Improving novice drivers' speed and hazard management. The aim of the study is to extend the evidence-based approach we have developed for speed management (cognitive integration speed management training) to hazard management, thereby developing cognitive integration hazard management training for young drivers. Hence, this study is specifically designed to curb the alarming trend in young driver fatalities on Australian roads. The results of the research will provide clear direction to road au ....Improving novice drivers' speed and hazard management. The aim of the study is to extend the evidence-based approach we have developed for speed management (cognitive integration speed management training) to hazard management, thereby developing cognitive integration hazard management training for young drivers. Hence, this study is specifically designed to curb the alarming trend in young driver fatalities on Australian roads. The results of the research will provide clear direction to road authorities and driver training providers as to effective training strategies to improve young driver training, and ultimately improve road safety with this vulnerable population.Read moreRead less
Just add noise: the benefits of neural and stimulus noise for perception. This project aims to improve visual perception by maximising the beneficial effects of neural and stimulus noise, i.e. stochastic resonance (SR). SR challenges conventional thinking that noise decreases performance. We expect to reveal the underlying mechanisms using experimental and computational approaches. This project is expected to generate unprecedented insights into how noise influences brain processing, leading to ....Just add noise: the benefits of neural and stimulus noise for perception. This project aims to improve visual perception by maximising the beneficial effects of neural and stimulus noise, i.e. stochastic resonance (SR). SR challenges conventional thinking that noise decreases performance. We expect to reveal the underlying mechanisms using experimental and computational approaches. This project is expected to generate unprecedented insights into how noise influences brain processing, leading to a possible re-evaluation of the function of noise in the brain. Expected outcomes include protocols to optimise human performance through SR, and an augmented reality set-up to apply SR to real-world settings. Economic and social benefits include the ability to individually optimise performance in visual tasks using noise.Read moreRead less
How human vision separately determines object and scene motion. This project aims to enhance understanding of how people process visual scenes containing multiple moving objects of interest. The project intends to measure human visual performance to determine how the brain processes multiple motion signals simultaneously. Expected outcomes include an increased understanding of how we are able to use an evolving visual scene to distinguish between changes due to self-motion and those due to the m ....How human vision separately determines object and scene motion. This project aims to enhance understanding of how people process visual scenes containing multiple moving objects of interest. The project intends to measure human visual performance to determine how the brain processes multiple motion signals simultaneously. Expected outcomes include an increased understanding of how we are able to use an evolving visual scene to distinguish between changes due to self-motion and those due to the motion of multiple moving objects such as crowded city footpaths and busy roads. The results will improve our understanding of failures to see moving objects in challenging viewing conditions (for example, high density traffic), and inform work in the design of autonomous driving and augmented reality display systems.Read moreRead less
Swift heavy ion induced nano-porous antimony-based semiconductors. This project aims to study the fabrication and application of nano-porous antimony based semiconductors prepared by high-energy ion irradiation. Using a unique combination of synchrotron and laboratory- based analytical techniques as well as computer simulations, the project expects to identify the physical mechanisms for porous structure formation and exploit the materials for application in thermoelectric and thermo-photovoltai ....Swift heavy ion induced nano-porous antimony-based semiconductors. This project aims to study the fabrication and application of nano-porous antimony based semiconductors prepared by high-energy ion irradiation. Using a unique combination of synchrotron and laboratory- based analytical techniques as well as computer simulations, the project expects to identify the physical mechanisms for porous structure formation and exploit the materials for application in thermoelectric and thermo-photovoltaic devices. Expected outcomes of the project include fabrication processes compatible with current device fabrication methodologies that should enable rapid integration of the materials into advanced device applications. Significant benefits should result from novel applications of the technologies such as energy harvesting and sensor devices.Read moreRead less
Tuning catalyst reaction environments towards photoreforming of wastewater. This project aims to combine high-throughput computation and machine learning to screen photocatalysts more thoroughly for photoreforming of wastewater. The reaction environments effects on surface active units will be tailored for COx-emission-free selective organic synthesis with hydrogen production from organic-contained wastewater at ambient conditions. The project expects to expand our knowledge on the fast, reliabl ....Tuning catalyst reaction environments towards photoreforming of wastewater. This project aims to combine high-throughput computation and machine learning to screen photocatalysts more thoroughly for photoreforming of wastewater. The reaction environments effects on surface active units will be tailored for COx-emission-free selective organic synthesis with hydrogen production from organic-contained wastewater at ambient conditions. The project expects to expand our knowledge on the fast, reliable screening strategies, and the relationship between electric field (or lattice strain) and reaction pathways. This project will develop a photoreforming system for selective co-production of organics and hydrogen from wastewater, benefiting sustainable technologies development for chemical synthesis and hydrogen economy.Read moreRead less
