Highly multiplexed rapid-analysis microarrays for early disease diagnosis. Molecular diagnostics are revolutionising the treatment of disease in hospitals by providing rapid and accurate identification of pathogens; saving costs, time and lives. This project will accelerate this revolution by combining new array technology from the University of Sydney with a proven multiplex method from the Sydney based company, AusDiagnostics.
Improved cryopreservation protocols for long term storage of platelets. The aim of this project is to characterise human blood platelet deterioration during cold storage and cryopreservation, and accelerate the development of improved long-term storage options. The project expects to generate important new knowledge about how platelets deteriorate during storage, and how such deterioration can be minimized. The expected outcomes are improved methods for long term platelet storage. This should be ....Improved cryopreservation protocols for long term storage of platelets. The aim of this project is to characterise human blood platelet deterioration during cold storage and cryopreservation, and accelerate the development of improved long-term storage options. The project expects to generate important new knowledge about how platelets deteriorate during storage, and how such deterioration can be minimized. The expected outcomes are improved methods for long term platelet storage. This should benefit blood donation services and hospitals by improving platelet delivery to remote locations, reducing wasted blood and the number of donations required, leading to significant financial savings.Read moreRead less
Exploring the Fundamentals of Atomically Precise Manufacturing with Scanning Probe Microscopes. Over the past five years, Australian researchers have pioneered the development of a new method for fabricating electrical devices in silicon with atomic precision. By partnering with the world leader in nanotechnology manufacturing, these same researchers now have an opportunity to extend Australia's early lead in this area. The proposed research will lead to new capabilities for Australia within the ....Exploring the Fundamentals of Atomically Precise Manufacturing with Scanning Probe Microscopes. Over the past five years, Australian researchers have pioneered the development of a new method for fabricating electrical devices in silicon with atomic precision. By partnering with the world leader in nanotechnology manufacturing, these same researchers now have an opportunity to extend Australia's early lead in this area. The proposed research will lead to new capabilities for Australia within the growing field of electro-mechanical devices. It will strengthen and broaden Australia's leadership in atomic-scale device fabrication in silicon. It will assist world-leading Australian researchers to evaluate and prioritise the commercial potential of their technologies.Read moreRead less
Minimising charge carrier recombination at silicon surfaces with improved dielectric coatings. The project will help to develop a vibrant PV industry in Australia, creating substantial employment opportunities. Spark Solar - one of the project partners - is the first dedicated PV manufacturer in Australia. There is a large and rapidly expanding overseas export market for solar panels. In addition, the large scale deployment of photovoltaic systems will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ....Minimising charge carrier recombination at silicon surfaces with improved dielectric coatings. The project will help to develop a vibrant PV industry in Australia, creating substantial employment opportunities. Spark Solar - one of the project partners - is the first dedicated PV manufacturer in Australia. There is a large and rapidly expanding overseas export market for solar panels. In addition, the large scale deployment of photovoltaic systems will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus mitigate the magnitude and severity of the effects of global warming. Read moreRead less
A portable sensor for explosives. The National Research priority, safeguarding Australia, recognises that there is a real threat of terrorism and the need to protect Australians at home and abroad. Although there is often talk of dirty bombs, and biological and nuclear terrorism, the most easily sourced weapon of the terrorist is still the conventional explosive. The ability to detect trace amounts of explosives is therefore required. This means that there is a real need for a portable detection ....A portable sensor for explosives. The National Research priority, safeguarding Australia, recognises that there is a real threat of terrorism and the need to protect Australians at home and abroad. Although there is often talk of dirty bombs, and biological and nuclear terrorism, the most easily sourced weapon of the terrorist is still the conventional explosive. The ability to detect trace amounts of explosives is therefore required. This means that there is a real need for a portable detection system with the ability to reliably sense a specific explosive selectively at low concentrations. This project concerns the development of a new handheld sensor that has the potential to increase the nation's security.Read moreRead less
