THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Unmasking dark matter: from the laboratory to the Milky Way. The unknown nature of the dark matter that fills our galaxy is one of the biggest problems in physics today. This project aims to connect the particle and astrophysics of dark matter so as to accelerate us towards its first detection in the lab. The expected outcomes are 1) new experimental concepts to test the widening landscape of viable theories and 2) robust predictions for signals in those experiments backed up by the latest surveys of our Milky Way. These outcomes should benefit experiments across the world on the quest to fill a major gap in our understanding of the Universe. The grand scope of this research aims to place Australia in the vanguard of one of the most active pursuits of new physics in the modern era. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics Dark matter is central to understanding why the Universe looks the way it does, so unmasking it will surely transport us to a new era of physics. Human progress is often measured by how we have been able to resolve the grandest mysteries about our world. This project addresses one of these mysteries, and in doing so will push Australian research over the frontier of human knowledge. The direct benefit will be seen in the advancement of Australia’s reputation as a leader in basic research. This project will also inspire younger generations to take up STEM fields. Fundamental science is a driving force in the field of education and in the subsequent development of industry, economic innovation, and future technology. Many of the devices that run our lives were built on theoretical concepts like the ones explored in this project, that could only have been imagined in a setting of blue-sky research. This project situates Australia as a leader in the science that will build tomorrow’s world; and by promoting fundamental research to younger generations, this project will also inspire those who will build it.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Modelling Adversarial Noise for Trustworthy Data Analytics. Adversarial robustness is a core property of trustworthy machine learning. This project aims to equip machines with the ability to model adversarial noise for defending adversarial attacks. The project expects to produce the next great step for artificial intelligence – the potential to robustly explore and exploit deceptive data. Expected outcomes of this project include theoretical foundations for modelling adversarial noise and the next generation of intelligent systems to accommodate data in a noisy and hostile environment. This should benefit science, society, and the economy nationally and internationally through the applications to trustworthily analyse their corresponding complex data. Field of research: 4611 - Machine Learning Machine learning is a core part of artificial intelligence widely used in modern business, health and defence sectors. However, most machine learning algorithms possess a critical vulnerability to malicious attacks through imperceptible, but carefully designed shifts in the input known as ‘adversarial noise’. This project aims to equip machines with the ability to model adversarial noise and defend themselves from attack. It will lay the theoretical foundations for the next generation of intelligent systems, providing excellent defence and practical algorithms to perform trustworthy data analytics for real-world applications in the era of big data. This enhanced cybersecurity capability can ensure the security of the critical systems that support Australia’s financial, health, transport and defence industries. With AI estimated to generate $13 trillion in economic activity globally by 2030, and Australia’s focus on translating AI innovation into practice, this research can significantly benefit our economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Integrated Kids Hubs - Ensuring Equity of Access for Children. The Integrated Kids Hubs - Ensuring Equity of Access for Children project aims to determine if integrated Hubs are effective in increasing access to child and family services for disadvantaged urban and regional families with children aged 3 years and under, thus improving early identification of developmental vulnerability, parental wellbeing and capacity, and addressing unmet psychosocial needs. If these issues are not identified and addressed early, these children will go on to struggle in school and life. We will use a pragmatic trial design (meaning the research is embedded in our usual practice), determine the social return on investment, and establish what is needed to scale up the Hubs across NSW and Australia. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services One in three children from disadvantaged communities are developmentally vulnerable. They have increased risk of poor socioemotional functioning, school failure, lifelong disability, chronic disease, mental illness, and reduced economic opportunity. This costs Australia $15.2 billion annually in education, health, and welfare costs, and lost productivity and is likely to worsen post the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrated Kids Hubs – Ensuring Equity of Access for Children is nationally significant because we are using an urban and a regional case study to determine if Hubs increase access to child and family services in disadvantaged urban and regional communities to optimise outcomes in the first 1000 days. This project meets the recommendations of the recent Productivity Commission report for early identification and intervention to support children at-risk of suboptimal development. It is a national policy imperative as outlined in the National Action Plan for the Health of Children and Young People: 2020-2030, and the National Framework for Universal Child and Family Health Services.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

