The dynamics and predictability of fire weather over southern Australia. As illustrated by the recent Victorian bushfires, Australia has one of the most severe fire climates in the world. Fires play a major role in modifying our landscape, affecting native flora and fauna, and damaging infrastructure and property. Effective fire fighting and fire management relies heavily on the prediction of fire weather and the impact of atmospheric conditions on fire behaviour. This project investigates some ....The dynamics and predictability of fire weather over southern Australia. As illustrated by the recent Victorian bushfires, Australia has one of the most severe fire climates in the world. Fires play a major role in modifying our landscape, affecting native flora and fauna, and damaging infrastructure and property. Effective fire fighting and fire management relies heavily on the prediction of fire weather and the impact of atmospheric conditions on fire behaviour. This project investigates some of the key processes that cause local enhancements in fire weather in regions of complex terrain like southern Australia.Read moreRead less
Precise Atmospheric Density Correction Model Using Space Tracking Data for Accurate Debris Surveillance and Collision Warning. Our project will build new atmospheric density correction models (ADCMs) for accurate prediction of debris object and satellite orbits. This research will have tremendous impacts on realizing unaided debris laser ranging. An order of magnitude accuracy improvement to the ADCMs will lead to a significant breakthrough in space object tracking. The benefits of this research ....Precise Atmospheric Density Correction Model Using Space Tracking Data for Accurate Debris Surveillance and Collision Warning. Our project will build new atmospheric density correction models (ADCMs) for accurate prediction of debris object and satellite orbits. This research will have tremendous impacts on realizing unaided debris laser ranging. An order of magnitude accuracy improvement to the ADCMs will lead to a significant breakthrough in space object tracking. The benefits of this research are: it will put Australia in a leading position in the world on ADCM study; to maintain Australia's leading role in space surveillance and greatly enhanced operational capability & efficiency of Australian space tracking systems; and to contribute significantly to the space environment info management, e.g. accurate collision warning and space junk tracking.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668470
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
High resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer for atmospheric remote sensing and laboratory spectroscopy. Climate change is a major global concern, with the potential for major consequences in Australia. This proposal contributes directly to climate change research relevant to Australia through direct measurements of the atmosphere relevant to the understanding of phenomena such as increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and stratospheric ozone depletion. Australia's geographical posi ....High resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer for atmospheric remote sensing and laboratory spectroscopy. Climate change is a major global concern, with the potential for major consequences in Australia. This proposal contributes directly to climate change research relevant to Australia through direct measurements of the atmosphere relevant to the understanding of phenomena such as increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and stratospheric ozone depletion. Australia's geographical position in the less populated southern hemisphere, and its advanced scientific infrastructure, mean that it has an especially important and valuable role to play in global atmospheric research. The proposed research participates in several international research programmes.Read moreRead less
Interactions between small scale cyclones and sea ice and their role in the Southern Ocean climate system. The Southern Ocean cyclone belt has a strong influence on Australian weather and climate. This project will allow improvements in the understanding of intense small scale cyclones in the region. Importantly, the research will highlight key sensitivities in the coupling between these atmospheric circulations and the underlying sea ice. Further, the compilation of an updated Southern Ocean cy ....Interactions between small scale cyclones and sea ice and their role in the Southern Ocean climate system. The Southern Ocean cyclone belt has a strong influence on Australian weather and climate. This project will allow improvements in the understanding of intense small scale cyclones in the region. Importantly, the research will highlight key sensitivities in the coupling between these atmospheric circulations and the underlying sea ice. Further, the compilation of an updated Southern Ocean cyclone climatology will provide a basis for evaluating future changes in cyclone distribution and frequency of occurrence in the Antarctic region. Finally, by leading this unique international collaboration with German and US scientists, the profile of Australian scientists in Antarctic atmospheric research will be strongly enhanced.Read moreRead less
