Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel-concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures. This Fellowship aims to develop a consistent advanced nonlinear method for the analysis and behaviour of steel and composite building frames that are subjected to elevated temperatures. There is widespread feeling amongst practitioners that, in the absence of reliable techniques for verifying this behaviour, the regulatory need for fire protection of steel is ....Advanced analysis, behaviour and design of steel and steel-concrete composite engineering structures subjected to elevated temperatures. This Fellowship aims to develop a consistent advanced nonlinear method for the analysis and behaviour of steel and composite building frames that are subjected to elevated temperatures. There is widespread feeling amongst practitioners that, in the absence of reliable techniques for verifying this behaviour, the regulatory need for fire protection of steel is excessive, and the high expense involved in providing this protection is leading structural steel being rejected in engineering design. This growing trend is leading to a potential downturn in structural steel production, which has serious economic and social ramifications on Australian communities whose fabric is centred on this activity.Read moreRead less
Advanced Molecular Nanomaterials. The design and construction of advanced nanomaterials is a key step in the push towards smarter and more efficient high-level technologies. Here we mount a major research program into the strategic assembly of molecular nanomaterials that have entirely new and highly useful properties. This innovative work will lead to important fundamental advances in nanoscience and will forge deep understandings of how materials properties relate to nanoscale structure. Th ....Advanced Molecular Nanomaterials. The design and construction of advanced nanomaterials is a key step in the push towards smarter and more efficient high-level technologies. Here we mount a major research program into the strategic assembly of molecular nanomaterials that have entirely new and highly useful properties. This innovative work will lead to important fundamental advances in nanoscience and will forge deep understandings of how materials properties relate to nanoscale structure. These advances will spur a wide range of important new technologies, with application of the materials in electronics, photonics, molecular sensing, drug synthesis and purification, clean energy and the controlled release of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Silicon-Based Tandem Solar Cells. The expected outcome from the project is a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the most benign technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future ....Nanostructured Silicon-Based Tandem Solar Cells. The expected outcome from the project is a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the most benign technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future energy needs. A cleaner environment in the future than would otherwise be likely is another expected outcome as is the creation of major new opportunities for Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Geostructural stability analysis with adaptive mesh refinement. AIMS: To conduct fundamental research on new methods for predicting the stability of geostructures such as tunnels, dams, highways and foundations. To translate this research into innovative computer software and better civil design procedures.
SIGNIFICANCE: Billions of dollars are spent annually on the construction of Australian infrastructure. This project will lead to new algorithms and computer software for designing this inf ....Geostructural stability analysis with adaptive mesh refinement. AIMS: To conduct fundamental research on new methods for predicting the stability of geostructures such as tunnels, dams, highways and foundations. To translate this research into innovative computer software and better civil design procedures.
SIGNIFICANCE: Billions of dollars are spent annually on the construction of Australian infrastructure. This project will lead to new algorithms and computer software for designing this infrastructure. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of adaptive methods for three-dimensional problems involving complex ground profiles, where current procedures are inadequate.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES: Cutting-edge algorithms and computer software that will lead to cheaper and safer design of civil infrastructure. This will be accompanied by top-level refereed publications and a book.Read moreRead less
Silicon Photonics and Third Generation Photovoltaics. The Fellowship would be used to launch a major new initiative addressing one of the key challenges facing microelectronics, the incorporation of optical functions into high density silicon integrated circuits, as well as accelerating development of a "third" generation of photovoltaic solar cells using similar techniques. This third generation thin-film technology would be capable of fundamentally higher energy conversion efficiency than ear ....Silicon Photonics and Third Generation Photovoltaics. The Fellowship would be used to launch a major new initiative addressing one of the key challenges facing microelectronics, the incorporation of optical functions into high density silicon integrated circuits, as well as accelerating development of a "third" generation of photovoltaic solar cells using similar techniques. This third generation thin-film technology would be capable of fundamentally higher energy conversion efficiency than earlier generations, at low cost. In both cases, the targeted outcome over the period of the Fellowship is to develop technology to the stage where it can be commercially evaluated, in a way likely to maximise Australian benefits.Read moreRead less
