THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

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

Centre of Research Excellence in Transforming Gut Health Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-10

Centre of Research Excellence in Transforming Gut Health Category: Medical Research

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

How can Australia deliver its commitments to human rights reform? Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Developing a Step Change in Bulk Material Handling and Transportation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Living Well after Hospital: A randomised controlled trial testing the... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-03

Comparative effectiveness of walk-and-talk vs traditional psychotherapy... Category: Health and Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Small Animal In Vivo Imaging Facility with microCT imaging capabilities . This project aims to establish a state-of-the-art small animal in vivo imaging facility with microCT imaging capabilities, which is the first of its kind in the regional growth area of Hunter New England and the Central Coast in NSW. This facility will provide high resolution and high-speed scanning of anatomical structures in 2D and 3D, which is expected to generate detailed knowledge of the fundamental biological processes in humans and animals in real-time across longitudinal studies as well as improve animal welfare by addressing the 3Rs by reducing animal usage. This project will foster interdisciplinary local, national, and international research stemming from world-class research in this region. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is an advanced imaging technology that enables high-resolution & high-speed 2D/3D imaging of the detailed anatomy of living animals in real-time. The non-invasive nature of this approach enables the repeated imaging of an individual animal, facilitating the tracking of biological processes over time & reducing the usage of research animals, a current priority for the Australian government & research community. The closest animal imaging facility is in Sydney; however, issues of animal welfare preclude the routine transport of animals between Newcastle & Sydney – seriously disadvantaging research projects & the R&D pipeline in our region. This project will establish a state-of-the-art small animal in vivo imaging facility with micro-CT capability to directly serve the Hunter, New England & Central Coast regions of NSW. The facility will enable interdisciplinary research in human biology, veterinary sciences, conservation biology & bioengineering – accelerating the generation of intellectual property & commercialisation outputs. It will build critical capacity in regional NSW, attracting investment & industry to the region & stimulating the development of new local industries. The facility will capitalise on existing research talent in regional NSW & benefit Australians by (for example) advancing understanding of fertility & pregnancy, protecting endangered species & eradicating pests, and creating new bioengineering & technology platforms.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Pioneering reproductive biotechnology innovations for equine breeding. This project aims to develop the world's first commercially viable system of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for horses. The equine industry is seeking reproductive technologies that allow rapid genetic gain to improve the health, welfare and quality of progeny. This project will exploit recent breakthroughs in molecular and cell biology, veterinary practice and biotechnology, by assembling these research findings into practical systems and products optimised for successful production of foals in vitro. These technologies will boost the productivity and international competitiveness of Australia's equestrian sporting disciplines, and position the Australian biotechnology sector as global leaders in animal reproductive technologies. Field of research: 3009 - Veterinary Sciences This project will bring together recent innovations in cell biology and biotechnology to pioneer in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for the horse breeding industry. Horses are an economically important species in Australia but the industry has fallen behind other livestock species, because methods to improve the genetics and quality of stock are not available. IVF can produce multiple embryos, reduce risk of genetic abnormalities, and make import and export of high quality animals easier. By making IVF possible for the equine species, this project will put Australian biotech at the global forefront (driving economic and commercial benefits through globally marketable technologies), enhance the productivity of the breeding industry, improve the genetic quality (and therefore value) of exportable bloodstock, and boost the international competitiveness of our equestrian athletes (e.g., Olympic disciplines, polo, endurance, cutting). Equestrian sports yield mental and physical health benefits and contribute to Australia’s tourism sector; thus improving the efficiency and sustainability of horse breeding in Australia will have significant social, cultural and economic benefits. Scientists, veterinary clinicians, breeders and the biotech sector will work together closely to develop IVF technology and apply it directly to breeding practice, so research outcomes will be immediately usable by the industry upon project completion.