Noncommutative Algebraic Geometry. As algebra moves into the twenty-first century, we see a strong trend towards interactions with geometry. This project is right in the thick of this trend and will keep Australia abreast of some of the most interesting developments in algebra. The project seeks to start up a research group in noncommutative algebraic geometry which will foster a lively intellectual atmosphere. This will involve training postgraduate students, inviting international experts to g ....Noncommutative Algebraic Geometry. As algebra moves into the twenty-first century, we see a strong trend towards interactions with geometry. This project is right in the thick of this trend and will keep Australia abreast of some of the most interesting developments in algebra. The project seeks to start up a research group in noncommutative algebraic geometry which will foster a lively intellectual atmosphere. This will involve training postgraduate students, inviting international experts to give seminar talks and establishing relations with other Australian mathematicians in related areas.Read moreRead less
Minimal surfaces. Recent stunning progress in topology, in particular a possible solution to one of the Clay Institute million dollar problems, using techniques from partial differential equations and minimal surfaces has made this area a hot topic. To attract researchers in this field to visit Australia and to train students in this area is a major part of this project.
Three-dimensional geometry and topology. This project will carry out important fundamental research into the geometry and topology of 3-dimensional manifolds, an area of intense activity over the last 30 years.
The work has direct applications to physics, for example recent work in cosmology aimed at determining the global structure of our universe. Our work on knotting and symmetries of molecular graphs will also be of considerable interest in chemistry and biology.
The project will also ....Three-dimensional geometry and topology. This project will carry out important fundamental research into the geometry and topology of 3-dimensional manifolds, an area of intense activity over the last 30 years.
The work has direct applications to physics, for example recent work in cosmology aimed at determining the global structure of our universe. Our work on knotting and symmetries of molecular graphs will also be of considerable interest in chemistry and biology.
The project will also provide high quality training of undergraduate and graduate students in geometry and topology, and will increase international cooperation by developing closer links with colleagues and institutions overseas.Read moreRead less
Towards Mike Artin's conjecture. Non-commutative algebra and algebraic geometry are both classical branches of mathematics with much depth to them. As a result, the recent study of the interactions between the two disciplines has proven to be fertile ground for many important developments in mathematics. This project ensures that Australia remains a part of these developments.
Geometric methods in quantum theory. Quantum theory is the fundamental language of physics, it describes the small scale structure of matter and possibly space-time. The advent of sophisticated models, particularly of quarks has emphasised geometric structure as a basic component of the theory. The issues thrown up by quantum theory are similar to problems encountered in the geometry of manifolds so that tools from the latter have been successfully employed in the former and vice-versa. ....Geometric methods in quantum theory. Quantum theory is the fundamental language of physics, it describes the small scale structure of matter and possibly space-time. The advent of sophisticated models, particularly of quarks has emphasised geometric structure as a basic component of the theory. The issues thrown up by quantum theory are similar to problems encountered in the geometry of manifolds so that tools from the latter have been successfully employed in the former and vice-versa. Previous work of the Chief Investigators has shown the importance of geometric structures known as gerbes which this Project will extend and apply in novel ways.Read moreRead less
Geometric structures on 3-manifolds. Three-dimensional manifolds are of central importance in topology, algebra, and cosmology (providing models for the universe). Thurston's Geometrization Conjecture gives a beautiful conjectural picture of
3-manifolds in terms of eight uniform geometries, but the conjecture and some of its basic consequences remain unproved. This project is aimed at making advances on fundamental questions in the following areas:
* construction of geometric structures by def ....Geometric structures on 3-manifolds. Three-dimensional manifolds are of central importance in topology, algebra, and cosmology (providing models for the universe). Thurston's Geometrization Conjecture gives a beautiful conjectural picture of
3-manifolds in terms of eight uniform geometries, but the conjecture and some of its basic consequences remain unproved. This project is aimed at making advances on fundamental questions in the following areas:
* construction of geometric structures by deformation methods,
* computation of geometric structures,
* geometric and algebraic invariants.Read moreRead less
Triangulations in dimension three: algorithms and geometric structures. Perelman recently won a Fields medal for the solution of the geometrisation and Poincare conjectures on three-dimensional spaces, using a very deep heat flow method to find optimal geometries on these spaces. The project will develop a new constructive approach to building these optimal geometric structures. This will lead to effective algorithmic methods to distinguish three-dimensional spaces, with applications to the stu ....Triangulations in dimension three: algorithms and geometric structures. Perelman recently won a Fields medal for the solution of the geometrisation and Poincare conjectures on three-dimensional spaces, using a very deep heat flow method to find optimal geometries on these spaces. The project will develop a new constructive approach to building these optimal geometric structures. This will lead to effective algorithmic methods to distinguish three-dimensional spaces, with applications to the study of knots and links (for example, knotted DNA molecules) and to mathematical physics. The project will also provide new techniques to study important problems in the classification of three-dimensional spaces, such as the virtual Haken conjecture.Read moreRead less
Geometric problems from quantum theory. This Proposal is fundamental, basic research at the forefront of the application of mathematics to physical theories. The problems that will be worked on are central to much of the research activity which is presently occuring in leading centres and institutes internationally. By being a part of that research we ensure that not only is Australia involved in todays mathematical and physical advances but that we also have Australian mathematicians trained ....Geometric problems from quantum theory. This Proposal is fundamental, basic research at the forefront of the application of mathematics to physical theories. The problems that will be worked on are central to much of the research activity which is presently occuring in leading centres and institutes internationally. By being a part of that research we ensure that not only is Australia involved in todays mathematical and physical advances but that we also have Australian mathematicians trained to take advantage of the benefits those advances will bring in the future.Read moreRead less
Monopoles, instantons and metrics. This Project is pure basic research in the general area of differential geometry or the study of manifolds. Manifolds are higher dimensional analogues of surfaces such as the surface of the sphere or the surface of a doughnut. This Project studies monopoles and instantons which are solutions of partial differential equations arising in physics. These solutions and the so-called moduli spaces of all solutions have been used in the last two decades by the worlds ....Monopoles, instantons and metrics. This Project is pure basic research in the general area of differential geometry or the study of manifolds. Manifolds are higher dimensional analogues of surfaces such as the surface of the sphere or the surface of a doughnut. This Project studies monopoles and instantons which are solutions of partial differential equations arising in physics. These solutions and the so-called moduli spaces of all solutions have been used in the last two decades by the worlds leading mathematicians to revolutionize the study of three and four dimensional manifolds.Read moreRead less
Characterizing and classifying ovoids, flocks and generalized quadrangles. This project lies within the framework of the classification and characterization of fundamental structures in finite geometry. This research area is the site of much international activity, in which the proposed research team plays a central role. The aim of the project is to pursue twin goals: the classification of ovoids in three dimensional projective space, a famous long-standing problem; and the classification of ce ....Characterizing and classifying ovoids, flocks and generalized quadrangles. This project lies within the framework of the classification and characterization of fundamental structures in finite geometry. This research area is the site of much international activity, in which the proposed research team plays a central role. The aim of the project is to pursue twin goals: the classification of ovoids in three dimensional projective space, a famous long-standing problem; and the classification of certain generalized quadrangles. Our approach is novel as it utilises recently discovered links between these areas. The expected outcomes are significant progress towards these goals, as well as the development of new techniques in finite geometry.Read moreRead less