Accurate quantum modeling of the van der Waals interaction and its application to molecular physisorption onto surfaces. Developing zero emission clean fuel technology for transportation and developing sensitive diagnostic markers for medical diagnosis will clearly benefit Australia. In both cases large technological challenges need to be overcome. This investigation will provide theoretical insight and understanding into the molecular processes which underpin these highly desirable technologies ....Accurate quantum modeling of the van der Waals interaction and its application to molecular physisorption onto surfaces. Developing zero emission clean fuel technology for transportation and developing sensitive diagnostic markers for medical diagnosis will clearly benefit Australia. In both cases large technological challenges need to be overcome. This investigation will provide theoretical insight and understanding into the molecular processes which underpin these highly desirable technologies and aid scientists and engineers in their development. A further, more general, outcome will be an accurate and predictive methodology for investigating nanotechnology problems in any material where molecular physisorption is an important process.Read moreRead less
Fundamental Theoretical Study of Hydrogen Interactions with Novel Nanostructures. While governments around the world are planning to implement a hydrogen-based energy economy in the next several decades, the delivery of practical hydrogen energy technology has proven elusive to date, with major developments required in the production, storage and transport of hydrogen. This research will undertake to provide one key step in the development of safe and efficient hydrogen storage, namely a fundam ....Fundamental Theoretical Study of Hydrogen Interactions with Novel Nanostructures. While governments around the world are planning to implement a hydrogen-based energy economy in the next several decades, the delivery of practical hydrogen energy technology has proven elusive to date, with major developments required in the production, storage and transport of hydrogen. This research will undertake to provide one key step in the development of safe and efficient hydrogen storage, namely a fundamental study delivering basic knowledge of hydrogen interactions with nano-structured materials constructed from inexpensive light metals such as Aluminium.Read moreRead less
Understanding and controlling the processes underlying self assembly of nanostructures on surfaces. Efficient clean fuel technology, new classes of nano- and bio-materials, bio specific drug delivery systems, efficient environmental remediation technologies, advanced catalytic applications, namely every area of technology would benefit from the ability to control self-assembly of matter at the atomic level during fabrication of nanodevices. This proposal seeks to understand the processes driving ....Understanding and controlling the processes underlying self assembly of nanostructures on surfaces. Efficient clean fuel technology, new classes of nano- and bio-materials, bio specific drug delivery systems, efficient environmental remediation technologies, advanced catalytic applications, namely every area of technology would benefit from the ability to control self-assembly of matter at the atomic level during fabrication of nanodevices. This proposal seeks to understand the processes driving self-assembly of nanomaterials and how to control these processes.Read moreRead less
3D integrated crystalline UV optical lens-fiber couplers for astronomy. This project aims to create micro-optics for astronomical and bio medical applications by 3D sculpturing them out of crystals by ultra-short pulse lasers. This project will introduce a new 3D fabrication approach of optical probes which have self-aligned micro-optical elements and optical fibres for a wide spectral range and with high quality optical surfaces. Expected outcomes of this project include building new capabiliti ....3D integrated crystalline UV optical lens-fiber couplers for astronomy. This project aims to create micro-optics for astronomical and bio medical applications by 3D sculpturing them out of crystals by ultra-short pulse lasers. This project will introduce a new 3D fabrication approach of optical probes which have self-aligned micro-optical elements and optical fibres for a wide spectral range and with high quality optical surfaces. Expected outcomes of this project include building new capabilities in micro-optical probes for industrial environments, establishing new solutions for international astronomy partners, and developing new techniques to image through optical fibres. This should provide significant benefits by improving astronomical instrumentation and also lead to less invasive endoscopy.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
Development of Superflux Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Gas Separation. The project seeks to develop gas separation membranes displaying superfluxes - throughputs 10 to 100 times higher than current systems, with lower operating costs. There is compelling evidence that very high flow rates are achievable and they have been shown for single gas transport. Theory predicts that highly selective separations are possible, but this has not yet been experimentally shown - a key outcome from this proje ....Development of Superflux Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Gas Separation. The project seeks to develop gas separation membranes displaying superfluxes - throughputs 10 to 100 times higher than current systems, with lower operating costs. There is compelling evidence that very high flow rates are achievable and they have been shown for single gas transport. Theory predicts that highly selective separations are possible, but this has not yet been experimentally shown - a key outcome from this project. The applications are widespread and include separation of carbon dioxide from power station flue gas for sequestration, purification of natural gas and provision of pure component gases such as oxygen and nitrogen amongst others.Read moreRead less
