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
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
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
Low-cost, Lightweight and Liquid Helium-free Superconducting MRI Magnet. This project aims to develop a liquid-helium-free superconducting technology to address the need for more affordable MRI magnets that currently rely on expensive, limited supplies of liquid helium. This project expects to generate a world-first, much needed MRI systems to be operated in persistent mode without a power supply, to obtain high-resolution images and low-cost operation. The expected outcomes include a novel, lig ....Low-cost, Lightweight and Liquid Helium-free Superconducting MRI Magnet. This project aims to develop a liquid-helium-free superconducting technology to address the need for more affordable MRI magnets that currently rely on expensive, limited supplies of liquid helium. This project expects to generate a world-first, much needed MRI systems to be operated in persistent mode without a power supply, to obtain high-resolution images and low-cost operation. The expected outcomes include a novel, lightweight, easy-to-operate magnesium diboride superconducting MRI magnet prototype under persistent mode operation. This should provide significant benefits, including reducing the cost associated with conventional liquid helium-dependent technologies and ensuring Australia at the forefront of MRI development worldwide.Read moreRead less
A next generation 'smart' superconducting magnet system in persistent mode. Superconducting magnet devices use splicing, a process required to maintain the persistence of operation. Currently, the formation mechanism of splicing using magnesium diboride superconductor is complex and not technologically robust for industrial magnet manufacturing. This project aims to develop novel, reliable and economical superconducting splicing technologies that can produce an ultra-stable and uniform magnetic ....A next generation 'smart' superconducting magnet system in persistent mode. Superconducting magnet devices use splicing, a process required to maintain the persistence of operation. Currently, the formation mechanism of splicing using magnesium diboride superconductor is complex and not technologically robust for industrial magnet manufacturing. This project aims to develop novel, reliable and economical superconducting splicing technologies that can produce an ultra-stable and uniform magnetic field against unexpected power outages. Expected outcomes include the development of advanced green and cryogen free superconducting technologies, which would boost the Australian manufacturing industry through access to multi-billion-dollar global markets for power grids, medical imaging and energy generation and storage.Read moreRead less
Manufacturing diamond membranes for quantum industries. Diamond materials are ideal for quantum technologies and are leading the charge in the new wave of real-world quantum industries. The aim of this project is to develop a reliable source of quantum-active diamond membranes to enable the development of new industries. This would be significant for technologies including quantum telecommunication, medical imaging and nano-scale quantum sensing. Of particular interest, expected outcomes include ....Manufacturing diamond membranes for quantum industries. Diamond materials are ideal for quantum technologies and are leading the charge in the new wave of real-world quantum industries. The aim of this project is to develop a reliable source of quantum-active diamond membranes to enable the development of new industries. This would be significant for technologies including quantum telecommunication, medical imaging and nano-scale quantum sensing. Of particular interest, expected outcomes include the development of materials for advanced medical imaging technologies. Successful development in any of these industries has the potential to greatly benefit society through improved healthcare, the development of new high-tech industries and advanced secure computing. Read moreRead less
Electrical contact engineering for next generation semiconductor devices. Contact resistivity and parasitic resistance have been identified as limiting factors in the performance of next-generation semiconductor devices. This project aims to understand these limitations and to develop methods to mitigate them through the application of advanced ion implantation processing. Specifically, this will involve: investigating the effect of selective doping on electrical properties of metal-semiconducto ....Electrical contact engineering for next generation semiconductor devices. Contact resistivity and parasitic resistance have been identified as limiting factors in the performance of next-generation semiconductor devices. This project aims to understand these limitations and to develop methods to mitigate them through the application of advanced ion implantation processing. Specifically, this will involve: investigating the effect of selective doping on electrical properties of metal-semiconductor interfaces; determining how ultra-shallow dopant profiles are affected by device structure and processing; and developing improved methods for measuring ultra-low contact resistivity. The research will be undertaken as a collaboration between researchers at the Australian National University and Applied Materials Ltd.Read moreRead less
Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so tha ....Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so that widespread uptake of these reactors becomes viable. Outcomes from the project will include a fundamental understanding of pure and doping-induced isotopic magnesium diboride superconductors and their behaviour under high neutron flux and harsh plasma atmosphere, which are specifically designed for application in next-generation, low-cost fusion reactors.Read moreRead less
Diamond-based wideband radiofrequency fibre-optic sensor. This project aims to address the growing problem of ultra-wide radiofrequency signal monitoring. Developing a rugged and portable solution for whole-spectrum monitoring is a critical unmet need for Defence and other industries, and an important scientific challenge. Our approach is based on a diamond radio frequency sensor with fibre-optic readout. The project is expected to generate knowledge in the areas of quantum science and photonics ....Diamond-based wideband radiofrequency fibre-optic sensor. This project aims to address the growing problem of ultra-wide radiofrequency signal monitoring. Developing a rugged and portable solution for whole-spectrum monitoring is a critical unmet need for Defence and other industries, and an important scientific challenge. Our approach is based on a diamond radio frequency sensor with fibre-optic readout. The project is expected to generate knowledge in the areas of quantum science and photonics by integrating advanced optical fibres with quantum-grade diamond. Expected outcomes of the project include the development of a strategic academic and industry alliance through the establishment of a sovereign capability that will benefit Australia in the areas of cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
High-fidelity, long lasting, single-neuron brain machine interfaces. The ability to conduct stable, high resolution recording and stimulation within the brain is critically important to the development of technologies that interface electronics with the human body. Devices that interface directly with the brain are increasingly important in brain research, medical monitoring, treatment of neurological diseases or the enormous increase in brain-machine interface technologies. Carbon Cybernetics h ....High-fidelity, long lasting, single-neuron brain machine interfaces. The ability to conduct stable, high resolution recording and stimulation within the brain is critically important to the development of technologies that interface electronics with the human body. Devices that interface directly with the brain are increasingly important in brain research, medical monitoring, treatment of neurological diseases or the enormous increase in brain-machine interface technologies. Carbon Cybernetics have developed a high-density neural recording and stimulation array that employs fine carbon fibres as the electrode material. We aim to show that this array can record from the brain indefinitely, without loosing signal quality, and the same array can be used to stimulate the brain to recreate memories or sensations.Read moreRead less