Overcoming performance limitations in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. This project aims to address the major impediments to improved efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells, the most prevalent in industry today. Three key areas have been identified: understanding the fundamental source of carrier recombination in this material, the application of plasma silicon nitride to reducing this recombination, and developing a suitable technique for texturing the front surface of the cell ....Overcoming performance limitations in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. This project aims to address the major impediments to improved efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells, the most prevalent in industry today. Three key areas have been identified: understanding the fundamental source of carrier recombination in this material, the application of plasma silicon nitride to reducing this recombination, and developing a suitable technique for texturing the front surface of the cells. By using novel, advanced techniques to gain a deeper physical understanding of these issues, it will be possible to develop new, cost-effective processes that improve efficiency and are applicable in industry.Read moreRead less
Spray-on Hydrogenated Films for Solar Cells. A successful project will contribute to a reduction in the cost of photovoltaic solar energy. This goal might be reached directly, via the development of spray-on hydrogenated films, or indirectly, through an improved knowledge of hydrogen passivation. Either way, the project will provide Australian Partner Investigator, Spark Solar, with a manufacturing edge over its global competitors. In so doing, it will support the burgeoning photovoltaic industr ....Spray-on Hydrogenated Films for Solar Cells. A successful project will contribute to a reduction in the cost of photovoltaic solar energy. This goal might be reached directly, via the development of spray-on hydrogenated films, or indirectly, through an improved knowledge of hydrogen passivation. Either way, the project will provide Australian Partner Investigator, Spark Solar, with a manufacturing edge over its global competitors. In so doing, it will support the burgeoning photovoltaic industry in Australia, providing jobs in manufacturing and research, and increasing the viability of photovoltaic energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. The project will also help keep Australia at the forefront of advances in photovoltaics and semiconductors.Read moreRead less
Low temperature fabrication of silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) for flat panel displays - an entirely new approach. This project represents an entirely new approach to low temperature crystallization of amorphous silicon, and its application to TFT fabrication in flat panel displays, and involves a partnership with the Australian high-tech company, WRiota. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology, since the technology is based on materials modificati ....Low temperature fabrication of silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) for flat panel displays - an entirely new approach. This project represents an entirely new approach to low temperature crystallization of amorphous silicon, and its application to TFT fabrication in flat panel displays, and involves a partnership with the Australian high-tech company, WRiota. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology, since the technology is based on materials modification at the nanoscale by nanoindentation. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and ECRs to gain experience in both the industrial and academic worlds and skills needed for Australia's nanotechnology workforce.Read moreRead less
Testing trade mark law's image of the consumer. An effective trade mark law is vital both to protect consumers and to allow businesses to build brand recognition. This project seeks to put Australian trade mark law on a firmer empirical footing by bringing together experts from psychology, law and marketing to test the law’s assumptions against actual consumer responses.
Spatial sound control for testing multi-channel audio devices. Spatial sound control for testing multi-channel audio devices. This project aims to test Alternative Listening Devices/Personal Sound Amplification Devices (PSAPs), multi-input audio devices fast replacing hearing aids due to their affordability and easy accessibility. With more consumers choosing PSAPs, proper testing is needed to assess the devices’ safety and benefit in real-life acoustic situations. This project will test PSAPs i ....Spatial sound control for testing multi-channel audio devices. Spatial sound control for testing multi-channel audio devices. This project aims to test Alternative Listening Devices/Personal Sound Amplification Devices (PSAPs), multi-input audio devices fast replacing hearing aids due to their affordability and easy accessibility. With more consumers choosing PSAPs, proper testing is needed to assess the devices’ safety and benefit in real-life acoustic situations. This project will test PSAPs in laboratory setups that use spatial audio processing techniques to mimic realistic acoustic environments, and develop theoretical frameworks to overcome existing limitations to accurate spatial sound reproduction. This research is expected to provide innovative solutions to safeguard Australia's future hearing health.Read moreRead less
How does alcohol sponsorship of sport affect drinking behaviour and attitudes in at risk youth? Implications for public policy and the sport industry. This project responds to national and international research priorities by examining the controversial association between sponsorship of sport by alcohol brands and consumption behaviour in target youth and sportspeople. The research is large scale and multidisciplinary, and will impact policy development and the business of sport in Australia.
