The role of low-energy excited states in solar-energy capture. This project aims to determine the nature and role of the lowest-energy excited states in most natural photosynthetic reaction centres and light-harvesting complexes. The lowest-energy states of bacterial reaction centres are critical to function and are used as a paradigm in artificial organic solar-energy capture, but for most photosystems their nature remains unknown. The project aims to answer the critical question of why they do ....The role of low-energy excited states in solar-energy capture. This project aims to determine the nature and role of the lowest-energy excited states in most natural photosynthetic reaction centres and light-harvesting complexes. The lowest-energy states of bacterial reaction centres are critical to function and are used as a paradigm in artificial organic solar-energy capture, but for most photosystems their nature remains unknown. The project aims to answer the critical question of why they do not actually prevent function. It is expected that both the outcomes obtained and techniques developed will be directly relevant to solar-energy device design. The project will apply five existing, complimentary and purposely built spectrometers as well as quantum electronic and nuclear simulation techniques to identify and characterise three key systems.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354591
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
New Techniques using X-rays, Electrons and Quantum Optics in Physics & Chemistry and key developments for biomedicine & industry. This network will develop theoretical, experimental and computational techniques addressing key issues in physics, chemistry, biology and geosciences. Scope will be wide-ranging and inclusive. We anticipate making major developments in the design and understanding of absolute X-ray Absorption Fine Structure, X-ray, Neutron and Electron Diffraction, Electron Density Ma ....New Techniques using X-rays, Electrons and Quantum Optics in Physics & Chemistry and key developments for biomedicine & industry. This network will develop theoretical, experimental and computational techniques addressing key issues in physics, chemistry, biology and geosciences. Scope will be wide-ranging and inclusive. We anticipate making major developments in the design and understanding of absolute X-ray Absorption Fine Structure, X-ray, Neutron and Electron Diffraction, Electron Density Mapping, Molecular and Cluster computations and Powder Diffraction for fundamental research, biomedical and industrial applications. These breakthroughs will be invaluable for the development of Australia's major research infrastructure (the synchrotron, electron microscopes, and the research reactor). This will develop Australian expertise and collaboration at the cutting edge of a variety of interdisciplinary fields.Read moreRead less
Generalised density functional theory for accurate chemistry. The project aims to construct two new methods for predicting chemical structure, bonding and reactivity. The first of these (gLDA2) would be useful for modelling molecules whose electrons are constrained to a two-dimensional plane. The second (gLDA3) would be useful for modelling molecules with unconstrained electrons. The project plans to implement the two methods in user-friendly software packages and made available to researchers i ....Generalised density functional theory for accurate chemistry. The project aims to construct two new methods for predicting chemical structure, bonding and reactivity. The first of these (gLDA2) would be useful for modelling molecules whose electrons are constrained to a two-dimensional plane. The second (gLDA3) would be useful for modelling molecules with unconstrained electrons. The project plans to implement the two methods in user-friendly software packages and made available to researchers in Australia and around the world improve manufacturing efficiency in the chemical, biological, medicinal and agricultural contexts. Unlike the semi-empirical approaches that they seek to replace, these two new methods will be derived from the properties of electrons on spheres or hyperspheres and thereby have a solid foundation in quantum mechanics.Read moreRead less
Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operati ....Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operation and seeking cures for diseases caused by their malfunction. This project aims to develop accurate ion-protein-water interactions for permeation models based on stochastic and molecular dynamics simulations using both classical and quantum mechanical methods.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354741
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Quantum Many-Body Systems Network: Breakthrough Science and Frontier Technologies. This Initiative will bring together leading researchers with complementary expertise in mathematics and the enabling sciences to form a Network fostering world leading fundamental research and innovation in quantum many-body systems. The collaborative effort between mathematicians with powerful and sophisticated new techniques and physicists and chemists with deep insight into the challenges and opportunities of t ....Quantum Many-Body Systems Network: Breakthrough Science and Frontier Technologies. This Initiative will bring together leading researchers with complementary expertise in mathematics and the enabling sciences to form a Network fostering world leading fundamental research and innovation in quantum many-body systems. The collaborative effort between mathematicians with powerful and sophisticated new techniques and physicists and chemists with deep insight into the challenges and opportunities of the quantum realm will lead to breakthrough science of vital importance to the development of frontier technologies in Australia. This Network will also place a strong emphasis on research training, the mentoring of early career researchers and establishing collaborations with leading international research groups and networks.
