Principles of Quantum Information Science. The use of quantum mechanical systems to carry and process information is enabling a revolution in information technology through innovations such as quantum computation and quantum teleportation. This project investigates the fundamental theory of quantum information science. The project aims to formulate general principles governing the power and behaviour of quantum information. These principles will, in turn, enable the development of powerful new ....Principles of Quantum Information Science. The use of quantum mechanical systems to carry and process information is enabling a revolution in information technology through innovations such as quantum computation and quantum teleportation. This project investigates the fundamental theory of quantum information science. The project aims to formulate general principles governing the power and behaviour of quantum information. These principles will, in turn, enable the development of powerful new applications of quantum information. Principal areas to be addressed include: general conditions for a physical system to be usable for quantum computation, the development of new algorithms for quantum computers, the development of new quantum communication protocols, and the theory of quantum entanglement.Read moreRead less
Creation of functional surfaces for biodevices and aerospace applications. Polymers are poised to become the materials of choice for a host of applications because of their lightness, strength, ease of forming and biocompatibility. The major challenge lies in optimising their surfaces for each application. For biodevices in particular, the surfaces must support a range of complex and specific interactions. This project will create new polymer surface modifications through innovations in plasma s ....Creation of functional surfaces for biodevices and aerospace applications. Polymers are poised to become the materials of choice for a host of applications because of their lightness, strength, ease of forming and biocompatibility. The major challenge lies in optimising their surfaces for each application. For biodevices in particular, the surfaces must support a range of complex and specific interactions. This project will create new polymer surface modifications through innovations in plasma science and technology. The outcomes will be new surfaces for diagnostic arrays in medicine, biosensors and durable polymer surfaces for low earth orbit.Read moreRead less
COMPLEX NETWORKS: DYNAMICS, OPTIMIZATION AND CONTROL. Complex networks such large power grids, the Internet, transportation networks and co-operation networks of all kinds provide challenges for frontier technologies particularly computing, communication and control. In particular, advanced societies have become dependent on large infrastructure networks to an extent beyond our capability to plan and control them. The recent spate of collapses in power grids and virus attacks on the Internet i ....COMPLEX NETWORKS: DYNAMICS, OPTIMIZATION AND CONTROL. Complex networks such large power grids, the Internet, transportation networks and co-operation networks of all kinds provide challenges for frontier technologies particularly computing, communication and control. In particular, advanced societies have become dependent on large infrastructure networks to an extent beyond our capability to plan and control them. The recent spate of collapses in power grids and virus attacks on the Internet illustrate the need for research on modelling, analysis of behaviour, planning and control in such networks. This project aims to establish research in this area for Australia's benefit.Read moreRead less
Exploring the Frontiers of Feasible Computation. The project aims to delineate the boundary between feasible and infeasible computational problems. A problem is considered feasible if there is an algorithm to solve it in worst-case time bounded by a polynomial in the input size. This is probably impossible for the important class of NP-complete problems. However, typical examples of NP-complete problems can often be solved in polynomial time, because worst-case problems are rare. The project is ....Exploring the Frontiers of Feasible Computation. The project aims to delineate the boundary between feasible and infeasible computational problems. A problem is considered feasible if there is an algorithm to solve it in worst-case time bounded by a polynomial in the input size. This is probably impossible for the important class of NP-complete problems. However, typical examples of NP-complete problems can often be solved in polynomial time, because worst-case problems are rare. The project is relevant to public-key cryptography, where breaking an encryption scheme should be infeasible, and to many real-life situations where NP-complete problems need to be solved, either exactly or approximately.Read moreRead less
lll-conditioned and constrained inverse problems in Signal Processing, Telecommunications and Control. Aims: To carry out fundamental research on methods for understanding and solving inverse problems in signal processin, telecommunications and control. To translate these fundamental results into practical outcomes of importance to Australian Industry.
