THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Unpacking the immune system with applied mathematics. This project aims to model immune interactions across cells and structures spanning scales of nanometres to millimetres. It expects to develop innovative mathematical insights, improve our understanding of immunology, and consolidate collaborations with top American and European laboratories and groups. Expected outcomes include cutting-edge techniques for multiscale biological modelling and improved prediction and analysis of immune dynamics. The project should provide benefits to industries where highly organised behaviours are important, for example those interested in robot swarming, optimal transportation, and epidemic management. It should also benefit Australian students and researchers with novel overseas training opportunities. Field of research: 4901 - Applied Mathematics A functioning immune system is crucial to our well-being, but we still poorly understand how it works. This is partly because it consists of many cells and is incredibly complex: experimental immunology provides observations, but comprehending the big picture is challenging. Using applied mathematics, this project connects diverse data to reveal how cell interactions produce an effective immune response. This mathematical modelling will provide tools to help understand the immune system, particularly cell cooperation, and other complex phenomena with similarly organised behaviour, such as community interactions, traffic flow and the internet. Expected outcomes include cutting-edge techniques for biological modelling and improved prediction and analysis of immune dynamics. The mathematical tools and insights developed during this research can potentially be applied by governments and industries in Australia to improve immune therapies, manage epidemics and optimise transportation. This project will also train early-career researchers in skills that are increasingly needed in Australian industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Singularity and regularity for Monge-Ampere type equations. The Monge-Ampere equation, as a premier nonlinear partial differential equation, arises in several areas including geometry, physics, and optimal transportation. Many important problems and applications are related to the regularity of solutions, which are obstructed by singularities. This project aims to classify the geometry of the singular sets, and to establish a comprehensive regularity theory for general Monge-Ampere type equations by using innovative approaches and developing cutting-edge technologies in partial differential equations. Expected outcomes include the resolution of outstanding open problems. This project will significantly enhance Australia’s leadership and expertise in a major area of mathematics and applications. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics During propagation of a seismic wave, differences in the conducting rock can cause accumulations of energy sparking earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis. Mathematically, these accumulations of energy are called singularities. This project will utilise innovative mathematical analysis to establish a detailed structure of singular sets, leading to more accurate descriptions of geometric shape and size of wavefronts. Engineers and seismologists will be able to translate the new techniques to reduce error estimates on the origin points of earthquakes or a subsurface by a factor of 6 (from 2km to 300m). The same mathematical problem also arises in medical imaging, where the “energy” is colour intensities in a CT or MRI image. The singularities, where “energy” accumulates, correspond to locations of tumour formation. Medical radiation scientists will be able to translate our results to develop fast algorithms for early detection of tumours. The project benefits Australians by building a safer and healthier future for all, and will enhance our international standing in science and technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Gas-enriched slippery surfaces. This project will exploit novel experimental and simulations approaches to investigate gas enrichment at liquid-liquid interfaces, and its effect on interfacial slip. The outcomes of the project will be a deeper understanding of oil-water interfaces capturing the presence of interfacial gas layers, slippery surfaces with superior drag reducing and fouling reducing properties, and control over nanobubble formation under flow. The new surfaces will have potential application in improving the energy efficiency of microfluidic and multiphase flow. Benefits are expected in terms of reduced emissions, fuel cost and pollution related to transport of goods by sea, and extraction of oil from rocks. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry Building on a recent breakthrough study at the University of Sydney, this project will deliver an innovative platform for creating gas-enriched slippery surfaces with superior drag-reducing properties. At the same time the research will provide more correct descriptions of how increasing the concentration of dissolved atmospheric gas affects the stability and flow of emulsions of oil droplets in water. The new knowledge on slippery surface coatings will benefit Australia economically, environmentally and commercially, as it will lead to a reduction in fuel consumption, emissions, pollution, and the spread of invasive species associated with the transport of goods by ship and extraction of oil from rocks. Practical outcomes might include collaborating with industry partners to demonstrate the effect that surface nanobubbles have on the efficiency of oil recovery from rocks. Through collaboration with coatings microfabrication industry, new non-toxic structured coatings could be produced on a large scale to reduce drag and fouling on ship hulls and on immersed infrastructure.