Complex plasmas: self-organized dusty matter from nanotechnology to astrophysics. The importance of complex plasmas is based on their intricate self-organized behaviour, on their rich variety in nature and extensive use in the laboratory and advanced technologies. This project aims at breakthrough results advancing the fundamental knowledge and contributing to frontier technologies such as nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as reliability of space technological systems and communication ....Complex plasmas: self-organized dusty matter from nanotechnology to astrophysics. The importance of complex plasmas is based on their intricate self-organized behaviour, on their rich variety in nature and extensive use in the laboratory and advanced technologies. This project aims at breakthrough results advancing the fundamental knowledge and contributing to frontier technologies such as nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as reliability of space technological systems and communications. The project will boost fundamental and applied aspects of the Australian science as well as international collaborative links of Australian research and technology by allowing access and involvement to advanced multi-national programs and high-profile experiments such as those on board the International Space Station.Read moreRead less
The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understa ....The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understanding of the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic driving forces, which govern nano-particle nucleation, growth and stability. This project will investigate the role of surface thermodynamics and growth kinetics in the nucleation, growth and stability of metallic nano-crystals in order to understand how to control their synthesis.Read moreRead less
Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic d ....Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic devices will be advanced. The expected outcomes are highly relevant for the nano-materials and optoelectronic technologies, rapidly emerging areas of high-tech industries worldwide.Read moreRead less
Plasma-assisted on-surface assembly for hydrogen production and beyond. This project aims to discover how to catalyse the formation and control the structure of functional materials with atomic precision using plasmas. New mechanisms of ultra-fast, plasma-catalytic on-surface nanoasembly will translate into energy-efficient, scalable digital fabrication of subnano-cluster and single-atomic-site catalysts over large 3D surface areas, tailored for advanced electrocatalysis. The outcomes including ....Plasma-assisted on-surface assembly for hydrogen production and beyond. This project aims to discover how to catalyse the formation and control the structure of functional materials with atomic precision using plasmas. New mechanisms of ultra-fast, plasma-catalytic on-surface nanoasembly will translate into energy-efficient, scalable digital fabrication of subnano-cluster and single-atomic-site catalysts over large 3D surface areas, tailored for advanced electrocatalysis. The outcomes including new concepts and insights into synergistic action of plasmas and solid surfaces will bridge atomic-scale materials formation and digital fabrication at industrial scales. The benefits including the new nanofabrication platform and clean energy will go beyond the demands of digital manufacturing and hydrogen economy. Read moreRead less
Plasma nanotools: bridging plasma physics and surface science. This project will herald a new frontier research area at the edge of plasma physics and surface science, secure and strengthen Australia's presence in newly emerging nanotechnology fields, reveal the superior potential of and raise the global high-tech market sentiment in plasma-aided nanofabrication of flat display panels, biosensors, nanoelectronic devices, smart nanomaterials, and other high-tech products. The outcomes will ultima ....Plasma nanotools: bridging plasma physics and surface science. This project will herald a new frontier research area at the edge of plasma physics and surface science, secure and strengthen Australia's presence in newly emerging nanotechnology fields, reveal the superior potential of and raise the global high-tech market sentiment in plasma-aided nanofabrication of flat display panels, biosensors, nanoelectronic devices, smart nanomaterials, and other high-tech products. The outcomes will ultimately lead to new environment-friendly and cost-efficient plasma-based technologies and nanofabrication and nanotooling industries in Australia. High profile of Australia-based research will be raised via a new network of international collaborations and low-cost involvement into forefront research programs.Read moreRead less
The Mechanics of Nanoscale Devices. Australian developments in biosensing, medical diagnostics, clean energy, communication and security technologies, are rapidly growing due to our mounting capacity in nanoscale fabrication. Vital for evolution of next-generation nanodevices is an understanding of how mechanical processes operate at such small scales. This application will contribute to this scientific knowledge base. This will in turn assist Australian industries to progress these applications ....The Mechanics of Nanoscale Devices. Australian developments in biosensing, medical diagnostics, clean energy, communication and security technologies, are rapidly growing due to our mounting capacity in nanoscale fabrication. Vital for evolution of next-generation nanodevices is an understanding of how mechanical processes operate at such small scales. This application will contribute to this scientific knowledge base. This will in turn assist Australian industries to progress these applications and devices, leading to economic, social and technological gains for the Australian community.Read moreRead less