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Developing a Step Change in Bulk Material Handling and Transportation. Every ton of bulk material (Iron Ore, Coal, Copper and Gold Ore, etc) exported from Australia, at some stage, is transported by belt conveyors. This project will deliver a step change improvement to conveying technology and halve the energy used to handle and transport our most valuable export commodities. The new technology merges the benefits of both belt conveying technology and rail to produce a continuous low rolling resistance bulk material transportation system. Advanced models and novel experimental equipment will be developed to model this new innovative system to ensure safe, efficient and reliable design. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering The economic wealth of Australia is heavily dependent on resource-based industries, notably those associated with mining, mineral production and energy. To assist these industries to decarbonise and meet net-zero emission targets, while delivering increased productivity, step change improvements in the handling and transport chains must be made. Every ton of bulk material (Iron Ore, Coal, Copper and Gold Ore, etc) mined, at some stage is transported by belt conveyors which, due to the interaction of idler rolls and the rubber belt, are 10 times less efficient than rail transport. This project addresses this limitation by developing a hybrid rail and belt conveying technology that provides a step change improvement to the underlying principle of conveying technology. The Rail-Running Conveyor uses less than 50% of the power of existing belt conveyors, and in many cases consumes less power operating fully loaded, than a conventional belt conveyor running empty. This project will develop methods to model this new technology and in collaboration with FLSmidth translate the research outcomes into a range of new highly efficient bulk material transportation systems. Considering more than 50% of mines have 25 to 100 km in length of belt conveyors, the potential economic and environmental benefits are significant.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

How can Australia deliver its commitments to human rights reform? . This project seeks to address core challenges for human rights reform identified by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). It aims to deliver new knowledge about law reform in Australian and international systems and a first ever study of human rights indices, forming the evidence base for Australian policy- and law-making. Expected outcomes include a world-class national human rights index to measure Australia's human rights performance, best-practice human rights education programs, and an AHRC Research Alliance to promote continuing cross-sector collaboration. Benefits include enhanced protections, especially for the most vulnerable, and a more preventive approach to rights, making Australian society fairer and more cohesive. Field of research: 4807 - Public Law The Australian Government has committed to human rights reform. This project aims to ensure that the new Australian human rights system reflects international best practice and delivers maximum benefit for Australians, especially for our most vulnerable. Through new comparative research into human rights reform in Australian and international legal systems, the project will provide the evidence base for Australian law-makers to pass a world-standard Human Rights Act. The project also offers a first-ever study of human rights indices – tools to measure how well a country meets its human rights obligations – that will inform the design of a national human rights index to help Australian governments constantly improve human rights protections. Project outcomes will underpin a stronger, pro-active human rights system that delivers social and cultural benefits for Australians, including better housing security, equitable access to education, fairer health and aged care systems, more focus on the best interests of children, plus economic benefits that flow from social cohesion. Research outcomes will be promoted to the Australian community and public sector workers via new human rights education programs delivered by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). This will help make human rights part of Australia's DNA and promote a strong human rights culture. AHRC-led governmental and civil society engagement will promote take-up of research outcomes by law- and policy-makers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

A new intelligent control model for tunnel boring machines . Aims: This project will develop a new intelligent tunnelling optimisation control model for TBMs based on an experimental and numerical study of rock fragmentation by drilling bits. Significance: The proposed method will provide a novel tool for engineers who wish to understand the fundamental mechanism of tunnelling in complicated rock mass of TBM and optimize TBM performance. Expected Outcomes: A series of charts and design recommendations will be developed, which have the potential to result in reduced infrastructure costs. Benefits: This technique will provide geotechnical, mining and transport engineering firms in Australia with a competitive edge in ensuring the safety of underground openings locally and nationally. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Most major geotechnical, mining or transport infrastructure projects that involve the construction of tunnels or new mines are likely to use tunnel boring machines (TBMS) for rock excavation. This is a potentially dangerous process as current technologies fail to accurately predict the performance of TBMs in complicated rock masses, which means that firms cannot implement measures to minimize the cost and scheduling problems associated with rock excavation. This project will develop a novel tool and design recommendations for engineers who wish to understand the fundamental mechanism of tunnelling in complicated rock masses. Use of these tools has the potential to enable some of Australia’s biggest industries to optimise TBM performance and reduce costs, and provide geotechnical, mining and transport engineering firms in Australia with a competitive edge in ensuring the safety of underground openings locally and nationally. This project aims to create benefits to the economy, ensure the safety of the workforce and contribute to the long-term viability of the Australian transport network and tunnelling industry. The outcomes of the research will be shared with the relevant industries through industry trade journal articles and presentations to partners to ensure this technology is widely available to open new development avenues and increase construction opportunities for Australian businesses.