THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

3D Two-Photon Nanoprinter for Advanced Multi-Functional Materials & Devices. The Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 Two-Photon 3D Printer enables tailoring materials’ architecture at nanoscale. This results in unique optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biochemical, and acoustic properties enabling a wealth of cutting-edge research activities in variety of fields including mechanical/optical/electrical metamaterials, bioinspired hard/soft materials, biomaterials (e.g., structured cell-tissue interfaces), biomedical devices (implantable devices and drug-delivery systems), nanofluidics, and photonic crystals. In each of these fields, we will use GT2 to print variety of polymers, hydrogels, metals and ceramics, for example by printing polymer-derived nanoceramics that will be simultaneously strong and tough. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology The requested NanoScribe Photonic Professional GT2 Two-Photon 3D Printer (GT2) enables feature sizes down to 160 nm to be printed in volumes as large as 100×100×8 mm², a design space not achievable with any alternative subtractive or additive manufacturing technologies. By tailoring their internal configurations, new nano-structured materials and devices with extraordinary optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biochemical, and acoustic properties are achievable using the powerful nanofabrication GT2 facility. The facility will support a broad range of research areas to underpin advanced manufacturing technologies in biomedical engineering (biomaterials with significantly improved performance, and biomaterials to build cell-based biomedical devices); nano electronics systems (integrated processors for handling radically increasing requirements of network speeds and big-data processing); and nanoporous filtering (bioselective capture and rapid detection of microorganisms). The GT2 facility will unlock research to support Australian SMEs and large firms to develop competitive nano-engineered 3D products.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

High Performance Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Facility. This project aims to establish an advanced multidisciplinary facility for the structural characterisation of chemical and biological molecules. Through providing a broad suite of advanced capabilities, including measurement under a range of conditions and rapid crystal screening, the project expects to greatly accelerate research efforts across a wide spectrum of the molecular sciences. Expected outcomes include detailed understandings of the structures and functions of an array of scientifically and technologically important systems, spanning materials, proteins and pharmaceuticals. This should provide significant benefits, both in advancing the understanding of these systems and in spurring commercial development and application. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) The proposed infrastructure will promote research excellence across a broad spectrum of the molecular sciences, encompassing chemistry, biology and pharmacy. The cross-disciplinary use of the facility will foster the creation of powerful collaborations at the interfaces between these disciplines. This new capability will greatly accelerate research that will contribute to Australia’s economic growth across the manufacturing, environmental and health spheres, spanning functional energy materials, molecular machines, protein and peptide function, and pharmaceuticals development. For example, it will enable research that will lead to new materials for the energy-efficient separation and storage of technologically important gases and liquids, providing increased efficiencies for Australia’s manufacturing sector. It will also enable research that will benefit Australia’s pharmaceutical industry through the design of improved formulations based on new understandings of biochemical interactions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Flexible Flame Aerosol Synthesis Technology. Funding is requested to establish a world-leading fabrication facility for nanostructured materials via flame synthesis. This is a scalable fabrication route used for industrial production of most nanoparticle commodities. The aim is to advance current capabilities by providing control over the reaction environment and flame reaction sources. This will extend the range of feasible materials from the current metal oxides to a broad family of nitrides, sulphides, and metal-organic frameworks, enabling the engineering of electrocatalysts, optoelectronic- and bio-materials. Benefits are expected in terms of fundamental and applied knowledge generation, with impact to the Australian industry sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Energy and Health. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology The proposed nanomaterial synthesis facility provides excellent alignment with the strategic research directions of Advanced Manufacturing, Energy and Health. This facility will establish Australian world-leading capabilities for scalable synthesis of nanomaterials, with synergistic value to Australian mineral resources by providing a direct path for improving their value via export of advanced materials and devices. It will also generate new knowledge and intellectual properties for the Energy and Health sectors, by enabling the design of high performing materials for renewable energy storage, renewable fuel generation and biomedical applications, including medical diagnostics, drug delivery and tissue engineering. This will create further downstream benefit to the Australian society by contributing to reduction of CO2 footprint and improve efficacy of healthcare technologies, and support economic growth in these critical sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Australian Stress Engineering Facility. This project aims to radically enhance the Australian capability for residual stress measurements and damage analysis. This project is expected to revolutionise stress engineering research in Australia by providing access to a state-of-the-art measurement capability that will enable on-site measurements at manufacturing plants and in laboratories. Expected outcomes of this project include the development and optimisation of advanced manufacturing and maintenance technologies for civil engineering structures. This should provide significant benefits in safety, reliability and