Optimising disease surveillance to support decision-making. COVID-19 has demonstrated the critical role of epidemic data and analytics in guiding government response to pandemic threats, reducing disease and saving lives. The demand for epidemic analytics for response to threats of national significance will only grow. The goals of this project are to 1) determine the combination(s) of surveillance methods that provide the most useful data for epidemic analysis and 2) translate these findings in ....Optimising disease surveillance to support decision-making. COVID-19 has demonstrated the critical role of epidemic data and analytics in guiding government response to pandemic threats, reducing disease and saving lives. The demand for epidemic analytics for response to threats of national significance will only grow. The goals of this project are to 1) determine the combination(s) of surveillance methods that provide the most useful data for epidemic analysis and 2) translate these findings into the blueprint for a next-generation infectious disease surveillance system for Australia. We will use a simulation-evaluation approach, coupling methods from infectious disease modelling with those from information theory optimal design. Outcomes will enable more tailored and effective pandemic response.Read moreRead less
Symmetrical graphs, generalized polygons and expanders. This project proposes to study a class of highly symmetrical graphs -- locally s-arc-transitive graphs. Studying the class of graphs has been one of the central topics in algebraic graph theory for over 50 years. This class of graphs has been effectively used in computer science, communication network, group theory, geometry, and other areas. This project will develop new methods to solve several fundamental problems regarding locally s-arc ....Symmetrical graphs, generalized polygons and expanders. This project proposes to study a class of highly symmetrical graphs -- locally s-arc-transitive graphs. Studying the class of graphs has been one of the central topics in algebraic graph theory for over 50 years. This class of graphs has been effectively used in computer science, communication network, group theory, geometry, and other areas. This project will develop new methods to solve several fundamental problems regarding locally s-arc-transitive graphs, and apply the outcomes to solve important problems in communication networks, graph theory, group theory, and geometry.Read moreRead less
Numerical Algorithms for Constructing Feedback Control Laws. Many decision making problems in engineering, finance and management are governed by optimal feedback control systems. These systems are normally too complex to be solved by conventional numerical methods. In this project, we propose to develop novel numerical algorithms for constructing feedback control laws. We will also investigate the procatical significance of these algorithms for solving real-world problems. The outcome of the pr ....Numerical Algorithms for Constructing Feedback Control Laws. Many decision making problems in engineering, finance and management are governed by optimal feedback control systems. These systems are normally too complex to be solved by conventional numerical methods. In this project, we propose to develop novel numerical algorithms for constructing feedback control laws. We will also investigate the procatical significance of these algorithms for solving real-world problems. The outcome of the project will provide efficient and accurate tools for constructing feedback laws in high dimensions.Read moreRead less
Exact structure in graphs and matroids. One of the main goals of mathematics is to understand and describe the structure of the mathematical world. This project will contribute to this goal, and deepen our understanding of the fundamental mathematical structures called graphs and matroids, by providing exact structural descriptions of a number of important minor-closed classes.
Real chromatic roots of graphs and matroids. This project will develop the theory of real chromatic roots of graphs, especially as it applies to minor-closed classes of graphs, with the aim of extending this theory to minor-closed classes of matroids. One of the fundamental results from the study of real chromatic roots in graph theory is that any minor-closed class of graphs has an absolute upper bound on its chromatic roots. However, while many results on minor-closed classes on graphs have cl ....Real chromatic roots of graphs and matroids. This project will develop the theory of real chromatic roots of graphs, especially as it applies to minor-closed classes of graphs, with the aim of extending this theory to minor-closed classes of matroids. One of the fundamental results from the study of real chromatic roots in graph theory is that any minor-closed class of graphs has an absolute upper bound on its chromatic roots. However, while many results on minor-closed classes on graphs have close analogues or mild variants for minor-closed classes of matroids, this upper bound on real chromatic roots appears, somewhat mysteriously, to apply only to graphs. By studying the upper root-free intervals of minor-closed classes of matroids, this project aims to shed light on this phenomenon.Read moreRead less
Symmetries of finite digraphs. Highly symmetrical graphs are well-studied and, in many respects, the theory for dealing with them is well-established. By comparison, our understanding of symmetrical digraphs is much poorer. There are some rather basic questions about these about which we know shamefully little. The aim of this project is to remedy this shortage of knowledge by extending many important results and theories about symmetrical graphs to digraphs.
