Pure and applied nuclear structure research with radioactive ion beams at Californium Rare Ion Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU). The structure of exotic neutron-rich nuclei will be investigated at the Californium Rare Ion Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) radioactive ion beam facility using new and novel detector systems. The results will enhance our fundamental understanding of the atomic nucleus and stellar nucleosynthesis as well as provide important data for the development of next generation nuclear reactor ....Pure and applied nuclear structure research with radioactive ion beams at Californium Rare Ion Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU). The structure of exotic neutron-rich nuclei will be investigated at the Californium Rare Ion Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) radioactive ion beam facility using new and novel detector systems. The results will enhance our fundamental understanding of the atomic nucleus and stellar nucleosynthesis as well as provide important data for the development of next generation nuclear reactors.Read moreRead less
Exploiting new breakthroughs in understanding nuclear fission. This project aims to characterise and quantify the quantum energy levels crucial in determining the mass and energy distributions of nuclear fission products, which recent results show are far from understood. Combining new techniques and concepts, distributions will be measured down to the fission barrier energies, maximising sensitivity to quantum effects. The project exploits newly enhanced Australian accelerator infrastructure, w ....Exploiting new breakthroughs in understanding nuclear fission. This project aims to characterise and quantify the quantum energy levels crucial in determining the mass and energy distributions of nuclear fission products, which recent results show are far from understood. Combining new techniques and concepts, distributions will be measured down to the fission barrier energies, maximising sensitivity to quantum effects. The project exploits newly enhanced Australian accelerator infrastructure, world-best detector capabilities, and the latest findings in reactions of light cluster nuclei. The results will test new high-profile quantum many-body predictions and guide fundamental model developments, with implications ranging from future energy to understanding production of heavy elements in the universe.Read moreRead less
Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so tha ....Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so that widespread uptake of these reactors becomes viable. Outcomes from the project will include a fundamental understanding of pure and doping-induced isotopic magnesium diboride superconductors and their behaviour under high neutron flux and harsh plasma atmosphere, which are specifically designed for application in next-generation, low-cost fusion reactors.Read moreRead less
New Tests of Fundamental Physics & Astrophysics with Atmospheric Neutrinos. Neutrinos are the least understood of the known fundamental particles, yet they hold the key to some of the most important open questions in physics and astrophysics. This project aims create new knowledge, which is needed now, using existing and imminent atmospheric neutrino data. It will pave the way to better understand the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, supernovae, and dark matter. The exp ....New Tests of Fundamental Physics & Astrophysics with Atmospheric Neutrinos. Neutrinos are the least understood of the known fundamental particles, yet they hold the key to some of the most important open questions in physics and astrophysics. This project aims create new knowledge, which is needed now, using existing and imminent atmospheric neutrino data. It will pave the way to better understand the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, supernovae, and dark matter. The expected outcomes include significant advances at the forefront of modern science, which will contribute to the development of a world class research capacity in Australia. Significant benefits include high level training of students and early career researchers, contributing to a highly skilled STEM workforce.Read moreRead less
New directions for nuclear structure research in Australia. Studies of exotic nuclei far from stability with novel devices will support Australia's only top-level research effort in nuclear structure. The research will have fundamental impacts on our understanding of both the nucleus and stellar nucleosynthesis, as well as practical implications for the development of next-generation nuclear reactors.
Developing a complete understanding of nuclear fission. This project aims to develop a reliable predictive model of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is an important process in fundamental physics and technologies spanning energy, medicine and materials science. It was recently found that fission still holds many secrets, since existing models fail to describe new fission measurements for nuclei lighter than the well-known uranium region. This project plans to exploit world-leading Australian res ....Developing a complete understanding of nuclear fission. This project aims to develop a reliable predictive model of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is an important process in fundamental physics and technologies spanning energy, medicine and materials science. It was recently found that fission still holds many secrets, since existing models fail to describe new fission measurements for nuclei lighter than the well-known uranium region. This project plans to exploit world-leading Australian research equipment to map out unknown fission characteristics in large regions of the nuclear chart, providing a complete microscopic understanding of nuclear fission. This is designed to lead to the first predictive model applicable to the entire nuclear chart, including nuclei of astrophysical importance.Read moreRead less
Deep-sea observatories for astrophysics - stardust on the ocean floor. This project aims to study the past 10 million years for unique signatures trapped in Earth’s deep ocean archives. It will investigate how and where the heavy elements are made in nature, and if nearby supernovae impacted on Earth. The project will provide a detailed time history of close-by supernova events. The set of radionuclide data can also be utilised for Earth’s climate record. The training included will provide quali ....Deep-sea observatories for astrophysics - stardust on the ocean floor. This project aims to study the past 10 million years for unique signatures trapped in Earth’s deep ocean archives. It will investigate how and where the heavy elements are made in nature, and if nearby supernovae impacted on Earth. The project will provide a detailed time history of close-by supernova events. The set of radionuclide data can also be utilised for Earth’s climate record. The training included will provide qualified researchers for many fields, such as nuclear technology, nonproliferation, medical physics and nuclear safeguards, important for national security, health and economy.Read moreRead less
Laboratory studies of Nucleosynthesis via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. This project aims at laboratory studies of stellar nucleosynthesis applying ultra-sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements. The project will focus on reactions which are essential to open questions in modelling nucleosynthesis in stars, that is where no data exist at all, or are scarce and discrepant; in particular for neutron- and charged-particle induced reactions relevant to the s-and p-process where an ....Laboratory studies of Nucleosynthesis via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. This project aims at laboratory studies of stellar nucleosynthesis applying ultra-sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements. The project will focus on reactions which are essential to open questions in modelling nucleosynthesis in stars, that is where no data exist at all, or are scarce and discrepant; in particular for neutron- and charged-particle induced reactions relevant to the s-and p-process where an extremely sensitive detection method is required. New data for key nuclear reactions will be connected with theory, for testing and improving theoretical predictions. They will be highly beneficial for modelling the respective nucleosynthesis processes in stars and for our understanding of the elemental abundance of our solar system.Read moreRead less
Imaging the spatial distribution of forces that bind quarks to a proton. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to resolve the distribution of forces acting on quarks inside the proton. New knowledge will be generated in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image novel features that have not been possible in the past. The outcomes will therefore open new research possibilities by expanding the capacity of the international communi ....Imaging the spatial distribution of forces that bind quarks to a proton. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to resolve the distribution of forces acting on quarks inside the proton. New knowledge will be generated in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image novel features that have not been possible in the past. The outcomes will therefore open new research possibilities by expanding the capacity of the international community to study strong interaction physics—including direct relevance to experimental research at the recently-upgraded Jefferson Lab in the US. In analogy to Rutherford's atomic model, the results will have benefit to future generations of humanity with a deeper understanding of the structure of matter.Read moreRead less