Using extreme conditions to synthesise new materials. This project aims to synthesise useful materials from non-crystalline light element precursors. Boron, carbon and nitrogen are the hardest known solids, and their ability to form many kinds of chemical bonds offers opportunities for attractive new materials. This project will apply high pressures and temperatures to non-crystalline precursor materials to access previously unobtainable synthesis conditions. This project will create strong and ....Using extreme conditions to synthesise new materials. This project aims to synthesise useful materials from non-crystalline light element precursors. Boron, carbon and nitrogen are the hardest known solids, and their ability to form many kinds of chemical bonds offers opportunities for attractive new materials. This project will apply high pressures and temperatures to non-crystalline precursor materials to access previously unobtainable synthesis conditions. This project will create strong and hard materials with tuneable optical and electronic properties. The expected outcome is new light materials that emit and detect light in the far ultraviolet for biological imaging and tough materials with low friction needed for motors and regenerative technologies.Read moreRead less
Mass transport in high entropy alloys. This project aims to understand mass transport in high entropy alloys. Alloys of 5 to 13 components have technologically attractive mechanical properties. A knowledge of mass transport could control their stabilities and optimise their properties. This project will develop an atomistic theory and a phenomenological method for rapidly performing experiments, and experiment on two key high entropy alloys. The outcome of this research will be an in-depth under ....Mass transport in high entropy alloys. This project aims to understand mass transport in high entropy alloys. Alloys of 5 to 13 components have technologically attractive mechanical properties. A knowledge of mass transport could control their stabilities and optimise their properties. This project will develop an atomistic theory and a phenomenological method for rapidly performing experiments, and experiment on two key high entropy alloys. The outcome of this research will be an in-depth understanding of mass transport that is expected to fast-track these alloys to commercial uptake.Read moreRead less
Systems engineering approach to nanostructuring porous electrodes for compact capacitive energy storage. This project will develop a new systems engineering approach to fabricating porous yet densely packed electrodes with high ion-accessible surface area and low ion transport impedance. This will lead to new-generation compact electrochemical capacitive energy storage systems that can combine high energy density, fast charging/discharging rate and long cycle life. The success of this project wi ....Systems engineering approach to nanostructuring porous electrodes for compact capacitive energy storage. This project will develop a new systems engineering approach to fabricating porous yet densely packed electrodes with high ion-accessible surface area and low ion transport impedance. This will lead to new-generation compact electrochemical capacitive energy storage systems that can combine high energy density, fast charging/discharging rate and long cycle life. The success of this project will facilitate future large-scale adoption of renewable energy and many other new emerging technologies such as portable/wearable electronics, electric vehicles, and energy regeneration systems.Read moreRead less
Perovskite Materials: Exploring properties beyond solar cells. This project aims to explore functionalities of metal halide perovskite materials for sustainable solar energy conversion and storage, beyond the heavily studied perovskite solar cell application. The project intends to design toxic lead free/less perovskite materials for an integrated photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and solar rechargeable battery system. It will study the relations between material synthesis conditions, dev ....Perovskite Materials: Exploring properties beyond solar cells. This project aims to explore functionalities of metal halide perovskite materials for sustainable solar energy conversion and storage, beyond the heavily studied perovskite solar cell application. The project intends to design toxic lead free/less perovskite materials for an integrated photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and solar rechargeable battery system. It will study the relations between material synthesis conditions, device structure and performance of the photoelectrochemical system. Expected outcomes are low cost and more efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion and solar energy storage devices, important for sustainable use of intermittent solar energy.Read moreRead less
