Taste of Research Scholarships

Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering Projects

Project Title:	Antenna Collection of Solar Energy

Name of Supervisor:	Richard Corkish

Email of Supervisor:	r.corkish@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Gavin Conibeer

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	g.conibeer@unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Energy Systems, Renewable and Non-Renewable

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications

Abstract:	Applicable to PHYSICS students. This theoretical project is concerned with the possibility to convert sunlight to electricity using devices based on the wave, rather than the particle, nature of light. Technological advance is increasing the feasibility of constructing such devices in the appropriate scale but significant theoretical questions remain. Challenges include the incoherence, the non-polarisation and the wide spectrum of sunlight. Students considering this project should have a strong interest and background in physics and mathematics, and especially in the wave and particle models of light. An interest in antenna theory would be advantageous. A similar Taste of Research project was done in 2005/06 which resulted in the discovery and correction of an error in published work, the acceptance of a paper at a major international conference and the establishment of a framework for progress in the field. This project is expected to satisfy at least five of the objectives of Industrial Training, which is normally sufficient.

Research Environment:	Leading silicon photovoltaics research group globally.

Novelty and Contribution:	Opportunity to resolve issues that remain controversial and poorly understood in the literature.

Expected Outcomes:	Clarification of controversial solar energy collection theory. Publication in leading applied physics journal.

Reference Material Links:	R. Corkish, M. A. Green, T. Puzzer, and T. Humphrey, "Efficiency of antenna solar collection," Proceedings of 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion, 2003, Osaka. (http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository?query=corkish) I. M. Sokolov, "On the energetics of a nonlinear system rectifying thermal fluctuations," Europhysics Letters, 44, 278 (1998). Y. Wang, K. Kempa, B. Kimball, J. B. Carlson, G. Benham, W. Z. Li, T. Kempa, J. Rybczynski, A. Herczynski, and Z. F. Ren, "Receiving and transmitting light-like radio waves: Antenna effect in arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes," Applied Physics Letters, vol. 85, pp. 2607-2609, 2004. P. Muhlschlegel, H.-J. Eisler, O. J. F. Martin, B. Hecht, and D. W. Pohl, "Resonant Optical Antennas," Science, vol. 308, pp. 1607-1609, 2005.

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Project Title:	Development of Commercial Solar Cell Technologies

Name of Supervisor:	Stuart Wenham

Email of Supervisor:	s.wenham@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Nicole Kuepper plus several PhD students

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	nicole.kuepper@student.unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Energy Systems, Renewable and Non-Renewable

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:

Abstract:	UNSW has an excellent record of developing and commercialising solar cell technologies. With the industry booming and growing at more than 50% per annum, the demand for new higher performance technologies is greater than ever, with several companies having signed collaborative research agreements with the Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence through which the companies fund the development of such technologies for their own use. Openings exist throught the Taste of Research Scholarships for undergraduate students likely to achieve First Class Honours, to work in the solar laboratories in conjunction with the PhD students and some of the world's leading solar researchers, to help develop these technologies. In particular, areas of work will include surface passivation through the use of atomic hydrogen and dielectric layers, electroless plating/photoplating techniques, doping the silicon through laser melting in localised areas, texturing of wafer surfaces and junction formation through the screen-printing and firing of aluminium. These areas in general will involve both experimental and theoretical components depending on the strengths of the respectivce students. Opportunities may exist during the scholarship to travel to the premises of the industry collaborators to do technology implementation, transfer and evaluation.

Research Environment:	Photovoltaic Laboratories at UNSW or at the premises of industry collaborators. State of the art semiconductor processing facilities are available

Novelty and Contribution:	The technologies being developed have been recently patented indicating the novelty of the developmental work that will follow during the scholarship. The originality and novelty of the work may lead to additional patents.

Expected Outcomes:	Improved photovoltaic technology suitable for commercial production is expected by the end of the project. An evaluation and analysis of key processes will be undertaken leading to some level of process and technology optimisation. New intellectual property is a distinct possibility. From the student's perspective, expected outcomes will include training and experience working in a world-leading photovoltaic laboratory and the opportunity of working with world-leading researchers and PhD students. Industry experience and international travel through collaborative research is also a possible outcome.

Reference Material Links:	Annual Report of the Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence

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Project Title:	Fabrication and characterisation of silicon quantum dot structures.