economic impact to Australian researchers in academia and industry across manufacturing, civil, transport, defence and medical sectors. Field of research: 0910 - Manufacturing Engineering This facility will provide access to state-of-the-art portable and non-portable residual residual-stress, distortion and deformation measurement technology. For the first time these cutting-edge research tools will be available to the Australian researchers and industry, enabling innovations and international collaborations in advanced manufacturing technologies and structural engineering, as well as providing training for the next generation of materials scientists and engineers in the use and applications of these unique and modern characterisation and stress measurement tools. This project will leverage substantial existing capability at ANSTOs two Materials Engineering Beamlines and investments at Australian universities in additive and advanced manufacturing research, by creating a comprehensive stress engineering measurement facility that will be unique in the world and available to all Australian researchers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Multifunctional deposition system for advanced superconducting circuits. This project aims to create a one-stop facility to enhance Australia’s capacity to develop superconducting quantum technology centred on the unique capabilities of a Multifunctional Deposition System. The project will enable and expedite nanofabrication of complex circuits and expects to pioneer novel superconducting and hybrid quantum technologies, and high-tech classical devices for clean-energy and biomedical applications. Expected outcomes include robust multi-institutional and cross-disciplinary collaborations, and increased translation between cutting-edge theory and commercial prototypes. Benefits should include stronger industry engagement, training for next-generation innovators and a boost to Australian advanced manufacturing. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics Capabilities in precision engineering are vital to further Australia’s position as a global leader in quantum technologies. A prime example is the world-leading fabrication facilities that drive Australia’s pioneering program in semiconductor quantum devices. This project aims to extend that success by establishing state-of-the-art fabrication facilities to accelerate our emerging strength in superconducting quantum circuits. Creating a stronger and highly collaborative community of Australian researchers, equipped with total control over their device fabrication capabilities, will enable us to engineer innovative superconducting quantum circuits to drive breakthroughs in quantum computing and quantum networks. This facility will benefit Australian advanced manufacturing in the nascent quantum sector and cutting-edge classical technologies, including in clean-energy and biomedicine. Our strong potential for translating research outcomes into commercial enterprise will help secure economic and social benefits for Australia by capitalising on growing global demand for high performance quantum technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Electron microscopy facilities for in-situ materials characterisation. This project aims to significantly strengthen our national capability in high resolution in-situ transmission electron microscopy through the introduction of special in-situ specimen holders and an imaging detector. The project expects to advance knowledge critical for the design of advanced materials with outstanding properties. Expected outcomes of this project will provide critical support for thorough understanding of how the microstructures of materials affect their mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties and will facilitate strategic collaborations among Australian scientists. This should promote Australia’s global leadership in materials research and advanced manufacturing. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering The successful acquisition of the requested facilities will significantly enhance Australia’s materials research capability and help boost the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing industry. The project promises to improve and develop Australia’s research infrastructure by developing new methods to utilise our state-of-the-art instrumentation to solve real-world problems. In-situ transmission electron microscopy is a powerful tool for revealing the nature of the structure–property relationships of materials that is critical for designing materials with outstanding properties. This is a burgeoning area of research and materials development, having grown rapidly over the last decade. The requested facilities will, for the first time, offer Australian scientists the ability to image the structures of materials at atomic resolution during quantitative in-situ straining experiments and explore how materials microstructure responds to magnetic excitation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Integrated Multimodal System for Multiplexed Imaging of Signal Transduction. This project will introduce a unique microscopy platform and associated technologies into the Australian research environment that will enable researchers to redefine our understanding of molecular signal transduction. The instrumentation will enable the multidimensional imaging of live cells with unprecendented speed and sensitivity. The featured imaging modalities will enable the integration of distinct biological, biochemical and chemical probes with a focus on minimizing phototoxicity. Expected outcomes include new fundamental knowledge on molecular signal transduction and cell heterogeneity; development of novel probes and methodologies and the development of new and existing interdisciplinary research collaborations. