Optical Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Communication Systems. Optical multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems exploit a simple yet powerful principle of diversity to improve the capacity and robustness of optical networks. This proposal focuses on making the most use of two polarisation modes intrinsic to the fiber by applying MIMO techniques to the optical communication systems. This project can potentially create many commercial opportunities in Australia in the area of integrated photon ....Optical Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Communication Systems. Optical multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems exploit a simple yet powerful principle of diversity to improve the capacity and robustness of optical networks. This proposal focuses on making the most use of two polarisation modes intrinsic to the fiber by applying MIMO techniques to the optical communication systems. This project can potentially create many commercial opportunities in Australia in the area of integrated photonic circuits and high-speed digital signal processing. The funding support of these research activities will further enhance Australia's international ICT reputation in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Three-dimensional magnetotelluric imaging of lithospheric-scale mineral systems from source to deposit. Geochemical studies indicate that world-class mineral deposits are partly sourced from fluids emerging from Earth's mantle and lower crust. Finding major mineral deposits in the future will therefore require knowledge of which parts of the crust and mantle yield the most prospective locations. However, there are few methods that can image deep Earth resources, and these can be very expensive ....Three-dimensional magnetotelluric imaging of lithospheric-scale mineral systems from source to deposit. Geochemical studies indicate that world-class mineral deposits are partly sourced from fluids emerging from Earth's mantle and lower crust. Finding major mineral deposits in the future will therefore require knowledge of which parts of the crust and mantle yield the most prospective locations. However, there are few methods that can image deep Earth resources, and these can be very expensive. We propose to develop the magnetotelluric method as a low-cost and rapid approach for delineating 3D information on deep mineral systems beneath existing major deposits, and adapting this to explore in greenfield locations.Read moreRead less
Robust Control Design using Micro-Actuators. Recent advances in micro-actuators have enabled many new applications in complex systems. Examples include ultra-high density disk drives, low-cost vibration tables, and micro-robotic systems. However, control design for these systems is very challenging because the micro-actuators have severely limited dynamic ranges and strong couplings. The proposed project aims to study new control design approaches for these complex systems. The work will focus o ....Robust Control Design using Micro-Actuators. Recent advances in micro-actuators have enabled many new applications in complex systems. Examples include ultra-high density disk drives, low-cost vibration tables, and micro-robotic systems. However, control design for these systems is very challenging because the micro-actuators have severely limited dynamic ranges and strong couplings. The proposed project aims to study new control design approaches for these complex systems. The work will focus on both theoretical studies and experimental applications of such systems. The outcome of the project will help put Australia in a more advanced position in this niche area of leading age technology.Read moreRead less
Isotopic fractionation in ore metals (Cu, Fe and Zn): A new window on ore-forming processes. Stable isotopes of common ore metals (e.g, copper and iron) are new tools for investigating ore deposits. Our data suggest that metal isotopic variations can provide new insights into mechanisms operative during formation of ore deposits. Stable metal isotopes also show promise as a new exploration tool for identifying the location of economic mineralisation within large prospective terrains; e.g., weakl ....Isotopic fractionation in ore metals (Cu, Fe and Zn): A new window on ore-forming processes. Stable isotopes of common ore metals (e.g, copper and iron) are new tools for investigating ore deposits. Our data suggest that metal isotopic variations can provide new insights into mechanisms operative during formation of ore deposits. Stable metal isotopes also show promise as a new exploration tool for identifying the location of economic mineralisation within large prospective terrains; e.g., weakly vs. strongly mineralised zones in a volcanic belt.
This project will provide fundamental baseline data that will help elucidate the processes that cause metal isotope variations. This will allow stable metal isotopes to be used much more effectively by the mining and exploration industries.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453436
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,284.00
Summary
An advanced electron microanalytical facility for South-East Queensland. Funding is requested to purchase an electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) unit to be located at The University of Queensland and to upgrade and re-configure the scanning electron microscope facilities at the Queensland University of Technology. These integrated systems will be shared between the two institutions and will provide much needed infrastructure for several high profile and high performing groups. These groups incl ....An advanced electron microanalytical facility for South-East Queensland. Funding is requested to purchase an electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) unit to be located at The University of Queensland and to upgrade and re-configure the scanning electron microscope facilities at the Queensland University of Technology. These integrated systems will be shared between the two institutions and will provide much needed infrastructure for several high profile and high performing groups. These groups include; Metallurgy, Materials, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, and Biomaterials. Acquisition of these facilities will complement the instrument mix at both institutions and will provide infrastructure that is necessary to sustain the leading edge research conducted by groups associated with this application.Read moreRead less
Holographic Videography for Spatial Communication. This project is aimed at developing a true colour holographic video display in which a user or users may interact with completely synthetic objects.
