Diamond lasers for precision applications. Diamond lasers for precision applications. The project aims to create single mode lasers of ultrahigh spectral brightness. Single-mode lasers could improve many areas of science and technology, but existing technologies do not meet all performance requirements. This project will harness the intrinsic properties of diamond Raman lasers to increase the wavelength reach, power and stability of single mode lasers. The expected outcome is laser technology th ....Diamond lasers for precision applications. Diamond lasers for precision applications. The project aims to create single mode lasers of ultrahigh spectral brightness. Single-mode lasers could improve many areas of science and technology, but existing technologies do not meet all performance requirements. This project will harness the intrinsic properties of diamond Raman lasers to increase the wavelength reach, power and stability of single mode lasers. The expected outcome is laser technology that satisfies the needs of emerging markets, for example in gas sensing and atom cooling.Read moreRead less
Molecular Fingerprinting: Forensic Spectroscopy of Trace Gases. Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime and invasive diseases is essential to securing our national infrastructure. This project will develop national capabilities in anticipating and responding to critical threats to society. The scientific instrumentation developed from this effort will enhance Australia's potential aid for early detection of explosive and chemical weaponry and also in the analysis of crime scenes. This rese ....Molecular Fingerprinting: Forensic Spectroscopy of Trace Gases. Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime and invasive diseases is essential to securing our national infrastructure. This project will develop national capabilities in anticipating and responding to critical threats to society. The scientific instrumentation developed from this effort will enhance Australia's potential aid for early detection of explosive and chemical weaponry and also in the analysis of crime scenes. This research will significantly improve our abilities to maintain the operational advantage of Australia's security agencies through superior capabilities in threat detection.Read moreRead less
Fluorescence as a tool for sensitive detection of failures in recycled water treatment and distribution systems. Water reuse is emerging as a key strategy for the conservation of drinking water supplies around Australia. Accordingly, there is a need for fast, reliable, affordable and highly sensitive means of ensuring the reliability of treatment processes and final water quality. This research aims to meet such needs by providing new tools based on fluorescence analysis. These tools are to be i ....Fluorescence as a tool for sensitive detection of failures in recycled water treatment and distribution systems. Water reuse is emerging as a key strategy for the conservation of drinking water supplies around Australia. Accordingly, there is a need for fast, reliable, affordable and highly sensitive means of ensuring the reliability of treatment processes and final water quality. This research aims to meet such needs by providing new tools based on fluorescence analysis. These tools are to be implemented for online monitoring of treatment performance and for the identification of accidental contamination of drinking waters by recycled water. The enhanced ability to ensure both recycled water quality and drinking water quality will have public health and environmental benefits as well as protecting public confidence in water recycling systems.Read moreRead less
Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. This project aims to make luminescent solar concentrators that can harness solar energy from surfaces not suited for conventional solar cells, such as car windows. It will design, synthesise and conduct detailed energy transfer studies of robust inorganic quantum dot arrays with fit-for-purpose precise spectral properties. Synthetic light-harvesting ....Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. This project aims to make luminescent solar concentrators that can harness solar energy from surfaces not suited for conventional solar cells, such as car windows. It will design, synthesise and conduct detailed energy transfer studies of robust inorganic quantum dot arrays with fit-for-purpose precise spectral properties. Synthetic light-harvesting dye arrays have often been proposed to solve bottleneck challenges in the solar energy sector but there are issues with stability, processing and their photophysical output matching market needs. This project’s dyes are expected to create market opportunities for Australian luminescent solar concentrator technology.Read moreRead less
Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish ....Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish accurate and precise structures for the oxides, and distinguish both long range and short-range order which is critical to understanding both natural and synthetic U-oxides. This will help to define the geochemical conditions leading to the formation of deposits like Olympic Dam towards potential economic benefit.Read moreRead less
Versatile ultrafast Raman laser sources for biophotonics. Ultrafast laser pulses (lasting a billionth of a millisecond) are vital scientific tools. In partnership with a manufacturer of ultrafast lasers, the project will develop new wavelength-versatile and robust ultrafast laser sources to enable new technologies in areas such as the study of diseases at the cellular level and micron precision drug activation.