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Rare earth-free high-performance magnets. This project aims to discover new magnetic materials that are competitive for advanced technology applications, free of the rare earth metals that currently dominate the high-performance end of the market. Global demand for non-renewable rare earth metals is rapidly approaching a critical point and alternatives are needed. The project will use data-mining algorithms augmented by quantum calculations to find the most promising candidates among tens of thousands of reported but untested materials, so that synthesis and characterisation resources can be directed to the right places. After iterative cycling to optimise the chemical composition and structure, the best materials will be prepared for fabrication into technologically useful forms. Field of research: 3402 - Inorganic Chemistry High-performance magnets are critical components for energy, transport, computing, telecommunications, healthcare and other advanced technologies. This project is about making new high-performance magnets from common elements such as iron, which can replace those made of expensive and unsustainable "rare earth" elements. The outcomes will be reduced environmental impact from mining rare earth elements in Australia, reduced reliance on supply from overseas, improved safety, and cost savings across the US$21B annual market for magnetic materials. In particular, they will enhance the economic, environmental and commercial benefits of green technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines, which currently rely on rare earth magnets. The pathway to adoption will thus be to align the interests of established mining and materials companies with those of the emerging renewable energy companies, towards the common goal of making Australia a world leader in sustainable industrial growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Pseudo grains and adaptiveness in the Eastern Himalayas. Providing enough food for a growing planet and changing is one of the key challenges humanity must face in coming decades. Our research aims to contribute solutions to this problem by researching the domestication history and spread of two crops that are important to the eastern Himalayas: buckwheat and job's tears. We will use ethnolinguistic methodologies to document the current uses of these crops, and then incorporate archaeological, and genetic methodologies to determine whether or not the eastern Himalayas have been centres of domestication for these crops. The outcomes will include ethnolinguistic documentation, timing of domestication, and training in the relevant indigenous communities. Field of research: 4704 - Linguistics This project will research the domestication and spread of buckwheat (both tartary and esculentum) and job's tears (Coix lacyrma-jobi), two crops important for the livelihood of communities in the Himalayas, using ethnolinguistic, archaeobotanical, and genetic methodologies. Southwestern China has been established as a centre of domestication for sweet buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum), yet the time and place of bitter buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) domestication remains unknown. Even less is known about job's tears. Both crops are important pseudograins for people in the eastern Himalayas and, based on distribution and use of the crops in the area, we expect their domestication to have occurred in this region. Providing enough food for a growing global population that needs to adapt to climate change is one of Australia's most pressing concerns. The outcomes of our research will contribute directly to this endeavour by showcasing the history and spread of buckwheat and job's tears, two crops that are potentially ideally adapted to grow in Australia's climate and sustain its population in the coming years.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Custom Computing for DNA Analysis of Third Generation Sequencers. The project aims to create a Domain Specific Computing System to analyse data emerging from third-generation DNA sequencers. The significance is that such a system will enable in-situ analysis, facilitating far wider deployment of modern DNA technologies. The expected outcome will be a portable low-power computing system containing custom instructions, custom cache configurations, and custom architectures. Benefits include: 1. deployment of DNA analysis techniques in remote areas and in places without large servers and access to high-speed networks connecting to cloud servers; 2. quicker analysis enabling rapid response, cheaper, portable systems; and, 3. training for a cohort of research and honours students. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware This project will research methods to create a portable, fast, and low-power custom computer system to analyse the large amount of data emanating from third-generation DNA sequencers. The current need for significant computing infrastructure limits the use of these sequencers to laboratories for species with large DNA sequences (such as human genome and wheat - 3.2 Gbases and 17 Gbases respectively) allowing field deployment only for species with short DNA sequences (such as viruses etc.). The domain-specific computing system from this project will allow field deployment for species with long DNA sequences, permitting wider deployment in remote and clinical settings. The outcome of this project will reduce this cost significantly, enable far greater access along with possible commercialisation, and train future generations of researchers. We will be trailing this system within Garvan Medical Research Institute.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Braid groups via representation theory and machine learning. This project aims to address questions about the representation theory of braid groups with important consequences in low-dimensional topology. This project expects to make significant progress on central open problems surrounding knot invariants, and create new tools that will have wide applicability in representation theory. It will pioneer the use of highly innovative methods from category theory and machine learning recently developed by the investigators. Potential benefits of this project include: the resolution of important long-standing conjectures about braid groups, the development of emerging technology with significant implications for representation theory, and the training of Australian scientists in a vital area of research. