Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354683
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Ocean Discovery Network. The ODN will focus research on Australia's vast marine jurisdiction by:
1. Providing a forum for developing coordinated marine research enterprises in the National Research Priority areas of biodiversity, exploitation of resources, seaway security and climate.
2. Developing innovative international research and providing a mechanism for involvement in international science programs
3. Advancing research capabilities between national and international ocean scientist ....Ocean Discovery Network. The ODN will focus research on Australia's vast marine jurisdiction by:
1. Providing a forum for developing coordinated marine research enterprises in the National Research Priority areas of biodiversity, exploitation of resources, seaway security and climate.
2. Developing innovative international research and providing a mechanism for involvement in international science programs
3. Advancing research capabilities between national and international ocean scientists with web-based data-exchange services and links to global databases
4. Facilitating the transfer of research skills to young investigators
5. Maximising multidisciplinary use of Australian ocean science capacity, particularly the National Facility Research Vessel and the RSV Aurora Australis
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The behaviour of geochemical tracers during differentiation of the Earth. This project is aimed at providing fundamental data which Earth Scientists will use to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. It will provide training in modern high temperature-high pressure materials- ....The behaviour of geochemical tracers during differentiation of the Earth. This project is aimed at providing fundamental data which Earth Scientists will use to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. It will provide training in modern high temperature-high pressure materials-science techniques for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers. This will provide Australia with Earth Scientists who have both traditional skills and the ability to work with Materials Scientists on the synthesis of novel materials under extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
Origin and Evolution of the Earth's Chemical Reservoirs. The scientific aims of this project are to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. Experimental study of these processes will involve establishment of a world-class facility for materials synthesis at high pressures and ....Origin and Evolution of the Earth's Chemical Reservoirs. The scientific aims of this project are to understand the processes by which the Earth separated into its chemically-distinct layers (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, oceans) and to determine the nature of the continuing interactions between the surface environment in which we live and the deep interior. Experimental study of these processes will involve establishment of a world-class facility for materials synthesis at high pressures and temperatures. This facility will provide the means to simulate the processes occurring within the Earth and will enable synthesis of new high density materials of technological interest.Read moreRead less
The role of supercontinents in Earth's dynamic evolution. By better understanding the dynamic and volcanic evolution of continents, the project will contribute to our understanding of the long-term evolution and construction of the Australian plate, leading to better models for Australia's deep-Earth resources(NRP 1.6), and the impact of large-scale dynamics on ore-deposit formation. The geodynamic modelling capabilities implemented in this project will keep Australian at the cutting edge of Ge ....The role of supercontinents in Earth's dynamic evolution. By better understanding the dynamic and volcanic evolution of continents, the project will contribute to our understanding of the long-term evolution and construction of the Australian plate, leading to better models for Australia's deep-Earth resources(NRP 1.6), and the impact of large-scale dynamics on ore-deposit formation. The geodynamic modelling capabilities implemented in this project will keep Australian at the cutting edge of Geoinformatics (NRP 3.2). The project will strengthen ties between the mantle convection modelling and lithospheric dating communities, enhancing our understanding of complex Earth-system interactions, and promote international collaboration between Australia and the USA.Read moreRead less
Shear heating in granular materials: micromechanics of thermal conduction and production. Oil, gas and geothermal exploration are amongst the major energy industries in Australia and must be optimised to enable efficient production. These processes are dominated by the transfer of heat through granular soil media. Past research was based on continuum heat-flow solutions, but these problems are governed by distinct networks of particle-particle contacts and interparticle pore-fluids. Heat-flow so ....Shear heating in granular materials: micromechanics of thermal conduction and production. Oil, gas and geothermal exploration are amongst the major energy industries in Australia and must be optimised to enable efficient production. These processes are dominated by the transfer of heat through granular soil media. Past research was based on continuum heat-flow solutions, but these problems are governed by distinct networks of particle-particle contacts and interparticle pore-fluids. Heat-flow solutions depend on effective terms of thermal conduction, production and convection, but these change with loading. A systematic study must therefore be accomplished to formulate the micromechanics of the effective thermal properties, such that continuum solutions are refined to optimise energy exploration.Read moreRead less