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Ngukurr to Newcastle: intercultural collaboration and influence. This interdisciplinary project will explore the intercultural contributions of residents from a remote Aboriginal community both on their own community and the broader Australian society. In doing so it aims to challenge dominant deficit-centred view points of remote Aboriginal communities and instead examine these communities as sites for lively intercultural exchanges. It will support community members to collect and document stories about the people who were an are influential and in doing to engage in Indigenous histories from an Indigenous perspective. Collaborative engagement with the community will ensure that these stories are preserved in accessible forms so that they are accessible for future generations and future leaders. Field of research: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History This project seeks to uncover the unknown stories of Indigenous people of influence. One example was 1960s Indigenous activist and Ngukurr man, Dexter Daniels, whose relationship with trade unions is part of Newcastle’s legacy of Indigenous activism. Historians, anthropologists, linguists, health researchers, and Ngukurr community members will collaborate to unearth, debate and celebrate this and many other stories. The research addresses Australia's National Cultural Policy, Revive: A place for every story, a story for every place. By re-interpreting the archive to tell histories from Indigenous perspectives, this project can produce cultural and social benefit for all Australians as we move towards greater recognition of Indigenous histories. The new knowledge created will directly intersect with the public discourse to present a missing piece of Australian history and will re-situate Aboriginal knowledge systems within the community and fields of History, Linguistics and Anthropology. It will do so by sharing outcomes via academic publications, talks, blogs, a book and performances of the stories.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Design of Nanoporous BCN with Tunable Pores for CO2 Capture and Conversion. This project aims to design and develop advanced boron carbon nitride-based materials with high specific surface areas, tunable pores and functional groups, guided by theoretical calculations for the capture of CO2 at ambient conditions. By introducing single metal atoms in the above nanostructures, we also aim to design a novel catalytic system for the effective conversion of CO2 into fine chemicals. This project will offer new knowledge on the design of low-cost advanced materials with specific functionalities for the simultaneous capture and conversion of CO2. This project will make a significant impact on Australian industries and further offer job opportunities and economic benefits by offering new technologies for a clean environment. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering This project will develop low-cost advanced material technologies-based adsorbents and catalysts for the capture and conversion of CO2 molecules into fine chemicals. The outcome of the project will not only mitigate global warming but also support the economy. These nanostructures will also lead to the development of advanced zero-emission technologies and fine chemical industries. The idea of using largely available seawater for the fabrication of these nanostructures will significantly reduce the cost and support our local industries by creating thousands of jobs. This will also help to cultivate and nurture and young talents for Australia with advanced materials science technologies to translate greenhouse gas into high-value materials. This project will help address environmental problems and will, support the collaboration between domestic industries and further offer economic benefits by fostering the development of new industries. The project outcomes will also be disseminated through Climate Change - The World Economic Forum, social media and scientific conferences to maximise the adoption and provide a significant impact on clean environment technologies. Through existing industry partnerships, the project will translate the basic research into commercial outcomes by partnering with local industries that can supply these clean energy technologies nationally and internationally.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