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics The braid group is a bridge between algebra and geometry, and it has important applications in many areas, including fluid dynamics, quantum computing, and particle physics. It is also the subject of unsolved decades-old problems, which have profound implications for the uses of the braid group in science and engineering. Our project aims to make decisive progress on these problems using tools developed by our team. This includes pioneering applications of machine learning to mathematics which are critical to a range of industries in Australia, specifically computer science and defence. These discoveries can resolve fundamental challenges remaining in the application of the braid group in the sciences. Our techniques can also lead to new mathematical problem-solving programs, which will have many potential applications including the design of more secure cryptosystems. Through our existing collaborations in industry, the code we develop will be applied by engineers working on cutting-edge problems in the far-reaching uses of machine learning in science and technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Energy dissipation characterisation in dynamic brittle fracture. Energy dissipation in dynamic fracture of brittle materials is pivotal in mining, civil engineering and defence. The project aims to develop a novel experimentally-validated multiscale theory, with associated models, for characterising and predicting the complete dynamic fracture process of brittle materials. This theory is expected to generate close-to-reality simulations critical for understanding fundamental aspects of energy dissipation in dynamic fracture. The outcomes will enable an optimised control of the fragment size in block cave mining and mineral processing, forecast and prevent fatal rock bursts in underground mines, and minimise catastrophic failures in critical infrastructures challenged by extreme loading, e.g. explosions. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy Earthquakes, drilling, blasting and impact in brittle materials such as rocks, concrete and ceramics can lead to fracturing and breaks. This can cause catastrophic damage, such as in underground mines where rock bursts can lead to fatal accidents, operation malfunction and infrastructure damage. The underlying phenomenon can also be harvested for practical applications. E.g., controlled rock breaking processes are desired in block cave mining and mineral comminution for higher productivity and efficiency. To tackle such problems, this project will develop a complete framework that will enable us to better understand, characterise, predict and control the complex process of how energy dissipates and leads to sudden brittle breaks. The outcomes will help to minimise severe consequences associated with rock bursts and to optimise energy use in fragmentation technologies in comminution and block cave mining. This should lead to significant economic and environmental benefits since the mining sector is a pillar of the Australian economy, employing over 140,000 people and contributing to over 9% of GDP.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

High-value horticulture and global production networks in coastal Australia. High-value horticulture is booming in Australia’s north-eastern coastal strip, where a multifunctional landscape also provides various recreational, cultural and environmental services. This project aims analyses how incorporation within agricultural global production networks interacts with diverse drivers of landscape change to shape regional development outcomes. This will contribute to global production network theory by developing the territorial nexus of these networks. Expected outcomes include improved policy formulations capable of orchestrating a sustainable and equitable future for rural regions and livelihoods within Australia, with broader contributions to understanding rural development pathways elsewhere in the world. Field of research: 4406 - Human Geography This project investigates how the expanding global demand for food is re-shaping development trajectories in regional Australia. It examines how the horticultural sector, whose export value tripled between 2010 and 2019, puts new pressures on co-existing demands for housing, recreation and conservation in our north-eastern coastal strip. The implications of the intensified use of farmland on governing rural resources and their social effects on regional communities are not yet understood. We will bring a new perspective to this challenge by identifying how global and local influences intersect to shape regional governance outcomes. This will ensure longer term benefits for livelihoods and environmental wellbeing in regional Australia by identifying policy options, such as zoning amendments, payments for ecosystem services and seasonal worker programs, to successfully manage competing resource demands. We will work with industry leaders and government agencies in regional Australia, through workshops and report-sharing, towards ensuring that export-oriented horticulture develops sustainably and equitably.