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Health and survival are determined by making the right decisions at the right time and at the cellular level this is achieved via signal transduction. Understanding these molecular decisions is crucial to our understanding of health and disease. Underpinning this research is the ability to image signalling molecules with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. This proposal will provide the requisite state-of-the-art instrumentation and bring together leading early career and established scientists in order to define our understanding of molecular signal transduction. By providing new tools to interrogate signal transduction, Australian research into cell function will be significantly enhanced. This research will also offer both economic and societal benefits for Australia, as a better understanding of cell function will lead to an improved understanding of ageing and disease, which in turn can inform better decision making about healthcare and social policy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Enhancing passive cooling using flexible baffles. The project aims to develop a novel passive strategy using fluid-structure-thermal interactions to enhance passive cooling by natural convection and improve the energy efficiency of engineering systems. Comparing to the existing strategies, the new strategy does not require driving fan or pump and is quiet, reliable, self-adaptive and economical. The Multiphysics embodied in the proposal is at the leading edge of the field. Expected outcomes include advanced understanding of the complex Multiphysics and design rules for enhancing passive cooling by natural convection using flexible baffles. The research is expected to bring direct economic benefit to relevant industry and significant environmental and social benefit to the general public. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering The efficiency of waste heat removal from computers, portable devices and many other domestic and industrial processes is a primary constraint on system performance. Heat may be removed passively by natural convection or actively by forced convection. Passive cooling by natural convection is advantageous as it does not require driving fan or pump and is compact, quiet, reliable and economical. This proposal aims to develop an innovative, self-adaptive and low-cost strategy to enhance passive cooling by natural convection. The research will make passive cooling strategies more attractive and viable and bring direct economic and commercial benefits to Australia. Broader adoption of passive cooling strategies in domestic and industry processes will also bring significant environmental and social benefits to the nation as it reduces power consumption and improves work environment. Further, the research will significantly enhance Australian researchers’ capacity in tackling complex fluid-structure-thermal interactions and secure Australia’s world leading position in the cutting-edge Multiphysics research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Electroweak phase transition: A cosmological window to new particle physics. The observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the visible universe arguably represents the major challenge to contemporary particle physics and cosmology. This project explores new theoretical, phenomenological and computational aspects of the electroweak phase transition and the generation of the cosmic matter-antimatter asymmetry in the early universe together with their links to new physics that may manifest at present and future high-energy colliders and gravitational wave observatories. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics This project addresses some of the most fundamental questions about the universe we live in. It will further cement Australia’s reputation as a leader in fundamental physical science. The project will train students in theoretical physics, the cutting-edge of STEM research, and allow them to develop strong analytic and computational skills, critical thinking and evidence-based decision making. These skills are in critical demand beyond academia, in many areas of industry and policymaking. The project, therefore, will contribute to enhancing the quality of the workforce in Australia, especially in STEM-focussed industries. The outcomes of this project include new analytical and computational methods for exploring cosmic matter-antimatter asymmetry. These analytical and computational tools will represent the state-of-the-art for solving complex strongly-coupled dynamical systems, and have potential to find wide applications in Australia’s technology and financial sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically increase their durability. The partnership will bring a technological breakthrough that will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry The goal of this project is to create an advanced nanofibre technology to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. This breakthrough will enable the creation of cost effective paint that will have durability, self-healing ability and more efficient use of raw materials than previously imagined. The research will bring economic benefits to Australia through commercialisation opportunities, environmental benefits through the reduced need for replacement of paint coatings and reduced environmental disruption for the extraction of rutile, and cultural benefits in terms of advanced training in advanced nanomaterials research for the early career researchers and students involved. The resulting scientific insights and cutting edge nano-technology are expected to enable follow-on breakthroughs in many industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Catalytic production of health food additives from crustacean wastes. Cost-effective production of new synthetic amino acids as value-added food additives from crustacean wastes is vital for waste recycling and a sustainable economy. This project will develop a unique catalytic system for the selective conversion of waste-derived compounds 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 effciency and resource utilisation, which is essential for the success of the biorefining industry and a more environmentally-friendly chemical and food economy in Australia. