Understanding molecular negative ion production for use in pathology. The project aims to increase the yield of molecular negative ion sources by improving our understanding of the formation of ion beams from plasma sources and expand our knowledge of molecular negative ion generation in plasma environments leading to brighter ion beams. For example, understanding cancer requires cellular level tools to map how cells are changing. These maps are made using ion beams which are scanned across cell ....Understanding molecular negative ion production for use in pathology. The project aims to increase the yield of molecular negative ion sources by improving our understanding of the formation of ion beams from plasma sources and expand our knowledge of molecular negative ion generation in plasma environments leading to brighter ion beams. For example, understanding cancer requires cellular level tools to map how cells are changing. These maps are made using ion beams which are scanned across cells to remove material that is analysed at the atomic and molecular level. Ion beams are produced from plasma sources, but much of their operation is not understood. Such improved ion beams are expected to enable inexpensive and fast cellular level pathology at even small hospitals to tackle cancer for society’s benefit.Read moreRead less
Space development of the HDLT Australian Plasma Thruster. The collaboration between the ANU research group and ASTRIUM/EADS, the largest European aerospace company, is a unique opportunity for Australia to capitalize on the new discovery of the Helicon Double Layer Thruster made at the ANU. This will allow the Australian space community to stay abreast of international developments in space propulsion and to be with the for-runners of this new technology.
ANU will have direct access to ASTRIUM ....Space development of the HDLT Australian Plasma Thruster. The collaboration between the ANU research group and ASTRIUM/EADS, the largest European aerospace company, is a unique opportunity for Australia to capitalize on the new discovery of the Helicon Double Layer Thruster made at the ANU. This will allow the Australian space community to stay abreast of international developments in space propulsion and to be with the for-runners of this new technology.
ANU will have direct access to ASTRIUM/EADS via the relationships developed in this project putting Australia in the enviable position of being an insider in future space developments concerning plasma thrusters and space technology in general.Read moreRead less
Data-driven monitoring of raceway dynamics in ironmaking blast furnaces. Raceway dynamics in ironmaking blast furnaces affect operational stability and cost considerably, yet their dynamic behaviour has not been well monitored online. The project aims to develop a data-driven model for monitoring the internal state of gas-solid-powder reacting flow in the raceway and predicting raceway anomalies online. It will be achieved by combining particle-fluid numerical simulations with data processing an ....Data-driven monitoring of raceway dynamics in ironmaking blast furnaces. Raceway dynamics in ironmaking blast furnaces affect operational stability and cost considerably, yet their dynamic behaviour has not been well monitored online. The project aims to develop a data-driven model for monitoring the internal state of gas-solid-powder reacting flow in the raceway and predicting raceway anomalies online. It will be achieved by combining particle-fluid numerical simulations with data processing and reduced-order state observer, supported by lab/plant experiments, and collaborating with two industry partners from coal and steel industries. The project outcomes including codes, models and raceway control strategies can help promote Australian metallurgical coal's global markets and ultimately the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Minimising charge carrier recombination at silicon surfaces with improved dielectric coatings. The project will help to develop a vibrant PV industry in Australia, creating substantial employment opportunities. Spark Solar - one of the project partners - is the first dedicated PV manufacturer in Australia. There is a large and rapidly expanding overseas export market for solar panels. In addition, the large scale deployment of photovoltaic systems will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ....Minimising charge carrier recombination at silicon surfaces with improved dielectric coatings. The project will help to develop a vibrant PV industry in Australia, creating substantial employment opportunities. Spark Solar - one of the project partners - is the first dedicated PV manufacturer in Australia. There is a large and rapidly expanding overseas export market for solar panels. In addition, the large scale deployment of photovoltaic systems will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus mitigate the magnitude and severity of the effects of global warming. Read moreRead less
A new nano-sensor technology for the detection and identification of residual vapours of explosives, drugs and chemicals in the air. Fighting terrorism and crime is one of the most important and difficult tasks that requires substantial human and technological resources. This project will help to address this enormous problem by developing a new optical sensor technology for the detection and identification of traces of chemicals, explosives, drugs and biological agents. It will develop a labora ....A new nano-sensor technology for the detection and identification of residual vapours of explosives, drugs and chemicals in the air. Fighting terrorism and crime is one of the most important and difficult tasks that requires substantial human and technological resources. This project will help to address this enormous problem by developing a new optical sensor technology for the detection and identification of traces of chemicals, explosives, drugs and biological agents. It will develop a laboratory prototype of this sensor that is expected to have superior sensitivity and operational capabilities. Thus it will noticeably contribute to practical law enforcement, air quality and environmental monitoring, counter-terrorism, air safety, border security and customs service. It will also lead to further development of nano-optics and nanotechnology in Australia. Read moreRead less
