The role of structure in the formation and properties of glasses. This project aims to investigate the role of local atomic structure in the formation and mechanical properties of glasses by applying newly developed structure-determination methods. This project expects to establish why glasses form and how their structure gives rise to their undesirable, and limiting, brittle mechanical failure. The anticipated outcomes of this project are better ways to measure the atomic structure of disorder ....The role of structure in the formation and properties of glasses. This project aims to investigate the role of local atomic structure in the formation and mechanical properties of glasses by applying newly developed structure-determination methods. This project expects to establish why glasses form and how their structure gives rise to their undesirable, and limiting, brittle mechanical failure. The anticipated outcomes of this project are better ways to measure the atomic structure of disordered materials and the generation of more clear-cut structure-property relationships for glasses. This will provide significant benefit to Australian industries by enabling the design of better glass-forming systems and stronger, tougher glasses.Read moreRead less
Quantum Design of Majorana Modes in Magnet-Superconductor Hybrid Systems. This project will identify magnet-superconductor hybrid structures which feature topological superconductivity, a new material class which promises to revolutionise future technology. By performing cutting-edge transport calculations, this project will also predict signatures of topological superconductors for ongoing and future experiments. Expected outcomes of this project include identification of suitable candidate mat ....Quantum Design of Majorana Modes in Magnet-Superconductor Hybrid Systems. This project will identify magnet-superconductor hybrid structures which feature topological superconductivity, a new material class which promises to revolutionise future technology. By performing cutting-edge transport calculations, this project will also predict signatures of topological superconductors for ongoing and future experiments. Expected outcomes of this project include identification of suitable candidate materials and protocols for the quantum design of prototype devices. By providing the theory of advanced structures and devices, this project will inform experiments and pave the way for future technology based on topological phenomena.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
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100336
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,899.00
Summary
Superconducting diamond for investigating sources of interface noise. This project aims to identify and eliminate the sources of electro-magnetic noise at material interfaces, through the development of diamond as a model semiconductor/superconductor material system. The project expects to generate new understandings about the origin of these noise sources, using a combination of new nanofabrication developments and exquisite control over the surface chemical bonding of the diamond material. Exp ....Superconducting diamond for investigating sources of interface noise. This project aims to identify and eliminate the sources of electro-magnetic noise at material interfaces, through the development of diamond as a model semiconductor/superconductor material system. The project expects to generate new understandings about the origin of these noise sources, using a combination of new nanofabrication developments and exquisite control over the surface chemical bonding of the diamond material. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding and control of noise sources in superconducting and quantum devices, and potentially a new material platform for the creation of superconducting quantum circuits. By supporting Australia's nascent quantum technologies industry this project will help support research training and a higher quality workforce, with the possibility for enabling job creation in the future.Read moreRead less
Understanding helium induced nanostructure formation. This project addresses the interaction dynamics of high-flux helium particles with materials that drives surface nanowire growth. These dynamics are important to nuclear reactor materials and to developing new nanotechnology materials for high energy density lithium-ion battery anodes and water splitting catalysts. Through model and experiment, this project expects to generate new knowledge of processes that drive sub-surface nano-bubble form ....Understanding helium induced nanostructure formation. This project addresses the interaction dynamics of high-flux helium particles with materials that drives surface nanowire growth. These dynamics are important to nuclear reactor materials and to developing new nanotechnology materials for high energy density lithium-ion battery anodes and water splitting catalysts. Through model and experiment, this project expects to generate new knowledge of processes that drive sub-surface nano-bubble formation and surface nanowire growth in materials exposed to helium particles. This project will result in improved understanding of material degradation during nuclear reactor operation and will make a new contribution to high-value manufacturing capabilities for next generation energy systems.Read moreRead less
From One Structure to Another for Improved Materials Design. This project aims to characterise a new way of generating strengthening precipitate structures for lightweight aluminium alloys. Precipitation in the solid state is key to the performance of many materials, but is especially important for light alloys used in structural applications. This project expects to deliver greater fundamental understanding of precipitation mechanisms and generate experimental and computational methods for thre ....From One Structure to Another for Improved Materials Design. This project aims to characterise a new way of generating strengthening precipitate structures for lightweight aluminium alloys. Precipitation in the solid state is key to the performance of many materials, but is especially important for light alloys used in structural applications. This project expects to deliver greater fundamental understanding of precipitation mechanisms and generate experimental and computational methods for three-dimensional characterisation and simulations at the atomic-scale of embedded nanostructures. This should provide significant benefits for the improved design of light alloys, such as for the automotive and aerospace sectors, but also for high-tech materials whose function depends on precipitates. Read moreRead less
Tuning electronic and optical properties in twisted 2D semiconductors. This project aims to build and characterise a family of novel electronic materials: layers of atomically thin semiconductors stacked with a twist, to realise new electronic phases and new low-energy electronic devices. The project adopts an interdisciplinary approach combining advanced experimental and theoretical techniques. The expected outcomes will be a detailed understanding of the electronic and optical properties of tw ....Tuning electronic and optical properties in twisted 2D semiconductors. This project aims to build and characterise a family of novel electronic materials: layers of atomically thin semiconductors stacked with a twist, to realise new electronic phases and new low-energy electronic devices. The project adopts an interdisciplinary approach combining advanced experimental and theoretical techniques. The expected outcomes will be a detailed understanding of the electronic and optical properties of twisted semiconductor superlattices, such that they can be produced with desired properties on demand. The benefits of the project will be new materials for electronics and optoelectronics applications, new links to international organisations, and training of students and postdocs for careers in nanoelectronics. 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
Revealing the atoms that control performance in photoactive perovskites. This project aims to develop new electron microscopy techniques that will unambiguously determine the elusive structures of photoactive perovskite compounds under static and operational conditions, while correlating crystal structure with solar cell device performance. Photoactive perovskites are promising photovoltaic materials, however, many are sensitive to air and irradiation. This has impeded a huge international resea ....Revealing the atoms that control performance in photoactive perovskites. This project aims to develop new electron microscopy techniques that will unambiguously determine the elusive structures of photoactive perovskite compounds under static and operational conditions, while correlating crystal structure with solar cell device performance. Photoactive perovskites are promising photovoltaic materials, however, many are sensitive to air and irradiation. This has impeded a huge international research effort to determine their structure reliably at the atomic scale. With these new techniques applied to leading compounds and devices, it is expected this project will reveal the structural effects controlling electrical properties and device performance and so enable the design of superior perovskite photovoltaics.Read moreRead less