Studies on Nanocomposite Coatings: Processing, Characterisation and Properties. Superhard nanocomposite coatings are relatively new materials that have found many applications in the manufacturing industries. The main objectives of this project are: (a)development and optimisation of fabrication techniques for a range of novel superhard nano-composites; (b) fundamental understanding of the relationships between residual stress, microstructure and composition; and (c) evaluations of fracture-mech ....Studies on Nanocomposite Coatings: Processing, Characterisation and Properties. Superhard nanocomposite coatings are relatively new materials that have found many applications in the manufacturing industries. The main objectives of this project are: (a)development and optimisation of fabrication techniques for a range of novel superhard nano-composites; (b) fundamental understanding of the relationships between residual stress, microstructure and composition; and (c) evaluations of fracture-mechanical properties including wear-resistance. Major research outcomes are improved basic knowledge of these novel nanocomposite coatings leading to optimal processing of superhard nano-materials.Read moreRead less
An investigation of growth processes, structure and properties of biogenically synthesised gold nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can have unique and interesting properties such as optical activity and redox (electronic) behaviour that can be utilised in a number of applications such as drug delivery and cancer hyperthermia treatments, coatings, electronic devices and sensors. The main aims of this research program are to produce novel nanoparticles using an innovative method which uses biological sp ....An investigation of growth processes, structure and properties of biogenically synthesised gold nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can have unique and interesting properties such as optical activity and redox (electronic) behaviour that can be utilised in a number of applications such as drug delivery and cancer hyperthermia treatments, coatings, electronic devices and sensors. The main aims of this research program are to produce novel nanoparticles using an innovative method which uses biological species such as fungi and plant extracts, and to study the growth mechanisms, structure and properties of these nanoparticles. These studies could lead to the discovery of novel nanoparticles with applications in the fields mentioned above. This project also aims to train/educate young Australian graduates in the growing area of advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Electron Momentum Spectroscopy of Correlated Nanoscale Structures. Electron correlations play a vital role in determining the electronic properties of condensed matter and nanoscale structures. The most fundamental electronic property of a material is its spectral momentum density and this depends critically on electron correlations. It can be measured uniquely by electron momentum spectroscopy, even for amorphous and disordered materials. We will use our new world-leading electron momentum s ....Electron Momentum Spectroscopy of Correlated Nanoscale Structures. Electron correlations play a vital role in determining the electronic properties of condensed matter and nanoscale structures. The most fundamental electronic property of a material is its spectral momentum density and this depends critically on electron correlations. It can be measured uniquely by electron momentum spectroscopy, even for amorphous and disordered materials. We will use our new world-leading electron momentum spectrometer to measure the electronic structure of nanometer thick samples of correlated systems, such as alloys, superconductors, and reduced dimensional structures. These measurements will be used to test theories developed to describe the behaviour of these nanoscale structures.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453842
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,309.00
Summary
National Facility for Electron Spin Correlations and Spintronics. Conventional electronics is based on coupling the charge of the electrons with external electric fields and light. Recent work on spintronics is directed toward the use of both the spin (angular momentum) and the charge degrees of freedom of the electron. We currently lead the world in the development of spin-resolved coincidence measurements, which make it possible to determine previously inaccessible nanoscale magnetic propertie ....National Facility for Electron Spin Correlations and Spintronics. Conventional electronics is based on coupling the charge of the electrons with external electric fields and light. Recent work on spintronics is directed toward the use of both the spin (angular momentum) and the charge degrees of freedom of the electron. We currently lead the world in the development of spin-resolved coincidence measurements, which make it possible to determine previously inaccessible nanoscale magnetic properties, central to 'spintronic structure engineering'. State-of-the-art instrumentation is requested to characterise the magnetic and crystallographic structure, the adsorbates, and the lateral distribution and depth profile of fabricated zero, one and two-dimensional structures.Read moreRead less
Many-Electron Dynamics and Electronic Structure of Materials Studied by Electron Momentum Spectroscopy. Electron momentum spectroscopy is a technique that resembles playing pool with electrons. This technique, largely developed in Australia, determines the binding energy and velocity distribution of electrons in matter. This distribution, closely related to the quantum mechanical wave function of the electrons, can be compared directly with calculations of the electronic structure. Such a compa ....Many-Electron Dynamics and Electronic Structure of Materials Studied by Electron Momentum Spectroscopy. Electron momentum spectroscopy is a technique that resembles playing pool with electrons. This technique, largely developed in Australia, determines the binding energy and velocity distribution of electrons in matter. This distribution, closely related to the quantum mechanical wave function of the electrons, can be compared directly with calculations of the electronic structure. Such a comparison helps establish which theory approaches nature most closely, and thus improves our understanding of the electronic structure. This understanding helps to predict the properties of materials, and hence this knowledge will facilitate the design of materials with desirable properties.Read moreRead less
The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understa ....The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understanding of the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic driving forces, which govern nano-particle nucleation, growth and stability. This project will investigate the role of surface thermodynamics and growth kinetics in the nucleation, growth and stability of metallic nano-crystals in order to understand how to control their synthesis.Read moreRead less
High-resolution In-situ Characterisation of the Vapour-deposition Growth, the Structures and the Plasmonic Properties of Metallic Nanostructures. This project will examine the atomic-scale nucleation and growth of metallic nanostructures in the transmission electron microscope, and will use electron spectroscopy to reveal the relationship between nanoscale morphology and key optical properties. The resulting insights into the kinetics and thermodynamics of nanostructural nucleation and growth wi ....High-resolution In-situ Characterisation of the Vapour-deposition Growth, the Structures and the Plasmonic Properties of Metallic Nanostructures. This project will examine the atomic-scale nucleation and growth of metallic nanostructures in the transmission electron microscope, and will use electron spectroscopy to reveal the relationship between nanoscale morphology and key optical properties. The resulting insights into the kinetics and thermodynamics of nanostructural nucleation and growth will be vital for the design and synthesis of nanomaterials through vapour deposition processes. The project also will provide a deep understanding of the origin of the surface plasmon resonances of metallic nanostructures, which will provide the basis for development of advanced materials for applications in solid-state lighting, electronics, sensors and other technologies.Read moreRead less