Bioinspired Flexible Haptic Memory Materials for Artificial Sensory Nerves. This project aims to develop next generation haptic memory materials for the applications of artificial sensory nerves, which can precisely detect, process and respond to mechanical stimuli. The project expects to achieve this aim by mimicking the functions of biological haptic memory system and integrating highly sensitive tactile sensors and synaptic devices into artificial sensory nerves. The anticipated outcomes wil ....Bioinspired Flexible Haptic Memory Materials for Artificial Sensory Nerves. This project aims to develop next generation haptic memory materials for the applications of artificial sensory nerves, which can precisely detect, process and respond to mechanical stimuli. The project expects to achieve this aim by mimicking the functions of biological haptic memory system and integrating highly sensitive tactile sensors and synaptic devices into artificial sensory nerves. The anticipated outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in next-generation flexible sensor technologies including healthcare monitoring devices, intelligent soft robotic systems and neural prosthetics.Read moreRead less
Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This proje ....Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This project expects to generate new knowledge on rationally designing robust hydrogen fuel cell catalysts. This will provide significant benefits, such as new knowledge on catalyst degradation, new catalysts for energy conversion applications, and collaborations with the industry to accelerate Australia’s shift to renewable energy.Read moreRead less
Beyond the Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors. The von Neumann paradigm is the foundation of modern computing systems, which are based on the data exchange between central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The physical separation between the CPU and memory will cause von Neumann bottleneck – a memory wall to limit the data processing speed for contextually intelligent applications. This project aims to develop a novel ferroelectric field effect transistor that integrates a ferroelectric mat ....Beyond the Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors. The von Neumann paradigm is the foundation of modern computing systems, which are based on the data exchange between central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The physical separation between the CPU and memory will cause von Neumann bottleneck – a memory wall to limit the data processing speed for contextually intelligent applications. This project aims to develop a novel ferroelectric field effect transistor that integrates a ferroelectric material into a semiconductor transistor structure to merge logic and memory functionalities in a single-device level. This will solve the memory wall problem while provide low power, high speed, high density and long data retention time for future logic-in-memory and data centric computing paradigms.Read moreRead less
Mixed-Dimensional 2D/0D Heterostructures for Infrared Detection. The aim of this proposal is to develop novel mixed-dimensional 2D/0D heterostructures based on halide and chalcogenide nanomaterials to construct a highly efficient solution-processing platform for short wave infrared detection. Moreover, innovative low-dose transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy will be applied to unveil the fundamental structure-property relationship and fill the gap of knowledge for these materials. S ....Mixed-Dimensional 2D/0D Heterostructures for Infrared Detection. The aim of this proposal is to develop novel mixed-dimensional 2D/0D heterostructures based on halide and chalcogenide nanomaterials to construct a highly efficient solution-processing platform for short wave infrared detection. Moreover, innovative low-dose transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy will be applied to unveil the fundamental structure-property relationship and fill the gap of knowledge for these materials. Such mixed-dimensional nano-heterostructures combining 2D halide perovskites with 0D quantum dots with complementary physical properties and atomically resolved interfaces will significantly enhance the performance, thereby enabling breakthroughs in a broad range of disruptive optoelectronic technologies. Read moreRead less
Diamane: A New Frontier in Materials Science. Single-layer diamond (‘diamane’) is a new frontier of material research although its preparation is still in infancy with many structures predicted possible but have not been made experimentally. Built on a new chemical route for 'graphite to diamane' transformation, this project will address a research gap towards synthesising new diamane(-like) nanostructures and developing an in-depth understanding of the chemically induced phase transformation an ....Diamane: A New Frontier in Materials Science. Single-layer diamond (‘diamane’) is a new frontier of material research although its preparation is still in infancy with many structures predicted possible but have not been made experimentally. Built on a new chemical route for 'graphite to diamane' transformation, this project will address a research gap towards synthesising new diamane(-like) nanostructures and developing an in-depth understanding of the chemically induced phase transformation and structure-property correlations, which will have far-reaching impact on scientific fields beyond carbon research. Preliminary data points to both feasibility and impact for discovering new materials and technologies, which will bring foreseeable scholarly, economic, and social benefits.Read moreRead less
