Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101167
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
3D-printed hierarchical polymer metacomposites for microwave cloaking. The project aims to develop a metacomposite for microwave cloaking, constituted by soft ferromagnetic microwires using a 3D printing technique. The resultant light weight composite is expected to have a gradient index with the control of composite mesostructure, which is expected to be possible with an automatic engineering process without involvement of any high-cost nanofabrication process. Using a graded metacomposite as a ....3D-printed hierarchical polymer metacomposites for microwave cloaking. The project aims to develop a metacomposite for microwave cloaking, constituted by soft ferromagnetic microwires using a 3D printing technique. The resultant light weight composite is expected to have a gradient index with the control of composite mesostructure, which is expected to be possible with an automatic engineering process without involvement of any high-cost nanofabrication process. Using a graded metacomposite as a building block, a microwave cloak can be made that would make any objects beneath it invisible to microwave vigilant devices such as radar detection. The proposed metacomposite therefore has potential applications in military defence technology, aerospace and space exploration.Read moreRead less
Statistical problems involving measurement errors and sparsity. The project tackles research in complex problems where the information contained in the data is sparse and corrupted by measurement errors. With the aid of modern computing methods, the project will develop new, sophisticated techniques that have applications in areas such as genomics, national security, environmental pollution, public health and nutrition.
Nanostructured films for optical document security. This project aims to develop a new class of synthetic thin films, with unique optical signatures as strong anti-counterfeiting features for future generations of Australian banknotes. The project expects to produce novel, ultra-thin films patterned on the nanoscale that produce vivid, easily recognisable optical effects building on recent advances in nanophotonic optical design and scalable nanofabrication strategies. The development of a range ....Nanostructured films for optical document security. This project aims to develop a new class of synthetic thin films, with unique optical signatures as strong anti-counterfeiting features for future generations of Australian banknotes. The project expects to produce novel, ultra-thin films patterned on the nanoscale that produce vivid, easily recognisable optical effects building on recent advances in nanophotonic optical design and scalable nanofabrication strategies. The development of a range of optical security features in Australia will ensure long-term confidence in our currency. An outcome of the project could be the commercialisation of new types of anti-counterfeiting features for use in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on ....Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on the materials’ photophysical properties, and new analytical methods and sensing protocols. This research will be of interest to security agencies in Australia and internationally, and will better protect our military.Read moreRead less
Broadband quantum networking with trapped ions. Banks and governments are now using short-range quantum communication to transmit data with secrecy guaranteed by the laws of physics. This project aims to develop the key ingredient for future broadband quantum networks: high-speed transmitters delivering quantum light pulses over present-day fibre-optic telecom infrastructure.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100226
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Quantum entanglement using slow-light-enhanced nonlinearity. The project will develop the fundamental science for creating quantum entanglement in micro- and nano-scale photonic devices so that thousands of these devices can be placed onto a single chip. This is the key to building practical quantum technologies that will make communications much more secure and computations many times faster.
Detecting the invisible. The most easily sourced weapons of the terrorist contain conventional explosives such as TNT and Semtex. This project concerns the development of sensing materials and protocols that can give selective, sensitive, real time sensing of explosive analytes that will lead to an increase in the nation’s security.
A portable sensor for explosives. The National Research priority, safeguarding Australia, recognises that there is a real threat of terrorism and the need to protect Australians at home and abroad. Although there is often talk of dirty bombs, and biological and nuclear terrorism, the most easily sourced weapon of the terrorist is still the conventional explosive. The ability to detect trace amounts of explosives is therefore required. This means that there is a real need for a portable detection ....A portable sensor for explosives. The National Research priority, safeguarding Australia, recognises that there is a real threat of terrorism and the need to protect Australians at home and abroad. Although there is often talk of dirty bombs, and biological and nuclear terrorism, the most easily sourced weapon of the terrorist is still the conventional explosive. The ability to detect trace amounts of explosives is therefore required. This means that there is a real need for a portable detection system with the ability to reliably sense a specific explosive selectively at low concentrations. This project concerns the development of a new handheld sensor that has the potential to increase the nation's security.Read moreRead less
Quantum satellites: safeguarding space-based communication networks. This project aims to address the fundamental challenges of developing quantum communication technology in space by performing space qualification of quantum technologies and optimising quantum-key distribution protocols for space applications. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of long-distance quantum key distribution based on continuous variables providing Australia with secure information networks. Exp ....Quantum satellites: safeguarding space-based communication networks. This project aims to address the fundamental challenges of developing quantum communication technology in space by performing space qualification of quantum technologies and optimising quantum-key distribution protocols for space applications. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of long-distance quantum key distribution based on continuous variables providing Australia with secure information networks. Expected outcomes of the project include licensing of key patents in building a quantum toolkit for space applications, establishment of collaboration across research institutes and disciplines, defence organisations and industry partners.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of enriched silicon for long-lived donor quantum states. We have discovered a method to make silicon highly enriched in the desirable spin-zero isotope using readily available ion implantation tools. This “semiconductor vacuum” is essential for building future quantum computer devices using the quantum spin of millions of implanted atoms with revolutionary capabilities. We have demonstrated long-lived implanted donor atom quantum states in prototype material, made possible by the deple ....Synthesis of enriched silicon for long-lived donor quantum states. We have discovered a method to make silicon highly enriched in the desirable spin-zero isotope using readily available ion implantation tools. This “semiconductor vacuum” is essential for building future quantum computer devices using the quantum spin of millions of implanted atoms with revolutionary capabilities. We have demonstrated long-lived implanted donor atom quantum states in prototype material, made possible by the depletion of background spins in natural silicon and now aim to push the enrichment to greater extremes. We will integrate the extreme material into functional devices that use electrically detected electron spin resonance to probe exceptionally durable quantum states and open a near-term pathway to large-scale devices.Read moreRead less