Characterisation and fabrication of nanophotonic devices based on multi-layer stacks. The aim of this proposal is to continue the existing collaborative project on fabrication and characterisation of nanophotonic devices based on the multi-layer stack method. The project will integrate the state-of-the-art techniques in the respective collaborating universities to fabricate a nano-probe which can produce an evanescent field approximately four orders of magnitude stronger than that under the conv ....Characterisation and fabrication of nanophotonic devices based on multi-layer stacks. The aim of this proposal is to continue the existing collaborative project on fabrication and characterisation of nanophotonic devices based on the multi-layer stack method. The project will integrate the state-of-the-art techniques in the respective collaborating universities to fabricate a nano-probe which can produce an evanescent field approximately four orders of magnitude stronger than that under the conventional condition. This novel probe provides a key to the successful fabrication of innovative nanophotonic devices including photonic transistors, photonic circuits, high-density data storage disks and drives, nano-motors and biochips, which underpin biotechnology, information technology and optical computing technology.Read moreRead less
A novel spectrum encoding technology using nanoparticles for high-density, high-speed information coding and retrieval. The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20 years. The current project of novel spectrum-encoding technology will prove to be the key technological innovation in photonics (one of the National Research Priorities), w ....A novel spectrum encoding technology using nanoparticles for high-density, high-speed information coding and retrieval. The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20 years. The current project of novel spectrum-encoding technology will prove to be the key technological innovation in photonics (one of the National Research Priorities), which will not only meet the growing demands of the consumer market, but also continue to drive the industry and create new markets. This is in line with the Priority Goals set by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, as it will put Australia into the unique position in the information age.Read moreRead less
Electronically Conducting Nanofibres and Assemblies. With the use of new techniques that have just emerged in the last two years and are receiving rapidly growing interest throughout the world, this project will bring to Australia a new nanofabrication platform for making a variety of complex nanostructures. Fundamental researches on these complex nanostructures will greatly advance nanoscience. New nanotechnologies will be developed to address some world-wide challenging problems, e.g. energy ....Electronically Conducting Nanofibres and Assemblies. With the use of new techniques that have just emerged in the last two years and are receiving rapidly growing interest throughout the world, this project will bring to Australia a new nanofabrication platform for making a variety of complex nanostructures. Fundamental researches on these complex nanostructures will greatly advance nanoscience. New nanotechnologies will be developed to address some world-wide challenging problems, e.g. energy conversion and storage, chemical/biological sensing and other micro- and nanoelectronic devices. This project will bring both breakthrough science and frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industries and help place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology. Read moreRead less
Understanding the Behavior of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Liquids. The imminent manufacture of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) at prices comparable to those of high-performance polymers such as Kevlar, will open up potential applications of SWNTs as high-performance fibres and coatings. A major challenge is the development of scalable processes for producing large objects made of SWNTs. This project, in collaboration with researchers at Rice and Stanford Universities, aims to unders ....Understanding the Behavior of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Liquids. The imminent manufacture of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) at prices comparable to those of high-performance polymers such as Kevlar, will open up potential applications of SWNTs as high-performance fibres and coatings. A major challenge is the development of scalable processes for producing large objects made of SWNTs. This project, in collaboration with researchers at Rice and Stanford Universities, aims to understand the principles that underlie the successful liquid state processing of SWNTs. The novel strategies that arise will cement Australia's position as a leading country for research in nanotechnology, and place it at the forefront of this field, with great potential for economic advantage.Read moreRead less
Mid-infrared quantum dots for room temperature photodetectors and emitters. This project aims to develop new technologies for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras based on quantum dots (QDs). These will include MWIR photodetectors based on QD-sensitised photodetectors and MWIR emitters based on QD electroluminescence devices.
This project expects to generate new knowledge in MWIR QDs and in devices that sense and emit infrared light.
Expected outcomes of the project include MWIR cameras that are ....Mid-infrared quantum dots for room temperature photodetectors and emitters. This project aims to develop new technologies for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras based on quantum dots (QDs). These will include MWIR photodetectors based on QD-sensitised photodetectors and MWIR emitters based on QD electroluminescence devices.
This project expects to generate new knowledge in MWIR QDs and in devices that sense and emit infrared light.
Expected outcomes of the project include MWIR cameras that are smaller, lighter, lower in power consumption and cheaper than existing technologies.
