Photonic Crystal Enhanced Wavelength Selective, Multi-Colour Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetectors. Photonic crystal enhanced quantum dot infrared photodetectors are a new generation of detectors developed from integrating nanotechnology with material science and optics. This would not only enhance the detector performance but the structure will now detect a narrow band around the desired wavelength with multi-colour detectivity. The technology developed in this project is anticipated to attract i ....Photonic Crystal Enhanced Wavelength Selective, Multi-Colour Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetectors. Photonic crystal enhanced quantum dot infrared photodetectors are a new generation of detectors developed from integrating nanotechnology with material science and optics. This would not only enhance the detector performance but the structure will now detect a narrow band around the desired wavelength with multi-colour detectivity. The technology developed in this project is anticipated to attract interest from the industries and government agencies. It will be pervasive for use at home, in the manufacturing and mining industry, environmental and pollution monitoring, defence and national security. Applications include spectral imaging, remote sensing, environmental/pollution monitoring, toxic gas and bio-hazardous material detection.Read moreRead less
Growth dynamics and innovative spectroscopic techniques for real-time control of advanced electronics materials grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Many important semiconductor devices for communications, lasers, high speed electronics and optical sensing are based on materials grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). This research will provide the first measurements of the reactions taking place during MBE and thus enable accurate growth of the complex multi-layered material required for improved se ....Growth dynamics and innovative spectroscopic techniques for real-time control of advanced electronics materials grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Many important semiconductor devices for communications, lasers, high speed electronics and optical sensing are based on materials grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). This research will provide the first measurements of the reactions taking place during MBE and thus enable accurate growth of the complex multi-layered material required for improved semiconductor devices. In particular, this project will make a major contribution to Australia's established capability to produce and develop state-of-the art infrared sensors as required for defence applications, remote sensing of minerals and pollutants, chemical analysis, and health diagnostics. PhD students will be trained in advanced semiconductor growth and optical sensing technologies.Read moreRead less
Molecular Electronics: from electron transfer through photosynthesis towards functional nano devices. Molecular Electronics, the use of molecules to perform specific electronic functions, is a new and very rapidly expanded area of nanotechnology. We will elucidate basic principles of electrical conduction through single molecules, understand and mimic natural photosynthetic molecular electronic processes, and establish by synthesis of "molecular wires" and extension of current technology, new m ....Molecular Electronics: from electron transfer through photosynthesis towards functional nano devices. Molecular Electronics, the use of molecules to perform specific electronic functions, is a new and very rapidly expanded area of nanotechnology. We will elucidate basic principles of electrical conduction through single molecules, understand and mimic natural photosynthetic molecular electronic processes, and establish by synthesis of "molecular wires" and extension of current technology, new methods for probing nanoscale electron transfer. We will combine these aspects to develop applications in photovoltaic design and in the design of molecular-level circuitry. Possible long-term applications range from solar energy conversion to molecular recognition and sensing to new types of electronic processing akin to quantum computing.Read moreRead less
Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap. The success of this project will allow for improvement of existing technologies in diverse fields, from optics to green energy production. Realization of 3D complete Photonic Band-Gap (PBG) structures is the first step toward full optic-based data processing systems, which will be one of the most revolutionary achievements in technology after introductio ....Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap. The success of this project will allow for improvement of existing technologies in diverse fields, from optics to green energy production. Realization of 3D complete Photonic Band-Gap (PBG) structures is the first step toward full optic-based data processing systems, which will be one of the most revolutionary achievements in technology after introduction of electronic-based processors. Improvement of energy conversion efficiency of existing solar cells and polymer-based solar cells will be achievable thanks to implementation of PhCs as high-reflective layers. The establishment of scaleable protocols for production of high quality materials for photonics will put Australia among the leading countries in the future photonic-devices market.Read moreRead less
Development of a test bed for molecular memory and molecular photovoltaic devices. The development of nanostructured materials and the devices that utilize them is at the forefront of modern science and technology. Electrical devices whose functional units are structurally ordered single molecules dominate biochemical processes, especially pertinent ones being photosynthesis and cellular energy production; artificial devices promise new technologies in multi-$B markets such as long-term data st ....Development of a test bed for molecular memory and molecular photovoltaic devices. The development of nanostructured materials and the devices that utilize them is at the forefront of modern science and technology. Electrical devices whose functional units are structurally ordered single molecules dominate biochemical processes, especially pertinent ones being photosynthesis and cellular energy production; artificial devices promise new technologies in multi-$B markets such as long-term data storage and renewable solar-energy production. Interfacing molecules with macroscopic interconnects poses a great technological challenge, however, and in this project the underlying basic science will be determined through the formation of molecules into device-accessible functional materials.Read moreRead less
Molecular Electronics Principles and Applications. This project will establish basic conceptual models and computational methods to understand the nature of conduction, memory storage, and solar to electrical energy conversion processes in molecular devices on the 1-nanometer scale. Fundamental research of chemical processes, device interfaces, characterization techniques, and natural photosynthesis will result in widely applicable advances in nanotechnology. Additionally, novel architectures wi ....Molecular Electronics Principles and Applications. This project will establish basic conceptual models and computational methods to understand the nature of conduction, memory storage, and solar to electrical energy conversion processes in molecular devices on the 1-nanometer scale. Fundamental research of chemical processes, device interfaces, characterization techniques, and natural photosynthesis will result in widely applicable advances in nanotechnology. Additionally, novel architectures will be developed for disruptive new technologies in molecular memory and logic design, as well as in the design of biomimetic solar cells. These developments could lead to new Australian electronics industries and an order of magnitude reduction in the production cost of solar electricity.Read moreRead less
Tailored porphyrins for nanoscience applications. Porphyrins are the pigments of life, the central components of haemoglobin in blood and chlorophyll in living plants. In order to expand their use into important areas of nanoscience, this project will establish a new porphyrin paradigm. It will result in the synthesis of novel porphyrins with inbuilt structural features that enhance their propensity to self-assemble into monolayers on surfaces, and into nanorods. This will lead to advanced mate ....Tailored porphyrins for nanoscience applications. Porphyrins are the pigments of life, the central components of haemoglobin in blood and chlorophyll in living plants. In order to expand their use into important areas of nanoscience, this project will establish a new porphyrin paradigm. It will result in the synthesis of novel porphyrins with inbuilt structural features that enhance their propensity to self-assemble into monolayers on surfaces, and into nanorods. This will lead to advanced materials for molecular sensing, photonics, molecular memory devices, catalysis, and organic photovoltaics. A new means of improving the efficiency of solar cells will also be explored. Well-trained graduates and strong international scientific cooperation will also result from the project.Read moreRead less
Laser Spectroscopy of Molecular Electronic Components. Electronic devices such as computer memory have been getting smaller and smaller for decades, yet soon devices will need to be constructed from single molecules. Single molecules behave very differently to copper conductors and silicon chips. To understand the behaviour of molecular electronic devices such as molecular wires, switches and diodes, one needs to isolate them under rigorously reproducable conditions. We will study molecular elec ....Laser Spectroscopy of Molecular Electronic Components. Electronic devices such as computer memory have been getting smaller and smaller for decades, yet soon devices will need to be constructed from single molecules. Single molecules behave very differently to copper conductors and silicon chips. To understand the behaviour of molecular electronic devices such as molecular wires, switches and diodes, one needs to isolate them under rigorously reproducable conditions. We will study molecular electronic devices in this way, providing rigorous support to Australia's growing expertise in this field.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