Commercial Solar Cells with Improved Metallisation and Interconnection. The project aims to further develop a photovoltaic device concept with reduced metallisation and improved interconnection techniques. The expected outcome of the project is to remove over 90 per cent of cell metallisation compared to industry standards, and achieve a cell efficiency up to 23 per cent, which together can reduce the cost of ownership by 20 per cent. In addition, the concept eliminates the use of toxic lead and ....Commercial Solar Cells with Improved Metallisation and Interconnection. The project aims to further develop a photovoltaic device concept with reduced metallisation and improved interconnection techniques. The expected outcome of the project is to remove over 90 per cent of cell metallisation compared to industry standards, and achieve a cell efficiency up to 23 per cent, which together can reduce the cost of ownership by 20 per cent. In addition, the concept eliminates the use of toxic lead and cadmium and expensive silver. This project aims to transform an Australian patented technology into mass-production, providing overseas licence income to Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101333
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,050.00
Summary
Microstructure design of second generation MgB2 superconducting wires for enhancement of critical current density. Magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting wires have outstanding potential for a diverse range of commercial applications. However, the critical current density in MgB2 wires is still comparatively low, which represents the biggest obstacle in terms of their practical applications. This project will further enhance the critical current density in second generation MgB2 wires prepare ....Microstructure design of second generation MgB2 superconducting wires for enhancement of critical current density. Magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting wires have outstanding potential for a diverse range of commercial applications. However, the critical current density in MgB2 wires is still comparatively low, which represents the biggest obstacle in terms of their practical applications. This project will further enhance the critical current density in second generation MgB2 wires prepared by an optimised internal magnesium diffusion process through addressing fundamental issues and designing appropriate microstructure. The research outcomes will be extremely beneficial to fundamental research and to the potential application of MgB2 superconductors. High-performing, low-cost second generation MgB2 wires are also expected to be developed in this project.Read moreRead less
Nanostructure engineered iron-based superconductors. This project is focused on establishing Australia as a world authority in the field of novel Fe-based superconductors by utilising unique sample fabrication methods and a network of world renowned experts. It will provide excellent postgraduate student training to foster development of new outstanding specialists in this challenging research field.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100159
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
National facility for biased target deposition of alloyed nanolayers. This facility will enhance Australia's strengths and capabilities in fabricating structures, with applications in multiple research fields including opto-magneto-electronics, next generation lithium ion batteries and energy nanogenerators. It will enhance Australia's research profile as a leader in nanotechnology.
Development of a solid nitrogen cooled magnesium diboride (MgB2) magnet for persistent-mode operation. Soaring price for liquid helium has increased demand for cryogen-free superconducting magnets more than ever. If magnetic resonance imaging magnets, which represent over 50 per cent of the world superconducting markets, could be operated without liquid helium, magnetic resonance imaging would be much more affordable and enable reduced health care costs.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100115
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
High-temperature probes for investigating phase transitions and reaction kinetics in thin films, nanostructured materials and biomaterials. This infrastructure for high temperature surface analysis and in-situ diagnostics as a function of temperature and gas environments will enhance Australia's capabilities in creating new materials for devices that will meet needs in medical, communications, environmental and security applications. The facility will enable researchers to understand and exploi ....High-temperature probes for investigating phase transitions and reaction kinetics in thin films, nanostructured materials and biomaterials. This infrastructure for high temperature surface analysis and in-situ diagnostics as a function of temperature and gas environments will enhance Australia's capabilities in creating new materials for devices that will meet needs in medical, communications, environmental and security applications. The facility will enable researchers to understand and exploit interfacial phenomena and to tailor processing-microstructure-composition correlations, so as to design new materials with the best performance possible. Probes with unique capabilities will measure surface morphology, optical properties, elemental composition and crystallographic phase.The facility will be the first in Australia to offer a comprehensive study of structure and properties at high temperature.Read moreRead less
Development of new lead-free solders for use on aluminium conductors in photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles. This project will tackle a longstanding environmental issue within electrical and electronic industries through developing lead-free solder alloys for use on relatively low cost aluminium substrates. As aluminium is a very light metal, this research will have significant impact on the development of photovoltaic devices and electric vehicles. The developed technology will also prom ....Development of new lead-free solders for use on aluminium conductors in photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles. This project will tackle a longstanding environmental issue within electrical and electronic industries through developing lead-free solder alloys for use on relatively low cost aluminium substrates. As aluminium is a very light metal, this research will have significant impact on the development of photovoltaic devices and electric vehicles. The developed technology will also promote the use of aluminium alloys and bring direct benefit to Australian mining and light metal industries.Read moreRead less
Development of Ultrahigh Strength Magnesium Extrusion Alloys for Manufacturing Lightweight Aircraft Framework. Australian Federal and State Governments and the private sector have made substantial investments in magnesium metal and alloys in the past 10 years in order to establish a magnesium industry that can bring Australia the wealth that has been generated by the iron and aluminium industries. One of the key steps to achieve this goal is to continuously and substantially increase the interna ....Development of Ultrahigh Strength Magnesium Extrusion Alloys for Manufacturing Lightweight Aircraft Framework. Australian Federal and State Governments and the private sector have made substantial investments in magnesium metal and alloys in the past 10 years in order to establish a magnesium industry that can bring Australia the wealth that has been generated by the iron and aluminium industries. One of the key steps to achieve this goal is to continuously and substantially increase the international demand for the magnesium metal which is currently only 1/1700 that of iron and 1/50 that of aluminium. This project has the potential to increase the international magnesium market and to provide a platform for overseas commercialisation of Australian technologies.Read moreRead less
Core loss mechanisms in soft magnetic nanostructures. This project aims to clarify the mechanism of power losses in magnetic cores used in the petrol-electric hybrid cars by investigating the relationship between the core losses and magnetic correlation lengths in iron alloys. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the effect of magneto-mechanical interaction on the anomalous core loss in iron based alloys. The intended outcomes include an experimental confirmation of the random aniso ....Core loss mechanisms in soft magnetic nanostructures. This project aims to clarify the mechanism of power losses in magnetic cores used in the petrol-electric hybrid cars by investigating the relationship between the core losses and magnetic correlation lengths in iron alloys. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the effect of magneto-mechanical interaction on the anomalous core loss in iron based alloys. The intended outcomes include an experimental confirmation of the random anisotropy model, a major theoretical model in nanostructured materials and identification of ideal magnetic domain configurations for lower power losses. These intended outcomes should bring great benefits to the development of low-carbon vehicle technologies for sustainable motorisation in Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured soft magnetic alloys for low-carbon cars. The aim of this project is to prepare iron-based magnetic nanostructures that exhibit a magnetic induction of 1.9 tesla and core losses lower than those of iron-silicon steels, which would deliver smaller and efficient magnetic cores for petrol-electric hybrid cars. Preliminary results from the research team show that iron-metalloid alloys with an iron content of 87 per cent meet this magnetic induction with room for further improvement of ....Nanostructured soft magnetic alloys for low-carbon cars. The aim of this project is to prepare iron-based magnetic nanostructures that exhibit a magnetic induction of 1.9 tesla and core losses lower than those of iron-silicon steels, which would deliver smaller and efficient magnetic cores for petrol-electric hybrid cars. Preliminary results from the research team show that iron-metalloid alloys with an iron content of 87 per cent meet this magnetic induction with room for further improvement of magnetic softness. The project aims to systematically investigate the effect of metalloid and micro-alloying elements on the nano-crystallisation behaviour of the precursor amorphous alloys in order to identify the alloy composition and processing conditions for preparing magnetically soft nanostructures.Read moreRead less