Nanocrystalline Processing of Polycrystalline Ceramics Exhibiting the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. Piezoelectric materials interconvert electric and mechanical energy. They have been incorporated into a wide range of industrial, medical and domestic applications. The newest, known as PZN-PTs, are only available as single crystals. They have ten times the response of conventional piezoelectric materials, however they are expensive, mechanically fragile and have shape limitations. This project will ....Nanocrystalline Processing of Polycrystalline Ceramics Exhibiting the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. Piezoelectric materials interconvert electric and mechanical energy. They have been incorporated into a wide range of industrial, medical and domestic applications. The newest, known as PZN-PTs, are only available as single crystals. They have ten times the response of conventional piezoelectric materials, however they are expensive, mechanically fragile and have shape limitations. This project will tailor nanostructured intermediate states that will allow the production of stronger, more versatile polycrystalline PZN-PT ceramics. It will develop scientific results on nanocrystalline processing applicable to many materials and allow deeper insight into the mechanism of the anomalous piezoelectric response of these materials.Read moreRead less
Structural Origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect in Relaxor Ferroelectrics. This project addresses fundamental questions about the origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. The solution of these questions will be will raise the profile of Australian science in this area as well as allowing new directions to be explored both in modifying existing materials and seeking new ones. It will expand the pool of personnel with experience in the synthesis and diffraction based study of these material ....Structural Origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect in Relaxor Ferroelectrics. This project addresses fundamental questions about the origins of the Giant Piezoelectric Effect. The solution of these questions will be will raise the profile of Australian science in this area as well as allowing new directions to be explored both in modifying existing materials and seeking new ones. It will expand the pool of personnel with experience in the synthesis and diffraction based study of these materials which are slated for inclusion in large numbers of 'Smart' technologies. The training of personnel in advanced diffraction methods is important in the lead up to the new Australian research reactor OPAL in 2006 and the new Australian synchrotron in 2007.Read moreRead less
Combustion Synthesis of Ternary Carbides. Ti3SiC2 belongs to a group of ternary carbides that exhibit an exciting combination of the high temperature properties of ceramics, with the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. A great number of potential applications have been identified, however a cost effective large scale synthesis method has been lacking. Combustion synthesis, which uses the heat of reaction as the primary energy source, has great potential for this purpose. This program ....Combustion Synthesis of Ternary Carbides. Ti3SiC2 belongs to a group of ternary carbides that exhibit an exciting combination of the high temperature properties of ceramics, with the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. A great number of potential applications have been identified, however a cost effective large scale synthesis method has been lacking. Combustion synthesis, which uses the heat of reaction as the primary energy source, has great potential for this purpose. This program will use advanced in-situ neutron diffraction experiments to map and quantify combustion synthesis reactions in the Ti-Si-C system and related systems. The results of these studies will be used to design methods of production for Ti3SiC2 and related materials.Read moreRead less
Development of Advanced Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors for Spin Transistors. Recent advances in diluted magnetic semiconductors hold the promise of surmounting the fundamental limits of silicon technology by exploiting the spin degree of freedom in semiconductors to realize spin-transistors with enhanced functionality, higher speeds and integration densities, and lower power consumption in future. Current transistors are electronic circuits that make up most semiconductors, an international mar ....Development of Advanced Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors for Spin Transistors. Recent advances in diluted magnetic semiconductors hold the promise of surmounting the fundamental limits of silicon technology by exploiting the spin degree of freedom in semiconductors to realize spin-transistors with enhanced functionality, higher speeds and integration densities, and lower power consumption in future. Current transistors are electronic circuits that make up most semiconductors, an international market worth US$200bn in 2003 and this market will grow to US$1000bn per year in next 12 years. In 8 years time, the spin transistor will be on par with electronics. Therefore, success of this program will facilitate the development of spintronic materials and technologies, which have enormous international market, in Australia.Read moreRead less