Information Fusion in Autonomous systems. The aim of this fellowship is to explore and develop a family of powerful new Bayesian representations of sensory information and to demonstrate their application in perception and navigation of advanced robotic systems. These representations have the potential to revolutionize the field of intelligent autonomous systems and realize a whole new level of capapbilites and applications for advanced robotics in complex and unstructured environments such as s ....Information Fusion in Autonomous systems. The aim of this fellowship is to explore and develop a family of powerful new Bayesian representations of sensory information and to demonstrate their application in perception and navigation of advanced robotic systems. These representations have the potential to revolutionize the field of intelligent autonomous systems and realize a whole new level of capapbilites and applications for advanced robotics in complex and unstructured environments such as sub-sea exploration, mining, fire fighting and defence.Read moreRead less
Data Fusion and Perception in Autonomous Networks. Australia has developed a leading international position in robotics driven by strong national needs in field applications such as mining and agriculture. The proposed research will significantly strengthen and extend this lead by enabling the design and development of a new generation of robotic systems able to work cooperatively in the most challenging applications. The project will realise a new level of capabilities for advanced robotics in ....Data Fusion and Perception in Autonomous Networks. Australia has developed a leading international position in robotics driven by strong national needs in field applications such as mining and agriculture. The proposed research will significantly strengthen and extend this lead by enabling the design and development of a new generation of robotic systems able to work cooperatively in the most challenging applications. The project will realise a new level of capabilities for advanced robotics in applications such as integrated autonomous mining systems, environment monitoring, and networked security and defence systems. The fellowship will build new research capacity by developing and applying new knowledge in allied fields of large-scale sensor networks, environment and resource management.Read moreRead less
Atomic-scale Devices in Silicon - the Ultimate Limit of Microelectronics. Miniaturisation is the driving force behind the microelectronics industry, but beyond 2015 there is no known route to reduce device sizes below 10nm. The Fellowship will launch a major new initiative for the fabrication of silicon electronic devices at the atomic-scale (0.1nm). The project will exploit recent advances in scanning probe techniques to develop smaller and faster conventional transistors, nanoscale integrated ....Atomic-scale Devices in Silicon - the Ultimate Limit of Microelectronics. Miniaturisation is the driving force behind the microelectronics industry, but beyond 2015 there is no known route to reduce device sizes below 10nm. The Fellowship will launch a major new initiative for the fabrication of silicon electronic devices at the atomic-scale (0.1nm). The project will exploit recent advances in scanning probe techniques to develop smaller and faster conventional transistors, nanoscale integrated circuits, and address device reproducibility at this scale. This will extend Australia's early lead in atomic-scale silicon electronics to the stage where interested industry partners can evaluate it commercially in a way that will maximise benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Atomic Electronics: Precompetitive Research for the Global Semiconductor Industry. The demonstration in Australia that electronic devices in silicon can be fabricated at the atomic-scale has provided a vision for global semiconductor manufacturers. By engaging with leading US companies to tackle the problems industry faces as it attempts to reach this scale, this Fellowship will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of growing world-wide research into atomic-scale electronics. Equally ....Atomic Electronics: Precompetitive Research for the Global Semiconductor Industry. The demonstration in Australia that electronic devices in silicon can be fabricated at the atomic-scale has provided a vision for global semiconductor manufacturers. By engaging with leading US companies to tackle the problems industry faces as it attempts to reach this scale, this Fellowship will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of growing world-wide research into atomic-scale electronics. Equally important, by anticipating the problems that electronic device manufacturers are currently facing, and will face over their long-term horizons, the proposed research seeks to provide Australia with a long-term opportunity to lift its involvement in the multi-trillion dollar global semiconductor industry.Read moreRead less
Nanobionics. There is no doubt that the realization of new bionic materials capable of functioning at the cellular through to the mechanical level will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. For example, the studies proposed here will impact directly on endothelial and muscle cell growth (important for implants such as stents) and nerve cell regeneration (important for peripheral nerve cell and spinal chord repair). The establishment of the research team proposed within the f ....Nanobionics. There is no doubt that the realization of new bionic materials capable of functioning at the cellular through to the mechanical level will dramatically improve quality of life for many individuals. For example, the studies proposed here will impact directly on endothelial and muscle cell growth (important for implants such as stents) and nerve cell regeneration (important for peripheral nerve cell and spinal chord repair). The establishment of the research team proposed within the framework of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science builds on world class expertise and infrastructure. The end user network in place will ensure all opportunities are exploited to the full extent.Read moreRead less