The energetics and dynamics of chemical reactions of polyatomic molecules involving multiple electronic states. This project will produce, from first principles, the first quantitatively accurate computer simulations of chemical reactions which involve several atoms and multiple electronic states. Many of the most important chemical reactions in the atmosphere (and elsewhere) involve changing both the shape of the molecules and their electronic structure. Many of these reactions are difficult to ....The energetics and dynamics of chemical reactions of polyatomic molecules involving multiple electronic states. This project will produce, from first principles, the first quantitatively accurate computer simulations of chemical reactions which involve several atoms and multiple electronic states. Many of the most important chemical reactions in the atmosphere (and elsewhere) involve changing both the shape of the molecules and their electronic structure. Many of these reactions are difficult to study in the laboratory, and consequently computer simulation is an essential component of the study of such reactions. U nderstanding how these reactions occur, and how fast they proceed, are important to our understanding of the dynamics of the atmosphere and other large scale reactors.Read moreRead less
Molecular signatures of complex photodissociation reactions. All energy on earth comes from the sun, either directly (e.g photosynthesis) or indirectly (e.g fossil fuels). Photochemistry is the study of how this light is absorbed and what happens to a molecule afterwards. Despite significant experimental and theoretical advances in the past decade (some in our lab), scientists still cannot predict the outcomes of most photochemical reactions. In this project we will determine the reactivity o ....Molecular signatures of complex photodissociation reactions. All energy on earth comes from the sun, either directly (e.g photosynthesis) or indirectly (e.g fossil fuels). Photochemistry is the study of how this light is absorbed and what happens to a molecule afterwards. Despite significant experimental and theoretical advances in the past decade (some in our lab), scientists still cannot predict the outcomes of most photochemical reactions. In this project we will determine the reactivity of several small, fundamental organic molecules. Not only are these molecules pollutants around our cities, but discovery of how they react in the presence of light will allow us to understand and predict the photochemistry of a much wider range of organic species.Read moreRead less
A new instrument to observe the three-dimensional structure of wind and temperature disturbances at and above Earth's polar mesopause. Expected benefits include:
? Improved ability to observe, understand, and predict space weather impacts on Australia's
communications, navigation, and surveillance capabilities;
? Support for specific Australian programs such as JORN with improved real-time specifications of
ionospheric conditions in our sector;
? Establishing Australia's leadersh ....A new instrument to observe the three-dimensional structure of wind and temperature disturbances at and above Earth's polar mesopause. Expected benefits include:
? Improved ability to observe, understand, and predict space weather impacts on Australia's
communications, navigation, and surveillance capabilities;
? Support for specific Australian programs such as JORN with improved real-time specifications of
ionospheric conditions in our sector;
? Establishing Australia's leadership of a powerful new technique for atmospheric remote sensing;
? Placing Australia at the center of international collaborative efforts to develop this technique;
? Conducting leading edge research and student training in photonics, which is highly valued by industry;
? Supporting Australia's presence and territorial claims in Antarctica.
