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Materials Chemistry
Nanoscale characterisation of functional materialsApplicants are invited for a PhD student to undertake research in the areas of nano-scale characterisation of functional materials.

The project aims to exploit the polarisation mechanism of functional polar oxides, especially relaxor ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of electro-ceramics and/or thin films. The investigation of nanoscale behaviour is based on a recently built a state of the art system that combines an atomic force microscope with a polarisation characterisation facility. The project is suitable for students who have backgrounds in Materials Science and Applied Physics.

Contact:
Dr Yun Liu
Prof. Ray Withers

Solid State Inorganic Chemistry
Development of High Performance Microwave Dielectric Materials (PhD Project)
This is an opportunity for a potential PhD student to work on an industry related project supported by an ARC linkage project. A stipend of $25,627 per year for three years will be provided to the student in the form of an Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) (APAI) Scholarship. The project will focus on synthesis, structural characterisation, RF/microwave dielectric properties and device fabrication, including a large amount of experimental work. We will especially target high dielectric constant, high Q and small temperature coefficient of capacitance microwave dielectric materials for use in next generation mobile phone or telecommunication base stations.

Students who have a major in Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics or Inorganic Chemistry are welcome. Because this is an industry-related project, the student is requested to take serious responsibility as far as fitting the time framework required.

Contact:
Dr Yun Liu
Professor Ray Withers

Solid State Inorganic Chemistry
Local Structure and Phase Transition of Functional Materials (PhD Project)
Applicants are invited for a PhD student to undertake research in the area of the characterisation of the local structure and associated phase transition behaviour in functional electroceramic materials, supported by the ARC-funded grant "Coupled Structural and Elastic Response Studies of the Phase Transformation Behaviour of Environment-friendly, Lead-free Piezoceramics".

The project involves synthesis, temperature-dependent structural investigations and various functional properties characterisation, suitable for a student who has a major in Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics or Inorganic Chemistry (in particular crystallography). Knowledge in dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are preferred.

Contact:
Professor Ray Withers
Dr Yun Liu


Solid State Inorganic Chemistry
Preparation and Functional Characterisation of Functional Materials and Devices (PhD Project)
Applicants are invited for a PhD student to undertake research in the area of functional materials and smart devices.
This project can focus on one or other of the soft-chemical synthesis of inorganic functional materials, the fabrication of nano-materials and functional thin films, optical-electrical-mechanical multi-functionality characterisation and mechanism analysis, and/or on the development of smart devices like sensors and actuators, including chemical sensors and biosensors, microwave materials for telecommunication technology etc, depending on the student’s background and interest. Students with a major in Inorganic Chemistry or Materials Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, are suitable. Knowledge and Experience in dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties as well as mutiferroics are preferred.

Contact:
Dr Yun Liu
Professor Ray Withers

Computational Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry
Computational Investiagtion of Stereocontrolled Radical Polymerisation (PhD Project)
Applicants are invited for a PhD student to undertake research in the areas of computer-aided chemical design and free radical polymerisation.

This project will use computational quantum chemistry to study the mechanism of stereocontrolled radical polymerisation processes, with a view to designing improved reagents and conditions. The project will primarily use computational quantum chemistry but there will be opportunities for some experimental work, depending on the student’s background and interest. Students with a major in Polymer Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry or Organic Chemistry are suitable.

Contact:
Dr Michelle Coote