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Robust Data-Driven Control for Safety-Critical Systems. This project aims to develop new approaches to controlling robotic and cyber-physical systems in safety-critical applications. This project expects to generate new knowledge in how to harness the power of machine learning for robot control, while guaranteeing safety and stability at all times. The outcomes of this project will be new algorithms and a deeper understanding of the interplay of data, learning, and models, as well as experimental validation on a surgical robot and a bipedal walking robot. This project will provide significant benefits by dramatically increasing the range of applications in which the power of machine learning can be safely applied to advance the capabilities and uptake of robotics. Field of research: 4007 - Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics This project will develop new learning algorithms for the control of physical systems such as robots and autonomous vehicles. In particular, it will develop algorithms that can learn from experience while guaranteeing safe operation. The outcomes of this project will be new knowledge and new design methodologies, as well as software tools and experimental validation on real-world robotic systems. The gap being addressed is that current machine learning methods are not suitable for safety-critical applications such as surgical robotics since they can behave unpredictably. This will benefit Australia by creating the key technologies and training the young researchers and engineers to make Australia a global powerhouse in a burgeoning high-tech industry. This has potential to lead to new spin-off companies, highly-skilled jobs, and translational research opportunities with industry partners.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Remodelling encapsulin nanocages to help enhance plant carbon fixation. Nature has evolved mechanisms in microbial systems to improve photosynthetic efficiency by saturating the enzyme Rubisco with carbon dioxide. These carbon concentrating mechanisms are genetically complex, precluding successful introduction into crops. Our simpler approach is to use encapsulins, a new source of robust bacterial pore-containing nanocages made from a single gene. This project will optimise the development of synthetic encapsulin-Rubisco carbon-fixing nanoreactors and transform them into leaf chloroplasts to test their impact on plant photosynthesis and growth. Our genetically simpler solution will aid ongoing global efforts to deliver overdue step change improvements in agricultural productivity. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology There is an ever-increasing demand to improve the productivity of Australia’s crops. Ongoing population growth combined with the climate-driven loss of suitable farming land mean that we need new agricultural biotechnologies to generate crops which can produce more food with less resources. This project will develop a new protein-based technology to overcome a major unsolved bottleneck in agricultural productivity – the inefficiency of plants in taking up and using carbon from the atmosphere for growth. By boosting crops’ ability to use carbon, this research should lead to higher yields and reduced use of water and fertiliser. This research should benefit Australia by developing home-grown technologies to keep our growing population fed, while staying economically viable in an internationally competitive agricultural market. These benefits will ultimately be realised through working with industry partners involved in the Australian Research Council Centres for Future Crops Development and Excellence in Synthetic Biology to adopt the biotechnology in new canola and potato strains.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Wealth Inequality in Australia: Sources and Solutions. The project aims to investigate the causes and consequences of asset price inflation and increasing inequalities in asset-based wealth in Australia. It expects to generate significant new knowledge about the evolution of asset-based inequality and about how the increasing concentration of asset-ownership is shaping the life opportunities of young people. Expected outcomes include the identification of policy options available to mitigate the negative impact of asset inflation and growing wealth inequality. This should provide significant benefits for governments and policy makers at a time when asset price inflation and the cost of housing represent critical policy challenges. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology Over the last four decades, asset-based wealth inequalities have been growing in Australia – driven above all by the growth of property values. This project analyses the causes and consequences of these inequalities, examines how they are shaping life opportunities for young Australians, and explores potential policy responses. Expected outcomes include a nuanced understanding of the drivers of asset-based wealth inequalities, detailed knowledge of how those inequalities are shaping the life opportunities of young people, and the identification of a set of pathways that can lead to policy change. House price inflation has become a critical policy challenge in Australia and there are multiple stakeholders who will benefit from this research. These include policy makers working in the areas of housing, urban planning and taxation as well as financial policy makers who increasingly need to work at the intersection of economic and social policy. A cross section of these stakeholders will participate in the project by collaborating in the design of pathways for policy change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Biophysics of the brain’s waste disposal system: Understanding why we sleep. This project aims to develop a new biophysical model of the brain, founded on the recently discovered glymphatic system responsible for waste disposal during sleep. It sets out to formulate, analyse, and validate rigorous new multiscale quantitative modelling – to advance the study of sleep and brain clearance dynamics, at timescales from hours to decades. Among expected outcomes are powerful models ready for application at both population and individual level, and testable predictions concerning the sleep patterns that lead to aggregation of waste in the brain and eventual cognitive decline. Project outcomes should also benefit society and the economy though translation into interventions for sleep disturbance – in future applied research. Field of research: 5105 - Medical and Biological Physics Sleep is essential for clearing the brain from toxic proteins that accumulate during wakefulness. Inadequate sleep leads to fatigue and accidents in the short term, and to acceleration of cognitive decline over lifespan. These