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The carbon cycle and climate: new approaches to atmospheric measurements and modelling. Earth's climate is intimately connected to the carbon cycle, which controls atmospheric CO2 through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and ocean uptake. A thorough understanding of the carbon cycle, and potential feedbacks with climate change, is prerequisite knowledge for informed assessments of future climate, impacts, adaptation and mitigation. This proposal improves that understanding through ....The carbon cycle and climate: new approaches to atmospheric measurements and modelling. Earth's climate is intimately connected to the carbon cycle, which controls atmospheric CO2 through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and ocean uptake. A thorough understanding of the carbon cycle, and potential feedbacks with climate change, is prerequisite knowledge for informed assessments of future climate, impacts, adaptation and mitigation. This proposal improves that understanding through measurements of CO2 and other key Kyoto-protocol greenhouse gases, links to global networks and satellite measurements, and advanced modelling. Australian science has a very important role to play in international networks due to our unique combination of southern hemisphere location and scientific standing. Read moreRead less
Understanding the Influence of Cloud on the Spectral Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Terrestrial spectral solar UV may be enhanced above that of clear sky due to certain cloud conditions. There is a major gap in the scientific knowledge of the influence of cloud on the spectral solar UV and resultant biologically damaging UV. This project will collect the only dataset of sky conditions and spectral UV for each ten minute period spanning 12 months to determine: the specific wavelengths with increase ....Understanding the Influence of Cloud on the Spectral Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Terrestrial spectral solar UV may be enhanced above that of clear sky due to certain cloud conditions. There is a major gap in the scientific knowledge of the influence of cloud on the spectral solar UV and resultant biologically damaging UV. This project will collect the only dataset of sky conditions and spectral UV for each ten minute period spanning 12 months to determine: the specific wavelengths with increased irradiances; the amount of enhanced damaging UV; the cloud conditions that cause these enhancements and develop a predictive capability to determine when cloud cover will enhance solar UV.Read moreRead less
Predicting pollutant dispersion within the CBD. The accidental or pre-meditated release of hazardous gases and aerosols within an urban environment are potentially threatening to human life and safety. Emergency responders require adequate information to quickly address these concerns yet the lack of detailed observations and the complex nature of the dispersion make this task difficult. This project will collect detailed observations of tracer dispersion within the Perth central business distri ....Predicting pollutant dispersion within the CBD. The accidental or pre-meditated release of hazardous gases and aerosols within an urban environment are potentially threatening to human life and safety. Emergency responders require adequate information to quickly address these concerns yet the lack of detailed observations and the complex nature of the dispersion make this task difficult. This project will collect detailed observations of tracer dispersion within the Perth central business district and combine these observations with multiscale modelling to redefine appropriate emergency response models as well as their limits. Such analysis will enhance mitigation strategies.Read moreRead less
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
Tropical convection and its contribution to climate variability. This research will provide the necessary data to test and improve the representation of tropical convective clouds in weather forecast and climate simulation models. This will lead to more robust estimates of future climate change, and improved prediction of precipitation in the Australian tropics. This project will also provide training to undergraduate and postgraduate students in using modern computer models; such models will be ....Tropical convection and its contribution to climate variability. This research will provide the necessary data to test and improve the representation of tropical convective clouds in weather forecast and climate simulation models. This will lead to more robust estimates of future climate change, and improved prediction of precipitation in the Australian tropics. This project will also provide training to undergraduate and postgraduate students in using modern computer models; such models will be a key component of weather forecasting in the future.Read moreRead less
Precipitation Events over Tasmania and their Response to Weather Modification. The ongoing cloud-seeding work undertaken by Hydro Tasmania will be investigated through a combination of fieldwork and numerical simulations. New instrumentation and advanced numerical models will allow this research to provide a new understanding of the precipitation events over Tasmania and their response to cloud seeding. This research will also explore the interaction between the background aerosol/pollution leve ....Precipitation Events over Tasmania and their Response to Weather Modification. The ongoing cloud-seeding work undertaken by Hydro Tasmania will be investigated through a combination of fieldwork and numerical simulations. New instrumentation and advanced numerical models will allow this research to provide a new understanding of the precipitation events over Tasmania and their response to cloud seeding. This research will also explore the interaction between the background aerosol/pollution level and the precipitation. Given the relatively pure nature of the air over Tasmania, this research will be of international interest. This research will also be of direct interest to Hydro Tasmania as insight gained into the precipitation events will allow us to optimise their cloud-seeding operation.Read moreRead less
Radar Studies of Rainfall with Applications to Forecasting. Weather watch radars are used to predict severe weather events, with echo strengths depending on the number of rain drops in the beam. With suitable calibration the echo intensities can be used to predict rainfall rates. In 2005 the Bureau of Meteorology will establish a new weather radar near Adelaide. We will compare rainfall estimates made with the new radar with results from a VHF profiler that accurately measures rain drop distribu ....Radar Studies of Rainfall with Applications to Forecasting. Weather watch radars are used to predict severe weather events, with echo strengths depending on the number of rain drops in the beam. With suitable calibration the echo intensities can be used to predict rainfall rates. In 2005 the Bureau of Meteorology will establish a new weather radar near Adelaide. We will compare rainfall estimates made with the new radar with results from a VHF profiler that accurately measures rain drop distributions and rainfall. The aim is to test the weather radar estimates of rainfall rates and their uncertainties. Outcomes will have applications in flood forecasting and hydrology.Read moreRead less