Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first t ....Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first time a multidisciplinary team has made such a concerted effort to understand the unusual science of gold nanoparticles and will strengthen Australia's already considerable reputation in this field.Read moreRead less
Ferrihydrite : Fundamentals of a Natural Nanomaterial. The overarching goal of this project is to obtain the depth of knowledge necessary to achieve specific size, composition and morphology control in the crystallization of nanometer-sized iron oxides. The project focusses on the structural characteristics of the oxy-hydroxide phase ferrihydrite, which is a key intermediate in the formation of other iron oxides. The project will employ characterization techniques such as small-angle scattering ....Ferrihydrite : Fundamentals of a Natural Nanomaterial. The overarching goal of this project is to obtain the depth of knowledge necessary to achieve specific size, composition and morphology control in the crystallization of nanometer-sized iron oxides. The project focusses on the structural characteristics of the oxy-hydroxide phase ferrihydrite, which is a key intermediate in the formation of other iron oxides. The project will employ characterization techniques such as small-angle scattering, high resolution TEM, electron nanodiffraction and magnetic energy barrier distribution measurements to study crystallization processes of the iron oxy-hydroxide ferrihydrite, both in vivo and in vitro. The knowledge gained from the biological realm will allow us to devise new laboratory techniques for the preparation of nanoparticles, and provide important information about iron biomineralization to advance the treatment of iron overload diseases.Read moreRead less
Understanding graphitization: developing a model for activated carbons. For over 60 years it has remained a puzzle why some carbons graphitise under heating while others do not. The question is of practical importance as oxidation of non-graphitising carbons produces activated carbon, a product of high value with industrial, medical and environmental applications. Using computational and experimental techniques the project will study the graphitisation process and pinpoint the structural element ....Understanding graphitization: developing a model for activated carbons. For over 60 years it has remained a puzzle why some carbons graphitise under heating while others do not. The question is of practical importance as oxidation of non-graphitising carbons produces activated carbon, a product of high value with industrial, medical and environmental applications. Using computational and experimental techniques the project will study the graphitisation process and pinpoint the structural elements which inhibit it. Based on these findings the project aims to develop a nanoscale atomistic model for activated carbons. This is expected to be an important contribution to the field of chemical engineering in which current models of activated carbon neglect either curvature in the network or the presence of oxygen.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Advanced Multifunctional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical Analysis Platform. This project aims to build an advanced multi-functional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical analysis platform for characterizing nanomaterials and micro-/nano-scale devices. This platform expects to provide rich and unique characterization capabilities (electrical, optical, magnetic and mechanical) for hybrid devices with low temperature and high vacuum environment. The expected outcomes include multidisciplinary research co ....Advanced Multifunctional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical Analysis Platform. This project aims to build an advanced multi-functional Electro-Opto-Magneto-Mechanical analysis platform for characterizing nanomaterials and micro-/nano-scale devices. This platform expects to provide rich and unique characterization capabilities (electrical, optical, magnetic and mechanical) for hybrid devices with low temperature and high vacuum environment. The expected outcomes include multidisciplinary research collaborations and a wide range of next-generation technologies including non-invasive medical instruments, wearable devices, communication, quantum information systems and energy storage solutions. This should enable local design and construction of hybrid devices and advance the growth of local high-technology industries.Read moreRead less
Molecular Thermoelectric Materials: A New Hot Topic. This project aims to use the principles of chemistry and molecular electronics to synthesize and study molecules able to directly convert waste heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect. This project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the wire-like properties of molecules and conditions that lead to a high Seebeck coefficient, together with interference effects to suppress thermal conductance. Expected outcomes of this project ....Molecular Thermoelectric Materials: A New Hot Topic. This project aims to use the principles of chemistry and molecular electronics to synthesize and study molecules able to directly convert waste heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect. This project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the wire-like properties of molecules and conditions that lead to a high Seebeck coefficient, together with interference effects to suppress thermal conductance. Expected outcomes of this project include a deeper understanding of chemical structure - molecular electronic property relationships, and enhanced international collaboration with the UK. This should provide benefits in terms of low-cost conversion of waste heat to electrical energy. Read moreRead less