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. Field of research: 4901 - Applied Mathematics There is enormous energy in ocean waves around Australia, however developing cost-effective wave power devices remains an ongoing challenge. One emerging idea is to use flexible structures to capture this energy via piezoelectric materials that couple elastic strain with electric charge. If such devices can provide economically viable energy production, the outcome for Australia would be a new source of electrical power that has the potential to be significantly less expensive than existing renewable energy sources and is close to consumers living coastally. One of the major problems in developing these devices is the lack of mathematical models for flexible piezoelectric wave energy converters. Working with international partners leading experimental research into flexible wave energy converters, we will focus on the mathematical foundations underpinning wave energy extraction through the piezoelectric effect. Beginning by producing mathematical and computational models, we will analyse and suggest new wave energy converter designs. This successful theoretical demonstration will motivate further research and development of commercial prototypes. In particular, the direct involvement of marine engineers with extensive industry collaborations will help promote the translation of this work to the marine energy sector. Moreover, we will make our numerical methods available to wave energy convertor designers to facilitate their adoption in practical industrial settings.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Understanding the risk of microplastics in Australian agricultural soils. Biosolids following wastewater treatment are a significant source of microplastics (MPs) that are contaminants of concern. MPs in biosolids pose potential unknown risks to agriculture, food security and ecosystem health through their application to farmlands. Currently, the lack of knowledge on the MPs contamination of agricultural soils is a significant knowledge gap. This project aims to generate new knowledge of MPs' fate, behaviour, risk and associated contaminants in biosolids and sludge-amended agricultural soils. The new knowledge generated in this project is expected to help devise better management options to minimise the MP associated risks in agricultural soils, thereby safeguarding the food security and soil health. Field of research: 4106 - Soil Sciences Agriculture is the main primary industry in Australia with a net worth of $75 billion. Agricultural land is often amended with biosolids from wastewater treatment plants. These biosolids, although rich in nutrients and organic matter, can also deliver contaminants derived from the wastewater treatment process. This study will provide the first major investigation of the fate of the emerging contaminant, microplastics (MPs) in biosolids and biosolid-amended soils in Australia. The knowledge generated in this study will be incorporated into future protocols for Australian soil and water quality monitoring programs. The combination of our novel knowledge and technologies derived from this work will ultimately inform the removal of microplastics and associated toxic chemicals from biosolids and biosolid-amended soils to protect soil biota and crops bound for human consumption, thus protecting consumers from ingestion of these contaminants. Thus, assessing risk from MPs and providing recommendations on their removal from agricultural soils will protect and sustain an important Australian industry and also protect human health, future-proofing our food supply chain. Promotion of the findings of the research via media will educate consumers about the importance of clean healthy produce and foster confidence in product quality and safety.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

An in-built depolymerisation solution for polyethylene waste. This project aims to design enzymes that can be embedded into polyethylene, and later activated by the elevated temperatures of a compost heap, to depolymerise the plastic to small molecules. There are no good options available for the controlled decomposition of polyethylene waste at present, and instead researchers have focussed on solutions that rely on modifications to the underlying chemistry of the backbone and or collection to a central facility. Our approach would result in an in-built decomposition that does not require collection and recycling in a central facility. Since it is based on a depolymerisation mechanism it does not result in the production of harmful, partially disintegrated microplastics. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Plastic waste is a huge problem. Up to 60% of the ~350 million tonnes of petroleum derived plastics produced globally each year end up in landfill or as microplastics in our waterways and soils. This project will embed specifically designed enzymes into polyethylene which will decompose the entire plastic to small molecules in the elevated temperatures of a compost heap. Our in-built mechanism bypasses the challenges of collecting waste plastic to a central facility, and requires no redesign of the underlying plastic. The resulting ‘green’ polyethylene would produce no microplastic pollution, reduce pressure on recycling infrastructure, and would be of significant economic value to local downstream manufacturers, who depend on the feedstock to make films, coatings, and other commodities. Australia produces ~275 kT of polyethylene each year in Sydney and Melbourne and our approach would be compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure. We therefore envision future translation of the research findings in partnership with local industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Life outside institutions: histories of mental health aftercare 1900 - 1960. This project aims to show that post-institutional care is central to the history of mental health before the era of deinstitutionalisation. It expects to break new ground by examining patterns of discharge from psychiatric institutions from 1900 to 1960, linking these with the development of mental health aftercare services for people leaving hospitals in Australia before these institutions closed. Planned outcomes of this project include a sole-authored monograph and co-edited book, a higher degree research thesis, and public engagement. This should provide significant benefits by connecting processes of institutional discharge to the wider community with later patterns of post-institutional care. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies This historical project uses hospital discharge data combined with post-institutional aftercare records to expand our understanding of mental health care between 1900 and 1960. There is little existing research into the post-institutional care of people with mental illness in the first half of the twentieth century. This project will explain how mental health aftercare supported the recovery of those experiencing mental illness including support for work or accommodation. Research into our health care heritage - past mental health strategies for community care - is important because mental health continues to be a significant social and health issue in Australia. Australia's health system can learn from the social and community responses to mental health aftercare before most large mental hospitals were closed in the final decades of the twentieth century; it also foregrounds why community solutions came into focus. The knowledge produced by this research is valuable because it will tell us about the range of novel alternatives to hospitalisation for the mentally ill. This is relevant now because most people now living with mental illness are treated outside the institution. The research will expand our understanding of the past and benefit students, researchers, medical professionals and the public by making historical materials and stories of mental illness accessible through a professional podcast series, a virtual exhibition, and written accounts of mental health care.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Chemical staples and chemical probes to dissect dynamins cellular roles. Modulation of protein structure drives cellular function. Dynamin GTPase forms at least two macromolecular structures with different cellular functions. The drivers behind these different structures is unknown. In this project we will leverage our discoveries, and planned enhancements, of chemical biology probes that will modulate dynamin activity by inhibiting at three distinct sites, and one site that stimulates dynamin activity. It is known that Dynamin helices and rings are believed responsible for at least three in cell biological functions: in hormone, neutral and receptor internalisation; cellular mitosis and in actin dynamics. Prior to this work we have lacked the tools to understand the role of shape modulation of protein function. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Protein shape drives protein function. Correct protein function is essential for life. Proteins that do not fold to the correct shape are unable function properly, often with devastating consequences. How and why proteins fold is largely unknown, in part because we have lacked the tools to unravel the intricacies of the process. We have identified a protein called dynamin that adopts multiple shapes each with different biological functions, as well as prototype chemical compounds that control its shape and function. Using chemical synthesis, these prototype chemical compounds will be transformed into a highly specific molecular toolkit capable of unravelling the mechanisms of protein folding, shape and biological function. The future development of these tools will produce drugs that control protein shape and restore function by forcing adoption of the correct shape. Beyond the time line of this program, molecular level control of protein shape will usher in a new paradigm in drug discovery. Through our existing global research community and major drug company connections, these tools will have a global impact through increasing our understanding of, and ability to control, protein shape. The outcomes will ultimately be translated to new drug treatments with a direct impact on Australian society, economy and health. The control of protein shape offers untapped potential to tackle current healthcare challenges and some of the pre-eminent health issues of the 21st century.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Transforming decision making for rockfall hazard assessment. The aim is to transform conventional approaches to rockfall hazard prediction and mitigation. The management of risks posed by rockfall in Australia currently comes at significant cost and is suboptimal; predicted environmental changes are likely to worsen these hazards. Rockfall mechanics, remote sensing, and data-driven modelling will be combined with advanced visual technologies to deliver a novel, rapid, and reliable augmented reality based rockfall hazard assessment tool. The outcomes are expected to streamline prediction, assessment, and mitigation – supporting practitioners and governments to proactively assess triggering conditions, evaluate risk, and apply robust solutions to improve safety, with substantial economic savings. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Rockfall hazards have a significant impact on safety and economic growth in Australia and worldwide. A strategic research-based approach for their rapid assessment and efficient management is of prime importance to preserve Australia’s infrastructure and public welfare from the impending hazards. With the impact of climate change, the rate and severity of extreme events is predicted to significantly increase and further intensify the vulnerability of rock slopes. The research will enable more sustainable and cost-efficient maintenance of Australian major transport infrastructure that would otherwise require long and costly interruptions and/or closures for extensive investigations and remediation works. Improving safety and efficiently managing natural hazards affecting transport infrastructure will unlock economic growth in areas with great potential, especially in remote and regional areas. The outcomes will be disseminated at industry forums and leading professional groups and will include an intuitive and reliable augmented reality tool that will be of great benefit to engineering consultants and designers in proactively responding to impending rockfall hazards, improve safety awareness and sustaining Australia’s national infrastructure.