Photonic crystals: The key to breaking the silicon-solar cell efficiency barrier. This project aims to investigate solar light harvesting using light trapping by photonic crystal on an amorphous-Silicon thin-film combining passivation technologies with light trapping. Using this new light trapping method, based on a specially designed periodic surface structure, the project expects to set a new standard in solar energy conversion efficiency. The expected outcomes of this project represent a ste ....Photonic crystals: The key to breaking the silicon-solar cell efficiency barrier. This project aims to investigate solar light harvesting using light trapping by photonic crystal on an amorphous-Silicon thin-film combining passivation technologies with light trapping. Using this new light trapping method, based on a specially designed periodic surface structure, the project expects to set a new standard in solar energy conversion efficiency. The expected outcomes of this project represent a step change in Silicon solar cell efficiency, applicable to different materials and especially useful for thin flexible cells. The project has the potential to benefit the renewable energy sector, increasing the efficiency of sustainable energy production, with positive economic and environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
Development of Metal-Titania Core-Shell Nanostructures for Photocatalysis. The aim of this project is to develop innovative techniques for the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for pollutant removal and antibacterial applications. Improving the photocatalysis efficiency of titanium oxide (TiO2) is critical in energy and environmental applications. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to prepare metal–TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, in which metals (eg gold, silver) can be used as ....Development of Metal-Titania Core-Shell Nanostructures for Photocatalysis. The aim of this project is to develop innovative techniques for the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for pollutant removal and antibacterial applications. Improving the photocatalysis efficiency of titanium oxide (TiO2) is critical in energy and environmental applications. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to prepare metal–TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, in which metals (eg gold, silver) can be used as light absorbers for visible incident light and generate intense electromagnetic fields, thus improving efficiency.Read moreRead less
Hierarchically Structured Graphene-Based Nanoassemblies. Developing high-efficiency, low-cost and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices is essential to many consumer electronics. The development of high-performance graphene-based electrode materials in this project will have significant impacts on the Australian economy. This project is expected to help place Australia at the forefront of advanced energy materials and nanotechnology, and enhance the inter ....Hierarchically Structured Graphene-Based Nanoassemblies. Developing high-efficiency, low-cost and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices is essential to many consumer electronics. The development of high-performance graphene-based electrode materials in this project will have significant impacts on the Australian economy. This project is expected to help place Australia at the forefront of advanced energy materials and nanotechnology, and enhance the international competitiveness and export power of Australian industry in the high-technology areas. It will also help address the rapidly growing environmental concerns and the increasing global demand for energy.Read moreRead less
Electric field induced surface attachment and detachment of proteins. Microarrays are revolutionising the diagnosis of disease by enabling large amounts of data on genetics and protein expression to be obtained from one sample. Biosensors for diseases and toxins rely on the same mechanism, namely attachment of biological macromolecules to a surface. We propose a new method for controlling the attachment by micromachining an electrode system to apply an electric field to chosen sites. Ultimately ....Electric field induced surface attachment and detachment of proteins. Microarrays are revolutionising the diagnosis of disease by enabling large amounts of data on genetics and protein expression to be obtained from one sample. Biosensors for diseases and toxins rely on the same mechanism, namely attachment of biological macromolecules to a surface. We propose a new method for controlling the attachment by micromachining an electrode system to apply an electric field to chosen sites. Ultimately microelectronic engineering methods will be used. This will give control over the attachment process with potential benefits of orienting attaching molecules, minimising non-specific attachment and enriching diagnostics by enabling interrogation of the force of attachment.Read moreRead less
Atomistic mechanisms of the mechanical behaviour of nanostructured silicon carbide films. Advanced silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are leading candidates for applications in high-power, high-speed machining and high-temperature structural components. Superhardness and high ductility (or high fracture toughness), which have been realized in some nanostructured (ns) SiC films and nanowires, respectively, are desirable properties for many applications. This project aims to understand the mechanisms ....Atomistic mechanisms of the mechanical behaviour of nanostructured silicon carbide films. Advanced silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are leading candidates for applications in high-power, high-speed machining and high-temperature structural components. Superhardness and high ductility (or high fracture toughness), which have been realized in some nanostructured (ns) SiC films and nanowires, respectively, are desirable properties for many applications. This project aims to understand the mechanisms behind the exceptional properties in ns SiC and to explore the possibility of realizing the two properties in the same ns SiC. The results obtained from this research will be very important for guiding the structural design of SiC with exceptional mechanical properties which will have a wide range of structural applications.Read moreRead less
Tunable antifouling behaviour on rough surfaces. The impact of subtle variations in nano and micro scale surface roughness on larger scale wetting and antifouling behaviour of surfaces is investigated. This will lead to next generation non-toxic coatings for both medical and marine applications. The environmental implications will be a significant feature of the ongoing assessment of this study.
Functionalised two-dimensional nanomaterials for future energy storage. This project aims to identify new ways to enhance the properties of two-dimensional nanomaterials and to tailor material attributes that can meet the fabrication and application needs of flexible and high performance supercapacitors. Two-dimensional nanomaterials are proving critical for pushing the boundaries in energy storage devices, making them more powerful and longer lasting than current state-of-the-art devices. This ....Functionalised two-dimensional nanomaterials for future energy storage. This project aims to identify new ways to enhance the properties of two-dimensional nanomaterials and to tailor material attributes that can meet the fabrication and application needs of flexible and high performance supercapacitors. Two-dimensional nanomaterials are proving critical for pushing the boundaries in energy storage devices, making them more powerful and longer lasting than current state-of-the-art devices. This project is expected to result in a scalable approach to producing novel materials and devices which will enhance Australia’s capacity for advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhan ....Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Australia in the areas of new materials and nanotechnology and will help place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology. This project will produce high quality PhD students in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Degradable Polymer for Drug Delivery. The success of synthesising nanostructured degradable polymers will position Australia at the world forefront in the field of nanotechnology, bioengineering and healthcare sectors in both fundamental and applied research. This multi-disciplinary research has the potential to generate patentable technologies with economic benefits to Australia. The project also involves fundamental research into surface chemistry, nanostructure, polymer science ....Nanostructured Degradable Polymer for Drug Delivery. The success of synthesising nanostructured degradable polymers will position Australia at the world forefront in the field of nanotechnology, bioengineering and healthcare sectors in both fundamental and applied research. This multi-disciplinary research has the potential to generate patentable technologies with economic benefits to Australia. The project also involves fundamental research into surface chemistry, nanostructure, polymer sciences and will be a meaningful contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledge in Australia. All these will enhance the international competitive profile of Australia in the field of nanotechnology for drug delivery.Read moreRead less
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Vanadium Oxide Nanostructures and Their Functional Properties. This project is primarily devoted to material science and nanotechnology, one of the cutting-edge areas in Australia's National Research Priority. Successful completion of this project will result in controlled synthesis, functional assembly and fundamental understanding of vanadium oxide nanostructures. The research findings will be useful for developing new and complex nanostructures for func ....Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Vanadium Oxide Nanostructures and Their Functional Properties. This project is primarily devoted to material science and nanotechnology, one of the cutting-edge areas in Australia's National Research Priority. Successful completion of this project will result in controlled synthesis, functional assembly and fundamental understanding of vanadium oxide nanostructures. The research findings will be useful for developing new and complex nanostructures for functional applications in lithium ionic batteries, catalysts and gas sensors. The conduct of this project will significantly expand the knowledge creativity of Australia in research in advanced materials.Read moreRead less