Hydraulic Properties of Swelling Clay-Gel Soils: Electrolyte and Temperature Effects. We seek to understand the impacts of electrolytes and temperature on the equilibrium and water flow properties of swelling, clay-gel soils. These soils are important in cropping, the environment and industrial processes. Their hydraulic properties govern dewatering rates, rheology, and solute movement. Double layer theory (DLVO) successfully describes the equilibrium behaviour of model, parallel-plate clay syst ....Hydraulic Properties of Swelling Clay-Gel Soils: Electrolyte and Temperature Effects. We seek to understand the impacts of electrolytes and temperature on the equilibrium and water flow properties of swelling, clay-gel soils. These soils are important in cropping, the environment and industrial processes. Their hydraulic properties govern dewatering rates, rheology, and solute movement. Double layer theory (DLVO) successfully describes the equilibrium behaviour of model, parallel-plate clay systems in laboratories. However, equilibrium and water transport properties of less-ideal, clay slurries are poorly described by theory. Field clay-gels are therefore problematic. Outcomes will be better understanding of swelling clays, improved and more cost effective management techniques for gel soils and trained graduates.Read moreRead less
Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices w ....Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices with high refractive index. In addition, nanoporous TiO2 has numerous applications in the fields of nanotechnology, bioengineering, diagnostics, materials science, and in the building industry. Australia will greatly benefit from the research and development of such a product with its promising market.Read moreRead less
How do soils grow? Modelling soil development in the landscape. This project addresses the fundamental environmental issue of land degradation in Australia. The environment is both sensitive and diverse with uses from intensive agriculture, grazing, to large scale industrial. This project will build a model that will enable us to understand how soil forms and landscape evolves with time, to reconstruct the history of soil. The model will allow us to make the Australian populous aware of the frag ....How do soils grow? Modelling soil development in the landscape. This project addresses the fundamental environmental issue of land degradation in Australia. The environment is both sensitive and diverse with uses from intensive agriculture, grazing, to large scale industrial. This project will build a model that will enable us to understand how soil forms and landscape evolves with time, to reconstruct the history of soil. The model will allow us to make the Australian populous aware of the fragility of soil formation. This will lead to greater social awareness of our precarious position on the Australian landscape.Read moreRead less
The critical role of rhizosheath biophysics in plant water availability. This project aims to determine how plants can increase their water availability by altering the small volume of soil, rhizosheath that adheres to roots.
This project expects to integrate root exudates metabolomics, biophysics and microbial ecology to determine for the first time which of a suite of interconnected factors increase water availability in the root zone.
Expected outcomes include better understanding of the ....The critical role of rhizosheath biophysics in plant water availability. This project aims to determine how plants can increase their water availability by altering the small volume of soil, rhizosheath that adheres to roots.
This project expects to integrate root exudates metabolomics, biophysics and microbial ecology to determine for the first time which of a suite of interconnected factors increase water availability in the root zone.
Expected outcomes include better understanding of the direct and indirect roles of soil pore geometry, root exudates and microbial communities play in shaping plant’s ability to take up water from soil. This knowledge may ultimately pave the way for engineering the rhizosheath of crops to cope with increased drought conditions.
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A general soil spatial scaling theory. Soil diversity is crucial for maintenance of sustainable ecosystems. Soil varies on a continuum from microbial habitats to fields, regions, continents and the globe. This project will take a unifying approach to derive a general spatial scaling theory that will allow us to estimate the likely behaviour of soil properties at all scales. Understanding the scaling behaviour of soil means one can be certain about describing the changes in relationships between ....A general soil spatial scaling theory. Soil diversity is crucial for maintenance of sustainable ecosystems. Soil varies on a continuum from microbial habitats to fields, regions, continents and the globe. This project will take a unifying approach to derive a general spatial scaling theory that will allow us to estimate the likely behaviour of soil properties at all scales. Understanding the scaling behaviour of soil means one can be certain about describing the changes in relationships between soil properties and processes. It will enhance the ability to monitor soil property changes through time, essential for gauging effects of climate change and achieving food security. Read moreRead less
Using multiple representations for systematic assessment to improve learning in secondary school science. Coupled with the priority of future prosperity and health of Australia; this project aims to establish a body of research that facilitates excellence in assessing learning. Research studies have identified concerns about the nature and effectiveness of assessment practices. This project, by taking an innovative perspective on assessment issues in secondary science, when student future plans ....Using multiple representations for systematic assessment to improve learning in secondary school science. Coupled with the priority of future prosperity and health of Australia; this project aims to establish a body of research that facilitates excellence in assessing learning. Research studies have identified concerns about the nature and effectiveness of assessment practices. This project, by taking an innovative perspective on assessment issues in secondary science, when student future plans geminate, has the potential to lay the foundation for more effective learning, increased retention into post-compulsory science and enhanced science literacy. By focusing on effective representational assessment strategies, the project has the capacity to enhance teachers' pedagogy and student learning, resulting in a more scientific literate society.Read moreRead less
Theoretically derived calibration of the neutron moisture meter. The moisture content of soils is of key importance in a wide range of situations including agriculture, engineering and land and water management. The measurement of soil moisture contents in the field is problematic, and even commonly used methods like the neutron probe give results of limited accuracy. This research will enable calibration curves for the neutron probe to be determined theoretically, thereby improving the accuracy ....Theoretically derived calibration of the neutron moisture meter. The moisture content of soils is of key importance in a wide range of situations including agriculture, engineering and land and water management. The measurement of soil moisture contents in the field is problematic, and even commonly used methods like the neutron probe give results of limited accuracy. This research will enable calibration curves for the neutron probe to be determined theoretically, thereby improving the accuracy of moisture content measurements and enhancing its usefulness to industry and research.Read moreRead less
The connectivity of pore theory - does it influence microbial community composition and function? Climate change scenarios indicate that Australia will be directly affected by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Soil microbial activity is responsible for a large proportion of such emissions; therefore it is important that we understand how such changing climate patterns are likely to influence key microbial populations in soil, particularly those involved in the production of greenhouse ga ....The connectivity of pore theory - does it influence microbial community composition and function? Climate change scenarios indicate that Australia will be directly affected by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Soil microbial activity is responsible for a large proportion of such emissions; therefore it is important that we understand how such changing climate patterns are likely to influence key microbial populations in soil, particularly those involved in the production of greenhouse gases. This research interfaces two disciplines, earth and biological sciences, and will establish a new international collaboration that will ensure Australia is at the forefront of a rapidly developing research field.Read moreRead less
Vulnerability of the Murray-Darling basin hydrometeorology to human modification. The Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) provides 40 per cent of Australia's agricultural production. Some 1,500,000 hectares use irrigation for agriculture and year-to-year variations in productivity highlights a basin that is vulnerable to changes resulting from human activity. This proposal builds an integrated modelling system of the MDB to understand its hydrology and meteorology in the context of human modification to ....Vulnerability of the Murray-Darling basin hydrometeorology to human modification. The Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) provides 40 per cent of Australia's agricultural production. Some 1,500,000 hectares use irrigation for agriculture and year-to-year variations in productivity highlights a basin that is vulnerable to changes resulting from human activity. This proposal builds an integrated modelling system of the MDB to understand its hydrology and meteorology in the context of human modification to climate and to land use in the basin. The improved understanding of the MDB will allow science-aware policy developments that reduce the vulnerability of agriculture and water resources within the basin to future changes caused through human activity.Read moreRead less