Significance: Signal Processing, Telecommunications and Control are core technologies for all modern societies. The research proposed here ....lll-conditioned and constrained inverse problems in Signal Processing, Telecommunications and Control. Aims: To carry out fundamental research on methods for understanding and solving inverse problems in signal processin, telecommunications and control. To translate these fundamental results into practical outcomes of importance to Australian Industry.
Significance: Signal Processing, Telecommunications and Control are core technologies for all modern societies. The research proposed here will generate new methods for designing and understanding key algorithms in these areas. Particular emphasis will be placed on difficult problems involving ill-conditioned inverses or those having hard constraints that must be satisfied.
Expected Outcomes: A prime outcome will be fundamental research results at the highest international level. This will be accompanied by top level refereed publications and books. There will also be direct and tangible benefits to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Group actions: combinatorics, geometry and computation. Science today relies on digital technologies using quantised and digital information. Because of the discrete nature of digital information, much of the mathematics underpinning these advances comes from the core disciplines of algebra and combinatorics within which this proposal falls. All aspects of the proposal focus on strengthening theoretical understanding of algebraic and combinatorial structures, and increasing computational power f ....Group actions: combinatorics, geometry and computation. Science today relies on digital technologies using quantised and digital information. Because of the discrete nature of digital information, much of the mathematics underpinning these advances comes from the core disciplines of algebra and combinatorics within which this proposal falls. All aspects of the proposal focus on strengthening theoretical understanding of algebraic and combinatorial structures, and increasing computational power for working with them. The fundamental research outcomes, in terms of theorems, algorithms, and the training of young research mathematicians, will thus both enhance the high international standing of Australian mathematics, and strengthen Australia's capabilities in these important areas.Read moreRead less
Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome proje ....Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome project, major opportunities exist to provide spectacular advances in human health care (eg, via personalised medicine) provided that appropriate high-throughput biological reading devices can be developed. In developing such devices, this project also aims to substantially catalyse the Australian Nanotechnology/Biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineered Colloids and thin films through self-assembly with potential applications in Bioscince and Nanotechnology. The proposed research program will focus on the preparation, characterisation and application of novel, small (nanometer size) particles and thin (micrometer thick)films derived from such particles. These new and advanced materials will be prepared by usinf a recently developed, highly versatile and facile technology to coat particles in solution. The strategy to be used en ....Nanoengineered Colloids and thin films through self-assembly with potential applications in Bioscince and Nanotechnology. The proposed research program will focus on the preparation, characterisation and application of novel, small (nanometer size) particles and thin (micrometer thick)films derived from such particles. These new and advanced materials will be prepared by usinf a recently developed, highly versatile and facile technology to coat particles in solution. The strategy to be used entails the step-by-step construction of well-defined layers of different composition on particles and flat surfaces, thereby allowing unprecendented control over the material properties and function. This will provide new avenues for the application of nanoscale materials in biotechnology and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Optical Semiconductors for next-generation lasers, optical processors, and integrated optical chips. We are on the verge of an optical processing revolution. The silicon industry evolved from valves to transistors and finally to processors - Optical processing is the next step in the evolution of lasers from gas to solid state, and ultimately to integrated optical chips. Australia had a significant lead in semiconductors during the 1970?s, but unfortunately lost this lead due to a lack of local ....Optical Semiconductors for next-generation lasers, optical processors, and integrated optical chips. We are on the verge of an optical processing revolution. The silicon industry evolved from valves to transistors and finally to processors - Optical processing is the next step in the evolution of lasers from gas to solid state, and ultimately to integrated optical chips. Australia had a significant lead in semiconductors during the 1970?s, but unfortunately lost this lead due to a lack of local market. The emergence of biotechnology and telecommunications offer strong local markets for this new integrated optical technology. This project aims to create a world-leading Research capability in Australia to drive the evolution of integrated optoelectronics, and provide a commercial path to create a leading Australian industry.Read moreRead less