Understanding structure-property relations in amorphous silicon. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology and has a number of clear benefits for Australia. 1) Ensures Australia maintains its current position as a world leader in the fields of nanotechnology and material science; 2) Provides training to students in the exciting areas of synchrotron operation and nanotechnology. 3) Enables leverage for further funding from both companies and international funding ....Understanding structure-property relations in amorphous silicon. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology and has a number of clear benefits for Australia. 1) Ensures Australia maintains its current position as a world leader in the fields of nanotechnology and material science; 2) Provides training to students in the exciting areas of synchrotron operation and nanotechnology. 3) Enables leverage for further funding from both companies and international funding sources; and 4) Supports Australian industry by contributing to research which has resulted in the formation of a new company.Read moreRead less
Engineering nanoscale material properties by controlled-temperature indentation. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology. The technology is based on semiconductor modification at the nanoscale by nanoindentation. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and early-career researchers to gain skills as well as learn techniques and processes needed for Australia's nanotechnology workforce. Australia will further ....Engineering nanoscale material properties by controlled-temperature indentation. The research is in a field of high national priority, namely nanotechnology. The technology is based on semiconductor modification at the nanoscale by nanoindentation. This project will further provide valuable opportunities for a number of research students and early-career researchers to gain skills as well as learn techniques and processes needed for Australia's nanotechnology workforce. Australia will further benefit as the skills and knowledge garnered from this work will be patented at every opportunity and transferred to a spin-off company, WRiota.Read moreRead less
Mechanical deformation of layered semiconductor structures. This project aims to reveal the mechanisms of mechanical deformation in thin film layered semiconductors structures. Currently, there is little knowledge in this area despite the importance of such structures in electronic and optoelectronic devices. Layered structures are not expected to respond to mechanical stress in the same way as bulk materials, as a result of size constraints in nanoscale films, the critical importance of strai ....Mechanical deformation of layered semiconductor structures. This project aims to reveal the mechanisms of mechanical deformation in thin film layered semiconductors structures. Currently, there is little knowledge in this area despite the importance of such structures in electronic and optoelectronic devices. Layered structures are not expected to respond to mechanical stress in the same way as bulk materials, as a result of size constraints in nanoscale films, the critical importance of strain, and the possibility of disparities between the mechanical properties of the individual layers. The results of this project will dramatically enhance the understanding of the deformation responses of nanoscale structures to mechanical stress.Read moreRead less
Amorphisation of Semiconductor and Elemental Metallic Nanocrystals by Ion Irradiation. This proposal is consistent with Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science, Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. We seek to understand and develop a unique methodology for modifying and tailoring the structure of semiconductor and metallic nanocrystals in ways not achievable within the bulk phase. Our res ....Amorphisation of Semiconductor and Elemental Metallic Nanocrystals by Ion Irradiation. This proposal is consistent with Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries and Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science, Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. We seek to understand and develop a unique methodology for modifying and tailoring the structure of semiconductor and metallic nanocrystals in ways not achievable within the bulk phase. Our results and accompanying scientific insight will broaden the applicability of these materials in advanced technologies, enhance the national research profile, increase the domestic knowledge base and yield skilled, young scientists trained to utilize the Australian Synchrotron when commissioned in 2007.Read moreRead less
Boron nitride nanotubes for tunable conductivity. The proposed research in nanotubes falls into the national research priority areas of advanced materials and breakthrough science. This ANU research group has a leading role in Boron Nitride (BN) nanotube research internationally. The proposed collaborative research will enhance this position and further improve the nation's research profile in nanotechnology. New intellectual properties will be generated if the project is successful, which wi ....Boron nitride nanotubes for tunable conductivity. The proposed research in nanotubes falls into the national research priority areas of advanced materials and breakthrough science. This ANU research group has a leading role in Boron Nitride (BN) nanotube research internationally. The proposed collaborative research will enhance this position and further improve the nation's research profile in nanotechnology. New intellectual properties will be generated if the project is successful, which will benefit the commercialization activity of BN nanotubes at ANU. New PhD and undergraduate students will be trained by the proposed cutting edge research project.Read moreRead less
