Helium Atom Detection in Scanning Helium Microscopy. The development of an imaging helium atom detector based on carbon nanotubes would be world-first achievement and would place Australia at the forefront of technology in this field. The concurrent goal of understanding the contrast mechanisms that occur in helium atom scattering is also fundamental to the development of the scanning helium microscope. This project secures Australia's position at the forefront of atom microscopy by strategicall ....Helium Atom Detection in Scanning Helium Microscopy. The development of an imaging helium atom detector based on carbon nanotubes would be world-first achievement and would place Australia at the forefront of technology in this field. The concurrent goal of understanding the contrast mechanisms that occur in helium atom scattering is also fundamental to the development of the scanning helium microscope. This project secures Australia's position at the forefront of atom microscopy by strategically targeting the cutting-edge science critical for this emerging technology. A significant side-benefit of a nanotube based detector is that it could be incorporated into battery-operated portable gas sensors for use in environmental, industrial and even counter-terrorism applications.Read moreRead less
Designing the Next Generation of High Performance Cutting Tools. In order for Australian manufacturers to improve their global competitiveness in the production of manufactured goods it is essential to have access to cost effective high performance cutting tools. This project seeks to meet this challenge by exploiting new pathways in the development of advanced metallic-based vapour deposited coatings. This new approach will provide a much needed opportunity for value adding in the economically ....Designing the Next Generation of High Performance Cutting Tools. In order for Australian manufacturers to improve their global competitiveness in the production of manufactured goods it is essential to have access to cost effective high performance cutting tools. This project seeks to meet this challenge by exploiting new pathways in the development of advanced metallic-based vapour deposited coatings. This new approach will provide a much needed opportunity for value adding in the economically significant area of tribological coatings for industrial components. The outcomes of this project will directly impact on the ability of Sutton Tools, an Australian owned company, to sustain and expand its export markets while adding more broadly to the competitiveness of Australia's manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0238381
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
High Sensitivity Broad Range Digitised Electron Microscopy. To install in a central location at Monash University a digital image plate reader and appropriate recording hardware and software as a multi-user facility for high-resolution electron imaging and diffraction. Imaging plates are, in appearance, like photographic film and are used in the electron microscope in the same way. They are, however, nearly a hundred times more sensitive, have a range a hundred thousand times greater, and, when ....High Sensitivity Broad Range Digitised Electron Microscopy. To install in a central location at Monash University a digital image plate reader and appropriate recording hardware and software as a multi-user facility for high-resolution electron imaging and diffraction. Imaging plates are, in appearance, like photographic film and are used in the electron microscope in the same way. They are, however, nearly a hundred times more sensitive, have a range a hundred thousand times greater, and, when interrogated by a reader, generate a digitised output and can then be used again. We propose to exploit those characteristics in the study of advanced materials, in the investigation of phases changes, and in the characterisation of materials not sufficiently stable in the electron beam to observe by more conventional methods.Read moreRead less
THE STABILITY OF GLASS-FORMING ALLOYS: SIMULATION STUDIES. Many of the properties that make common glass so valuable as a material can also be achieved in amorphous metals. The 'trick' is to avoid crystallization as the molten state is cooled. Recently, novel combinations of metals have been found to slow down crystallization enough to produce stable amorphous alloys. Developing these new materials depends on an accurate atomic level understanding of how crystallization is frustrated in glass-fo ....THE STABILITY OF GLASS-FORMING ALLOYS: SIMULATION STUDIES. Many of the properties that make common glass so valuable as a material can also be achieved in amorphous metals. The 'trick' is to avoid crystallization as the molten state is cooled. Recently, novel combinations of metals have been found to slow down crystallization enough to produce stable amorphous alloys. Developing these new materials depends on an accurate atomic level understanding of how crystallization is frustrated in glass-forming alloys. This project's aim is to use computer simulations to provide the first microscopic picture of the atomic order that stabilzes the amorphous alloys with regards to both crystallization and mechanical stress.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
