Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphit ....Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphite and nanotubes made in Australia. Their hydrogen capacity will be compared to the US DOE target of 6.5 weight percent for viable automotive hydrogen fuel storage. Reproducibly exceeding this target would constitute a great advance in the field.Read moreRead less
Non-equilibrium material phases. This project aims to synthesise and characterise exotic materials produced in the laboratory under conditions that replicate those inside planets and stars. Highly non-equilibrium processing methods are needed to find entirely new material forms of elements and compounds created under extreme pressure and temperature. The project will use its laser-based synthesis method to explore and understand the non-equilibrium pathways and develop new materials. Understandi ....Non-equilibrium material phases. This project aims to synthesise and characterise exotic materials produced in the laboratory under conditions that replicate those inside planets and stars. Highly non-equilibrium processing methods are needed to find entirely new material forms of elements and compounds created under extreme pressure and temperature. The project will use its laser-based synthesis method to explore and understand the non-equilibrium pathways and develop new materials. Understanding how these materials form could lead to the next materials revolution. This research will lead to materials that industry sectors can exploit for commercial benefits.Read moreRead less
Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater underst ....Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design the next generation of materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential ap ....The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential application
to other quantum technologies important to the future
of computing.
Read moreRead less
Improving nanostructured supercapacitors through computational insight. This project aims to understand the mechanism of charge and discharge in nanostructured supercapacitors to guide in the development of better energy storage systems. This will be achieved using molecular computations of the structure and diffusion coefficients in supercapacitors with various electrodes of different nanostructure and chemical composition. A statistical mechanical definition of the local diffusion coefficien ....Improving nanostructured supercapacitors through computational insight. This project aims to understand the mechanism of charge and discharge in nanostructured supercapacitors to guide in the development of better energy storage systems. This will be achieved using molecular computations of the structure and diffusion coefficients in supercapacitors with various electrodes of different nanostructure and chemical composition. A statistical mechanical definition of the local diffusion coefficient will provide important information on the mobility of ions in different regions near the electrodes. Knowledge on how nanostructured electrodes affect supercapacitor function will allow advances in energy storage systems that are of great significance for our future energy needs.Read moreRead less
Controllable quantum phases in two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials. This project aims to design novel two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials and to control electronic quantum phases therein. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in advanced materials, solid-state physics and quantum nanoscience. It will rely on supramolecular chemistry to synthesise new atomically precise functional materials. Expected outcomes include the fabrication of new advanced nanomaterial ....Controllable quantum phases in two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials. This project aims to design novel two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials and to control electronic quantum phases therein. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in advanced materials, solid-state physics and quantum nanoscience. It will rely on supramolecular chemistry to synthesise new atomically precise functional materials. Expected outcomes include the fabrication of new advanced nanomaterials, as well as the observation and control of new quantum phenomena therein. The project should provide significant benefits, such as advancing basic research in quantum nanomaterials, and aiding to lay the foundation for next-generation electronics and information technologies.Read moreRead less
Creating a non-invasive window into the mind. This project aims to create better tools to study the human mind. This project expects to generate new knowledge that can be used to non-invasively image neuronal activity. Expected outcomes include the development of unique new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) instruments to study neuronal activity in both highly controlled laboratory conditions and in humans, with the spatial and temporal resolution needed to study the neuronal circuitry that drive ....Creating a non-invasive window into the mind. This project aims to create better tools to study the human mind. This project expects to generate new knowledge that can be used to non-invasively image neuronal activity. Expected outcomes include the development of unique new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) instruments to study neuronal activity in both highly controlled laboratory conditions and in humans, with the spatial and temporal resolution needed to study the neuronal circuitry that drives low and high-level brain functions, i.e., creating a window into the mind. In the future, outcomes from this study could improve our understanding of mental disorders, advance computer brain interface technology, and inspire the next paradigm shift in artificial intelligence.Read moreRead less
Decoherence and Quantum Simulations of Spin-Environment systems. The effort to develop quantum technologies relies on our ability to understand and manipulate quantum mechanical objects with great precision. In order to do this, we need to study how such systems interact with their surroundings. Solid-state quantum systems connected to an environment show a rich range of phenomena, such as quantum phase transitions, which are interesting in their own right. This work will better enable experi ....Decoherence and Quantum Simulations of Spin-Environment systems. The effort to develop quantum technologies relies on our ability to understand and manipulate quantum mechanical objects with great precision. In order to do this, we need to study how such systems interact with their surroundings. Solid-state quantum systems connected to an environment show a rich range of phenomena, such as quantum phase transitions, which are interesting in their own right. This work will better enable experimentalists to develop the techniques required for the future of quantum technology.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear quantum science with superconducting circuit quantum-electrodynamics. Circuit quantum electrodynamics has rapidly emerged in recent years as a new field of experimental quantum science, with applications to precision measurement, nanomechanical transducers and quantum information processing. We will design and demonstrate new experimental devices, grounded in a long-standing expertise in quantum optics, and enabled by a new low temperature laboratory under development at The Universit ....Nonlinear quantum science with superconducting circuit quantum-electrodynamics. Circuit quantum electrodynamics has rapidly emerged in recent years as a new field of experimental quantum science, with applications to precision measurement, nanomechanical transducers and quantum information processing. We will design and demonstrate new experimental devices, grounded in a long-standing expertise in quantum optics, and enabled by a new low temperature laboratory under development at The University of Queensland. This project will deliver a new technological capability for Australia.Read moreRead less
A Biologically Responsive and Anatomically Authentic Human Nasal Model. As respiratory conditions caused by pollutants and viruses become more prevalent, human nasal models to study infection/protection mechanisms and nasal drug/vaccine delivery are increasingly important. This project aims to develop a world-first human nasal model to mimic both anatomical and biological aspects of the nasal cavity and predict the distribution and deposition of fine particles and the resultant biological respon ....A Biologically Responsive and Anatomically Authentic Human Nasal Model. As respiratory conditions caused by pollutants and viruses become more prevalent, human nasal models to study infection/protection mechanisms and nasal drug/vaccine delivery are increasingly important. This project aims to develop a world-first human nasal model to mimic both anatomical and biological aspects of the nasal cavity and predict the distribution and deposition of fine particles and the resultant biological response from the nasal mucosa. The aim is to overcome a key fabrication challenge - to 3D print an anatomically accurate nasal construct with a porous wall on which to grow and mature functional nasal tissue that lines a nasal cavity wall. The benefit would be enabling faster development of more targeted drugs and vaccines.Read moreRead less