Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is ....Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is thermionic emission - electrons are the working fluid. Our project combines (1) analysis and simulation, (2) fabrication of nanostructures and (3) experimental test-benching using optical and electrical methods. The outcome of this research has the potential to revolutionize cooling of modern electronic and photonic systems, from computer motherboards to mobile phones.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for enhancing room temperature figure of merit of thermoelectric/thermionic materials for refrigeration applications. With global warming and an increased awareness of climate change, devices such as thermoelectric modules can be part of the solution, particularly if their relative power and efficiency can be increased. The aim of this project is to bring together theoreticians, experimentalists, materials scientists, and industrial partners with complementary expertise to develop ....Novel methods for enhancing room temperature figure of merit of thermoelectric/thermionic materials for refrigeration applications. With global warming and an increased awareness of climate change, devices such as thermoelectric modules can be part of the solution, particularly if their relative power and efficiency can be increased. The aim of this project is to bring together theoreticians, experimentalists, materials scientists, and industrial partners with complementary expertise to develop new techniques and methods for fabricating novel thermoelectric/thermionic materials with high figure of merit, ZT, for solid state refrigeration applications. The success of the project will lead to a 3 to 5 fold increase in the market share of thermoelectric cooler and will have a significant impact on the Australian economy and reduce greenhouse emissions and global warming. Read moreRead less
Simulation and characterisation of opto-thermionic cooling devices. Opto-thermionic devices combine thermionic emission and laser cooling to achieve the maximum cooling power and highest thermal efficiency. These devices are ultra small, very reliable and fully integrable. Many important problems need to be solved to improve the performance of this new class of solid-state cooling devices. One is to understand and manipulate the electron-hole radiative recombination and minimize the Auger proces ....Simulation and characterisation of opto-thermionic cooling devices. Opto-thermionic devices combine thermionic emission and laser cooling to achieve the maximum cooling power and highest thermal efficiency. These devices are ultra small, very reliable and fully integrable. Many important problems need to be solved to improve the performance of this new class of solid-state cooling devices. One is to understand and manipulate the electron-hole radiative recombination and minimize the Auger process in reduced dimensionality devices such as quantum wells. Researchers at Wollongong and Lund will collaborate on theoretical analysis, computer simulation and electrical/optical measurements to solve this problem.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear nanophotonics. This project will support world-leading research in nonlinear nanophotonics. It will develop theoretically and demonstrate experimentally novel concepts for confining and manipulating light in specially designed structures, making an essential step towards the creation of nanoscaled optical devices for storage, memory, and sensing. These developments will underpin the next generation of high-performance optical networks promising to revolutionize global communications. T ....Nonlinear nanophotonics. This project will support world-leading research in nonlinear nanophotonics. It will develop theoretically and demonstrate experimentally novel concepts for confining and manipulating light in specially designed structures, making an essential step towards the creation of nanoscaled optical devices for storage, memory, and sensing. These developments will underpin the next generation of high-performance optical networks promising to revolutionize global communications. This research program will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training for students in breakthrough applications of nanophotonics and nanotechnology, contributing to the uptake of frontier technologies by Australian industries.Read moreRead less
All-optical technologies, nanophotonics, and metamaterials. This program will support a world-leading team in nanophotonics and metamaterials. It will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for manipulating optical pulses in specially designed nanoscale structures, making an essential step towards the creation of all-optical devices which perform fast switching and processing of optical signals. These developments will underpin the next generation of high-performance networks promising to revo ....All-optical technologies, nanophotonics, and metamaterials. This program will support a world-leading team in nanophotonics and metamaterials. It will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for manipulating optical pulses in specially designed nanoscale structures, making an essential step towards the creation of all-optical devices which perform fast switching and processing of optical signals. These developments will underpin the next generation of high-performance networks promising to revolutionize global communications. This research program will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training for students in breakthrough applications of photonics and nanotechnology, contributing to the uptake of frontier technologies by Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Structure of Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Dots. Epitaxially grown semiconductor quantum dots have received extensive attention in recent years due to their potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devises. However, the quality of current grown quantum dots is still very far from that required for real device applications due to a lack of detailed knowledge of their nanostructures. This project aims to combine the strength of growing semiconductor quantum dots at Fudan Universit ....Structure of Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Dots. Epitaxially grown semiconductor quantum dots have received extensive attention in recent years due to their potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devises. However, the quality of current grown quantum dots is still very far from that required for real device applications due to a lack of detailed knowledge of their nanostructures. This project aims to combine the strength of growing semiconductor quantum dots at Fudan University and the world-class characterisation facilities (advanced transmission electron microscopy) at the University of Queensland to actively explore optimum paths for epaxially growing device-quality semiconductor quantum dots.Read moreRead less
Slow light in nonlinear photonic crystals: less haste, more speed. The development of communications is vital to Australia's future. Our project will enable both massive improvements of the performance of the communication technologies and significant reductions in the cost and size of the associated infrastructures. The resulting benefits will contribute to developing the economy and lifestyle of rural and regional Australia. The expansion of a faster network throughout the country will eventua ....Slow light in nonlinear photonic crystals: less haste, more speed. The development of communications is vital to Australia's future. Our project will enable both massive improvements of the performance of the communication technologies and significant reductions in the cost and size of the associated infrastructures. The resulting benefits will contribute to developing the economy and lifestyle of rural and regional Australia. The expansion of a faster network throughout the country will eventually enable advanced techniques and services such as remote surgery, remote engineering and distance education. We will provide advanced training for three students who will gain valuable skills in this area that will be sought after by the Australian information and communication technology industry. Read moreRead less
Development of Solid-state cooling chips. The performance of modern electronic, microelectronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices improves as they are cooled. We aim to develop semiconductor cooling elements that can be directly integrated into existing circuits and devices. The new solid-state cooling elements will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The proposed international collaboration combines the expertise of the Chinese Academy of Science in device fabricat ....Development of Solid-state cooling chips. The performance of modern electronic, microelectronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices improves as they are cooled. We aim to develop semiconductor cooling elements that can be directly integrated into existing circuits and devices. The new solid-state cooling elements will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The proposed international collaboration combines the expertise of the Chinese Academy of Science in device fabrication with the expertise of the University of Wollongong in device characterisation and modelling. The outcome of this research has the potential to revolutionize cooling of diverse electronic systems, from computer motherboards to mobile phones.Read moreRead less
Heat conduction characterisation of buried insulation layers in silicon-on-insulator systems. This project aims to establish a new technique for the accurate characterisation of thermal conduction in buried insulation layers in advanced silicon-on-insulator (SOI) systems. The success of the project will enable the Australian semiconductor industry to develop high performance SOI systems.
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