Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a ....Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a tool to measure the phonon density of states which is critical for developing a mathematical model of thermal boundary resistance. This is expected to identify mechanisms for ultra-low thermal conductivity leading to potential applications in thermoelectric generators and heat-resistant 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
Magnonics with skyrmions. Skyrmions – nanoscale topologically protected spin textures, are considered as ideal candidates for encoding and transmitting bits of information. This burgeoning research field, however, suffers from the same limitations of all spintronic concepts – the high currents needed to move skyrmions. Magnonics is yet another emerging approach, which main aim is to investigate the behaviour of spin waves in magnetic nanostructures. In essence, spin waves are a propagating re-or ....Magnonics with skyrmions. Skyrmions – nanoscale topologically protected spin textures, are considered as ideal candidates for encoding and transmitting bits of information. This burgeoning research field, however, suffers from the same limitations of all spintronic concepts – the high currents needed to move skyrmions. Magnonics is yet another emerging approach, which main aim is to investigate the behaviour of spin waves in magnetic nanostructures. In essence, spin waves are a propagating re-ordering of the magnetisation and therefore use the least amount of power, making them perfect for driving skyrmions. This project fuses skyrmions with magnonics. The central goal is the formulation of model for the magnon assisted manipulation of skyrmions and their lattices.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101147
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,600.00
Summary
First-principles design of atomic defects for quantum technologies. This project aims to address the issue of designing and engineering better single-photon sources based on atomic defects in solids, a crucial building block for many quantum technologies. Using advanced first-principles quantum mechanical theories and calculations, the project expects to produce fundamental knowledge of key mechanisms and properties, and to use this to inform the design of new atomic defects for tailored applica ....First-principles design of atomic defects for quantum technologies. This project aims to address the issue of designing and engineering better single-photon sources based on atomic defects in solids, a crucial building block for many quantum technologies. Using advanced first-principles quantum mechanical theories and calculations, the project expects to produce fundamental knowledge of key mechanisms and properties, and to use this to inform the design of new atomic defects for tailored applications as quantum emitters. The expected outcomes, including novel methodologies, will contribute to different research areas, from condensed matter and materials physics to quantum science and technology. This project should provide significant benefits in accelerating quantum technology innovation in Australia.Read moreRead less
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
Enlightening single rare-earth atoms in scanning-tunnelling microscopy. This project aims to create a tool to systematically engineer optical properties of emitters in solids by understanding and manipulating materials atom by atom. The tool – an optically enhanced scanning tunnelling microscope – is expected to drive future developments in optical technologies. The project expects to deliver an atomic-scale understanding of rare-earth sites optimised for sensing and coherence. The expected outc ....Enlightening single rare-earth atoms in scanning-tunnelling microscopy. This project aims to create a tool to systematically engineer optical properties of emitters in solids by understanding and manipulating materials atom by atom. The tool – an optically enhanced scanning tunnelling microscope – is expected to drive future developments in optical technologies. The project expects to deliver an atomic-scale understanding of rare-earth sites optimised for sensing and coherence. The expected outcomes include highly developed theoretical insights into solid-state emitters and how to control their interactions with light and other fields. The expected benefit based on the ability to engineer optimised emitters for optical sensors and quantum technologies will transform material science from exploration to design.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
Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify a ....Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify and build 2D hybrids are technically challenging and slow. Expected outcomes include defining a new paradigm for efficient identification and synthesis of 2D hybrids with exotic, bespoke properties. The generation of a large database of materials for researchers/industry would be of wide benefit.Read moreRead less
Topological superconductivity and spin electronics in silicon and germanium. This project will exploit recent breakthroughs in materials growth, theoretical physics and micromagnet technology to design and build a new platform for future quantum devices and topological quantum computers. Instead of using exotic materials, we will fabricate hybrid superconductor-semiconductor devices with conventional silicon and germanium semiconductors, using the same nanofabrication techniques that industry us ....Topological superconductivity and spin electronics in silicon and germanium. This project will exploit recent breakthroughs in materials growth, theoretical physics and micromagnet technology to design and build a new platform for future quantum devices and topological quantum computers. Instead of using exotic materials, we will fabricate hybrid superconductor-semiconductor devices with conventional silicon and germanium semiconductors, using the same nanofabrication techniques that industry uses to create integrated circuits. The outcome will be an entirely new approach to hosting topological modes, in an architecture that can be scaled to make topological based qubits, using industrially compatible semiconductors. Read moreRead less
Information transfer in topological matter: how relativity speeds up memory. In the 21st century our economy and security rely on fast information processing, which requires state-of-the-art computer memory. Emerging memory technologies rely on magnets, which retain data during power outages and switch faster than currently used semiconductor devices. This Fellowship will establish a breakthrough paradigm for ultra-fast information processing using magnets and newly-discovered topological materi ....Information transfer in topological matter: how relativity speeds up memory. In the 21st century our economy and security rely on fast information processing, which requires state-of-the-art computer memory. Emerging memory technologies rely on magnets, which retain data during power outages and switch faster than currently used semiconductor devices. This Fellowship will establish a breakthrough paradigm for ultra-fast information processing using magnets and newly-discovered topological materials. It will develop a computational tool to enhance the switching rate of devices incorporating topological materials that emulate industry blueprints for memory building blocks. If successful, it will vastly improve the speed and functionality of computer memory, logic elements, artificial intelligence devices and sensors.Read moreRead less