Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower ....Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower frequencies. This project will ensure Australia's continued involvement in the international Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory) project and guarantee Australian participation in the first direct detection of gravitational waves.Read moreRead less
Tracking water on planetary surfaces using data from the Curiosity rover, the laboratory, meteorites and Australian field sites. A fundamental question in science is why does Earth have so much liquid water, but other planets do not? This project will answer this question using the Curiosity rover on Mars, studying alteration minerals that record the action of water. The project will develop new methods to improve our understanding of alteration minerals in martian meteorites, under controlled ....Tracking water on planetary surfaces using data from the Curiosity rover, the laboratory, meteorites and Australian field sites. A fundamental question in science is why does Earth have so much liquid water, but other planets do not? This project will answer this question using the Curiosity rover on Mars, studying alteration minerals that record the action of water. The project will develop new methods to improve our understanding of alteration minerals in martian meteorites, under controlled environmental conditions and in field samples that are relevant for Mars. It aims to build expertise in the environmental aspects of planetary surfaces and in novel instrumentation. This research will improve methods to examine returned extraterrestrial samples, to evaluate land degradation and to search for energy and ore deposits.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of nucleation with special emphasis on gas hydrates. Successful recovery of natural gas from hydrate reservoirs, flow assurance in natural gas pipelines, prevention of undesirable dissociation of methane hydrates in deep ocean sediments, sequestration of carbon dioxide and high density gas storage, all depend on timely formation and dissociation of gas hydrates. Controlled extraction of methane hydrates from, and simultaneous sequestration of carbon dioxide to, deep ocean sediments ha ....Mechanisms of nucleation with special emphasis on gas hydrates. Successful recovery of natural gas from hydrate reservoirs, flow assurance in natural gas pipelines, prevention of undesirable dissociation of methane hydrates in deep ocean sediments, sequestration of carbon dioxide and high density gas storage, all depend on timely formation and dissociation of gas hydrates. Controlled extraction of methane hydrates from, and simultaneous sequestration of carbon dioxide to, deep ocean sediments have been considered to be the 'next big thing' in energy and environment sectors. Sequestration of carbon dioxide is necessary not only for reducing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere but also to stabilise the sediments once methane is extracted.Read moreRead less
Investigation of the structure and stability of ion tracks in application-specific materials and environments. This project will use an innovative experimental approach to study the structure and stability of high-energy ion tracks in solids. It will resolve open questions related to applications in geology, nanotechnology, and nuclear physics, and provide new strategies for understanding materials behaviour under extreme experimental conditions.