Feasibility of biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes using activate sludge microorganisms. This study will focus on biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes, not only because hydrogen is a clean and high efficient energy, but also because it can be a process for waste treatment. The research is aimed at examining the feasibility of biological hydrogen production from an organic waste stream by hydrogen producing bacteria isolated and enriched from pretreated digested activ ....Feasibility of biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes using activate sludge microorganisms. This study will focus on biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes, not only because hydrogen is a clean and high efficient energy, but also because it can be a process for waste treatment. The research is aimed at examining the feasibility of biological hydrogen production from an organic waste stream by hydrogen producing bacteria isolated and enriched from pretreated digested activated sludge. The overall goal is to get better understanding of the biochemical mechanisms, metabolic pathways effecting on the intermediate and end-products, leading to high hydrogen productivity and yield.Read moreRead less
New clean and green aqueous metathesis. The technique of olefin metathesis has already yielded new pharmaceuticals and materials for use in consumer products and ballistic protection. This project will help move metathesis into the realms of natures aqueous environment, a key advance if metathesis is to reveal its full potential in biological, polymeric, and pharmaceutical applications. We specifically aim to target treatments for cataract (and other conditions associated with an aging populatio ....New clean and green aqueous metathesis. The technique of olefin metathesis has already yielded new pharmaceuticals and materials for use in consumer products and ballistic protection. This project will help move metathesis into the realms of natures aqueous environment, a key advance if metathesis is to reveal its full potential in biological, polymeric, and pharmaceutical applications. We specifically aim to target treatments for cataract (and other conditions associated with an aging population) and also important new biopolymers for use in health technologies of the future.Read moreRead less
The role of biological and chemical interactions in the rhizosphere in sustainable intercropping systems. Intercropping can result in large yield increases compared to mono-cropped systems. It is used extensively in China and could be an option for sustainable land-use in Australia. Belowground interactions between intercropped crop species may be important for the yield increase, but they are poorly understood, especially with regard to nutrient availability and soil biology. We will combine th ....The role of biological and chemical interactions in the rhizosphere in sustainable intercropping systems. Intercropping can result in large yield increases compared to mono-cropped systems. It is used extensively in China and could be an option for sustainable land-use in Australia. Belowground interactions between intercropped crop species may be important for the yield increase, but they are poorly understood, especially with regard to nutrient availability and soil biology. We will combine the field experience in intercropping systems of the Chinese scientists with the expertise of the Australian scientists in plant nutrition and rhizosphere ecology to characterise chemical and biological interactions in the rhizosphere governing nutrient availability and the competitive ability of intercropped species.Read moreRead less
Extending a family of garbage collectors. Garbage collection is a key component in the automatic management of storage in computer systems. It is an essential property of modern programming systems that frees the programmer from a significant error-prone task. Our interest is in garbage collection in distributed systems involving a number of networked computers. Using our novel construction methodology, we have jointly produced a family of collection algorithms that are significantly simpler and ....Extending a family of garbage collectors. Garbage collection is a key component in the automatic management of storage in computer systems. It is an essential property of modern programming systems that frees the programmer from a significant error-prone task. Our interest is in garbage collection in distributed systems involving a number of networked computers. Using our novel construction methodology, we have jointly produced a family of collection algorithms that are significantly simpler and more efficient than previous work. Here we wish to extend this family to operate effectively in a specific architecture increasingly favoured by many modern distributed high-performance computing systems.Read moreRead less
Linear programming approach to nonlinear deterministic and stochastic control problems: perturbations methods and numerical analysis. The proposed research will significantly advance knowledge by creating new analytical and numerical methods for tackling complex nonlinear control problems arising in many applications. The study's outputs will lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental issues in mathematical modelling. Collaboration with renowned researchers will further improve Australia's st ....Linear programming approach to nonlinear deterministic and stochastic control problems: perturbations methods and numerical analysis. The proposed research will significantly advance knowledge by creating new analytical and numerical methods for tackling complex nonlinear control problems arising in many applications. The study's outputs will lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental issues in mathematical modelling. Collaboration with renowned researchers will further improve Australia's standing in the international research community. Also their visits may further promote research both within and outside the host institution. In particular, lectures and seminars that they will deliver will be transmitted to Australian universities participating in the Access Grid Room Project.Read moreRead less
