ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Lanthanides and actinides in copper ores, a pas de deux in geological time. Lanthanides (rare earth elements, REE) occur in the Olympic Dam copper deposit, South Australia, and adjacent mines and prospects. Using cutting-edge microanalysis and modelling techniques, we will constrain relationships between rare earths and associated uranium mineralisation and understand why such a marked enrichment of REE occurs in these ores. Mineralogy and ore textures, if understood down to atomic scale, provide necessary information to underpin strategies for potential REE exploitation for green technologies from one of Australia's largest ore deposits. This interdisciplinary research is aligned to Australia's critical mineral strategy and will provide a generic model for REE-enrichment with application to analogous copper ores. Field of research: 3705 - Geology Rare earths, a key commodity used in green technologies, are a conspicuous component of copper ores from Olympic Dam, South Australia, and in adjacent mines and prospects. However, how they form, their distributions, and their relationship with coexisting uranium are largely unknown. This project will use cutting-edge microanalysis and modelling techniques to address this gap. Outcomes will contribute to: (1) a fundamental understanding of the physical state of the Australian crust, resource endowment and recovery; (2) knowledge of environmental issues associated with resource extraction; and (3) technologies to optimise yield through effective and efficient resource extraction, processing and waste management. Outputs will underpin strategies for their potential future exploitation safely and responsibly closely aligning with Australia's critical mineral strategy, thus providing competitive advantage and long-term economic, social and environmental benefit to the broader community. This research will assist Australia to capitalise on its huge resources and achieve its ambition to be a global leader in critical mineral production and research innovation. Research outcomes will be promoted to the broader population via public lectures and social media, with emphasis on demonstrating how responsible and sustainable mining of copper ores and their contained critical minerals can assist with a successful transition to green power generation and achieving net-zero by 2050.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Distributed propulsion systems for future airplanes. This project aims to revolutionise the design of new airplanes by developing a novel method for controlling conventional aircraft. This will be achieved by the application of advanced control strategies utilising the advantages of distributed propulsion systems. It will also pave the way for the use of electric and hybrid propulsion systems resulting in a significant reduction in carbon emission in the aviation sector. The benefits to the Partner Organisation will be the necessary experimental dataset and control algorithm to advance their project. Other potential outcomes include widely applicable knowledge and skills, improved modelling and experimental techniques and tools, training of PhDs, and enhanced international collaborations. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering Despite being some of the most complex and efficient engines ever made, conventional aviation propulsion systems cause substantial greenhouse emissions. The aviation industry's carbon footprint can be significantly lowered by utilising electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Their integration into current aircraft designs though is limited by battery technology, thrust to weight ratio of electric motors and energy density of hydrogen. Distributed propulsion systems can bridge this gap through improved aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency, combining the benefits of electric and hybrid technologies. To achieve this, this project will focus on aircraft design and optimisation of control strategies to replace conventional mechanical control surfaces. The goal of Blue Spirit Aero, our partner on this project, is to achieve zero-emissions with long-range flight. Socially and environmentally, the adoption of these advanced systems will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner energy solutions aligning with Net-Zero emission policies. Training opportunities for Australian early career researchers will build our capacity in this emerging field of research. Beyond academia translation, adoption and implementation of our findings will be promoted through aviation industry Expos and Trade Shows. Wider outreach will be achieved through blogs, webpage and podcasts, publishing on social media, newspapers and magazines.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

AI-enabled collaborative autonomy for complex space systems. The project aims to develop AI-enabled collaborative autonomy for complex spacecraft systems, by targeting efficient, safe, and scalable decision-making capabilities to support satellite constellations in low earth orbit. It will address significant limitations in spacecraft executions – which currently rely on manual processes, leading to slow responses and tasking errors and delays. Specific outcomes will include advanced multi-agent reinforcement learning, as an AI toolkit enabling spacecraft autonomy in large (100+) satellite constellations and improved success in missions. The project will benefit the Australian space industry by positioning it as a leader in autonomous systems to service present and future real-world applications. Field of research: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence The project will deliver advanced and innovative AI technologies so spacecraft systems can execute their actions more efficiently, safely, and autonomously. Our current management of low-orbit satellite constellations relies too heavily on manual intervention – leading to errors and slow responses, putting Australia at a disadvantage in the fast-moving global space industry. This research will address pressing challenges and knowledge gaps with cutting-edge AI, helping Australia transition to intelligent, quicker, and more reliable