The investigation of the effects of catalyst doping, element substitution and defects design in carbon materials for hydrogen storage. The successful introduction of an efficient and clean hydrogen economy is contingent on developing a cost-effective storage technology. Carbon materials have demonstrated significant promise in this area. The project aims to investigate the storage capacity of hydrogen in carbon materials by doping catalysts, substituting elements and introducing designed defect ....The investigation of the effects of catalyst doping, element substitution and defects design in carbon materials for hydrogen storage. The successful introduction of an efficient and clean hydrogen economy is contingent on developing a cost-effective storage technology. Carbon materials have demonstrated significant promise in this area. The project aims to investigate the storage capacity of hydrogen in carbon materials by doping catalysts, substituting elements and introducing designed defects into the structures of carbon materials, with both theoretical and experimental methods. This project also aims to foster a long term linkage with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan thus enhancing Australian Universities's integration with the research institutions overseas in research and developmentRead moreRead less
Structure of Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Dots. Epitaxially grown semiconductor quantum dots have received extensive attention in recent years due to their potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devises. However, the quality of current grown quantum dots is still very far from that required for real device applications due to a lack of detailed knowledge of their nanostructures. This project aims to combine the strength of growing semiconductor quantum dots at Fudan Universit ....Structure of Epitaxial Semiconductor Quantum Dots. Epitaxially grown semiconductor quantum dots have received extensive attention in recent years due to their potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devises. However, the quality of current grown quantum dots is still very far from that required for real device applications due to a lack of detailed knowledge of their nanostructures. This project aims to combine the strength of growing semiconductor quantum dots at Fudan University and the world-class characterisation facilities (advanced transmission electron microscopy) at the University of Queensland to actively explore optimum paths for epaxially growing device-quality semiconductor quantum dots.Read moreRead less
Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creat ....Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creating nano-biocomposites (biopolymer plastics mixed with low levels of nano particles) will improve the properties of biopolymer plastics, giving novel materials that can be substituted for synthetic plastics in a wider range of applications.
These products will reduce our environmental impact, and also create economic benefits from novel, high-value nano-biocomposites.Read moreRead less
Nano-structured sol-gels synthesised under microgravity conditions. This project aims to study the nano-structured silica formation under microgravity conditions using a sol-gel process. In the absence of gravitional forces and associated free convective disturbances, the sol reaction in our preliminary testing with NASA has revealed fundamental reorganisation in nano properties (i.e. fractal dimension, pore size, surface area and pore volume) as compared to tests carried out under normal gravi ....Nano-structured sol-gels synthesised under microgravity conditions. This project aims to study the nano-structured silica formation under microgravity conditions using a sol-gel process. In the absence of gravitional forces and associated free convective disturbances, the sol reaction in our preliminary testing with NASA has revealed fundamental reorganisation in nano properties (i.e. fractal dimension, pore size, surface area and pore volume) as compared to tests carried out under normal gravity conditions. This is a key feature of scientific interest for the production of nanomaterials for applications such as linear and non-linear optical materials and quantum materials.Read moreRead less
Effect of Chemo-Mechanical Grinding on Surface Integrity of Single Crystal Silicon Substrates. Silicon substrates or wafers are extensively used in electronic and optic/photonic industries. A long-time standing problem in silicon wafer machining is the surface and subsurface damage induced by machining. This may significantly affect the mechanical, optical and electronic characteristics of wafer-based components. The issue becomes increasingly more critical as the application of silicon wafers i ....Effect of Chemo-Mechanical Grinding on Surface Integrity of Single Crystal Silicon Substrates. Silicon substrates or wafers are extensively used in electronic and optic/photonic industries. A long-time standing problem in silicon wafer machining is the surface and subsurface damage induced by machining. This may significantly affect the mechanical, optical and electronic characteristics of wafer-based components. The issue becomes increasingly more critical as the application of silicon wafers is extending further as structural components. The research outcomes will contribute an improved understanding of Chemo Mechanical Grinding process and help to develop innovative technologies for silicon industries.Read moreRead less