Electrohydrodynamically-Driven Microcentrifugation for Microfluidic Applications. Microfluidics has the potential to revolutionise the way we live. Imagine portable pocket sized devices for cheap and rapid medical diagnostics and drug delivery. Or miniaturised chemical/biological sensors as early warning detection systems against terrorist threats. The research is thus intended to not only commercially benefit various industries, but also to improve the quality of life as a whole by making medic ....Electrohydrodynamically-Driven Microcentrifugation for Microfluidic Applications. Microfluidics has the potential to revolutionise the way we live. Imagine portable pocket sized devices for cheap and rapid medical diagnostics and drug delivery. Or miniaturised chemical/biological sensors as early warning detection systems against terrorist threats. The research is thus intended to not only commercially benefit various industries, but also to improve the quality of life as a whole by making medical diagnosis or chemical/biological detection more readily accessible, portable and more efficient. Moreover, the fundamental studies, aimed at generating an understanding of the complex physics involved, has generic benefits to researchers in applied physics as well as providing practical protocols for microdevice development.Read moreRead less
The Surface Science of Vacuum Glazing. In order to achieve a stable vacuum in evacuated glazing, high temperature baking during evacuation is required. The high temperature processing prevents the use of strengthened glass, such as tempered glass. However, samples made at low temperatures suffer from poor vacuum characteristics, particularly when exposed to UV radiation. In this project, we aim to discover the chemical and physical processes occurring on the glass surface responsible for vacuum ....The Surface Science of Vacuum Glazing. In order to achieve a stable vacuum in evacuated glazing, high temperature baking during evacuation is required. The high temperature processing prevents the use of strengthened glass, such as tempered glass. However, samples made at low temperatures suffer from poor vacuum characteristics, particularly when exposed to UV radiation. In this project, we aim to discover the chemical and physical processes occurring on the glass surface responsible for vacuum degradation. We will use this knowledge to develop a low temperature manufacturing process that can be used with tempered glass and results in a high-quality vacuum, stable over the device service life.Read moreRead less
Plato Comicus and Greek comedy: a study of his dramatic career. The experience of Greek comedy offers numerous points of contact with our own society. This project analyses an author and genre that flourished within a robustly democratic society, touching on perennial matters of social and political importance and raising pertinent questions about censorship, free speech, even good taste. Such a study can enlarge reflection on our own values, contributing cultural perspectives necessary for cons ....Plato Comicus and Greek comedy: a study of his dramatic career. The experience of Greek comedy offers numerous points of contact with our own society. This project analyses an author and genre that flourished within a robustly democratic society, touching on perennial matters of social and political importance and raising pertinent questions about censorship, free speech, even good taste. Such a study can enlarge reflection on our own values, contributing cultural perspectives necessary for constructive public debate and a healthy democracy. The project will also make a significant contribution to current trends in international classical scholarship. Its ambitious scope will contribute to research excellence within Australian Classics and further promote its reputation overseas.Read moreRead less
Improving optical data storage and micromachining technology through better modelling and characterisation of their laser beams. The laser sources generally do not have simple (Gaussian) distributions. The applicant has recently developed a model, describing free propagation of complex (non-Gaussian) laser beams. This project seeks to develop a comprehending model for laser beams propagation through complex optical systems. The effects of various optical elements will be defined employing a no ....Improving optical data storage and micromachining technology through better modelling and characterisation of their laser beams. The laser sources generally do not have simple (Gaussian) distributions. The applicant has recently developed a model, describing free propagation of complex (non-Gaussian) laser beams. This project seeks to develop a comprehending model for laser beams propagation through complex optical systems. The effects of various optical elements will be defined employing a novel method known as SAFE (Stable Aggregate of Flexible Elements) which is a compromise between geometrical and physical optics. Applying this model to micromachining and optical data storage (ODS), which need high beam quality (low divergence and good focussibility), enable accurate predictive capability critical to the optimisation of micromachining and ODS designs.Read moreRead less