Singular and Analytic Perturbations, Slow and Fast Time Scales in Control Theory and Viability Theory and their Applications. We propose an innovative approach to several important classes of mathematical problems, whose data depend analytically on small perturbation parameters. Time scale problems, and, in particular, the interaction of two types of evolution, slow and fast, arise in many scientific domains (biotechnology, physics, engineering, etc).We expect to develop new techniques for analy ....Singular and Analytic Perturbations, Slow and Fast Time Scales in Control Theory and Viability Theory and their Applications. We propose an innovative approach to several important classes of mathematical problems, whose data depend analytically on small perturbation parameters. Time scale problems, and, in particular, the interaction of two types of evolution, slow and fast, arise in many scientific domains (biotechnology, physics, engineering, etc).We expect to develop new techniques for analysis and asymptotic optimisation of singularly perturbed control systems and Markov decision processes. In particular, we plan to establish links between general nonlinear optimal control problems with time average criteria and linear programming problems in the space of limit occupational measures generated by the underlying control system.Read moreRead less
Advances in Nonperturbative Studies of Subatomic Physics. Fundamental research into physics always leads to unpredictable technological breakthroughs. Fundamental physics research has led to the development of transistors, world wide web, carbon dating, cancer treatments, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, satellites and many applications too numerous to mention. The collaboration will allow Australia access to technologies, research infrastructure, expertise and intellectual knowledge that ....Advances in Nonperturbative Studies of Subatomic Physics. Fundamental research into physics always leads to unpredictable technological breakthroughs. Fundamental physics research has led to the development of transistors, world wide web, carbon dating, cancer treatments, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, satellites and many applications too numerous to mention. The collaboration will allow Australia access to technologies, research infrastructure, expertise and intellectual knowledge that wouldn't be available otherwise. This will enable Australian institutions to pursue breakthrough science, to develop frontier technologies and to have a great impact in the international scientific community. It will also provide advance training in simulation and high-performance computing to postgraduates and research associates.Read moreRead less
Development of Australian model systems for speciation research. Our project will contribute to an understanding of the process of speciation, a fundamental biological problem, for which there are few well-developed model systems in the world. We will further our understanding of how Australia's extraordinary diversity of animal species have evolved, knowledge which is valuable for understanding the future impact of climatic and environmental changes on species. Our research will generate furthe ....Development of Australian model systems for speciation research. Our project will contribute to an understanding of the process of speciation, a fundamental biological problem, for which there are few well-developed model systems in the world. We will further our understanding of how Australia's extraordinary diversity of animal species have evolved, knowledge which is valuable for understanding the future impact of climatic and environmental changes on species. Our research will generate further knowledge of the diversity and biological significance of subterranean fauna in the arid zone of Australia, providing important background data for assessing the impacts of mining activities on groundwater-dependent-ecosystems and improved strategies for their sustainable management. Read moreRead less
The Australian-Netherlands project on work and stress research. Rapid changes in the nature of work globally require critical surveillance for effects on worker well-being and productivity. Occupational health policy trends in Australia and The Netherlands support continuous monitoring of the work environment. This project therefore provides a timely opportunity structure for intellectual exchange and capacity building for Australian and Dutch work and organisational psychologists, specifically ....The Australian-Netherlands project on work and stress research. Rapid changes in the nature of work globally require critical surveillance for effects on worker well-being and productivity. Occupational health policy trends in Australia and The Netherlands support continuous monitoring of the work environment. This project therefore provides a timely opportunity structure for intellectual exchange and capacity building for Australian and Dutch work and organisational psychologists, specifically in work stress and unemployment research. Highly experienced and emerging researchers together will develop and implement projects transnationally. Outcomes will include: joint doctoral-post doctoral supervision; joint publications and grants; advanced knowledge and applications, with international policy implications for improving working life and productivity.Read moreRead less