Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their ....Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their collective behaviour. The project will investigate in detail the geometry, topology, materials science and statistical physics of networks, leading to design and characterization of robust self-assembled materials and complex systems.Read moreRead less
Nanocrystalline Processing of Polycrystalline Ceramics Exhibiting the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. Piezoelectric materials interconvert electric and mechanical energy. They have been incorporated into a wide range of industrial, medical and domestic applications. The newest, known as PZN-PTs, are only available as single crystals. They have ten times the response of conventional piezoelectric materials, however they are expensive, mechanically fragile and have shape limitations. This project will ....Nanocrystalline Processing of Polycrystalline Ceramics Exhibiting the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. Piezoelectric materials interconvert electric and mechanical energy. They have been incorporated into a wide range of industrial, medical and domestic applications. The newest, known as PZN-PTs, are only available as single crystals. They have ten times the response of conventional piezoelectric materials, however they are expensive, mechanically fragile and have shape limitations. This project will tailor nanostructured intermediate states that will allow the production of stronger, more versatile polycrystalline PZN-PT ceramics. It will develop scientific results on nanocrystalline processing applicable to many materials and allow deeper insight into the mechanism of the anomalous piezoelectric response of these materials.Read moreRead less
Structural Origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect in Relaxor Ferroelectrics. This project addresses fundamental questions about the origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. The solution of these questions will be will raise the profile of Australian science in this area as well as allowing new directions to be explored both in modifying existing materials and seeking new ones. It will expand the pool of personnel with experience in the synthesis and diffraction based study of these material ....Structural Origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect in Relaxor Ferroelectrics. This project addresses fundamental questions about the origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. The solution of these questions will be will raise the profile of Australian science in this area as well as allowing new directions to be explored both in modifying existing materials and seeking new ones. It will expand the pool of personnel with experience in the synthesis and diffraction based study of these materials which are slated for inclusion in large numbers of 'Smart' technologies. The training of personnel in advanced diffraction methods is important in the lead up to the new Australian research reactor OPAL in 2006 and the new Australian synchrotron in 2007.Read moreRead less
Combustion Synthesis of Ternary Carbides. Ti3SiC2 belongs to a group of ternary carbides that exhibit an exciting combination of the high temperature properties of ceramics, with the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. A great number of potential applications have been identified, however a cost effective large scale synthesis method has been lacking. Combustion synthesis, which uses the heat of reaction as the primary energy source, has great potential for this purpose. This program ....Combustion Synthesis of Ternary Carbides. Ti3SiC2 belongs to a group of ternary carbides that exhibit an exciting combination of the high temperature properties of ceramics, with the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. A great number of potential applications have been identified, however a cost effective large scale synthesis method has been lacking. Combustion synthesis, which uses the heat of reaction as the primary energy source, has great potential for this purpose. This program will use advanced in-situ neutron diffraction experiments to map and quantify combustion synthesis reactions in the Ti-Si-C system and related systems. The results of these studies will be used to design methods of production for Ti3SiC2 and related materials.Read moreRead less
Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transfo ....Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transformed to design and application guidelines for the materials engineers and scientists to develop innovative and structurally/functionally reliable ferroelectromagnetic composites and their various devices and products.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560959
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,000.00
Summary
The Macquarie National Low Temperature Optoelectronic Thin Film Growth Facility. Funding is requested for an Australian facility for the growth of nitride and oxide thin films with in-situ optical analysis equipment for the monitoring of growth parameters. It is envisaged that this facility would be for the development of materials and device structures for photonic, electronic and optoelectronic applications. The facility will also provide a leading Australian source of these materials for fund ....The Macquarie National Low Temperature Optoelectronic Thin Film Growth Facility. Funding is requested for an Australian facility for the growth of nitride and oxide thin films with in-situ optical analysis equipment for the monitoring of growth parameters. It is envisaged that this facility would be for the development of materials and device structures for photonic, electronic and optoelectronic applications. The facility will also provide a leading Australian source of these materials for fundamental material studies utilising nuclear analysis and implantation technologies, high resolution X-ray diffraction, high spatial resolution micro-cathodoluminescence and other forms of analysis. Ex-situ optical analysis equipment is also requested for post-growth evaluation to compliment and evaluate the in-situ analysis.Read moreRead less
Ion implantation processing in Silicon Carbide for microelectronic applications. The aim of this project is to study the application of ion implantation to silicon carbide for dopant incorporation and defect engineering. The successful dopant incorporation, especially p-type doping will be crucial for SiC high power and high frequency devices. The outcomes of the project are (a) the understanding of extended and point defect formation in silicon carbide from ion implantation. (b) detailed charac ....Ion implantation processing in Silicon Carbide for microelectronic applications. The aim of this project is to study the application of ion implantation to silicon carbide for dopant incorporation and defect engineering. The successful dopant incorporation, especially p-type doping will be crucial for SiC high power and high frequency devices. The outcomes of the project are (a) the understanding of extended and point defect formation in silicon carbide from ion implantation. (b) detailed characterisation of the extended defects formed by ion implantation (c) establishment of dose regimes for point defects and extended defect formation and (d) development of procedures for the incorporation of dopants with minimum residual defect formation.Read moreRead less
First-Principles Engineering of Advanced Multicomponent Materials for Clean, Energy Efficient Thermoelectric and Catalytic Technologies. The quantum mechanical, first-principles calculations for studying advanced multicomponent materials and surfaces of high current technological interest will produce significant results as well as fundamental knowledge of key mechanisms that will aid in the design and tailoring of new catalytic and thermoelectric materials. The project is directly relevant to ....First-Principles Engineering of Advanced Multicomponent Materials for Clean, Energy Efficient Thermoelectric and Catalytic Technologies. The quantum mechanical, first-principles calculations for studying advanced multicomponent materials and surfaces of high current technological interest will produce significant results as well as fundamental knowledge of key mechanisms that will aid in the design and tailoring of new catalytic and thermoelectric materials. The project is directly relevant to the designated priority area - Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. It will involve collaboration with leading international experts, thus enhancing Australia's knowledge base and research capacity. This clearly has immediate benefits through the transfer and propagation of cutting-edge knowledge and skills to students and post-docs.Read moreRead less
Design and fabrication of custom titanium implant scaffolds produced by selective laser melting. The development of implants that can be tailored to match individual patient requirements will result in increased functionality and longevity of the device, decreased pain and suffering and a reduction in hospitalisation time and medical costs. This is especially true where massive bone loss has occurred. Research in this area is vital to underpin Australian technological progress in a field of ris ....Design and fabrication of custom titanium implant scaffolds produced by selective laser melting. The development of implants that can be tailored to match individual patient requirements will result in increased functionality and longevity of the device, decreased pain and suffering and a reduction in hospitalisation time and medical costs. This is especially true where massive bone loss has occurred. Research in this area is vital to underpin Australian technological progress in a field of rising economic and social importance, especially given Australia's aging population. The project will strengthen expertise in materials science and mathematical optimization. Further, the coupling of these fields will allow Australian scientists and technologists to exploit the full potential of solid freeform fabrication in new applications.Read moreRead less
Novel Carbon Coatings for Exceptional Performance. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. This project will develop new types of carbon coat ....Novel Carbon Coatings for Exceptional Performance. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. This project will develop new types of carbon coatings with properties and performance tailored to applications in biomedical engineering, energy conversion, automotive engineering, manufacturing and microelectronics. The result will be a range of new carbon coatings with exceptional properties and cost-effective synthesis methods.Read moreRead less