Structure-property correlation in metal-oxide aerogels. Aerogels are truly remarkable materials with unique physical properties including extraordinary thermal insulation capabilities. The influence of mechanical deformation on these nanoscale materials is only poorly understood, despite key technological interest. This project aims to measure the response of a variety of aerogels samples to forces applied by nanoindentation and, using advanced electron microscopy and ion-beam analysis techniqu ....Structure-property correlation in metal-oxide aerogels. Aerogels are truly remarkable materials with unique physical properties including extraordinary thermal insulation capabilities. The influence of mechanical deformation on these nanoscale materials is only poorly understood, despite key technological interest. This project aims to measure the response of a variety of aerogels samples to forces applied by nanoindentation and, using advanced electron microscopy and ion-beam analysis techniques, to directly identify the atomic-level deformation mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Ion implantation induced diffusion and defect evolution in Si nanostructures. A fundamental understanding of nanostructures is essential for the development of nanoscale electronic devices. This project will investigate ion implantation of dopant atoms into Si nanostructures. The goal is to develop a broad understanding of the effect of the nanostructure dimensions on point-defect-induced diffusion and the formation of extended defects. In particular, the influence of multiple surfaces on point- ....Ion implantation induced diffusion and defect evolution in Si nanostructures. A fundamental understanding of nanostructures is essential for the development of nanoscale electronic devices. This project will investigate ion implantation of dopant atoms into Si nanostructures. The goal is to develop a broad understanding of the effect of the nanostructure dimensions on point-defect-induced diffusion and the formation of extended defects. In particular, the influence of multiple surfaces on point-defect recombination will be investigated. Concurrently, the techniques necessary for the analysis of nano-structures will be developed.
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Nanoindentation-induced Phase Transformations and Physical Property Changes in Semiconductors. The motivation for this study derives from recent findings of intriguing phase and structural changes induced in semiconductors under a small indenter when it is pressed into the surface. Using an array of sophisticated techniques, in this study we plan to explore for the first time the structural changes that can be induced in semiconductors on the nanoscale and to study what novel properties, partic ....Nanoindentation-induced Phase Transformations and Physical Property Changes in Semiconductors. The motivation for this study derives from recent findings of intriguing phase and structural changes induced in semiconductors under a small indenter when it is pressed into the surface. Using an array of sophisticated techniques, in this study we plan to explore for the first time the structural changes that can be induced in semiconductors on the nanoscale and to study what novel properties, particularly electrical, such nanoscale regions may have. Detailed nanoindentation studies will focus on understanding and exploiting deformation of silicon, to open up an exciting prospect: the development of an entirely new, ultra-high-density information storage process.Read moreRead less
Nanocavities and Nanoparticles in Silicon-based Materials Tailored by Ion Implantation. Nanometre sized crystals embedded in different host materials can exhibit novel optical behaviour, including light emission. However, the optical properties depend critically on the ability to tailor the size and size distribution of such nanocrystal inclusions, parameters that are extremely difficult to control. This project is based on our previous discovery that small holes of controlled size and distri ....Nanocavities and Nanoparticles in Silicon-based Materials Tailored by Ion Implantation. Nanometre sized crystals embedded in different host materials can exhibit novel optical behaviour, including light emission. However, the optical properties depend critically on the ability to tailor the size and size distribution of such nanocrystal inclusions, parameters that are extremely difficult to control. This project is based on our previous discovery that small holes of controlled size and distribution can be formed in silicon by ion irradiation and that such cavities can be filled with fast diffusing elemental species. We intend to explore this novel concept to tailor the size of desired nanocrystals in silicon-based materials for optoelectronics applications.Read moreRead less
Synchrotron radiation techniques applied to melting and resolidification at a nanometric scale. By delivering underpinning knowledge of melting characteristics of nanoparticles, the proposal seeks results that can lead to breakthrough applications in advanced materials engineering. Measurements of the liquid nanoparticle structure performed at the Australian Synchrotron are unprecedented and are thus likely to include the development of new methodology. National and international exposure of Aus ....Synchrotron radiation techniques applied to melting and resolidification at a nanometric scale. By delivering underpinning knowledge of melting characteristics of nanoparticles, the proposal seeks results that can lead to breakthrough applications in advanced materials engineering. Measurements of the liquid nanoparticle structure performed at the Australian Synchrotron are unprecedented and are thus likely to include the development of new methodology. National and international exposure of Australian science and the Australian Synchrotron will have both scientific and economic ramifications. Involvement of students will contribute to developing the local synchrotron knowledge base and is beneficial to the Australian synchrotron-research community as a whole.Read moreRead less