outcome over the period of the Fellowship is to develop technology to the stage where it can be commercially evaluated, in a way likely to maximise Australian benefits.Read moreRead less
Design Methodology for Low- and Ultra-Low Power Integrated Circuits. This project will develop low-power and ultra low-power technology that is applicable to wide range of products and electronic devices. The results will benefit many areas, for example, wireless sensors employed in environmental monitoring, bio and life monitoring, bio-sensors to improve patient care, reduce medical costs, implantable devices and bio-interfaces that will enhance the quality of life and public health. This proje ....Design Methodology for Low- and Ultra-Low Power Integrated Circuits. This project will develop low-power and ultra low-power technology that is applicable to wide range of products and electronic devices. The results will benefit many areas, for example, wireless sensors employed in environmental monitoring, bio and life monitoring, bio-sensors to improve patient care, reduce medical costs, implantable devices and bio-interfaces that will enhance the quality of life and public health. This project will benefit Australia by developing frontier technologies with a strong potential for global impact. Bringing these solutions to the public and realizing their financial benefits will add a valuable component of economic diversity to the country in addition to positioning Australia as a leader in this field.Read moreRead less
Graphene based nanostructures for high performance devices. Graphene sheets are the building blocks of graphite and a huge variety of carbon based nanostructures. Stacked graphene sheets have the unique property of the highest known thermal conductivity. By manipulating graphene sheets into three-dimensional channels and interconnects, vastly increased heat fluxes can be extracted from sensitive nanoscale devices such as microprocessors and micro electro mechanical systems. The potential of stac ....Graphene based nanostructures for high performance devices. Graphene sheets are the building blocks of graphite and a huge variety of carbon based nanostructures. Stacked graphene sheets have the unique property of the highest known thermal conductivity. By manipulating graphene sheets into three-dimensional channels and interconnects, vastly increased heat fluxes can be extracted from sensitive nanoscale devices such as microprocessors and micro electro mechanical systems. The potential of stacks of graphene as electrical contacts and interconnects will also be explored. By combining thermal and electrical functions, graphene will allow more efficient use of the valuable space on future devices. The outcome will be more efficient nanoscale devices to meet ever increasing performance demands.Read moreRead less
Advanced model-based control for ultra-fast and ultra-high-precision nanoscale positioning. Australia faces unique challenges due to its small population and distance from international markets. To maintain a high standard of living Australia needs to further develop its high-tech base particularly in emerging fields such as nanotechnology. This research program is aimed at placing Australia at the forefront of international research in nanoscale positioning systems by building a world-class tea ....Advanced model-based control for ultra-fast and ultra-high-precision nanoscale positioning. Australia faces unique challenges due to its small population and distance from international markets. To maintain a high standard of living Australia needs to further develop its high-tech base particularly in emerging fields such as nanotechnology. This research program is aimed at placing Australia at the forefront of international research in nanoscale positioning systems by building a world-class team of talented researchers and equipping them with world-class research infrastructure. The global market for nanotechnology is projected to be in the tens of billions of dollars by 2020. The proposed research will enhance Australia's competitive advantage through high-impact scientific and technological innovations in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Dopants, defects and related issues in Zinc Oxide. ZnO is a promising semiconductor for optoelectronic devices namely green, blue, ultraviolet (UV) and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and ultimately UV lasers. It can also act as a transparent conductive oxide which has applications in flat panel displays and photovoltaic devices. Because of these potential applications, ZnO is the 'hottest' semiconductor with abounding literature and four new international conferences organised on progress in ....Dopants, defects and related issues in Zinc Oxide. ZnO is a promising semiconductor for optoelectronic devices namely green, blue, ultraviolet (UV) and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and ultimately UV lasers. It can also act as a transparent conductive oxide which has applications in flat panel displays and photovoltaic devices. Because of these potential applications, ZnO is the 'hottest' semiconductor with abounding literature and four new international conferences organised on progress in this research area in recent years. This project is an excellent opportunity for Australia to increase its strength in optoelectronic device research and to provide an understanding of some fundamental issues in doping, defect formation, diffusion and annihilation in ZnO.Read moreRead less
Nanocavities in Si - Structural Evolution and Metal Gettering. Nanocavities represent a novel means of minimising metallic contamination in the active region of Si microelectronic devices. We propose innovative experiments, using in-situ transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray methods, to achieve a fundamental understanding of the processes that govern nanocavity structural evolution and metallic impurity trapping. We seek to develop a patentable technology to enhance impu ....Nanocavities in Si - Structural Evolution and Metal Gettering. Nanocavities represent a novel means of minimising metallic contamination in the active region of Si microelectronic devices. We propose innovative experiments, using in-situ transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray methods, to achieve a fundamental understanding of the processes that govern nanocavity structural evolution and metallic impurity trapping. We seek to develop a patentable technology to enhance impurity trapping efficiency and thus dramatically increase the applicability of this industrially-relevant process.Read moreRead less