Robust Optimal Asset Liability Management via Stochastic Control Theory. The Australian federal and state governments are strongly exposed to the Australian and international investment markets, either directly or through entities such as the Future Fund, state-owned insurers and superannuation schemes. Additionally, the investment pool represented by individual Australian's superannuation savings managed by non-government organisations is significant. Robust and effective management of these ....Robust Optimal Asset Liability Management via Stochastic Control Theory. The Australian federal and state governments are strongly exposed to the Australian and international investment markets, either directly or through entities such as the Future Fund, state-owned insurers and superannuation schemes. Additionally, the investment pool represented by individual Australian's superannuation savings managed by non-government organisations is significant. Robust and effective management of these assets in order to meet future liabilities of these funds are essential to a stable Australian economy. This research has the potential to be a key component of reliable investment management, helping make Australia an important investment hub.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Earth Models for Frontier Mineral Exploration. This Project aims to investigate the link between supercontinents, mantle upwelling, and associated mineral resources by combining reconstructions of mantle flow with the global rock record. Mantle upwelling causes eruptions of volcanic provinces and associated rock formations that are rich in minerals. The expected outcomes of the Project include mapping the global potential for magmatic nickel, rare-earth elements, and diamond deposits fro ....Dynamic Earth Models for Frontier Mineral Exploration. This Project aims to investigate the link between supercontinents, mantle upwelling, and associated mineral resources by combining reconstructions of mantle flow with the global rock record. Mantle upwelling causes eruptions of volcanic provinces and associated rock formations that are rich in minerals. The expected outcomes of the Project include mapping the global potential for magmatic nickel, rare-earth elements, and diamond deposits from 1.8 billion years ago and building a research alliance between the University of Wollongong, Anglo American, and De Beers. Significant benefits will be the development of a digital framework to reduce risks in exploration for minerals that are essential for the transition to a low-carbon economy.Read moreRead less
Modelling the structure of Australian wool auction prices. Australian wool auction ($3.5-4 billions per year) is an on-going process. The prices paid in this auction market are used by the Australian production and service sectors to identify the quality preferences the international retail markets and the intermediate processors. The proposed research will optimise the information that can be extracted and used by these sectors in the production and distribution of the raw wool clip. A two- ....Modelling the structure of Australian wool auction prices. Australian wool auction ($3.5-4 billions per year) is an on-going process. The prices paid in this auction market are used by the Australian production and service sectors to identify the quality preferences the international retail markets and the intermediate processors. The proposed research will optimise the information that can be extracted and used by these sectors in the production and distribution of the raw wool clip. A two-stages algorithm in tree-based regression will be developed. The project will provide a challenge environment to train a Ph.D. student in agriculture modelling and optimisation.Read moreRead less
Novel Mathematical Technologies for Financial Valuation and Risk. The finance industry is a key industry sector in Australia, with a highly qualified and well-paid work force. The profitability and stability of financial institutions rests in part on their ability to accurately and rapidly value innovative financial products and to quantify risk, yet many contemporary financial products are difficult to value quickly and accurately. This project will bring innovative mathematical technologies ....Novel Mathematical Technologies for Financial Valuation and Risk. The finance industry is a key industry sector in Australia, with a highly qualified and well-paid work force. The profitability and stability of financial institutions rests in part on their ability to accurately and rapidly value innovative financial products and to quantify risk, yet many contemporary financial products are difficult to value quickly and accurately. This project will bring innovative mathematical technologies to bear on complex financial problems. It has the potential to improve both the profitability and stability of Australian financial institutions, and to enhance their role regionally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can ....Response of Proteins to External Non-Ionising Radiation: an Experimental and Computer Modelling Investigation. The expanding use of digital technologies such as mobile phones has led to major health concerns about the effects of non-ionising pulsed radiation exposure which has been shown to produce instantaneous temperature rises undetectable by normal thermometry. The health implications of exposure are not understandable without establishing molecular mechanisms by which pulsed microwaves can cause biological effects. We aim to establish methods for studying the molecular mechanisms of protein structural and energetic changes occurring due to non-ionising radiation. The results will help our industry partner to design specific drugs as well as formulate a scientifically based standard for microwave utilisation.Read moreRead less
