Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a ....Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a tool to measure the phonon density of states which is critical for developing a mathematical model of thermal boundary resistance. This is expected to identify mechanisms for ultra-low thermal conductivity leading to potential applications in thermoelectric generators and heat-resistant materials.Read moreRead less
Magnonics with skyrmions. Skyrmions – nanoscale topologically protected spin textures, are considered as ideal candidates for encoding and transmitting bits of information. This burgeoning research field, however, suffers from the same limitations of all spintronic concepts – the high currents needed to move skyrmions. Magnonics is yet another emerging approach, which main aim is to investigate the behaviour of spin waves in magnetic nanostructures. In essence, spin waves are a propagating re-or ....Magnonics with skyrmions. Skyrmions – nanoscale topologically protected spin textures, are considered as ideal candidates for encoding and transmitting bits of information. This burgeoning research field, however, suffers from the same limitations of all spintronic concepts – the high currents needed to move skyrmions. Magnonics is yet another emerging approach, which main aim is to investigate the behaviour of spin waves in magnetic nanostructures. In essence, spin waves are a propagating re-ordering of the magnetisation and therefore use the least amount of power, making them perfect for driving skyrmions. This project fuses skyrmions with magnonics. The central goal is the formulation of model for the magnon assisted manipulation of skyrmions and their lattices.Read moreRead less
Novel 2-photon atom manipulation for ultra-nanoscale processing of diamond. There is intense interest in exploiting diamond's remarkable properties in many fields of science and technology, but fabricating and processing devices remains a major challenge. This project will build on previous work, using a recently discovered novel laser-induced surface phenomenon that enables, for the first time for any material, the exciting prospect of using light to manipulate surface atoms with atomic precis ....Novel 2-photon atom manipulation for ultra-nanoscale processing of diamond. There is intense interest in exploiting diamond's remarkable properties in many fields of science and technology, but fabricating and processing devices remains a major challenge. This project will build on previous work, using a recently discovered novel laser-induced surface phenomenon that enables, for the first time for any material, the exciting prospect of using light to manipulate surface atoms with atomic precision. This project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning the optical interaction to reveal its full potential and use it to address key problems in diamond nano-device fabrication that lie beyond the reach of current techniques. It is expected that the outcomes will directly enhance Australia's current strengths in diamond-based quantum and photonic technologies.Read moreRead less
Exploring electronic functionality in low-dimensional carbon and boron-nitride nanomaterials via advanced theoretical modelling. This project will spawn innovative carbon/boron nitride materials for next-generation electronics devices by devising new strategies to manipulate and control electronic structure as well as charge/spin transport properties. Outcomes will include technological breakthroughs leading to truly smaller, faster and smarter electronics materials.
Mass transport in high entropy alloys. This project aims to understand mass transport in high entropy alloys. Alloys of 5 to 13 components have technologically attractive mechanical properties. A knowledge of mass transport could control their stabilities and optimise their properties. This project will develop an atomistic theory and a phenomenological method for rapidly performing experiments, and experiment on two key high entropy alloys. The outcome of this research will be an in-depth under ....Mass transport in high entropy alloys. This project aims to understand mass transport in high entropy alloys. Alloys of 5 to 13 components have technologically attractive mechanical properties. A knowledge of mass transport could control their stabilities and optimise their properties. This project will develop an atomistic theory and a phenomenological method for rapidly performing experiments, and experiment on two key high entropy alloys. The outcome of this research will be an in-depth understanding of mass transport that is expected to fast-track these alloys to commercial uptake.Read moreRead less
Topological effects and correlations in quantum materials. The project aims to advance the knowledge base that will support the development of novel quantum materials. Novel quantum materials, at the forefront of modern condensed matter physics, are qualitatively different from usual metals or semiconductors. The difference is due to their topological and correlation effects which create electron behaviour that creates highly unusual and useful material properties. The project aims to reveal the ....Topological effects and correlations in quantum materials. The project aims to advance the knowledge base that will support the development of novel quantum materials. Novel quantum materials, at the forefront of modern condensed matter physics, are qualitatively different from usual metals or semiconductors. The difference is due to their topological and correlation effects which create electron behaviour that creates highly unusual and useful material properties. The project aims to reveal the mechanisms behind the topological and correlation effects and develop methods to enhance and engineer desirable properties to facilitate creation of new materials. Expected project outcomes may be applicable to a range of fields, from creation of artificial quantum materials to novel methods of detection of dark matter.Read moreRead less
Enlightening single rare-earth atoms in scanning-tunnelling microscopy. This project aims to create a tool to systematically engineer optical properties of emitters in solids by understanding and manipulating materials atom by atom. The tool – an optically enhanced scanning tunnelling microscope – is expected to drive future developments in optical technologies. The project expects to deliver an atomic-scale understanding of rare-earth sites optimised for sensing and coherence. The expected outc ....Enlightening single rare-earth atoms in scanning-tunnelling microscopy. This project aims to create a tool to systematically engineer optical properties of emitters in solids by understanding and manipulating materials atom by atom. The tool – an optically enhanced scanning tunnelling microscope – is expected to drive future developments in optical technologies. The project expects to deliver an atomic-scale understanding of rare-earth sites optimised for sensing and coherence. The expected outcomes include highly developed theoretical insights into solid-state emitters and how to control their interactions with light and other fields. The expected benefit based on the ability to engineer optimised emitters for optical sensors and quantum technologies will transform material science from exploration to design.Read moreRead less
Non-precious fuel cell cathode catalysts from carbon-based nanohybrids: a computational to experimental quest. This joint computational-experimental project will address significant problems including high cost, limited availability and poor performance in traditional platinum-based fuel cell technology. The outcomes are expected to help address global energy problems through the development of inexpensive fuel cell catalysts based on carbon nanohybrids.
Targeting nano-catalysts for sustainable biorefining and chemical processes. This joint computational-experimental project aims to address one significant global challenge of developing sustainable technologies for important chemical processes. The project expects to discover new advanced nano-catalysts via a rapid single-step process which will replace toxic and corrosive liquid acids, and low efficient solid acids, used in emerging biorefining and petrochemistry. Advanced spectroscopic studies ....Targeting nano-catalysts for sustainable biorefining and chemical processes. This joint computational-experimental project aims to address one significant global challenge of developing sustainable technologies for important chemical processes. The project expects to discover new advanced nano-catalysts via a rapid single-step process which will replace toxic and corrosive liquid acids, and low efficient solid acids, used in emerging biorefining and petrochemistry. Advanced spectroscopic studies, in synergy with state-of-the-art ab initio calculations will be used to explore nanostructure-performance relationship in depth. Such cutting-edge knowledge will have profound implications on designing innovative catalysts with tailored activity for sustainable production of biofuels and chemicals.Read moreRead less
Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify a ....Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify and build 2D hybrids are technically challenging and slow. Expected outcomes include defining a new paradigm for efficient identification and synthesis of 2D hybrids with exotic, bespoke properties. The generation of a large database of materials for researchers/industry would be of wide benefit.Read moreRead less