Towards a high density silicon phase change memory device. This project builds upon our exciting recent findings that amorphous silicon can be transformed to a conducting crystalline phase following small-scale indentation. Furthermore the process is reversible as re-indentation can induce a transformation back to insulating amorphous silicon. This process appears to occur in extremely small (nanoscale) volumes of silicon. We plan to explore the viability of exploiting this behaviour to develo ....Towards a high density silicon phase change memory device. This project builds upon our exciting recent findings that amorphous silicon can be transformed to a conducting crystalline phase following small-scale indentation. Furthermore the process is reversible as re-indentation can induce a transformation back to insulating amorphous silicon. This process appears to occur in extremely small (nanoscale) volumes of silicon. We plan to explore the viability of exploiting this behaviour to develop an entirely new information storage system: a high-density silicon phase change memory. This project aims to study small-scale transformation behaviour in silicon and to design demonstrator memory devices based on both micro-electromechanical systems and solid state technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453963
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,352.00
Summary
An integrated nanoscale fabrication, manipulation and characterisation facility. The fabrication of ordered structures at the nanometre scale is essential if the aspirations of nanotechnology are to be achieved. Understanding the fundamental nanoscience controlling the fabrication and operation of such devices is vital. The combination of instruments requested for this project will allow the construction of arrays of nanoparticles, their precise characterisation and the direct measurement of i ....An integrated nanoscale fabrication, manipulation and characterisation facility. The fabrication of ordered structures at the nanometre scale is essential if the aspirations of nanotechnology are to be achieved. Understanding the fundamental nanoscience controlling the fabrication and operation of such devices is vital. The combination of instruments requested for this project will allow the construction of arrays of nanoparticles, their precise characterisation and the direct measurement of interpartice and intermolecular forces at the pN level. Parallel computational chemistry and state of the art experiments will lead to the optimised design of nanostructures that will be applied in diverse areas, including mineral processing, biosensors, photonics, magnetic storage and catalysis.Read moreRead less
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
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL0992306
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,753,841.00
Summary
Nanowire Quantum Structures for Next Generation Optoelectronics. This innovative project on quantum nanowire optoelectronics will bring international kudos to Australian science in a hot research area of immense international interest, allow us to build new capabilities in nanotechnology, strengthen international linkages and lead to training of a world class high tech work force for Australian industries. This project has the potential to lead to fundamental discoveries and technologies of imm ....Nanowire Quantum Structures for Next Generation Optoelectronics. This innovative project on quantum nanowire optoelectronics will bring international kudos to Australian science in a hot research area of immense international interest, allow us to build new capabilities in nanotechnology, strengthen international linkages and lead to training of a world class high tech work force for Australian industries. This project has the potential to lead to fundamental discoveries and technologies of immense international and industrial interest. In addition to high impact publications, this project has the potential to lead to high tech start up companies and patentable technologies of benefit to Australian industry. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453974
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,190.00
Summary
T-ray factory: a new Australian source of strong, pulsed, broadband, terahertz radiation. Australian scientists and engineers require immediate access to frontier T-ray (terahertz radiation) technology to solve pressing current problems in semiconductor nanostructures and emerging problems in fields as diverse as biophysics and national security. Recent innovations now make practical the production of bursts of terahertz radiation by applying ultrafast optical pulses to photoconductive or elect ....T-ray factory: a new Australian source of strong, pulsed, broadband, terahertz radiation. Australian scientists and engineers require immediate access to frontier T-ray (terahertz radiation) technology to solve pressing current problems in semiconductor nanostructures and emerging problems in fields as diverse as biophysics and national security. Recent innovations now make practical the production of bursts of terahertz radiation by applying ultrafast optical pulses to photoconductive or electro-optic media, facilitating unparalleled time-resolved spectroscopy and imaging. The state-of-the-art equipment to be purchased and installed at Wollongong will enhance the existing excellent terahertz infrastructure (unique spectrometers, optically-pumped molecular laser) and efficiently service researchers in the dynamic Sydney (UTS, UNSW) - Wollongong (UoW) - Canberra (ANU) corridor.Read moreRead less