Finite linearly representable geometries and symmetry. Finite geometry has profound mathematical connections to the theory of symmetry. Advances in finite geometry and in symmetry have historically led to advances in diverse areas such as algebra, computing, and theoretical physics. The project aims to characterise basic geometric objects called "projective planes'' and "generalised polygons'' using their symmetry properties. To achieve these aims, conceptual links between certain elements in cl ....Finite linearly representable geometries and symmetry. Finite geometry has profound mathematical connections to the theory of symmetry. Advances in finite geometry and in symmetry have historically led to advances in diverse areas such as algebra, computing, and theoretical physics. The project aims to characterise basic geometric objects called "projective planes'' and "generalised polygons'' using their symmetry properties. To achieve these aims, conceptual links between certain elements in classical symmetry groups and geometric planes and polygons must be developed. The density of these certain elements has important applications to probabilistic geometric algorithms.Read moreRead less
HYBRID METHODS FOR SOLVING LARGE-SCALE OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS. Mathematical modelling and optimisation plays a crucial role in the advancement of modern business, science and technology. A significant benefit of this project is the development of a range of powerful computational tools for improving the productivity of Australian industry, including: agriculture; communications; defence; manufacturing; mining and petroleum; transport and logistics. These tools will be built upon advances in the f ....HYBRID METHODS FOR SOLVING LARGE-SCALE OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS. Mathematical modelling and optimisation plays a crucial role in the advancement of modern business, science and technology. A significant benefit of this project is the development of a range of powerful computational tools for improving the productivity of Australian industry, including: agriculture; communications; defence; manufacturing; mining and petroleum; transport and logistics. These tools will be built upon advances in the fundamental theory developed by the research team. The resulting high quality publications and associated algorithms will greatly enhance Australia's international scientific reputation and provide Australian industry with new cutting-edge optimisation technology.Read moreRead less
Optimal Control Computation and Analysis of Switched Systems with State and Control Constraints. DC/DC converters are widely used in power supply systems and hybrid power systems generate cleaner energy. Achieving optimum performance in these applications has high commercial and environmental impacts. New optimal control problems for such practical problems will be formulated and new unified optimization theory and methods for these optimal control problems will be obtained. The outcomes will en ....Optimal Control Computation and Analysis of Switched Systems with State and Control Constraints. DC/DC converters are widely used in power supply systems and hybrid power systems generate cleaner energy. Achieving optimum performance in these applications has high commercial and environmental impacts. New optimal control problems for such practical problems will be formulated and new unified optimization theory and methods for these optimal control problems will be obtained. The outcomes will enhance Australia's reputation in this cutting edge research, and contribute to achieving optimal performance of high commercial and environmental value applications. It will also facilitate international collaboration, and provide an excellent opportunity for research training.Read moreRead less
Exceptionally symmetric combinatorial designs. Advances in digital technologies are underpinned by powerful mathematics; use of symmetry greatly simplifies complex problems. This project aims to exploit the mathematical theory of groups to advance our understanding of combinatorial designs with exceptional symmetry. New designs have become prominent through links with networks and error correcting codes. The project expects to generate constructions and classifications in these areas by utilisin ....Exceptionally symmetric combinatorial designs. Advances in digital technologies are underpinned by powerful mathematics; use of symmetry greatly simplifies complex problems. This project aims to exploit the mathematical theory of groups to advance our understanding of combinatorial designs with exceptional symmetry. New designs have become prominent through links with networks and error correcting codes. The project expects to generate constructions and classifications in these areas by utilising powerful group theory. As well as innovative methods for studying designs with symmetry based on group actions, expected outcomes include enhanced international collaboration, and highly trained combinatorial mathematicians to strengthen Australia’s research standing in fundamental science. Read moreRead less