New nanolaminate ternary and quaternary alloy phases by thin film synthesis. The availability of suitable materials is a driver of new technologies. We will develop a new class of ternary and quaternary alloys with nanolaminate structures at the atomic scale using a combination of theoretical modeling, novel thin film synthesis and advanced characterization methods. The nanostructure of these materials is expected to promote a rare combination of metallic and ceramic like properties, such as low ....New nanolaminate ternary and quaternary alloy phases by thin film synthesis. The availability of suitable materials is a driver of new technologies. We will develop a new class of ternary and quaternary alloys with nanolaminate structures at the atomic scale using a combination of theoretical modeling, novel thin film synthesis and advanced characterization methods. The nanostructure of these materials is expected to promote a rare combination of metallic and ceramic like properties, such as low friction, high mechanical strength, resistance to heat shock, fracture, corrosion and oxidation, up to very high temperatures. Careful characterisation of the growth process and structure-property relationships will allow us to develop methods of tailoring the property mix for operation in harsh environments.Read moreRead less
Development of conductive buffer layers for RABiTS-based coated conductors. YBCO coated conductor has already been identified and developed as far as second generation HTS wire in power applications. Major advances have been made in the last 10 years in coated conductor development mainly in all aspects: substrate, buffer layer and YBCO layer. The research on conductive buffers layer will improve and expand the R&D on coated conductor in Australia. On the economic side, dramatic advantages and s ....Development of conductive buffer layers for RABiTS-based coated conductors. YBCO coated conductor has already been identified and developed as far as second generation HTS wire in power applications. Major advances have been made in the last 10 years in coated conductor development mainly in all aspects: substrate, buffer layer and YBCO layer. The research on conductive buffers layer will improve and expand the R&D on coated conductor in Australia. On the economic side, dramatic advantages and savings could be achieved if the coated conductors can be put to use. Superconductivity can have a significant role in deregulated electricity markets and in lessening CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775771
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Physical Property Measurement System for Materials Characterisation. The Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) is a versatile, state-of-the-art instrument that is capable of measuring a broad range of magnetic, electronic and thermodynamic materials properties. The instrument will greatly extend materials characterisation capabilities in the Sydney region, leading to major advances in fundamental and applied research and to essential postgraduate training in chemistry, physics and enginee ....Physical Property Measurement System for Materials Characterisation. The Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) is a versatile, state-of-the-art instrument that is capable of measuring a broad range of magnetic, electronic and thermodynamic materials properties. The instrument will greatly extend materials characterisation capabilities in the Sydney region, leading to major advances in fundamental and applied research and to essential postgraduate training in chemistry, physics and engineering. The importance of materials discovery and characterisation is vital to the development of new technologies over the next decade, as recognised in the national priority area 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries'. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102644
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Fatigue degradation in lead-free piezoelectric ceramics: the key factor for successful industrial implementation. Many everyday devices, that is mobile phones, operate with lead-based ceramics, which can be hazardous; although there are promising lead-free materials, these show complex electric behaviour which can lead to structural damage and device failure. This project will define the degradation mechanisms so that reliable non-toxic ceramics can be designed.
Concentrating solar thermal energy storage using metal hydrides. This project will investigate energy storage for concentrating solar thermal energy systems. These systems can be used to efficiently generate electricity in remote locations, day and night, using solar energy. The solar energy is converted to heat energy and then chemical energy stored in a metal-hydrogen compound.
Improvement of Critical Current Density of High Temperature Superconductors by Reforming Microstructure at Nanoscale. Strengthening Australia's capability and leading position in this frontier technology;
Providing human resources for the superconductivity technology industries in Australia;
Transferring new technology gained from this research to the superconductivity technology industries in Australia;
Generating patents to enrich Australian intellectual property base;
Strengthening the c ....Improvement of Critical Current Density of High Temperature Superconductors by Reforming Microstructure at Nanoscale. Strengthening Australia's capability and leading position in this frontier technology;
Providing human resources for the superconductivity technology industries in Australia;
Transferring new technology gained from this research to the superconductivity technology industries in Australia;
Generating patents to enrich Australian intellectual property base;
Strengthening the collaborations between Australia and other countries, such as Japan where research is also at the forefront in this field;
Providing training for Australian research students and engineers.
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