Engineering stable, efficient perovskite solar cells. This project aims to address and resolve a critical issue facing perovskite solar cells which have enormous potential as a future technology for the large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity: their instability under actual operating conditions. The project is expected to make significant fundamental advances in compositional, structural and interface engineering. This project will benefit the environment by paving the way for the wi ....Engineering stable, efficient perovskite solar cells. This project aims to address and resolve a critical issue facing perovskite solar cells which have enormous potential as a future technology for the large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity: their instability under actual operating conditions. The project is expected to make significant fundamental advances in compositional, structural and interface engineering. This project will benefit the environment by paving the way for the widespread adoption of cheaper and more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less
Nanophotonics for strong absorption in extremely thin solar cells: moving beyond silicon. This project will lead to the development of extremely thin solar cells made of novel low-cost materials, which would likely reduce the cost of photovoltaic technology. If the cost of photovoltaics was sufficiently low then it could have a major impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in Australia and worldwide.
Transparent metal oxides, a window of opportunity for silicon solar cells. This project aims to develop novel silicon heterojunction solar cells based on transparent conductive metal oxides (TCOs). Thin layers of zinc, gallium and molybdenum oxides present negligible absorption losses, which leads to a high output current. The project will optimise them as surface passivating layers, to achieve a high output voltage. TCOs can also provide good lateral conductivity, to boost the fill factor. The ....Transparent metal oxides, a window of opportunity for silicon solar cells. This project aims to develop novel silicon heterojunction solar cells based on transparent conductive metal oxides (TCOs). Thin layers of zinc, gallium and molybdenum oxides present negligible absorption losses, which leads to a high output current. The project will optimise them as surface passivating layers, to achieve a high output voltage. TCOs can also provide good lateral conductivity, to boost the fill factor. The research proposes to create insight into the physical mechanisms of selective contacts for electrons and holes, paving the way for a range of innovative solar cell concepts. Transparent metal oxides open new windows of opportunity to increase the conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells using simpler fabrication processes.Read moreRead less
Doped metal perovskites for electrocatalysis. This project aims to discover and design perovskite metal-oxide electrocatalyst materials and develop electrocatalytic methods for efficiently driving the oxygen evolution reaction and the oxygen reduction reaction. These are the two most crucial reactions in sustainable energy cycles involving water, hydrogen and oxygen. The project’s anticipated advances in electrocatalysis efficiency for these two reactions will benefit sustainable energy technolo ....Doped metal perovskites for electrocatalysis. This project aims to discover and design perovskite metal-oxide electrocatalyst materials and develop electrocatalytic methods for efficiently driving the oxygen evolution reaction and the oxygen reduction reaction. These are the two most crucial reactions in sustainable energy cycles involving water, hydrogen and oxygen. The project’s anticipated advances in electrocatalysis efficiency for these two reactions will benefit sustainable energy technologies such as fuel cells, metal air batteries and water splitting.Read moreRead less
Navigating tipping points in complex dynamical systems. This project aims to use applied mathematics to investigate the onset of tipping points in dynamical systems. Working with clinicians and practicing engineers, the project aims to contribute to the development of new treatment regimes for dynamical diseases and develop improved management strategies for resource focussed engineering industries. This should provide significant benefit to many areas, including the personalised treatment of di ....Navigating tipping points in complex dynamical systems. This project aims to use applied mathematics to investigate the onset of tipping points in dynamical systems. Working with clinicians and practicing engineers, the project aims to contribute to the development of new treatment regimes for dynamical diseases and develop improved management strategies for resource focussed engineering industries. This should provide significant benefit to many areas, including the personalised treatment of disease.Read moreRead less
Nanowire quantum well infrared photodetectors. This project aims to demonstrate semiconductor nanowire based quantum well infrared (IR) photodetectors for applications in chemical analysis, remote sensing, thermal imaging, environmental monitoring, space ranging and communications. By utilising one-dimensional nanowire detector architecture, the project expects that improved sensitivity, functionality and reduced cost can be achieved surpassing the performance of current IR technologies. This pr ....Nanowire quantum well infrared photodetectors. This project aims to demonstrate semiconductor nanowire based quantum well infrared (IR) photodetectors for applications in chemical analysis, remote sensing, thermal imaging, environmental monitoring, space ranging and communications. By utilising one-dimensional nanowire detector architecture, the project expects that improved sensitivity, functionality and reduced cost can be achieved surpassing the performance of current IR technologies. This project will pave the way for a new research and development platform for next generation large scale, low cost, high performance IR systems with commercialisation opportunities accessible to both high-end defence sectors and broader civilian industries.Read moreRead less
Fundamental electronic transport in emerging one-dimensional nanoelectronic devices. This project aims to understand the mechanisms limiting electronic transport in one-dimensional nanoelectronic devices and structures at temperatures relevant for practical device operation. One-dimensional nanoelectronic devices will be the building blocks of future technological innovation. This project will use a characterisation approach, numerical modelling and simulation, which promise to deliver knowledge ....Fundamental electronic transport in emerging one-dimensional nanoelectronic devices. This project aims to understand the mechanisms limiting electronic transport in one-dimensional nanoelectronic devices and structures at temperatures relevant for practical device operation. One-dimensional nanoelectronic devices will be the building blocks of future technological innovation. This project will use a characterisation approach, numerical modelling and simulation, which promise to deliver knowledge and analysis tools for ongoing innovation and optimisation in semiconductor nanoelectronics.Read moreRead less
New methods for structure analysis of proteins and protein interactions. This project will advance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies pioneered at the Australian National University which employ site-specific attachment of paramagnetic metal tags to proteins. A new and diverse set of strategies will dramatically extend the range of applications to targets of interest in the fight against cancer and bacterial infections.
Ultrathin III-V Solar Cells via Crack-Assisted Layer Exfoliation. III-V semiconductors are excellent photovoltaic materials with highest demonstrated solar-to-electricity conversion efficiencies, but find limited usage in terrestrial applications due to high material and fabrication costs. This project aims to improve the cost-effectiveness of III-V solar cells by developing ultrathin III-V semiconductors via crack-assisted layer transfer approach and epitaxy-free fabrication via heterojunction ....Ultrathin III-V Solar Cells via Crack-Assisted Layer Exfoliation. III-V semiconductors are excellent photovoltaic materials with highest demonstrated solar-to-electricity conversion efficiencies, but find limited usage in terrestrial applications due to high material and fabrication costs. This project aims to improve the cost-effectiveness of III-V solar cells by developing ultrathin III-V semiconductors via crack-assisted layer transfer approach and epitaxy-free fabrication via heterojunction architectures, paving the way for cost-effective, high-efficiency, flexible solar cells. The expected outcomes include a disruptive technology for integrated photovoltaics, novel contact and passivation materials, as well as new knowledge generated in materials science and optoelectronics disciplines.Read moreRead less
Adaptive Evolution of BRCA1 in Ancestral Mammals. This project investigates adaptive evolution of BRCA1 in the early radiation of mammals. We will test the hypothesis that the evolution of mammary glands and X chromosome inactivation has resulted in modification of the BRCA1 protein sequence as it aquired new roles in these processes. We will also investigate the importance of these changes inducing compensatory changes in other parts of the protein.