Functional magnetic resonance imaging: Decoding the palimpsest. This project aims to model the dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to image new physiology and attain higher resolution. This will enable new aspects of brain dynamics to be imaged, achieving higher resolution and improving interpretation. This project is expected to improve the use and power of fMRI, unlock new avenues for probing brain function and save experimental costs. This will have many uses in neuroscie ....Functional magnetic resonance imaging: Decoding the palimpsest. This project aims to model the dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to image new physiology and attain higher resolution. This will enable new aspects of brain dynamics to be imaged, achieving higher resolution and improving interpretation. This project is expected to improve the use and power of fMRI, unlock new avenues for probing brain function and save experimental costs. This will have many uses in neuroscience, brain imaging technology and fMRI analysis software.Read moreRead less
Navigating tipping points in complex dynamical systems. This project aims to use applied mathematics to investigate the onset of tipping points in dynamical systems. Working with clinicians and practicing engineers, the project aims to contribute to the development of new treatment regimes for dynamical diseases and develop improved management strategies for resource focussed engineering industries. This should provide significant benefit to many areas, including the personalised treatment of di ....Navigating tipping points in complex dynamical systems. This project aims to use applied mathematics to investigate the onset of tipping points in dynamical systems. Working with clinicians and practicing engineers, the project aims to contribute to the development of new treatment regimes for dynamical diseases and develop improved management strategies for resource focussed engineering industries. This should provide significant benefit to many areas, including the personalised treatment of disease.Read moreRead less
Light on a nanoscale: channelling energy through space and time to control neuronal activity. Quantum-mechanical effects of energy transfer and resonance will be harnessed to yield ultrabright nanoscale light sources. Research will unveil the intricate interplay between energy harvesting, transferring and emitting centres designed so that the flow of energy exhibits a directed character. This focussed intense energy will produce abundant visible photons from infrared light. Genetically engineere ....Light on a nanoscale: channelling energy through space and time to control neuronal activity. Quantum-mechanical effects of energy transfer and resonance will be harnessed to yield ultrabright nanoscale light sources. Research will unveil the intricate interplay between energy harvesting, transferring and emitting centres designed so that the flow of energy exhibits a directed character. This focussed intense energy will produce abundant visible photons from infrared light. Genetically engineered cells able to be stimulated optically by using an optogenetics method will be illuminated by our nanoscale light causing modulation of cell activity. This new capability will enable remote control of neuronal activity in specific circuits within the nervous system without the limitation of surgically inserted optical fibres.Read moreRead less
Quantum equilibration. This project will shed light on a fundamental problem in physics - how do fragile quantum systems, entirely isolated from the rest of the world, return to equilibrium when disturbed from their natural state? Our results will provide a theoretical underpinning for the development of quantum simulators that can be used for the design of advanced materials.
Dynamic tomography: high-resolution, four-dimensional imaging of processes. This project will develop imaging technology that allows us to collect detailed, three dimensional movies of complex, microscopic processes in a laboratory. This technology will have applications in soil science, biology, oil extraction, and carbon sequestration.
Spatiotemporal dynamics and analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) produces signals generated by brain activity in fine detail, but links between activity and images are poorly understood, posing a barrier to full use of the technology. Predictions from our new theory of such links will be made, tested experimentally and used to improve fMRI and discover new phenomena.
Quantifying complexity and measuring structure within complex systems. Most interesting systems are complex. The complex systems of interest in this project are characterised by a simple dynamical behaviour on each individual part; and a complicated web of interaction between the many distinct parts. The project will focus on the massive system of interacting neurones in the brain, and transmission of influenza via interpersonal contacts. This project will provide a better model of that web of i ....Quantifying complexity and measuring structure within complex systems. Most interesting systems are complex. The complex systems of interest in this project are characterised by a simple dynamical behaviour on each individual part; and a complicated web of interaction between the many distinct parts. The project will focus on the massive system of interacting neurones in the brain, and transmission of influenza via interpersonal contacts. This project will provide a better model of that web of interactions; and new methods for statistically validating this model against data. Existing models of complex networks are statistically biased so, by employing robust statistical methodologies, this problem will be rectified and provide a method for randomly choosing representative complex systems. Read moreRead less
Propagating Neural Waves: Combined Experimental and Modelling Study. The project is designed to measure propagating neural waves in visual areas of the brain to discover why and how they are created, how they interact with sensory inputs, and whether they can support brain plasticity and learning. Recent analysis of the brain’s electrical signals has showed that nerve cell activity is often organised into propagating waves, but how these waves are created, and what role they play in brain inform ....Propagating Neural Waves: Combined Experimental and Modelling Study. The project is designed to measure propagating neural waves in visual areas of the brain to discover why and how they are created, how they interact with sensory inputs, and whether they can support brain plasticity and learning. Recent analysis of the brain’s electrical signals has showed that nerve cell activity is often organised into propagating waves, but how these waves are created, and what role they play in brain information processing, remains unknown. The project plans to develop new methods for processing large-scale neural data, and to apply these methods to learn about propagating neural waves. These results may improve our understanding of how neural circuits function, eventually leading to clinical and technological advances.Read moreRead less
Mathematical model reduction for complex networks. This project aims to develop new mathematical methodology to describe the collective behaviour of large networks of oscillators with parameters called collective coordinates. This will allow for the quantitative description of finite-size networks as well as chaotic dynamics, which are both out of reach for current model reduction methods. The project will apply methodology to understand the causes of, and ways to prevent, glitches and failure i ....Mathematical model reduction for complex networks. This project aims to develop new mathematical methodology to describe the collective behaviour of large networks of oscillators with parameters called collective coordinates. This will allow for the quantitative description of finite-size networks as well as chaotic dynamics, which are both out of reach for current model reduction methods. The project will apply methodology to understand the causes of, and ways to prevent, glitches and failure in the emerging modern decentralised power grids. This will develop a framework to address this question, tailored to deal with the hitherto uncharted case of finite-size networks.Read moreRead less
Engineering evolving complex network systems through structure intervention. This project aims to create a theory and technology for engineering complex network systems (CSS) through structural intervention. Complex network systems with evolving components are ubiquitous in nature and society. The science of biological networks, the Internet and large-scale power networks demand tools to understand and influence their evolving dynamics. This project could result in a breakthrough theory in netwo ....Engineering evolving complex network systems through structure intervention. This project aims to create a theory and technology for engineering complex network systems (CSS) through structural intervention. Complex network systems with evolving components are ubiquitous in nature and society. The science of biological networks, the Internet and large-scale power networks demand tools to understand and influence their evolving dynamics. This project could result in a breakthrough theory in network science and technology to augment biological systems and power grids. Expected benefits include cost-effective augmentation of power networks injected with renewable energy sources, and advancing basic biology research.Read moreRead less