THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites. There is unprecedented growth in demand for bioderived and biodegradable materials. This Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites will capitalise on Australia’s abundance of the requisite natural bioresources to drive advances in technology for the development of bioplastic and biocomposite products for the new bioeconomy. The aim is to deliver leading edge research with a holistic focus on technical, social, policy and end of life solutions, training a cohort of industry ready research specialists to underpin Australia’s transition to a globally significant bioplastics and biocomposites industry, while at the same time laying the foundations for accelerated growth in this space. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering The global bioplastics industry is rapidly growing as the world transitions to a sustainable plastics economy. This Training Centre will capitalise on Australia’s substantial bioresources to develop bioderived and biodegradable plastics and composites. It supports two Australian manufacturing research and development priorities: advanced materials and composites, and bio‐manufacturing for the generation of resilient biodegradable packaging. It also supports two Industrial Transformation Priorities; Advanced Manufacturing, and Food and Agribusiness. The Centre will deliver innovative product diversification solutions for three of our multi-billion dollar agro-industries: wood products, sugar and wheat producers. It will build industry R&D capability to place Australia at the forefront of the bioplastic and biocomposite manufacturing sector, driving advances in technology for the development of products for the new bioeconomy. The expansion into bioplastics and biocomposites manufacturing will generate significant economic and employment benefits for Australia while delivering positive environmental impact.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Reducing plate waste in hotels - which interventions are most effective? This project aims to quantify the comparative effectiveness of belief-based and choice-architecture-based interventions in reducing food waste generated by tourists at hotel buffets. Expected outcomes include: new insights into effective triggers of pro-environmental tourist behaviour; the first empirical data on carbon emissions caused by plate waste in tourism; an automatic plate waste measurement system and benchmarking app for monitoring and comparison; and effective practical measures to reduce avoidable food leftovers generated by tourists. This should provide significant benefits by: lowering food cost for the struggling tourism industry, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to Australia’s aim of halving food waste by 2030. Field of research: 1506 - Tourism Food waste is a major environmental challenge. It causes 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions and costs Australia $20 billion a year. Australia aims to halve food waste by 2030. Tourism is critical to achieving this aim because tourists are a big part of the problem: at buffets they fill up their plates generously, just to leave 30% behind uneaten. Leftovers go to landfill and generate powerful greenhouse gas emissions. This project will: quantify the emissions caused by plate waste in tourism; design and experimentally test practical measures to entice tourists to eat up; and develop a benchmarking app for tourism businesses to monitor their plate waste continuously and in real time, and compare it with other tourism service providers. The measurement system and benchmarking app will outlive the project to inform the future development of more practical measures to reduce plate waste created by service providers in the tourism industry. Reducing the amount of food that is disposed of in landfill saves tourism businesses money, reduces carbon emissions, and helps Australia to halve its food waste by 2030.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum systems. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of time in quantum theory and strategies for harnessing gravitational effects in high-precision clocks, bringing cultural benefits to society and paving the way towards improved quantum technologies that are expected to bring economic benefits in the next two decades. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics State-of-the-art sensing and information processing devices use quantum systems, opening the path towards commercial quantum technologies estimated by CSIRO to contribute $4 billion to Australian economy and create 16 thousand jobs for Australians by 2040. Rapidly improving precision of these technologies means that even the minuscule gravitational effects will have to be incorporated into their design to reach the targeted performance of next-generation quantum devices. This research aims to develop currently missing mathematical tools describing gravitational effects in quantum systems used in quantum technologies, explore how they affect the notion and measurements of time, and provide ways to mitigate these effects and thus enable next-generation quantum devices. Knowledge from this research will be indispensable for harnessing quantum effects for practical applications in future quantum technologies brining economic benefit to Australia, and will enhance our understanding of the notion of time in quantum physics, which in turn will bring cultural benefits to Australian as well as global community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Gaining insights into mine waste dumps to avoid environmental legacies. The project aims to develop new methods for identifying pollution source hotspots and pathways inside mine waste rock dumps. This addresses the national need for effective management of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD), which is now a critical consideration in the viability of new mines and in confronting pollution legacies of old mines. The research will develop and test innovative methods of geophysical and geochemical analysis and their integration that provide 3-dimensional mapping of key physical and chemical features of the dump. Expected outcomes include greater confidence in the ability of the mining industry to manage its AMD liability. Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics Australia has approximately 350 medium-to-large operating mines, and some 60,000 abandoned mines. Nationally, mine closure costs and potential environmental liability are continually increasing. Managing Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) from mine waste rock dumps (WRDs) is of greatest concern: closure costs associated with AMD management are expected to exceed $770 million per year in Australia based on international experience. More efficient, more reliable and more cost-effective AMD management options are therefore of considerable economic benefit to Australia. The project aims to contribute to that goal by providing new methods for identifying and mapping out AMD hotspots. As well as supporting better closure planning, this would support improved public, government and investor confidence in the industry to manage its environmental challenges.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Reducing glyphosate exposure from high use practices. This project aims to investigate methods of reducing occupational exposure to glyphosate, a ubiquitous pollutant of emerging concern. This will be achieved through developing new cost-effective analytical and sampling tools and refining methods for integrating human exposure (biomonitoring) data with surveillance data on the pathways of glyphosate exposure from high use. The project will generate new targeted knowledge on (sub) population-specific chemical exposures in Australia, and globally. Such data are critical to inform public health and chemical regulation policy, and provide clear guidance aimed at reducing exposures, to assess the effectiveness of existing regulations, and provide a framework for implementing surveys in the future. Field of research: 0399 - Other Chemical Sciences This project is expected to deliver critical information on the pathways and risk of human occupational exposure to glyphosate in Australia that is task specific and introduces a targeted approach to human exposure studies. This new knowledge is vital to our Partner Organisations and fundamental to inform chemical use advice and regulation and public health policy, thus ensuring potential adverse health effects associated with glyphosate can be effectively managed. Ultimately, this will better inform decision-makers to implement public health policies and chemical regulation strategies to minimise risk and exposure to humans and the environment. The benefits to the Australian community from the project cover health and social benefits associated with understanding and reducing factors that affect chemical use and exposure, and providing tools for assessing intervention and risk reduction strategies applicable to a wide range of high use chemicals and in occupational as well as household settings.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Australian human rights complaints: Litigation, mediation or conciliation. This project will assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms used to resolve human rights complaints in Australia – conciliation, mediation and litigation. It will be the first project to evaluate the effectiveness of these mechanisms in a human rights context. Working with industry partners from the legal sector and four human rights commissions, this project will generate new knowledge on human rights complaints and on the views of key stakeholders about the effectiveness of the mechanisms used to resolve human rights complaints. This new information will inform legal and policy reform throughout Australia. The expected outcomes include developing a robust evidence-based model for human rights dispute resolution in the Australian context. Field of research: 1801 - Law In the COVID-19 era, governments must impose limitations on individual rights. This has led to increased complaints and litigation, which is costly for the legal system, government and human rights commissions. This project will study human rights complaints and the efficacy of current methods of dispute resolution. It will develop a best practice model for human rights dispute resolution in Australia which aims to: reduce the number of human rights cases brought before the courts; reduce the time it takes to resolve a human rights complaint; and strike an appropriate balance between individual rights, and governmental and community interests. The economic and social benefits for Australia include: reducing the costs of resolving humans rights complaints; the successful resolution of complaints from the perspective of both complainants and respondents so that human rights are protected but also reasonably limited when necessary; respecting the separation of powers; and ensuring that vulnerable groups, including First Nations peoples, have access to appropriate complaint resolution mechanisms.