Synthesis and Optimisation of Ultra-Thin Metal Oxide Coatings. Metal oxides are a rich class of materials in terms of their electronic, optical and chemical properties. The emergence of nanotechnology has renewed the drive for miniaturisation and given new urgency to the synthesis of ultra-thin metal oxide films for use in new electronic devices, sensors and functional coatings. This project will generate valuable intellectual property in the form of optimised ultra-thin metal oxide coatings wit ....Synthesis and Optimisation of Ultra-Thin Metal Oxide Coatings. Metal oxides are a rich class of materials in terms of their electronic, optical and chemical properties. The emergence of nanotechnology has renewed the drive for miniaturisation and given new urgency to the synthesis of ultra-thin metal oxide films for use in new electronic devices, sensors and functional coatings. This project will generate valuable intellectual property in the form of optimised ultra-thin metal oxide coatings with properties tailored to meet this rapidly growing set of new applications. The innovative combination of advanced plasma synthesis, high resolution microscopy and accurate theoretical modelling will ensure success. Read moreRead less
New nanolaminate ternary and quaternary alloy phases by thin film synthesis. The availability of suitable materials is a driver of new technologies. We will develop a new class of ternary and quaternary alloys with nanolaminate structures at the atomic scale using a combination of theoretical modeling, novel thin film synthesis and advanced characterization methods. The nanostructure of these materials is expected to promote a rare combination of metallic and ceramic like properties, such as low ....New nanolaminate ternary and quaternary alloy phases by thin film synthesis. The availability of suitable materials is a driver of new technologies. We will develop a new class of ternary and quaternary alloys with nanolaminate structures at the atomic scale using a combination of theoretical modeling, novel thin film synthesis and advanced characterization methods. The nanostructure of these materials is expected to promote a rare combination of metallic and ceramic like properties, such as low friction, high mechanical strength, resistance to heat shock, fracture, corrosion and oxidation, up to very high temperatures. Careful characterisation of the growth process and structure-property relationships will allow us to develop methods of tailoring the property mix for operation in harsh environments.Read moreRead less
Optical Nano-plasmonics. There is much current interest and excitement in nano-optics, where light interacts with features on its own scale or finer than it. One way of achieving strong interactions between light and finely structured systems is to incorporate metallic elements, and use the resonances called surface plasmons which arise due to electric currents flowing on the metal. We will develop accurate ways of calculating the properties of these plasmons for a range of metal-dielectric syst ....Optical Nano-plasmonics. There is much current interest and excitement in nano-optics, where light interacts with features on its own scale or finer than it. One way of achieving strong interactions between light and finely structured systems is to incorporate metallic elements, and use the resonances called surface plasmons which arise due to electric currents flowing on the metal. We will develop accurate ways of calculating the properties of these plasmons for a range of metal-dielectric systems, in order to design highly miniaturized structures which can manipulate light for applications in optical sensors and related devices.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237478
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
A 200 keV Analytical Transmission Electron Microscope. Analytical transmission electron microscopy is one of the most powerful techniques available for investigating and characterising the fine structures, compositions and crystallographic features of geological, biological and engineering materials. It is an essential tool in the arsenal of characterisation equipment for any organisation involved in high quality research and development of materials. The Illawarra region of NSW currently lacks ....A 200 keV Analytical Transmission Electron Microscope. Analytical transmission electron microscopy is one of the most powerful techniques available for investigating and characterising the fine structures, compositions and crystallographic features of geological, biological and engineering materials. It is an essential tool in the arsenal of characterisation equipment for any organisation involved in high quality research and development of materials. The Illawarra region of NSW currently lacks a modern analytical transmission electron microscope to support a wide range of internationally competitive materials research. The aim of this application is to correct this deficiency.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882613
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope. An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope is an advanced tool for the characterisation of alloys, nanomaterials, superconductors and polymers. The instrument's advanced characterisation capabilities will significantly enhance the effectiveness of three material-based research institutes and an ARC Centre of Excellence at the University of Wollongong, as well as collaborative research with BlueScope Steel. The rese ....An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope. An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope is an advanced tool for the characterisation of alloys, nanomaterials, superconductors and polymers. The instrument's advanced characterisation capabilities will significantly enhance the effectiveness of three material-based research institutes and an ARC Centre of Excellence at the University of Wollongong, as well as collaborative research with BlueScope Steel. The research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industry. The equipment will provide a valuable resource for industries in the Illawarra region of NSW.Read moreRead less