The First Chemically Accurate Tools in Theoretical Materials Research. Non-metallic materials are widely used in catalytic, separation and sensing applications. This project will create a new, accurate, general and systematic approach to the computational study of non-metallic materials and will provide an enormous step forward in our ability to design these materials for specific applications. With ever increasing demand, growing world population and shrinking natural resources, the benefits of ....The First Chemically Accurate Tools in Theoretical Materials Research. Non-metallic materials are widely used in catalytic, separation and sensing applications. This project will create a new, accurate, general and systematic approach to the computational study of non-metallic materials and will provide an enormous step forward in our ability to design these materials for specific applications. With ever increasing demand, growing world population and shrinking natural resources, the benefits of such rational materials design impact on the development of new, safer, more efficient, reusable materials in chemical, engineering, electronic and biological applications. Read moreRead less
Nonsmooth Optimization in Constrained Spline Interpolation. Traditional methods based on standard calculus may not work for optimization problems with constraints; however, such problems can be reformulated as nonsmooth problems that need special treatment. The project aims to approach several important problems in constrained spline interpolation and approximation, from the perspective of nonsmooth optimization. The research, which builds upon a recent breakthrough in the approach to the convex ....Nonsmooth Optimization in Constrained Spline Interpolation. Traditional methods based on standard calculus may not work for optimization problems with constraints; however, such problems can be reformulated as nonsmooth problems that need special treatment. The project aims to approach several important problems in constrained spline interpolation and approximation, from the perspective of nonsmooth optimization. The research, which builds upon a recent breakthrough in the approach to the convex best interpolation by the applicant and his collaborators, is expected to provide fundamental theory for Newton-type methods being used for these problems with a vast number of applications in data fitting and curve and surface design.Read moreRead less
Unified approach for the stability analysis of large concrete dams due to ageing degradation. The expected outcome of this research is the availability of an innovative methodology for the safety assessment of aged concrete dams. Most of the concrete dams built in Australia and elsewhere have been in service for over 50 years. Degradation effects on aged concrete dams, and resistant ability of such aged concrete dams against hostile natural events, such as earthquakes, are of great concern for e ....Unified approach for the stability analysis of large concrete dams due to ageing degradation. The expected outcome of this research is the availability of an innovative methodology for the safety assessment of aged concrete dams. Most of the concrete dams built in Australia and elsewhere have been in service for over 50 years. Degradation effects on aged concrete dams, and resistant ability of such aged concrete dams against hostile natural events, such as earthquakes, are of great concern for engineers. The safety assessment of aged concrete dams can be done rationally by the proposed method which will provide a better knowledge of the ageing effects on concrete dams. The approach will provide a tool for rational decision-making as to the structural rehabilitation of large concrete dams affected by ageing degradation.Read moreRead less
Helium droplets: a nanoscale laboratory for studying intermolecular bonding and chemical reactivity. This type of research requires a rather complicated apparatus capable of creating a stream of helium droplets, embedding molecules and interrogating their properties using laser spectroscopy. The apparatus built in Sydney is the only one capable of this in Australia and using this new apparatus we will create many novel, bizarre and intriguing aggregates of molecules and atoms. The project involv ....Helium droplets: a nanoscale laboratory for studying intermolecular bonding and chemical reactivity. This type of research requires a rather complicated apparatus capable of creating a stream of helium droplets, embedding molecules and interrogating their properties using laser spectroscopy. The apparatus built in Sydney is the only one capable of this in Australia and using this new apparatus we will create many novel, bizarre and intriguing aggregates of molecules and atoms. The project involves cutting-edge scientific methods and will shift the boundaries of can-do science in the laser laboratory at the University of Sydney and in Australia in general.Read moreRead less