Theoretical and Numerical Analyses on Smart-Cut Technology. Smart-cut is an innovative and effective technique for fabricating high quality silicon-on-insulator structures which are widely used in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. The quantification of the effects of processing parameters and the optimization of smart-cut process will be conducted in this project. The results are expected to make significant contributions to reducing cost, increasing efficiency and optimizing pr ....Theoretical and Numerical Analyses on Smart-Cut Technology. Smart-cut is an innovative and effective technique for fabricating high quality silicon-on-insulator structures which are widely used in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. The quantification of the effects of processing parameters and the optimization of smart-cut process will be conducted in this project. The results are expected to make significant contributions to reducing cost, increasing efficiency and optimizing procedure by providing a theoretical and quantitative design methodology to improve the smart-cut technique. Consequently, the outcomes and results of the project will bring many benefits to and encourage further R&D in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhan ....Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Australia in the areas of new materials and nanotechnology and will help place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology. This project will produce high quality PhD students in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
A novel maskless process for patterning and doping of silicon. The outcomes of this research will have consequences for the semiconductor industry by providing the potential for a completely new process tool for patterning and doping in device and circuit fabrication. The technology is also applicable as a simple and inexpensive way to 'write' conducting and insulating regions in silicon and may thus be applicable for smart cards and small industry. Successful implementation of the research will ....A novel maskless process for patterning and doping of silicon. The outcomes of this research will have consequences for the semiconductor industry by providing the potential for a completely new process tool for patterning and doping in device and circuit fabrication. The technology is also applicable as a simple and inexpensive way to 'write' conducting and insulating regions in silicon and may thus be applicable for smart cards and small industry. Successful implementation of the research will raise Australia's international profile in this area. This work will be particularly beneficial to a new high-tech Australian company, WRiota, which specializes in device technology based in nanoindentation of silicon.Read moreRead less
Phase transitions in ultra-thin epitaxial polar oxide films. In this project we will utilize sophisticated thin film fabrication and characterization techniques( such as in-situ x-ray diffraction) and the most advanced computational materials science tools. Therefore this project will provide postgraduates and young researchers to cutting edge research, boosting the enormous potential of Australia in basic materials science. It brings together early career researchers with complimentary expert ....Phase transitions in ultra-thin epitaxial polar oxide films. In this project we will utilize sophisticated thin film fabrication and characterization techniques( such as in-situ x-ray diffraction) and the most advanced computational materials science tools. Therefore this project will provide postgraduates and young researchers to cutting edge research, boosting the enormous potential of Australia in basic materials science. It brings together early career researchers with complimentary expertise areas to interact with each other. It emphasizes cross-disciplinary research and exchange of research ideas across three continents; thus providing the ideal training ground for young researchers who are expected to make a major contribution to both, fundamental and applied research in the future.Read moreRead less
Graphene based nanostructures for high performance devices. Graphene sheets are the building blocks of graphite and a huge variety of carbon based nanostructures. Stacked graphene sheets have the unique property of the highest known thermal conductivity. By manipulating graphene sheets into three-dimensional channels and interconnects, vastly increased heat fluxes can be extracted from sensitive nanoscale devices such as microprocessors and micro electro mechanical systems. The potential of stac ....Graphene based nanostructures for high performance devices. Graphene sheets are the building blocks of graphite and a huge variety of carbon based nanostructures. Stacked graphene sheets have the unique property of the highest known thermal conductivity. By manipulating graphene sheets into three-dimensional channels and interconnects, vastly increased heat fluxes can be extracted from sensitive nanoscale devices such as microprocessors and micro electro mechanical systems. The potential of stacks of graphene as electrical contacts and interconnects will also be explored. By combining thermal and electrical functions, graphene will allow more efficient use of the valuable space on future devices. The outcome will be more efficient nanoscale devices to meet ever increasing performance demands.Read moreRead less
