Green Manufacturing of Graphene from Indigenous Natural Graphite and Graphene-based Nanofiltration Membranes. This project aims to investigate radical new approaches to reduce chemical and energy requirements for transformation of indigenous natural graphite to a high-value material graphene. The graphite which will be used is the by-product of the Uley mines of South Australia. Graphene is an atomically thin arrangement of carbon atoms with combinations of remarkable chemical inertness, strengt ....Green Manufacturing of Graphene from Indigenous Natural Graphite and Graphene-based Nanofiltration Membranes. This project aims to investigate radical new approaches to reduce chemical and energy requirements for transformation of indigenous natural graphite to a high-value material graphene. The graphite which will be used is the by-product of the Uley mines of South Australia. Graphene is an atomically thin arrangement of carbon atoms with combinations of remarkable chemical inertness, strength, and massive surface area. Utilising fluid phase dispersed graphene, this project aims to develop scalable and industrially-adaptable methods to manufacture thin yet mechanically robust, inert, fouling-resistant, highly-permeable graphene-based asymmetric membranes. These advanced membranes are expected to find wide application in reducing discharge of mining effluents and recovery of precious metals.Read moreRead less
Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation ....Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation of knowledge for the industrial development of the future generation of easy care coatings, with vast application potential.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347464
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Setting up an integrated wirebonding and testing facility for MEMS applications. This project intends to setup an integrated wire bonding and testing facility suitable for Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) applications. Wire bonding is an essential step for making the contacts of any micro device with external power supply or signal conditioning circuitry. The contact pads for such devices vary in size from 0.050 mm x 0.050 mm to few 100s of micrometers. The proposed facility will be requi ....Setting up an integrated wirebonding and testing facility for MEMS applications. This project intends to setup an integrated wire bonding and testing facility suitable for Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) applications. Wire bonding is an essential step for making the contacts of any micro device with external power supply or signal conditioning circuitry. The contact pads for such devices vary in size from 0.050 mm x 0.050 mm to few 100s of micrometers. The proposed facility will be required for making contacts either using thermal or ultrasonic methods with complete automatic stages. The electrical contacts are used to drive or monitor MEMS, Polymer micro devices and nano- fluidic systems. This facility will be used for different applications including photonics and communication devices (RMIT), flexi circuits and microwave devices (DSTO) and micro/nano fluidic systems (SUT). This will be the only advanced integrated facility in Victoria, which will have the wire bonding(ball & wedge), die bonding and bond testing facilities together.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100775
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Using nanostructured scaffolds to understand and engineer neuronal circuits. This project aims to understand the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. While the role of biochemical features in the brain is well understood, it is not clear how the biophysical properties of the brain affect circuit formation. The outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of neuronal circuit formation as well as provide design rules for creating scaffolds to repair neuronal circuits after brain ....Using nanostructured scaffolds to understand and engineer neuronal circuits. This project aims to understand the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. While the role of biochemical features in the brain is well understood, it is not clear how the biophysical properties of the brain affect circuit formation. The outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of neuronal circuit formation as well as provide design rules for creating scaffolds to repair neuronal circuits after brain damage. This project will integrate Australia’s strengths in nanotechnology and neurosciences, bringing Australian research at the forefront of neural engineering.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354682
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Semiconductor Nanotechnology Network. Fundamental and strategic research in the area of semiconductor nanotechnology covering theoretical modeling, nanostructure growth, fabrication, characterization, nano-electronic and nano-photonic devices is essential for future developments in computing, communications, information technology and defence industries. The network aims to bring together all the stake holders to share the facilities, expertise to make a major impact in the field. N ....Australian Semiconductor Nanotechnology Network. Fundamental and strategic research in the area of semiconductor nanotechnology covering theoretical modeling, nanostructure growth, fabrication, characterization, nano-electronic and nano-photonic devices is essential for future developments in computing, communications, information technology and defence industries. The network aims to bring together all the stake holders to share the facilities, expertise to make a major impact in the field. Network will organize workshops, conferences to exchange ideas, to identify infrastructure needs, to promote interdisciplinary research and to expose post-doctoral fellows and postgraduate students to internationally competitive research environment. Network aims to enhance international and industry links by exchange of staff and students.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100147