effects are related to dysfunction of brain clearance during sleep but the mechanisms are not well understood. This project will use biophysical modelling to understand the links between brain clearance, sleep, and cognitive function, and their change over adult lifespan. Nearly 30% of Australians report inadequate sleep, which contributes to sub-optimal productivity, illness, and early retirement. The estimated cost of sleep disturbances in Australia is $26bn p.a. In the longer term the model in this project may contribute to reducing these costs by enabling interventions for extending healthy lifespan and delaying cognitive decline. Translation of the model (beyond this project) is envisaged via digital tools for prediction of future cognitive states, and applied research in sleep, ageing, and cognitive science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Making Strong Alloys Ductile and Hydrogen-Tolerant via Tuning Nanogradients. This project aims to develop a novel design concept of gradient segregation engineering (GSE) to produce high-performance alloys. The innovative GSE will synergistically introduce a chemical gradient via grain boundary segregation and a physical gradient by microstructure control to simultaneously achieve an excellent strength-ductility combination and exceptional resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. This project expects to create new fundamental knowledge and provide critical perspectives for future mechanistic alloy design. The results will enhance Australia’s capacity to develop next-generation advanced alloys to underpin current and emerging industrial applications and strengthen the country’s leading position in materials engineering. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project will develop a novel design strategy to produce high-performance alloys that are strong, ductile, and hydrogen tolerant. These material characteristics cannot currently be acquired simultaneously but are pivotal to meeting the more pressing property demands for engineering applications, especially for the evolving hydrogen-based industries. This research will generate radically new knowledge and create a step-change in guiding modern alloy design for technological advancements. This project will contribute eminently to the Australian world-leading industries of aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and mining sectors, bringing substantial economic benefits to Australia. It will also greatly enhance the potential of the perspective hydrogen economy through lower emissions in the transportation sector and lower-cost methods for producing and storing energy to address current environmental and energy challenges. Besides, this project will promote Australia’s competitive capacities in materials engineering and contribute strongly to both the present needs and future directions of Australian research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Using acoustic retroreflection in architecture to improve rooms for speech. This project aims to discover how a novel form of acoustic treatment can improve acoustics for speech in rooms such as classrooms and open-plan offices. The project will generate new knowledge on the theory, design, and effects of acoustically retroreflective surfaces in room acoustics. Expected outcomes include solutions for effective acoustic retroreflectors, knowledge on how retroreflection influences people’s voice regulation and sound quality perception, and guidelines and simulation tools for integrating retroreflective treatments to improve speaking comfort. This should provide significant benefits including opportunities to resolve seemingly intractable design dilemmas in the acoustics of education and workplace environments. Field of research: 3301 - Architecture This project is about architectural acoustic surface treatments that reflect sound back to where it came from (retroreflective surfaces). Such treatment makes rooms more comfortable to speak in, with potential broader improvements to acoustic quality. Retroreflective surfaces are almost never used in architectural acoustics because they are poorly understood, with very little prior research investigating acoustic retroreflection on an architectural scale and no commercial products available. The project addresses this research gap, aiming to develop surface design methods, room treatment methods, and validated design benefits for the use of retroreflective treatments in rooms with seemingly contradictory requirements - classrooms and open-plan work environments. Research outcomes can be used in improved room acoustic conditions for teachers and students in classrooms; along with quieter open-plan offices with reduced speech distraction. Australia's significant architectural surface industry could deploy research outcomes commercially; Australia's schools and workplaces stand to benefit.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Ultrathin Gold Nanocrystal Conductors for Wearable Epidermal Biofuel Cells. This project aims to fabricate ultrathin, soft yet stretchable gold nanocrystal conductors to push the thickness limit of next-generation soft bioelectrodes for fabrication of wearable epidermal biofuel cells. This will generate new knowledge and patentable technologies related to design/fabrication of soft nanocrystal conductors, bioanode and biocathode, which require to be thin, soft, conductive and biocompatible. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced national capacity in disruptive wearable bioelectronics, strengthening international collaborations, unskilled workforce training, as well as advancement of Australian knowledge base in the fields of nanotechnology, materials science, energy, biosensors and bioelectronics. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology This project aims to push the thickness limit of bioelectrodes for next-generation wearable tattoo-like energy devices that can convert human sweat into electrical power. Traditional bioelectrodes are typically thick, rigid, and bulky, therefore, incompatible with soft biological systems such as human skin. By synthesising high-quality gold nanomaterials, this project will design and fabricate ultrathin bioelectrodes which can be used for fabricating wearable biofuel cells to power biosensors. The project will generate new knowledge, contributing to advance Australian world standing in the fields of nanotechnology and bioelectronics. The wearable bio-powering technologies to be developed may translate into new Australian industrial opportunities benefiting sectors such as remote healthcare, human-machine interface, soft robotics and artificial intelligence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This project expects to generate new knowledge on rationally designing robust hydrogen fuel cell catalysts. This will provide significant benefits, such as new knowledge on catalyst degradation, new catalysts for energy conversion applications, and collaborations with the industry to accelerate Australia’s shift to renewable energy. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering “Green” hydrogen generated by renewable energy resources can be used as a clean fuel for fuel cells to power electric vehicles and serve as stationary or portable power supplies. The key barrier to practical application of this technology is cost. Over 40% of the total cost of current fuel cells comes from expensive precious metal catalysts used to speed up chemical reactions. While carbon catalysts present a much cheaper alternative, their durability is poor. This project will address this problem by providing a thorough understanding of carbon catalyst performance loss to pave the way for developing stable and efficient catalysts. The new knowledge generated will minimise the translation time to create and implement new catalysts technology in fuel cells. The outcomes of this research will assist in creating new commercial opportunities in the energy sector to meet emerging demands and bring significant environmental benefits by accelerating Australia’s shift to renewable energy. Collaboration with Japanese partners will also expand Australia’s material, catalyst, and electrochemistry research capacity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Phenotyping doublecortin+ cells to unravel human adult neurogenesis. This project investigates one of the brain’s most remarkable phenomena: adult neurogenesis, the birth of new brain cells in a specialised brain area (the hippocampus) occurring well into adulthood. This process contributes to many species’ capacity to learn, remember and regenerate. However whether this process occurs in humans is heavily debated. Using new neuroscience tools, this project will produce new insights into human adult neurogenesis by deeply examining hippocampal cells that express the newborn cell marker, doublecortin. This will enable clarification of the existence and extent of adult neurogenesis in humans, and provide the foundation to leverage this process for improving learning, memory and brain regeneration in people. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences With this project we answer arguably the most important question in modern neuroscience: Can the human brain produce new neurons in adulthood? It is believed these adult-born neurons migrate through the brain and integrate into areas where they are needed, for example, for learning, forming complex memories, and healing the brain after injury. This process therefore has immense health implications, as harnessing the process of birthing and integrating new neurons into the human adult brain has incredible potential for improving brain function. Some applied examples include improving cognitive ability in the workplace or during aging, healing after illness or injury and it has been hypothesised that this process could be applied as a treatment for neurological and neuropsychiatric disease. The research is expected to be patentable and might be shared with clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to enable its adoption in medical treatments.  This would have significant social and economic impact for individuals, society, and the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Ultra-sensitive 3D molecular assays using total body PET and deep learning. Recent advances in biomedical engineering have led to the development of Total Body Positron Emission Tomography (TB-PET), the most sensitive imaging device to date. Despite these impressive engineering advances, computational methods lag far behind and model-based approaches cannot deal with the complexity or volume of data these systems produce. We will develop new computational methods based on deep learning and statistical methods that fully exploit the richness and complexity of the data generated by TB-PET, enabling 3D quantitative assays of molecular processes throughout the entire human body with unparalleled sensitivity. The technology we create will open up new capability for the study of complex physiological systems. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering The Australian Government has made significant investments through the National Research Infrastructure program in the latest, cutting-edge medical imaging devices capable of imaging the entire human body in one view. These imaging systems generate huge volumes of data and, whilst the hardware that makes this technology possible is impressive, the software lags far behind. Our research will create new computational algorithms and associated software to bridge this gap, giving total body imaging devices advanced capability to observe and quantify very subtle changes taking place in the body, thus ensuring their incredible potential is fully realised. This new technology will provide the Australian advanced manufacturing sector with a competitive edge by creating a powerful tool for accelerating drug discovery. In the long term, it will lead to economic and health benefits for Australians by identifying new treatment targets for the complex physiological systems that go awry in chronic health conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and diabetes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Top-quarks