Advanced lanthanide-doped nanomaterials for new-generation security inks. Current security labelling technologies using pattern coding (“barcoding”) and/or UV-excited phosphorescent inks are relatively easily counterfeited. The project aims to identify optimal design, fabrication and surface treatment of infrared-excited lanthanide nanoparticles for use as pigments in UV-curable polymer inks. This is expected to result in a new-generation of jet-printable security inks with ultimate capability f ....Advanced lanthanide-doped nanomaterials for new-generation security inks. Current security labelling technologies using pattern coding (“barcoding”) and/or UV-excited phosphorescent inks are relatively easily counterfeited. The project aims to identify optimal design, fabrication and surface treatment of infrared-excited lanthanide nanoparticles for use as pigments in UV-curable polymer inks. This is expected to result in a new-generation of jet-printable security inks with ultimate capability for multidimensional coding (using multiple luminescence wavelengths and lifetimes) and robust readability. Expected outcomes are world leadership in codable inks for secure labelling against counterfeiting, greatly enhancing both global ink-product sales and the value of Australian exports subject to product substitution.Read moreRead less
Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices. This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the global issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy (solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The project expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by devel ....Advanced protective coatings for thermal energy management devices. This project aims to develop new nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology to address the global issue of e-waste caused by short lifespan thermal energy management devices (TEMDs) used in energy (solar, wind, oil), transport (aerospace, automotive, marine) and industrial (manufacturing, mining) sectors. The project expects to overcome issues of erosion and corrosion of TEMDs and toxic coating methods by developing new nanomaterial coatings and innovative plasma coating technology. This should provide significant benefits such as improved sustainability of TEMDs with improved corrosion resistance and durability, as well as new manufacturing products and processes that have far reaching economic benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniq ....Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. It will develop a superior detector for mass spectrometry and improve the imaging and nanofabrication capabilities of state-of-the-art electron microscopes. Read moreRead less
Processing Pearl Nacre for Bio-Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has exciting potential to solve major health challenges of the 21st century. The proposed research focuses on developing health care products, derived from a renewable waste stream resource from the pearling industry, en route to establishing products to benefit the rural community, and beyond. The processed pearl nacre provides the possibility of alleviating problems associated with neurotrauma following injury, and for skin regenera ....Processing Pearl Nacre for Bio-Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has exciting potential to solve major health challenges of the 21st century. The proposed research focuses on developing health care products, derived from a renewable waste stream resource from the pearling industry, en route to establishing products to benefit the rural community, and beyond. The processed pearl nacre provides the possibility of alleviating problems associated with neurotrauma following injury, and for skin regeneration following burns. The recently established powerful multidisciplinary research team in partnership with Pearl Technology combines expertise in chemical processing, nanotechnology, biochemistry, neuroscience and tissue engineering, also providing a basis for quality research training.Read moreRead less
Scalable nanomechanical information processing. This project aims to build the first scalable computer architecture based on nanoscale motion on a silicon chip. Such nanomechanical computers could extend computing performance in space and earth-orbit applications, and in other environments where intense radiation causes digital electronics to fail. The project intends to utilise recent advances in nanomechanics and nanofabrication to demonstrate all key nanomechanical circuit elements, including ....Scalable nanomechanical information processing. This project aims to build the first scalable computer architecture based on nanoscale motion on a silicon chip. Such nanomechanical computers could extend computing performance in space and earth-orbit applications, and in other environments where intense radiation causes digital electronics to fail. The project intends to utilise recent advances in nanomechanics and nanofabrication to demonstrate all key nanomechanical circuit elements, including transistors, logic gates, memories and analogue-to-digital converters and to deliver a roadmap for commercialisation of the technology in Australia. The expected outcome of this project is the development of the underpinning nanotechnologies, predicted to have wide uses in sensing, health and communications,and which could improve heat management and energy efficiency in future computers. This new approach to computing has potential for near-term commercial impact in the aerospace industry, building on Australian know-how.Read moreRead less
Scalable and reversible computing with integrated nanomechanics. This project aims to build the first scalable computing architecture based on nanomechanical motion, integrated on a silicon chip and proven in harsh environments. This could extend the performance of computers in space and high-radiation environments, e.g. allowing robust satellite stabilisation. The project will leverage our know-how in phononics and nanofabrication to enable previously unprecedented control of nanomechanical mot ....Scalable and reversible computing with integrated nanomechanics. This project aims to build the first scalable computing architecture based on nanomechanical motion, integrated on a silicon chip and proven in harsh environments. This could extend the performance of computers in space and high-radiation environments, e.g. allowing robust satellite stabilisation. The project will leverage our know-how in phononics and nanofabrication to enable previously unprecedented control of nanomechanical motion, and exquisitely low energy dissipation. It aims to construct a nanomechanical processor capable of digital servo control, built from nanomechanical waveguides, transistors, logic gates and analogue-to-digital converters. It will also develop reversible logic gates, a key step towards ultralow-power computing.Read moreRead less
Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation ....Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation of knowledge for the industrial development of the future generation of easy care coatings, with vast application potential.Read moreRead less