Diamond glass: An all-carbon technology for neural networks and biosensing. This project aims to use plasma deposition to synthesise diamond glass with the highest purity and the most diamond-like character so that it meets the strict requirements for emerging device applications. The extreme properties of diamond glass arise from the diamond-like bonding of the majority of its atoms. This amorphous, wide bandgap semiconductor is also the hardest known glass. The maximum diamond-like content pos ....Diamond glass: An all-carbon technology for neural networks and biosensing. This project aims to use plasma deposition to synthesise diamond glass with the highest purity and the most diamond-like character so that it meets the strict requirements for emerging device applications. The extreme properties of diamond glass arise from the diamond-like bonding of the majority of its atoms. This amorphous, wide bandgap semiconductor is also the hardest known glass. The maximum diamond-like content possible in diamond glass coatings is unknown, so determining its ultimate performance is difficult. Expected applications include medical diagnostics, non-volatile memories and programmable chips.Read moreRead less
Deformation and Adhesion of Thin Solid Films. Knowledge of the deformation mechanisms and adhesion of thin films on solid substrates is a major necessity for their mechanical property optimisation and commercialisation. The deformation mechanisms will be investigated by; 1) Nano-indentation with small spherical indenters, and 2) Transmission electron microscopy of focused ion beam milled cross-sections of such impressions. Adhesion will be evaluated using three techniques; 1) Tensile extension, ....Deformation and Adhesion of Thin Solid Films. Knowledge of the deformation mechanisms and adhesion of thin films on solid substrates is a major necessity for their mechanical property optimisation and commercialisation. The deformation mechanisms will be investigated by; 1) Nano-indentation with small spherical indenters, and 2) Transmission electron microscopy of focused ion beam milled cross-sections of such impressions. Adhesion will be evaluated using three techniques; 1) Tensile extension, 2) Nano-, and 3) Macro-indentation again with spherical indenters. In addition numerical modelling will compliment the observations of the film cracking and delamination about the impresion.Read moreRead less
Thin combinatorial films for heat management in microelectronics. This project aims to provide a viable solution for heat management in microelectronics by using highly efficient Peltier devices made with thin combinatorial films. Heat generated by electric current, which is ubiquitous in microelectronic devices, has become increasingly problematic for high density charge-based logical circuitries. The project will significantly enhance the energy conversion efficiency of Peltier devices by opti ....Thin combinatorial films for heat management in microelectronics. This project aims to provide a viable solution for heat management in microelectronics by using highly efficient Peltier devices made with thin combinatorial films. Heat generated by electric current, which is ubiquitous in microelectronic devices, has become increasingly problematic for high density charge-based logical circuitries. The project will significantly enhance the energy conversion efficiency of Peltier devices by optimising the interdependent electron and phonon transports, simultaneously, with a new concept of thin combinatorial films for heat management in microelectronic devices. This is expected to facilitate the development of novel materials in Australia, with access to a large global market.Read moreRead less
THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MELTS AS NANO-MATERIALS. We shall theoretically study and predict the possible morphologies of a wide range of block copolymer architectures with a combination of simulations and accurate numerical theories. These block copolymer melts are of great technological importance because they can self-assemble into morphological patterns which are periodic on a nano-scale. Hence they are now being intensively investigated for uses in applications ....THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MELTS AS NANO-MATERIALS. We shall theoretically study and predict the possible morphologies of a wide range of block copolymer architectures with a combination of simulations and accurate numerical theories. These block copolymer melts are of great technological importance because they can self-assemble into morphological patterns which are periodic on a nano-scale. Hence they are now being intensively investigated for uses in applications as diverse as lithographic templates for electronic and optical devices, nano-porous membranes and photonic band gap materials. We shall verify our theoretical predictions by carrying out experiments on the various molecular architectures that we have studied theoretically.Read moreRead less
Development of room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics devices application. Semiconductor spintronics is very likely to have a significant impact on future generations of devices. Until recently, Australian research groups have played a minor role in the field. The proposed program will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within semiconductor spintronics or have substantial impact on the progress in this field. The accomplishments of this project can great ....Development of room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics devices application. Semiconductor spintronics is very likely to have a significant impact on future generations of devices. Until recently, Australian research groups have played a minor role in the field. The proposed program will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within semiconductor spintronics or have substantial impact on the progress in this field. The accomplishments of this project can greatly increase the scientific understanding of diluted magnetic semiconductors and expand Australia's knowledge base in research in these materials. This program can also be an education platform to provide a number of scientific talents for Australia by intensively training high quality postgraduates at the international level.Read moreRead less
Beyond the Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors. The von Neumann paradigm is the foundation of modern computing systems, which are based on the data exchange between central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The physical separation between the CPU and memory will cause von Neumann bottleneck – a memory wall to limit the data processing speed for contextually intelligent applications. This project aims to develop a novel ferroelectric field effect transistor that integrates a ferroelectric mat ....Beyond the Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors. The von Neumann paradigm is the foundation of modern computing systems, which are based on the data exchange between central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The physical separation between the CPU and memory will cause von Neumann bottleneck – a memory wall to limit the data processing speed for contextually intelligent applications. This project aims to develop a novel ferroelectric field effect transistor that integrates a ferroelectric material into a semiconductor transistor structure to merge logic and memory functionalities in a single-device level. This will solve the memory wall problem while provide low power, high speed, high density and long data retention time for future logic-in-memory and data centric computing paradigms.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
Development of Novel Spin Caloritronic Materials and Devices for Heat Management in Nanoelectronic Systems. Spin caloritronics is a new field that combines concepts from spintronics and thermoelectricity. This project is inspired by spin Seebeck effect observed in magnetic insulators and motivated by the basic requirements of nanoscale heat management devices. Such devices are the key components promising to surmount fundamental limits of microelectronic technologies with heat dissipation and p ....Development of Novel Spin Caloritronic Materials and Devices for Heat Management in Nanoelectronic Systems. Spin caloritronics is a new field that combines concepts from spintronics and thermoelectricity. This project is inspired by spin Seebeck effect observed in magnetic insulators and motivated by the basic requirements of nanoscale heat management devices. Such devices are the key components promising to surmount fundamental limits of microelectronic technologies with heat dissipation and power consumption as the size of charge-based logic devices shrinks into nanometre scale. This program is aimed at experimental and theoretical development of novel spin caloritronic materials with spin Seebeck effect at ambient temperature, which is orders of magnitude higher than state-of-the-art materials, for heat management in nanoelectronic systems.Read moreRead less
Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. This project aims to significantly improve the energy density, safety and robust storage performance of lithium batteries with reduced cost, by developing a next-generation battery with lithium-rich layered oxide cathodes and titanium oxide-based and silicon-based anodes. Intelligent features will make the whole energy network a next-generation batte ....Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. This project aims to significantly improve the energy density, safety and robust storage performance of lithium batteries with reduced cost, by developing a next-generation battery with lithium-rich layered oxide cathodes and titanium oxide-based and silicon-based anodes. Intelligent features will make the whole energy network a next-generation battery storage system, with mechanisms to protect the battery from hazardous and inefficient operating conditions. This lithium ion battery storage system is expected to create opportunities for businesses that harvest renewable energy and make existing industries more environmentally benign.Read moreRead less
High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significa ....High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significant advances in energy efficient data storage devices, and commercialisation of the technology to Australian industries.Read moreRead less