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
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.
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
Analysis, Optimization, and Control of Scanning Atomic Force Microscope Micro-Cantilever Probes. Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM's) are widely used for the examination of samples smaller than can be observed with an optical microscope. A tiny 'finger', only a few atoms wide at its sharpest point, is used to 'feel' the surface of a sample. This project aims to increase the resolution of AFM images by actively controlling the sensor probe dynamics.
Better quality AFM images would allow scientists ....Analysis, Optimization, and Control of Scanning Atomic Force Microscope Micro-Cantilever Probes. Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM's) are widely used for the examination of samples smaller than can be observed with an optical microscope. A tiny 'finger', only a few atoms wide at its sharpest point, is used to 'feel' the surface of a sample. This project aims to increase the resolution of AFM images by actively controlling the sensor probe dynamics.
Better quality AFM images would allow scientists to further investigate the atomic and molecular structure of such samples as: metals, polymers, cells, and proteins.
This research will contribute to the design of an Australian made Scanning Probe Microscope. Development of local expertise will provide a valuable resource for Australian scientific and industrial research.
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Microfibre photonics: function densification on a wavelength scale. The project will contribute to Australia's nanoscale device research and nanomanufacturing development. The project will create microfibre fabrication technologies for the creation of new optical systems of miniature proportions that will be used for cell illumination, for the creation of sensors for detection in small environments and as light tools for fundamental experiments in physics. Specialist fabrication methods will be ....Microfibre photonics: function densification on a wavelength scale. The project will contribute to Australia's nanoscale device research and nanomanufacturing development. The project will create microfibre fabrication technologies for the creation of new optical systems of miniature proportions that will be used for cell illumination, for the creation of sensors for detection in small environments and as light tools for fundamental experiments in physics. Specialist fabrication methods will be developed that will add to the nation's skill base. The outcomes of the project will enhance Australia's knowledge capacity, research capability and will contribute significantly to each of the National Research Priorities.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
Directed assembly and photoelectric properties of core-shell nanowire networks of PbSe-TiO2 heterostructures for high efficiency low-cost solar cells. The proposed program is aimed at studying numerous fundamental properties and phenomena of photoelectrochemical cells that have an important impact on environmentally friendly solutions to energy problems. Specifically, solar cells have a significant role in energy markets and in lessening CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts. Solar cell ....Directed assembly and photoelectric properties of core-shell nanowire networks of PbSe-TiO2 heterostructures for high efficiency low-cost solar cells. The proposed program is aimed at studying numerous fundamental properties and phenomena of photoelectrochemical cells that have an important impact on environmentally friendly solutions to energy problems. Specifically, solar cells have a significant role in energy markets and in lessening CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts. Solar cell technology, coupled with renewable energy sources, has the potential to provide a long-term solution to the energy crisis and the global warming threat. In addition, the strong team to be assembled will reach a leading position in this area of cutting edge technology. The outcomes will benefit Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Microfluidic photonic systems. Australia is set to reap commercial benefits nationally and internationally from new developments in the highly competitive domain of microtechnology. In this project, a group of Australia's leading researchers propose an innovative combination of two exciting fields of scientific research. Microfluidics is the manipulation of minute quantities of liquids in microscopic channels, while photonics is the generation, transmission, detection and analysis of light as a ....Microfluidic photonic systems. Australia is set to reap commercial benefits nationally and internationally from new developments in the highly competitive domain of microtechnology. In this project, a group of Australia's leading researchers propose an innovative combination of two exciting fields of scientific research. Microfluidics is the manipulation of minute quantities of liquids in microscopic channels, while photonics is the generation, transmission, detection and analysis of light as a means to convey, collect and process information. The marriage of these two fields promises the development of novel, high performance tunable devices for sensing, biotechnology and telecommunications.Read moreRead less