Structure-Activity Relationships in Silicon-based Photovoltaics Through Atomic Scale Microscopy. This project aims to develop new design principles for silicon-based photovoltaics (PVs) through a comprehensive study of atomic-scale structures and phenomena in PV materials. The development of more efficient photovoltaic materials is of major global importance, given the pressing need for clean and renewable sources of energy. Australia has international leadership in developing solar cell technol ....Structure-Activity Relationships in Silicon-based Photovoltaics Through Atomic Scale Microscopy. This project aims to develop new design principles for silicon-based photovoltaics (PVs) through a comprehensive study of atomic-scale structures and phenomena in PV materials. The development of more efficient photovoltaic materials is of major global importance, given the pressing need for clean and renewable sources of energy. Australia has international leadership in developing solar cell technologies, and the ideal natural environment to exploit these technologies. The fundamental insights derived in this project, such as detailed 3D maps of dopant distributions at the atomic scale, will bolster Australia's international reputation in the field and provide better control in the design of PV devices. Read moreRead less
Development of room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics devices application. Semiconductor spintronics is very likely to have a significant impact on future generations of devices. Until recently, Australian research groups have played a minor role in the field. The proposed program will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within semiconductor spintronics or have substantial impact on the progress in this field. The accomplishments of this project can great ....Development of room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics devices application. Semiconductor spintronics is very likely to have a significant impact on future generations of devices. Until recently, Australian research groups have played a minor role in the field. The proposed program will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within semiconductor spintronics or have substantial impact on the progress in this field. The accomplishments of this project can greatly increase the scientific understanding of diluted magnetic semiconductors and expand Australia's knowledge base in research in these materials. This program can also be an education platform to provide a number of scientific talents for Australia by intensively training high quality postgraduates at the international level.Read moreRead less
Current limiting mechanisms in magnesium diboride superconductors. Numerous important applications have already been identified for MgB2 wire: power transmission cables, fault current limiters, transformers and magnets for motors and generators, as well as MRI. The significant increase in current carrying capacity of one order of magnitude expected to result from the proposed program will enable MgB2 to replace presently existing low-temperature superconductors (LTS) and expensive high-temperat ....Current limiting mechanisms in magnesium diboride superconductors. Numerous important applications have already been identified for MgB2 wire: power transmission cables, fault current limiters, transformers and magnets for motors and generators, as well as MRI. The significant increase in current carrying capacity of one order of magnitude expected to result from the proposed program will enable MgB2 to replace presently existing low-temperature superconductors (LTS) and expensive high-temperature superconductors (HTS) in numerous important applications. MgB2 technology, coupled with renewable energy sources, has the potential to provide a long-term solution to the energy crisis and global warming threat.Read moreRead less
Development of high performance second generation superconductors. Robust, high performance high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire underpins a worldwide opportunity to revolutionize the electric power grid, transportation, electronics and many other industries with a new generation of high efficiency, compact, and environmentally friendly electrical equipment. This program combines our expertise in superconductor thin-film fabrication and characterization and expertise of a local industrial ....Development of high performance second generation superconductors. Robust, high performance high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire underpins a worldwide opportunity to revolutionize the electric power grid, transportation, electronics and many other industries with a new generation of high efficiency, compact, and environmentally friendly electrical equipment. This program combines our expertise in superconductor thin-film fabrication and characterization and expertise of a local industrial partner in the development of superconducting wires. The success of the proposed project will bring benefit to local industry and employment, and significantly enhance the international competitiveness in HTS of Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides. With advances in solar cell and flexible display technologies the demand and performance requirements for transparent conductors used as electrodes in these devices will increase dramatically. This research program is focused on developing new materials to meet the demand and the challenges of new, more advanced technologies. The project has the potential to generate valuable intellectual property in the form of new generation transpar ....Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides. With advances in solar cell and flexible display technologies the demand and performance requirements for transparent conductors used as electrodes in these devices will increase dramatically. This research program is focused on developing new materials to meet the demand and the challenges of new, more advanced technologies. The project has the potential to generate valuable intellectual property in the form of new generation transparent conducting oxide materials for a rapidly growing set of applications. The new devices will directly improve our standard of living and additional economic benefits will come from commercialisation of the technology both here and overseas.Read moreRead less