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Deconstructing the brain circuits of reward-seeking. This project aims to deconstruct the brain circuits that shape reward-seeking behaviour in different environments. The anticipated significance of this project is to provide mechanistic insights into why we choose to seek rewards in safe, but not dangerous environments. Expected outcomes include answering fundamental questions about how the environment shapes our behaviour by identifying projection cell subtypes important for reward-seeking, characterising their neuronal activity and precisely defining their molecular phenotype. The benefits of this project are expected to provide a new knowledge base for understanding decision-making in a constantly changing world. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Every day we make choices (decisions) that are influenced by our external environment. A safe environment generally promotes rational decision-making whereas a threatening environment may promote irrational decision-making, with irreparable consequences. This project will use leading-edge molecular technology to understand how our brain circuitry controls reward-seeking behaviour across different environments. This will enhance our understanding of decisions made under pressure, providing a tool to, for example, improve national responses during critical emergency situations (health outbreaks, defence threats), bringing major industry, environmental and societal benefits. More broadly, understanding how decisions are made at a molecular level will provide new insights that could be used by many other industries. For example, the food and beverage sector, a national priority under the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, could develop new food additives that target those molecular mechanisms to increase consumption of healthier products, leading to health, economic and commercial benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

4D Tomographic Particle Image Velocimetry for Multiphase Flow Measurement. The overarching aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art facility for measurement of multiphase flows that are of significant importance in the extraction and processing of energy and mineral resources, environmental remediation of pollutants, water and health. The proposed facility will offer unique enhanced capabilities in flow field characterisation and dispersed phase visualisation, supporting a diverse range of ARC and industry funded research projects within multiple research centres and, in particular, an ARC Centre of Excellence with a national and global focus. The knowledge gained should lead to technological advances and economic benefits for Australia in the field of resources. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy Found throughout industry, multiphase flows are the simultaneous flow of more than one material phase (e.g. gas, liquid, solid). This project will establish a state-of-the-art facility for measuring multiphase flows that can be used in the extraction and processing of energy and mineral resources and, in treating water and environmental pollutants. This, in turn, will enable the development of more efficient, cost effective, and sustainable processing technologies that have direct relevance to the national economy, especially the resources sector worth hundreds of billions of dollars per annum. The proposed facility will significantly enhance Australia's competence in the field of multiphase flows and provide the tools necessary to foster innovative engineering solutions. For example, old tailings dams might be reprocessed to recover minerals for valuable metals and rehabilitate the land. The knowledge generated will improve the energy footprint and environmental impact of our current multiphase process systems, delivering economic and environmental benefit to Australia and globally.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Time Layered Cultural Map of Australia: Advanced Techniques and Big Data. The aim of the project is to understand Australian history and culture better through the perspective afforded by large data sets with spatial and temporal coordinates. To this end the project aims to build open-access infrastructure to create and analyse large spatio-temporal data sets, and to provide new map layers to serve as context for multiple research projects. Users would be able to deal with spatio-temporal data sets as dynamic systems and create multi-layered maps with them. The benefits would be a marked increase in the ease of humanities research using digital mapping and clear pathways to big data, high-end projects combining structured space and time data with traditional humanities insights and approaches. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies This project provides stronger historical and cultural mapping capabilities for Australian researchers, for staff in galleries, libraries, and museums, and for the public. It adds new computational and AI-driven tools to the existing Time-Layered Cultural Map of Australia platform, to map the movement of people and objects, to automatically detect place names in documents, and to identify clusters of events. The benefits include new and more accessible ways of understanding Australian culture and history for both scholarly and general audiences. Wide adoption of the platform by researchers and target groups, like library and museum staff, would be enabled by providing online training sessions, as well as embedding the platform in existing archives and research projects. The platform will be open for use by all Australians and beneficiaries would be wide-ranging, including for example, local historians who want to make a map from the places mentioned in early documents, and tourist organisations aiming to gather information about an area from various sources and present it in an interactive online map.