Switching mechanisms in nonvolatile resistive memory using high-k dielectrics. Growth in the use of portable electronic devices, such as cameras, phones and MP3 players has resulted in an increased demand for low-power, high-density, non-volatile memory (NVM). One class of such memories aims to use resistance changes in thin dielectric films as a means of storing information. This project aims to develop a better understanding of these devices and to develop new and innovative processes for co ....Switching mechanisms in nonvolatile resistive memory using high-k dielectrics. Growth in the use of portable electronic devices, such as cameras, phones and MP3 players has resulted in an increased demand for low-power, high-density, non-volatile memory (NVM). One class of such memories aims to use resistance changes in thin dielectric films as a means of storing information. This project aims to develop a better understanding of these devices and to develop new and innovative processes for controlling data storage. The project is based on collaboration between researchers at the ANU and Silanna, an Australian start-up company aiming to develop and commercialise such technology.Read moreRead less
Technologies for advanced optical fibre sensors. This project is to create a significantly better technology for exploration of oil and gas reserves under the ocean. Based on lasers and fibre optics, it leverages Australia's prodigious photonics expertise and couples it with Australia's established and well-regarded resource industry. Successful completion will enable better utilization of this country's natural resources, in particular oil and gas reserves, whilst also creating a high technolog ....Technologies for advanced optical fibre sensors. This project is to create a significantly better technology for exploration of oil and gas reserves under the ocean. Based on lasers and fibre optics, it leverages Australia's prodigious photonics expertise and couples it with Australia's established and well-regarded resource industry. Successful completion will enable better utilization of this country's natural resources, in particular oil and gas reserves, whilst also creating a high technology export, given the size of the world marine survey market (US$4 billion). Better energy exploration technologies are vital to Australia and, indeed the world, as energy supply dwindles and the increased energy costs begin to impact negatively on economic growth.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the Understanding and Performance of Passivating TiO2 Coatings for Photovoltaic Devices. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as an antireflection coating in the silicon (Si) photovoltaics industry as it exhibits excellent optical properties and low deposition cost. However, recently manufacturers have been turning to alternatives such as hydrogenated silicon nitride coatings that exhibit greatly improved electronic properties, but cost 4 - 10 times more to deposit. This proj ....Enhancing the Understanding and Performance of Passivating TiO2 Coatings for Photovoltaic Devices. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as an antireflection coating in the silicon (Si) photovoltaics industry as it exhibits excellent optical properties and low deposition cost. However, recently manufacturers have been turning to alternatives such as hydrogenated silicon nitride coatings that exhibit greatly improved electronic properties, but cost 4 - 10 times more to deposit. This project seeks to understand the fundamental limitations behind the poor surface passivation afforded by TiO2 to a Si wafer, and subsequently develop a passivating TiO2 coating that can reduce the cost of electricity generated by Si solar cells.Read moreRead less
Development of Optimised Processes for Manufacturing Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde Type Resins, and Improved Resins and Reconstituted Wood Products Derived from Resins. Melamine-urea-formaldehyde resins are used to manufacture water-resistant particleboards, papers and laminates. This project is expected to provide more efficient processes for the industrial preparation of these resins, and improved resins and reconstituted wood products derived from the resins. Methods will be developed to assess ....Development of Optimised Processes for Manufacturing Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde Type Resins, and Improved Resins and Reconstituted Wood Products Derived from Resins. Melamine-urea-formaldehyde resins are used to manufacture water-resistant particleboards, papers and laminates. This project is expected to provide more efficient processes for the industrial preparation of these resins, and improved resins and reconstituted wood products derived from the resins. Methods will be developed to assess the structure of the resins, in order to relate resin synthesis with structure and function, and therefore optimise performance as well as simplify the manufacturing process. Potential replacements for melamine will be prepared and evaluated. It is anticipated that these will confer particular properties on the resins and the wood products, such as strength and durability.Read moreRead less
A Quantum Matterwave Vortex Gyroscope for Ultrastable Rotation Sensing. This project aims to investigate the basic science underpinning a new rotation sensing technology based on matterwave vortices. Current gyroscopes are susceptible to long-term calibration drifts, which limit their applicability on long timescales where re-calibration is not practical or possible. This project expects to build a matterwave vortex gyroscope and demonstrate that it offers unparalleled long-term stability over ` ....A Quantum Matterwave Vortex Gyroscope for Ultrastable Rotation Sensing. This project aims to investigate the basic science underpinning a new rotation sensing technology based on matterwave vortices. Current gyroscopes are susceptible to long-term calibration drifts, which limit their applicability on long timescales where re-calibration is not practical or possible. This project expects to build a matterwave vortex gyroscope and demonstrate that it offers unparalleled long-term stability over `classical’ gyroscopes based on mechanical and/or optical technology. This could deliver new navigation capabilities, benefitting Australia’s defence forces and nascent space technology industry, as well as enabling slow timescale precision gravimetry for mineral exploration, hydrology, and geology. Read moreRead less