How Old Are The Stars? Looking Inside Stars with Asteroseismology. Stars are the building blocks of the Universe. Understanding their structure and evolution underpins much of modern astrophysics, from characterising the growing number of extra-solar planets to unravelling the history of our Milky Way Galaxy. This research program will use the technique of asteroseismology, the study of starquakes, to probe the interiors of stars in extraordinary detail and measure their ages with unprecedented precision. Having accurate ages for large numbers of stars will help us understand how the Milky Way galaxy formed and developed. We will generate a deep understanding of the processes that occur inside stars, mentor a new generation of researchers and establish Australia as a world leader in stellar astrophysics. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences This project uses the study of ‘starquakes’ (stars experiencing events similar to earthquakes) to dramatically advance our understanding of stars. It exploits the wealth of data coming from high-profile international space missions to probe star interiors in extraordinary detail and measure their ages with unparalleled accuracy. Establishing accurate ages for stars will significantly build on Australia’s world-leading contributions to understanding how our Milky Way galaxy formed and developed. The research team will employ new scientific methods to achieve these results, creating publicly available data sets to inform research and teaching. This project will provide opportunities for Australia to lead collaborations with the world’s top institutions and for Australian researchers to participate in global research programs, that will provide training in analytical and computational skills that are needed for jobs in Australia’s key technology sectors, including the research, health, and financial sectors. The new understanding of stars generated by this project will inform decisionmakers as well as the public about Australia’s place in the universe. Knowledge of starquakes applied to our own sun can inform predictions about space weather events that have the potential to disrupt satellites and global communications systems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Generating evidence for nature-based strategies to reduce loneliness. While loneliness and despair are reportedly increasing due to social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are investing in urban greening. This project aims to help steer greening strategies to reduce loneliness and despair, to enable recoveries from COVID-19 that are more sustainable, equitable and nourishing. This project will: (1) engage with leading scientists within and outside Australia to formalise my draft conceptual model of pathways linking urban greening with loneliness and despair; (2) test associations and pathways with multiple sources of nationally representative data; (3) supervise a mixed-methods PhD project; and (4) share findings for building up knowledge capacities and guideline development. Field of research: 4406 - Human Geography Profound and potentially long-term social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in rising reported levels of loneliness. 1 in 4 Australians already felt lonely before COVID and protracted socioeconomic disruption involving lockdowns, economic inactivity, and mandatory working-from-home since mid-2020 have made this problem worse, as already recognised in jurisdictions such as the UK. This project will generate robust evidence and guidelines on how green spaces might be adapted to reduce loneliness and will provide options for local councils to plan for enabling more connected communities. The project will work with key change-makers including the NSW Government, and Parks and Leisure Australia to create insights into how current urban greening initiatives (e.g., park regeneration) can be enhanced to support population-wide solutions to loneliness in Australia. The project is of major importance as loneliness decreases social and economic participation and increases risks of various health issues including depression, diabetes and dementia for up to 6.4 million Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Plasmonic nanoparticle catalysis for nitrogen-based synthesis. Light can generate an optical force to capture small objects. This requires intense light – a laser, which limits optical trapping in catalysis applications. This project aims to apply plasmonic nanoparticles with normal-intensity light to take advantage of plasmonic-generated optical forces for catalytic chemical synthesis. The optical trapping/releasing of small molecules is highly selective and responsive to molecule structure and so presents a great opportunity to radically alter chemical synthesis pathways, which will be illustrated with reactions on liquid-solid and gas-solid interfaces. This highly innovative strategy will be used to discover new nitrogen-based syntheses which are both fundamentally and industrially important. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry Chemical manufacturing is a major energy consumer, typically relying on non-renewable sources like coal, petroleum and natural gas, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when burnt, causing environmental pollution and contributing to climate change. This project aims to develop a cleaner process for chemical manufacturing, enabling lower-energy production of ammonia, a chemical used in fertilizer for about 50% of the world’s food production. The expected outcome is an innovative, environmentally friendly technology for preparing nitrogen-containing products such as ammonia by utilising abundant Australian sunlight, rather than non-renewable fuels, as the energy source. This cutting-edge process could replace hazardous, expensive, energy-hungry production methods, often requiring high temperatures and pressures, to make nitrogen-containing products in a safer, environmentally friendly, clean, sustainable manner. This work is a critical piece in Australia’s journey toward increased onshore manufacturing and will lead to significant economic, commercial and environmental benefits for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of dual function transporter/channels. This project aims to understand how a membrane protein that transports chemical messengers in the brain functions and how it is influenced by the membrane in which it is embedded. Cells from all life forms have a lipid membrane that separates them from their external environment. These membranes contain proteins that control the movements of molecules into and out of cells and are vital for a plethora of physiological processes including cell-to-cell communication. The outcomes of this study will include new knowledge of this process and chemical modifiers of this transport protein. This project will benefit structural biology and biophysics training and may lead to the development of novel compounds that can be used to explore function. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Cells from all life forms have a barrier membrane containing nanoscale machines that control what moves in and out of cells, but we don’t know what they look like or how they work. These machines are vital for many processes including how cells talk to each other in the brain, and how cells absorb nutrients. Disrupted cellular communication can lead to diseases such as epilepsy, while cancer cells use these machines to scavenge nutrients to fuel their rapid growth. This project will generate new knowledge of how these nanoscale machines work that will ultimately help Australian researchers and our pharmaceutical industry better understand the mechanisms of cellular communication and design new drugs to treat epilepsy and cancer. This project will provide training in the use of cutting-edge infrastructure and innovative scientific techniques that are needed for jobs in drug discovery across Australia’s higher education and pharmaceutical sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Healthy infant and young child diets from sustainable first-food systems. Breastfeeding, breastmilk and other first foods consumed during infancy and early childhood, are currently neglected in food systems research and policy action, despite their importance to establishing life-long dietary preferences, health and sustainability. This project addresses this gap, by developing a novel 'first-food systems' conceptual framework, describing global, regional and national changes in infant and young child diets, and generating end-user knowledge to generate political commitment for early-life nutrition. This research will deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia and international communities, by helping to reduce the ill-health and environmental harms linked with unhealthy early-life diets. Field of research: 4206 - Public Health This research will develop new knowledge that will inform policy actions to enhance the health and sustainability of food systems for infants and young children, and help to sensitise the current international food systems transformation agenda to the importance of breastfeeding, breastmilk and other first foods, which are currently neglected. This will provide benefits to Australian infants, young children and mothers, and policy makers who will benefit from evidence on the determinants of early-life dietary change. As a major food producing nation with a high burden of chronic diseases that begin in childhood, the research can inform the development of new strategies for realising economic, social and environmental benefits from the Australian food system. To deliver these benefits, the programme of work develops a new framework for understanding the drivers of infant and young child dietary change. It engages with Australian and international stakeholders to generate new thinking about what actions can be taken to generate political commitment for early-life nutrition and reverse the neglect.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Nano-engineering of hierarchical catalysts for renewable chemicals. Producing high-value chemicals based on renewable alternatives -biomass resources is vital for the climate and a sustainable economy. This project will develop a unique nano-engineering approach to design hierarchical catalysts for the selective conversion of biomass into tailor-made products. Advanced in situ spectroscopic techniques will be employed to establish the structure-reactivity relationship of working catalysts and thereby manipulate the key factors governing the activity/selectivity. Such cutting-edge knowledge gained is crucial for optimising process efficiency and resource utilisation, which is essential for the success of the biorefining industry and a more environmentally-friendly chemical economy in Australia. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering The chemical industry is the second largest industrial consumer of fossil fuels, which it transforms into the paints, tough and malleable plastics, pharmaceuticals and detergents we use every day. Producing high-value chemicals from renewable biomass resources is vital for both the Australian climate and a sustainable economy, but is currently costly. New chemical processes that efficiently convert compounds from plants, wood and waste are key to reducing costs. This research aims to solve the major technical and economic challenges to producing renewable chemicals. Bridging the gap between fundamental molecular-scale studies and realistic biorefining processes, it will develop highly efficient, cost-effective methods to convert Australia’s abundant cheap biomass feedstocks into sought-after products used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, textile, vitamin and plastics industries. The technology will transform the biorefining industry in Australia, creating commercial opportunities in renewable chemicals as well as reducing our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Monge-Ampere type equations and their applications. The study of Monge-Ampere equations has attracted major attention in mathematics in recent years, due to many significant applications in geometry, physics and applied science. This project aims to resolve challenging problems involving Monge-Ampere type equations, by utilising new ideas and breakthroughs made by the proposer. A comprehensive regularity theory for Monge-Ampere type equations, particularly in the degenerate case, is expected to be established. Innovative cutting-edge techniques and interdisciplinary approaches are expected to be developed. Anticipated outcomes of this project include the resolution of outstanding open problems and continuing enhancement of Australian leadership and expertise in a major area of mathematics. