Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas. Two complex systems in which a magnetic field imposes two-dimensional fluid motions are turbulent fusion plasmas and magnetospheric plasmas. A distinctive property of 2D flows is the inverse energy cascade, whereby energy streaming into large-scale vortices, coherent structures, or sheared flows gives a remarkable propensity for self-organizing behaviour. This can be exploited to govern or guide our respo ....Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas. Two complex systems in which a magnetic field imposes two-dimensional fluid motions are turbulent fusion plasmas and magnetospheric plasmas. A distinctive property of 2D flows is the inverse energy cascade, whereby energy streaming into large-scale vortices, coherent structures, or sheared flows gives a remarkable propensity for self-organizing behaviour. This can be exploited to govern or guide our response to such systems. We propose to investigate the dynamics of momentum and energy exchange in these plasmas, using reduced dynamical models and bifurcation and stability mathematics. Expected outcomes are improved prediction of magnetospheric substorms and confinement of fusion plasmas.
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Plasma Astrophysics under Extreme Conditions. A new branch of theoretical physics, quantum plasmadynamics (QPD), will be applied to plasmas under extreme conditions of magnetic field and density, to plasma-neutrino effects and nonlinear radiation.
Magnetic energy dissipation in solar flares will be attributed to a large number of coupled, local, transient, anomalously resistive regions excited by current filamentation. The model will include nonlocal energy release at Alfvenic fronts, 3D reconn ....Plasma Astrophysics under Extreme Conditions. A new branch of theoretical physics, quantum plasmadynamics (QPD), will be applied to plasmas under extreme conditions of magnetic field and density, to plasma-neutrino effects and nonlinear radiation.
Magnetic energy dissipation in solar flares will be attributed to a large number of coupled, local, transient, anomalously resistive regions excited by current filamentation. The model will include nonlocal energy release at Alfvenic fronts, 3D reconnection at magnetic nulls, and bulk energization of electrons.
`Coherence? in sources of coherent emission will be quantified and a model for its interpretation for highly intermittent wave growth will be formulated.Read moreRead less
Black Hole Accretion: The Effects of Magnetic Fields and Radiation. This project represents a significant contribution by Australian researchers to one of Science's Big Questions: How do Black Holes channel gravitational energy into radiation at many different energies and into high speed outflows. It offers Australian Astronomy an opportunity to expand its endeavours into the rapidly growing and high profile areas of high-energy and computational astrophysics, injecting new expertise into the i ....Black Hole Accretion: The Effects of Magnetic Fields and Radiation. This project represents a significant contribution by Australian researchers to one of Science's Big Questions: How do Black Holes channel gravitational energy into radiation at many different energies and into high speed outflows. It offers Australian Astronomy an opportunity to expand its endeavours into the rapidly growing and high profile areas of high-energy and computational astrophysics, injecting new expertise into the interpretation of multi-wavelength data on accreting black holes. We will train a new cohort of internationally competitive students and early career researchers, equipping them with the advanced computational and modelling skills that are in increasingly higher demand in many technology-based industries.Read moreRead less
Burning Plasmas: resolving energetic particle physics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Fusion power is a zero greenhouse gas emitting technology, which if realised, offers millions of years of base-load electricity. This promise has prompted the international community to accelerate fusion energy development, principally via support of the next-step technology-enabling experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Our project addresses a gr ....Burning Plasmas: resolving energetic particle physics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Fusion power is a zero greenhouse gas emitting technology, which if realised, offers millions of years of base-load electricity. This promise has prompted the international community to accelerate fusion energy development, principally via support of the next-step technology-enabling experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Our project addresses a grand science challenge facing ITER and fusion power: can the products of reaction be kept confined and therefore self-heat the plasma? The answer will affect both the ITER program, and the viability of fusion power. This project provides a low-cost high-impact contribution to the science base for the $16 billion ITER project, whilst growing Australian capability in this strategically important technology.Read moreRead less
New System Identification Techniques Utilising Misspecified Models. National benefits of the proposed research project will result from improvements in control due to a better, more complete understanding of the models obtained by the newly proposed system identification technique. The resulting effect on industrial practice will be an increase in efficiency, by reduced waste, lower pollution levels and increased throughput. Also, the techniques developed will be directly applicable to current r ....New System Identification Techniques Utilising Misspecified Models. National benefits of the proposed research project will result from improvements in control due to a better, more complete understanding of the models obtained by the newly proposed system identification technique. The resulting effect on industrial practice will be an increase in efficiency, by reduced waste, lower pollution levels and increased throughput. Also, the techniques developed will be directly applicable to current research in the areas of complex systems, such as smart structures and biological studies of the dynamic effects of drugs and hormones on genes.Read moreRead less
