Adaptive and Integrated Resource Allocation. By leveraging progress in communication technologies, adaptive and integrated optimization systems will open innovative application areas critical to Australia, yet outside the scope of existing optimization technology. For instance, they will dispatch and reallocate ambulances in real time, help contain pandemics, allocate resources dynamically to extinguish bushfires, and assist in failure recovery of energy infrastrutures. These systems will also s ....Adaptive and Integrated Resource Allocation. By leveraging progress in communication technologies, adaptive and integrated optimization systems will open innovative application areas critical to Australia, yet outside the scope of existing optimization technology. For instance, they will dispatch and reallocate ambulances in real time, help contain pandemics, allocate resources dynamically to extinguish bushfires, and assist in failure recovery of energy infrastrutures. These systems will also solve existing logistics and manufacturing applications better, making these industries more effective and reactive. The project also aims at establishing a center of excellence in optimization in Melbourne with an international reputation in research, teaching, and industrial collaboration.Read moreRead less
Conformal Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is a major branch of mathematics studying shape by using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area, especially concerned with the interaction between geometry, differential equations, and symmetry. The mathematical notion of symmetry was already formalised early last century and nowadays lies at the very heart of mathematics and physics. Advances in this area provide essential tools in basic sci ....Conformal Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is a major branch of mathematics studying shape by using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area, especially concerned with the interaction between geometry, differential equations, and symmetry. The mathematical notion of symmetry was already formalised early last century and nowadays lies at the very heart of mathematics and physics. Advances in this area provide essential tools in basic science and unexpected technological benefits can easily arise (for example, in medical imaging). Fundamental mathematical research is absolutely necessary if Australia is to maintain a presence on the international scientific stage.Read moreRead less
Group actions: combinatorics, geometry and computation. Science today relies on digital technologies using quantised and digital information. Because of the discrete nature of digital information, much of the mathematics underpinning these advances comes from the core disciplines of algebra and combinatorics within which this proposal falls. All aspects of the proposal focus on strengthening theoretical understanding of algebraic and combinatorial structures, and increasing computational power f ....Group actions: combinatorics, geometry and computation. Science today relies on digital technologies using quantised and digital information. Because of the discrete nature of digital information, much of the mathematics underpinning these advances comes from the core disciplines of algebra and combinatorics within which this proposal falls. All aspects of the proposal focus on strengthening theoretical understanding of algebraic and combinatorial structures, and increasing computational power for working with them. The fundamental research outcomes, in terms of theorems, algorithms, and the training of young research mathematicians, will thus both enhance the high international standing of Australian mathematics, and strengthen Australia's capabilities in these important areas.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear Photonics and All-Optical Technologies. Information is playing an increasing role in the modern society. The future progress in the information data processing is associated with a new generation of compact nanoscale optical devices operating entirely with light. The research programme aims to develop innovative concepts of all-optical communication and information technologies and to carry out both theoretical and experimental studies on the photonic-crystal physics and engineering, o ....Nonlinear Photonics and All-Optical Technologies. Information is playing an increasing role in the modern society. The future progress in the information data processing is associated with a new generation of compact nanoscale optical devices operating entirely with light. The research programme aims to develop innovative concepts of all-optical communication and information technologies and to carry out both theoretical and experimental studies on the photonic-crystal physics and engineering, optical solitons, and nanoscale nonlinear switching devices in order to promote the new field of photonic crystals, to enhance its development in Australia and provide linkages between leading edge R & D and industry in an important emerging technology.Read moreRead less
All-optical technologies, nanophotonics, and metamaterials. This program will support a world-leading team in nanophotonics and metamaterials. It will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for manipulating optical pulses in specially designed nanoscale structures, making an essential step towards the creation of all-optical devices which perform fast switching and processing of optical signals. These developments will underpin the next generation of high-performance networks promising to revo ....All-optical technologies, nanophotonics, and metamaterials. This program will support a world-leading team in nanophotonics and metamaterials. It will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for manipulating optical pulses in specially designed nanoscale structures, making an essential step towards the creation of all-optical devices which perform fast switching and processing of optical signals. These developments will underpin the next generation of high-performance networks promising to revolutionize global communications. This research program will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training