Terahertz sources for real-world applications. Terahertz (THz) radiation is a disruptive technology promising revolutionary applications in fields as far ranging as biomedicine to counter-terrorism. But most of these applications have yet to see practical implementation, due to a lack of practical and robust THz radiation sources. This project aims to leverage on the project team’s expertise in non-linear optics to develop new methods of generating THz radiation in both continuous-wave and picos ....Terahertz sources for real-world applications. Terahertz (THz) radiation is a disruptive technology promising revolutionary applications in fields as far ranging as biomedicine to counter-terrorism. But most of these applications have yet to see practical implementation, due to a lack of practical and robust THz radiation sources. This project aims to leverage on the project team’s expertise in non-linear optics to develop new methods of generating THz radiation in both continuous-wave and picosecond-pulse, quasi-continuous-wave regimes, which will complement and enhance current technologies. The outcomes intend to be THz sources generating frequency range, output power and temporal characteristics required for existing and emergent applications for THz radiation in scientific, commercial and defence sectors.Read moreRead less
Connecting the dots: Image analysis for single molecule localisation microscopy. It is now possible to record the positions of single fluorescent molecules in intact cells to build up an image literally molecule by molecule. But how to ‘connect the dots’ and extract structural information from molecular coordinates is yet to be worked out. The project aims to do exactly that, and write and implement novel analysis routines to quantify a diverse range of biological structures such as protein comp ....Connecting the dots: Image analysis for single molecule localisation microscopy. It is now possible to record the positions of single fluorescent molecules in intact cells to build up an image literally molecule by molecule. But how to ‘connect the dots’ and extract structural information from molecular coordinates is yet to be worked out. The project aims to do exactly that, and write and implement novel analysis routines to quantify a diverse range of biological structures such as protein complexes, membrane morphologies, filamentous cytoskeletal networks, vesicles and viruses. The project is a collaboration between a cell biologist (Professor Gaus) who is a leader in single molecule localisation microscopy, an expert in fluorescence image analysis (Dr Nicovich) and an industry partner (Dr Lucas) who has a sophisticated software platform.Read moreRead less
Integration of broadband microwave photonic frequency convertors. This project aims to develop microwave photonic processors with increased bandwidth and unprecedented radio frequency signal processing. The new technology will enhance radar systems and electronic-warfare capabilities, and allow more flexible delivery of bandwidth for mobile communication systems. Benefits for Australian end-users and industry include improved surveillance for defence and revenue growth in companies working with ....Integration of broadband microwave photonic frequency convertors. This project aims to develop microwave photonic processors with increased bandwidth and unprecedented radio frequency signal processing. The new technology will enhance radar systems and electronic-warfare capabilities, and allow more flexible delivery of bandwidth for mobile communication systems. Benefits for Australian end-users and industry include improved surveillance for defence and revenue growth in companies working with the Australian defence forces.Read moreRead less
Quantum noise limited molecular spectrometry. This project will develop a new technology for chemical analysis using lasers. The research will produce more accurate instruments for analysing samples containing carbon dioxide and water. This technology has a surprisingly wide array of applications. For example, sensitive analysis of carbon dioxide will help law enforcement agencies identify the location of illicit drug manufacturing, test for performance enhancing drug use by elite athletes, and ....Quantum noise limited molecular spectrometry. This project will develop a new technology for chemical analysis using lasers. The research will produce more accurate instruments for analysing samples containing carbon dioxide and water. This technology has a surprisingly wide array of applications. For example, sensitive analysis of carbon dioxide will help law enforcement agencies identify the location of illicit drug manufacturing, test for performance enhancing drug use by elite athletes, and monitor greenhouse gases. The instrument for analysing water will improve water resource management in Australia. This program will result in commercial instruments that are sensitive, portable and affordable.Read moreRead less