< Previous01COLLABORATE03To boost Australian research and help transform the country’s electronic technologies, FLEET has forged important national and international partnerships with research institutions, industry and educational organisations.38FLEET collaborator David Nielson (University of Camerino, left) and AI Shaffique Adam (National University of Singapore, right) discussing low-dimensional systems at FLEET annual workshop39FLEET 2017 ANNUAL REPORT9FLEET MEMBERS VISITING PARTNER ORGANISATIONS25OVERSEASVISITS BY CENTRE MEMBERS6VISITS BYINTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND ECRS47TRIPS MADEFOR RESEARCH COLLABORATION14VISITS BYINTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORSWe welcome new links with collaborators, including research collaboration, personnel exchange and visits, and access to cutting-edge research facilities.Prof Michael Fuhrer FLEET DirectorNEW ORGANISATIONLINKS FORTRAINING ANDOUTREACHESTABLISHED NEW RESEARCH COLLABORATING ORGANISATIONSESTABLISHEDEND-USERRELATIONSHIPSESTABLISHED87340ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN FUTURE LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGIESRESEARCH COLLABORATIONSTo enable research collaboration, FLEET has: >Ensured a strong presence of FLEET personnel at national and international conferences in related areas (see p85) >Sought out potential research partners through collaborative visits (see p94 and 95) >Invited high-profile researchers in the field to give FLEET research seminars (see p96)-FLEET provides great visibility for my research, allows me to link to a large network of renowned collaborators, and provides complementary know-how in fields in which I am not an expert.Dr Agustin Schiffrin FLEET Chief Investigator, Monash University41FLEET 2017 ANNUAL REPORTThe 2017 Gordon Godfrey Workshop at UNSW was an opportunity for a strong FLEET contingent to engage with leading Australian and international physicists in the field of spin and strong-electron correlations, including Prof David Neilson (University of Camerino, Italy), a pioneer of electron-hole exciton interactions. FLEET researchers from UNSW, RMIT University and Monash University presented findings. Co-sponsorship with the Godfrey Bequest and UNSW School of Physics allowed free registration, maximising the benefit of this gathering.FLEET research seminars present the latest science to relevant researchers, fostering discussion and collaboration in fields relevant to FLEET research. Topics covered last year include: >Angular momentum of BCS-BEC fermionic superfluids with multiply quantised vortices, FLEET Partner Investigator Prof Victor Gurarie (University of Colorado, USA), pictured top right >Magneto-optical polarisation spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation on graphene, Prof Hans-Christoph Mertins (University of Applied Sciences, Muenster, Germany) >Imaging surface states of a strongly correlated topological insulator, Prof Jenny Hoffman (Harvard University, USA), pictured bottom right >Quantum Emitters in Flatland, A/Prof Igor Aharonovich (University of Technology, Sydney).Right: Poster session, Gordon Godfrey workshop on spins and strong electron correlations (UNSW)42ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN FUTURE LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGIESICON-2DMAT 2018MELBOURNE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL MATERIALSAND TECHNOLOGIES10-13 Dec 2018 FLEET TO HOST INTERNATIONAL 2D CONFERENCEIn 2018, FLEET will bring the International Conference on Two-Dimensional Materials & Technologies (ICON-2DMat) to Australia for the first time.Attendance at the international conferences on 2D materials is growing, reflecting rising interest in the useful electronic, opto-electronic and material properties of atomically-thin materials.Previous conferences have been in Hangzhou, China (2014), Hong Kong (2016) and Singapore (2017).The 4th conference will be held in Melbourne on 10–13 December 2018.ICON-2DMat 2018 will connect leading Australian scientists in the field with international experts to discuss the latest two-dimensional materials research and emerging applications.It will be an opportunity for FLEET to showcase the strength of atomically-thin materials research in Australia.More information FLEET.org.au/ICON2DMATRESEARCH COLLABORATIONS43FLEET 2017 ANNUAL REPORTRESEARCH TRANSLATIONFLEET will present the electronics industry with viable solutions to the problem of power consumption at data centres; without efficiency improvements these facilities will become alarmingly large consumers of energy within the next two to three decades. The technology developed at FLEET will allow industries to produce more-efficient electronic circuits and memory devices for data centres. FLEET will: >Produce electronic materials intellectual property that can form the basis of spin-off companies >Build links to intermediary research institutes and provide an avenue to deliver intellectual property to development laboratories with a commercialisation focus >Leverage strong ties with research centres focused on novel materials research and translation; for example, the Monash Centre for Atomically Thin Materials >Liaise with potential stakeholders in novel electronic devices and systems through a network of industry liaisons.INDUSTRY LIAISONSFLEET is an outstanding role model for other institutions which seek practical solutions to problems by pursuing fundamental and basic research.Sir Michael Pepper University College London FLEET International Scientific Advisory CommitteeDr Jim PatrickChief Scientist and Senior Vice President Research and Applications, Cochlear LimitedDr Andrew HindGeneral Manager of Molecular Spectroscopy , Agilent TechnologiesMark MuzzinEntrepreneurChris GilbeyCEO , Imagine Intelligent Materials Pty LtdDr Steven DuvallChief Technology Officer and General Manager of Technology Development, Silanna44ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN