Complex Interfaces and Solid-State Precipitation in Advanced Materials. Solid-state precipitates are key features of the microstructures of many natural and artificial materials and govern their properties. Yet understanding, let alone designing, the microstructures of materials remains a formidable challenge. The recent discovery of a new class of embedded interfaces in aluminium alloys offers the prospect of determining the atomic-scale mechanisms of precipitation. This project aims to apply t ....Complex Interfaces and Solid-State Precipitation in Advanced Materials. Solid-state precipitates are key features of the microstructures of many natural and artificial materials and govern their properties. Yet understanding, let alone designing, the microstructures of materials remains a formidable challenge. The recent discovery of a new class of embedded interfaces in aluminium alloys offers the prospect of determining the atomic-scale mechanisms of precipitation. This project aims to apply the latest microscopy and computational techniques synergistically to characterise such interfaces and develop atomic-scale mechanisms of nucleation and growth in model alloy systems. It is expected that this work will constitute a major step towards practical control of solid-state precipitation in technologically important materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101499
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,801.00
Summary
First-principles design and characterisation of topological materials. It has long been predicted that materials may contain special topological order. The recent discovery of topological insulators reveals the tip of the iceberg, but many theoretical hypotheses, such as the existence of the fractional Chern insulator and quantum spin liquid, remain elusive. This project aims to bridge the gap between conceptual models and real materials by using first-principles calculations. The plan is to ide ....First-principles design and characterisation of topological materials. It has long been predicted that materials may contain special topological order. The recent discovery of topological insulators reveals the tip of the iceberg, but many theoretical hypotheses, such as the existence of the fractional Chern insulator and quantum spin liquid, remain elusive. This project aims to bridge the gap between conceptual models and real materials by using first-principles calculations. The plan is to identify and engineer topological electronic bands in experimentally feasible materials, characterise existing quantum frustrated materials and connect these materials with minimal theoretical models. This project also aims to reveal further families of topological materials and clarify their physical properties.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100167
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,536.00
Summary
Electro-optical quantum transport in semiconductor microcavities. The project seeks to expand fundamental knowledge in the new area of exciton-polariton physics which has a range of practical applications. This project plans to connect fundamental study in quantum physics with application-oriented research involving elements of quantum engineering. The project plans to investigate the transport of exciton polaritons – hybrid light–matter particles that can propagate nearly as fast as light and a ....Electro-optical quantum transport in semiconductor microcavities. The project seeks to expand fundamental knowledge in the new area of exciton-polariton physics which has a range of practical applications. This project plans to connect fundamental study in quantum physics with application-oriented research involving elements of quantum engineering. The project plans to investigate the transport of exciton polaritons – hybrid light–matter particles that can propagate nearly as fast as light and are very robust. It may allow us to better understand fundamental features in physics and optics, and to model and construct optoelectronic devices such as quantum switchers, filters, transistors and detectors. The theory that the project aims to develop could be employed in different spheres of modern physics, chemistry, and medicine and biology.Read moreRead less
Electronic functionality in nanoscale materials: from discovery to design. This project will develop innovative multifunctional carbon/boron-nitride nanomaterials by devising new strategies to manipulate their electronic functionality. Outcomes will include technological breakthroughs leading to smart materials for energy storage, greenhouse gas emission reduction and nanoelectronics.
