Asymptotics of the exponentially small. Asymptotic analysis plays a vital role in studying the complex interfacial dynamics that are fundamental for practical problems in fluid mechanics such as the withdrawal of oil and gas from underground reservoirs and the optimal design of ship hulls to minimise wave drag. These applications exhibit extremely small physical effects that may be crucially important but cannot be described using classical asymptotic analysis. This project will develop state of ....Asymptotics of the exponentially small. Asymptotic analysis plays a vital role in studying the complex interfacial dynamics that are fundamental for practical problems in fluid mechanics such as the withdrawal of oil and gas from underground reservoirs and the optimal design of ship hulls to minimise wave drag. These applications exhibit extremely small physical effects that may be crucially important but cannot be described using classical asymptotic analysis. This project will develop state of the art mathematical techniques in exponential asymptotics to address this deficiency in the classical theory, and provide a deeper understanding of pattern formation, instabilities and wave propagation on the interface between two fluids.Read moreRead less
The African origins of Asian and Australian lithic technologies: Exploring modern human origins and dispersals using new techniques of core analysis. This project will demonstrate that Australia is committed to understanding the origins of modern humans and solving research problems within and beyond our geographic region. The history of modern human evolution in Africa has significant implications for the origins of the first Australians, Indians and Asians and will contribute to an understandi ....The African origins of Asian and Australian lithic technologies: Exploring modern human origins and dispersals using new techniques of core analysis. This project will demonstrate that Australia is committed to understanding the origins of modern humans and solving research problems within and beyond our geographic region. The history of modern human evolution in Africa has significant implications for the origins of the first Australians, Indians and Asians and will contribute to an understanding of our shared and recent common ancestry and the emergence of human diversity. Australian archaeological innovations, especially when applied to global issues such as human evolution, will continue to showcase Australian scientific expertise and achievements. The study of problem-solving and technological innovation will help understand the sophisticated nature of early Australian peoples.Read moreRead less
The Local Spaces of Contemporary Brisbane Theatre: A Strategy for Analysing and Interpreting Theatre. This study of three Brisbane theatres benefits Brisbane's theatre community, as well as national and international communities: the project uses innovative theoretical approaches and virtual reality technology to analyse theatre productions. Its merging of different perspectives on how theatre is produced and how it may be better researched is relevant to theatre analysis everywhere. The project ....The Local Spaces of Contemporary Brisbane Theatre: A Strategy for Analysing and Interpreting Theatre. This study of three Brisbane theatres benefits Brisbane's theatre community, as well as national and international communities: the project uses innovative theoretical approaches and virtual reality technology to analyse theatre productions. Its merging of different perspectives on how theatre is produced and how it may be better researched is relevant to theatre analysis everywhere. The project also connects theatre with its broader cultural context by concentrating on Brisbane's notable staging of 'local' matters. While the local is often overshadowed by the 'national,' in Brisbane, the local provides the main link between aesthetics and the cultural contextualising of theatre. Read moreRead less
The mathematics of novel magnetic memory materials. Magnetic memories are the world’s principal device for storing information. The next generation will have greatly increased access speed and data-storage capacity. This project will develop the mathematical theory of these new magnetic memory materials, a crucial first step in understanding and being able to fine-tune their properties.