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Gut Absorption of Constrained Peptides for Local and Systemic Targeting. Aims: This project aims to investigate how peptides are absorbed across the intestinal wall and distributed to organs and fluids in a rodent model by combining bio-analysis and pharmacokinetics with high-resolution microscopy and imaging. Significance: This project expects to generate the most comprehensive survey to date of the pathways and mechanisms of peptide absorption, biodistribution and immune cell targeting, by implementing innovative approaches. Expected Outcomes: Expected outcomes include significant new knowledge and a new multi-disciplinary platform for measuring peptide absorption. Benefits: This should provide significant benefits by informing the future design of peptides for supplements, therapeutics and carriers. Field of research: 0304 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry This research will combine multiple approaches and state-of-the-art facilities to provide the most detailed analysis to date showing how peptides are absorbed across the intestinal wall. The fate of absorbed peptides will be measured, including the efficiency of their distribution to other organs and fluids and their ability to reach specific target cells and molecules. As small, constrained proteins, peptides can be engineered for use as carriers for different probes, nanoparticles, bioactive molecules and as therapeutics or dietary supplements for animals, agriculture and humans. Oral delivery is the most accessible, economic and beneficial route for administering peptides, however intestinal absorption of peptides is still a poorly understood process. This project will offer a new level of fundamental knowledge, innovations and measurements of peptide absorption to inform research, industry and the public. The outcomes will benefit multiple national industries and end-users, by improving the design, modifications, dosing and administration of peptides used in animals, agriculture and humans.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Exploring the Black Box of Archaeal Methane Metabolism. This project aims to build on new discoveries about how ancient microorganisms belonging to the Archaea that process methane, a significant greenhouse gas. This project expects to generate new data about how these novel Archaea are able to generate/digest methane and other non-methane carbon substrates through metabolic pathways using an interdisciplinary approach. Expected outcomes of this Project include improved techniques to grow these ancient microorganisms, investigate how they process methane, and understand how they contribute to the global carbon cycle. This will provide significant benefits, such as understanding the how the cycling of methane and non-methane compounds by novel Archaea can be manipulated in anaerobic environments. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology Microorganisms that generate or consume methane are abundant in anaerobic environments, and are critical for the global cycling of this compound. However, the cycling of this and other carbon compounds by these anaerobic microorganisms is poorly understood. Anaerobic methane metabolising archaea are key in this process and there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that these microorganisms also utilise non-methane carbon substrates for their growth. This project aims to understand how these archaea process methane and other carbon substrates via carbon cycle, and understand their ability to sequester these compounds into biomass. Also, these unrecognised carbon flow patterns will significantly alter our view of nutrient cycling in these anaerobic environments. These outcomes align strongly with the National Research Priority Area 8, the improved accuracy and precision in predicting and measuring the impact of environmental changes caused by climate and local factors. This carbon capture could be of benefit to Australia based on the ability of these microorganisms to store carbon as biomass.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Reasonable Adjustments to Maths for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Reasonable adjustments to secondary mathematics – parents want it, students need it, the Australian law requires it – but how do teachers achieve it? The aim of this project is to find ways to adjust, teach and assess secondary mathematics for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The significance of this study is in solving a problem facing teachers who are required by law to teach mathematics without evidence informed approaches. Expected outcomes are an evidence-base for reasonable adjustments to secondary mathematics and approaches and strategies for teachers for inclusive practices. If ways for teaching year-level mathematics to learners with intellectual disability are developed, many more students may benefit. Field of research: 1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy All Australian students deserve the right to engage with learning the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. Some need legally mandated reasonable adjustments to do so, and yet an evidence-informed basis for making these adjustments does not exist. This places educators in a perilous position, as recent submissions to the Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation attest. This research will conceptualise reasonable adjustments in the context of secondary mathematics for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Finding ways for teachers to successfully engage these learners in secondary mathematics will not only lead to greater prospects for the productive contribution of these students to Australian society, but the very real potential exists for other students who currently experience difficulties or who are disengaged from learning mathematics to succeed with the year level curriculum in Mathematics. There are substantial economic benefits to Australia of having a more skilled population who finish secondary school with improved maths and numeracy outcomes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Industrial disasters, disclosure deficit: Can transparency level the field? This project aims to identify and apply innovative forms of transparency and new processes of public accountability for energy transition minerals. Recent tailings dam disasters have damaged the global mining industry’s reputation, eroded public trust, weakened investor confidence, and raised new challenges for insurers and other stakeholders. Companies are under intense pressure to disclose information about their