Unravelling the structural origin of cyclic fatigue in ferroelectrics. Ferroelectric materials have extensive applications in electromechanical devices and memories and in service are often subjected to repeat mechanical and/or electrical loading, leading to cyclic fatigue and failure. This project aims to apply in-situ electron microscopy techniques and computational modelling to explore cyclic ferroelectric fatigue behaviour and to understand the relationships between local atomic scale struct ....Unravelling the structural origin of cyclic fatigue in ferroelectrics. Ferroelectric materials have extensive applications in electromechanical devices and memories and in service are often subjected to repeat mechanical and/or electrical loading, leading to cyclic fatigue and failure. This project aims to apply in-situ electron microscopy techniques and computational modelling to explore cyclic ferroelectric fatigue behaviour and to understand the relationships between local atomic scale structure and fatigue. The structural origin of ferroelectric fatigue has not been clear because of the limitations of previous measurement capabilities. This project will provide guidance in materials design to increase ferroelectric fatigue lifetime for more reliable ferroelectric-based electronic devices.Read moreRead less
Biogenesis and functions of bacterial membrane vesicles. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the production of bacterial membrane vesicles and how this determines their bacterial cargo and subsequent biological functions. Bacterial membrane vesicles are naturally produced nanoparticles released by all bacteria as part of their normal growth. These vesicles contain a range of bacterial cargo and function to promote bacterial survival and growth. This project will advance ....Biogenesis and functions of bacterial membrane vesicles. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the production of bacterial membrane vesicles and how this determines their bacterial cargo and subsequent biological functions. Bacterial membrane vesicles are naturally produced nanoparticles released by all bacteria as part of their normal growth. These vesicles contain a range of bacterial cargo and function to promote bacterial survival and growth. This project will advance our knowledge regarding the regulation of bacterial membrane vesicle biogenesis, their composition and biological functions. Collectively, these findings will facilitate the development and refinement of membrane vesicle-based biotechnologies with broad applications.Read moreRead less
Understanding grain boundary segregation - a route to developing new advanced engineering materials. This project will investigate atomic-scale grain boundary segregation - one of the most important factors influencing the properties of engineering alloys. This will be applied in the development of new Ti, Zr and nanocrystalline alloys with a large potential market and for which Australia is extremely well positioned to become a major producer.
Quantifying the role of impurities in nanocrystalline metals. This project aims to create new designer nanocrystalline materials with applications in aerospace, transportation and medical devices through the controlled addition of impurity elements. This project will investigate and predict the fundamental role of these impurities to be able to tailor the mechanical properties to particular applications.
A Novel Multilevel Modelling Framework to Design Diamond Nanothread Bundles. This project aims to develop a novel, computationally-based framework to optimally and efficiently design new fibre materials based on the diamond nanothreads synthesized by the PI in 2014. The CIs (and others) have demonstrated the tremendous promise these materials hold to replace common carbon fibres. The proposed framework will combine advanced computer modelling, statistical learning, genetic algorithm-based optima ....A Novel Multilevel Modelling Framework to Design Diamond Nanothread Bundles. This project aims to develop a novel, computationally-based framework to optimally and efficiently design new fibre materials based on the diamond nanothreads synthesized by the PI in 2014. The CIs (and others) have demonstrated the tremendous promise these materials hold to replace common carbon fibres. The proposed framework will combine advanced computer modelling, statistical learning, genetic algorithm-based optimal design and experimental validations. It will accelerate the design of these new carbon-based fibres as game-changing materials in a wide range of areas. Ultimately this project has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits and will place Australia at the forefront of the industrial revolution of the future.Read moreRead less
Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nan ....Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nanowires through molecular dynamics simulations, empirical interatomic potential, and in situ TEM experiments. Expected outcomes include knowledge of the deformation mechanism of this layered titanate which can be broadened to technologically important layered ceramic materials.Read moreRead less
Interactions between linear and interfacial crystalline defects and their impact on mechanical properties in nanostructured metals and alloys. The project aims to apply in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy to investigate the interactions among crystalline defects in nanostructured metallic materials and to explore the effect of the interactions on mechanical properties. The results will guide the structural design of nanomaterials with superior mechanical properties.
Nanometrology of laser-trapped airborne particles. This project aims to develop a new concept of touch-free measuring of physical characteristics of nanoparticles using specially designed optical vortex beams. The new concept will be of direct importance in developing new nanotechnologies demanding ever-increasing purity of every element in the industrial environment and production processes.
High Quality Gallium Oxide for Power Electronics. This project aims to combine advanced nanocharacterisation techniques with complementary expertise in semiconductor growth to produce high-quality gallium oxide that will enable fabrication of high efficiency, cost-effective power electronics. These state-of-the-art devices are urgently required to significantly reduce power conversion losses to maximise the performance and benefits of electricity generation systems using renewable energy sources ....High Quality Gallium Oxide for Power Electronics. This project aims to combine advanced nanocharacterisation techniques with complementary expertise in semiconductor growth to produce high-quality gallium oxide that will enable fabrication of high efficiency, cost-effective power electronics. These state-of-the-art devices are urgently required to significantly reduce power conversion losses to maximise the performance and benefits of electricity generation systems using renewable energy sources. The availability of superior oxide materials with bespoke electrical properties will enable the construction of fast high-voltage electronic switches, converters and other components with enhanced performance and unique capabilities.Read moreRead less
Tunable antifouling behaviour on rough surfaces. The impact of subtle variations in nano and micro scale surface roughness on larger scale wetting and antifouling behaviour of surfaces is investigated. This will lead to next generation non-toxic coatings for both medical and marine applications. The environmental implications will be a significant feature of the ongoing assessment of this study.