Ferroelectric - ferromagnetic tunnel junctions. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials have attracted significant attention and exhibited potential in many applications such as storage memories, solid-state light sources and a range of smart chemical and biological sensors. This proposal seeks to investigate the behaviour of these materials in ultra-thin film form, where imposed geometrical constraints produce novel combinations of ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The fundamental unders ....Ferroelectric - ferromagnetic tunnel junctions. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials have attracted significant attention and exhibited potential in many applications such as storage memories, solid-state light sources and a range of smart chemical and biological sensors. This proposal seeks to investigate the behaviour of these materials in ultra-thin film form, where imposed geometrical constraints produce novel combinations of ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The fundamental understanding of the behaviour of these materials will help us develop new material systems with exciting possibilities in the design of advanced devices and sensors.Read moreRead less
Fatigue Life Prediction of Nano-filler Modified Composites. The proposed project aims to study the behaviour and the failure mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites under cyclic loading. The outcomes of the project will make original contributions to our knowledge base on such materials. The mechanics modelling and statistical analysis of the prediction of fatigue life will provide a sound physical basis and a useful tool for any future improvement and optimisation of the composites to achieve bett ....Fatigue Life Prediction of Nano-filler Modified Composites. The proposed project aims to study the behaviour and the failure mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites under cyclic loading. The outcomes of the project will make original contributions to our knowledge base on such materials. The mechanics modelling and statistical analysis of the prediction of fatigue life will provide a sound physical basis and a useful tool for any future improvement and optimisation of the composites to achieve better reliability and integrity in their intended applications. This study will bring economic benefits to the end-users of advanced material technology including the Australian materials industries. Read moreRead less
A novel maskless process for patterning and doping of silicon. The outcomes of this research will have consequences for the semiconductor industry by providing the potential for a completely new process tool for patterning and doping in device and circuit fabrication. The technology is also applicable as a simple and inexpensive way to 'write' conducting and insulating regions in silicon and may thus be applicable for smart cards and small industry. Successful implementation of the research will ....A novel maskless process for patterning and doping of silicon. The outcomes of this research will have consequences for the semiconductor industry by providing the potential for a completely new process tool for patterning and doping in device and circuit fabrication. The technology is also applicable as a simple and inexpensive way to 'write' conducting and insulating regions in silicon and may thus be applicable for smart cards and small industry. Successful implementation of the research will raise Australia's international profile in this area. This work will be particularly beneficial to a new high-tech Australian company, WRiota, which specializes in device technology based in nanoindentation of silicon.Read moreRead less
Magnesium diboride superconductor magnets for applications. The proposed development of magnesium diboride magnets is one of the core technologies that underlie applications in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separators, and other devices. The proposed international research consortium is in a leading position to explore the potential of these superconductor magnets for various applications. A breakthrough in the current proposal will lead to widespread commercial activities in a number of ....Magnesium diboride superconductor magnets for applications. The proposed development of magnesium diboride magnets is one of the core technologies that underlie applications in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separators, and other devices. The proposed international research consortium is in a leading position to explore the potential of these superconductor magnets for various applications. A breakthrough in the current proposal will lead to widespread commercial activities in a number of industry sectors: mineral separation, health, electric power, transportation, water purification, drug delivery, and space/aviation. Application of the proposal's outcomes will lead to enormous energy savings and environmental benefits. Read moreRead less
Development of superconducting leads with ultra-low thermal conductivity for cryoelectronic applications. Superconducting systems are revolutionary technologies that have the potential to make a significant impact on society. The development of the new technology of superconducting wiring, which would effectively eliminate heat generation and its transfer to the cryogenic electronics, and its subsequent employment will enable superconductive electronics to become price competitive, significantly ....Development of superconducting leads with ultra-low thermal conductivity for cryoelectronic applications. Superconducting systems are revolutionary technologies that have the potential to make a significant impact on society. The development of the new technology of superconducting wiring, which would effectively eliminate heat generation and its transfer to the cryogenic electronics, and its subsequent employment will enable superconductive electronics to become price competitive, significantly outperforming conventional systems. The establishment of this new frontier technology of heat-switch current leads will benefit Australian industries and have a dramatic impact in the future on the field of cryogenic quantum electronics (such as quantum computing), which is currently under profound exploration in Australia.Read moreRead less
