Erosion processes in soils across scales. This project aims to develop a monitoring tool for predicting the evolution of internal erosion in dams based on innovative electromagnetic observation methods. Internal erosion is an insidious process occurring in the obscurity of the soil’s pore system until its consequences become visible and threaten the stability of the dams. These water retaining structures are vital for the future water and energy supply for our society and their failure can be ca ....Erosion processes in soils across scales. This project aims to develop a monitoring tool for predicting the evolution of internal erosion in dams based on innovative electromagnetic observation methods. Internal erosion is an insidious process occurring in the obscurity of the soil’s pore system until its consequences become visible and threaten the stability of the dams. These water retaining structures are vital for the future water and energy supply for our society and their failure can be catastrophic. By establishing an improved understanding of internal erosion as a sequence of processes on various scales, from the onset of erosion until the failure of the structure, this project will place Australia at the forefront of dam safety assessment.Read moreRead less
Statistical Methods for Next Generation Genome-Wide Association Studies. This project aims to develop cutting-edge statistical methods to analyse large genomic datasets and identify genetic variants associated with inter-individual differences in various human traits. Knowledge of trait-associated DNA variants is instrumental in understanding how natural selection has shaped human traits. By integrating genomic data from diverse and underrepresented populations, this project further expects to c ....Statistical Methods for Next Generation Genome-Wide Association Studies. This project aims to develop cutting-edge statistical methods to analyse large genomic datasets and identify genetic variants associated with inter-individual differences in various human traits. Knowledge of trait-associated DNA variants is instrumental in understanding how natural selection has shaped human traits. By integrating genomic data from diverse and underrepresented populations, this project further expects to contribute to the equitable use of genomic technologies in humans, regardless of geographical origins. Expected outcomes of this research include novel analysis methods and software tools, which should broadly and significantly benefit gene discovery in other species, including those of agricultural relevance.Read moreRead less
Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The ....Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The proposed computational method will also lead to new opportunities for Australian companies that develop computer simulation software. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by integrating pathway and prediction analyses. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder in children; while treatments are available they are ineffective for many patients. This project will develop methods for predicting genetic effects at the level of the biological mechanism to assist in identifying new drug targets and behavioural interventions.
Frontiers in bone and joint regeneration. Key outcomes of this project will deliver innovative strategies for scaffold-based bone and cartilage engineering whilst contributing to the education of a new generation of bioengineers, biomaterial scientists and tissue engineers with a strong international profile.
Controlling ultracold atomic gases. This project will develop ways to control the quantum state of ultracold atomic gases. These experimentally accessible systems will be used to investigate and understand a huge range of scientific phenomena from stars to superconductors, and enable critical quantum technologies that will revolutionise communications and precision measurement.
Fundamentals and practical applications of hierarchically-structured bulk materials. Structured bulk materials are very promosing for process intensification. By using structured bulk materials instead of fine particles, this project will have the opportunity to realise hydrogen or methane storage at very low pressure, and significantly speed up the production of alternative transport fuels from syn gas.
Platform technologies for multifunctional nanocarrier systems. Smart targeted nanocarriers offer new opportunities for drug delivery. This project aims to develop new platforms for reproducibly producing and screening targeted nanocarriers. The platform technologies developed in this project aim to revolutionise current strategies for designing and evaluating drug delivery systems, and will accelerate the clinical translation of targeted drug delivery. This will include a novel one-step microflu ....Platform technologies for multifunctional nanocarrier systems. Smart targeted nanocarriers offer new opportunities for drug delivery. This project aims to develop new platforms for reproducibly producing and screening targeted nanocarriers. The platform technologies developed in this project aim to revolutionise current strategies for designing and evaluating drug delivery systems, and will accelerate the clinical translation of targeted drug delivery. This will include a novel one-step microfluidic platform technology for reproducibly producing targeted polymer nanocarriers having systematically varied properties, a dual-templating method for making targeted silica nanocapsules and new design of in vivo-mimicking 'Tissue Chips' for screening and evaluating the nanocarriers.Read moreRead less
Regenerating articular cartilage with smart hydrogels and fabrication technologies. Osteoarthritis affects over 1.6 million Australians and a cure remains elusive. Tissue engineering promises to regenerate joints, but issues with tissue quality, organisation and cost have led to limited clinical application. This project will develop new tissue fabrication technologies to engineer cartilage with appropriate organisation and lower costs.
Robust Bulk Thermoelectric Technology for Harvesting Waste Energy. This project aims to develop robust thermoelectric technology to harvest waste energy from the use of fossil fuels by (i) establishing new strategies for enhancing thermoelectric properties, (ii) creating mass-production synthesis to reduce the materials cost, and (iii) exploring computation methods to guide the device assembly. Its focus is to improve the average thermoelectric performance, overcome the brittleness of materials, ....Robust Bulk Thermoelectric Technology for Harvesting Waste Energy. This project aims to develop robust thermoelectric technology to harvest waste energy from the use of fossil fuels by (i) establishing new strategies for enhancing thermoelectric properties, (ii) creating mass-production synthesis to reduce the materials cost, and (iii) exploring computation methods to guide the device assembly. Its focus is to improve the average thermoelectric performance, overcome the brittleness of materials, and ensure thermal stability. This project expects to generate new knowledge in manipulating transport properties. The intended outcome of affordable, robust, and functional thermoelectrics can be used for recovering waste heat, which will significantly benefit Australia’s economy, environment, and energy industry.Read moreRead less