Cellular genomic approach to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. This project compares the levels of gene usage in two important immune cell types between patients with multiple sclerosis and people who do not have the disease. It aims to identify the molecular basis for the disease, in order to identify new diagnostic, preventative and treatment options.
An investigation of the impacts of increased power supply to the national grid by wind generators on the Australian electricity industry. The aim of this project is to discover the most economical and effective way to accommodate large increases in wind power into the national grid and to understand the effects on the national electricity market. This is crucial to ensure stability of electricity supply and affordable prices in the transition towards a low carbon economy.
Composites for thermal expansion matched oxygen electrodes. This project aims to develop high performance composite oxygen electrodes by using both negative thermal expansion materials and electrolyte materials to tailor the thermal expansion and activities of the perovskite-based electrodes for use in reduced temperature solid oxide cells. Such composite electrodes will show highly matched thermal expansion with electrolyte without sacrificing high activity at reduced temperatures. This project ....Composites for thermal expansion matched oxygen electrodes. This project aims to develop high performance composite oxygen electrodes by using both negative thermal expansion materials and electrolyte materials to tailor the thermal expansion and activities of the perovskite-based electrodes for use in reduced temperature solid oxide cells. Such composite electrodes will show highly matched thermal expansion with electrolyte without sacrificing high activity at reduced temperatures. This project seeks to address an important practical issue in the operation of solid oxide power cells - thermal expansion compatibility, which causes poor efficiency outside a narrow temperature band.Read moreRead less
Genealogy and Topology: A Constellational Comparison of Nietzsche and Heidegger. This research is fundamental in character addressing basic questions about the nature and history of philosophy. It will have direct academic benefits in advancing disciplinary knowledge, in enhancing the reputation of Australian philosophy in Germany and internationally, and in promoting contact between Australian and German philosophers, but is also likely to have longer term benefits in furthering our understandi ....Genealogy and Topology: A Constellational Comparison of Nietzsche and Heidegger. This research is fundamental in character addressing basic questions about the nature and history of philosophy. It will have direct academic benefits in advancing disciplinary knowledge, in enhancing the reputation of Australian philosophy in Germany and internationally, and in promoting contact between Australian and German philosophers, but is also likely to have longer term benefits in furthering our understanding of the nature of concepts, and of conceptual creativity.Read moreRead less
Synthetic storage for improving flexibility and security of micro-grids. This project aims to remove the need for energy storage in micro-grids via adoption of synthetic storage. Micro-grids encounter high renewable energy penetrations early, given their small size. Typically, micro-grid variability is managed with technologies such as energy storage. Synthetic storage involves replacing fixed speed diesel assets with variable speed diesel technology. This project offers a cost-effective way to ....Synthetic storage for improving flexibility and security of micro-grids. This project aims to remove the need for energy storage in micro-grids via adoption of synthetic storage. Micro-grids encounter high renewable energy penetrations early, given their small size. Typically, micro-grid variability is managed with technologies such as energy storage. Synthetic storage involves replacing fixed speed diesel assets with variable speed diesel technology. This project offers a cost-effective way to improve renewable penetration and reduce diesel fuel consumption in micro-grids by removing the need for expensive energy storage. The expected project outcomes include reductions in cost and complexity for high renewable energy penetration micro-grids, reduced emissions and improved micro-grid reliability.Read moreRead less
The global vaccination revolution: a transnational and comparative perspective. A study of first global immunization campaign will provide a historical dimension to contemporary concerns about pandemic disease, vaccination and bio-terrorism, and generate new insights into the factors determining the success and failure of public health initiatives. The project relates directly to national research priorities in health and safeguarding Australia. It has more specific relevance to Australia. Small ....The global vaccination revolution: a transnational and comparative perspective. A study of first global immunization campaign will provide a historical dimension to contemporary concerns about pandemic disease, vaccination and bio-terrorism, and generate new insights into the factors determining the success and failure of public health initiatives. The project relates directly to national research priorities in health and safeguarding Australia. It has more specific relevance to Australia. Smallpox decimated the Aboriginal population, and quarantine and vaccination have loomed large in Australian history. It builds on Australia's strong scholarship in the fields of virology and immunology and the history of disease and public health.Read moreRead less
The World Arm-to-Arm: The Spread of Smallpox Vaccination and Global Networks of Knowledge and Power, 1799-1805. This project will document the rapid spread of Jenner's vaccine around the world between 1799 and 1805. It will address matters neglected in the existing literature, including the logistics of the global transmission of the vaccine, often literally arm-to-arm; the promotion and reception of vaccination in different social and cultural contexts; and the networks of power and knowledge ....The World Arm-to-Arm: The Spread of Smallpox Vaccination and Global Networks of Knowledge and Power, 1799-1805. This project will document the rapid spread of Jenner's vaccine around the world between 1799 and 1805. It will address matters neglected in the existing literature, including the logistics of the global transmission of the vaccine, often literally arm-to-arm; the promotion and reception of vaccination in different social and cultural contexts; and the networks of power and knowledge that made the Jennerian revolution possible. The project will result in a book and articles, interventions in the literature on globalisation and the adoption of innovation, and a deeper and broader perspective on issues of burning relevance to the world today.Read moreRead less
Improved electrophoretic analyser for water quality monitoring. This proposal will advance the Australian made Eco Detection portable electrophoretic analyser for autonomous monitoring of water chemistry - the Eco Sensor. We will re-design and miniaturise the fluidic manifold to reduce capital- and per-sample cost, increase the sensitivity of nutrients - nitrate and phospate - by 100-times in both fresh- and sea-waters, and develop new ultra-sensitive reagents for heavy metal detection at enviro ....Improved electrophoretic analyser for water quality monitoring. This proposal will advance the Australian made Eco Detection portable electrophoretic analyser for autonomous monitoring of water chemistry - the Eco Sensor. We will re-design and miniaturise the fluidic manifold to reduce capital- and per-sample cost, increase the sensitivity of nutrients - nitrate and phospate - by 100-times in both fresh- and sea-waters, and develop new ultra-sensitive reagents for heavy metal detection at environmentally regulated levels. This will provide a single platform for at-site near-real-time monitoring of water chemistry for agricultural, mining, water corporations and other industries that use and/or discharge water to the environment. Read moreRead less
Rapid starting and unsteady operation of hydraulic turbines. The project will investigate the ability of hydraulic turbines to start rapidly with the turbine spinning in air which is more water efficient and has lower maintenance costs than other methods. The project will allow higher use of hydroelectricity and higher penetration of wind or other intermittent renewable energy generation into an electricity grid.