Tailoring the Shape, Size and Orientation of Metal Nanocrystals via Swift Heavy Ion Irradiation. This proposal is consistent with National Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and the Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science, Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. Our ability to tailor the shape, size and orientation of metal nanocrystals will broaden the domestic knowledge base, enhance the national research profile and train young ....Tailoring the Shape, Size and Orientation of Metal Nanocrystals via Swift Heavy Ion Irradiation. This proposal is consistent with National Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and the Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science, Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. Our ability to tailor the shape, size and orientation of metal nanocrystals will broaden the domestic knowledge base, enhance the national research profile and train young scientists, particularly in the use of two national facilities: the Australian Synchrotron and the ANU Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility. Furthermore, domestic capabilities in materials characterisation and nanotechnology will be bolstered, state-of-the-art domestic industry will be enhanced and new technological applications will be enabled.Read moreRead less
Nitride-based Compound Semiconductors for Solar Water Splitting. Global warming warrants urgent investment in clean and sustainable energy generation. This project aims to investigate the use of nitride semiconductors, a commonly used material for LEDs, and solar energy to generate hydrogen by splitting water molecules. These semiconductors have excellent light absorption efficiency and can be designed to better match the solar spectrum. The project will explore the underlying mechanism of light ....Nitride-based Compound Semiconductors for Solar Water Splitting. Global warming warrants urgent investment in clean and sustainable energy generation. This project aims to investigate the use of nitride semiconductors, a commonly used material for LEDs, and solar energy to generate hydrogen by splitting water molecules. These semiconductors have excellent light absorption efficiency and can be designed to better match the solar spectrum. The project will explore the underlying mechanism of light interaction with the semiconductor through band bending and surface engineering, and determine how this interaction affects the dissociation of water molecules. The concepts demonstrated in the project are expected to pave the way for further development of this technology for future applications. Read moreRead less
Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volati ....Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volatility problems, but the conductivity must be improved if these materials are to support high battery power. The project’s electrolyte materials can be used in lithium metal batteries, which have higher theoretical energy densities than traditional lithium ion batteries. This project will develop new solid state electrolytes, with improved conductivity, and use these materials in emerging lithium battery technologies.Read moreRead less
Design of tuneable microstructures for additive manufacturing. The project intends to develop methods to tune the microstructure of materials in additive manufacturing so that components can be manufactured with maximum productivity and properties. Additive manufacturing is leading the mass customisation of manufacturing. Designed tunable microstructures enable structure and properties to be tailored for specific applications. One of the greatest challenges, however, is how to control the scale ....Design of tuneable microstructures for additive manufacturing. The project intends to develop methods to tune the microstructure of materials in additive manufacturing so that components can be manufactured with maximum productivity and properties. Additive manufacturing is leading the mass customisation of manufacturing. Designed tunable microstructures enable structure and properties to be tailored for specific applications. One of the greatest challenges, however, is how to control the scale and morphology of the microstructure. This project aims to use the interdependence model of grain refinement to control and design grain sizes. The project first plans to investigate the near-rapid solidification conditions in aluminium alloys. It then plans to re-design the harder-to-manufacture titanium alloys to improve grain size control.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101113
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,000.00
Summary
Optimal reaction pathways towards advanced energy technology. This project aims to develop a novel lithium-ion battery (LIB) system that delivers high energy-density, a long cycle life, low-cost, and high safety based on conversion-type lithium oxide cathodes. Expected outcomes of this project will address the preliminary challenges for the practical use of lithium-oxide, which requires innovative designs of reaction pathways to lithium oxide cathode and lithium metal anode architectures as well ....Optimal reaction pathways towards advanced energy technology. This project aims to develop a novel lithium-ion battery (LIB) system that delivers high energy-density, a long cycle life, low-cost, and high safety based on conversion-type lithium oxide cathodes. Expected outcomes of this project will address the preliminary challenges for the practical use of lithium-oxide, which requires innovative designs of reaction pathways to lithium oxide cathode and lithium metal anode architectures as well as a fundamental in-depth understanding of the electrochemical and growing mechanisms. This project will establish a manufacturing road-map for a novel lithium-ion battery system in Australia with practical reliability by integrating active lithium oxide cathode, optimized electrolyte, and lithium metal anode.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100235
