Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volati ....Increasing solid electrolyte conductivity through defect design. This project aims to engineer electrolyte materials, based on organic ionic plastic crystals, and use isomeric doping to improve the ionic conductivity. The development of safer batteries relies on eliminating the volatile and flammable solvents commonly used as the electrolyte. Improving the safety and performance of batteries is important as electricity costs increase. Solid state ionic electrolytes can address leakage and volatility problems, but the conductivity must be improved if these materials are to support high battery power. The project’s electrolyte materials can be used in lithium metal batteries, which have higher theoretical energy densities than traditional lithium ion batteries. This project will develop new solid state electrolytes, with improved conductivity, and use these materials in emerging lithium battery technologies.Read moreRead less
Exploring piezoelectricity of two-dimensional nanocrystals and nanodevices. This project aims to study piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystals and nano-devices. This project expects to result in the formulation of new 2D piezoelectric, ferroelectric and multiferroic theory, syntheses of 2D crystals and exploration of their functionalities, which are directly implemented in innovative electronic and photonic components. This will contribute to the advancement of both new 2D multifun ....Exploring piezoelectricity of two-dimensional nanocrystals and nanodevices. This project aims to study piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystals and nano-devices. This project expects to result in the formulation of new 2D piezoelectric, ferroelectric and multiferroic theory, syntheses of 2D crystals and exploration of their functionalities, which are directly implemented in innovative electronic and photonic components. This will contribute to the advancement of both new 2D multifunctional materials and new nanodevice structures which may open up unprecedented opportunities for both scientific and technological endeavoursRead moreRead less
An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefi ....An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefits, as the predictive surface-wettability model will enhance controllability and productivity of diverse manufacturing processes and lead to new applications, high-value products and economic benefits in mining, energy, electronics, biomedicine and other fields.Read moreRead less
Benchmarking of advanced scattering probes for materials characterisation. The project seeks to establish the accuracy and validity of different methods of nanoscale structure determination. Nanoscale structure is crucial to the properties of many modern materials with diverse applications: e.g. sensors and actuators in cell phones; smart shock absorbers and fuel injectors in cars; memory devices; drug delivery devices.
Enhanced electro-active properties in polycrystalline ceramics: a multi-length-scale approach. Electro-active materials are used in a wide range of devices including ultrasound imaging equipment and nano-positioning systems. This project will determine the most fundamental mechanisms at work in these materials allowing for the optimisation of high-performance and environmentally friendly electro-active devices for future industries.
Poly(dendrimer) organic light-emitting diodes. This project aims to develop ultrathin efficient emissive technologies based on low embedded energy organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It will develop transformative OLEDs that can be used in displays and lighting, by creating semiconductor materials and diode architectures that optimise each step in light generation, from charge injection, transport and capture to light emission. The efficiency improvements made possible by OLED technology can ....Poly(dendrimer) organic light-emitting diodes. This project aims to develop ultrathin efficient emissive technologies based on low embedded energy organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It will develop transformative OLEDs that can be used in displays and lighting, by creating semiconductor materials and diode architectures that optimise each step in light generation, from charge injection, transport and capture to light emission. The efficiency improvements made possible by OLED technology can reduce electricity consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and the cost of living.Read moreRead less
Pulsed laser deposition of rare-earth-doped crystalline oxide films: a step towards quantum information processing on a chip. Quantum information technology promises to enhance the security of communications systems; provide new paradigms for information processing; as well as expanding our understanding of the quantum world. This project will develop a basis for integrating active quantum circuits into miniature waveguide platforms: a step towards the quantum chip.
Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other ....Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other expected outcomes include discovering how heat is converted into electricity in thermoelectric materials and how precipitates affect alloy strength. The benefits may include more informed materials design, more efficient thermoelectrics for sustainable energy technologies, and higher strength-to-weight ratio alloys.Read moreRead less
Understand ion-specific effects under nanoconfinement by multiscale models. Different types of ions with the same charge can behave distinctively in many ionic applications. This so-called ion-specific effect is essential to ion separation, ion sensing, electrochemical energy storage, chemical and biomedical processes and many other industrial applications. Confining ions in nanopores and modulating them via surface electric potential can give rise to new ion-specific effects, enabling novel app ....Understand ion-specific effects under nanoconfinement by multiscale models. Different types of ions with the same charge can behave distinctively in many ionic applications. This so-called ion-specific effect is essential to ion separation, ion sensing, electrochemical energy storage, chemical and biomedical processes and many other industrial applications. Confining ions in nanopores and modulating them via surface electric potential can give rise to new ion-specific effects, enabling novel applications. Capitalising on our recent experimental discoveries, this project aims to integrate new multiscale models to understand ion-specific effects in electroconductive nanoporous materials. The new models will be used to quantitatively predict ion-specific effects in supercapacitor design.Read moreRead less
Highly ordered and tunable extracellular DNA micro- and nanopatterns for investigating the attachment mechanisms of pseudomonas aeruginosa to surfaces. Preventing infectious bacteria from colonising artificial surfaces is a major scientific challenge. New engineered surfaces will be designed to better understand how the important pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa sticks to surfaces, facilitating new ways of reducing infections acquired from the surface of, for example, medical devices.