An investigation of growth processes, structure and properties of biogenically synthesised gold nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can have unique and interesting properties such as optical activity and redox (electronic) behaviour that can be utilised in a number of applications such as drug delivery and cancer hyperthermia treatments, coatings, electronic devices and sensors. The main aims of this research program are to produce novel nanoparticles using an innovative method which uses biological sp ....An investigation of growth processes, structure and properties of biogenically synthesised gold nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can have unique and interesting properties such as optical activity and redox (electronic) behaviour that can be utilised in a number of applications such as drug delivery and cancer hyperthermia treatments, coatings, electronic devices and sensors. The main aims of this research program are to produce novel nanoparticles using an innovative method which uses biological species such as fungi and plant extracts, and to study the growth mechanisms, structure and properties of these nanoparticles. These studies could lead to the discovery of novel nanoparticles with applications in the fields mentioned above. This project also aims to train/educate young Australian graduates in the growing area of advanced materials.Read moreRead less
High Resolution Imaging and Analysis of Embedded Interfaces and Interface Phase Transitions in Interface-Dominated Nanomaterials. Heterogeneous nanostructured materials and assemblies offer unique structure-property relationships, dominated by the internal interfaces they contain. This interdisciplinary research project will combine novel techniques based on high-resolution phase-retrieval x-ray diffraction and imaging, with complementary analytical electron microscopy and atom probe analysis, i ....High Resolution Imaging and Analysis of Embedded Interfaces and Interface Phase Transitions in Interface-Dominated Nanomaterials. Heterogeneous nanostructured materials and assemblies offer unique structure-property relationships, dominated by the internal interfaces they contain. This interdisciplinary research project will combine novel techniques based on high-resolution phase-retrieval x-ray diffraction and imaging, with complementary analytical electron microscopy and atom probe analysis, in a coordinated study of the structure and properties of embedded interfaces in strategic bi-crystals and nanostructures. It promises new techniques for the study of such defects, and a breakthrough in the understanding of the structural transitions that occur in embedded interfaces as a function of local changes in composition and temperature.Read moreRead less
Development of SmCo-based High Temperature Permanent Magnets: Microstructure and Coercivity Mechanism. This project is to develop high performance permanent magnets for elevated temperature applications. Microstructure and magnetic properties will be examined using atom probe, TEM, XRD and magnetometry. The specific atom probe is the state-of-the-art technique for the characterization of nanostructure and falls in the designated National Research Priority 3, PG2 Frontier Technologies (nanotechno ....Development of SmCo-based High Temperature Permanent Magnets: Microstructure and Coercivity Mechanism. This project is to develop high performance permanent magnets for elevated temperature applications. Microstructure and magnetic properties will be examined using atom probe, TEM, XRD and magnetometry. The specific atom probe is the state-of-the-art technique for the characterization of nanostructure and falls in the designated National Research Priority 3, PG2 Frontier Technologies (nanotechnology). The magnet alloys concerned are an example of Advanced Materials (NRP3, PG3), possessing the best performance amongst such functional materials. The expertise gained in the use of the atom probe technique in this project will have broader applications in the study of nanostructured materials and other metal alloy problems within Australia.Read moreRead less
Engineering the kinetic stability of alloys for advanced stainless material development. A framework for understanding and designing metals and alloys with kinetic stability in mind will allow for discovery and breakthrough science to underpin technological innovation. This work has potential benefits for multiple industry sectors, with the ultimate intent of developing advanced materials for use in transport, construction, energy generation and medicine; all sectors of which can improve our qua ....Engineering the kinetic stability of alloys for advanced stainless material development. A framework for understanding and designing metals and alloys with kinetic stability in mind will allow for discovery and breakthrough science to underpin technological innovation. This work has potential benefits for multiple industry sectors, with the ultimate intent of developing advanced materials for use in transport, construction, energy generation and medicine; all sectors of which can improve our quality of life, whilst also addressing the multi-billion dollars of loss attributed to metallic corrosion each year. Such work will also benefit Australia through the development of a strategic international capability in a highly interdisciplinary field.Read moreRead less
Origin of ferromagnetism in zinc-oxide semiconductors: A vital element to spintronics. Zinc-oxide is a semiconductor which could potentially be applied for a new concept known as spintronics - a hybrid technology of electronics and magnetics. The advantages of spintronic devices would be nonvolatility, increased data processing speed, decreased electric power consumption and increased integration densities compared with conventional semiconductor devices. A vital element to realizing this concep ....Origin of ferromagnetism in zinc-oxide semiconductors: A vital element to spintronics. Zinc-oxide is a semiconductor which could potentially be applied for a new concept known as spintronics - a hybrid technology of electronics and magnetics. The advantages of spintronic devices would be nonvolatility, increased data processing speed, decreased electric power consumption and increased integration densities compared with conventional semiconductor devices. A vital element to realizing this concept is a new class of semiconductor which exhibits magnetism. It has been reported that zinc-oxide doped with transition metal shows magnetization, however, its authenticity remains controversial. We will try resolving this problem by developing a fundamental understanding of the origin of ferromagnetism in zinc-oxide semiconductor.Read moreRead less
The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understa ....The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understanding of the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic driving forces, which govern nano-particle nucleation, growth and stability. This project will investigate the role of surface thermodynamics and growth kinetics in the nucleation, growth and stability of metallic nano-crystals in order to understand how to control their synthesis.Read moreRead less