Integrated on-chip force and displacement sensors for high-speed atomic force microscopy of ultimate sensitivity. This project aims to develop next generation atomic force microscopy systems based on a novel interferometric method for on-chip force and displacement sensing. The proposed sensitivity improvement of two orders of magnitude over the present state-of-the-art will provide a disruptive innovation for various present and future nanotechnologies.
Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. This project aims to use a new sensing platform for hydrocarbon monitoring in water to evolve optical on-chip position sensing of suspended micro-structures. Microelectromechanical systems dominate the world in sensing technology; they are common in smartphone, automotive, aerospace, and military applications. However, this multibillion dollar industry has failed to make ch ....Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. Towards a unified technology platform for sensing in liquids. This project aims to use a new sensing platform for hydrocarbon monitoring in water to evolve optical on-chip position sensing of suspended micro-structures. Microelectromechanical systems dominate the world in sensing technology; they are common in smartphone, automotive, aerospace, and military applications. However, this multibillion dollar industry has failed to make chem/bio sensing profitable, mostly due to the absence of a robust and compact read-out technology for sensing in liquids. This project is expected to lead to a unified parallel sensing platform of ultimate sensitivity delivering aqueous sensing for wide ranging applications and markets.Read moreRead less
Dark current and noise mechanisms in nBn HgCdTe infrared detectors. Novel mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer) infrared (IR) detectors are theoretically capable of operating at higher temperatures than conventional IR detectors. Their reduced cooling requirements lead to reductions in the size, weight and power of IR imaging systems without loss in IR detection performance. Unfortunately, HgCdTe nBn detectors are currently affected by non ....Dark current and noise mechanisms in nBn HgCdTe infrared detectors. Novel mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer) infrared (IR) detectors are theoretically capable of operating at higher temperatures than conventional IR detectors. Their reduced cooling requirements lead to reductions in the size, weight and power of IR imaging systems without loss in IR detection performance. Unfortunately, HgCdTe nBn detectors are currently affected by non-ideal dark current and noise levels whose physical origins and nature are poorly understood. The proposed experimental and theoretical investigations and optimisations are anticipated to minimise such non-idealities and thus enable the demonstration of HgCdTe nBn IR detectors capable of revolutionising portable IR detection systems for security and rescue applications.Read moreRead less
Plasmon mode lasers; smaller, faster, better. High speed Information Technology (IT) communication is using more and more of our global energy. Energy efficiency of IT hardware can be improved by incorporating small, high performance lasers for short distance optical communication. New metallic and plasmonic nano-lasers lasers are indeed smaller and in theory can have performance advantages over current dielectric cavity lasers. This project looks at developing new electrically pumped plasmonic ....Plasmon mode lasers; smaller, faster, better. High speed Information Technology (IT) communication is using more and more of our global energy. Energy efficiency of IT hardware can be improved by incorporating small, high performance lasers for short distance optical communication. New metallic and plasmonic nano-lasers lasers are indeed smaller and in theory can have performance advantages over current dielectric cavity lasers. This project looks at developing new electrically pumped plasmonic lasers with nano scale semiconductors that satisfy requirements for short distance optical communications. Complex systems of these small, fast lasers will also be investigated, with the aim of providing high speed digital processing capabilities exceeding those of electronics.Read moreRead less
Silicon-germanium-carbon - a novel opto-mechanic material for optical micro-electromechanical systems. Evolving from past black-and-white images, through present red-green-blue multi-spectral capability, future remote imaging systems promise spectroscopic functionality across much broader wavelength ranges in a low-cost system. However, the high cost of multiple materials and technologies for each specific spectral band limits them to high-cost industry sectors. This project proposes a simple, l ....Silicon-germanium-carbon - a novel opto-mechanic material for optical micro-electromechanical systems. Evolving from past black-and-white images, through present red-green-blue multi-spectral capability, future remote imaging systems promise spectroscopic functionality across much broader wavelength ranges in a low-cost system. However, the high cost of multiple materials and technologies for each specific spectral band limits them to high-cost industry sectors. This project proposes a simple, low-cost, single material technology based on silicon-germanium-carbon thin films for mechanical and optical applications from ultraviolet to long-wave infrared, enabling widespread application of spectroscopic imaging to multiple fields extending from climate change research, through resource exploration, to cancer detection, and aerospace/defense.Read moreRead less
Wearable thermoelectrics for personal heat management. Thermoregulation has substantial implications for energy consumption and human comfort and health. This project aims to develop wearable thermoelectric materials and devices with high cooling performance for personal heat management. A novel assembly approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies, will be developed to engineer flexible thermoelectric materials with unique structures and chemistry. The key breakthro ....Wearable thermoelectrics for personal heat management. Thermoregulation has substantial implications for energy consumption and human comfort and health. This project aims to develop wearable thermoelectric materials and devices with high cooling performance for personal heat management. A novel assembly approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies, will be developed to engineer flexible thermoelectric materials with unique structures and chemistry. The key breakthrough is to design wearable thermoelectric devices with high flexibility and user comfort. The expected outcomes of this project will lead to an innovative cooling technology for personal heat management, which will place Australia at the forefront of wearable electronics and garment industry.Read moreRead less
High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significa ....High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significant advances in energy efficient data storage devices, and commercialisation of the technology to Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100200
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Advanced facility for magneto-transport characterisation of semiconductor nanostructures. This facility combines a 16 Tesla superconducting magnet with temperature variability from 1.5 degrees above absolute zero to 500 degrees with advanced mobility spectrum analysis algorithms. It will enable improved separation of previously indistinguishable multiple carrier effects in advanced semiconductor systems. This improved separation will allow an improved understanding of multiple carrier effects wh ....Advanced facility for magneto-transport characterisation of semiconductor nanostructures. This facility combines a 16 Tesla superconducting magnet with temperature variability from 1.5 degrees above absolute zero to 500 degrees with advanced mobility spectrum analysis algorithms. It will enable improved separation of previously indistinguishable multiple carrier effects in advanced semiconductor systems. This improved separation will allow an improved understanding of multiple carrier effects which will be essential before the development of frontier semiconductor technologies becomes possible.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100233
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Characterisation of infrared imaging technologies. This project aims to establish a facility for two-dimensional (2D) infrared sensor array testing and prototyping. Systematic characterisation and prototyping of 2D imaging arrays is vital in showcasing and realising Australia's innovation and research investment in photodetector technologies. This facility will enable research on 2D imaging arrays, such as pixel yield and cross-talk, device reliability physics, failure mechanisms, noise and long ....Characterisation of infrared imaging technologies. This project aims to establish a facility for two-dimensional (2D) infrared sensor array testing and prototyping. Systematic characterisation and prototyping of 2D imaging arrays is vital in showcasing and realising Australia's innovation and research investment in photodetector technologies. This facility will enable research on 2D imaging arrays, such as pixel yield and cross-talk, device reliability physics, failure mechanisms, noise and long-term stability. The facility will demonstrate Australia's innovative imaging technologies, applicable in science, industry, defence and security, attracting interest from both Australian and international industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100159
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
National facility for biased target deposition of alloyed nanolayers. This facility will enhance Australia's strengths and capabilities in fabricating structures, with applications in multiple research fields including opto-magneto-electronics, next generation lithium ion batteries and energy nanogenerators. It will enhance Australia's research profile as a leader in nanotechnology.