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Towards 2050 - managing recovery of Australia's coral reefs. The coral reefs of Australia contribute over $6 bn each year to the economy. However, the reefs of Australia, in addition to those worldwide, are threatened by coral bleaching driven by anthropogenic climate change. If we are to preserve the economic, social and ecosystem value of these environments, it is essential that we are able to better manage the recovery of reefs from bleaching events. This project will utilise a variety of multi-disciplinary approaches, ranging from future climate models, historical satellite data to in-field experimentation to fill fundamental knowledge gaps in our understanding of coral bleaching recovery and delivery a variety of management and stakeholder relevant outputs. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology The Great Barrier Reef and reefs worldwide are threatened by coral bleaching driven by human derived climate change. Bleaching events are increasing in severity and frequency and, if we are to preserve the economic ($6.1 billion per annum), social and ecosystem value of these environments for Australia, we must understand the factors that impact bleaching events and, more importantly, reef recovery. This project will provide information on how historical temperatures and bleaching severity impact reef recovery. With increasing ocean temperatures predicted for at least the next 30 years, this information is essential to support the future management of reef systems. Results from this project will be incorporated into bleaching predictions, such as those at the Bureau of Meteorology and the U.S government Coral Reef Watch, and will provide coral reef managers in Australia and internationally with improved predictions of bleaching recovery in real time to inform management decision-making to mitigate long term impacts.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Australian clays as raw materials of slow-release phosphate fertiliser. Phosphorus (P) fertiliser input in Australia is a significant problem for its inefficient plant uptake, leaching to natural water bodies and stocking of insoluble P in soil. The project aims to develop activated clays using Australian raw clay minerals to formulate effective slow-release phosphate (P) fertilisers (SRF) and delivery material for P-solubilising bacteria. Composite of these will supply P controllably even amid environmental fluctuations but when a plant needs as it grows. Development of multifunctional, nontoxic and plant growth-driven P fertiliser would benefit improve soil fertility in a sustainable way where efficiency of P input is maximised with a minimised environmental burden. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering While Australia is the largest phosphate fertiliser user in the world, current products are inefficient. Only up to 20% of any fertiliser is absorbed by plant roots; most ends up in our waterways, causing algal blooms in rivers and bleaching of coral reefs. Additionally, the world is facing dwindling phosphate reserves. Our project will develop a slow-release fertiliser that prevents the loss of phosphate into soil and makes use of soil bacteria that naturally regenerate phosphorus for crops. This new fertiliser is produced using clay mineral, an abundant Australian resource. Economic and commercial benefits include reduced farming costs, as less phosphate is needed to achieve similar crop yields, and stronger export markets for a new fertiliser that will be of international interest. Environmental benefits include less pollution in lakes, rivers and coastal environments. Technology transfer will be straightforward given our collective national experience in agriculture.  Adoption of the product will be fostered by the farming sector, as well as mineral and resources industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Anisotropic behaviour of natural soft soils. This project aims to improve current engineering analysis methods, which often fail to predict the performance of infrastructure built on natural soft soils. This project expects to develop a theoretical and mathematical framework to describe the response of soft soils to complex loading patterns imposed by transport and energy infrastructure. This will be informed by advanced laboratory experiments that transcend the capabilities of routine testing methods. The expected outcome of the project is a series of tools for the engineering analysis of earthworks and foundations built on soft soils that will underpin the construction of civil infrastructure on ground often too poor to be considered for other use. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Transport corridors and energy infrastructure are often built on floodplains and soft ground since this land is of low value. However, the initial expense is often overshadowed by higher-than-budgeted construction and maintenance costs and longer-than-predicted timelines. Reliable engineering methods for predicting how soft ground deforms during and after construction are required. This project will unravel the science underpinning the deformation of such soils and develop computer-based methods for predicting the performance of earthworks and the structures built on them. The outcomes will be converted into practice for engineers in charge of the design of road, rail and energy infrastructure and are expected to facilitate better design and construction methods. Reduced construction uncertainties and lower costs of future civil infrastructure projects built on soft ground will be achieved as a result of this project.