as a portal to new physics at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to use data from a Large Hadron Collider experiment, ATLAS, to investigate basic questions in physics. The project expects to use innovative analysis techniques to test the current model of fundamental particles and interactions. While the model, now completed by the Higgs boson discovery, agrees well with observations it cannot be Nature's ultimate description. Expected outcomes include a sensitive investigation of whether the highest energy particle collisions ever recorded hold evidence for a deeper theory. Significant benefits will be an advancement of fundamental knowledge, cutting-edge training of young scientists, strengthening of Australian participation in international science, and public engagement with science. Field of research: 5107 - Particle and High Energy Physics In this project we will search for new building blocks of matter and forces of nature using data from the world's highest-energy particle collider near Geneva and new artificial intelligence (AI) techniques similar to those used by companies like Google and Facebook. This research aims to fill gaps in our knowledge about what the Universe is made of and help develop a deeper, more satisfying picture of how it came to be as it is. Early-career researchers will receive training at one of the premier scientific laboratories and work with top international scientists, preparing them for a diverse range of careers. By sharing our findings in scientific journals and at conferences, our research will lay the groundwork for future studies. Sharing interesting AI developments with the data science community may lead to broader adoption of the techniques we use. The discoveries we make about how the Universe works will be shared with Australians through public outreach activities and could inform future education programs that explore fundamental science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Unshackling solitons through ultimate dispersion control. The project aims to generate and investigate several novel families of self-stabilising optical pulses by using a unique fibre laser we recently devised. By developing the associated theoretical models, the team will transform conceptual and experimental knowledge of nonlinear physics, providing deep insights into fibre lasers and the pulses they can emit. The expected outcomes are a complete understanding of entirely novel families of optical pulses, and of the degree to which the energy required to generate these pulses can be reduced. Reducing this energy means that these pulses can perform the same function at lower power, which will enable the emergence of new applications that will play powerful roles in the 21st-century economy. Field of research: 5102 - Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics This project aims to develop a novel method that provides substantial new capabilities for generating short, high-power optical laser pulses. The controlled production of such pulses is required for many applications, ranging from telecommunications to material processing. This project will provide industry with an inexpensive tool to generate these pulses and create opportunities to develop new applications which previously were impractical due to the high costs of the laser, for example higher data rates in telecommunications enabling faster data transmission between devices. This research will seek to instigate new partnerships with stakeholders in information technologies relevant to the communications, medical and defence sectors. The translation of this research will allow Australia to better harness its significant investment in fibre optic infrastructure, such as the National Broadband Network. The research centres around a commercially available "WaveShaper" device that is fabricated in Sydney and may also identify new uses of this technology from which the company and Australian manufacturing industry can benefit. The co-founder of a recent start-up company leads the project team. He will leverage his translation skills and strong industry connections to facilitate commercial development of the technology by the optics and laser industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

The impact of work-from-home environments on comfort and productivity. This project aims to quantify the effect of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in work-from-home (WFH) settings on worker comfort, productivity and household energy use, by employing a longitudinal field monitoring approach. This project expects to generate new knowledge that will inform current indoor environment standards and regulations to make them more relevant to our “new WFH normal”. Quantifying the impact of decentralised workforces on shifting energy usage between sectors can also help in the formulation of relevant energy efficiency policies and building codes. The project will provide significant benefits such as enhancing the quality of work-life of workers and enabling better management of residential energy use. Field of research: 3302 - Building Nearly half of Australia’s workforce has worked from home (WFH) since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, relevant policies and regulations such as Work Health and Safety (WHS) codes have not yet caught up with this development. This research will be Australia’s first step toward adapting policies and guidelines around workplace environments, and associated energy demands and costs, to strengthen their relevance to home workspace design and operation. We will investigate the effect of the indoor environment on comfort, productivity and household energy use in WFH settings. The knowledge we gain will offer pathways for Australian workers to improve their comfort and productivity while simultaneously reducing energy used for space conditioning. Our findings will help Safe Work Australia develop WHS guidelines for the design and operation of comfortable and productive environmental WFH conditions. Through partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation our findings will also assist government to refine relevant energy efficiency policies and national housing energy rating schemes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