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering New nano-catalysts and integrated catalytic system will be developed for the selective conversion of crustacean wastes to high value added food additives as an alternative to reuse wastes and promote the economics of waste treatment. This proposal advances the prospect of developing highly process-efficient and environmentally-friendly approach for the biorefinery via completing multiple reaction steps synergistically in one catalyst system. It will reinforce Australian research leadership in catalysis and biorefinery, addressing not merely the national economic development, but the environmental policy to reduce net waste deposition. The success in the biorefinery will bring new jobs and infrastructure that will offer great economic and social benefit as well as enhance Australian science and technology in sustainable manufacturing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Sparking Imagination Education: Transforming inequality in schools. This project will produce an Imagination Education Pedagogical Framework for use by teachers in schools. Imagination is recognised as beneficial for diverse groups of young people who experience educational inequality. This collaboration will support access to prominent industry insights on methods for using imagination practices to enhance educational equity. Using co-design with AIME and Social Ventures Australia, it will investigate how these insights can be translated to school contexts to enrich Australian schooling in an environment under intensifying external pressures. The outcomes of this project will support national education agendas for embedding twenty-first century skills of imagination in Australian schooling. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology This Linkage project responds to the challenge of how schools can provide innovations in imagination education to address the educational inequality that is experienced by some young Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, those from low socio-economic. status (LSES), young former refugees, and those living in regional and remote communities. Since it has been shown that young people can be assisted in their education by sustained experiences with imagination practice, schools are considered key sites for engaging with imagination. The project will make important links with Industry Partner AIME, a leading Australian not-for-profit Indigenous-led mentoring program that has developed novel approaches to youth mentoring that emphasise imagination and with Social Ventures Australia (SVA) a not-for profit organisation focused on supporting novel programs to address inequality to formulate a new Imagination Education approach that can richly and sustainably engage imagination in Australian schools.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

New Approaches to Understand How Form and Function Shape Complex Systems. As biology and medicine transform into quantitative sciences, existing mathematical methods are often inadequate to explain the data they generate. This project aims to unlock the potential of such biomedical data through the development of new mathematical approaches that combine concepts from pure and applied mathematics, statistics and data science, and then to investigate their ability to generate mechanistic insight into fundamental biomedical processes. In this way, the project expects to affect a paradigm shift in mathematical biology while strengthening Australia’s reputation as a world-leader in mathematical biology. An outcome from this project could be new mathematical models that guide decision making in the clinic. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics This project will lead fundamental research in mathematical biology that could result in new mathematical methods to analyse and interpret biomedical data in modern healthcare. It will unlock the potential of these data by combining key concepts from pure and applied mathematics, statistics and data science, and investigate their ability to generate insights into fundamental biomedical processes such as the behaviour of tissues. This project expects to bring about a paradigm shift in mathematical biology that will position Australia as the leader in this field. The insights into biological systems and health this research can provide will play a growing role in the future of healthcare in Australia and will be critical across a wide a range of medical applications, from informing clinical decision-making to the design of emerging technologies for tissue engineering.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

“L-form” bacteria: basic science, antibiotics, evolution and biotechnology. This Fellowship addresses key gaps in knowledge about cell wall deficient bacteria called L-forms: an altered state of bacteria with intriguing properties both structurally and functionally. The main aims of the research program are to improve our understanding of the basic biology of L-forms and employ them as tools in several important ways: for understanding the mechanisms of cell wall synthesis and how antibiotics work, as models for early steps in the evolution of cellular life, and as a significant new platform for the production of proteins and fine chemicals. Outcomes and benefits include improved understanding of how to generate new antibiotics, and the development of new platforms for Australian biotechnology and biocommerce. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology The project concerns an important but poorly understood form of bacteria called L-forms. L-forms are potentially important as a source of antibiotic resistance but our studies will help understand how crucial antibiotics such as penicillins work, helping us to develop new and better antibiotics in the future. L-forms are also of considerable interest as a model for the origins of life, one of the deepest and most profound questions in science. The high quality basic science, embedded in a vibrant new training environment, will help position Australia at the intellectual forefront of a dynamic and challenging field. Bacteria are also important in industries from food and agriculture to biotechnology, critical players in the green revolution as we move on from petroleum dominated economics. We will explore the potential of L-forms as a new platform for commercial production of a range of high value proteins and chemicals. The applicant's strong background in commercialisation of basic science will position the new group to impact positively on Australia’s important industrial biotechnology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

