Research
We research fundamental optical and electronic properties of systems with highly delocalised orbitals or plasmon resonances. These include metal and semiconductor nanocrystals, discrete assemblies of nanocrystals, metal nanowires, conjugated polymers and donor-bridge-acceptor molecules.
Project Areas
| ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science (ACEX)
The Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science (ACEx) aims to manipulate the way light energy is absorbed, transported and transformed. The Centre is multidisciplinary and multi-institutional, bringing together researchers from across the sciences to create new materials for advanced optical and energy applications, including:
The focus of research within ACEx in the Funston group is on energy transfer and electron transfer in novel materials with these applications. ACEx projects for PhD students located within this group at Monash University include "Arrays of QD-organic structures – Synthesis, energy transfer and trap states in layered films", and "Light-responsive films based on hybrid nanocrystal structures". |
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| Atomic Structure and Stability of Nanocrystal Facets
The facets of a metal nanocrystal comprise just a few atoms. These atoms are pivotal to its growth and properties. This project aims to develop methods to measure the location and stability of the atoms to understand the factors controlling their assembly and to understand their impact on the properties of the nanocrystal. The project is in collaboration with Prof. Joanne Etheridge (MCEM,and Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University) and Prof. Gianluigi Botton of McMaster University |
Tomography reconstruction of gold nanorod |
| Metal Nanocrystals as Optical Waveguides
A promising approach for the further miniaturisation of electronic circuitry is the use of optical signals. In order to achieve this, the light must be guided and confined to the nanoscale. Gold and silver nanowires are known to act as nanoscale optical fibres, transmitting electromagnetic energy (for example, visible and near-infrared light) and guiding it from one end of a nanowire to the other. This research involves the fabrication of complex plasmonic structures with the potential to act as waveguides, and the characterisation of their optical properties including efficiency. |
SEM of an Ag nanowire 
Transfer of electromagnetic waves through an Au nanowire |
| Harnessing Asymmetry in Hybrid Metal Nanocrystal Assemblies
This research area aims to exploit hybrid nanostructures and to investigate their unique optical properties and interactions. The results will allow the advanced design of structures with potential for incorporation into useful and switchable optical films. |
Assembled nanostructures |
Please see the Opportunities page for further information