Cost-efficient 2D heterostructures for solar overall water splitting. This project aims to develop novel processes to enable water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen under sunlight using cost-efficient 2D van der Waals heterostructures. Enhanced optical absorption and reduced charge transfer distance across the interface are expected to improve the photocatalytic activity. Experimental design and theoretical simulations will be combined to modulate the materials and achieve optimum photoc ....Cost-efficient 2D heterostructures for solar overall water splitting. This project aims to develop novel processes to enable water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen under sunlight using cost-efficient 2D van der Waals heterostructures. Enhanced optical absorption and reduced charge transfer distance across the interface are expected to improve the photocatalytic activity. Experimental design and theoretical simulations will be combined to modulate the materials and achieve optimum photocatalytic performances. Expected outcomes of this project include expanded chemistry knowledge and techniques in materials design and synthesis, photophysics and photocatalysis mechanism and solar energy conversion. This will provide significant benefits to clean energy and environmental protections.Read moreRead less
Engineered control of polarisation rotation in ferroelectric bilayers. This project aims to develop interface engineered nanoscale ferroelectric thin films with functional properties suitable for integration. Bulk ferroelectrics form the core of traditional stand-alone electromechanical devices such as sensors, actuators and ultrasonic devices. Future applications need to be integrated into thin film form on semiconductor wafers, but the attachment to the wafer induces a mechanical constraint, w ....Engineered control of polarisation rotation in ferroelectric bilayers. This project aims to develop interface engineered nanoscale ferroelectric thin films with functional properties suitable for integration. Bulk ferroelectrics form the core of traditional stand-alone electromechanical devices such as sensors, actuators and ultrasonic devices. Future applications need to be integrated into thin film form on semiconductor wafers, but the attachment to the wafer induces a mechanical constraint, which dramatically suppresses the electromechanical response. This project aims to solve this problem by "polarisation rotation", achieved by layered stacking of thin film ferroelectrics. Engineered control of ferroelectric polarization rotation could be the pathway to modern electromechanical devices.Read moreRead less
Exploiting shear to form new structures of carbon. This project aims to create new, technologically-interesting, materials by combining shear (sliding forces) with high pressure. The work will use both modelling and experiments to understand the pathways to form new materials such as a different form of diamond that is predicted to be harder than regular diamond. Such a material could be used in coatings for cutting tools or ultra-low-scratch surfaces. Expected outcomes include both an understan ....Exploiting shear to form new structures of carbon. This project aims to create new, technologically-interesting, materials by combining shear (sliding forces) with high pressure. The work will use both modelling and experiments to understand the pathways to form new materials such as a different form of diamond that is predicted to be harder than regular diamond. Such a material could be used in coatings for cutting tools or ultra-low-scratch surfaces. Expected outcomes include both an understanding of the importance of shear in the study of high-pressure science, and as a tool to manufacture new functional materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$760,000.00
Summary
Next-Generation Electronic and Magnetic Materials Characterisation Facility. Next-generation electronic and magnetic materials characterisation facility: This project aims to address two major experimental capacity gaps in Australian infrastructure for research and development of novel electronic materials and nanoscale devices for future technologies. It will establish a facility featuring a state-of-the-art force-feedback scanning tunnelling microscope for studying insulating surfaces, such as ....Next-Generation Electronic and Magnetic Materials Characterisation Facility. Next-generation electronic and magnetic materials characterisation facility: This project aims to address two major experimental capacity gaps in Australian infrastructure for research and development of novel electronic materials and nanoscale devices for future technologies. It will establish a facility featuring a state-of-the-art force-feedback scanning tunnelling microscope for studying insulating surfaces, such as ferroic films, and a magneto-directional electrical characterisation system with a unique nine Tesla full-sphere magnetic field rotation capacity for studying materials in the two to 300 Kelvin temperature range. This facility will bring important new tools to Australia, which is expected to enhance our international competitiveness in the development of next-generation electronic materials and device technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100750
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
On the origin of high strain in lead-free piezoelectric materials. Legislation against the use of lead initiated a search for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. This project aims to derive guidelines for the development and implementation of this new class of materials. This project will utilise an analysis technique that allows elucidation of the origin of the high strain in piezoelectric materials. A separate analysis of the three known strain mechanisms in materials with coexisting phases will ....On the origin of high strain in lead-free piezoelectric materials. Legislation against the use of lead initiated a search for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. This project aims to derive guidelines for the development and implementation of this new class of materials. This project will utilise an analysis technique that allows elucidation of the origin of the high strain in piezoelectric materials. A separate analysis of the three known strain mechanisms in materials with coexisting phases will innovatively correlate theory and macroscopic observation with processes on the atomic scale. The quantification of the contribution of each mechanism will lead to new insights into the enhancement of sustainable functional materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101854