FUTURE LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGIESOne of my highlights of 2017 was explaining my research to a school student of 15/16 years old, whose fascination by the physics I work with every day was inspirational.Pavel Kolesnichenko FLEET PhD student, Swinburne University of TechnologyRESEARCH COLLABORATIONSEDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH COLLABORATIONFLEET is collaborating with leading educational and engagement experts to have a positive impact on the wider community’s engagement with science.The Centre builds on successful educational and partnership models to increase the community’s understanding of what scientists do and how a STEM-proficient workforce adds value, communicate FLEET-relevant science and develop the scientific literacy of Australians.FLEET works with specialised educational and outreach liaisons:Also see ‘Building future science leaders’ (see p51) and the Education and Training Committee (see p77).Dr Eroia Barone-NugentGrowing Tall Poppies Science Partnership ProgramDr Toby BellMonash University’s Global Challenges program, whose students have developed innovative FLEET outreach tools (see p61).Camille ThomsonAustralian Institute of Policy and Science, assisted with delivery of specialised science communication training (see p53). Prof Pankaj SahScience of Learning Centre, University of Queensland, collaborates to bring FLEET outreach programs to the wider community45FLEET 2017 ANNUAL REPORTLeft: Global Challenges students Daniel Schultz (left) and Joshua Zail presented their project outcomes (see p61) at FLEET Annual workshop.Below: Lyndal Byford (Australian Science Media Centre) demonstrating how to promote research using videos at FLEET YouRforum in October 2017 (see p53). With the peak of the mineral resources boom having passed, and a decrease in traditional domestic manufacturing sectors, Australia needs to focus on innovation in science and technology. It is critical to develop advanced, flexible skillsets within our future science leaders.Anton Tadich FLEET Partner Investigator, Australian Synchrotron YouRforum panelist46ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN FUTURE LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGIESSharing knowledge and common challenges faced by ARC centres and hubsCASE STUDYCENTRES OF AWESOMESharing best practice within ARC-funded research centres, finding efficiencies, setting up future networks – and swapping a few war storiesWhile the training needs of researchers are key, skilling-up professional staff is also extremely valuable. FLEET worked with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS) to bring operations staff from 18 ARC-funded centres together, sharing best practice and learnings, and developing future networks among people in similar roles.How do centres become ‘greater than the sum of the parts’? What strategies have professional staff found to enhance centre cohesiveness? What works with respect to managing KPIs? What doesn’t work? How can we go from Centres of Excellence to Centres of Awesome?The first Victorian ARC Centres and Hubs Staff (VACHS) Workshop brought together representatives from ten ARC Centres of Excellence, five ARC Industry Transformation Research Hubs, and three ARC Training Centres.Delegates included staff from operations, finance, communication, outreach, education and training, centre administration and node management.The workshop was designed to leverage the skills and expertise of those in the room to maximise success in ARC centre reviews, re-bids, centre cohesiveness, financial management, outreach, social media, internal communications, education and training, mentoring, diversity and equity.Sessions on what we do well shared successful, innovative programs from mentoring to internal communication to outreach, sharing best-practise across the centres. An opening poster presentation outlining organisational structure proved an effective ice-breaker, with the building of future networks amongst common roles a primary aim.47I returned to work, grateful to have witnessed such positive energy and enthusiasm to do our best as the ARC’s ‘treasured investments’. Hearing first-hand tips and examples from other Centres of Excellence was invaluable, and I benefited from the brainstorming of common challenges and solutions with other node administrators. I’m excited to share my newly-gained knowledge with colleagues and students. Ruby Chan Node Administrator, OzGravAlthough each centre’s operations team works as a unit, the individual focus of each role can make people feel as though they are working in isolation. Brainstorming sessions combining common roles to identify shared challenges, and possible solutions, brought relief as people discovered their challenges were shared.Participants also shared tools and programs for KPI management, finance, internal communications and social media.FLEET was one of several centres to take advantage of the workshop to bring together operations staff from multiple nodes (ANU, UNSW and Swinburne University of Technology) to the host at Monash University, contributing to Centre cohesion.As the first such event in Victoria, there was agreement that this was just the beginning. Future events are planned – both bringing all centres and hubs together again, and informal arrangements maintaining contact between individuals in similar roles. The workshop has also inspired similar networking efforts within host Monash University.The success of the Victorian ARC Centres and Hubs Staff Workshop has inspired Monash Research to create a similar peer-support group within the university, which will connect and create opportunities for administration managers of complex externally-funded research projects to share best-practice, enable professional development and create a ‘voice’ for action on common issues to permit faster problem-solving.Helen Partridge Manager, ARC Grants and Contract Team, Monash Research Office.Next >