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Optical technology for quantum science. This project aims to develop and commercialise optical cavity and frequency stabilisation technology to generate laser light at new and precise wavelengths. Australia plays a leading role internationally in quantum science, a burgeoning area of research where fundamental quantum mechanical principles underpin exciting new technological applications, such as ion-based quantum computing, ultracold atom sensing for geo-exploration and defence, and nanoscale i ....Optical technology for quantum science. This project aims to develop and commercialise optical cavity and frequency stabilisation technology to generate laser light at new and precise wavelengths. Australia plays a leading role internationally in quantum science, a burgeoning area of research where fundamental quantum mechanical principles underpin exciting new technological applications, such as ion-based quantum computing, ultracold atom sensing for geo-exploration and defence, and nanoscale imaging inside living human cells. This project aims to continue and develop this role.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. The Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology will coordinate a large team of Australian researchers in an intensive mission. Our aim is to integrate a radical and uniquely powerful Australian computing technology with an ultra-secure Australian communications technology. Our success will drive global productivity gains in information processing and ensure that Australians own the pivotal underpinnin ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. The Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology will coordinate a large team of Australian researchers in an intensive mission. Our aim is to integrate a radical and uniquely powerful Australian computing technology with an ultra-secure Australian communications technology. Our success will drive global productivity gains in information processing and ensure that Australians own the pivotal underpinning intellectual property. Our technologies will provide Australia and its allies with the world's most secure information networks. Our discoveries will place Australia unequivocally at the very forefront of global research in quantum physicsRead moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
Access to the National Computing Infrastructure peak supercomputing facility. This project aims to continue the access of Intersect’s computational researchers to the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) peak supercomputing facility. The peak supercomputing facility at NCI is critical collaborative infrastructure on a globally competitive scale. Transformative advances in science and technology increasingly rely on high performance computing capabilities across a wide range of research di ....Access to the National Computing Infrastructure peak supercomputing facility. This project aims to continue the access of Intersect’s computational researchers to the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) peak supercomputing facility. The peak supercomputing facility at NCI is critical collaborative infrastructure on a globally competitive scale. Transformative advances in science and technology increasingly rely on high performance computing capabilities across a wide range of research disciplines. Ongoing access to this facility will allow researchers to tackle major problems in national priority areas including energy, health, and environmental change.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,025,000.00
Summary
Renewing Intersect's share of the National Computational Infrastructure's peak facility. Renewing Intersect's share of the National Computational Infrastructure's peak facility: The rapid and continuing growth of supercomputing capabilities presents major new opportunities for scientific and engineering research. This project aims to allow world-leading computational researchers across the Intersect consortium of 11 universities to take advantage of these opportunities by renewing their partner ....Renewing Intersect's share of the National Computational Infrastructure's peak facility. Renewing Intersect's share of the National Computational Infrastructure's peak facility: The rapid and continuing growth of supercomputing capabilities presents major new opportunities for scientific and engineering research. This project aims to allow world-leading computational researchers across the Intersect consortium of 11 universities to take advantage of these opportunities by renewing their partner share access to the National Computational Infrastructure facilities, notably a new petaflop-capable supercomputer and associated expert support. This access will enable the consortium's researchers to tackle grand challenge research problems in a diverse range of fields of national priority including frontier technologies, the environment, and promoting good health.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
National Facility for Quantum Diamond. Quantum technology is set to play a significant role in the next generation of sensors, computers and communication systems. Diamond is a critical part of this technology revolution as it allows for room temperature quantum-based applications. This projects aims to establish a world leading facility to engineer quantum-grade diamond for precision sensing, secure communications and desktop quantum computing applications. Direct outcomes from the facility inc ....National Facility for Quantum Diamond. Quantum technology is set to play a significant role in the next generation of sensors, computers and communication systems. Diamond is a critical part of this technology revolution as it allows for room temperature quantum-based applications. This projects aims to establish a world leading facility to engineer quantum-grade diamond for precision sensing, secure communications and desktop quantum computing applications. Direct outcomes from the facility include: ultrasensitive magnetometers for magnetoencephalography, atomic microscopes for biomolecular imaging and novel sensing probes to interface with biology. The facility will seed the emerging diamond quantum industry in Australia and train the next generation of quantum engineers.Read moreRead less