management of spacecraft systems. There will be wide-ranging benefits for Australians. The project will grow our space industry, creating high-tech jobs as boost to the economy. It will elevate companies as leaders in space technology worldwide, and vastly improve how we monitor and respond to bushfires, maritime incidents, and environmental disasters. The project will encourage innovation and inspire young Australians to pursue careers in computer science and space technology, helping to build a capable and adaptable workforce in a vital future-oriented sector. To ensure that this research is translated beyond academia, the team will collaborate closely with its partner organisation and others in industry, engage with media, and participate in public forums. Outcomes will be disseminated through accessible channels and commercialised through industry networks, ensuring widespread adoption and alignment with Australian Government priorities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Accelerating Agave Propagation for an Emerging Industry in Arid Australia. Agave, which thrives on marginal lands in harsh climates, is a versatile crop that can serve as raw material for biofuel, fibre, and liquor production. A major bottleneck to large-scale Agave cultivation is the slow and inefficient propagation of new plants via cloning. This project aims to increase production efficiency, survival rates, and transport efficiency using an innovative light treatment that impacts leaf wax production. Expected outcomes will directly benefit industry, who can tailor light regimes for their strains to boost plant production. Broader benefits will accrue as outputs lay the foundation for a nationwide agave breeding and production program, positioning Australia as a leader in sustainable, climate-proof agriculture. Field of research: 3001 - Agricultural Biotechnology This project aims to improve Agave cultivation in Australia, addressing critical gaps in efficient production methods for this drought-resistant crop. We will develop innovative light-based approaches to improve clone production, survival, and transportation, increasing availability of key species to boost biomass feedstock supply. The research addresses Australia's need for sustainable crops to grow feedstocks for conversion to bioethanol, sustainable aviation fuel or hydrogen to enable essential decarbonisation of agricultural and transport sectors. By mitigating climate change, benefits to Australians are multifaceted. Enabling increased cultivation on currently unproductive land in rural areas unsuitable for food crops, benefits will accrue economically through farm revenue and job creation, socially via community support and development and environmentally through efficient water use. Commercially, Australia will emerge as a leader in sustainable crop production, opening new export markets and supplying global expertise. New knowledge and best practices will be shared via an Agave Research Hub and we will collaborate with extension services to reach a wider farming community. Targeted engagement with policymakers will help shape agricultural planning and social media will communicate progress to all sectors and the general public. Translation of this cutting-edge research into practical solutions will contribute to Australia's transition to a low-carbon economy.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Reconnecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people,... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Developing a practice model to identify and respond to social and... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Developing a practice model to identify and respond to social and... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Reconnecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people,... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Development of rapid-drying barley for sustainable malting Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Development of rapid-drying barley for sustainable malting Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Future of Work: Achieving Efficiency and Productivity through... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Future of Work: Achieving Efficiency and Productivity through... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Centre for Research Excellence in Neisseria disease control Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Centre for Research Excellence in Neisseria disease control Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Centre for Research Excellence in Neisseria disease control Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

Advancing the Frontiers of Detection: Ultrasensitive Terahertz Sensing Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

Advancing the Frontiers of Detection: Ultrasensitive Terahertz Sensing Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Healthy Heart Actions Right Time Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Healthy Heart Actions Right Time Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Validation of a novel PACS Biomarker and development of a diagnostic... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Validation of a novel PACS Biomarker and development of a diagnostic... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-04