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics Consider the task of earth moving in a building site: filling some holes, excavating others, and moving and shaping piles of dirt into desired forms. How do you do this with minimal fuel usage, allowing for the fact that your excavator is not accurate to the nearest sand-grain? This physical problem is hard, but at least visible. The same mathematical problem, called “optimal transport” arises, for example, in image processing in artificial intelligence, where the “dirt” is light intensities and colours in a computer image and must be described using more than three dimensions. This project will tackle such mathematical problems, leading to new image recognition techniques that can be practically applied to develop safer autonomous vehicles, robotics and more powerful security systems. Working with engineers and computer scientists, this project will develop optimal algorithms that enable such innovations. This will place Australia at the forefront of the global artificial-intelligence and robotics development race, which is essential to our sovereign capability in security and defence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A Dual-species Ion Trap with Precision Optical Clocks. This project will enable new technological capabilities to overcome challenges in scaling up quantum computation and advancing quantum clocks. It will develop a versatile dual-species atomic instrumentation paired with precision laser systems. This advanced technological platform will be augmented by an extensive toolbox of quantum control engineering protocols to perform error-robust quantum operations for fault-tolerant quantum computation and high-precision spectroscopy. The expected outcomes will also benefit other disciplines: advanced quantum simulations for chemical dynamics, precision spectroscopy for astronomy, next-generation lasers, tests of fundamental physics, and quantum-enhanced positioning, navigation, and timing. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics This project will build a new atom-based device to overcome challenges in building future quantum technologies, which are currently limited because they are too noisy and inaccurate. Engineers can use the advanced capabilities of this device to improve the performance of quantum computers and increase the accuracy of the world's best clocks. These developments will give Australia’s defence industries a competitive advantage and may enable the Australian pharmaceutical, transport, and farming industries to deliver products and services more efficiently. For example, it may shorten drug and vaccine development times to rapidly respond to future pandemics and improve the accuracy of global satellite navigation systems. Conducting this research in collaboration with Australia’s emerging quantum technologies sector will ensure it also provides a rich training ground where the quantum engineers of tomorrow will develop the skills to ensure Australian-based quantum industries remain globally competitive.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Categorical geometry and perfect group schemes. The aims of this project are to construct novel geometric theories based on newly discovered tensor categories, to apply the theories to solve open problems in representation theory, algebra and category theory, and to establish profitable new connections between the influential theories of affine group schemes and classifying spaces. The geometric theories will be developed in a universal way, generalising both classical algebraic geometry and super geometry from physics, and specialising to infinitely many new theories. This universality ensures a significantly broader basis for long term applications of geometry in many areas of science. Other benefits include enhanced international collaboration and scientific capacity in Australia. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics This project aims to develop a framework to solve existing problems in areas of mathematics that enable and support the digital infrastructure on which we rely every day to keep us connected, informed and safe, and are also key to advancing next generation computing. Computer scientists and engineers will apply the new mathematical tools and formulas developed during this project to improve and advance a wide range of technologies that are essential to every Australian’s work, education opportunities and social lives, such as accessing and protecting our personal data. This research will ensure Australia remains economically competitive in key technology sectors, increasing our capacity to train researchers in the leading mathematical methods needed to solve the technical problems of tomorrow’s artificial intelligence, cyber security, and quantum computing industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Resonant histories of musical encounter in Australia. This project aims to understand Australia’s cultural past by situating histories of musical encounter in the nation's Oceanic location and colonial history. Underpinned by multi-sensory conceptual frameworks, it aims to apply collaborative, intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches drawing on historical, musicological and ethnographic methods to reveal musical encounters as sites for understanding Australian history. Focusing on a formational period, 1888-1988, the