Ferroelectric - ferromagnetic tunnel junctions. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials have attracted significant attention and exhibited potential in many applications such as storage memories, solid-state light sources and a range of smart chemical and biological sensors. This proposal seeks to investigate the behaviour of these materials in ultra-thin film form, where imposed geometrical constraints produce novel combinations of ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The fundamental unders ....Ferroelectric - ferromagnetic tunnel junctions. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials have attracted significant attention and exhibited potential in many applications such as storage memories, solid-state light sources and a range of smart chemical and biological sensors. This proposal seeks to investigate the behaviour of these materials in ultra-thin film form, where imposed geometrical constraints produce novel combinations of ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The fundamental understanding of the behaviour of these materials will help us develop new material systems with exciting possibilities in the design of advanced devices and sensors.Read moreRead less
Amorphisation of Semiconductor and Elemental Metallic Nanocrystals by Ion Irradiation. This proposal is consistent with Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science, Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. We seek to understand and develop a unique methodology for modifying and tailoring the structure of semiconductor and metallic nanocrystals in ways not achievable within the bulk phase. Our res ....Amorphisation of Semiconductor and Elemental Metallic Nanocrystals by Ion Irradiation. This proposal is consistent with Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science, Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. We seek to understand and develop a unique methodology for modifying and tailoring the structure of semiconductor and metallic nanocrystals in ways not achievable within the bulk phase. Our results and accompanying scientific insight will broaden the applicability of these materials in advanced technologies, enhance the national research profile, increase the domestic knowledge base and yield skilled, young scientists trained to utilize the Australian Synchrotron when commissioned in 2007.Read moreRead less
Elastically controlled magnetoelectric transduction in thin film multilayers. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials have attracted significant attention and exhibited potential in many applications such as storage memories, solid-state light sources and a range of smart chemical and biological sensors. This proposal seeks to investigate the behaviour of these materials in layered form, where an imposed mechanical traction induces novel combinations of ferroelectric and magnetic properties. T ....Elastically controlled magnetoelectric transduction in thin film multilayers. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials have attracted significant attention and exhibited potential in many applications such as storage memories, solid-state light sources and a range of smart chemical and biological sensors. This proposal seeks to investigate the behaviour of these materials in layered form, where an imposed mechanical traction induces novel combinations of ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The fundamental understanding of the behaviour of these materials will help us develop new material systems with exciting possibilities in the design of advanced devices and sensors.Read moreRead less
Nanocavities in Si - Structural Evolution and Metal Gettering. Nanocavities represent a novel means of minimising metallic contamination in the active region of Si microelectronic devices. We propose innovative experiments, using in-situ transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray methods, to achieve a fundamental understanding of the processes that govern nanocavity structural evolution and metallic impurity trapping. We seek to develop a patentable technology to enhance impu ....Nanocavities in Si - Structural Evolution and Metal Gettering. Nanocavities represent a novel means of minimising metallic contamination in the active region of Si microelectronic devices. We propose innovative experiments, using in-situ transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray methods, to achieve a fundamental understanding of the processes that govern nanocavity structural evolution and metallic impurity trapping. We seek to develop a patentable technology to enhance impurity trapping efficiency and thus dramatically increase the applicability of this industrially-relevant process.Read moreRead less
New multiplexed optical read-out technologies for micromachined cantilever sensor arrays. Passive sensing of chemical and biological agents is an essential capability in fields as diverse as national security, agriculture, mining and medicine. In many cases, generic sensing (e.g. are there pesticides present) as well as specific sensing (which pesticide) are both important. While sensors based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) have shown extremely high performance at low cost, they have ....New multiplexed optical read-out technologies for micromachined cantilever sensor arrays. Passive sensing of chemical and biological agents is an essential capability in fields as diverse as national security, agriculture, mining and medicine. In many cases, generic sensing (e.g. are there pesticides present) as well as specific sensing (which pesticide) are both important. While sensors based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) have shown extremely high performance at low cost, they have been limited to detection of a specific substance. Success in this project will make low cost generic MEMS-based sensors a reality, allowing, for the first time, wide-spread use of sensitive sensing systems in applications such as farming, container transport security, general medical practice and national security.Read moreRead less