A calculable approach to securing Australia's soil. Much of our productive land is currently degraded, severely impacting the ability of soils to contribute to planetary health. The aim of this program is to deliver a comprehensive systematic soil monitoring system within a world-first soil security framework. The research will create a detailed reference of the Australian landscape to elucidate impacts on our soil cover. Soil security indicators will be created from which ameliorative actions can be prioritised, while early warning systems will offer predictive capability around emerging threats to soil condition, feeding into best-management practices for regeneration. Outcomes will see soil secured for future generations and Australia at the forefront of soil assessment and restoration. Field of research: 0503 - Soil Sciences This program will make a major new addition to the national research priority on Soil and Water by addressing squarely the need for prescriptive efforts to mitigate soil degradation. The soil monitoring system produced through the Fellowship will be able to predict land condition and prevent threatening processes, particularly losses of soil material, soil structural integrity and soil biodiversity. The program-developed framework for assessing soil security can be used by Australian landholders to improve soil health, creating more resilient landscapes. For farmers this means improved yields, reduced drought risk, value-added products, and potential new income streams e.g. carbon and biodiversity markets. For rural communities assailed by an increasingly erratic climate, this program brings potential inter-generational sustainability. An ambition is to see soil security recognised in Australian and global policy. With such policy settings, metrics of soil security constructed via this program will improve over time, with consequent benefits to Australian ecosystem functioning and Australian productivity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

ARC Research Hub in Intelligent Robotic Systems for Real-Time Asset Management. This hub aims to transform the way assets and infrastructure are managed by developing new capabilities for intelligent robotic systems for inspection, monitoring, and maintenance. The hub expects to generate new knowledge in robotics and associated fields including sensing, planning, data processing, and machine learning using interdisciplinary approaches and tight collaboration between academia and industry. The expected outcomes are robots with the ability to autonomously collect data for integration into a digital twin that provides a real-time representation of the true state of a physical asset. The benefits include both improved asset management and establishing Australia as a leading manufacturer of advanced robotic systems. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing This hub will contribute to Australia's national interest in two important ways. Firstly, it will establish Australia as a leading developer and manufacturer in the rapidly growing market of advanced robotic systems. The market for inspection robotics is estimated to grow by 5B AUD over the period 2020-2024. Australia has a world-renowned strength in field robotics, and many innovative companies developing robotic systems and associated technologies including sensing and data processing. This hub will create a nexus for development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of advanced robotic systems, allowing Australia to tap into this rapidly growing market. Secondly, the hub will create new technologies that will help Australia manage critical infrastructure, including energy, transportation, and communications, which is facing a daunting backlog. Australia's vast land area and sparse population leads to severe challenges for manual inspection of critical infrastructure, and autonomous robotic systems are widely seen as the key to achieving high assurance of infrastructure integrity with minimal cost.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Development of prefabricated composite building panels and connections . This project will develop a new prefabricated composite brick-concrete panel technology, by exploiting cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities for the production of bricks and concrete components. It is expected to generate new robust design methodologies at both service and ultimate conditions by relying on advanced testing and theoretical modelling. The project is expected to transform the current brick industry by replacing traditional labour-intense brick construction with advanced and cost-effective prefabricated technologies that will enable brick construction to enter new markets, such as those of multi-storey buildings and complex load-bearing facades, previously not feasible or cost-effective with traditional brick technology. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering Prefabricated concrete technology is a highly efficient and cost-effective form of construction that has been progressively displacing traditional on-site, labour-intensive traditional brick construction. This project intends to establish a transformational technology that will enable the brick industry to move away from sole reliance upon traditional labour-intensive installations by embracing advanced manufacturing capabilities that enable the production of optimised bricks and support prefabrication. It is expected that this new technology will deliver cost-efficient solutions and provide growing employment opportunities in coming years. This research advancement will support the establishment of design recommendations for prefabricated components and connections that will deliver safe designs and that will be disseminated throughout the Australian prefabricated construction industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Interface structures mediating load transfer between soft and hard tissues. This project aims to develop a novel technology platform to mediate load transfer between synthetic and biological materials with dissimilar mechanical properties, creating an effective interface mechanism. It will generate new knowledge in materials engineering by combining interdisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art technologies in computational modelling, biomaterials, and additive manufacturing. Expected outcomes are high-tech ceramic structures optimized to interface effectively between synthetic soft tissues and natural hard tissues. This could ultimately benefit Australian industry engaged in developing next-generation synthetic orthopaedic solutions, providing a significant competitive advantage in an expanding global market. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering The novel technology platform to be developed by this project could give Australia’s biotechnology industry a significant competitive advantage in the expanding global market for high-tech orthopaedic solutions. Using state-of-the-art computational modelling and additive manufacturing, the technology platform will enable cost-effective development of materials that act as effective interfaces between very dissimilar synthetic and biological materials, such as synthetic ligaments and natural bone. Subsequently, if these interface materials were combined with synthetic tissues, they could offer inexpensive and highly effective solutions to significant challenges in orthopaedics – a global multi-billion-dollar industry. The project’s partnership between the University of Sydney and Allegra Orthopaedics will produce mutual benefits for academia and industry through the sharing of expertise, skills and resources. Importantly, it will boost capabilities in advanced technologies at the intersection of materials science, mechanical engineering, and biology, building Australia’s high-tech STEM workforce.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development, spanning small scale mobile to large scale stationary storage applications. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Following major recent scientific and technological advancements the expansion of molecular framework materials into hi-tech industries is underway. Immense opportunities now exist for the development of materials that will underpin these new technologies. A key attribute of these systems is their unprecedented porosity, a feature that makes them particularly suited for the efficient storage of hydrogen gas. This Project aims to develop two families of molecular materials with highly promising hydrogen storage capabilities, to yield key materials design approaches and discrete materials suited to targeted storage applications. The development of these materials promises major national economic benefits through local production opportunities. More broadly, the work promises to accelerate the global push towards the adoption of a renewable hydrogen energy cycle, replacing carbon-based cycles. The Project will provide essential training of early career researchers in state-of-the-art multidisciplinary science and technology, fostering leadership and promoting a long-term creative research culture in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Nuclear and chromatin architecture in the replication stress response. DNA replication is an essential biological activity required for the transmittance of genomic material across cell divisions. If errors occur during DNA replication, this results in dangerous outcomes including mutation, genome instability, and cell death. Cells cope with challenges to DNA replication through a process called the replication stress response. This fellowship explores a newly discovered pathway in the replication stress response where changes to the architecture of a cell nucleus, and movement of the genomic material inside, promotes repair of genomic damage that occurs during replication. The result of this project will be an understanding of fundamental biological processes that protect human genomes. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This research advances our fundamental understanding of the biology of DNA repair processes that protect vertebrate and other genomes to maintain cellular health and longevity. These insights could help combat the leading causes of disease in Australia, such as cancer. DNA ‘replication stress’ in cells is a major driver of the genomic instability that is a hallmark of these diseases. This project will explore a newly discovered pathway in the replication stress response where changes to the architecture of a cell nucleus and movement of the genomic material inside promote repair of genomic damage that occurs during replication. It will create valuable new knowledge that has the potential to advance Australian medicine and animal husbandry in key areas such as cancer therapy, cellular engineering and tissue bioengineering. The outcomes from this fellowship will enhance Australian research and train the next generation of genome biologists for the Australian workforce.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Socio-spatial implications of smart city development in India. The project aims to generate extensive new knowledge on the complex socio-spatial implications of smart city development; and the ways in which they have been further consolidated, expedited, and elevated in response to COVID, and to stimulate the pandemic-hit economies. It makes a significant contribution to smart urbanism discourse globally with a focus on equity and its special role at times of crisis. The outcomes include a Smart City Roadmap for advising diverse stakeholders on how to negotiate for and build inclusive smart cities - with significant benefits in strengthening existing, and building new connections between India and Australia in an area of bilateral national significance. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning Economic benefits: Projections for the worldwide value of the smart city sector hover around the market size reaching US$50 trillion by 2050. By producing advanced knowledge on smart city development in India and engaging with the relevant smart city sector, this project is embedded in such a sizable market in a region that is expected to witness the highest growth rate globally. It has significant potentials for Australia to create economies of scale; and exponentially grow its smart city sector linked with India. Contribution to priorities identified by the Australian Government: The project fully aligns with the India-Australia Strategic Partnership which is built on the notion that there is no single major market out to 2035 with more growth opportunities for Australia than India. It will cultivate new and strengthen existing connections in an area of bilateral national significance (see ‘Smart Cities Mission’ for India, and ‘Smart Cities Plan’ for Australia); and elevate Australia as a global leader with specific interest in the smart city sector in India and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Smashing Glass Walls: Building gender equality in male-dominated jobs. This project investigates gender segregation, which is a remarkably resilient problem in the Australian labour market, despite women's increasing labour force participation and strong educational attainment. It examines this problem with a focus on women’s careers in very male-dominated occupations. In these contexts, women enter in low numbers, find it difficult to progress, and face extremely hostile working environments. Adopting a career stage, a worker- and industry-engaged, and a comparative design, the project will generate new insight into where and how sustainable careers for women are challenged in these contexts. This