Layered and scrolled carbon materials for advancing energy storage systems. This project aims to reveal the structure–property relations in carbon electrodes through the design of model carbon systems that allow the simultaneous control of graphitic interlayer distance, ion diffusion pathway length, and surface functional group density. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on the charging mechanisms of micro-supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries and technologies for emerging port ....Layered and scrolled carbon materials for advancing energy storage systems. This project aims to reveal the structure–property relations in carbon electrodes through the design of model carbon systems that allow the simultaneous control of graphitic interlayer distance, ion diffusion pathway length, and surface functional group density. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on the charging mechanisms of micro-supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries and technologies for emerging portable electronics and renewable energy storage applications. The demonstration of high-performance and sustainable energy storage devices is anticipated. This will help to advance the prominence of Australia in the global renewable energy market and the move towards more sustainable economies and lifestyles.Read moreRead less
Development of high efficiency nanocatalysts using novel electron beam fabrication and imaging techniques. This project will develop a new approach for fabricating and studying nanocatalysts based on our expertise in electron beam induced deposition (EBID) of nanostructured materials and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). ESEM will be used to conduct unique, time-resolved studies of nano-scale, catalysed chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The project will ....Development of high efficiency nanocatalysts using novel electron beam fabrication and imaging techniques. This project will develop a new approach for fabricating and studying nanocatalysts based on our expertise in electron beam induced deposition (EBID) of nanostructured materials and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). ESEM will be used to conduct unique, time-resolved studies of nano-scale, catalysed chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures. The project will advance fundamental understanding and applicability of EBID, ESEM and nanocatalysis. It will yield novel, highly efficient, industrially relevant nanocatalysts for the production of renewable (green) and low emission (clean) energy, with particular applications in hydrogen fuel cells and the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide.Read moreRead less
Understanding, controlling and patterning of ferroelectric domain arrays for advanced device applications. The aim of this project is to understand, fabricate and use patterned ferroelectric domain arrays on the fine scale for advanced materials applications. The resultant domain-patterned technology and processing approaches may significantly impact the development of integrated nonlinear optic devices used in information and communication technology.
Electro-mechanics of natural load-bearing materials: understanding mechanisms of toughening, remodelling, and self-healing. Nature provides some of the most advanced functional structural materials, with the capability to remodel and strengthen under changing loads. The origins of the functional properties which allow them to do this will be explored, providing the possibility of developing materials which mimic this behaviour.
'Designer defects' - A new approach to functional oxide interfaces. The conventional approach to metal oxide interfaces is 'perfection at all costs' with growth tuned to minimise defects and unwanted chemical intermixing. This project aims to turn this approach on its head by creating interfaces with 'designer defects' that become the critical portion of a functional device. This project proposes that one can promote functionality by making use of new physical properties that arise from the deli ....'Designer defects' - A new approach to functional oxide interfaces. The conventional approach to metal oxide interfaces is 'perfection at all costs' with growth tuned to minimise defects and unwanted chemical intermixing. This project aims to turn this approach on its head by creating interfaces with 'designer defects' that become the critical portion of a functional device. This project proposes that one can promote functionality by making use of new physical properties that arise from the deliberate introduction of structural and electronic mismatches at an interface. Such purposely induced 'designer defects' in epitaxial oxide thin films will allow new properties to be achieved in nanoscale layers. This is expected to lead to a new class of functional materials to be used in sensors and nanoelectronics.Read moreRead less
Domain wall nanoelectronics : The wall is the device. This project investigates the nanofabrication and atomic-scale manipulation of domain walls in multiferroic oxide thin films. Proximal scanning probe writing in conjunction with nanolithography is exploited to precisely engineer domain wall configurations, to be used as functional elements. The experiments will be supported by the multiscale modeling theory of multiferroics. Domain wall control and engineering is proposed as the new paradigm ....Domain wall nanoelectronics : The wall is the device. This project investigates the nanofabrication and atomic-scale manipulation of domain walls in multiferroic oxide thin films. Proximal scanning probe writing in conjunction with nanolithography is exploited to precisely engineer domain wall configurations, to be used as functional elements. The experiments will be supported by the multiscale modeling theory of multiferroics. Domain wall control and engineering is proposed as the new paradigm for multiferroics used in future nanoelectronic devices. Read moreRead less