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Exploring A New Family of 2D Heterogeneous Topological Insulator. The project aims to reveal a new family of two-dimensional heterostructure topological insulators by extensive theoretical simulations, and develop feasible approaches to control the topological phase, thus enabling their use in practical nanodevice applications. The project aims not only to advance knowledge in material chemistry and condensed matter physics, but also to lead to technology revolutions in information technology, c ....Exploring A New Family of 2D Heterogeneous Topological Insulator. The project aims to reveal a new family of two-dimensional heterostructure topological insulators by extensive theoretical simulations, and develop feasible approaches to control the topological phase, thus enabling their use in practical nanodevice applications. The project aims not only to advance knowledge in material chemistry and condensed matter physics, but also to lead to technology revolutions in information technology, clean energy generation and cooling devices based on topological insulators. The outcomes are expected to produce new technology applications in electronics, communications, information technology, data storage and transportation.Read moreRead less
Enhanced electro-active properties in polycrystalline ceramics: a multi-length-scale approach. Electro-active materials are used in a wide range of devices including ultrasound imaging equipment and nano-positioning systems. This project will determine the most fundamental mechanisms at work in these materials allowing for the optimisation of high-performance and environmentally friendly electro-active devices for future industries.
Poly(dendrimer) organic light-emitting diodes. This project aims to develop ultrathin efficient emissive technologies based on low embedded energy organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It will develop transformative OLEDs that can be used in displays and lighting, by creating semiconductor materials and diode architectures that optimise each step in light generation, from charge injection, transport and capture to light emission. The efficiency improvements made possible by OLED technology can ....Poly(dendrimer) organic light-emitting diodes. This project aims to develop ultrathin efficient emissive technologies based on low embedded energy organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It will develop transformative OLEDs that can be used in displays and lighting, by creating semiconductor materials and diode architectures that optimise each step in light generation, from charge injection, transport and capture to light emission. The efficiency improvements made possible by OLED technology can reduce electricity consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and the cost of living.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Advanced Multifunctional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical Analysis Platform. This project aims to build an advanced multi-functional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical analysis platform for characterizing nanomaterials and micro-/nano-scale devices. This platform expects to provide rich and unique characterization capabilities (electrical, optical, magnetic and mechanical) for hybrid devices with low temperature and high vacuum environment. The expected outcomes include multidisciplinary research co ....Advanced Multifunctional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical Analysis Platform. This project aims to build an advanced multi-functional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical analysis platform for characterizing nanomaterials and micro-/nano-scale devices. This platform expects to provide rich and unique characterization capabilities (electrical, optical, magnetic and mechanical) for hybrid devices with low temperature and high vacuum environment. The expected outcomes include multidisciplinary research collaborations and a wide range of next-generation technologies including non-invasive medical instruments, wearable devices, communication, quantum information systems and energy storage solutions. This should enable local design and construction of hybrid devices and advance the growth of local high-technology industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100072
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Facility for exploring light-matter interactions in space, time and energy. This project aims to create a readily accessible facility consisting of a suite of tools to study light-matter interactions in materials, molecules and biological systems. Understanding light-matter interactions offers insight into the properties of nano- and biomaterials. The project intends to combine local probes and pump-probe spectroscopy methods for studying nanoscale femtosecond dynamics. It will be accessible to ....Facility for exploring light-matter interactions in space, time and energy. This project aims to create a readily accessible facility consisting of a suite of tools to study light-matter interactions in materials, molecules and biological systems. Understanding light-matter interactions offers insight into the properties of nano- and biomaterials. The project intends to combine local probes and pump-probe spectroscopy methods for studying nanoscale femtosecond dynamics. It will be accessible to a broad user base, cementing Australia’s leadership in ultrafast spectroscopy techniques and nano/bio-materials. The facility will provide a window to the quantum nanoworld, with potential for developing new energy efficient light sources, light-harvesting systems and sensors.Read moreRead less