Author: Andrew See

ANFF Statement on the passing of Chris Fell

The Australian National Fabrication Facility announces with great sadness the sudden passing of our beloved Chair of the Board, Emeritus Professor Chris Fell AO FTSE HonFIEAust CPEng.
After gaining a PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Cambridge, UK, in 1965, he had a distinguished career in chemical engineering. A world-renowned expert in separation technology, water treatment and the handling of chemicals, Chris held various positions during his 30 years at the University of New South Wales, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and International) for 10 years.

In 2021, Chris was appointed an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO). He received this honour for distinguished service to science and engineering, particularly to nanotechnology research and fabrication, and to professional networks.

Chris Fell was a true lynchpin in the nanotechnology research sector. He not only understood the importance of accessing micro and nanofabrication equipment, but he also quickly realised that research infrastructure and the expertise to use it would become critical to supporting the future growth and development of Australia’s scientific community.

Prof. Fell was instrumental in the establishment of the ANFF organisation in 2007 as one of nine original research infrastructure facilities established under the Commonwealth’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). He became the organisation’s first director, and in 2011, he took over as Chair of the Board.

‘The ANFF community has lost a great leader. Chris Fell has been a constant guiding hand for us for the entire history of this organisation after his passion and energy helped create it. Australia will forever be indebted to this great man, who spent his whole life providing benefits to others. We will miss his wisdom and his wit and his love for sharing a good story,’ said ANFF CEO Jane Fitzpatrick.

Under his leadership, ANFF has grown over the last 15 years to represent a cash investment of more than $400m in research infrastructure made by Commonwealth and State Governments, as well as partner organisations, not including the extensive in-kind contributions. ANFF provides state-of-the-art offerings of micro and nanofabrication infrastructure and engineering expertise across 21 hubs under the ANFF banner to support thousands of researchers from the public and private sectors countrywide.

‘Prof. Fell has been the Chair of the ANFF Board for many years and served in this role because he was the best person for the job. He worked with all Directors to ensure that the Board provided the best governance, advice and support possible for ANFF, which has seen the organisation grow into the success it is today. The Board will greatly miss his presence and enthusiasm for nanotechnology. The Directors feel privileged to have worked with Chris and wish to pass on their sincere condolences to Chris’ family and to express their thanks and appreciation for his many years of service.’ – ANFF Board of Directors

The ANFF family extends our sympathies to Chris’ partner Caroline and his whole family. If you would like to extend your condolences to his family, you can add a message to his Sydney Morning Herald Tributes Public Guestbook (visit this link).

A memorial service in celebration of Chris’ life will be held in early 2023, and details will be made available once arrangements are determined.

Source: https://www.anff.org.au/news/anff-statement-on-the-passing-of-chris-fell

Airbus and UNSW collaborate on solar cells for space

Airbus Defence and Space has selected the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney to conduct a 3.5 year research project for the development of high efficiency solar cells to be used in Space. The research will help push the performance of photovoltaic solar cells for Space to the limit, both in terms of efficiency and radiation stability in the Space environment.

This research project will be led by Professor Ned Ekins-Daukes, at the UNSW Sydney School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering who is an existing ANFF user. Congratulations Ned and team!

Airbus link:

ADM link:

RIS Funding Success for Laser MBE

A/Prof Neeraj Sharma (School of Chemistry), Nagarajan Valanoor (Material Science) and Matt Boreland (ANFF-NSW) have been awarded funding under UNSW’s Research Infrastructure Scheme (RIS2023) to support ANFF’s Laser-MBE facility. These funds will enable the procurement of KrF gas, which is essential for driving the excimer laser at the heart of the Laser-MBE system that enables the synthesis of crystalline thin films that empower R&D across a range of applications including microbatteries, nanoelectronic sensors, ferroelectrics and beyond.    Importantly the two years of funding ($20k/yr) will mitigate the impact of the recent 500% prices spikes in the cost of KrF gas (induced by supply chain issue) to safeguard the continuity of high impact research.

2022 ANFF Frater Award for Ethel Ilagan

ANFF-NSW is proud to announce that Ms. Ethel Ilagan was selected as one of this year’s winners of the ANFF Frater Award 2022. The prestigious award was presented to Ethel by Emeritus Professor Chriss Fell (Chair of the ANFF Board) to enable exceptional engineers and administrative staff to foster technical and professional growth via national or international activities. Ethel’s Frater Award was in recognition of her success in delivering high-impact microfluidics projects at ANFF-NSW@USYD/RPF. As an overview – microfluidics devices can be tiny chips that perform chemical analyses of extremely small volumes of fluids such as blood. Lab-on-a-chip devices, often use microfluidics devices which have applications in cost-effective disease detection and many other uses from monitoring to treatment, etc. The Frater award will fund Ethel to visit international laboratories including the Clark Lab at UC Berkeley and the Microfluidics Laboratory at Stanford University to extend her profession knowledge in microfluidic best practice and to enable international benchmarking of her work. These initiatives are geared towards advancing Ethel’s career growth and boosting the ANFF-NSW@USYD/RPF’s capability in the microfluidic space.

Congratulations Ethel!!

ANFF bids fond farewell to Dr Nadia Court

Accomplished Technical Director of the Research and Prototype Foundry, University of Sydney and Hub manager for the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) NSW node, Dr Nadia Court, has accepted the exciting role as inaugural director of the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B).

Known internally as a highly effective leader by management and colleagues, Nadia began her journey with ANFF-NSW at University of NSW and then moved across to Sydney Nanoscience Hub five years ago to take up the role of Technical Director.

Capable, competent, and always one to get the job done, ANFF CEO Dr Jane Fitzpatrick said Nadia has been much more than a cog in the machine. Maintaining equipment, people and projects across ANFF-NSW facilities, co-located at UNSW and the University of Sydney, Nadia has managed client liaison and developed strategic partners who are now embedded in the Nano Hub and across the ANFF network.

‘From the technical to the political, and everything in between, Nadia has contributed significantly to the development of ANFF, including our international links,’ said ANFF CEO Dr Jane Fitzpatrick. ‘She has engaged her colleagues to explore and expand global interactions and opportunities.’

Involved in University/Government/Industry Micro/Nanotechnology (UGIM) Symposiums in the USA, a regular at Australian government infrastructure conferences and a member of the global Micro and Nano Technologies infrastructure group, Nadia has also worked extensively with National Applied Research Laboratories in Taiwan to set up and deliver innovative workshops. When the NSW government announced their interest in building the semiconductor industry, Dr Fitzpatrick said Nadia was a natural choice to lead the bid and gather an exceptional group of experts to deliver.

‘Nadia’s ability to build connections, develop collaborations and solve challenges has served the ANFF network well over the years and we are very grateful for her contributions,’ said Dr Fitzpatrick. ‘Nadia is a superb choice to lead S3B and she will do an incredible job ensuring its success as that is the kind of person she is.’

ANFF is a partner in S3B and Dr Fitzpatrick holds a position on the board ensuring ANFF can continue to support the national landscape in Australia’s burgeoning semiconductor sector.

Are you the next superstar to follow in Nadia’s footsteps and have a lasting impact on National Research Infrastructure? Click here for more information regarding the vacant role of Technical Director – Research & Prototype Foundry.