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ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies


Electrical spin filtering the key to ultra-fast, energy-efficient spintronics

A UNSW study demonstrates all-electrical spin-to-charge conversion without magnetic field, enabling fast detection of spin accumulation in strongly spin-orbit coupled materials. The non-linear method facilitates orders of magnitude faster detection and time-resolved read-out down to 1 nanosecond resolution.

Game changer in thermoelectric materials could unlock body-heat powered personal devices

Researchers at the University of Wollongong have developed a new thermoelectric material with record-high conversion efficiency, improving heat-to-electricity conversion by over 60%. The discovery could enable the creation of body-heat powered personal devices, revolutionizing low-maintenance electronics and zero-carbon power generation.

Reviewing multiferroics for future, low-energy data storage

A new UNSW study comprehensively reviews the magnetic structure of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3), a multiferroic material that displays both magnetic and electronic ordering at room temperature. This unique property allows for low-energy switching in data storage devices, making it a promising material for future, low-energy data storage.

Liquid metals come to the rescue of semiconductors

Scientists at UNSW have created a method to produce high-quality two-dimensional MoS2 semiconductors without grain boundaries. By using gallium metal in its liquid state, researchers were able to form the desired MoS2 material on an atomically smooth surface, paving the way for ultra-low energy electronics with fast switching speeds.

Quantum vortex study recognized as finalists for prestigious Eureka Prize

The Australian Quantum Vortex team has been named a finalist in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for their groundbreaking study on turbulence. The team's use of laser technologies to observe quantum origins of turbulence has provided new insights into the behavior of vortices, which influence global weather and flight patterns.

Through the nanoscale looking glass -- determining boson peak frequency in ultra-thin alumina

The study used neutron spectroscopy to measure lattice vibrations in ultra-thin alumina particles, confirming theoretical predictions. The findings have implications for controlling heat transfer through ultra-thin materials, potentially benefiting electronics and future spacecraft designs.

Liquid metal synthesis for better piezoelectrics: Atomically-thin tin-monosulfide

A new study applies liquid-metal synthesis to create atomically-thin tin-monosulfide with excellent electronic and piezoelectric properties, enabling flexible nanogenerators for wearable electronics and biosensors. The resulting material displays high durability and flexibility, making it suitable for commercial implementation.

Applying 'magic angle' twistronics to manipulate the flow of light

Monash researchers have successfully applied 'magic angle' twistronics to control the flow of light in extreme ways. By stacking two thin sheets of molybdenum-trioxide and rotating one layer, they observed controllable light waves over a wide range of wavelengths, enabling robust light propagation in tightly focused beams.

Liquid metals break down organic fuels into ultra-thin graphitic sheets

Researchers at UNSW Sydney synthesized ultra-thin carbon-based materials using liquid metals and organic fuels at room temperature, a first for this method. The ultra-smooth surface of the liquid metals templates atomically-thin carbon-based sheets, which can be used in various applications including battery storage and solar cells.

Putting artificial intelligence to work in the lab

A new AI-driven system, DeepSPM, demonstrates fully-autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) operation, allowing for optimal data acquisition and quality assessment without human supervision. This breakthrough enables long-term SPM operation and bridges the gap between nanoscience, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Designer-defect clamping of ferroelectric domain walls for more-stable nanoelectronics

Researchers at FLEET have made a significant step in solving the primary challenge of information stability in domain-wall nanoelectronic data storage. By introducing designer defects, they were able to clamp down domain walls, effectively preventing ferroelectric domain relaxation and promoting superior polarisation retention.

Ultra-cold lithium atoms shedding light on superfluid formation

A recent study resolves a long-standing debate about what happens at the microscopic level when matter transitions into a superconducting or superfluid state. Correlations between pairs of atoms in an ultra-cold gas were found to grow suddenly as the system was cooled below the superfluid transition temperature.

Pushing 'print' on large-scale piezoelectric materials

Researchers developed a simple, inexpensive technique to create large-scale sheets of two-dimensional piezoelectric material, allowing integration onto silicon chips and expansion into surface manufacturing. The method enables the production of free-standing GaPO4 nanosheets for piezo-sensors and energy harvesting applications.