Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant adv ....Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in helium atom microscopy and would significantly enhance the reputation of Australian science. Moreover, this project strengthens and supports a key collaboration between the Universities of Newcastle and Cambridge and is at the core of this emerging technology.Read moreRead less
Imaging with Neutral Atomic Beams: A Completely New Tool for Nanotechnology. The tantalising possibility of building an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has long been a goal of physical scientists across the world. This project aims to realise this goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in heliu ....Imaging with Neutral Atomic Beams: A Completely New Tool for Nanotechnology. The tantalising possibility of building an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has long been a goal of physical scientists across the world. This project aims to realise this goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in helium atom microscopy and would significantly enhance the reputation of Australian science. Moreover, this project maintains the position of Australian researchers and students at the core of this emerging technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775646
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,000.00
Summary
Surface and Magnetic structure of crystalline materials. This proposal brings together significant research groups in La Trobe University, Monash University, the University of Western Australia, Newcastle University and Sydney University to establish a unique materials characterisation facility which will enable surface and magnetic structures of technologically significant materials to be determined. It will support developments in the areas of new magnetic phenomenon which is used in magnetic ....Surface and Magnetic structure of crystalline materials. This proposal brings together significant research groups in La Trobe University, Monash University, the University of Western Australia, Newcastle University and Sydney University to establish a unique materials characterisation facility which will enable surface and magnetic structures of technologically significant materials to be determined. It will support developments in the areas of new magnetic phenomenon which is used in magnetic sensing and in the exploration of processes of size reduction for electronic devices. It will enable this new, world leading technology, to be applied to surface structures relevant in the areas of nanotechnology and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Separating Subtle Interplay between Competing/Cooperating Superconductivity and Magnetism in YBa2Cu3O7-x with Nanotechnology. Superconducting cables can carry 100 to 200 times more electric current than conventional cables. The innovations in this program could enable the widespread commercialization of more efficient types of power generation, transmission, and electrical equipment and devices, offering tremendous energy savings and emissions reductions. It is estimated that ~A$400 million pe ....Separating Subtle Interplay between Competing/Cooperating Superconductivity and Magnetism in YBa2Cu3O7-x with Nanotechnology. Superconducting cables can carry 100 to 200 times more electric current than conventional cables. The innovations in this program could enable the widespread commercialization of more efficient types of power generation, transmission, and electrical equipment and devices, offering tremendous energy savings and emissions reductions. It is estimated that ~A$400 million per year can be saved if high-Tc superconducting wires and cables were to replace conventional metallic conductors. The success of this program will greatly increase scientific understanding of hig-Tc superconductivity and expand Australia's knowledge in the research on high-Tc superconductors. The training will also provide scientific talents to the country.Read moreRead less
Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure l ....Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure laboratory to obtain such data. By defining the composition and mineralogy of Earth's core, it will place Australia in the forefront of this exciting research field, and will also represent a major national resource for the study of novel materials at extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
Superconducting MgB2 thin films and structures for electronic devices and telecommunication applications. Two important directions of electronic application for MgB2 films are superconducting Josephson junction (JJ) technology and passive microwave devices. Superconducting JJ technology will have a small but important niche in high-performance digital signal and data processing applications for civilian, commercial, and military terrestrial, as well as space deployment. With superconducting pass ....Superconducting MgB2 thin films and structures for electronic devices and telecommunication applications. Two important directions of electronic application for MgB2 films are superconducting Josephson junction (JJ) technology and passive microwave devices. Superconducting JJ technology will have a small but important niche in high-performance digital signal and data processing applications for civilian, commercial, and military terrestrial, as well as space deployment. With superconducting passive microwave devices, the potentially largest market in this segment are filter systems for ground- or satellite based wireless communication systems. The research outcome could support Australian companies to develop corresponding products, as well as broaden Australia's knowledge of the physics of the new MgB2 superconductor.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453521
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,374.00
Summary
National Heavy Ion Accelerator. The principal objectives are to develop a facility to provide energetic heavy ions for basic science, applications and research training. This will be accomplished through an enhancement of a superconducting linear accelerator using innovative technology, and extension of the available beam species through improvements to a large electrostatic tandem accelerator. The facility provides research resources for a broad range of national and international users.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0237478
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
A 200 keV Analytical Transmission Electron Microscope. Analytical transmission electron microscopy is one of the most powerful techniques available for investigating and characterising the fine structures, compositions and crystallographic features of geological, biological and engineering materials. It is an essential tool in the arsenal of characterisation equipment for any organisation involved in high quality research and development of materials. The Illawarra region of NSW currently lacks ....A 200 keV Analytical Transmission Electron Microscope. Analytical transmission electron microscopy is one of the most powerful techniques available for investigating and characterising the fine structures, compositions and crystallographic features of geological, biological and engineering materials. It is an essential tool in the arsenal of characterisation equipment for any organisation involved in high quality research and development of materials. The Illawarra region of NSW currently lacks a modern analytical transmission electron microscope to support a wide range of internationally competitive materials research. The aim of this application is to correct this deficiency.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882613
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope. An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope is an advanced tool for the characterisation of alloys, nanomaterials, superconductors and polymers. The instrument's advanced characterisation capabilities will significantly enhance the effectiveness of three material-based research institutes and an ARC Centre of Excellence at the University of Wollongong, as well as collaborative research with BlueScope Steel. The rese ....An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope. An analytical field emission gun scanning electron microscope is an advanced tool for the characterisation of alloys, nanomaterials, superconductors and polymers. The instrument's advanced characterisation capabilities will significantly enhance the effectiveness of three material-based research institutes and an ARC Centre of Excellence at the University of Wollongong, as well as collaborative research with BlueScope Steel. The research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industry. The equipment will provide a valuable resource for industries in the Illawarra region of NSW.Read moreRead less
Spins in Organic Semiconductors. This project aims to understand the role that the quantum mechanical property of spin plays in the operation of electronic devices based on organic semiconductors, which will contribute to the design of better, more efficient devices. We will also investigate fundamental physics questions in organic material - the knowledge gained may be used to develop organic electronic devices with new, useful properties. Organic electronics are a growing industry and this res ....Spins in Organic Semiconductors. This project aims to understand the role that the quantum mechanical property of spin plays in the operation of electronic devices based on organic semiconductors, which will contribute to the design of better, more efficient devices. We will also investigate fundamental physics questions in organic material - the knowledge gained may be used to develop organic electronic devices with new, useful properties. Organic electronics are a growing industry and this research will enhance Australia's role in their development and commercialization. Improving the efficiency of organic lighting emitting devices will reduce Australia's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, as lighting represents a significant fraction of our energy usage.Read moreRead less