Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crus ....Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crustal thickness from gravity and topography data can be generated, a task usually reserved for costly seismic experiments. Analysis of the wavelet power spectrum would also benefit the exploration industry by identifying previously unknown sedimentary basins.Read moreRead less
Validation of Synthetic Regional Gravity Field Models. This research will further develop the theoretical and practical methods required to test any model of the Earth's gravity field. Previously, geodesists have had to rely on analytical error estimates, usually based on observed data. A synthetic Earth gravity model avoids this scenario by giving an exact validation technique of the methods used. The synthetic model will allow users of geoid models (e.g., for GPS heighting) to have much mor ....Validation of Synthetic Regional Gravity Field Models. This research will further develop the theoretical and practical methods required to test any model of the Earth's gravity field. Previously, geodesists have had to rely on analytical error estimates, usually based on observed data. A synthetic Earth gravity model avoids this scenario by giving an exact validation technique of the methods used. The synthetic model will allow users of geoid models (e.g., for GPS heighting) to have much more confidence in their results. When used with a precise geoid model, GPS is faster and cheaper than conventional spirit-levelling, offering around 800% productivity gains. Read moreRead less
The Effects of Crystal-Plastic Deformation on Zircon Geochemical Systems. This project establishes the significance of deformation-related fast-diffusion pathways on the zircon geochemical system and develops intragrain compositional variations as new tools for tracking geological processes. The unique application of zircon to constrain geological processes in numerous Earth Science disciplines over 4.4 billion years of Earth history ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Aust ....The Effects of Crystal-Plastic Deformation on Zircon Geochemical Systems. This project establishes the significance of deformation-related fast-diffusion pathways on the zircon geochemical system and develops intragrain compositional variations as new tools for tracking geological processes. The unique application of zircon to constrain geological processes in numerous Earth Science disciplines over 4.4 billion years of Earth history ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Australian and International Earth Science community. As such this project will maintain Australia's leading international reputation in accessory mineral research.Read moreRead less
A multidisciplinary study of the Karoo Basin: chronology of a mass extinction, configuration of a supercontinent. Development plans for Australia's North-West (NW) shelf will expand the existing supply of natural gas and help manage greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative carbon sequestration project. A better understanding of well-exposed geology of the Karoo Basin will help evaluate the submarine deposits of Australia's NW shelf, essential for both improving yield from the new Gorgon ga ....A multidisciplinary study of the Karoo Basin: chronology of a mass extinction, configuration of a supercontinent. Development plans for Australia's North-West (NW) shelf will expand the existing supply of natural gas and help manage greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative carbon sequestration project. A better understanding of well-exposed geology of the Karoo Basin will help evaluate the submarine deposits of Australia's NW shelf, essential for both improving yield from the new Gorgon gas fields and understanding subterranean reservoir capabilities for carbon dioxide injection This study will also improve our scientific understanding of the timing and mechanisms of the end-Paleozoic mass extinction, the most significant event in the history of life on Earth.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality c ....High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality changes, pollution histories, recent geomorphological change, land-use change, introduction of invasive species and the occurrence of bushfires. A better understanding of the occurrence and timing of these major environmental issues is of national and regional importance.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100217
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
In-Vivo Multispectral and X-ray Micro-CT Imaging: Founding a Western Australian small animal imaging core facility. The Western Australian Small Animal Imaging facility will provide wide access for the West Australian research community to a multimodality functional and dynamic core bioimaging facility to characterise in-vivo animal models, including extensive postgraduate research training. Wide-ranging research outcomes of national and community benefit include imaging tumour development, bone ....In-Vivo Multispectral and X-ray Micro-CT Imaging: Founding a Western Australian small animal imaging core facility. The Western Australian Small Animal Imaging facility will provide wide access for the West Australian research community to a multimodality functional and dynamic core bioimaging facility to characterise in-vivo animal models, including extensive postgraduate research training. Wide-ranging research outcomes of national and community benefit include imaging tumour development, bone metabolism (osteoporosis), neural function (Alzheimer's disease) and regeneration, and infection mechanisms in live animals, which will result in improvements in human health. Imaging and monitoring coral growth, fish age, and soil structure will improve the economics and sustainability of Australia's marine ecosystems and agricultural food production.Read moreRead less
Learning to predict polymorphism through simulation of nucleation and nanoparticle evolution. Many substances are capable of exhibiting a myriad of different structures despite having the same composition. This behaviour can have a significant impact on the production of new pharmaceuticals, since the sudden appearance of a new form can lead to instant withdrawal of the drug. By understanding how different forms grow, rather than focusing on just the stability of the product, this research will ....Learning to predict polymorphism through simulation of nucleation and nanoparticle evolution. Many substances are capable of exhibiting a myriad of different structures despite having the same composition. This behaviour can have a significant impact on the production of new pharmaceuticals, since the sudden appearance of a new form can lead to instant withdrawal of the drug. By understanding how different forms grow, rather than focusing on just the stability of the product, this research will lead to more reliable prediction of how pharmaceutical molecules might assemble. The same technology will potentially have impacts in many areas of nanoscience through improvements in efficiency, including the production of minerals, desalination and undersea gas recovery.Read moreRead less
Tectonostratigraphic controls on the localization of Archaean komatiite-hosted nickel-sulphide deposits and camps in the Yilgarn Craton. Nickel contributes $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that comes from nickel sulphide deposits in regional Australia that are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Although discovery rates have been declining, as the 'easy' targets have been found, there remains considerable potential f ....Tectonostratigraphic controls on the localization of Archaean komatiite-hosted nickel-sulphide deposits and camps in the Yilgarn Craton. Nickel contributes $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that comes from nickel sulphide deposits in regional Australia that are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Although discovery rates have been declining, as the 'easy' targets have been found, there remains considerable potential for future major discoveries. This project addresses the pressing need for new data and improved exploration techniques to enable industry to target new discoveries. As our nickel mines are located in remote communities such discoveries also have major benefits for regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Experimental constraints on Platinum-Group Element geochemistry: developing lithogeochemical exploration tools for nickel-sulfides in mafic and ultramafic systems. Nickel contributes approximately $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that is coming from sulfide deposits, which are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Discovery rates have been declining for two decades, as the 'easy' targets have been found, despite a broa ....Experimental constraints on Platinum-Group Element geochemistry: developing lithogeochemical exploration tools for nickel-sulfides in mafic and ultramafic systems. Nickel contributes approximately $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that is coming from sulfide deposits, which are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Discovery rates have been declining for two decades, as the 'easy' targets have been found, despite a broad increase in nickel exploration expenditure to current levels of around $50 million per year. There is a pressing need for new data sets and techniques to allow industry to target new discoveries based on limited drill sampling of potential host rocks. This project forms part of a broader program to harness the igneous geochemistry of the platinum group elements as a powerful pathfinder in nickel exploration.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100236
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Facilities for spectroscopy and diffraction at high pressures. The provision of infrastructure for the study of novel materials under high pressures will enhance Australia's capability in creating new materials and in creating new devices that meet needs in communication, environment and medicine applications. The new facility will enable researchers to understand the response of structures to extreme pressures and will exploit the unique capabilities of the synchrotron light.