Improving human perception of low resolution face images. Low-resolution face images occur in several settings that require a human observer to identify the face or its expression. For example, a crime eyewitness may have seen the perpetrator's face blurred by distance. This project aims to improve low-resolution face perception. Previous approaches have attempted only to improve general image visibility. Here, the novel theoretical idea is to alter the face's structure, tapping knowledge about ....Improving human perception of low resolution face images. Low-resolution face images occur in several settings that require a human observer to identify the face or its expression. For example, a crime eyewitness may have seen the perpetrator's face blurred by distance. This project aims to improve low-resolution face perception. Previous approaches have attempted only to improve general image visibility. Here, the novel theoretical idea is to alter the face's structure, tapping knowledge about higher-level face coding. Manipulations are caricaturing and whole-then-part alternation, as derived from face-space and holistic processing theories, respectively. Effects of viewpoint and own-versus-other race faces are expected to test practical generalisability of the new methods, and thus refine theory.Read moreRead less
Reading facial expressions from real and virtual humans. This project aims to advance understanding of human emotional communication and improve human rapport with the virtual humans and avatars that are rapidly infiltrating our social world. Using two unique stimulus sets - naturalistic human expressions and highly realistic virtual faces - together with powerful genetic, experimental, and individual differences designs, the project expects to answer previously intractable questions in emotion ....Reading facial expressions from real and virtual humans. This project aims to advance understanding of human emotional communication and improve human rapport with the virtual humans and avatars that are rapidly infiltrating our social world. Using two unique stimulus sets - naturalistic human expressions and highly realistic virtual faces - together with powerful genetic, experimental, and individual differences designs, the project expects to answer previously intractable questions in emotion science, as well as deliver tangible outcomes, such as new psychological tests to better understand human social connection. This should provide significant benefits, by improving emotion communication and offering a new perspective on how artificial intelligence can best serve human social needs.
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Development and investigation of functional solid-state nano-pore membranes. This project aims to develop robust membranes with molecular size pores using atomically thin layers and silicon-based materials. Using state-of-the-art characterisation techniques and computer simulations it seeks to derive a fundamental understanding of the membrane formation processes and pore properties. Expected outcomes include industrially compatible fabrication processes that should enable rapid integration of t ....Development and investigation of functional solid-state nano-pore membranes. This project aims to develop robust membranes with molecular size pores using atomically thin layers and silicon-based materials. Using state-of-the-art characterisation techniques and computer simulations it seeks to derive a fundamental understanding of the membrane formation processes and pore properties. Expected outcomes include industrially compatible fabrication processes that should enable rapid integration of the membranes into advanced device applications as well as enhancing national capabilities for materials characterisation. Significant benefits should result from novel applications of the technologies in the areas of medical- and bio-sensing, filtration, and lab-on-the-chip devices.Read moreRead less
Porous transparent conducting oxides for efficient solar fuel production. This project aims to develop highly porous, transparent and electrically conducting networks of oxide nanoparticles for artificial photosynthesis applications. The majority of hydrogen is currently produced via natural gas reforming, a process that generates a significant carbon footprint due to the use of fossil fuels. This project will develop novel materials and fabrication methods to improve the efficiency of hydrogen ....Porous transparent conducting oxides for efficient solar fuel production. This project aims to develop highly porous, transparent and electrically conducting networks of oxide nanoparticles for artificial photosynthesis applications. The majority of hydrogen is currently produced via natural gas reforming, a process that generates a significant carbon footprint due to the use of fossil fuels. This project will develop novel materials and fabrication methods to improve the efficiency of hydrogen production using clean and renewable solar energy. This project will contribute to development of technologies for the chemical storage of renewable energy, and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. This will have applications in the areas of optoelectronic devices, medical biosensors, and photocatalysis, offering downstream benefits for the society, the economy and the environment.Read moreRead less
Epitaxial growth of III-V microring lasers for integrated silicon photonics. This project aims to investigate the growth and demonstration of compound semiconductor microring lasers on silicon substrates, using selective area growth to engineer the shape of the lasing cavity at the nano/micro-scale. Silicon photonics is currently a dominant technology in optical and data communication systems, and the continued development demands higher speeds, lower power consumption and lower costs. However, ....Epitaxial growth of III-V microring lasers for integrated silicon photonics. This project aims to investigate the growth and demonstration of compound semiconductor microring lasers on silicon substrates, using selective area growth to engineer the shape of the lasing cavity at the nano/micro-scale. Silicon photonics is currently a dominant technology in optical and data communication systems, and the continued development demands higher speeds, lower power consumption and lower costs. However, on-chip integrated, high efficiency lasers are still elusive due to mismatch in material platforms between the lasers and silicon substrates. This project will produce reliable, efficient and easily manufacturable laser sources integrated on silicon photonic chips. It is also expected to pave the way for more development of this technology by the industry to further drive the cost of silicon photonics technology down whilst increasing data transmission speed.Read moreRead less