A surface modification techniques for wafers of semiconductor materials. The research will develop an innovative technique for producing large wafers of semiconductor materials with a superfine surface finish. This technique will combine the advantages of ultra-precision grinding and polishing into a single operation. An effective superfinishing technique for the new generation of large-size wafers of semiconductor materials is essential because they are one of the most important materials for i ....A surface modification techniques for wafers of semiconductor materials. The research will develop an innovative technique for producing large wafers of semiconductor materials with a superfine surface finish. This technique will combine the advantages of ultra-precision grinding and polishing into a single operation. An effective superfinishing technique for the new generation of large-size wafers of semiconductor materials is essential because they are one of the most important materials for information technology, integrated circuit technology and fabrication of micro-machines.Read moreRead less
Supersonic Particle Deposition Of Metal Matrix Composite/Aluminium Alloy For Ensuring The Continued Airworthiness Of Damaged Structures. The June 2007 Report to Congress by the US Under Secretary of the Department of Defence (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) estimated the cost of corrosion associated with US DoD systems to be between $10 billion and $20 billion annually. It further stated that the US DoD has focused its life-cycle corrosion research and development efforts on four primary ....Supersonic Particle Deposition Of Metal Matrix Composite/Aluminium Alloy For Ensuring The Continued Airworthiness Of Damaged Structures. The June 2007 Report to Congress by the US Under Secretary of the Department of Defence (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) estimated the cost of corrosion associated with US DoD systems to be between $10 billion and $20 billion annually. It further stated that the US DoD has focused its life-cycle corrosion research and development efforts on four primary areas one of which is repair processes that restore corroded materials to an acceptable level of structural integrity and functionality. This project specifically addresses that topic and as such will have a significant impact on Australia's Defence infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Understanding of nanostructures and magnetic properties of Ge-based diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronic devices. The success of growing high-quality germanium-based diluted magnetic semiconductors will position Australian fundamental & applied research at the world forefront of magnetic semiconductors. This multi-disciplinary research will not only secure a number of high-impact publications in leading international journals, but also has the potential to generate patentable technolog ....Understanding of nanostructures and magnetic properties of Ge-based diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronic devices. The success of growing high-quality germanium-based diluted magnetic semiconductors will position Australian fundamental & applied research at the world forefront of magnetic semiconductors. This multi-disciplinary research will not only secure a number of high-impact publications in leading international journals, but also has the potential to generate patentable technologies which might bring potential economic benefits to Australia. In addition, the project will strengthen the collaboration between Australian researchers and world-renowned scientists and will allow Australian researchers to access world-best fabrication facilities. All these will enhance the international competitive profile of Australia in the field of spintronics.Read moreRead less
Semiconductor Photonic Crystal Devices. Photonic crystals will be a key element of future all-optical ultra-highspeed photonic integrated circuits for telecommunications and signal processing. This project will pioneer new structures capable of manipulating light on integrated photonic chips, based on nano-scale features in semiconductors. This will have a significant impact on Australia's photonics industry.