Topological effects and correlations in quantum materials. The project aims to advance the knowledge base that will support the development of novel quantum materials. Novel quantum materials, at the forefront of modern condensed matter physics, are qualitatively different from usual metals or semiconductors. The difference is due to their topological and correlation effects which create electron behaviour that creates highly unusual and useful material properties. The project aims to reveal the ....Topological effects and correlations in quantum materials. The project aims to advance the knowledge base that will support the development of novel quantum materials. Novel quantum materials, at the forefront of modern condensed matter physics, are qualitatively different from usual metals or semiconductors. The difference is due to their topological and correlation effects which create electron behaviour that creates highly unusual and useful material properties. The project aims to reveal the mechanisms behind the topological and correlation effects and develop methods to enhance and engineer desirable properties to facilitate creation of new materials. Expected project outcomes may be applicable to a range of fields, from creation of artificial quantum materials to novel methods of detection of dark matter.Read moreRead less
The bad metallic state in quantum materials. The project seeks to elucidate how an important quantum state of matter emerges from strong interactions between electrons. Quantum materials are a diverse class of materials whose unusual properties emerge from the strong interactions between electrons. Many have metallic phases with a low electrical conductivity (bad metals). The aim is to understand and characterise this quantum state of matter and how it emerges from the constituent electrons. An ....The bad metallic state in quantum materials. The project seeks to elucidate how an important quantum state of matter emerges from strong interactions between electrons. Quantum materials are a diverse class of materials whose unusual properties emerge from the strong interactions between electrons. Many have metallic phases with a low electrical conductivity (bad metals). The aim is to understand and characterise this quantum state of matter and how it emerges from the constituent electrons. An expected outcome will be falsification of specific theoretical models (based on techniques from string theory) and development of concepts that can be used to interpret experiments, including on ultra-cold atomic gases. Projected future benefits include new insights and concepts that may aid the design and synthesis of new materials for applications based on superconductivity, thermoelectricity and magnetoresistance.Read moreRead less
Targeting nano-catalysts for sustainable biorefining and chemical processes. This joint computational-experimental project aims to address one significant global challenge of developing sustainable technologies for important chemical processes. The project expects to discover new advanced nano-catalysts via a rapid single-step process which will replace toxic and corrosive liquid acids, and low efficient solid acids, used in emerging biorefining and petrochemistry. Advanced spectroscopic studies ....Targeting nano-catalysts for sustainable biorefining and chemical processes. This joint computational-experimental project aims to address one significant global challenge of developing sustainable technologies for important chemical processes. The project expects to discover new advanced nano-catalysts via a rapid single-step process which will replace toxic and corrosive liquid acids, and low efficient solid acids, used in emerging biorefining and petrochemistry. Advanced spectroscopic studies, in synergy with state-of-the-art ab initio calculations will be used to explore nanostructure-performance relationship in depth. Such cutting-edge knowledge will have profound implications on designing innovative catalysts with tailored activity for sustainable production of biofuels and chemicals.Read moreRead less
Beyond the standard model of organic quantum spin liquids. This project aims to apply new insights about the magnetic interactions in molecular crystals to model their emergent quantum behaviours via state-of-the-art analytical and computational methods. It will focus on organic charge transfer salts that exhibit superconductivity, multiferroicity, and quantum spin liquids, as a result of the strong interactions between electrons. This will provide new approaches to modelling the electronic and ....Beyond the standard model of organic quantum spin liquids. This project aims to apply new insights about the magnetic interactions in molecular crystals to model their emergent quantum behaviours via state-of-the-art analytical and computational methods. It will focus on organic charge transfer salts that exhibit superconductivity, multiferroicity, and quantum spin liquids, as a result of the strong interactions between electrons. This will provide new approaches to modelling the electronic and magnetic properties of structurally complex materials. Many have widespread potential for applications, such as electricity transport, thermoelectric refrigeration, field sensing, spintronics, and in future classical and quantum computers.Read moreRead less
A theoretical hierachy to investigate the electronic behaviour of graphene nanostructures under realistic conditions. One of the most exciting new nano-materials is graphene which promises to be the basis of a new industry producing nano-electronics and nano-devices such as chemical sensors. This project aims to provide sound scientific knowledge on the effects of environmental conditions on the properties of graphene which are vital for its industrial use.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100987
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,186.00
Summary
Designing next generation smart materials for capturing toxic gases. The project aims to use rapid computational and experimental screening tools to speed the design and development of robust metal organic frameworks for detecting and capturing toxic gases. Detecting and capturing toxic gases is vital for numerous industrial processes. Metal organic frameworks are porous materials that hold the world record for specific surface area and storage of gases. Their development and application in prac ....Designing next generation smart materials for capturing toxic gases. The project aims to use rapid computational and experimental screening tools to speed the design and development of robust metal organic frameworks for detecting and capturing toxic gases. Detecting and capturing toxic gases is vital for numerous industrial processes. Metal organic frameworks are porous materials that hold the world record for specific surface area and storage of gases. Their development and application in practical conditions require stability in the operating environment. It is expected that this project will lead to the development of efficient and effective porous materials that detect and capture toxic gases, thus improving Australian industry’s ability to monitor and eliminate emissions, improving air quality and public health.Read moreRead less