Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanopart ....Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles with well-defined light absorption properties will be fabricated. Superior selectivity will be achieved by matching the wavelength of the absorbed light with the required activation energy for oxidation/reduction. Successful outcomes will enable multi-analyte fingerprint identification by on-chip devices with applications ranging from portable medical diagnostics to national security.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,156.00
Summary
Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-partic ....Rational Design of Plasmonic Nanoassemblies for Rapid and Multiplexed Point-of-Care Diagnosis by Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The central aim of this project is to develop a novel technology/sensor platform for rapid, quantitative, multiplexed and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the read-out approach. Three-dimensional plasmonic superstructures as novel SERS labels will be synthesised and characterised at single-particle level and the choice of optimal SERS-active three-dimensional superstructures for use will be guided by empirical structure-activity correlations in combination with computer simulations. Tumour biomarkers for breast cancer will be employed as the model target for establishing the detection platform in a portable configuration for point-of-care diagnostics.Read moreRead less
High Performance Monolithic Perovskite Photocapacitors. Monolithic perovskite photocapacitor (MPPC) consisted of integrated energy harvesting perovskite solar cell and energy storage supercapacitor through an internally shared electrode can deliver stable electricity by harnessing solar energy. The performance of MPPC is dependent of properties of the shared electrode materials. This project aims to synthesis carbon materials with tailored surface, electrical and structure properties that are re ....High Performance Monolithic Perovskite Photocapacitors. Monolithic perovskite photocapacitor (MPPC) consisted of integrated energy harvesting perovskite solar cell and energy storage supercapacitor through an internally shared electrode can deliver stable electricity by harnessing solar energy. The performance of MPPC is dependent of properties of the shared electrode materials. This project aims to synthesis carbon materials with tailored surface, electrical and structure properties that are required to make a highly functioning shared electrode in MPPC. The goal is to fabricate stable, high performance MPPC. Successful achievement of the outcomes will enable cost-effective, reliable, solar electricity, placing Australia at the forefront of exploiting photovoltaics technologies.Read moreRead less
Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on ....Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on the materials’ photophysical properties, and new analytical methods and sensing protocols. This research will be of interest to security agencies in Australia and internationally, and will better protect our military.Read moreRead less
A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technol ....A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technologies are required to monitor mercury emissions. The aim of this project is to develop robust sensors, for online monitoring of mercury vapours, that operate under challenging industrial environments. This project will also provide excellent training for young researchers in established international industrial research groups, thereby meeting skill shortages in the Australian resource sector.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101156
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,476.00
Summary
Preconcentrators for vapour detection of explosive material. This Project’s aim is to develop a preconcentrator technology for the in-field detection of explosive vapours that have low concentrations in air. Low explosive vapour concentration limits the efficacy of portable detectors. Current preconcentrator technologies sorb vapours but require heat to release the concentrated material limiting their use to non-portable detectors. This project is expected to deliver materials and a device modul ....Preconcentrators for vapour detection of explosive material. This Project’s aim is to develop a preconcentrator technology for the in-field detection of explosive vapours that have low concentrations in air. Low explosive vapour concentration limits the efficacy of portable detectors. Current preconcentrator technologies sorb vapours but require heat to release the concentrated material limiting their use to non-portable detectors. This project is expected to deliver materials and a device module for a preconcentrator technology that will sorb explosive analytes, have low power requirements and be compatible with hand held explosives detectors. Security and law enforcement agencies should directly benefit from these findings, which would advance their safety and that of the community as a whole.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
An integrated system for measuring thermoelectric properties of advanced materials. This facility will establish an integrated measuring system which will form the key step in developing thermoelectric materials. The instruments will support groundbreaking research in developing advanced materials with significant economic and environmental benefits for many industries, such as materials manufacturing and improving automobile energy efficiency.
Inorganic/organic Hybrids for flexible thermoelectric generators. Flexible thermoelectric generators can directly harvest electricity from body heat, offering a new technology for wearable electronics, but their unsatisfied performance limits their applications. This project aims to design high-efficient and mechanically robust flexible thermoelectric devices based on novel hybrids with quantum dots and conducting polymers as key components. The key breakthrough is to establish unique devices wi ....Inorganic/organic Hybrids for flexible thermoelectric generators. Flexible thermoelectric generators can directly harvest electricity from body heat, offering a new technology for wearable electronics, but their unsatisfied performance limits their applications. This project aims to design high-efficient and mechanically robust flexible thermoelectric devices based on novel hybrids with quantum dots and conducting polymers as key components. The key breakthrough is to establish unique devices with record-high thermoelectric efficiency and to illustrate the underlying mechanisms for searching new-type flexible thermoelectrics. The expected outcomes will lead to innovative technology for energy conversion and advanced manufacturing and place Australia at the forefront of energy and manufacturing fields.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100448
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,116.00
Summary
Developing high-performance GeTe-based thermoelectric materials. This project aims to develop high-performance germanium telluride-based thermoelectric materials by microstructure engineering and band engineering, which will accelerate the drive for eco-friendly energy technology. The outcomes can result in innovative strategies for maximising thermoelectric performance in broader materials and lead to significant progress in knowledge of materials science, solid-state physics, and chemical scie ....Developing high-performance GeTe-based thermoelectric materials. This project aims to develop high-performance germanium telluride-based thermoelectric materials by microstructure engineering and band engineering, which will accelerate the drive for eco-friendly energy technology. The outcomes can result in innovative strategies for maximising thermoelectric performance in broader materials and lead to significant progress in knowledge of materials science, solid-state physics, and chemical science. Thermoelectric devices assembled from as-obtained high-efficiency materials can be used for recovering waste-heat in mining industries and harvesting the waste-heat from engines to improve fuel consumption efficiency, which will strategically boost Australia's energy industry, environment, and economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101190
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Interfacial nano-engineering of electrodes for perovskite solar cells. This project aims to explore new strategies of functional electrode design and interfacial engineering for efficient and stable perovskite solar cell application. The key concept is to modify the electron transport and perovskite layers through structural design, interfacial engineering and contact passivation, for use in high-performance solar-to-electricity conversion systems with improved light harvesting and charge collec ....Interfacial nano-engineering of electrodes for perovskite solar cells. This project aims to explore new strategies of functional electrode design and interfacial engineering for efficient and stable perovskite solar cell application. The key concept is to modify the electron transport and perovskite layers through structural design, interfacial engineering and contact passivation, for use in high-performance solar-to-electricity conversion systems with improved light harvesting and charge collection. Expected project outcomes will place Australia at the forefront of practical low-cost and large-scale solar energy conversion technologies.Read moreRead less