activities and satisfy a concerned public that they are not putting people and the environment at risk. The research will benefit end users by improving Australia’s ability to maximise its mineral resource endowment, supporting the transition to low-carbon technology, and safeguarding these assets for future generations. Field of research: 1503 - Business and Management In an age of unparalleled consumption and climate uncertainty, the link between resource extraction and socio-ecological impact is critical. This link is overt in mining, where impacts are increasingly subject to public scrutiny. While there is an increasing demand for minerals globally, anti-mining sentiment is rising and conventional methods of public disclosure and stakeholder engagement are not proving useful. This project has the potential to boost the contribution of metal mining to Australia’s macro-economic development in sustainable and equitable ways. Through this ground-breaking project on new and innovative forms of tailings transparency and public accountability, unique models and methods will be developed that promise to significantly improve Australia’s ability to maximise its own natural resource endowment in ways that reduce conflict, respect the individual and collective human rights and culture of indigenous peoples, and safeguard natural assets for future generations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Plant based foods: Towards sustainable and acceptable meat analogues. The project aims to address the need for engineering plant-based food products to deliver a sensory experience akin to meat. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the structural drivers for emulating meat-like texture and taste within burger products. Expected outcomes of this project include new ingredients and food characterisation methodologies, including rheology and sensory, which can be employed in rational food structure design. This should provide significant benefits in enhancing the consumer acceptance of plant-based foods that is required to support the rapidly growing market opportunity for them and sustainable food production. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering The outcomes of this should have significant economic and environmental benefits to the Australian community. Economic benefits include those arising from the wider consumer acceptance of plant-based protein foods if they meet sensory expectations, which we anticipate enabling using food colloids and engineered structures and rheology. Success should stimulate new opportunities and innovations for growth, which will benefit the entrepreneurial start-up culture currently emerging in the plant-based foods sector globally and in Australia. Environmental benefits arise because it addresses the growing concerns with the sustainability of animal meat production, which is the driver for market demand of plant-based meats. Alternative protein sources are also needed to supplement animals as the population increases. Australian industry will also benefit from the development of a knowledge base and training of innovative researchers in world class rheology, chemical engineering, food colloids, sensory and food laboratories, which will be enhanced by working with an entrepreneurial global company.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Used Water. The project aims to address the pressing challenge of water scarcity in hydrogen production by developing an innovative approach of using used water as the feed for water electrolysis. The project will result in an in-depth understanding of the impacts of water impurities in used water on the performance and durability of water electrolysers, and develop guidelines for the design of highly durable water electrolysers and the operation and upgrade of existing wastewater treatment plants. The project will advance the practical applications of water electrolysis for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production and help Australia secure a leading position in the global emerging hydrogen economy. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering The sustainable production of clean, renewable hydrogen energy provides an attractive alternative to the traditional fossil fuels to address the increasing climate change concerns over the development and sustainability of Australia and the world. Abundant renewable energy and consistent water supply are both crucial for sustainable hydrogen production via water electrolysis. Australia has rich renewables including solar and wind, which is a strong drive for developing the hydrogen economy. However, as an arid country, Australia has been facing the challenge of ensuring a robust and resilient water supply to sustain its economic and social development. Instead of using fresh water, the project proposes a novel concept of using used water for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production and addresses the knowledge gap in co-design of water electrolysis and wastewater treatment processes. Aligning with the National Hydrogen Strategy, the project will help Australia become a global leader in the emerging hydrogen economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Robust, valid and interpretable deep learning for quantitative imaging. One of the biggest challenges in employing artificial intelligence is the “black-box” nature of the models used. This project aims to improve the effectiveness and trustworthiness of deep learning within quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Deep learning has great promise in speeding-up complex image processing tasks, but currently suffers from variable data inputs, predictions are not guaranteed to be plausible and it is not clear to the end user how reliable the results are. The outcomes intend to deliver advanced knowledge and capability in artificial intelligence and machine learning that Australia urgently needs to capitalise on bringing deep learning into practical applications delivering economic, commercial and social impact. