AUCAOS member Prof. Mats Andersson’s group has recently demonstrated that poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) can be used as an alcohol-processable interface layer in high-performing polymer solar cells. Prof. Andersson, Dr Anirudh Sharma and ANSTO scientist Dr Andrew Nelson will investigate the interactions between the interface layer and the fullerene in the bulk heterojunction layer of PSCs. The project was recently granted beam time on the PLATYPUS and X-ray reflectometer, with a total grant value of $AUD 51075
Joint effort by Macquarie University and ANSTO to reveal interaction of organic materials in solution
AUCAOS member Nikos Kopidakis and ANSTO scientist Liliana de Campo are beginning to investigate the interaction of polymers and fullerenes in solution. The goal is to understand how the chemical structure of the molecules leads to superstructures in solution that are precursors to the structure of solid organic semiconductor films. The project was recently granted beam time in the newly commissioned Small-angle Neutron Scattering instrument BILBY.
Joint UQ-India research harnesses light for the future
AUCAOS members Dr Ebinazar Namdas and Dr Shih-Chun Lo of The University of Queensland and Assoc Prof Chris McNeill (Monash University) will be collaborating on a project entitled “Large Area Opto-Electronics (LAOE) for Australia and India”. The program is being funded under the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) scheme. The Indian partner is CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST). The Australian and Indian Governments are each contributing $1 million in funding.
Potential outcomes from this research include reduced consumer electricity costs, the development of next-generation photo sensors for digital cameras and new lighting technology.
For more information, please see the following links:
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2017/04/joint-uq-india-research-harnesses-light-future
http://minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/sinodinos/media-releases/australia-supports-joint-research-initiative-india
http://www.science.gov.au/international/CollaborativeOpportunities/AISRF/Pages/default.aspx
New Single-Molecule Diode For Miniature Electrical Circuits
A research team from Curtin University that includes AUCAOS member Dr Nadim Darwish has made a diode from a single molecule that could pave the way for smaller electronic devices. For more information on this exciting discovery, please see the following links:
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15056
https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/new-breakthrough-for-smaller-electronic-devices
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/04/australian-scientists-just-made-a-huge-breakthrough-that-will-lead-to-smaller-devices/
AUCAOS member Dr Paul Shaw joins CSIRO Scientists in Schools program
Dr Paul Shaw recently joined the CSIRO Scientists in Schools program. The program appealed to him as it allowed him to enter a partnership with a local school with a view towards making a lasting difference to STEM education.
While a large proportion of students show a general appreciation for science they do not necessarily relate this to their own lives or consider being a scientist. Paul has been working with Year 3 so far teaching them about light absorption and heat transfer!
Inaugural AUCAOS Meeting
The inaugural meeting of AUCAOS took place at Macquarie University, New South Wales on Monday 13th March 2017.
Attendees in person: Prof Paul Burn (University of Queensland), Assoc Prof Chris McNeill (Monash University), Dr David Huang (University of Adelaide), Dr Andrew Nelson (ANSTO), Dr Tamim Darwish (ANSTO) and Dr Nikos Kopidakis (Macquarie University). Via video link: Dr Ebinazar Namdas (University of Queensland), Dr Shih-Chun Lo (University of Queensland), Dr Ron White (James Cook University) & Alan Mark (University of Queensland).