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Advanced ultrasonic spray deposition system for large area solar cells fabrication. Low cost, low carbon forms of power generation are required to enable Australia to minimise its greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional solar cells are manufactured using high cost, low volume production methods which will in future be complemented by the introduction of low cost, high volume printed organic solar cells. Spray deposition of active materials will allow the formation of active solar cells on many n ....Advanced ultrasonic spray deposition system for large area solar cells fabrication. Low cost, low carbon forms of power generation are required to enable Australia to minimise its greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional solar cells are manufactured using high cost, low volume production methods which will in future be complemented by the introduction of low cost, high volume printed organic solar cells. Spray deposition of active materials will allow the formation of active solar cells on many new materials, thus opening up new ways of using solar cells and hence new markets or export opportunities. The research is aimed at delivering a local research-driven industry which is export-oriented, thus assisting Australia to reach its carbon reduction targets.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775562
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
The Melbourne Nanofabrication Facility. Australia is desperately short of facilities for actual fabrication, prototyping and construction of advanced micromechanical and nanoscale systems. This is impeding both academic researchers and industrial developers in the materials, optics and biotechnological industries. The proposed instrument would complete the development of Australia's newest high resolution microscopy centre and enable a wide range of users to image, measure, build and design comp ....The Melbourne Nanofabrication Facility. Australia is desperately short of facilities for actual fabrication, prototyping and construction of advanced micromechanical and nanoscale systems. This is impeding both academic researchers and industrial developers in the materials, optics and biotechnological industries. The proposed instrument would complete the development of Australia's newest high resolution microscopy centre and enable a wide range of users to image, measure, build and design complex nanostructures at the atomic level and upwards. Read moreRead less
Nanoparticle inks for electronic applications employing nanostructured thin-films. The development of next-generation technologies requires careful engineering of materials at the nanoscale. Using nanoparticle inks, many of the engineering difficulties which exist at these length scales can be overcome, thus allowing for technologies such as thin-film solar cells to become cheaper and more efficient.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100071
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,000.00
Summary
Photonic Chip Integration Facility. This project will create a Photonic Chip Integration Facility responding to newly emerging global trends towards low loss waveguides and wider coverage of the optical spectrum.
The tool will grow ultrahigh quality silicon nitride and oxide thin films in a manner that is compatible with electronics and other delicate materials, balancing flexibility for materials exploration with reliability and repeatability required for photonic chip systems research. The pr ....Photonic Chip Integration Facility. This project will create a Photonic Chip Integration Facility responding to newly emerging global trends towards low loss waveguides and wider coverage of the optical spectrum.
The tool will grow ultrahigh quality silicon nitride and oxide thin films in a manner that is compatible with electronics and other delicate materials, balancing flexibility for materials exploration with reliability and repeatability required for photonic chip systems research. The proposed facility will support Australian researchers from diverse disciplines spanning broadband networks, sensing, quantum technology, materials science, and beyond while providing a clear path for translating discoveries out of the lab towards scale up industrial manufacture
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100048
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Nanoscale optical microscopy facility. The optical microscope has enabled us to see micro-objects, leading to revolutionary discoveries in medicine and natural sciences. However, the smallest object resolved by a microscope is limited by the wavelength of light. To see nanoscale objects smaller than the wavelength, a new tool for nano-imaging is needed. This project will establish a nanoscale optical microscopy facility that will reveal the topology and true colours of the nano-objects. Such inf ....Nanoscale optical microscopy facility. The optical microscope has enabled us to see micro-objects, leading to revolutionary discoveries in medicine and natural sciences. However, the smallest object resolved by a microscope is limited by the wavelength of light. To see nanoscale objects smaller than the wavelength, a new tool for nano-imaging is needed. This project will establish a nanoscale optical microscopy facility that will reveal the topology and true colours of the nano-objects. Such information, achieved through spectroscopic analysis of the light emitted or scattered at the nanoscale, will uncover some of the most fundamental aspects of the nanoworld, leading to cutting-edge scientific discoveries and important industrial applications in photonics and solar energy.Read moreRead less