Fatigue in Lead-free Piezoceramics. This project aims are to achieve a fundamental understanding of the fatigue behaviour of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics which achieve high strain through phase transformations and then ascertain the effects of this behaviour on material degradation rates. The expected outcomes will facilitate replacement of toxic lead in commodity electronics. The focus will be on new lead-free bismuth-alkali-based piezoelectric ceramic systems which demonstrate exciting pot ....Fatigue in Lead-free Piezoceramics. This project aims are to achieve a fundamental understanding of the fatigue behaviour of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics which achieve high strain through phase transformations and then ascertain the effects of this behaviour on material degradation rates. The expected outcomes will facilitate replacement of toxic lead in commodity electronics. The focus will be on new lead-free bismuth-alkali-based piezoelectric ceramic systems which demonstrate exciting potential as alternate materials to lead zirconate titanate (PZT) materials. Successful optimisation of the materials' design and knowledge of their degradation rates are expected to facilitate their commercialisation through a profound reduction in the environmental challenges associated with manufacture and disposal of devices.Read moreRead less
Development of Magnesium Diboride Superconductor Wires with High Upper Critical Field for MRI Applications. The aim of the program is to demonstrate the superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB2) wires with improved upper critical field (Hc2,) appropriate for large-scale applications. The basic idea will be based on the two-gap superconductivity to add well-distributed impurities which will act as scatterers, increasing resistivity, and thus Hc2. The core innovation of this proposal is based on t ....Development of Magnesium Diboride Superconductor Wires with High Upper Critical Field for MRI Applications. The aim of the program is to demonstrate the superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB2) wires with improved upper critical field (Hc2,) appropriate for large-scale applications. The basic idea will be based on the two-gap superconductivity to add well-distributed impurities which will act as scatterers, increasing resistivity, and thus Hc2. The core innovation of this proposal is based on the recent breakthrough in MgB2 that was made by the CIs through nano-SiC particle doping, which achieved a record high Hc2 in bulk form and enhancement of critical current density, Jc, in magnetic fields by an order of magnitude. The expected outcome is the development of superconducting MgB2 wires and coils with high Hc2 and Jc for MRI applications.Read moreRead less
Mechanism and enhancement of supercurrent carrying ability in magnesium diboride superconductor. The newly discovered MgB2 superconductor has great potential to replace the existing conventional superconductors for uses in various medical and industrial applications. This project brings together two world leading groups with complementary expertise to develop a fundamental understanding of the factors controlling MgB2 performance and to find effective ways to significantly improve its supercurre ....Mechanism and enhancement of supercurrent carrying ability in magnesium diboride superconductor. The newly discovered MgB2 superconductor has great potential to replace the existing conventional superconductors for uses in various medical and industrial applications. This project brings together two world leading groups with complementary expertise to develop a fundamental understanding of the factors controlling MgB2 performance and to find effective ways to significantly improve its supercurrent carrying capabilities for practical applications. The outcome of this project will be of benefit to both countries and will lead to many practical applications such as transformers, rotors, and transmission cables, as well as magnetic resonance imaging without using liquid helium, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Read moreRead less
Magnesium diboride superconductor magnets for applications. The proposed development of magnesium diboride magnets is one of the core technologies that underlie applications in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separators, and other devices. The proposed international research consortium is in a leading position to explore the potential of these superconductor magnets for various applications. A breakthrough in the current proposal will lead to widespread commercial activities in a number of ....Magnesium diboride superconductor magnets for applications. The proposed development of magnesium diboride magnets is one of the core technologies that underlie applications in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separators, and other devices. The proposed international research consortium is in a leading position to explore the potential of these superconductor magnets for various applications. A breakthrough in the current proposal will lead to widespread commercial activities in a number of industry sectors: mineral separation, health, electric power, transportation, water purification, drug delivery, and space/aviation. Application of the proposal's outcomes will lead to enormous energy savings and environmental benefits. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775559
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
16 Tesla Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). Success of this proposal will enhance national and international collaboration through access to the proposed 16-Tesla PPMS by a large number of collaborating groups. This state-the-art facility will substantially enhance the materials characterisation capability of Australia. Equipped with this 16-Tesla PPMS and other related facilities the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials at the University of Wollongong will continue a ....16 Tesla Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). Success of this proposal will enhance national and international collaboration through access to the proposed 16-Tesla PPMS by a large number of collaborating groups. This state-the-art facility will substantially enhance the materials characterisation capability of Australia. Equipped with this 16-Tesla PPMS and other related facilities the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials at the University of Wollongong will continue as an important national and international centre for physical property characterisation. It will allow Australian researchers to remain competitive in this important of materials research.Read moreRead less