A novel approach to direct nanopatterning of silicon for advanced phase-changed devices. This project will exploit key research developments at ANU in the field of nanotechnology, specifically nanofabrication of entirely new devices. In particular, this work will be exploited by a new Australian high-tech company, WRiota, to produce novel silicon phase change devices. The instrumentation developments will be commercialized by a leading nanoindentation company and the materials and device-related ....A novel approach to direct nanopatterning of silicon for advanced phase-changed devices. This project will exploit key research developments at ANU in the field of nanotechnology, specifically nanofabrication of entirely new devices. In particular, this work will be exploited by a new Australian high-tech company, WRiota, to produce novel silicon phase change devices. The instrumentation developments will be commercialized by a leading nanoindentation company and the materials and device-related outcomes and IP will be retained and used by WRiota. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and ECRs to gain experience in both the industrial and academic worlds.Read moreRead less
Implant Isolation of III-V Compound Semiconductor Devices and Structures. Individual devices in an integrated circuit can be electrically isolated from each other by irradiating the materials between them with high energy ions. This creates defects in the semiconductor that trap charge carriers and thereby increase the resistance of the material. However, the effectiveness of this process depends on the material as well as irradiation and post-irradiation processing conditions. This project aim ....Implant Isolation of III-V Compound Semiconductor Devices and Structures. Individual devices in an integrated circuit can be electrically isolated from each other by irradiating the materials between them with high energy ions. This creates defects in the semiconductor that trap charge carriers and thereby increase the resistance of the material. However, the effectiveness of this process depends on the material as well as irradiation and post-irradiation processing conditions. This project aims to develop an implant isolation scheme for a new class of devices developed by Epitactix, an Australian start-up company founded on CSIRO research. This will be achieved by combining the ANU's experience and expertise in ion-irradiation and defect engineering with the device and processing expertise of Epitactix Pty Ltd.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the Understanding and Performance of Passivating TiO2 Coatings for Photovoltaic Devices. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as an antireflection coating in the silicon (Si) photovoltaics industry as it exhibits excellent optical properties and low deposition cost. However, recently manufacturers have been turning to alternatives such as hydrogenated silicon nitride coatings that exhibit greatly improved electronic properties, but cost 4 - 10 times more to deposit. This proj ....Enhancing the Understanding and Performance of Passivating TiO2 Coatings for Photovoltaic Devices. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as an antireflection coating in the silicon (Si) photovoltaics industry as it exhibits excellent optical properties and low deposition cost. However, recently manufacturers have been turning to alternatives such as hydrogenated silicon nitride coatings that exhibit greatly improved electronic properties, but cost 4 - 10 times more to deposit. This project seeks to understand the fundamental limitations behind the poor surface passivation afforded by TiO2 to a Si wafer, and subsequently develop a passivating TiO2 coating that can reduce the cost of electricity generated by Si solar cells.Read moreRead less
Advanced Sliver Solar Cells. The expected outcome of the proposed research is the development of second generation Sliver solar cell technology, encouraging large commercial impact, which would be of substantial benefit to Australia in terms of export income and employment. Origin Energy has committed >$60 million to the development and commercialisation of the first generation Sliver cell technology. Substantial further commercial investment is expected during scale-up for full scale manufactur ....Advanced Sliver Solar Cells. The expected outcome of the proposed research is the development of second generation Sliver solar cell technology, encouraging large commercial impact, which would be of substantial benefit to Australia in terms of export income and employment. Origin Energy has committed >$60 million to the development and commercialisation of the first generation Sliver cell technology. Substantial further commercial investment is expected during scale-up for full scale manufacturing.
Successful implementation of technology developed during the research will result in the displacement of fossil fuel technologies and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, assisting Government in its objective to make major cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.
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