Scalable Robust Video Surveillance over Constrained Networks. Real-time monitoring of large numbers of people is becoming increasingly important for applications such as efficient service delivery and security against both common crime and terrorism. The use of human operators for such tasks is infeasible due to the large amount of data collected. Existing autonomous video surveillance systems are prone to high numbers of false alarms and often require expensive hardware. This proposal seeks ....Scalable Robust Video Surveillance over Constrained Networks. Real-time monitoring of large numbers of people is becoming increasingly important for applications such as efficient service delivery and security against both common crime and terrorism. The use of human operators for such tasks is infeasible due to the large amount of data collected. Existing autonomous video surveillance systems are prone to high numbers of false alarms and often require expensive hardware. This proposal seeks to address both difficulties by using rigorous statistical signal processing methods to optimally fuse information from a network of low-cost cameras.Read moreRead less
Paving the way: an experimental approach to the mathematical modelling and design of permeable pavements. The intelligent use of permeable pavements will enable restoration of degraded land corridors. Collection and treatment of stormwater via filtration through porous media will improve water quality in urban environments and will also control flooding. The integration of ecology and urban living will present a revolutionary way to revitalize cities.
Thermal Optimisation of Gigascale Solar Photovoltaics. Large-scale solar photovoltaics are critical to decarbonising the global economy. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory, and is considering deploying the 5B MAV solar array. At this scale, temperature-induced panel efficiency losses represent a major challenge that must be overcome through thermal performance optimisation. We will build sophisticated multiscale models to simulate and understand the ....Thermal Optimisation of Gigascale Solar Photovoltaics. Large-scale solar photovoltaics are critical to decarbonising the global economy. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory, and is considering deploying the 5B MAV solar array. At this scale, temperature-induced panel efficiency losses represent a major challenge that must be overcome through thermal performance optimisation. We will build sophisticated multiscale models to simulate and understand the multiple interacting phenomena that cause panel heating, for the first time. This project will create the tools and know-how to optimise array design and solar farm development, delivering major efficiency gains and enhancing the viability of future gigascale solar projects.Read moreRead less
Improving train flows with connected driver advice systems. The project aims to develop new train control theory to determine the efficient movement of multiple trains, and to demonstrate a practical system for coordinating trains, on busy intercity rail corridors. Railways around the world are now deploying driver advice systems developed by the research team and the partner organisation, TTG Transportation Technology. The project is designed to enable these systems to coordinate the movements ....Improving train flows with connected driver advice systems. The project aims to develop new train control theory to determine the efficient movement of multiple trains, and to demonstrate a practical system for coordinating trains, on busy intercity rail corridors. Railways around the world are now deploying driver advice systems developed by the research team and the partner organisation, TTG Transportation Technology. The project is designed to enable these systems to coordinate the movements of many trains on a congested rail network to improve timekeeping, smooth the flow of traffic, increase capacity and reduce energy use.Read moreRead less
Robust and Scalable Autonomous Landing for Drones. The aim of this project is to develop a transformative robust and scalable autonomous landing system for drones. This is the critical missing technology needed to unleash exponential growth in a potentially enormous drone delivery industry by enabling a multitude of applications to deliver goods and supplies via drones to a wide range of destinations in Australia and the world in a timely, flexible and accurate manner. Such an autonomous landi ....Robust and Scalable Autonomous Landing for Drones. The aim of this project is to develop a transformative robust and scalable autonomous landing system for drones. This is the critical missing technology needed to unleash exponential growth in a potentially enormous drone delivery industry by enabling a multitude of applications to deliver goods and supplies via drones to a wide range of destinations in Australia and the world in a timely, flexible and accurate manner. Such an autonomous landing solution would revolutionise drone technology, and propel Australia to the forefront of technology innovation. This project would benefit not only large scale delivery by drone in urban and suburban areas of Australia but also long distance delivery via drone to remote areas of Australia.Read moreRead less