Robust Experiment Design for Dynamical System Identification. Innovative and new robust experiment design methodologies are a Frontier Technology for Transforming Australian Industries. By providing a solid foundation for generating high fidelity models, robust experiment design will, by the use of breakthrough science, facilitate the estimation of models in minimum time. Also, this will entail minimal disruption to the normal operation of the process under study. With the majority of advanced ....Robust Experiment Design for Dynamical System Identification. Innovative and new robust experiment design methodologies are a Frontier Technology for Transforming Australian Industries. By providing a solid foundation for generating high fidelity models, robust experiment design will, by the use of breakthrough science, facilitate the estimation of models in minimum time. Also, this will entail minimal disruption to the normal operation of the process under study. With the majority of advanced industrial process control systems reliant on accurate models significant savings could also be made due to the implicit improvement in process control.Read moreRead less
New research directions in the area of sampled-data systems. Increased application of digital technology in a wide variety of control engineering applications has led to renewed interest in the study of sampled-data systems. With many applications ranging from nano-technology through to aerospace, robotics, bio-medicine and telecommunications, sampled-data systems form an integral part of many frontier technologies arising in engineering. In exploring and furthering these emerging technologies, ....New research directions in the area of sampled-data systems. Increased application of digital technology in a wide variety of control engineering applications has led to renewed interest in the study of sampled-data systems. With many applications ranging from nano-technology through to aerospace, robotics, bio-medicine and telecommunications, sampled-data systems form an integral part of many frontier technologies arising in engineering. In exploring and furthering these emerging technologies, this proposal aims to provide exciting breakthroughs in the theory of time and event driven sampled-data nonlinear systems. Equipped with these powerful new tools, we will address important analysis and design issues in this area, for example, for Networked Control Systems.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear systems with disturbances: analysis, controller design and tradeoffs. A range of classical asymptotic methods (averaging, singular perturbations and slowly varying techniques) have been recently generalized to deal with nonlinear systems with disturbances. The goal of this proposal is the activation of these methods in analysis, controller design and understanding the design tradeoffs of nonlinear system with disturbances. Application areas are in adaptive, vibrational and gain schedul ....Nonlinear systems with disturbances: analysis, controller design and tradeoffs. A range of classical asymptotic methods (averaging, singular perturbations and slowly varying techniques) have been recently generalized to deal with nonlinear systems with disturbances. The goal of this proposal is the activation of these methods in analysis, controller design and understanding the design tradeoffs of nonlinear system with disturbances. Application areas are in adaptive, vibrational and gain scheduling control.Read moreRead less
Tools for analysis and controller design for nonlinear systems with disturbances. Control engineers often need to deal with nonlinear systems with disturbances (NSD). Analysis and controller design for NSD requires the use of a range of different tools including singular perturbations, averaging, slowly varying systems methods and large scale systems methods. However, often these tools are inadequate as they are only applicable to systems without disturbances. We propose to extend these tools to ....Tools for analysis and controller design for nonlinear systems with disturbances. Control engineers often need to deal with nonlinear systems with disturbances (NSD). Analysis and controller design for NSD requires the use of a range of different tools including singular perturbations, averaging, slowly varying systems methods and large scale systems methods. However, often these tools are inadequate as they are only applicable to systems without disturbances. We propose to extend these tools to NSD and apply them to a range of problems arising in analysis and controller design for NSD. These applications include vibrational control, gain scheduling, H-infinity control and adaptive control.Read moreRead less
New perspectives on computing methods for mathematical signal processing. This project determines how best to design computing methods for challenging demands in signal processing. The expected conceptual & algorithmic advances will have significant repercussions in a number of fields including optimal filtering theory and will contribute to applications ranging from bio-informatics to electrical engineering. The new techniques will allow development of software that will benefit Australian in ....New perspectives on computing methods for mathematical signal processing. This project determines how best to design computing methods for challenging demands in signal processing. The expected conceptual & algorithmic advances will have significant repercussions in a number of fields including optimal filtering theory and will contribute to applications ranging from bio-informatics to electrical engineering. The new techniques will allow development of software that will benefit Australian industries and technologies. The formation of a strong research team across four universities in Australia, USA and Japan will enhance our scientific standing in the international community and will place Australian researchers at the forefront of world-class research methods. Read moreRead less