Nonlocal Statistical Mechanics and Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. Australia has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. This project in strategic basic research consists of theoretical work within the disciplines of statistical mechanics and conformal field theory to determine the profound role of nonlocal interactions, such as connectivities, in determining the critical physical properties of materials. Connectivities play a significant role in diverse ....Nonlocal Statistical Mechanics and Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. Australia has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. This project in strategic basic research consists of theoretical work within the disciplines of statistical mechanics and conformal field theory to determine the profound role of nonlocal interactions, such as connectivities, in determining the critical physical properties of materials. Connectivities play a significant role in diverse applications such as the gelation of polymers, random fuse networks, the spatial spread of epidemics and bushfires and the tertiary recovery of oil. This research will be practically useful in engineering the physical properties of advanced materials such as liquid crystals, gels, polymers and other materials.Read moreRead less
Exact solution of generalized models of polymers and percolation in two dimensions. Originating with the work of Rodney Baxter, Australia is the world leader in exactly solvable lattice models in two dimensions. This project, in strategic basic research, aims to continue this tradition and extend it by solving exactly new classes of two-dimensional lattice models involving nonlocal degrees of freedom. Since this will lead to new universal classes of thermodynamic behaviours for a diverse range o ....Exact solution of generalized models of polymers and percolation in two dimensions. Originating with the work of Rodney Baxter, Australia is the world leader in exactly solvable lattice models in two dimensions. This project, in strategic basic research, aims to continue this tradition and extend it by solving exactly new classes of two-dimensional lattice models involving nonlocal degrees of freedom. Since this will lead to new universal classes of thermodynamic behaviours for a diverse range of polymer-like systems, the potential for exploitation and commercialization is almost limitless. Potential applications include percolation of contaminants through aquifers, the spatial spread of epidemics and bushfires, the tertiary recovery of oil and filtering drinking water.Read moreRead less
Acoustic observation of Antarctic ice rifting and calving events using remote hydroacoustic listening stations. The calving activity of the Antarctic ice shelves is one of the major indicators of global climate change. Global warming induced by an increase in atmospheric CO2 will affect the Antarctic Ice Sheet, primarily in form of disintegration of the Antarctic ice shelves surrounding the continent. The processes of calving on the ice shelves may lead to a substantial increase of sea level aro ....Acoustic observation of Antarctic ice rifting and calving events using remote hydroacoustic listening stations. The calving activity of the Antarctic ice shelves is one of the major indicators of global climate change. Global warming induced by an increase in atmospheric CO2 will affect the Antarctic Ice Sheet, primarily in form of disintegration of the Antarctic ice shelves surrounding the continent. The processes of calving on the ice shelves may lead to a substantial increase of sea level around the world, with devastating effects on the continental coasts and low-lying islands. The method of remote acoustic observations investigated in this project is a new approach to the problem of creating an efficient and cost effective system to monitor rifting and calving of the Antarctic ice shelves. Read moreRead less