Ultrafast photonic hammer: A new strategy to synthesise super-dense super-hard nanomaterials. We will develop a new way for laboratory synthesis of new classes of super-hard and super-dense materials at and above the extremely high temperature and density range currently accessible only in nuclear explosions. The ability of ultra-fast laser-induced phase transformations will be exploited aiming to form materials with exotic properties, which are theoretically predicted, but has not experimental ....Ultrafast photonic hammer: A new strategy to synthesise super-dense super-hard nanomaterials. We will develop a new way for laboratory synthesis of new classes of super-hard and super-dense materials at and above the extremely high temperature and density range currently accessible only in nuclear explosions. The ability of ultra-fast laser-induced phase transformations will be exploited aiming to form materials with exotic properties, which are theoretically predicted, but has not experimentally confirmed yet. Our new approach will have a profound interdisciplinary impact. The project will deliver underpinning knowledge, foremost practical expertise, and the prominent training of young researchers to secure Australia's international position among the leaders in the rapidly growing and competitive field of nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. This project will develop a robust technique for the quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. The image-analysis algorithm so obtained will be a virtual software lens, which is able to decode the information contained in data obtained by a well-established but hitherto qualitative imaging technique. We will transform this technique into one uniquely capable of obtaining two-dimensional movies of the ....Quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. This project will develop a robust technique for the quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. The image-analysis algorithm so obtained will be a virtual software lens, which is able to decode the information contained in data obtained by a well-established but hitherto qualitative imaging technique. We will transform this technique into one uniquely capable of obtaining two-dimensional movies of the current distributions, magnetic fields, and pinning defects in superconducting films. Such a quantitative characterization of these key superconductor parameters will be an important tool in the present global quest for room-temperature superconductivity.Read moreRead less
Engineering Ultra-low Disorder Semiconductor Quantum Nanostructures. The multi-trillion dollar semiconductor industry drives the explosive growth in information technology that we have witnessed over the past 25 years. This proposal will provide a significant breakthrough by develop a new class of ultra low disorder 'quantum dot transistors' that will be of benefit to Australia's ongoing efforts in semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum information science, allowing us to play a role in the fu ....Engineering Ultra-low Disorder Semiconductor Quantum Nanostructures. The multi-trillion dollar semiconductor industry drives the explosive growth in information technology that we have witnessed over the past 25 years. This proposal will provide a significant breakthrough by develop a new class of ultra low disorder 'quantum dot transistors' that will be of benefit to Australia's ongoing efforts in semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum information science, allowing us to play a role in the future development of nanoscale and quantum electronics. This research program will bring together Australian researchers and students to work with leading international universities in the USA and New Zealand, and a leading Japanese industrial research facility - Nippon Telegraph and Telecommunications.Read moreRead less
Nanospintronics - Spin Transport in Semiconductor Nanostructures. The multi-billion dollar semiconductor industry drives the explosive growth in information technology that we have witnessed over the past 25 years. This proposal will provide a significant breakthrough by developing a new class of spintronic devices that will be of benefit to Australia's ongoing efforts in semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum information science, allowing us to play a role in the future development of nanosca ....Nanospintronics - Spin Transport in Semiconductor Nanostructures. The multi-billion dollar semiconductor industry drives the explosive growth in information technology that we have witnessed over the past 25 years. This proposal will provide a significant breakthrough by developing a new class of spintronic devices that will be of benefit to Australia's ongoing efforts in semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum information science, allowing us to play a role in the future development of nanoscale and quantum electronics. This research program will provide training for Australian students in a cutting-edge semiconductor research facility, and involve linkages with leading international universities including Massey University (NZ), NTT Basic Research Labs (Japan) and the University of Bochum (Germany).Read moreRead less