This project is expected to provide significant benefits, such as dramatic reductions in the cost of infrared cameras and sensors. The high cost of infrared cameras currently limits their use in Australia largely to defence.
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Monolithic Integration of Silicon Waveguide and Ge1-xSix Photodetector on Silicon-on Insulator Platform for Intra-chip Optical Interconnect. Photonics has become the major technology underpinning the communication and storage of data. As photonics advances applications are emerging which demand components be manufactured cheaply in the manner achieved by the electronics industry in the silicon chip. Silicon is now emerging as an important photonic material and devices can benefit from inexpensiv ....Monolithic Integration of Silicon Waveguide and Ge1-xSix Photodetector on Silicon-on Insulator Platform for Intra-chip Optical Interconnect. Photonics has become the major technology underpinning the communication and storage of data. As photonics advances applications are emerging which demand components be manufactured cheaply in the manner achieved by the electronics industry in the silicon chip. Silicon is now emerging as an important photonic material and devices can benefit from inexpensive processing methods developed for electronics. This project aims to capture key intellectual property for monolithically integrating key photonic components onto a silicon platform. The project can bring social and commercial benefits to Australia such as high-level research and training in nanotechnology as well as opportunities for commercialisation in niche markets.Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes ....Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes will enhance Australia's capacity in frontier technology and advanced materials, as well as bringing a competitive advantage to local industry through the development of such advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Manipulation and Shaping of Light in the Far-Field using Advanced Fresnel Fibres. This project will focus on developing and understanding further the recent invention of the Fresnel fibre, which is designed to overcome diffraction from the end of an optical fibre. More sophisticated designs and combinations will allow arbitrary shaping of the optical field exiting an optical fibre for numerous applications. The physical basis for such phenomena to be realised is the efficient degree of coherent ....Manipulation and Shaping of Light in the Far-Field using Advanced Fresnel Fibres. This project will focus on developing and understanding further the recent invention of the Fresnel fibre, which is designed to overcome diffraction from the end of an optical fibre. More sophisticated designs and combinations will allow arbitrary shaping of the optical field exiting an optical fibre for numerous applications. The physical basis for such phenomena to be realised is the efficient degree of coherent scattering possible in air-material fibre such as air-silica photonic crystal fibres. In conjunction advanced characterisation techniques will be developed.Read moreRead less
Three-Dimensional Polymer Fibre Scaffolds with Functional Nano-structured Surface. The Partner Organisation to this research, CyGenics Ltd, is a world leader in cell biotechnology. A key challenge faced by the CyGenics and other biotech companies is the provision of tissue scaffolding materials that have the right three-dimensional macroscopic structure plus a suitable nano-structured surface micro-environment, similar to the natural extracellular matrix. This joint project combines expertise in ....Three-Dimensional Polymer Fibre Scaffolds with Functional Nano-structured Surface. The Partner Organisation to this research, CyGenics Ltd, is a world leader in cell biotechnology. A key challenge faced by the CyGenics and other biotech companies is the provision of tissue scaffolding materials that have the right three-dimensional macroscopic structure plus a suitable nano-structured surface micro-environment, similar to the natural extracellular matrix. This joint project combines expertise in polymer fibres, surface engineering and cell culture to tackle the key challenge. The outcome will help position the local polymer fibre and cell culture industries at the forefront of tissue scaffolding materials research and development. Read moreRead less
Hypersensitisation and Patterned Photosensitivity in Glass. Recent developments involving holographically patterned photosensitivity in glass-based optical waveguides developed by our group can be extended to fabricate complex two-dimensional structures including planar waveguide photonic bandgap devices for applications in telecommunications, sensing and signal processing. These will include novel grating-array based 2-D DFB lasers and filters in rare-earth doped planar waveguides. Novel etchin ....Hypersensitisation and Patterned Photosensitivity in Glass. Recent developments involving holographically patterned photosensitivity in glass-based optical waveguides developed by our group can be extended to fabricate complex two-dimensional structures including planar waveguide photonic bandgap devices for applications in telecommunications, sensing and signal processing. These will include novel grating-array based 2-D DFB lasers and filters in rare-earth doped planar waveguides. Novel etching techniques to be used to enhance index contrast, as well as to characterise such devices, will be developed based on our recent observation of hydrogen-enhanced etching of glass. Such methods could potentially be applicable to not only photonic technologies but also semiconductor lithography of oxides.Read moreRead less