Geopolymers for nuclear applications. With the pressing need for the reduction of Greenhouse emissions from electricity generation in Australia, one option that must be seriously considered is nuclear energy. However, the issue of waste storage is a highly significant one that must be addressed. Geopolymeric cements are expected to perform much better than traditional Portland cements in nuclear applications, both for solidification of radioactive wastes and also for the construction of undergro ....Geopolymers for nuclear applications. With the pressing need for the reduction of Greenhouse emissions from electricity generation in Australia, one option that must be seriously considered is nuclear energy. However, the issue of waste storage is a highly significant one that must be addressed. Geopolymeric cements are expected to perform much better than traditional Portland cements in nuclear applications, both for solidification of radioactive wastes and also for the construction of underground waste storage bunkers. This project will use Australia's strong existing knowledge in geopolymers research, and apply it to the development of materials to fill the need for environmentally secure waste storage solutions.Read moreRead less
A novel approach to direct nanopatterning of silicon for advanced phase-changed devices. This project will exploit key research developments at ANU in the field of nanotechnology, specifically nanofabrication of entirely new devices. In particular, this work will be exploited by a new Australian high-tech company, WRiota, to produce novel silicon phase change devices. The instrumentation developments will be commercialized by a leading nanoindentation company and the materials and device-related ....A novel approach to direct nanopatterning of silicon for advanced phase-changed devices. This project will exploit key research developments at ANU in the field of nanotechnology, specifically nanofabrication of entirely new devices. In particular, this work will be exploited by a new Australian high-tech company, WRiota, to produce novel silicon phase change devices. The instrumentation developments will be commercialized by a leading nanoindentation company and the materials and device-related outcomes and IP will be retained and used by WRiota. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and ECRs to gain experience in both the industrial and academic worlds.Read moreRead less
Magnetic and electric field tuneable magnetic heterostructures. Australian science and technology will be a leading participant in the creation of a new, useful magneto-electric composite material whose properties arise from careful atomic level design. This goal has been long sought after, and only recently come within reach. Recent proof-of-concept demonstrations have inspired an explosion of activity on a global scale together with intensive searches for additional examples of useful materia ....Magnetic and electric field tuneable magnetic heterostructures. Australian science and technology will be a leading participant in the creation of a new, useful magneto-electric composite material whose properties arise from careful atomic level design. This goal has been long sought after, and only recently come within reach. Recent proof-of-concept demonstrations have inspired an explosion of activity on a global scale together with intensive searches for additional examples of useful material combinations. In this project, young Australian scientists and research students will have opportunities to receive training and become involved in a National Priority Frontier Technology rich in possibilities for generation of intellectual property.Read moreRead less
Memory effects in magnetic metals: origin, utility and control in magnetoelectronics using layered nanopatterns. The work is in the important area of magneto-electronics, a field recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize awarded in Physics. Training opportunities for Honours and postgraduate students will be provided at the forefront of this high profile area, thereby expanding Australian knowledge base and capability. New opportunities for interaction between several groups in Australia will be create ....Memory effects in magnetic metals: origin, utility and control in magnetoelectronics using layered nanopatterns. The work is in the important area of magneto-electronics, a field recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize awarded in Physics. Training opportunities for Honours and postgraduate students will be provided at the forefront of this high profile area, thereby expanding Australian knowledge base and capability. New opportunities for interaction between several groups in Australia will be created. The projects will involve PhD students shared between Australian institutions and collaborating groups overseas, thereby cementing collaborations while simultaneously providing unique training environments. The project will use and support activities associated with the Australian major facilities. Read moreRead less
Development of high performance III-V semiconductor photoconductive antennas for terahertz applications. The practical applications of terahertz (THz) radiation include scientific probing for material characterisation, screening for weapons, explosives and biohazards, imaging for concealed objects and medical diagnostics, chemical and biological analysis, astronomy and space research. The success of this project will lead to the creation of a new generation of high performance THz emitters/detec ....Development of high performance III-V semiconductor photoconductive antennas for terahertz applications. The practical applications of terahertz (THz) radiation include scientific probing for material characterisation, screening for weapons, explosives and biohazards, imaging for concealed objects and medical diagnostics, chemical and biological analysis, astronomy and space research. The success of this project will lead to the creation of a new generation of high performance THz emitters/detectors essential for above applications, making great contribution to the Nation in the areas of science, technology, health, security and economy.Read moreRead less