Towards Distributed Phased Array Radar for High Resolution Weather Monitoring. Several recent reports on climate change by leading international and national bodies forecast that the rate of weather hazards such as storms and wind-shear, and of weather-associated phenomena such as bush fires will increase over the next 40 years. The current technology for monitoring weather events, and effects like wind-shift, which has a serious impact on dangers associated with bush fires, has significant wea ....Towards Distributed Phased Array Radar for High Resolution Weather Monitoring. Several recent reports on climate change by leading international and national bodies forecast that the rate of weather hazards such as storms and wind-shear, and of weather-associated phenomena such as bush fires will increase over the next 40 years. The current technology for monitoring weather events, and effects like wind-shift, which has a serious impact on dangers associated with bush fires, has significant weaknesses. We will deliver considerable improvements in monitoring capability by developing the technology for using a network of small phased array radars. We aim to place monitoring resources where end-user needs are greatest.Read moreRead less
Capacity Enhancement, Energy-Loss Reduction and Voltage Control for Remote Three-Phase Distribution Feeders Supplying Electrical Power to Single-Wire Earth-Return Systems. Long distribution feeders supplying electrical energy to Single-Wire Earth-Return (SWER) systems are unique sub-systems of the electric power network in Australia. The SWER systems are inherently unbalanced and use conductors with high resistance values resulting in high energy losses. The capital costs of these systems are hi ....Capacity Enhancement, Energy-Loss Reduction and Voltage Control for Remote Three-Phase Distribution Feeders Supplying Electrical Power to Single-Wire Earth-Return Systems. Long distribution feeders supplying electrical energy to Single-Wire Earth-Return (SWER) systems are unique sub-systems of the electric power network in Australia. The SWER systems are inherently unbalanced and use conductors with high resistance values resulting in high energy losses. The capital costs of these systems are high due to the low area density of loads and the systems are challenged by increasing loads. New methods will be developed for load balancing, controlling losses and improving the power quality. Comparisons will be made between the new technologies and the reconstruction or augmentation of the feeders. It is expected that substantial economic and greenhouse emission benefits will result.Read moreRead less
Developing a Smart Monitoring System for Leakage Currents from Insulators on Wooden Poles. Numerous wooden poles are used for electricity power transmission in urban and rural areas of Australia. Insulators suspended on poles are subject to contamination and moisture that cause partial discharge currents to flow through the wooden poles, resulting in pole fires leading to loss of power to customers and possible bush fires. This project aims at studying the characteristics of leakage currents fr ....Developing a Smart Monitoring System for Leakage Currents from Insulators on Wooden Poles. Numerous wooden poles are used for electricity power transmission in urban and rural areas of Australia. Insulators suspended on poles are subject to contamination and moisture that cause partial discharge currents to flow through the wooden poles, resulting in pole fires leading to loss of power to customers and possible bush fires. This project aims at studying the characteristics of leakage currents from insulators on wooden poles in Australian conditions and developing a smart monitoring system to detect and prevent pole fires caused by leakage currents. The outcomes will reduce the risk of pole fires, hence improving public safety, reliability of power supply and sustainability of the Australian power industry.Read moreRead less
Solid state regulation of a distribution transformer to rapidly control voltages of low voltage distribution feeders. High penetration of domestic photovoltaic generation creates substantial voltage fluctuations along the electrical supply system. This project will explore how to use solid state electronics to create distribution transformers with advanced capability that can regulate these voltage fluctuations better than present technologies.
Development of an endofunctional capsule for targeted delivery of biomarkers in the alimentary tract. The proposed capsule will provide a solution to the problem of accessing the small intestine for targeted delivery of biomarkers and drugs, and contribute to translational medical research to enhance our understanding of the function of the gut. Successful completion of this project will build on defined priority areas of research strength in Australia (frontier technologies, smart information u ....Development of an endofunctional capsule for targeted delivery of biomarkers in the alimentary tract. The proposed capsule will provide a solution to the problem of accessing the small intestine for targeted delivery of biomarkers and drugs, and contribute to translational medical research to enhance our understanding of the function of the gut. Successful completion of this project will build on defined priority areas of research strength in Australia (frontier technologies, smart information use) and assist in the provision of information critical to the design of novel in vivo endofunctional devices. The technologies to be developed in this project will be translatable to the development of other in vivo functional investigation and treatment devices. Read moreRead less
An intelligent integrated energy communication system. This multidisciplinary research project is an essential step towards transforming Australia's electricity infrastructure to become more intelligent. The real time monitoring of the power quality and energy usage will add value to the grid's operation, reducing planning and maintenance costs. Our intelligent grid technologies will contribute to the safeguarding of one of Australia's most critical infrastructures. Our technologies will contrib ....An intelligent integrated energy communication system. This multidisciplinary research project is an essential step towards transforming Australia's electricity infrastructure to become more intelligent. The real time monitoring of the power quality and energy usage will add value to the grid's operation, reducing planning and maintenance costs. Our intelligent grid technologies will contribute to the safeguarding of one of Australia's most critical infrastructures. Our technologies will contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and address environmental concerns. Training of postgraduate students in a multidisciplinary environment will create a capable new generation of researchers.Read moreRead less
Development of far Infrared multispectral thermal image sensors . This project aims to develop a technology that will bypass limitations of existing thermal-image sensor pixels to produce multi-spectral imaging of objects with specificity, clarity and sharpness in a wide range of far infrared wavelength regions. This technology has applications in remote sensing, pest control, and precision agriculture. The project is based on an existing collaboration between The University of Melbourne and t ....Development of far Infrared multispectral thermal image sensors . This project aims to develop a technology that will bypass limitations of existing thermal-image sensor pixels to produce multi-spectral imaging of objects with specificity, clarity and sharpness in a wide range of far infrared wavelength regions. This technology has applications in remote sensing, pest control, and precision agriculture. The project is based on an existing collaboration between The University of Melbourne and the start-up company Digital Falcon. Digital Falcon provides extensive industry service in developing custom image analysis algorithms and post processing to visualisation tools. The University of Melbourne provides research expertise in image sensor pixel technology and sensor electronics.Read moreRead less
Model-based estimation methods for improved classification of electroencephalographic data: application to monitoring depth of anaesthesia. This project will use advanced computing methods applied to electrical brain wave recordings to track how the brain changes as a person undergoes general anaesthesia during surgery. This will lead to better anaesthesia monitoring devices and reduce the chances of people experiencing pain during surgery or IQ deficits after the anaesthesia.
Implementation of cognitive radar techniques in resource limited radar systems. Cognitive radar technology enables a multiple functional radar system to be built on a single chip, to be of high efficiency and low cost. Waveform design and scheduling play a key role in such a system. This project will investigate and design waveforms and scheduling methods for building a real cognitive radar system in the extremely high frequency band.
Experiential media signal processing on null convention logic. While we still connect with the world through our senses, these are increasingly being mediated by the electronic gadgets we carry and the complex systems we interact with. This project will result in new ways to acquire events in the real world, process and transfer information over networks to simplify and enhance our experience of the world.