Nanotechnology in nature: the evolutionary significance of iridescent ultraviolet colouration in butterflies. Nanostructural colour is a novel and interesting biological phenomenon that has potential application in textile and paint industries. This research has the potential to uncover knowledge relevant to future genetic manipulation and/or artificial synthesis of this trait for industry. Fundamental benefits will include a contribution to our understanding of evolution and biological diversit ....Nanotechnology in nature: the evolutionary significance of iridescent ultraviolet colouration in butterflies. Nanostructural colour is a novel and interesting biological phenomenon that has potential application in textile and paint industries. This research has the potential to uncover knowledge relevant to future genetic manipulation and/or artificial synthesis of this trait for industry. Fundamental benefits will include a contribution to our understanding of evolution and biological diversity, enhancement of Australia's research profile, and the cultivation of new scientific expertise. This proposal also promises to benefit the Australian scientific community through the establishment of collaborative links with universities in the USA and UK, and to increase mainstream awareness of Australia's stunning natural resources.Read moreRead less
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
Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiolo ....Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of potassium channel activity. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanisms of protein-mediated potassium ion transport across cell membranes. It will combine advanced simulations, structural biology and electrophysiology to describe the detailed molecular processes underscoring calcium-activated potassium channel conduction, gating and inactivation. The expected outcome is an improved description of how ion channels recognise and respond to physiological stimuli to control electrical signalling the body. Our results will provide benefits in the form of basic understanding relevant to ion transport phenomena in biological systems, and atomic-level views of nervous system function to guide future directions in pharmacology.Read moreRead less
Comparing properties of innate immune proteins of bats and humans. Supra-molecular protein complexes known as signalosomes drive our innate immune response by forming large signaling hubs capable of recruiting downstream effectors. This project aims to compare the properties and structure of human and bat signalosomes and discover the molecular origins of the “supra-immunity” of bats. In this context, the project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the fundamental molecular mechanisms t ....Comparing properties of innate immune proteins of bats and humans. Supra-molecular protein complexes known as signalosomes drive our innate immune response by forming large signaling hubs capable of recruiting downstream effectors. This project aims to compare the properties and structure of human and bat signalosomes and discover the molecular origins of the “supra-immunity” of bats. In this context, the project expects to generate new knowledge concerning the fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate the signalosomes. The intended outcome is to answer the long-standing question of control of speed and amplitude of innate immune response at the molecular level. Both locally and internationally, this new approach should provide benefits across structural biology, molecular evolution and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will as ....Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will assist in elevating Australia to a major international research centre in quantum information theory, complementing its existing strength in experiment, and will provide extensive training of early career researchers.Read moreRead less
Optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. The project aims to develop a framework for optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. Such realisations offer the potential for major technological advances in quantum information processing in the near future, but are currently impeded by the lack of a well-defined theoretical foundation. This project aims to construct such a foundation, including energy cutoffs, detector resolution, and finite resources. ....Optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. The project aims to develop a framework for optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. Such realisations offer the potential for major technological advances in quantum information processing in the near future, but are currently impeded by the lack of a well-defined theoretical foundation. This project aims to construct such a foundation, including energy cutoffs, detector resolution, and finite resources. Feasible experiments to test and exploit continuous-variable quantum information processing will be proposed. The resulting framework will allow the field to progress beyond proof-of-principle demonstrations and to develop new, technology-driven quantum information protocols.Read moreRead less
Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, an ....Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, and there is significant opportunity for development of intellectual property such as patents. Young researchers and postgraduate students will play a substantial role in the project, maximising the training impact for new professionals in cutting-edge science and high technology.Read moreRead less
Crossing quantum-classical boundaries in a single particle. This project is aimed at constructing and observing an individual quantum system that can exhibit chaotic behaviour under controllable conditions. It is a long-sought goal of modern physics that can become reality for the first time in the world, thanks to the unique availability in Australia of the most quantum-coherent single spin ever made and a long history of theoretical advances in the field. Turning a spin into a chaotic system w ....Crossing quantum-classical boundaries in a single particle. This project is aimed at constructing and observing an individual quantum system that can exhibit chaotic behaviour under controllable conditions. It is a long-sought goal of modern physics that can become reality for the first time in the world, thanks to the unique availability in Australia of the most quantum-coherent single spin ever made and a long history of theoretical advances in the field. Turning a spin into a chaotic system will uncover the true nature of the quantum-classical boundary, and verify whether an underlying classical chaotic dynamics ultimately influences the behaviour of quantum systems. It is expected that the discoveries made will illuminate the path towards the technological exploitation of increasingly complex quantum devices.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear quantum science with superconducting circuit quantum-electrodynamics. Circuit quantum electrodynamics has rapidly emerged in recent years as a new field of experimental quantum science, with applications to precision measurement, nanomechanical transducers and quantum information processing. We will design and demonstrate new experimental devices, grounded in a long-standing expertise in quantum optics, and enabled by a new low temperature laboratory under development at The Universit ....Nonlinear quantum science with superconducting circuit quantum-electrodynamics. Circuit quantum electrodynamics has rapidly emerged in recent years as a new field of experimental quantum science, with applications to precision measurement, nanomechanical transducers and quantum information processing. We will design and demonstrate new experimental devices, grounded in a long-standing expertise in quantum optics, and enabled by a new low temperature laboratory under development at The University of Queensland. This project will deliver a new technological capability for Australia.Read moreRead less