A unifying framework for generalised distributed-order fractional models. This project aims to develop a unifying theoretical framework for generalised fractional models using measure theory and a new class of distributed-order nonlocal operators to simulate anomalous transport processes in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. The project expects to generate a mathematical foundation for fractional modelling and clarity on the role of, and relationship between, the many variants of fracti ....A unifying framework for generalised distributed-order fractional models. This project aims to develop a unifying theoretical framework for generalised fractional models using measure theory and a new class of distributed-order nonlocal operators to simulate anomalous transport processes in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. The project expects to generate a mathematical foundation for fractional modelling and clarity on the role of, and relationship between, the many variants of fractional operators used in modern practice and how to impose boundary conditions on finite domains. Expected outcomes of the project include an evaluation of dimensionality and/or complexity reduction of the governing equations in fractional transport models with a focus on groundwater applications.Read moreRead less
Chemical and isotopic fingerprinting of ancient porcelains and pottery. This project aims to establish provenance of ancient porcelains and pottery of archaeological or antique collection significance using trace element and lead-strontium-neodymium (Pb-Sr-Nd) isotopic compositions, which serve as fingerprints of porcelains and pottery of different places or ages. High quality multi-element and isotopic data will be obtained using facilities at ACQUIRE¡¯s state-of-the-arts geochemistry laborator ....Chemical and isotopic fingerprinting of ancient porcelains and pottery. This project aims to establish provenance of ancient porcelains and pottery of archaeological or antique collection significance using trace element and lead-strontium-neodymium (Pb-Sr-Nd) isotopic compositions, which serve as fingerprints of porcelains and pottery of different places or ages. High quality multi-element and isotopic data will be obtained using facilities at ACQUIRE¡¯s state-of-the-arts geochemistry laboratory. The results will have significant implications for investigation of ancient cultures, technology and trades, artefact authentication and even forensic studies. Established database is potentially patentable for commercialization in the antiquity market.Read moreRead less
Mathematical and Numerical Models of Piezoelectric Wave Energy Converters. The project will investigate piezoelectric wave energy converters. We will derive the equations of motion in a form suitable for use in marine engineering paradigms using variational methods and then solve these analytically and with smoothed particle hydrodynamics. Using these innovative techniques, this project will generate new knowledge capable of elucidating the multifaceted physical phenomena that occur when comple .... Mathematical and Numerical Models of Piezoelectric Wave Energy Converters. The project will investigate piezoelectric wave energy converters. We will derive the equations of motion in a form suitable for use in marine engineering paradigms using variational methods and then solve these analytically and with smoothed particle hydrodynamics. Using these innovative techniques, this project will generate new knowledge capable of elucidating the multifaceted physical phenomena that occur when complex fluid motion and deformable structures interact. The project outcomes include the development of mathematical and computation methods to handle intricate behaviours of piezoelectric elastic-fluids systems. These groundbreaking methods will allow these wave energy systems to be analysed and their effectiveness assessed.Read moreRead less
Assessing lithic evidence for the impact of the Toba super-eruption (74,000 years ago) on long-term cultural, biological and ecological histories on the Indian subcontinent. Human evolution in India has significant implications for the origins of the first Australians, and will contribute to understanding our shared and recent common ancestry and the emergence of human diversity. This project demonstrates that Australia is committed to understanding the origins of modern humans and solving resea ....Assessing lithic evidence for the impact of the Toba super-eruption (74,000 years ago) on long-term cultural, biological and ecological histories on the Indian subcontinent. Human evolution in India has significant implications for the origins of the first Australians, and will contribute to understanding our shared and recent common ancestry and the emergence of human diversity. This project demonstrates that Australia is committed to understanding the origins of modern humans and solving research problems within and beyond our geographic region. Australian archaeological innovations, when applied to global issues, will showcase Australian scientific expertise and achievements. The international collaborative nature of the project demonstrates Australian universities are engaged in high-profile research. The project will also train high-quality research students and create new collaborative initiatives. Read moreRead less
An Institutional Framework to Facilitate Sustainable and Integrated Natural, Cultural and Built Resources Governance. Effective management of natural and cultural resources for sustainability is an urgent national priority. The laws and policies governing land ownership and use are outdated, complex, disjointed and fail to provide coherent information to decision makers responsible for managing natural and cultural resources. This presents a significant barrier to ensuring sustainable developmen ....An Institutional Framework to Facilitate Sustainable and Integrated Natural, Cultural and Built Resources Governance. Effective management of natural and cultural resources for sustainability is an urgent national priority. The laws and policies governing land ownership and use are outdated, complex, disjointed and fail to provide coherent information to decision makers responsible for managing natural and cultural resources. This presents a significant barrier to ensuring sustainable development of resources jeopardising Australia's future environmental well being. This research aims to be the first to provide a legal and policy framework which integrates land ownership and principles of sustainable development to facilitate greater understanding and management of our environmental and social obligations for future generations. Read moreRead less
Computational studies of melting and the solvation properties of ionic liquids. Ionic liquids are used in industry as green solvents and electrolytes, although there is not yet sufficient knowledge on the science of ionic liquids to enable optimal solvents to be readily designed. This project uses state of the art techniques in computational chemistry to solve practical problems related to the characteristics of ionic liquids.