Name of Supervisor:	Santosh Shrestha

Email of Supervisor:	s.shrestha@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Gavin Conibeer

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	g.conibeer@unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Energy Systems, Renewable and Non-Renewable

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:

Abstract:	The Hot Carrier (HC) solar cell is a promising third generation photovoltaic device. It aims to tackle a major loss in conventional solar cells due to the thermalisation of photoexcited carriers. The efficiency of the HC solar cell is predicted to be over 85%. Two main requirements for the realisation of the HC solar cell are: (a) an absorber which can significantly reduce thermalisation of photoexcited carriers. This is to allow sufficient time for the collection of the hot carriers. Another important requirement is Energy Selective Contacts (ESCs). The ESC, like an energy filter, only allows carriers within a narrow energy range to pass through; carriers with other energies are reflected back in the absorber. Thus, only a small fraction of their excess energy above the band edge is lost when the hot carriers come in contact with the cold carriers in the metal contacts. The aim of this project is to contribute towards fabrication of quantum dot structures suitable for ESCs. Work would include growth of a single layer of quantum dots in silicon dioxide matrix and characterisation of these structures using a range of optical and electrical techniques in order to optimise the growth process.

Research Environment:	The project will be carried out using the fabrication and characterisation facilities at the Photovoltaic Laboratories at UNSW. The student will work alongside experienced researchers and PhD students.

Novelty and Contribution:	The outcome of this work is expected to be very useful for the ongoing work in the 3RD Generation Group at the Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence. You will have great opportunities to work with experienced scientists and gain valuable experience in a range of fabrication and characterisation techniques. The work may also contribute towards conference proceeding or journal publication.

Expected Outcomes:	The result of this work is expected to provide better understanding of quantum dot structures for their application as Energy Selective Contacts. Students will benefit from training on fabrication and characterisation techniques.

Reference Material Links:	R.T. Ross, A.J. Nozik, J Appl. Phys., 53 (1982) 3318. M.A. Green, Third Generation Photovoltaics, Springer-Verlag (2003). G.J. Conibeer el al., Thin Solid Films, 516 (2008) 6968. S.K. Shrestha, P. Aliberti, G.J. Conibeer, Procedings of the 3rd International Solar Energy Society Conference, 2008, Sydney, Australia.

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Project Title:	Investigate different metals to improve the contact on materials for 3rd Gen PV devices

Name of Supervisor:	Ivan Perez-Wurfl

Email of Supervisor:	ivanpw@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Gavin Conibeer

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	g.conibeer@unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Advanced Materials

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Biomedical Engineering Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications Sciences – Maths, Physics, Chemistry

Abstract:	Investigate different metals to improve the contact on materials for Third Generation photovoltaic devices. The successful applicant will test a range of metals that she will deposit using thin film deposition techniques such as evaporation and sputtering. The student will also learn different lithographic techniques to define structures for evaluating the quality of the metal contacts. The student will learn how to do electrical testing using a probe station to evaluate the type of contact obtained on silicon based thin films for third generation solar cells.

Research Environment:	Student will be working alongside a senior researcher and junior staff in the exciting field of Third Generation photovoltaic materials and devices.

Novelty and Contribution:	The optimized metal contact will be used in Third Generation Photovoltaic Devices and is expected to improve their efficiency.

Expected Outcomes:	The ultimate aim of the project is for the student to learn how to analyse his measurements and be able to determine which metal gives the least resistive contact on the silicon based thin films of interest.

Reference Material Links:	Basic knowledge of solid state materials and devices would be beneficial but it is not essential.

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Project Title:	Setting up a module for measuring light induced current in 3rd Gen light detectors

Name of Supervisor:	Ivan Perez-Wurfl

Email of Supervisor:	ivanpw@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Gavin Conibeer

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	g.conibeer@unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Advanced Materials

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Biomedical Engineering Computer Science & Engineering Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications Sciences – Maths, Physics, Chemistry

Abstract:	Setting up a module for measuring light induced current in third generation light detectors when illuminated under different colours of light. The successful applicant will help a graduate student to automate a spectral response system to measure photocurrent as a function of the wavelength of the incident light. The student will learn how fabricate simple coplanar photo-detectors to test in the equipment setup. The student will learn how to interpret the measurements and use this to determine the quality of the material under investigation.

Research Environment:	We are looking for a student that will be working alongside a senior researcher and a PhD student in the exciting field of Third Generation photovoltaic materials and devices.

Novelty and Contribution:	The measurements of the characteristics of films using this setup will make it possible to optimize material quality with the possibility of avoiding the time consuming process of fabricating devices. A quick characterization method will enable significant advances in the optimization of the material required for third generation photo-voltaic devices.

