Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling ....Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling and simulation studies, of the well-grounded hypothesis that suppression of turbulence by sheared flow is a universal phenomenon in such fluids, and that it can be exploited to control transport of fluid constituents. Applications of this new knowledge will be developed.Read moreRead less
Renewable energy generation from flow-induced vibration. Much engineering effort has been expended to eliminate vibration of marine structures. This project seeks to provide the basis for the development of tidal energy harnessing, by deliberately amplifying and harnessing vibration. This technology offers the promise of capturing clean, zero-emissions energy, while presenting no risk to marine life.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100194
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes:
The project seeks to establish equipment to enable the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Such processes, where large amounts of energy are released over a short time frame, occur in nature and almost every field of science and engineering, and their investigation is a formidable challenge. This challenge is designed to be met th ....Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes:
The project seeks to establish equipment to enable the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Such processes, where large amounts of energy are released over a short time frame, occur in nature and almost every field of science and engineering, and their investigation is a formidable challenge. This challenge is designed to be met through the combined use of state-of-the-art flow visualisation, thermography and spectrometry equipment. These diagnostics would open avenues into so far impossible or difficult to conduct research on highly transient phenomena in various research fields, which include various aspects of fluid mechanics, combustion, and fracture mechanics. The equipment would be instrumental in the design of better and innovative machines, materials, instruments and processes.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100742
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
Biofilms in two-dimensional turbulent flows:effects on Lagrangian transport. This project aims to investigate how surface biofilms affect flows at the ocean surface. Great stretches of the ocean surface are covered by an organic microlayer called biofilm. Flows at the ocean surface are a crucial part of climate machinery, and biofilms have profound, largely unexplored effects on these flows. There is no fundamental understanding of how biofilms affect fluid motion. This project aims to use labor ....Biofilms in two-dimensional turbulent flows:effects on Lagrangian transport. This project aims to investigate how surface biofilms affect flows at the ocean surface. Great stretches of the ocean surface are covered by an organic microlayer called biofilm. Flows at the ocean surface are a crucial part of climate machinery, and biofilms have profound, largely unexplored effects on these flows. There is no fundamental understanding of how biofilms affect fluid motion. This project aims to use laboratory models and new measurement techniques to study and quantify the impact of biofilms on turbulent transport. Understanding these effects is important in a time of climate change and this knowledge may also help address environmental issues related to spreading of pollutants and flow control at the ocean surface.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100064
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
Optically controlled containers for experiments in soft matter. Nanotechnology has a promising future in the fabrication of small machines but exactly how these machines work is far less certain as they defy fundamental, classical thermodynamics. This equipment will allow Australian researchers to probe the energy dissipation of, and the work done by, small systems, including those of single molecules, colloidal crystals and membranes.
Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new m ....Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new methods of transport barrier modelling which will equip specialists dealing with Lagrangian transport with new tools for the transport barrier modelling and characterisation.Read moreRead less
The acoustics of a wide-range autonomous oscillator: how do brass players do it? While brass instruments are well understood, the complexities of the interaction with the player are not. This study will analyse how the player's lips and vocal tract interact with the instrument, leading to an understanding not only of the interesting physics involved, but to insight that will benefit players, teachers and students.
Topologically nontrivial electromagnetic states. Topological properties play a fundamental role in many physical phenomena. The best known examples are quantum Hall systems, where insensitivity to local properties manifests itself as conductance through edge states that is insensitive to disorder. While the traditional research focus has been on electronic systems, there has been a recent emergence of great interest in exploring topological orders with photons. Several novel intriguing theoretic ....Topologically nontrivial electromagnetic states. Topological properties play a fundamental role in many physical phenomena. The best known examples are quantum Hall systems, where insensitivity to local properties manifests itself as conductance through edge states that is insensitive to disorder. While the traditional research focus has been on electronic systems, there has been a recent emergence of great interest in exploring topological orders with photons. Several novel intriguing theoretical schemes have been proposed to explore topological orders in photonic systems, both in the linear and strongly interacting regimes. This project aims to develop innovative theoretical and experimental approaches to explore topologically non-trivial states, from microwaves to optical regimes.Read moreRead less
Properties of nonequilibrium steady states. A nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) occurs when work is performed on a system and the heat so generated is absorbed by a thermostatting mechanism. The system settles into steady state and its properties no longer change. Almost all experimental systems of interest are in a nonequilibrium state, so understanding NESSs is highly significant. Unlike time stationary equilibrium states, the distribution of microstates in a NESS cannot be described by simpl ....Properties of nonequilibrium steady states. A nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) occurs when work is performed on a system and the heat so generated is absorbed by a thermostatting mechanism. The system settles into steady state and its properties no longer change. Almost all experimental systems of interest are in a nonequilibrium state, so understanding NESSs is highly significant. Unlike time stationary equilibrium states, the distribution of microstates in a NESS cannot be described by simple closed form distributions. This project will determine properties, symmetries and extrema of NESS using concepts and theorems developed for studying transient nonequilibrium states, and will also determine if approximate, physically relevant forms of the phase space distributions can be developed.Read moreRead less
Functional metasurfaces and metadevices. This project aims to develop and use smart metadevices for light control, high-bandwidth wireless communication and security. Unique properties of metamaterials suggest several useful effects not yet used in real-life. Using electromagnetism, mechanics, colloidal chemistry and nanofabrication, this project will design user-friendly tuneable metadevices made of ultra-thin metasurfaces and three-dimensional liquid metamaterials, and demonstrate electromagne ....Functional metasurfaces and metadevices. This project aims to develop and use smart metadevices for light control, high-bandwidth wireless communication and security. Unique properties of metamaterials suggest several useful effects not yet used in real-life. Using electromagnetism, mechanics, colloidal chemistry and nanofabrication, this project will design user-friendly tuneable metadevices made of ultra-thin metasurfaces and three-dimensional liquid metamaterials, and demonstrate electromagnetic wave manipulation in microwave, terahertz and optical frequency ranges. The outcomes are expected to create opportunities for Australian industry to commercialise smart materials.Read moreRead less