Ergodic theory and number theory. Recent advances in the theory of measured dynamical systems investigated by the proponents include new versions of entropy, and the study of spectral theory for non-singular systems. These will be further developed in this joint project with the French CNRS. The results are expected to have interesting applications in physics and number theory.
Entropy and maximal entropy in Markov systems. Entropy is a measure of how well-ordered a system is: chaotic systems have high entropy. Two approaches to entropy are available, via the limiting behaviour of the orbits of points, which yields topological entropy, and via the behaviour of the distributions of measures of partitions, yielding measure-theoretic entropy. The topological entropy is the least upper bound of entropies of all possible measures. We study when there is a measure which real ....Entropy and maximal entropy in Markov systems. Entropy is a measure of how well-ordered a system is: chaotic systems have high entropy. Two approaches to entropy are available, via the limiting behaviour of the orbits of points, which yields topological entropy, and via the behaviour of the distributions of measures of partitions, yielding measure-theoretic entropy. The topological entropy is the least upper bound of entropies of all possible measures. We study when there is a measure which realises this bound, describing the structure of such systems via Markov and Bratteli diagrams. Our methods will be applied to new versions of entropy for non-singular systems. This will assist in the description of chaotic behaviour.Read moreRead less
Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure. Aging and deterioration of physical infrastructure is a global problem that has caused widespread premature structural failures and significantly reduced its designed service life. This is an increasing problem also for Australia. For reinforced concrete infrastructure, the corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the surrounding concrete is the most significant factor. The aim of the project is to improve understanding o ....Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure. Aging and deterioration of physical infrastructure is a global problem that has caused widespread premature structural failures and significantly reduced its designed service life. This is an increasing problem also for Australia. For reinforced concrete infrastructure, the corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the surrounding concrete is the most significant factor. The aim of the project is to improve understanding of the factors that influence corrosion mechanics in marine environments, to re-examine corrosion process in practical concrete structures and to develop a model for corrosion to enable prediction of structural deterioration and improved risk assessment.Read moreRead less
Representations of dynamical systems, amenability, and proper actions. Mathematicians study abstract objects by representing them in terms of well-understood concrete models, and need to know when a representation is faithful, in the sense that the model contains complete information. Dynamical systems are an abstraction of physical systems suitable for studying time evolution and symmetries. The project aims to determine when important representations of dynamical systems are faithful, or, in ....Representations of dynamical systems, amenability, and proper actions. Mathematicians study abstract objects by representing them in terms of well-understood concrete models, and need to know when a representation is faithful, in the sense that the model contains complete information. Dynamical systems are an abstraction of physical systems suitable for studying time evolution and symmetries. The project aims to determine when important representations of dynamical systems are faithful, or, in mathematical language, when the dynamical system is amenable. The proposed strategy involves extending Rieffel's notion of proper actions; the construction should be of wide applicability apart from the intended applications to amenability.Read moreRead less
The structure of quantum groups. We propose to study the structure of mathematical objects used in describing symmetries of micro-scale phenomena. The project will significantly develop already well established Australian-Korean cooperation in this exciting and rapidly growing area of research. The results will be immediately applicable to related fields of mathematics, most notably to noncommutative geometry. In the long run, the outcomes will help in better understanding of fundamental problem ....The structure of quantum groups. We propose to study the structure of mathematical objects used in describing symmetries of micro-scale phenomena. The project will significantly develop already well established Australian-Korean cooperation in this exciting and rapidly growing area of research. The results will be immediately applicable to related fields of mathematics, most notably to noncommutative geometry. In the long run, the outcomes will help in better understanding of fundamental problems of modern quantum physics.Read moreRead less
TiO2 nanoparticle design and photocatalysis applications. The aim is to design nanosized TiO2 photocatalsysts with superior photoactivity using various synthesis paths. Nanosized TiO2 particles will be prepared using sol-gel, aerosol and plasma processing, their physical and chemical properties will be closely studied and their photocatalytic ability will be assessed. Such tailor-made photocatalysts have significant commercial potential value, as they would be highly suitable for the photooxidat ....TiO2 nanoparticle design and photocatalysis applications. The aim is to design nanosized TiO2 photocatalsysts with superior photoactivity using various synthesis paths. Nanosized TiO2 particles will be prepared using sol-gel, aerosol and plasma processing, their physical and chemical properties will be closely studied and their photocatalytic ability will be assessed. Such tailor-made photocatalysts have significant commercial potential value, as they would be highly suitable for the photooxidation of organic compounds and the photoreduction of metal ions in wastewaters. Findings from this work will pave the way for a "green" technology such as photocatalysis to become more efficient and hence a competitive alternative to conventional water treatment methods.Read moreRead less
High-resolution in situ annealing studies of sub-micron grain structures. The proposed research is an extension of considerable ongoing collaboration between the applicants and will utilise advanced characterisation techniques to provide a more fundamental understanding than that presently available of the thermal stability of particle-containing nanocrystalline alloys. The project will reinforce the strong collaboration between our research groups and will expose Australian researchers to cutti ....High-resolution in situ annealing studies of sub-micron grain structures. The proposed research is an extension of considerable ongoing collaboration between the applicants and will utilise advanced characterisation techniques to provide a more fundamental understanding than that presently available of the thermal stability of particle-containing nanocrystalline alloys. The project will reinforce the strong collaboration between our research groups and will expose Australian researchers to cutting-edge research techniques, with particular emphasis on broadening the training experience of early career researchers. Several joint journal papers are expected from this work.
Read moreRead less
Structural and multidisciplinary optimization. Structural and multidisciplinary design optimization is an important subject in aeronautical, aerospace, automobile, offshore platforms and many other structures. This project aims to address design optimization of coupled structures, with a focus on electro-mechanical coupled structures. It is expected to coordinate an integrated effort to develop efficient and effective algorithms for optimum design of electro-mechanical coupled structures.
Stuctural analysis of RNA polymerase elongation complexes. RNA polymerase (RNAP) is an essential enzyme in all living cells. Its role is to convert the genetic information stored in genes into a message that can be converted into protein. Many additional factors are required to ensure that this enzyme functions correctly in the cell. The aim of this project is to obtain structural information on a bacterial RNAP complexed with an essential transcription factor called NusA. Using this information ....Stuctural analysis of RNA polymerase elongation complexes. RNA polymerase (RNAP) is an essential enzyme in all living cells. Its role is to convert the genetic information stored in genes into a message that can be converted into protein. Many additional factors are required to ensure that this enzyme functions correctly in the cell. The aim of this project is to obtain structural information on a bacterial RNAP complexed with an essential transcription factor called NusA. Using this information, plus data already obtained on the structure of this enzyme complexed with another essential factor called sigma, we will design small molecules to inhibit the interaction of these essential factors with polymerase. These molecules will serve as leads for the development of new antibiotics.Read moreRead less
Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant adv ....Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in helium atom microscopy and would significantly enhance the reputation of Australian science. Moreover, this project strengthens and supports a key collaboration between the Universities of Newcastle and Cambridge and is at the core of this emerging technology.Read moreRead less