Diamond membranes for advanced manufacturing. This project aims to unlock the potential of diamond membrane devices in research and industry, by enabling the scalable manufacture of high quality diamond membrane samples. These will be packaged in a form that is easily transportable and with properties that are optimizable and functional for a variety of end-users. This project will allow the distribution of high quality base material to the academic and start-up markets. The expected outcome inc ....Diamond membranes for advanced manufacturing. This project aims to unlock the potential of diamond membrane devices in research and industry, by enabling the scalable manufacture of high quality diamond membrane samples. These will be packaged in a form that is easily transportable and with properties that are optimizable and functional for a variety of end-users. This project will allow the distribution of high quality base material to the academic and start-up markets. The expected outcome includes the development of products in healthcare and security such as infra-red frequency combs for gas-based chemical sensing and nanopore devices for new DNA sequencers.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the performance of high voltage direct current power cables by studying space charge accumulation in their synthetic polymeric insulation. Synthetic polymeric insulation has proved very successful in high voltage alternating current power transmission cables, and cable manufacturers have therefore sought to use it in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, for which there is a rapidly growing demand. Yet the accumulation of space charge in such cables presently severely limits the m ....Enhancing the performance of high voltage direct current power cables by studying space charge accumulation in their synthetic polymeric insulation. Synthetic polymeric insulation has proved very successful in high voltage alternating current power transmission cables, and cable manufacturers have therefore sought to use it in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, for which there is a rapidly growing demand. Yet the accumulation of space charge in such cables presently severely limits the maximum operating voltage and transmitted power. Nearly all this space charge is due to the temperature gradient in the insulation. We will analyze space charge profiles in polyethylene and other synthetic polymers, and derive basic scientific data which will inform the design of HVDC cables with greatly enhanced performance.Read moreRead less
Surface and Interface Engineering for Superconducting Quantum Circuits. The limiting factor for current quantum computers is a process called decoherence. This project aims to identify new strategies to reduce decoherence in quantum computer components using an interdisciplinary approach based on quantum physics, materials science, and engineering. This project involves investigating the effect of
atomically sharp interfaces on decoherence and using capping layers to control and/or inhibit oxide ....Surface and Interface Engineering for Superconducting Quantum Circuits. The limiting factor for current quantum computers is a process called decoherence. This project aims to identify new strategies to reduce decoherence in quantum computer components using an interdisciplinary approach based on quantum physics, materials science, and engineering. This project involves investigating the effect of
atomically sharp interfaces on decoherence and using capping layers to control and/or inhibit oxide growth that reduce the contribution of interfaces to decoherence. Expected outcomes of this project include development of solutions to fabricate long-lived superconducting qubits benefiting superconducting quantum technologies and making a significant step towards realisation of a practical quantum computer.Read moreRead less
Nanotechnology enabled electrochemical energy storage materials from indigenous natural graphite. This project aims to develop a technology package for reclamation of fine-fractions of indigenous natural graphite to create high-value, nano-engineered 'graphene-based' energy storage materials. A multidisciplinary team of experts in materials science, chemical engineering, physics and electrochemistry will address this issue of national priority.
Nonlinear Optical Metrology of Electronic Interfaces for Silicon Devices. This project aims to develop a prototype electric field induced second harmonic generation metrology setup for studying thin film dielectric interfaces on silicon in partnership with Femtometrix. The quality of these silicon-dielectric interfaces, which are affected by trapped charges and defects, are critical for microelectronic and optoelectronic device manufacturing. Through several proposed methodologies to separate th ....Nonlinear Optical Metrology of Electronic Interfaces for Silicon Devices. This project aims to develop a prototype electric field induced second harmonic generation metrology setup for studying thin film dielectric interfaces on silicon in partnership with Femtometrix. The quality of these silicon-dielectric interfaces, which are affected by trapped charges and defects, are critical for microelectronic and optoelectronic device manufacturing. Through several proposed methodologies to separate the effect of interface and bulk signals, it is expected that the sensitivity of the prototype setup will exceed the previous record of 1 kV/cm. This metrology technique will be further expanded for applicability to silicon photovoltaics, specifically passivating contacts which cannot be studied via conventional techniques.Read moreRead less