project expects to generate new knowledge about Australian musical institutions, sites and intercultural encounters and aims to have benefits for the diversification of curricula, and implications for Australian cultural policy. Field of research: 3603 - Music Australia's current musical life is characterised by rich diversity. Australian musicians are known internationally as popular music stars, leading art music composers and performers, and distinctive Indigenous musicians. Participation in musical life is a major part of our $112 billion cultural sector. Despite this, music’s persistent place in shaping our nation is not well understood. This project will reconceptualise Australia’s diverse musical cultures in a history of intercultural encounters grounded in reciprocal exchange, shaped by place, and supported by new cultural institutions. It will generate new knowledge and understandings about the musical past that underpins our current vibrant culture which can inform cultural policy in a critical period of economic and cultural recovery for Australia's valuable creative industries. Creating a podcast series and online visualisations of Australia’s musical networks, the project will broaden the curriculum resources available to tertiary and school students in understanding the history of music in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The Monetisation of Children in the Digital Games Industry. This project aims to understand the monetisation of children in the digital games industry. It will employ innovative studies of children’s experiences in freemium games; parental attitudes and strategies; participatory research with game developers; and an examination of the platform and regulatory environment that shapes game monetisation. Expected outcomes include guidelines and recommendations for parents seeking to negotiate children’s digital play; new ethical frameworks for the design and implementation of digital games for children; and actionable advice for policymakers and practitioners. This will bring significant benefits to Australian children, parents and game developers via improvements to the design of games for children. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies 81% of Australian children play digital games, and in 2020 they spent an estimated $740 million on games and gaming microtransactions. The growth of digital games is a source of enormous concern for parents, and games are coming under increasing public scrutiny for the use of gambling-like microtransactions such as ‘Loot Boxes’. Understanding why children spend money in games, and when this spending becomes unhealthy or harmful, requires research beyond simplistic claims that games are ‘addictive’ to understand what digital play means to players. This project will create significant national benefit by designing and implementing innovative gaming studies aimed at children, parents, game developers, and the policy environment. Benefits include new ethical frameworks for the design and implementation of games for children, the development of guidelines and recommendations for parents seeking to negotiate children’s digital play; and actionable regulatory advice for policymakers and practitioners. Insights from this research will be used to produce a video series as a public resource for children, parents and teachers to engage in healthy and constructive conversations about videogame spending.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Localised fast radio bursts as new probes of cosmology. This project aims to utilise fast radio bursts to study observationally the structure of the Universe in an entirely new way, and potentially investigate the era in which the first stars were formed. This project utilises the e-MERLIN and LBA telescopes along with other multi-wavelength facilities in the world to unveil the engines driving fast radio bursts and also pinpoint their host galaxies. The research should result in the use of fast radio bursts as new cosmological probes, complementary to supernovae and galaxies. It also aims to lead to a better understanding of the extragalactic/intergalactic media, and greater public engagement in science by incorporating this phenomenon into a comprehensive public outreach programme. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences Australia is a world leader in astronomy and the science around fast radio bursts, and this project will take us even further by using fast radio bursts to investigate the nature of stars and matter outside our Galaxy. The high-impact results of this research will enhance Australia’s profile in the international community and provide a return on the Australian government’s investment in astronomy. It will train scientists in cutting edge data-science techniques, providing future benefits for a wide range of Australian industries, including Big Data and the emerging Australian Space industry. Its outputs will also benefit Australian society and culture through public engagement with augmented reality videos, citizen science projects and public talks.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Statistical approaches for spatial genomics at single cell resolution. Cells cooperate to form complex, dynamic and varied tissue structures. This project aims to develop statistical and computational approaches to analyse spatial genomics data, a novel technology that retains vital spatial information at single cell resolution while detecting RNA molecules for hundreds of genes. Observing the molecular activity of cells in their spatial context is critical for tackling key biological questions, such as how tumour cells behave during malignancy or how stem cells determine their fate. Expected outcomes also include techniques to fully harmonise spatial and non-spatial genomics datasets, and methods toward understanding the complex relationships among cells in their environment, revealing novel cell biology. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This project will provide an enabling statistical and computational framework that will directly benefit all Australian researchers who use highly multiplexed, spatial gene expression technologies to study biological systems and complex diseases at the cellular level. The novel statistical, bioinformatics and spatial analysis methods combining multiple technologies and existing data will contribute to methodological research in statistical sciences. The methods for discovery of novel cell-types and examining complex cellular interactions in situ will benefit researchers from fields as diverse as biology, ecology, medicine, and agriculture who seek to understand complex biological systems and diseases. This will ultimately lead to a better understanding of disease that will benefit the health of Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The Musical Escape: Investigating Music and Imagination. Imagination plays a pivotal role in creativity as well as self-regulation. Yet, despite its important role throughout cognition, imagination is still ill-understood as it is notoriously difficult to systematically induce and measure. This project aims to deepen our understanding of imagination by using an innovative approach that combines quantitative, qualitative, and neuroscientific methodologies. It leverages the facts that music can reliably induce imagination and that imagined orientation in time and space can be measured. Expected outcomes include free algorithmic tools capable of generating music that induce user-specified imagination to the benefit of informing the foundations of creativity and the phenomenology of imagination. Field of research: 1904 - Performing Arts and Creative Writing Imagination remains one of the least explored frontiers of human cognition. Insight into the mechanisms underlying imagination is of great cultural benefit. This project addresses the need for a systematic phenomenology of music-evoked imagination and contributes to ongoing discussion about the semantic and pragmatic nature of musical meaning. The recent COVID-19 global pandemic highlighted the importance of music as a social tool for ‘escapism’. Novel insights into imagination may contribute to the Australian society by informing coping mechanisms and strategies, as well as therapies that rely on imagination, such as CBT and Exposure Therapy. Informing such types of therapy will also have a direct beneficial impact on the economy, as it addresses the mental long-term consequences caused by the pandemic. The algorithmic tool that will be developed has great commercial potential for the Australian music industry, in particular for film soundtracks and video games.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

ART, PLAY, RISK: An interdisciplinary approach to child-friendly cities. ART, PLAY, RISK will provide new creative and scholarly research into how artworks contribute amenity to public spaces, with a specific focus on questions of risk-in-play in both legal and cultural paradigms. A key methodology is to develop a public child-led playable sculpture project, designed to test creative assumptions about the sorts of art children actually want in their dense urban landscapes, enabling analysis of their play-behaviours, including: self-imposed boundaries of risk, creativity, challenge and comfort. Understanding the playability of public art from a child’s perspective will generate solutions addressing the future of child-friendly cities in Australia, as defined by UNICEF’s Child-Friendly-Cities policy. Field of research: 1905 - Visual Arts and Crafts Australia’s high-density urban communities offer decreasing opportunities for children to develop the vital skills of risk-perception and risk management. A lack of understanding about risk can have adverse affects on their development threatening their physical health, psychosocial wellbeing, mental health, and cognitive and communication skills. Pursuant to Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities, there is an urgent need to identify, prevent and manage these emerging threats to children’s health. Aiming to ensure the future of child-friendly cities, as defined by the UN Convention UNICEF’s Child-Friendly- Cities policy, this project supports the provision for children to experience risk and challenge and develop resilience and self-reliance through play in their local urban communities. The method proposed by this project is the transformative power of participatory art in public spaces. To achieve the successful implementation of playable public artworks, involves the complex alignment of interdisciplinary urban agents: artist, landscape architect, urban planner and social scientist.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The worlds next door: terrestrial exoplanets with the TOLIMAN space mission. This project aims to to explore our nearest neighbour star system, Alpha Centauri, for the first time probing for exoplanets with physical characteristics that resemble those of Earth. The finding of any such world, with the potential to support a biosphere like our own and lying only 4 light-years away, would profoundly alter our view of our place in the universe. The primary outcome of this project will be the design, construction, launch and operation of a novel and innovative space telescope: the TOLIMAN mission. This profoundly benefits the Australian space and university sectors, partnering them with international agencies to deliver marquee science with global impact: the search for our first stepping stone to interstellar space. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences This project will leverage partnerships with leading global space industries and agencies to build and fly an Australian-led spacecraft. It aims to explore our nearest neighbour star system, Alpha Centauri, for the first time, probing for exoplanets with physical characteristics that resemble those of Earth. The primary outcome of the project will be the design, construction, launch and operation of a novel and innovative space telescope. A mission science centre in Sydney will act as a training hub to develop relevant skills in spaceflight technologies as well as in data processing, image analysis and machine learning. In addition to benefiting Australia’s emerging space industries, a priority under our new Space Agency, other high-tech industries will benefit from the new generation of scientists this research will attract to highly skilled STEM-based career paths. This project will provide enormous benefits to our Space industry, as well as build new relationships between universities and industry, delivering science with global impact in the search for our first stepping-stone to interstellar space.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Stop it: Learning response inhibition. Behavioural inhibition is an essential part of daily life. However, some behaviours are hard to inhibit, such as refraining from eating junk foods. This project aims to determine how learning from past experiences and individual differences account for our capacity to inhibit actions. The project combines novel behavioural paradigms with an associative learning framework, cutting-edge neurophysiological techniques, and advanced statistical analyses. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of the psychological, cognitive, and neural mechanisms involved when behaviours are successfully inhibited. This project should provide benefits to understanding why inhibiting actions is prone to failure in addiction and psychological disorders. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology Inhibiting inappropriate actions is necessary for healthy function. We often stop ourselves from eating high fat high sugar foods, jaywalking across a busy road, or touching our face during a global pandemic. The ability to withhold or cancel actions is also linked to addictions such as overeating and gambling, as well as psychopathologies such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which are all major health and social issues affecting Australia. For example, Australia has one of the highest prevalence rates of obesity in the world and it is estimated to cost the economy $8.6 billion per year. This project will help to understand why action inhibition succeeds under some circumstances but fails in others. This knowledge has societal and economic benefits for improving clinical interventions targeted at retraining maladaptive behaviours linked with obesity, such as the inability to refrain from eating junk foods while dieting, but also other behavioural disorders, such as the inability to suppress the urge to repetitively perform irrational actions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Realising highly selective catalysts for continuous chlorine production. The aim is to directly electrocatalytic low concentration NaCl solution under mild conditions, to form chlorine gas for the polymers and pharmaceuticals production, enabled by the low dimensional metal-organic framework based catalysts. The project will also gain an atomic-level understanding of the mechanism of CER, based on in-situ spectroscopies e.g., X-ray absorption and Raman. Unlike electrocatalytic chlorine evolution using membrane cell with one membrane only, the project will design a novel integrated reactor system to alleviate the naturally sluggish chlorine evolution reaction, CER, significantly improving the yield and selectivity. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology The combination of two fuel cells operating synergistically to drive the generation of chlorine gas from seawater-like solution, and electrical power, will be a paradigm shift and form a foundation for significant economic, environmental and social benefits. The anticipated scientific breakthroughs in catalyst design and preparation, coupled to the technical implementation of these advanced materials in our novel chlorine generator, will lead to a new and exciting low-temperature, low-pressure, and (if using renewable energy) zero-carbon synthesis route for producing chlorine gas. The in-depth, fundamental study of the reaction mechanism will generate the knowledge base for applied success. The project will help to position Australia at the leading edge of research into chlorine production that can be used as inputs for key Australian industries such as construction (polymer production), pharmacy (sodium hypochlorite production) and energy (hydrogen transport vector).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Topological phases of matter for quantum computation. A global effort is underway to build quantum computers at scale. There are promising approaches based on quantum phases of matter with exotic topological properties that are harnessed to protect fragile quantum information. This project aims to take advantage of recent breakthroughs in three dimensional topological phases to discover new materials and design better components for quantum computers. This addresses the significant question of what the analogue of a transistor will be in a full scale quantum computer. Benefits include classification of three dimensional topological phases and the discovery of better routes to scalable quantum computing, potentially causing a fundamental shift in the direction of this global research effort. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics This project aims to discover the ideal components on which to base scalable quantum computers. Scaling up is necessary to reap the benefits of the extraordinary power promised by quantum computers for solving important problems in science, industry and cryptography. The nascent quantum technology industry is receiving substantial investments from international government agencies and private industry to fund efforts in the competition to attain this powerful new technology. Australia has had an enormous impact in the field of quantum computation to date and as such is positioned as a leading player in this technological development. This project would develop valuable expertise in Australia that would provide long term benefits to the development of Australia’s own quantum technology industry. The particular focus on new designs for quantum computing components could provide the Australian quantum computing effort with a competitive edge. Such contributions, at this relatively early stage, have the potential to generate significant economic benefits through the growing Australian quantum technology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Engineering of biocatalysis in metal-organic frameworks for CO2 conversion. Transforming the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels would be beneficial for relieving energy shortage and improving global sustainability. This project aims to architect a biocascade system in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for artificial CO2 conversion. Learned from the living organisms, a whole biocatalysis unit including enzymes and cofactors will be encased and protected in an artificial porous polymeric MOF coating. This approach is expected to deliver robust biocatalysts with high reaction-activity and chemo-selectivity in converting CO2 into methanol under the industrial operating condition, involving thermal, pH, and chemical stressors. This advancement will contribute to a carbon-neutral industry and society. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering This project advances the prospect of design and synthesis of enzyme/MOF biocatalysts and provides an environment-friendly approach to CO2 conversion. The successful execution of the project will provide significant benefits to Australia's chemical manufacturing industry in the energy and environmental sectors and deliver a two-fold benefit to Australia's national interest. Firstly, this project will not only recycle CO2 to contribute to solving climate change but also convert CO2 from an unwanted byproduct into a valuable commodity. Secondly, this project will deliver new insights into the enzyme-MOF interactions which are particularly important to the design of robust biocatalyst for industrial applications. This advancement will support future biocatalytic technologies by bridging the gap between biocatalysis and industrial application. The fulfillment of the DECRA project will provide a pathway towards the groundbreaking technologies that would be of benefit in a carbon-neutral energy cycle, whilst also maximizing Australia’s competitiveness in sustainable manufacturing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Identifying factors that counter negative impacts of ocean climate change. This project aims to identify factors that counter the negative impacts of climate change on coral reefs. This project expects to address key research gaps to ensure the persistence of these ecosystems. Expected outcomes of this project include identification of coral reefs that are buffered by adjacent systems, such as mangroves and seagrass, and characterisation of conditions (e.g. increased food availability) that allow coral reefs and associated organisms to persist under stress. Outcomes of this project should provide significant benefits such as adding to the interventions toolbox in alleviating the impacts of global change on coral reefs and identifying conservation strategies to help prevent the loss of these valuable ecosystems. Field of research: 0501 - Ecological Applications Coral reefs are endangered due to unprecedented global change. By combining spatial modelling, special sensor technologies, field and laboratory experimentation, this project will determine if factors, such as proximity to adjacent ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass, and increased food availability often associated with these systems, can counteract the negative impacts that climate change is having on our coral reefs. This information is crucial in order to effectively manage Australian coral reefs to ensure they continue to survive as functioning ecosystems and continue to provide services such as supporting a wealth of jobs, tourism, fishing and recreational activities. Increasing the resilience of Australian coral reefs will greatly benefit economic activity and jobs in Australia, where coral reefs contribute $6.4 billion to the economy annually and have an asset value over $56 billion.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Novel high-performance copper-based materials via additive manufacturing. This project aims to develop novel high-performance copper-based materials produced by additive manufacturing for the electrification revolution, which will provide significantly higher mechanical performance, superior electrical and thermal properties and enable flexible complex shape options. Atomic-scale microstructural analysis using advanced microscopy techniques will reveal profound new insights into the process-structure-property relationship. Expected outcomes include new understandings of the fundamental physics of new functional materials, eco-friendly products, and an ability to facilitate the increasingly widespread use of the copper-based materials for renewable electricity towards a more sustainable society and economy. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering As identified in the National Science and Research Priorities, advanced manufacturing is a key area of immediate and critical importance to Australia and its place in the world. This project will develop advanced copper-based materials via additive manufacturing. In the next decade, these new functional materials will become integral to numerous applications across the energy, resources and transport sectors. In elucidating the fundamental physical properties of high-performance copper-based materials and giving them life through additive manufacturing, this project offers breakthroughs in scientific understanding, underpins Australia’s world-leading manufacturing of metal products, addresses the global challenges of developing specialised materials and alloys, and contributes to a strong economy, a healthy environment and connected and well-functioning society.