Chemistry of the Archaean Ocean and its Impact on Earth's Early Atmosphere and Ecosystems. The Pilbara Craton (WA) contains some of the oldest and best preserved Archaean rocks and microfossils in the world. These rocks, which were recently drilled as part of a collaborative effort between France and Australia, present an unprecedented opportunity to study the composition of the Earth's early atmosphere, ocean and life. The research will strengthen Australia's strategic links with international ....Chemistry of the Archaean Ocean and its Impact on Earth's Early Atmosphere and Ecosystems. The Pilbara Craton (WA) contains some of the oldest and best preserved Archaean rocks and microfossils in the world. These rocks, which were recently drilled as part of a collaborative effort between France and Australia, present an unprecedented opportunity to study the composition of the Earth's early atmosphere, ocean and life. The research will strengthen Australia's strategic links with international experts and will provide access to the state-of-the-art synchrotron facility in France. The project links fundamental processes that shaped the Earth and thus fits into National Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Toward the use of metal stable isotopes in geosciences. Metal stable isotopes (MSI: Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga) have enormous potential applications (basic and applied) in Geosciences and beyond. However the use of these elements as geochemical tracers and petrogenetic tools requires: (1) the definition of their isotopic composition in Earth key reservoirs and in reference materials such as the chondritic meteorites; (2) Understanding and quantification of the causes of MSI fractionations during geolog ....Toward the use of metal stable isotopes in geosciences. Metal stable isotopes (MSI: Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga) have enormous potential applications (basic and applied) in Geosciences and beyond. However the use of these elements as geochemical tracers and petrogenetic tools requires: (1) the definition of their isotopic composition in Earth key reservoirs and in reference materials such as the chondritic meteorites; (2) Understanding and quantification of the causes of MSI fractionations during geological processes. By a unique combination of in-situ and solution geochemical analytical techniques avaliable now through frontier technology and method development we aim to establish a conceptual and theoretical framework for the use of MSI in Geosciences.Read moreRead less
The Origin of Australian Opal Deposits: Unlocking the Secrets of an Australian Icon. Opal is the National Gemstone of Australia. With over 95% of world's precious opal being mined in Australia, this precious mineral is not only one of our major export earners but also the life blood of many central Australian townships. Despite its economic significance and long history of mining little is known about the formation of opal. Consequently, exploration is still based on old-fashioned prospecting me ....The Origin of Australian Opal Deposits: Unlocking the Secrets of an Australian Icon. Opal is the National Gemstone of Australia. With over 95% of world's precious opal being mined in Australia, this precious mineral is not only one of our major export earners but also the life blood of many central Australian townships. Despite its economic significance and long history of mining little is known about the formation of opal. Consequently, exploration is still based on old-fashioned prospecting methods rather than on genetic exploration models that have made base metal exploration so successful. The aim of this project is to investigate the processes controlling the formation of Australian opal and to use this information to construct an exploration model that will lead to more effective and efficient exploration methods.Read moreRead less
Earth's Internal System: deep processes and crustal consequences. Outcomes will include significant new information about the structure and formation of the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle. An improved framework for interpreting the architecture of Australia and other continents will be directly relevant to exploration for world-class economic deposits, the Earth resources on which society depends. Innovations in geochemical technology and in the integration of information from geochemi ....Earth's Internal System: deep processes and crustal consequences. Outcomes will include significant new information about the structure and formation of the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle. An improved framework for interpreting the architecture of Australia and other continents will be directly relevant to exploration for world-class economic deposits, the Earth resources on which society depends. Innovations in geochemical technology and in the integration of information from geochemistry, geophysics and geodynamics will maintain our high international profile in research relevant to National Priority 1.6 (Developing Deep Earth Resources). The project and its interaction with the minerals industry will provide advanced Postgraduate training in a field critical to Australia's future.Read moreRead less
Micromechanical modelling of fault gouge dynamics: towards an improved fault constitutive relation. The human and economic costs of geological and other particulate media related problems in Australia are staggering. These include geological hazards (e.g. landslides and earthquakes; the Newcastle earthquake cost around $4 billion and 13 lives), to particulate processes prevalent in Australia's major export industries (e.g. coal export valued at $9.3 billion, iron ore at $3.8 billion, and wheat ....Micromechanical modelling of fault gouge dynamics: towards an improved fault constitutive relation. The human and economic costs of geological and other particulate media related problems in Australia are staggering. These include geological hazards (e.g. landslides and earthquakes; the Newcastle earthquake cost around $4 billion and 13 lives), to particulate processes prevalent in Australia's major export industries (e.g. coal export valued at $9.3 billion, iron ore at $3.8 billion, and wheat at $3.4 billion), to Australia's 810,000 km granular paved road network that costs around $5.5 million per day to maintain. The program will deliver new knowledge and advanced analytical and predictive modelling tools capable of fuelling breakthroughs in earthquake forecasting research and industrial innovations.
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