Marine oil seeps and airborne particulates characterisation for organic compositional fingerprinting by using novel gas chromatographic technologies. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is a powerful new tool for studying complex organic materials. The technique provides a highly sensitive method of fingerprinting not only the composition of the material but also its environmental history and behaviour. In this project the technique will be applied to a range of petroleum- ....Marine oil seeps and airborne particulates characterisation for organic compositional fingerprinting by using novel gas chromatographic technologies. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is a powerful new tool for studying complex organic materials. The technique provides a highly sensitive method of fingerprinting not only the composition of the material but also its environmental history and behaviour. In this project the technique will be applied to a range of petroleum-related organic samples, including oil seeps from the ocean floor, and airborne particulates contributing to air pollution. The research will lead to a better understanding of geochemistry of petroleum-related materials and their potential impact on the environment and on public health.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the variation and origin of contaminants present in recycled PET. Recycling and waste management are of ever increasing concern in today's consumer society and our capacity to recycle waste is directly reliant on our ability to lower contamination levels and ensure consumer safety. Using novel analytical techniques, this project aims to characterise contaminants found in recycled PET and identify the source(s) of this contamination. Ultimately this will lead to a reduction in re ....Investigation of the variation and origin of contaminants present in recycled PET. Recycling and waste management are of ever increasing concern in today's consumer society and our capacity to recycle waste is directly reliant on our ability to lower contamination levels and ensure consumer safety. Using novel analytical techniques, this project aims to characterise contaminants found in recycled PET and identify the source(s) of this contamination. Ultimately this will lead to a reduction in recycled PET contamination levels, and allow a more complete recycling process. The global objective being to generate enough relevant scientific data to assist Visy in its endeavours to achieve higher levels of environmental performances and sustainable product development.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775715
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Advanced facility for ultra high-speed visualisation and real-time diagnostics of particles and droplets. The proposed research facility will offer new tools for advanced manufacturing in Melbourne and provide support for research at the leading universities involved in engineering and science. Testing and characterization equipment can support activities by researchers across different faculties including those of Federation fellows working in the area of nanotechnology and advanced materials. ....Advanced facility for ultra high-speed visualisation and real-time diagnostics of particles and droplets. The proposed research facility will offer new tools for advanced manufacturing in Melbourne and provide support for research at the leading universities involved in engineering and science. Testing and characterization equipment can support activities by researchers across different faculties including those of Federation fellows working in the area of nanotechnology and advanced materials. It fills a desperate need in a niche area. The research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries: Advanced Materials.Read moreRead less
The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation an ....The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation and formation of OPC; (3) computer modelling of nano-scale assemblies of atoms and molecules that will give desirable properties and durability, and (4) a tailored synthesis of geopolymers with vastly improved mechanical performance and acid, fire and bacterial resistance. This scientific understanding of long term durability will greatly enhance commercial acceptance of geopolymers.Read moreRead less
Digital Outsourcing in Architecture: Opportunities for Australian Firms or Perils for Australian Workforce? This research will help assess competitiveness and viability of different digital outsourcing practices in connection to the needs, the operative conditions and the products of the Australian building design sector. The information will give industry analysts a tool to identify the markets within which these arrangements are likely to spread or occur in the future, and take consequent corr ....Digital Outsourcing in Architecture: Opportunities for Australian Firms or Perils for Australian Workforce? This research will help assess competitiveness and viability of different digital outsourcing practices in connection to the needs, the operative conditions and the products of the Australian building design sector. The information will give industry analysts a tool to identify the markets within which these arrangements are likely to spread or occur in the future, and take consequent corrective or supportive action. The outcomes of this project will benefit Australia by forecasting changes in professional employment prospects, and by providing a framework to consider development scenarios for architectural educational and professional institutions, national research and development priorities, and international trade agreement agendas.Read moreRead less
From tourist siren to technological beacon: analysing the industrial function of the Sydney Opera House thirty years after its completion. The research will show that public buildings provide fertile ground to plant industrial seeds; but to have an impact on the local economy, they must respond to specific structural conditions or be supported by political will. These findings will improve Australia's institutional understanding of the relationship between cost and investment in construction, an ....From tourist siren to technological beacon: analysing the industrial function of the Sydney Opera House thirty years after its completion. The research will show that public buildings provide fertile ground to plant industrial seeds; but to have an impact on the local economy, they must respond to specific structural conditions or be supported by political will. These findings will improve Australia's institutional understanding of the relationship between cost and investment in construction, and clarify that the evaluation of building productivity requires a long-term perspective. Government agencies should use institutional projects to define their public face but also to plan and implement industrial strategies. The research will help Australia maximise its creative and technological capability by understanding the factors conducive to innovation and its acceptance.Read moreRead less