Expected Outcomes:	The aim of this project is to build a setup to be able to use the Constant Photocurrent Method on thin films.

Reference Material Links:	Knowledge of LabView programming is essential.

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Project Title:	Understanding fuel effects in SCCI engines

Name of Supervisor:	Evatt Hawkes

Email of Supervisor:	evatt.hawkes@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Shawn Kook

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

School:	School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Energy Systems, Renewable and Non-Renewable

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

Abstract:	Stratified Charge Compression Ignition (SCCI) engines could combine the low emissions of spark ignition engines and the high efficiencies of compression ignition engines. SCCI involves ignition by compression heating as in a diesel engine, but the fuel is injected earlier to achieve a more homogeneous mixture, avoiding emissions of NOx and soot. Possible SCCI operating regimes are limited by an inherent trade-off between increased pollutants at high stratification, and problems that occur at low stratification, namely knock at high loads and poor combustion efficiency at low loads. These trade-offs are different for each fuel and so far only conventional fuels have been properly investigated. There is considerable interest in investigating the potential of alcohol fuels and other oxygenated biofuels. You will develop and use a simplified computational model of HCCI to investigate the potential of stratification using alternative fuels. A strong background in thermo-fluids is desirable. You need to be able to program in Fortran or be willing to learn quickly. You should be interested in future PhD research.

Research Environment:	The work will be conducted principally with the supervisor, with guidance from the co-supervisor and in a team consisting of several phd students working on related topics.

Novelty and Contribution:	The novelty of the work rests principally in that it would be the first to the supervisor’s knowledge to investigate SCCI for selected fuels.

Expected Outcomes:	The study will determine for several fuels whether or not there is potential for fuel stratification to reduce the rate of pressure rise at high load and increase combustion efficiency at low load. The results may be published or may indicate directions for future research involving more detailed modelling and experiments - eg in a PhD program.

Reference Material Links:	http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au/Staff/evatthawkes.asp

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Projects offered by other Engineering Schools that may be of interest are:

Project Title:	Design and Modelling of Silicon Spin Qubits for Quantum Computing

Name of Supervisor:	Professor Andrew Dzurak

Email of Supervisor:	a.dzurak@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Dr Andrea Morello

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	a.morello@unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications

For CSE and EET Projects:	School Project

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	MEMS, Micro & Nano Technologies

School Research Area:	Microelectronics and Quantum Computing

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Computer Science & Engineering Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Abstract:	Silicon spin-based qubits have enormous potential for the development of powerful quantum computer processors of the future. This research project will focus on the development of computer models for prototype quantum computer devices, using the commercial software ISE TCAD on our Centre’s linux cluster. It will involve liaison with other students and researchers to identify a specific modelling problem releavnt to a central spin qubit device under investigation in the Centre, followed by a period of model development and calculation of results.

Research Environment:	The student will work in a friendly team environment at the Centre for Quantum Computer Technology amongst PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff. The Centre for Quantum Computer Technology (see www.qcaustralia.org) is focused on the fundamental physics and technology of fabricating a revolutionary silicon based solid state quantum computer prototype. Quantum computers represent the next generation technology in computing and electronics. Through manipulation of quantum states, they offer parallel processing power and capacity in applications of commercial and national significance.

Novelty and Contribution:	This research project is part of a major worldwide effort to develop spin-based qubits. As such, it is of immediate interest to the international research community.

Expected Outcomes:	The project will involve liaison with other students and researchers to identify specific modelling problems and then a period of model development, followed by a written report on the project.

Reference Material Links:

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Project Title:	Software for Advanced Patent Analysis

Name of Supervisor:	Vladimir Tosic

Email of Supervisor:	vtosic@cse.unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Mark Staples

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Mark.Staples@nicta.com.au

School:	School of Computer Science and Engineering

For CSE and EET Projects:	NICTA Project

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Management

School Research Area:	Miscellaneous

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Biomedical Engineering Chemical Sciences and Engineering Civil & Environmental Engineering Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Mining Engineering Petroleum Engineering Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering Surveying & Spatial Information Systems Sciences – Maths, Physics, Chemistry

Abstract:	To protect its intellectual property, it is often necessary for a company to patent its inventions. Patents are legally enforceable rights for exclusive commercial exploitation of inventions. Before patenting, patent search and analysis can uncover important facts relevant for strategic decisions about company’s intellectual property and research and development activities in general. Various software tools support patent search and analysis, from relatively simple free tools and Web sites to more powerful commercial products (e.g., for determining and visualizing various dependencies). In this research project, students will help develop novel software for advanced patent analysis, based on a new patent analysis methodology. The methodology is currently supported by software that manages patent information in Excel and uses macros for processing and visualization of patent analyses. The first aspect of this project is to support querying and analysis of patent information stored in a relational database. The second aspect of the project is to implement additional advanced patent analysis procedures. The third aspect of this project involves search and analysis of a number of real patents, determining their characteristics, and storing and managing this information using the developed software tool, to evaluate the tool’s correctness and usefulness.