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,000.00
Summary
Spectroscopy and imaging platform for photoactive materials. This project aims to establish a comprehensive analytic tool-box to characterise solution-processable materials for thin-film solar cells based on materials such as perovskites. These materials have light harvesting properties with absorption edges beyond 800 nm. This project will focus on time-resolved transient absorption and microwave conductivity phenomena and on lock-in thermographic imaging capabilities. This will accelerate mate ....Spectroscopy and imaging platform for photoactive materials. This project aims to establish a comprehensive analytic tool-box to characterise solution-processable materials for thin-film solar cells based on materials such as perovskites. These materials have light harvesting properties with absorption edges beyond 800 nm. This project will focus on time-resolved transient absorption and microwave conductivity phenomena and on lock-in thermographic imaging capabilities. This will accelerate materials and technological development in this research field. This project is expected to help the local and global energy sector transition to sustainable energy, provide a competitive edge for commercialisations of solar technologies in Australia, and benefit the economy, environment and national security.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668469
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,000.00
Summary
The Rapid Kinetics Research Facility - an Integrated system for rapid kinetic studies of materials using synchrotron radiation. The Rapid Kinetics Research Facility will provide Australian researchers with the tools to follow and understand very rapid processes within advanced materials. This will greatly assist in: i) the development of more efficient materials processing technologies, ii) the development of advanced catalysts able to neutralize pollutants and reduce the energy cost of industri ....The Rapid Kinetics Research Facility - an Integrated system for rapid kinetic studies of materials using synchrotron radiation. The Rapid Kinetics Research Facility will provide Australian researchers with the tools to follow and understand very rapid processes within advanced materials. This will greatly assist in: i) the development of more efficient materials processing technologies, ii) the development of advanced catalysts able to neutralize pollutants and reduce the energy cost of industrial processes, iii) the development of viable hydrogen fuel storage media and iv) the training of young Australian researchers in advanced methods of materials characterization. Read moreRead less
Carbon nanotube fluidic channels for desalination - interplay of nanoscale confinement and electrostatics. Tiny tubes of carbon, ten thousand times smaller than human hair, allow water to pass through at extraordinary speed. This project aims to understand and improve their salt rejection properties using comprehensive experimental and theoretical approaches. This will provide the impetus and knowledge for developing advanced membranes for desalination
Tailoring superconducting hybrid multilayered film systems for electric and electronic applications. This project focuses on the development of new scientific and technological aspects of the fabrication, properties and operation of novel hybrid systems for revolutionizing electricity handling and electronics. It will also solve some existing problems of film structures with promising multilayer technology. Hybrid systems, often make the headlines in science and are gaining an increasingly promi ....Tailoring superconducting hybrid multilayered film systems for electric and electronic applications. This project focuses on the development of new scientific and technological aspects of the fabrication, properties and operation of novel hybrid systems for revolutionizing electricity handling and electronics. It will also solve some existing problems of film structures with promising multilayer technology. Hybrid systems, often make the headlines in science and are gaining an increasingly promising outlook in materials engineering, nanotechnology and electronics, promising eventual application in a broad range of industries. This project will establish Australia's capability at the forefront in this area. The outcomes predicted will benefit existing Australian companies and may establish new companies dealing with these hybrid systems.Read moreRead less
Understanding structure-property relations in amorphous silicon. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology and has a number of clear benefits for Australia. 1) Ensures Australia maintains its current position as a world leader in the fields of nanotechnology and material science; 2) Provides training to students in the exciting areas of synchrotron operation and nanotechnology. 3) Enables leverage for further funding from both companies and international funding ....Understanding structure-property relations in amorphous silicon. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology and has a number of clear benefits for Australia. 1) Ensures Australia maintains its current position as a world leader in the fields of nanotechnology and material science; 2) Provides training to students in the exciting areas of synchrotron operation and nanotechnology. 3) Enables leverage for further funding from both companies and international funding sources; and 4) Supports Australian industry by contributing to research which has resulted in the formation of a new company.Read moreRead less