Engineering the Next Generation of Broadband Terahertz Technologies. This project proposes a new broadband, high-power, laser technology for THz sensing. This semiconductor laser based THz technology is crucial for a wide range of applications requiring the acquisition of THz spectral signatures of materials and high-frame rate hyper-spectral THz imaging. We propose two pathways to engineer this novel THz technology: using a tuneable, coupled-cavity quantum cascade semiconductor laser and by c ....Engineering the Next Generation of Broadband Terahertz Technologies. This project proposes a new broadband, high-power, laser technology for THz sensing. This semiconductor laser based THz technology is crucial for a wide range of applications requiring the acquisition of THz spectral signatures of materials and high-frame rate hyper-spectral THz imaging. We propose two pathways to engineer this novel THz technology: using a tuneable, coupled-cavity quantum cascade semiconductor laser and by creating the broad emission spectra through active mode locking in a THz semiconductor laser. The THz laser coupled with the self-detection technique is the key to realising this, and will be explored both in model and experiment.Read moreRead less
Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes inc ....Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes include the creation of intelligent photonic sensors that can, in principle, measure any environmental parameter using any optical waveguide material. It will create new critically needed measurement capabilities for challenging harsh environments, such as extreme temperature and in-vivo biochemical sensing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101085
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,000.00
Summary
3D metafibre optics for advanced imaging. The aim is to design and interface multi-functional metasurfaces with optical fibres by using 3D laser printing technology. The anticipated goal is to develop innovative metafibres interfaced with achromatic meta-lenses, polarisation-selective metasurfaces, and Fourier-space imaging metasurfaces for all-on-fibre achromatic, full-Stokes polarimetric, and Fourier endoscopic imaging, respectively. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in fibre meta-optics ....3D metafibre optics for advanced imaging. The aim is to design and interface multi-functional metasurfaces with optical fibres by using 3D laser printing technology. The anticipated goal is to develop innovative metafibres interfaced with achromatic meta-lenses, polarisation-selective metasurfaces, and Fourier-space imaging metasurfaces for all-on-fibre achromatic, full-Stokes polarimetric, and Fourier endoscopic imaging, respectively. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in fibre meta-optics and a novel metafibre manufacturing platform in a critical sector of the 21st-century economy. The novel ultracompact, flexible, and versatile metafibre technology is expected to have a profound impact on fibre-optic imaging in photonic, biological, and telecommunications applications.Read moreRead less
Dynamic multi-modal x-ray imaging. This project aims to create sensitive new methods of x-ray imaging that capture multiple image modalities with a single snapshot. Conventional x-ray imaging is widely used in a range of industries, but captures only a fraction of the rich information that is available in the x-ray wavefield. This project expects to extract additional image modalities to reveal x-ray-transparent features, and detect microscopic textures. By combining these capabilities with the ....Dynamic multi-modal x-ray imaging. This project aims to create sensitive new methods of x-ray imaging that capture multiple image modalities with a single snapshot. Conventional x-ray imaging is widely used in a range of industries, but captures only a fraction of the rich information that is available in the x-ray wavefield. This project expects to extract additional image modalities to reveal x-ray-transparent features, and detect microscopic textures. By combining these capabilities with the ability to capture images of a moving sample, this project will enable innovative biomedical and materials research studies, and develop new imaging technologies for use in security, hospitals and manufacturing. New methods of x-ray imaging will have wide-ranging benefits for society, the economy and healthcare.Read moreRead less
Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary ....Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary outcome will be a series of robust fibre-based gain modules suitable for high power and very short optical pulses in the mid-infrared. These light sources will beneficially impact medicine, defence, sensing and manufacturing providing excellent opportunities for increasing Australian productivity and global competitiveness. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101402
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,000.00
Summary
