Economical and practical design and analysis of probabilistic distributed systems. Complex computing systems composed of communicating processes are
distributed over networks, and interact with embedded hardware
components. They routinely operate in probabilistic environments:
hardware components fail randomly, but at known rates; and tactical
randomisation resolves competition for resources. Effective
specification, development and analysis methods for these systems
is crucial, and probab ....Economical and practical design and analysis of probabilistic distributed systems. Complex computing systems composed of communicating processes are
distributed over networks, and interact with embedded hardware
components. They routinely operate in probabilistic environments:
hardware components fail randomly, but at known rates; and tactical
randomisation resolves competition for resources. Effective
specification, development and analysis methods for these systems
is crucial, and probability makes that particularly difficult.
The focus of this project is to develop new formal methods that are
economical and practical in use. Exploiting our recent advances in
probabilistic program semantics, we will add probability in a new
way to proven techniques in concurrency theory, including
refinement and hierarchical design.Read moreRead less
Algebraic reasoning for serialisability in probabilistic transaction systems. The ability to analyse complex systems is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications; a method that improves the quality of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, would attract future development work (in complex and intelligent systems) to Australia, and could contribute to national security.
The results of this project will have a direct influence ....Algebraic reasoning for serialisability in probabilistic transaction systems. The ability to analyse complex systems is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications; a method that improves the quality of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, would attract future development work (in complex and intelligent systems) to Australia, and could contribute to national security.
The results of this project will have a direct influence on currently available design tools; the fact that Australian institutions will be responsible for key theoretical results in this growing field will strengthen Australia's position worldwide as an international centre for computer science.Read moreRead less
Hidden-state modelling for modular analysis of information flow, protection and risk evaluation. Automation is increasing explosively, and the cliche is no longer that there is a cpu chip in your washing machine, television or automobile. Nowadays they are potentially in our cash cards, passports and soon on every item in our shopping baskets. Australia is a leader in adopting and developing such technology.
Security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, thus concerns smaller, more numerous devi ....Hidden-state modelling for modular analysis of information flow, protection and risk evaluation. Automation is increasing explosively, and the cliche is no longer that there is a cpu chip in your washing machine, television or automobile. Nowadays they are potentially in our cash cards, passports and soon on every item in our shopping baskets. Australia is a leader in adopting and developing such technology.
Security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, thus concerns smaller, more numerous devices that we might not even realise we are using.
Our research aims to make it easier and more effective to describe and then successfully build-in features that enforce security without adverse impact on usability.Read moreRead less
Designing software for secrecy: Security-enabled program algebra. Ensuring security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, is a critical problem in computer engineering; the frequency with which software security breaches are reported in smartcards and web applications means that new software-design techniques are urgently needed. This project aims to improve the quality of computer software by creating smart technology which will make it easier for designers to describe and then successfully build ....Designing software for secrecy: Security-enabled program algebra. Ensuring security and privacy, hard enough for PCs, is a critical problem in computer engineering; the frequency with which software security breaches are reported in smartcards and web applications means that new software-design techniques are urgently needed. This project aims to improve the quality of computer software by creating smart technology which will make it easier for designers to describe and then successfully build-in features that enforce security in software without adverse impact on usability. This research addresses National Security Priority 3, Smart technology, and will build on Australia's world-leading position in pioneering uptake of innovative technology.Read moreRead less
Geometric structures in representation theory. Mathematics underpins every aspect of people's interactions with nature (e.g. physics) and with each other (e.g. finance). Its uses range from formulating physical laws in order to understand and predict nature, to analysis of financial concepts and transactions. This project will formulate and develop three new fundamental mathematical concepts: cellular algebras, eigenspace geometries, and diagram algebras. Benefits include enhancement of Australi ....Geometric structures in representation theory. Mathematics underpins every aspect of people's interactions with nature (e.g. physics) and with each other (e.g. finance). Its uses range from formulating physical laws in order to understand and predict nature, to analysis of financial concepts and transactions. This project will formulate and develop three new fundamental mathematical concepts: cellular algebras, eigenspace geometries, and diagram algebras. Benefits include enhancement of Australia's position at the very frontier of world class mathematical research, and a myriad of potential applications to physics, coding theory, information technology, electronic security and experimental design.Read moreRead less
The geometry of exotic nilpotent cones. This research will describe the geometry of some important objects which sit at the boundary of algebra, geometry, and combinatorics. It has intrinsic value as a significant addition to the heritage of mathematical thought, and will strengthen Australian traditions in these areas of mathematics.
Increasing the effectiveness of quantitative verification. The ability to analyse the performance of complex systems and protocols is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications. Methods that improve the effectiveness of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, and would attract future development work (in complex systems) to Australia. The results of this project will have a direct influence on currently available design tools; the ....Increasing the effectiveness of quantitative verification. The ability to analyse the performance of complex systems and protocols is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications. Methods that improve the effectiveness of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, and would attract future development work (in complex systems) to Australia. The results of this project will have a direct influence on currently available design tools; the fact that Australian institutions will be (in part) responsible for key theoretical results in this growing field will strengthen Australia's position worldwide as an international centre for computer science.Read moreRead less
Knowledge Based Model Updating for the Correctness of Security Protocols. This project will fundamentally provide a new paradigm of the security protocol verification and modification. As such, it will significantly enhance Australia's already leading role in the cutting edge research on information security. By applying the new methodology and technology, Australian IT industry will be able to develop more secure communication systems in real world domains. With a very strong research team acro ....Knowledge Based Model Updating for the Correctness of Security Protocols. This project will fundamentally provide a new paradigm of the security protocol verification and modification. As such, it will significantly enhance Australia's already leading role in the cutting edge research on information security. By applying the new methodology and technology, Australian IT industry will be able to develop more secure communication systems in real world domains. With a very strong research team across different areas such as knowledge reasoning, temporal logics and information security, and a collaborative research training environment, this project will further enhance Australia's international reputation as a leader in computing and IT research.Read moreRead less
Pyramids and decomposition numbers for the symmetric and general linear groups. This project takes a novel approach to the decomposition number problem for the symmetric and general linear groups by setting up a new framework for computing them using the combinatorics of pyramids. The decomposition numbers of an algebra are an important statistic which gives detailed structural information about its representations. These numbers can be used to compute the dimensions of the irreducible represen ....Pyramids and decomposition numbers for the symmetric and general linear groups. This project takes a novel approach to the decomposition number problem for the symmetric and general linear groups by setting up a new framework for computing them using the combinatorics of pyramids. The decomposition numbers of an algebra are an important statistic which gives detailed structural information about its representations. These numbers can be used to compute the dimensions of the irreducible representations of the algebra and they play an important role in the applications of representation theory to other fields such as knot theory and statistical mechanics.Read moreRead less
Algebras with Frobenius morphisms and quantum groups. In this digitalized world, our life relies on mathematics more than ever. Counting and numbers are just one example of this. Another is the public key codes for online payments and transactions. Mathematics is of enormous importance in this technology dominated age. This proposal is to carry out high level mathematical research in Australia. Basic research on quantum groups underpins applied research and certain areas such as quantum mechanic ....Algebras with Frobenius morphisms and quantum groups. In this digitalized world, our life relies on mathematics more than ever. Counting and numbers are just one example of this. Another is the public key codes for online payments and transactions. Mathematics is of enormous importance in this technology dominated age. This proposal is to carry out high level mathematical research in Australia. Basic research on quantum groups underpins applied research and certain areas such as quantum mechanics and string theory. Some structure of quantum groups is too complicated to be seen by even a professional mathematician. A possible interpretation by using representations over a finite field would make it more usable and accessible by computer.Read moreRead less