Atomic-scale structural characterisation of quantum-dot nanostructures for novel photovoltaic applications. This project aims to design, fabricate and characterise innovative quantum-dot solar cells in order to overcome the atomic-scale defects that limit current approaches. The scientific and engineering understanding acquired through this project will enable the rapidly growing global solar-cell industry to produce higher-efficiency III-V solar cells.
Nanophotonic tandem designs for high efficiency solar cells. This project will develop high-efficiency tandem solar cells that combine established silicon cell technology with novel low-cost thin-film solar cells. It will incorporate nanostructured layers between the cells that selectively trap different wavelengths of light, maximising light absorption in the top cell. This will make it possible to use a very thin top cell, reducing the requirements on electronic quality of the material. This p ....Nanophotonic tandem designs for high efficiency solar cells. This project will develop high-efficiency tandem solar cells that combine established silicon cell technology with novel low-cost thin-film solar cells. It will incorporate nanostructured layers between the cells that selectively trap different wavelengths of light, maximising light absorption in the top cell. This will make it possible to use a very thin top cell, reducing the requirements on electronic quality of the material. This project will also develop self-assembly techniques to enable the new nanostructures to be fabricated quickly and cheaply but with a high degree of control. Such cells will allow open the door to higher efficiencies, and lower costs, than is achievable with conventional solar cells.Read moreRead less
Nanophotonics for strong absorption in extremely thin solar cells: moving beyond silicon. This project will lead to the development of extremely thin solar cells made of novel low-cost materials, which would likely reduce the cost of photovoltaic technology. If the cost of photovoltaics was sufficiently low then it could have a major impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in Australia and worldwide.
Plasmon mode lasers; smaller, faster, better. High speed Information Technology (IT) communication is using more and more of our global energy. Energy efficiency of IT hardware can be improved by incorporating small, high performance lasers for short distance optical communication. New metallic and plasmonic nano-lasers lasers are indeed smaller and in theory can have performance advantages over current dielectric cavity lasers. This project looks at developing new electrically pumped plasmonic ....Plasmon mode lasers; smaller, faster, better. High speed Information Technology (IT) communication is using more and more of our global energy. Energy efficiency of IT hardware can be improved by incorporating small, high performance lasers for short distance optical communication. New metallic and plasmonic nano-lasers lasers are indeed smaller and in theory can have performance advantages over current dielectric cavity lasers. This project looks at developing new electrically pumped plasmonic lasers with nano scale semiconductors that satisfy requirements for short distance optical communications. Complex systems of these small, fast lasers will also be investigated, with the aim of providing high speed digital processing capabilities exceeding those of electronics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101535
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,000.00
Summary
Smart radio-frequency filter in a tuneable optical circuit. A massive technology gap of high quality tuneable filters in the microwave (1-100 GHz) frequency range is impeding advances towards fully-reconfigurable wireless systems. This project aims to address this limitation and to deliver the world's first reconfigurable microwave filter with unprecedented tuning range, resolution, and selectivity using integrated microwave photonics technology. The project aims to produce the critical filter t ....Smart radio-frequency filter in a tuneable optical circuit. A massive technology gap of high quality tuneable filters in the microwave (1-100 GHz) frequency range is impeding advances towards fully-reconfigurable wireless systems. This project aims to address this limitation and to deliver the world's first reconfigurable microwave filter with unprecedented tuning range, resolution, and selectivity using integrated microwave photonics technology. The project aims to produce the critical filter technology for advanced radio spectrum management and efficient bandwidth utilisation. The project will endeavour to have a profound impact on virtually all high bandwidth microwave systems in key sectors such as wireless communications, defence, and radio astronomy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100383
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,446.00
Summary
Plasmonic hot-electron technologies for nanoscale energy conversion. This project aims to improve the efficiency of plasmonically enhanced hot-electron photodiodes for solar fuel generation and targeted photo-detection. This project is expected to make advances towards the development of effective devices which will directly impact a range of applications of local and global importance including alternative energy production, and the next generation of imaging and sensing technologies for the bi ....Plasmonic hot-electron technologies for nanoscale energy conversion. This project aims to improve the efficiency of plasmonically enhanced hot-electron photodiodes for solar fuel generation and targeted photo-detection. This project is expected to make advances towards the development of effective devices which will directly impact a range of applications of local and global importance including alternative energy production, and the next generation of imaging and sensing technologies for the biomedical and health industries.Read moreRead less