Multi-scale, multi-modal X-ray imaging using speckle. This project aims to develop new X-ray imaging methods that capture multiple next-generation image modalities at an unprecedented range of length and time scales. While conventional X-ray imaging is routinely used in medicine and industry, it can only visualise high-density materials like bone. To reveal low-density objects like biological soft tissue and microstructure like tiny cracks, the project plans to extract two complementary image mo ....Multi-scale, multi-modal X-ray imaging using speckle. This project aims to develop new X-ray imaging methods that capture multiple next-generation image modalities at an unprecedented range of length and time scales. While conventional X-ray imaging is routinely used in medicine and industry, it can only visualise high-density materials like bone. To reveal low-density objects like biological soft tissue and microstructure like tiny cracks, the project plans to extract two complementary image modalities using a robust setup that does not rely on large-scale facilities. Significant benefits from the developed methods are expected for leading-edge research in fields including biomedicine, materials science and palaeontology, and industries such as security, medical diagnostics and manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Opening a New Era of High-Performance Microwave Devices. We propose a conceptually new method of manufacturing high-performance microwave components at the low-cost and short lead time using liquid form conductors and 3D printing technology. Innovation consists in developing surface roughness free waveguide- and coaxial-based RF and microwave devices, in one-single-piece. This technique can be further extended to create high-performance reconfigurable RF and microwave devices such as filters, an ....Opening a New Era of High-Performance Microwave Devices. We propose a conceptually new method of manufacturing high-performance microwave components at the low-cost and short lead time using liquid form conductors and 3D printing technology. Innovation consists in developing surface roughness free waveguide- and coaxial-based RF and microwave devices, in one-single-piece. This technique can be further extended to create high-performance reconfigurable RF and microwave devices such as filters, antennas, directional couplers, phase shifters and switches by manipulating the locations of the liquid conductors. Furthermore, the method will enable the management of heat generated in high-power applications. Australian telecommunication industry and defence will benefit from the outcome of this project.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100593
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,237.00
Summary
Membrane-based real-time ammonia monitoring system for sewage treatment. This project aims to develop a real-time, calibration-free, low-maintenance ammoniacal nitrogen monitoring system to assist in optimised wastewater treatment control. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of sensing technology using a self-developed membrane-based analytical principle, which overcomes the challenge of directly and accurately determining ammonia in a harsh wastewater environment. Expecte ....Membrane-based real-time ammonia monitoring system for sewage treatment. This project aims to develop a real-time, calibration-free, low-maintenance ammoniacal nitrogen monitoring system to assist in optimised wastewater treatment control. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of sensing technology using a self-developed membrane-based analytical principle, which overcomes the challenge of directly and accurately determining ammonia in a harsh wastewater environment. Expected outcomes include new theories in membrane-based sensing techniques and a market-ready field-based ammonia analytical system. This should provide significant benefits, such as a new technology for optimising wastewater treatment and reducing emissions and a valuable analytical tool to safeguard effluent quality.Read moreRead less
Cleaning of tough paints on advanced composites using laser technologies. This project researches fundamental knowledge and algorithms to underpin the deployment of a novel ablation technology using pulsed lasers to remove paints, in particular tough paints, from surfaces of advanced composite structures, e.g. airframes and turbine blades. It establishes thermal mechanical models to describe ablation mechanisms of pulsed laser removal of the paint using both IR and UV bands. Optimal processing p ....Cleaning of tough paints on advanced composites using laser technologies. This project researches fundamental knowledge and algorithms to underpin the deployment of a novel ablation technology using pulsed lasers to remove paints, in particular tough paints, from surfaces of advanced composite structures, e.g. airframes and turbine blades. It establishes thermal mechanical models to describe ablation mechanisms of pulsed laser removal of the paint using both IR and UV bands. Optimal processing protocols to clean paints with different properties, without damaging the underlying composites, will be determined and demonstrated. It meets a cleaning technology need for this paint-on-composites material system to support retrofitting and re-manufacturing in industry. These are crucial industry requirements. Read moreRead less