Research Environment:	The students will work closely with researchers at NICTA (http://www.nicta.com.au) in a friendly mixed-gender and multicultural environment comprised of senior researchers and postgraduate students.

Novelty and Contribution:	The main novelty is the support for a unique and new patent analysis methodology. Since some aspects of the new patent procedures have not been implemented previously in other systems, non-trivial research questions (e.g., how to categorize patents in terms of relevance for company’s business strategy) will have to be considered. These patent analysis procedures will enable better decision making about a company’s patent portfolio. Another contribution is the testing process, which will result in conclusions about real patents from one market area (e.g., implant systems, business-driven IT systems management, or another area of mutual interest).

Expected Outcomes:	- Architecture of a software system that stores patent information, processes this information (e.g., to determine various dependencies), and visualizes results. - Detailed design of modules of this software architecture. - Design of database for storing patent information. - Original patent analysis procedures, which query and process the stored patent information. - Implementation of the above-mentioned designs. - Design and implementation of a simple (possibly Web) interface into the system. - Population of the database with patent information for a number of real patents from the same scientific area. - Experiments evaluating correctness and usefulness of the implemented software.

Reference Material Links:	- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent - http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/what_index.shtml - http://www.google.com/patents - http://www.patentlawlinks.com/patsearc.htm - http://www.infovis.net/printMag.php?lang=2&num=167 - D. Hunt, L. Nguyen, M. Rodgers (Eds.) “Patent Searching: Tools & Techniques”, Wiley, 2007 - J.L. Davis, S.S. Harrison “Edison in the Boardroom: How Leading Companies Realize Value from Their Intellectual Assets”, Wiley, 2001 - Course COMP9311 “Database Systems” (http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~cs9311) - http://www.edumax.com/database-basics-chapter-2-the-er-model-and-database-design.html - http://www.w3schools.com/SQl/default.asp - Course COMP9321 “Web Applications Engineering” (http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~cs9321) - For further information, email Dr. Vladimir Tosic (‘vtosic’ at the CSE e-mail system) with Subject line “UNSW Summer Scholars”.

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Project Title:	Flexible and Transparent Graphene Film as Electrode for Semiconductor Solar Cells

Name of Supervisor:	Professor Rose Amal

Email of Supervisor:	r.amal@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	Dr. Yun Hau Ng

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:	yh.ng@unsw.edu.au

School:	School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Energy Systems, Renewable and Non-Renewable

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Abstract:	Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been widely used as an electrode material in light-emitting diodes and solar cells because of its high conductivity, good transmittance, and suitable work function. The use of ITO, however, appears to be increasingly problematic because of both the limited availability of the element indium on earth and the intrinsic chemical and electrical drawbacks of ITO. An alternative and attractive option would be the use of thin graphene-based films, since recent studies have shown that graphene sheets have remarkable electronic properties. When compared with commercially available flexible transparent conductors, graphene sheets have several advantages: (i) they have high environmental stability and flexibility. Graphene is generally inert to acids, bases, humidity, and high temperatures. (ii) Graphene has high transmittance in the visible region and the neutral color is an advantage in photovoltaic applications. (iii) Graphene films can be fabricated at low cost by solution coating and printing as opposed to ITO, for which vacuum sputtering is typically required.

Research Environment:	Student undertaking this project will be working at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, under the guidance of postdoctoral (Dr. Yun Hau NG) research staff. The project would allow student to gain a multitude of experience in nanocomposites synthesis (hydrothermal, chemical bath deposition and photodeposition), nanomaterials characterizations (AFM, SEM, XRD and BET) and photoelectrochemical measurements (sheet resistance, amperometry, coulometry and IPCE). For more details, please contact Professor Rose Amal (r.amal@unsw.edu.au) or Dr. Yun Hau Ng (yh.ng@unsw.edu.au).

Novelty and Contribution:	This project seeks to evaluate the use of flexible and transparent graphene film as a potential electrode in typical semiconductor (TiO2 and ZnO) solar cells. The main aim of the project is to establish a systematic study to investigate the controllability of electronic properties of graphene, such as sheet resistance, conductance, and current-voltage characteristic. The correlation of these properties with the performance of TiO2 and/ or ZnO solar cells would be examined.