From me to you and beyond: understanding socially-induced nocebo effects. Nocebo effects – when negative expectancies trigger adverse outcomes – cause enormous personal and societal harm. We have made great progress understanding how instruction and conditioning contribute to nocebo effects. Yet, the role of social learning – what we learn by observing others – has received surprisingly little attention despite its relevance to many prominent societal-level nocebo effects. The current project uses novel experimental methods to understand how social learning contributes to nocebo effects and which strategies inhibit these effects. The results will significantly advance scientific understanding of socially-induced nocebo effects and pave the way for translational research to reduce the substantial harm they cause. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology ‘Nocebo effects’ occur when negative information triggers expectations that cause harmful outcomes. For example, the very act of warning people about side effects can cause them to expect and therefore experience worse side effects. Nocebo effects create an enormous social and economic burden - they cause over 40% of all medication side effects, lead to poorer decisions (such as avoiding cheaper but equally effective generic medicines) and spur resistance to lifesaving vaccinations and new technologies (such as wind turbines). This project will generate new knowledge about social learning – what we learn from observing others – as a fundamental psychological mechanism underlying nocebo effects. Expected outcomes include a new evidenced-based model of nocebo effects and the identification of novel communication and behavioural strategies to combat them. The knowledge gained from this project will pave the way for translational research to mitigate the enormous burden nocebo effects cause, leading to a more efficient healthcare system in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Global Governance, Eco-Justice, and International Grievance Mechanisms. Despite their global use, there is no evidence that grievance mechanisms provide remedies for people and ecosystems harmed by international development projects. This project aims to investigate whether grievance mechanisms provide eco-justice, where communities seek to be recognised and participate, can lead full lives safe from undue environmental risk, in ecosystems that can regenerate and repair. This is significant given increasing environmental conflict and deaths at project sites around the world. Examining over 430 original claims to the Multilateral Development Banks’ mechanisms over 25 years, and four case studies, the project aims to determine whether the mechanisms deliver eco-justice, and can improve global rules for remedy. Field of research: 4408 - Political Science This project examines what people in developing countries want when they use international grievance mechanisms to seek justice. For example, when people are forcibly removed from their homes to make room for a power plant funded by international developers. The project will benefit Australia’s international development efforts because it will give the government information as to whether these mechanisms work for the people they were created to help. It will assess if they need to be improved, and if they should continue to be supported. The research can directly help Australia’s international development efforts by providing policy recommendations for improving global rules for international development projects, helping to ensure our investments achieve their aim of fostering prosperity, reducing poverty, and enhancing stability in our region and beyond. It will also provide recommendations for how grievance mechanisms could be improved to help people seeking justice when things go wrong. Policy recommendations will be made directly to the Australian government and the Australian Council for Overseas Aid.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Accessing Liquid Noble Metals for Low Temperature Chemical Reactions. We will explore noble metals in liquid form at low temperatures. We will show that while noble metals melting points are above 1000°C, a gallium matrix will allow their existence in liquid form at low temperatures (<75°C). A variety of noble metal gallium alloy combinations will be investigated for their catalytic activities which are expected to show very high kinetics. We will study both bulk and low dimensional analogues to understand the atomic dispersion of noble metals on interface and in the core of the alloys, for discoveries regarding the liquid state catalytic properties of the mixes. Subsequently, model chemical reactions will reveal the enhancement of the kinetics and what the project can offer to industrial innovations. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Precious metals including gold, palladium and platinum, are the cornerstones of Australian minerals and chemical industries. Their role as catalysts, which make chemical processes faster, is pivotal for agrochemical and plastic industries and for reducing environmental pollution. Precious metals are typically used in solid forms, yet when melted, their performance is substantially enhanced. As these metals only melt at very high temperatures, their practical utilisation in melted form appears impossible. However, our recent discovery shows the possibility to access the marvel of melted precious metals at low temperatures. Here, we explore gallium, a low melting-point metal, as the solvent for precious metals to obtain near room temperature liquid catalysts. The resulting liquid metals can produce high-value chemicals at low energy and therefore, address some of our manufacturing partners’ most significant challenges, including the low-cost production of fertilisers and polymers. Outcomes will provide benefit to the chemical, energy, and pharmaceutical industries in Australia and internationally.