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
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
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
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.
From One Structure to Another for Improved Materials Design. This project aims to characterise a new way of generating strengthening precipitate structures for lightweight aluminium alloys. Precipitation in the solid state is key to the performance of many materials, but is especially important for light alloys used in structural applications. This project expects to deliver greater fundamental understanding of precipitation mechanisms and generate experimental and computational methods for thre ....From One Structure to Another for Improved Materials Design. This project aims to characterise a new way of generating strengthening precipitate structures for lightweight aluminium alloys. Precipitation in the solid state is key to the performance of many materials, but is especially important for light alloys used in structural applications. This project expects to deliver greater fundamental understanding of precipitation mechanisms and generate experimental and computational methods for three-dimensional characterisation and simulations at the atomic-scale of embedded nanostructures. This should provide significant benefits for the improved design of light alloys, such as for the automotive and aerospace sectors, but also for high-tech materials whose function depends on precipitates. 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