Equipping Primary care and the general Public to reduce Chronic pain... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Towards knowledge discovery from imperfect and evolving data. Information extraction from data is critical, both to analyse and protect consumer data. However, many learning techniques are developed using perfect, static datasets, quite different to messy, ever-changing real-world data. This project aims to develop data analytics techniques that can extract accurate information in complex structures from imperfect/incomplete data that changes over time. Expected outcomes are a prototype tool, tested on real datasets, that combines new techniques in data modelling, algorithm development, and system design. Likely benefits are enhanced Australia's competence in data science through student training and new, robust data tools relevant to critical sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and defence. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science The explosive growth of data collection creates new opportunities for beneficial data mining for businesses and service providers, but also for malicious subversion or cyber-attack. Analysis, or protection, of real-world datasets is complicated by their dynamic and imperfect nature — which is often very different from the static, clean, and complete training datasets used to develop machine learning techniques. This project aims to develop advanced techniques to extract accurate information in complex structures from imperfect, evolving data to enable accurate data analytics, knowledge comprehension, and decision-making from real-world data. Outcomes are expected to include a series of techniques, combined into a prototype tool, that cover data modelling, algorithm development, and system design. This prototype will be tested on real datasets from critical domestic sectors such as defence, finance, and healthcare, and showcased to contacts in these industries to explore avenues for translation to enhance cybersecurity. Sharing these ground-breaking discoveries widely with academics, industry community and general public through publications, conference talks, workshops and social media networks, this project will benefit both fundamental research into data-driven algorithms, enhancing Australia's global leadership in data science; generate robust learning models for data-driven intelligence-based applications; and contribute to increased cyber-protection for Australian data.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Detecting and deciphering extinction dynamics under environmental change. This project aims to improve knowledge of extinction processes and impacts. It will use high-performance computing and museum collections to disentangle the ecological mechanisms that were integral in the initial decline and later extinction of Australia's unique mammals. Its significance is that it will establish the historical ranges and past population trajectories of Australian threatened mammals, pinpointing the combinations of ecological characteristics and threats that most affect risk of extinction from environmental change. Expected outcomes and benefits are new data and verified models to enrich conservation research and inform evidence-based solutions to better protect and recover some of Australia’s most threatened species. Field of research: 3199 - Other Biological Sciences Australia’s unique mammals have suffered the highest rate of recent extinctions of any continent. Gaining a better understanding of their past distributions and population abundances, and the processes that caused Australia’s threatened mammals to become rare, is key to reversing further declines. This project will use innovative models and high-resolution simulations based on natural history collections to reconstruct the timing, scale, and rate of mammal declines in Australia since 1788. Importantly, this will pinpoint ecological characteristics that affect risk of extinction from environmental change. Resulting data and ecological models will advance Australia’s leadership in conservation research and inform evidence-based solutions for protecting and recovering Australia’s most threatened mammals. New scientific understandings of how and why mammals decline will help Australia meet objectives of its national Threatened Species Action Plan by increasing the knowledge base for conservation managers and their organisations, improving vital on-the-ground management actions needed to prevent future extinctions. In addition to academic outputs, the project will use established links with national and international agencies, including Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner and Scientific Committee, NGOs and natural history museums to disseminate and transfer its findings. Engagement with these and other specialists will maximise its cross-disciplinary research and impact.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Plate Tectonics, Critical Metals and our Habitable Earth. A grand science quest is to understand how our life-nurturing planet came to be. This Fellowship aims to use abundant geological information to build a tectonic, bathymetric and topographic digital twin of the Earth’s surface through its middle age (1800–500 million years ago)—then apply this to investigate how deep earth processes including earthquakes, volcanos and plate tectonics endowed our planet with critical metals and built a habitable world. Outcomes include ground-breaking data-driven geology and actualistic deep-time full-earth modelling that have not been attempted before. Expected benefits include de-risking mineral exploration, therefore providing jobs, and honing our responses to challenges facing the modern-day biosphere. Field of research: 3799 - Other Earth Sciences This research program will build a dynamic map of the Earth’s surface spanning nearly a third of our planet’s existence (from 1800 to 500 million years ago). We will reconstruct ancient volcanic regions, deep ocean trenches and ancient mountain belts to generate a digital testable model for how Earth uniquely developed a breathable atmosphere, a benign climate and surface chemistry that nurtured complex life and deposited the critical metal resources that are essential for a low carbon economy. This paradigm-shifting combination of mapping, modelling, ground-truthing and testing of deep-time Earth systems has not been attempted before and is now possible through Australian-led innovation. The work is expected to transform fundamental knowledge of the function and evolution of our planet; findings that will be disseminated directly to the wider public and schools through promoted animations, videos and a targeted program of general science outreach. This new knowledge will also provide advanced solutions to benefit industry by mapping times and places in Australia to target critical metal discovery and exploration. For industry and government stakeholders, results will be translated and widely dispersed through industry networks, trade and popular publications, and freely available software.