Ultrafast photonic hammer: A new strategy to synthesise super-dense super-hard nanomaterials. We will develop a new way for laboratory synthesis of new classes of super-hard and super-dense materials at and above the extremely high temperature and density range currently accessible only in nuclear explosions. The ability of ultra-fast laser-induced phase transformations will be exploited aiming to form materials with exotic properties, which are theoretically predicted, but has not experimental ....Ultrafast photonic hammer: A new strategy to synthesise super-dense super-hard nanomaterials. We will develop a new way for laboratory synthesis of new classes of super-hard and super-dense materials at and above the extremely high temperature and density range currently accessible only in nuclear explosions. The ability of ultra-fast laser-induced phase transformations will be exploited aiming to form materials with exotic properties, which are theoretically predicted, but has not experimentally confirmed yet. Our new approach will have a profound interdisciplinary impact. The project will deliver underpinning knowledge, foremost practical expertise, and the prominent training of young researchers to secure Australia's international position among the leaders in the rapidly growing and competitive field of nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Electron Emission from Diamond. Israel is emerging as an international hub of technology with one of the highest rates of R&D in the world. This collaborative project will access one of the world leading experts in diamond science and technology, Professor Alon Hoffman, to exploit the remarkable properties of diamond for a new generation of detectors and devices. Success in this project can lay the groundwork for tapping into the successful record of advanced technologies and venture capital fun ....Electron Emission from Diamond. Israel is emerging as an international hub of technology with one of the highest rates of R&D in the world. This collaborative project will access one of the world leading experts in diamond science and technology, Professor Alon Hoffman, to exploit the remarkable properties of diamond for a new generation of detectors and devices. Success in this project can lay the groundwork for tapping into the successful record of advanced technologies and venture capital funding that abound in Israel today. Read moreRead less
Nanoclusters with Extraordinary Properties Made out of Ordinary Materials. Ultrafast laser deposition - a process pioneered by the Applicants - has already demonstrated record yields in the production of carbon-based nano-clustered materials with better control over the size of the nano-particles than any other process. This project aims to improve fundamental understanding of the ultra-fast laser deposition method of nano-fabrication through theoretical and experimental studies, which accurate ....Nanoclusters with Extraordinary Properties Made out of Ordinary Materials. Ultrafast laser deposition - a process pioneered by the Applicants - has already demonstrated record yields in the production of carbon-based nano-clustered materials with better control over the size of the nano-particles than any other process. This project aims to improve fundamental understanding of the ultra-fast laser deposition method of nano-fabrication through theoretical and experimental studies, which accurately correlate the ablation conditions to the structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of resulting nano-particles. The results will be applied to efficiently produce nano-clustered materials with tuneable properties for a wide range of new technologies such as spintronics, biophotonics, and nanoclinics.Read moreRead less
Visualizing spin-related properties of functional nanostructures (for spintronics). This project contributes to undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral research and training to encourage the pursuit of excellence, with:
- increased depth of knowledge in interdisciplinary research,
- a scientific environment providing access to research not otherwise in Australia,
- experience in the design, construction and development of scientific instruments.
Possible applications include high-speed ....Visualizing spin-related properties of functional nanostructures (for spintronics). This project contributes to undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral research and training to encourage the pursuit of excellence, with:
- increased depth of knowledge in interdisciplinary research,
- a scientific environment providing access to research not otherwise in Australia,
- experience in the design, construction and development of scientific instruments.
Possible applications include high-speed magnetic filters, sensors, quantum transistors and spin qubits for quantum computers. The technological aspects of our project's outcomes offer real prospects of local development. The development of spin-polarized electron spectroscopy has great potential for existing applications in the surface science industry.
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Microanalysis of novel carbon thin films. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. Electrical devices can be fabricated with these films suitab ....Microanalysis of novel carbon thin films. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. Electrical devices can be fabricated with these films suitable for use in compact electrical devices requiring high current density. This project will add to the techniques used for the analysis of carbon coatings being developed in Australia. Read moreRead less
Nonlocal Statistical Mechanics and Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. Australia has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. This project in strategic basic research consists of theoretical work within the disciplines of statistical mechanics and conformal field theory to determine the profound role of nonlocal interactions, such as connectivities, in determining the critical physical properties of materials. Connectivities play a significant role in diverse ....Nonlocal Statistical Mechanics and Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. Australia has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. This project in strategic basic research consists of theoretical work within the disciplines of statistical mechanics and conformal field theory to determine the profound role of nonlocal interactions, such as connectivities, in determining the critical physical properties of materials. Connectivities play a significant role in diverse applications such as the gelation of polymers, random fuse networks, the spatial spread of epidemics and bushfires and the tertiary recovery of oil. This research will be practically useful in engineering the physical properties of advanced materials such as liquid crystals, gels, polymers and other materials.Read moreRead less