Principles, synthesis, and evaluation of molecular electronic devices. This project is at the forefront of modern science and technology. It involves exploration of the operation and means of fabrication of devices on the nanoscale. Future advances in silicon-chip manufacture will require development of new technologies such as molecular electronics, technologies in which Australia is well placed to play a significant role. This project will generate the first method for the integration and con ....Principles, synthesis, and evaluation of molecular electronic devices. This project is at the forefront of modern science and technology. It involves exploration of the operation and means of fabrication of devices on the nanoscale. Future advances in silicon-chip manufacture will require development of new technologies such as molecular electronics, technologies in which Australia is well placed to play a significant role. This project will generate the first method for the integration and construction of complex molecular devices on silicon with atomic control and precision, and advances in solar electricity and solar-powered hydrogen production. It provides advanced training in important areas in nanotechnology including nanoscale synthesis, measurement, and computation.Read moreRead less
Innovating Smaller, Stronger, Faster Nanoscale Light Sources: SPASERs. The SPASER is a new type of nano-size amplifier which is analogous to a transistor in modern electronics but operates more like a laser. It will be possible to build ultrafast processors of information with SPASERs replacing transistors or can be used in nanosensing, nanoimaging and many other fields. This project will assemble a world-class team consisting of the pioneer of the concept of SPASER and others who developed desi ....Innovating Smaller, Stronger, Faster Nanoscale Light Sources: SPASERs. The SPASER is a new type of nano-size amplifier which is analogous to a transistor in modern electronics but operates more like a laser. It will be possible to build ultrafast processors of information with SPASERs replacing transistors or can be used in nanosensing, nanoimaging and many other fields. This project will assemble a world-class team consisting of the pioneer of the concept of SPASER and others who developed design and analysis techniques in the context of semiconductor lasers and detectors to engineer SPASER design. The aim is to make robust, fast and efficient SPASERs which resembles the features of current lasers for use in circuits in the smallest possible size that consume lowest possible energy.Read moreRead less
In Silico Discovery and Design of 2D Ferromagnets for Nanoscale Electronics. Two dimensional (2D) ferromagnets have great promise for next generation electronics, but suffer from small magnetic anistropy and low Curie temperature for application at the ambient condition. This project aims not only to tackle this challenge by discovering and designing 2D ferromagnet with large anistropy and Curie temperature, but also to engineer 2D ferromagnet with highly mobile electron or extra ferroelectricit ....In Silico Discovery and Design of 2D Ferromagnets for Nanoscale Electronics. Two dimensional (2D) ferromagnets have great promise for next generation electronics, but suffer from small magnetic anistropy and low Curie temperature for application at the ambient condition. This project aims not only to tackle this challenge by discovering and designing 2D ferromagnet with large anistropy and Curie temperature, but also to engineer 2D ferromagnet with highly mobile electron or extra ferroelectricity for novel nanoelectronic device. The technological outcomes will impact on the Australian economy through the potential for new knowledge-based electronics industry. Strong collaboration with leading expert will enable this Australian theoretical team to continue to establish itself as a leader in the field of 2D materials.Read moreRead less
Porous Silica-Based Nanocapsules for Targeted and Controlled Release of Biocides. The project will lead to significant advances in nanotechnology and agrichemical biocide applications. A highly efficient insect control technology will be developed, that will be cost-effective with the ability for targeted control and release of biocides. The encapsulation technology will reduce the total usage and costs of biocides thus benefit the environment in terms of reduced environment pollution and enhanc ....Porous Silica-Based Nanocapsules for Targeted and Controlled Release of Biocides. The project will lead to significant advances in nanotechnology and agrichemical biocide applications. A highly efficient insect control technology will be developed, that will be cost-effective with the ability for targeted control and release of biocides. The encapsulation technology will reduce the total usage and costs of biocides thus benefit the environment in terms of reduced environment pollution and enhanced ecological safety.Read moreRead less