knowledge will inform strategies to build gender equality in jobs at the heart of the economy. Field of research: 1503 - Business and Management Challenging gender segregation and building career sustainability in male-dominated sectors and jobs will have demonstrable social and economic benefits for Australia. These benefits will flow to business (building diverse workforces and the supply of skilled labour in critical areas), to the economy (driving participation and growth), to government (meeting national targets and international commitments), and to women workers (opening up lucrative jobs for better earnings and lifelong economic security). The case study sectors of Engineering, Information Technology (IT) and Investment are crucial for the national economy, as they drive the delivery of vital national infrastructure and connect business across sectors and around the globe. These sectors will become all the more important as Australia designs a COVID19 recovery and it is imperative that women are better included as these sectors develop.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Archaeologies of community and colonialism in Oceania. This project aims to understand the colonial past, its repercussions for the present and future in Oceania and the relationships between global forces and local experiences. It will use an interdisciplinary approach to historical archaeology and community archaeology. The unique colonial landscapes in Mangareva, French Polynesia will provide a landmark case study with global implications. In addition to internationally significant scholarly outputs and collaboration development, the project will make a substantive contribution to public outreach and education. Benefits would include advancement of Oceanic contributions to global historical archaeology, and increased awareness of the meanings of colonial heritage among Pacific peoples. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology Australia has long played a leading role in internationally significant archaeological research in the Pacific. This project will continue that legacy by advancing a pathbreaking interdisciplinary study of the colonial archaeology of Mangareva. It will create a context for ongoing collaboration with Australia’s Pacific neighbours, particularly in French Polynesia. This project would contribute to the national interest by enhancing the research excellence of Australian institutions domestically and internationally. These international collaborations, which will connect cultural institutions in Australia, French Polynesia, and Europe, are essential to building a sustainable indigenous archaeology in the Pacific that can continue to provide insights into the region’s pasts, presents, and futures.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

AUSLearn: AUtomated Sample Learning for Object Recognition. This project aims to enable computers to learn how to effectively use training samples for object recognition. Training sample is the only source used by computers to learn recognising objects. This project creates a new research direction that will enable the first full exploration of the power of samples. The aims will be enabled by leveraging the recent advances in reinforcement learning, fast training algorithms, and by developing novel deep learning algorithms. The new algorithms will benefit a wide range of applications, e.g. to effectively use car crash training samples for accurately identifying potential road crashes in transport and to effectively use rare medical imaging training data for robustly diagnosing diseases in health. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing Reliable object recognition systems are critical to technologies such as intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in driverless cars. This project will develop new algorithms for computers to learn to recognise objects, which will improve the accuracy of technologies such as ITS. The outcomes of this project can be applied for many industries, especially the transport innovation sector that is projected by Austrade to `explode in value to more than $16 billion … by 2025'. Benefits to this sector include improving the reliability of identifying objects that might cause an accident, the key technology for avoiding road accidents in the modelling of autonomous vehicles, reducing the $27 billion cost of road crashes in Australia each year, and keeping Australian road users safer. This technology helps to recognise pedestrians and vehicles that might cause congestion, important in transport management and operations. A long-term goal outside the scope of this project is to apply the algorithms for medical imaging to improve brain disease diagnosis by collaborating with Sydney Neuroimaging Analysis Centre.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Diatomic Electrocatalysts for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Conversion. This project will create novel electrocatalysts to produce valuable C2 compounds (ethylene, ethanol and ethylene glycol) from carbon dioxide reduction reaction. The precise catalyst structure control remains challenging but is crucial for pushing catalyst performance towards practical applications. By innovating organic macrocycle molecules as precursors, this project will generate a new paradigm of diatomic electrocatalysts with structure control precision at atomic-scale. Such catalysts are expected to deliver high catalytic performance to accelerate the transformation to a carbon-neutral future. Synchronously, they will also serve as an ideal platform for in-depth mechanism study and establishing guidelines for rational catalyst design Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology This project will promote the efficient and profitable conversion of waste carbon dioxide emission into valuable chemical feedstocks or energy-intensive fuels, hence, accelerate the transformation of Australia towards a carbon-neutral future and improve life quality for every Australians. This project will deliver a promising solution to address the storage and transportation challenges related to the intermittent nature of the abundant renewable electricity produced in Australia. The highly efficient energy-to-matter conversion will advance the prominence of Australia in the global chemical market. This project will also provide excellent training opportunities for promising students and strengthen the competitiveness of Australia in the nanomaterial and renewable energy research.