Improving Tribological Performance Through The Control of Surface Microstructure Using Plasma Based Surface Engineering Technologies. This project aims to improve the tribological performance of a new type of rotary valving system required to operate under marginal boundary lubrication conditions. The intention is to develop innovative plasma based methods of generating inherently low friction modified surfaces through the control of microstructure. The latter will be analysed using focused ion ....Improving Tribological Performance Through The Control of Surface Microstructure Using Plasma Based Surface Engineering Technologies. This project aims to improve the tribological performance of a new type of rotary valving system required to operate under marginal boundary lubrication conditions. The intention is to develop innovative plasma based methods of generating inherently low friction modified surfaces through the control of microstructure. The latter will be analysed using focused ion beam milling. The performance of modified surfaces will be assessed in simulated friction and wear tests. Success could lead to more widespread adoption of the technology within the automotive industry with benefits for more efficient use of energy and cleaner exhaust emissions.Read moreRead less
Electrorheological Fluid-based Actuators. The proposed project will make significant contribution towards both fundamental understanding of nanoparticle materials and the development of novel nanomaterial based devices. It is expected that new technology obtained from this research will be transferred to the automotive industry in Australia. It will also strengthen the collaboration between Australia and other countries, such as Hong Kong where research is also at the forefront in this field. Au ....Electrorheological Fluid-based Actuators. The proposed project will make significant contribution towards both fundamental understanding of nanoparticle materials and the development of novel nanomaterial based devices. It is expected that new technology obtained from this research will be transferred to the automotive industry in Australia. It will also strengthen the collaboration between Australia and other countries, such as Hong Kong where research is also at the forefront in this field. Australian research students and engineers will also gain training opportunities from this project.Read moreRead less
Towards a high density silicon phase change memory device. This project builds upon our exciting recent findings that amorphous silicon can be transformed to a conducting crystalline phase following small-scale indentation. Furthermore the process is reversible as re-indentation can induce a transformation back to insulating amorphous silicon. This process appears to occur in extremely small (nanoscale) volumes of silicon. We plan to explore the viability of exploiting this behaviour to develo ....Towards a high density silicon phase change memory device. This project builds upon our exciting recent findings that amorphous silicon can be transformed to a conducting crystalline phase following small-scale indentation. Furthermore the process is reversible as re-indentation can induce a transformation back to insulating amorphous silicon. This process appears to occur in extremely small (nanoscale) volumes of silicon. We plan to explore the viability of exploiting this behaviour to develop an entirely new information storage system: a high-density silicon phase change memory. This project aims to study small-scale transformation behaviour in silicon and to design demonstrator memory devices based on both micro-electromechanical systems and solid state technologies.Read moreRead less
ARC Nanotechnology Research Network. The field of nano scale science, engineering and technology (in short nanotechnology) is just emerging and it is predicted to make a major impact in all technologies and areas of society. Australian Nanotechnology Network intends to harness the combined Australian capability to enable Australia to take a leading role in this rapidly growing field.
Superconducting MgB2 thin films and structures for electronic devices and telecommunication applications. Two important directions of electronic application for MgB2 films are superconducting Josephson junction (JJ) technology and passive microwave devices. Superconducting JJ technology will have a small but important niche in high-performance digital signal and data processing applications for civilian, commercial, and military terrestrial, as well as space deployment. With superconducting pass ....Superconducting MgB2 thin films and structures for electronic devices and telecommunication applications. Two important directions of electronic application for MgB2 films are superconducting Josephson junction (JJ) technology and passive microwave devices. Superconducting JJ technology will have a small but important niche in high-performance digital signal and data processing applications for civilian, commercial, and military terrestrial, as well as space deployment. With superconducting passive microwave devices, the potentially largest market in this segment are filter systems for ground- or satellite based wireless communication systems. The research outcome could support Australian companies to develop corresponding products, as well as broaden Australia's knowledge of the physics of the new MgB2 superconductor.Read moreRead less
Exploration of new catalyst materials for hydrogen/air fed proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Fuel cell technology is the most critical technology for the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen/air fed fuel cells can provide pollution-free power sources for vehicles and distributed power generation. A breakthrough in fuel cell technology using hydrogen as fuel will supply us with clean and sustainable energy sources, dramatically improve our environment, and maintain national energy security. The success ....Exploration of new catalyst materials for hydrogen/air fed proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Fuel cell technology is the most critical technology for the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen/air fed fuel cells can provide pollution-free power sources for vehicles and distributed power generation. A breakthrough in fuel cell technology using hydrogen as fuel will supply us with clean and sustainable energy sources, dramatically improve our environment, and maintain national energy security. The success of fuel cell technology will also significantly reduce our dependence on oil. This research project is expected to establish local expertise, and scientific and industrial know-how on fuel-cell technology.Read moreRead less