Molecular transistors: from strings and rings to other things. This project aims to use chemical approaches to develop molecular transistors, which are critical components for a future molecular electronics technology. The use of molecules as ultra-miniaturised electronic components is gathering attention from industry and academia, as a solution to the approaching limits of top-down scaling. However, current molecular designs based on gating through chemical reaction or redox state changes are ....Molecular transistors: from strings and rings to other things. This project aims to use chemical approaches to develop molecular transistors, which are critical components for a future molecular electronics technology. The use of molecules as ultra-miniaturised electronic components is gathering attention from industry and academia, as a solution to the approaching limits of top-down scaling. However, current molecular designs based on gating through chemical reaction or redox state changes are slow and inefficient. The project will develop molecular transistors with exceptionally high gain and fast response based on gating the energy of quantum interference features in molecules with cross-conjugated or ring-like shapes. This will provide significant benefits including new strategies for nanofabrication of molecular devices.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560850
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,320.00
Summary
Scanning Cathodoluminescence Microscopy and Spectroscopy Facility. Cathodoluminescence (CL), the emission of light during electron irradiation, has emerged as a unique analytical tool to characterise luminescence centres and study luminescence mechanisms in technologically important materials at the nano-scale. The main aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art scanning CL microscopy and spectroscopy facility in Australia. The facility will enable high spatial resolution CL analysis ....Scanning Cathodoluminescence Microscopy and Spectroscopy Facility. Cathodoluminescence (CL), the emission of light during electron irradiation, has emerged as a unique analytical tool to characterise luminescence centres and study luminescence mechanisms in technologically important materials at the nano-scale. The main aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art scanning CL microscopy and spectroscopy facility in Australia. The facility will enable high spatial resolution CL analysis of technologically important semiconductors and novel nano-structured materials, e.g. quantum dots and ceramic nano-crystals. These studies will facilitate a deeper understanding of the physics of light emission from nano-structured materials and enable the fabrication of higher quality opto-electronic materials.Read moreRead less
Development of the methods to tailor photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. This project aims at the development of the methods to tailor the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. Methods to both enhance and reduce the photocatalytic activity for specific applications will be investigated, and the physical and chemical mechanism of photocatalysis-control will be studied. The method developed will be applied for a commercial scale production of ZnO nanoparticles. The effects of ....Development of the methods to tailor photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. This project aims at the development of the methods to tailor the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. Methods to both enhance and reduce the photocatalytic activity for specific applications will be investigated, and the physical and chemical mechanism of photocatalysis-control will be studied. The method developed will be applied for a commercial scale production of ZnO nanoparticles. The effects of (a) impurity doping inside of the particles, (b) particle coating, (c) size and morphologies of the particles, and (d) ion-adsorption of the particle surface, to the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles will be investigated. The methods developed will be applied for a commercial scale production of ZnO nanoparticles by ANT.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453842
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,309.00
Summary
National Facility for Electron Spin Correlations and Spintronics. Conventional electronics is based on coupling the charge of the electrons with external electric fields and light. Recent work on spintronics is directed toward the use of both the spin (angular momentum) and the charge degrees of freedom of the electron. We currently lead the world in the development of spin-resolved coincidence measurements, which make it possible to determine previously inaccessible nanoscale magnetic propertie ....National Facility for Electron Spin Correlations and Spintronics. Conventional electronics is based on coupling the charge of the electrons with external electric fields and light. Recent work on spintronics is directed toward the use of both the spin (angular momentum) and the charge degrees of freedom of the electron. We currently lead the world in the development of spin-resolved coincidence measurements, which make it possible to determine previously inaccessible nanoscale magnetic properties, central to 'spintronic structure engineering'. State-of-the-art instrumentation is requested to characterise the magnetic and crystallographic structure, the adsorbates, and the lateral distribution and depth profile of fabricated zero, one and two-dimensional structures.Read moreRead less
From the Electronics of Molecules to Molecular Electronics. Decades of societal progress have been achieved through advances in semiconductor technology during what might be termed the Silicon Revolution. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors has identified molecular components as a solution to problems including data storage and very high-density circuits over the next 15 - 20 years. This project will target some of the difficult challenges in realising molecular electronics t ....From the Electronics of Molecules to Molecular Electronics. Decades of societal progress have been achieved through advances in semiconductor technology during what might be termed the Silicon Revolution. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors has identified molecular components as a solution to problems including data storage and very high-density circuits over the next 15 - 20 years. This project will target some of the difficult challenges in realising molecular electronics technology: molecular contacts to surfaces; function beyond the wire; transistor-like response. This project brings together an international team with expertise in chemical synthesis, electronic structure determination and single molecule conductance measurements to address these challenges. Read moreRead less