This will be the first system of its kind, giving a user the illusion of real physical interaction with a completely holographic object. The illusion may be shared by many participants without the use of external aids. The project has the potential to improve productivity in many applications suc ....Holographic Videography for Spatial Communication. This project is aimed at developing a true colour holographic video display in which a user or users may interact with completely synthetic objects.
This will be the first system of its kind, giving a user the illusion of real physical interaction with a completely holographic object. The illusion may be shared by many participants without the use of external aids. The project has the potential to improve productivity in many applications such as geospatial information systems, x-ray inspection, and medical imaging, by giving a user a much more natural way of interacting with three dimensional data.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453911
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,529.00
Summary
Microwave Antenna Testing Facility for Far-Field and Spherical Near-Field Measurements. The proposed facility is for testing broad-beam microwave antennas (1 GHz - 18 GHz), designed and developed by collaborators for several research and commercial projects. These antennas are important in telecommunications, defence and biomedical applications. While facilitating timely pattern measurements of antenna prototypes, it will open new opportunities in antenna experimentation. This facility will enha ....Microwave Antenna Testing Facility for Far-Field and Spherical Near-Field Measurements. The proposed facility is for testing broad-beam microwave antennas (1 GHz - 18 GHz), designed and developed by collaborators for several research and commercial projects. These antennas are important in telecommunications, defence and biomedical applications. While facilitating timely pattern measurements of antenna prototypes, it will open new opportunities in antenna experimentation. This facility will enhance collaborators' highly acclaimed theoretical research by providing experimental results for theory validation. Near-field patterns available from the facility will advance our knowledge on complicated antennas. This will generate researchers skilled in state-of-the art antenna measurements, and will help develop competitive Australian industries in this frontier technology.Read moreRead less
Advanced computational techniques for micro/nano multiscale systems of NEMS/BioMEMS. The outcome of this project will have the following benefits to Australia.
1) It will improve the research level in the area of multiscale simulation of NEMS/BioMEMS;
2) The project will be beneficial to possibly establish new industries in the areas of nanotechnology as well as to make good use of today's microelectronics, mircofabrication and computer technology that have already established in Australia;
....Advanced computational techniques for micro/nano multiscale systems of NEMS/BioMEMS. The outcome of this project will have the following benefits to Australia.
1) It will improve the research level in the area of multiscale simulation of NEMS/BioMEMS;
2) The project will be beneficial to possibly establish new industries in the areas of nanotechnology as well as to make good use of today's microelectronics, mircofabrication and computer technology that have already established in Australia;
3) The manpower trained by this project in the areas of multi-scale simulation of MEMS/NEMS/BioMEMS will provide a crucial support for the future industry of Australia.
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A Laser Guide Star using a High Power, Synchronously Pumped Optical Parametric Oscillators. We will develop a novel high power source of 589nm coherent (laser) light to be used to create a laser guide star by exciting sodium atoms in the earth's upper atmosphere (the mesosphere). This is needed to determine the distortion caused by the atmosphere on an optical beam propagating through it and generate the information needed to correct those distortions using an adaptive optics telescope. This pr ....A Laser Guide Star using a High Power, Synchronously Pumped Optical Parametric Oscillators. We will develop a novel high power source of 589nm coherent (laser) light to be used to create a laser guide star by exciting sodium atoms in the earth's upper atmosphere (the mesosphere). This is needed to determine the distortion caused by the atmosphere on an optical beam propagating through it and generate the information needed to correct those distortions using an adaptive optics telescope. This project focuses on the development of a novel high power 589nm source based on a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0453648
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,184.00
Summary
Modelling of coupled heat and water flow through layered soils with an extension to heat flow through granulated soils. The main aim of this project is to develop a mathematical model to simulate coupled heat and water flow through layered soils. The coupling of the two processes will allow us to examine the interaction between heat and water flow. The project also aims to extend the heat component of the flow model to granulated heterogeneous soils by developing a model that encapsulates heat e ....Modelling of coupled heat and water flow through layered soils with an extension to heat flow through granulated soils. The main aim of this project is to develop a mathematical model to simulate coupled heat and water flow through layered soils. The coupling of the two processes will allow us to examine the interaction between heat and water flow. The project also aims to extend the heat component of the flow model to granulated heterogeneous soils by developing a model that encapsulates heat effects at the microscopic and macroscopic level. The model will be applied to two problems 1) hydraulic barriers in cover liner designs for landfills and 2) assessing the ability of heat sensors to measure various soil properties under field conditions.Read moreRead less