Expected Outcomes:	An optimum light energy conversion efficiency achieved by using the prepared materials is expected to be the final outcome of this project. The results would be used for further comparison and improvement.

Reference Material Links:	1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene and 2)http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v3/n9/full/nnano.2008.210.html

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Project Title:	Diamond-base photonics for quantum communication

Name of Supervisor:	A/Prof François Ladouceur

Email of Supervisor:	f.ladouceur@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

School:	School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications

For CSE and EET Projects:	School Project

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	MEMS, Micro & Nano Technologies

School Research Area:	Photonics

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Abstract:	Diamond-based photonics is currently being developed by many research groups worldwide because of its ability to support quantum key distribution schemes by incorporating single photon sources. The Photonics Group at UNSW, in collaboration with Physics at University of Melbourne has developed a scalable fabrication process enabling the production of all-diamond waveguides and devices. This technology is still in its refinement stage and much work still needs to be done for it to reach maturity. In particular, the characterisation of the waveguides and devices still needs to be completed. The project looks at working with the device designers and set-up characterisation experiments for our first generation of diamond-based devices. Of particular relevance would be the determination of linear loss and wavelength responses.

Research Environment:	The candidate will work within a friendly team consisting of senior researchers, engineers, and postgraduate research students.

Novelty and Contribution:	The outcome of this project would contribute to the development of a technology that will support new quantum communication systems and also, potentially, quantum computer architectures based on linear-optics.

Expected Outcomes:	The project will involve collaboration with Physics at UNSW and at UoM concerning characterisation techniques, followed by a written report.

Reference Material Links:

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Project Title:	Electro-active gels for display application

Name of Supervisor:	A/Prof François Ladouceur

Email of Supervisor:	f.ladouceur@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

School:	School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications

For CSE and EET Projects:	School Project

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Advanced Materials

School Research Area:	Photonics

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Chemical Sciences and Engineering Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Abstract:	The display industry has yet to settle on a specific technology to produce the next generation of flexible (conformal) displays. Much research is now being done on developing was has been referred to a e-ink, or electronic ink. A class of material know as hygrogels exhibit very sharp phase transition between its liquid and gel states. In the process, the optical properties of the materials change abruptly through the supra-molecular rearrangement of the gel monomers. This could then form the basis for a black and white pixel. This research project would look at the characterisation of the phase transition and in particular at the effect of the electric field on so-called electro-active hydrogels.

Research Environment:	The candidate will work within a friendly team consisting of senior researchers, engineers, and postgraduate research students in collaboration with Chemical Engineering and Chemistry.

Novelty and Contribution:	Positive outcomes to this project could realistically contribute to the creation of new e-paper technologies as this field is still evolving rapidly.

Expected Outcomes:	Experimental characterisation of new classes of hydrogels and in particular a better understanding of the dynamics of their phase transition.

Reference Material Links:

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Project Title:	Modelling of phase transition in electro-active hygrogels

Name of Supervisor:	A/Prof François Ladouceur

Email of Supervisor:	f.ladouceur@unsw.edu.au

Name of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

Email of Joint/Co-Supervisor:

School:	School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications

For CSE and EET Projects:	School Project

Faculty Research Area (Theme):	Advanced Materials

School Research Area:	Photonics

Applicable to other Engineering schools/disciplines:	Chemical Sciences and Engineering Computer Science & Engineering Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Abstract:	A class of material known as hygrogels exhibits a very sharp phase transition between its liquid and gel states. In the process, the optical properties of the materials change abruptly through the supra-molecular rearrangement of the gel monomers. One of the many applications of such class of materials would be the development of electronic ink, or e-ink, for the next generation of flexible (conformal) display. The project consist in the development of a thermodynamic theoretical framework together with simulation software to study the dynamics of the phase transition. Of particular importance would be the speak of gelation and the its sensitivity around the phase-transition point in terms of temperature and other external influences.

Research Environment:	The candidate will work within a friendly team consisting of senior researchers, engineers, and postgraduate research students in collaboration with Chemical Engineering and Chemistry.

Novelty and Contribution:	Development of theoretical framework and simulation software for the study of phase transition in electro-active hydrogels.

Expected Outcomes:	Positive outcomes to this project could realistically contribute to the creation of new e-paper technologies as this field is still evolving rapidly.

Reference Material Links:

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