Geometry in projection methods and fixed-point theory. This project aims to resolve mathematical challenges arising from problems with specific structure typical for key modern applications, such as big data optimisation, chemical engineering and medical imaging. We focus on developing new mathematical tools for the analysis of projection methods and accompanying fixed point theory, specifically targeting the refinement of the geometric intuition for algorithm design techniques to inform the imp ....Geometry in projection methods and fixed-point theory. This project aims to resolve mathematical challenges arising from problems with specific structure typical for key modern applications, such as big data optimisation, chemical engineering and medical imaging. We focus on developing new mathematical tools for the analysis of projection methods and accompanying fixed point theory, specifically targeting the refinement of the geometric intuition for algorithm design techniques to inform the implementation of optimal methods for huge-scale optimisation problems.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Characterisation of Tracer-Functionalised Nanoparticles . This project aims to engineer nanomaterials by utilising gold nanochemistry and neural tracing capabilities of plant-based, nontoxic proteins. In a significant departure from current nanomaterials being developed, functionalising nanoparticles with the tracers enable them to undergo path-specific axonal retrograde transport, transneuronal transport, and anatomical tract flow to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Microfluidics w ....Synthesis and Characterisation of Tracer-Functionalised Nanoparticles . This project aims to engineer nanomaterials by utilising gold nanochemistry and neural tracing capabilities of plant-based, nontoxic proteins. In a significant departure from current nanomaterials being developed, functionalising nanoparticles with the tracers enable them to undergo path-specific axonal retrograde transport, transneuronal transport, and anatomical tract flow to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Microfluidics will be used to characterise the neuronal activities of the synthesised nanoconjugates of different sizes and compositions to understand their bio-interactions with axons, synapses, and neuromuscular junctions. The results will lead to a new class of functional nanomaterials as well as cell-based functional assays.Read moreRead less
Cold catalysis for water splitting. This project aims to develop photocatalysts via AC magnetic field through nanoscale heating for efficient H2 generation. This project is to introduce cold catalysis concept, which heats catalysts only but not solution, thus called cold catalysis, in the area of production of renewable energy. Expected outcome is the creation of clean and low cost catalysts to effectively harvest the chemical energy from the sun via splitting of water into H2 and O2 without cau ....Cold catalysis for water splitting. This project aims to develop photocatalysts via AC magnetic field through nanoscale heating for efficient H2 generation. This project is to introduce cold catalysis concept, which heats catalysts only but not solution, thus called cold catalysis, in the area of production of renewable energy. Expected outcome is the creation of clean and low cost catalysts to effectively harvest the chemical energy from the sun via splitting of water into H2 and O2 without causing any environmental damage. This unique technology will also help to address clean energy generation, which is in line with H2 economy plan by Australia government, and provide opportunities for new industries that will benefit Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Enabling technology unlocking full potential of high bandgap chalcopyrite . This project is aimed at solving the fundamental challenges of high bandgap chalcopyrite light-harvesting material to unlock its full potential as the top cell for photovoltaic tandem cell and the photocathode for photoelectrochemical applications. This will be realised by dynamic optimisation of its performance in photovoltaic solar cell device through understanding of its defects origins, enabling defects controlling t ....Enabling technology unlocking full potential of high bandgap chalcopyrite . This project is aimed at solving the fundamental challenges of high bandgap chalcopyrite light-harvesting material to unlock its full potential as the top cell for photovoltaic tandem cell and the photocathode for photoelectrochemical applications. This will be realised by dynamic optimisation of its performance in photovoltaic solar cell device through understanding of its defects origins, enabling defects controlling technologies, and microscopic carrier loss mechanism analysis via systematic macro-to-micro characterisations combined with 3D device simulation. The project completion will reinforce the next-generation tandem cell and photoelectrochemical technologies with the efficient, stable, RoHS-compliant and thin chalcopyrite devices.Read moreRead less
Engineered interlayers of bio-retardant and nano-reinforcement on polymers. This project will address the important need for a highly effective lightweight coating. Different interlayers of bio-retardants derive from organic compounds and two-dimensional sheet-like nanomaterials are fabricated to enhance the charring, thermal barrier and flammability resistance. Molecular dynamics are adopted to deliver more targeted fabrication to achieve increased efficacy of the engineered interlayers and pro ....Engineered interlayers of bio-retardant and nano-reinforcement on polymers. This project will address the important need for a highly effective lightweight coating. Different interlayers of bio-retardants derive from organic compounds and two-dimensional sheet-like nanomaterials are fabricated to enhance the charring, thermal barrier and flammability resistance. Molecular dynamics are adopted to deliver more targeted fabrication to achieve increased efficacy of the engineered interlayers and provide important insights on the combustibility of polymers undergoing mass diffusivity, thermal diffusion and oxidation process at high temperatures. Expected outcomes of the project are lightweight coated polymers possessing elevated resistance to fire with a significant reduction of toxic gas emissions and smoke releases. Read moreRead less