for students in breakthrough applications of photonics and nanotechnology, contributing to the uptake of frontier technologies by Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Engineered optical fibre device structures for next generation telecommunication systems. The next generation of optical telecommunication networks requires novel photonic compnents that are superior to current devices, and cannot be obtained by incremental improvement. This project will identify novel device architectures and implement these in practical devices. This will ensure that Australia remains at the cutting edge of photonics research, one of the most dynamic and exciting ereas in sc ....Engineered optical fibre device structures for next generation telecommunication systems. The next generation of optical telecommunication networks requires novel photonic compnents that are superior to current devices, and cannot be obtained by incremental improvement. This project will identify novel device architectures and implement these in practical devices. This will ensure that Australia remains at the cutting edge of photonics research, one of the most dynamic and exciting ereas in science and engineering and at the basis of a multibillion dollar industry.Read moreRead less
Robust and Distributed Control of Quantum Systems. Australia has considerable strengths in quantum technology research. As these technologies advance, the issue of control and in particular feedback control becomes a critical one. This research project will strengthen Australia's position in quantum technology by developing new methodologies for designing high performance robust and distributed feedback controllers for quantum systems. The project will also add to Australia's strength in quantum ....Robust and Distributed Control of Quantum Systems. Australia has considerable strengths in quantum technology research. As these technologies advance, the issue of control and in particular feedback control becomes a critical one. This research project will strengthen Australia's position in quantum technology by developing new methodologies for designing high performance robust and distributed feedback controllers for quantum systems. The project will also add to Australia's strength in quantum technology by contributing to the research training of young researchers with expertise both in control systems engineering and quantum technology. This project will help Australia reap the maximum possible benefit from the new industries to emerge from the field of quantum technology.Read moreRead less
The first stage of vision: transduction and adaptation in retinal photoreceptors. The project aims to provide a detailed understanding of the molecular steps involved in the first stage of vision - the conversion of light into a neural signal in the rod and cone photoreceptors of the retina. The significance of this is that it will explain the initial events that enable us to see, and will help explain the deficits that occur when the process fails. The outcome will be a comprehensive understand ....The first stage of vision: transduction and adaptation in retinal photoreceptors. The project aims to provide a detailed understanding of the molecular steps involved in the first stage of vision - the conversion of light into a neural signal in the rod and cone photoreceptors of the retina. The significance of this is that it will explain the initial events that enable us to see, and will help explain the deficits that occur when the process fails. The outcome will be a comprehensive understanding of how our photoreceptors respond with extreme sensitivity, yet great rapidity, and over an enormous range of light intensities, thus endowing us with our remarkable sense of vision.Read moreRead less
Light-matter interactions using optical fibres. This program will allow Australia to build on established excellence in photonics to extend the impact of optical fibres beyond telecommunications to applications throughout the sciences. Pioneering work on materials and structures will form a platform technology enabling innovations in areas as diverse as water quality monitoring and corrosion detection. In addition, new optical fibres will be developed for the needs of the Australian Defence Forc ....Light-matter interactions using optical fibres. This program will allow Australia to build on established excellence in photonics to extend the impact of optical fibres beyond telecommunications to applications throughout the sciences. Pioneering work on materials and structures will form a platform technology enabling innovations in areas as diverse as water quality monitoring and corrosion detection. In addition, new optical fibres will be developed for the needs of the Australian Defence Force and associated industries. Fibre-based approaches to problems in biology will ultimately lead to an improved understanding of molecular structures and new tools for manipulating biomolecules.Read moreRead less
Honeybee Vision and navigation, and applications to robotics. Anyone observing a honeybee find its way home effortlessly after collecting nectar would know that these insects are excellent navigators, despite their diminutive brains and relatively simple nervous systems. One aim of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underling honeybee navigation. Another aim is to apply some of these findings to the development of novel, biologically inspired naviagtion systems for ....Honeybee Vision and navigation, and applications to robotics. Anyone observing a honeybee find its way home effortlessly after collecting nectar would know that these insects are excellent navigators, despite their diminutive brains and relatively simple nervous systems. One aim of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underling honeybee navigation. Another aim is to apply some of these findings to the development of novel, biologically inspired naviagtion systems for aircraft. The findings should illuminate important principles of animal navigation. They should also advance Australia's technology in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which will have important applications in national defence and security.Read moreRead less