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing The proposed development of deep learning techniques for trusted and effective AI has the potential to lower costs of magnetic resonance imaging systems and make them easier to operate. This proposal will reduce the need for the manual steps that are currently involved in analysing quantitative imaging data. This could be especially beneficial in rural areas in Australia that currently have limited access to advanced imaging technology due to high costs and the lack of trained personnel. Our proposal aims at lowering the barrier to quantitative imaging and making it accessible to a wide range of applications, including neuroscientific and pharmaceutical research, healthcare, or education. Thus, there are potential benefits to improve quality of life in regional areas through improved access to services and benefits to the economy through the creation of more jobs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Predicting Perfect Partners: climate resilient seed production technology . This project aims to increase productivity and profitability of the Australian sorghum industry in the face of risks imposed by an increasingly variable climate. This project expects to generate new knowledge of processes limiting hybrid seed production and translate this world-class research into tools and services that can be used by seed companies to improve its efficiency and reliability. The intended outcome will increase the security and sustainability of farming by minimising the risk of climate-induced seed shortages, maintaining Australia’s leadership in agricultural technology development. The expected benefits support profitable and productive businesses, providing Australian agriculture with a competitive, sustainable edge. Field of research: 0703 - Crop and Pasture Production Australia needs to maintain a viable hybrid seed industry in order to support the production of sorghum, its 3rd largest cereal grain crop, which is pivotal to summer cropping systems and underpins a multi-billion dollar intensive livestock industry. The hybrid seed production industry is threatened by the impacts of extreme weather events, particularly high temperatures. Sorghum is the centre piece of cropping systems of the northern grain belt which stretches from central NSW to north QLD where it is critical to economic health of rural communities, supports employment in downstream industries such as meat processing and provides a major source of export income as well as. The proposed research will increase the productivity of the seed industry and reduce the risk of production failures associated with extreme weather events, maintaining Australia’s leadership in agricultural technology development.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Offsite manufacture reimagined for high-performance adaptable housing. The project aims to address housing performance and affordability in Australia by deploying adaptable design for spatial reconfiguration and component reuse, to advance offsite timber manufacture towards energy efficient and healthy homes as mainstream practice. The intended outcome is the development, prototyping and monitoring of an offsite manufactured panelised lightweight timber system for high-performance homes, that is adaptable to all Australian climates and long-term household changes. This will contribute to the sustainable growth of the Australian housing market with significant benefits on housing affordability, adaptable design and long-lasting performance, while boosting the offsite manufactured timber construction sector. Field of research: 1201 - Architecture This project aims to provide remarkable benefits to the Australian housing sector from both the industry and end-user perspective. It will enable the project partners, and the offsite timber industry, to supply innovative adaptable housing systems and reconfigurable components that are set to revolutionise the way houses are built, operated and maintained over an extended lifespan. Mainstreaming high-performance building standards for residential construction and linking the volume builder market to advanced offsite manufactured timber construction aim at providing a tangible pathway to meet Australia’s net zero carbon target by 2050. These benefits are transferable to the homeowners, who are given access to affordable, high-performance dwellings that are suitable to their disposable income and needs through adaptable design, and scalable through measurable impacts of healthy homes and cost-effective climate adaptation responses. This project may also produce new evidence of health and wellbeing impacts of high-performance homes to inform minimum permissible building performance standard in public policy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Engaging ethnic minority and majority blood donors in donor recruitment. Word-of-mouth is a potentially powerful way to recruit blood donors. Talking about donation increases awareness, trust, commitment and positive feelings about donating, particularly in ethnic minority groups. However, donors seldom tell others about donating. This project aims to determine how to motivate blood donors to recruit new donors using word-of-mouth, through research comprising co-design, surveys, and experiments. This project will generate new knowledge of how to encourage effective word-of-mouth for pro-social behaviours. Expected outcomes include producing culturally relevant, validated resources that will significantly benefit Australia by encouraging effective conversations to promote blood donation in all communities. Field of research: 1505 - Marketing Australia faces ongoing challenges to ensure both the sufficiency of the blood supply and the suitability of the products donated to meet the transfusion needs of its increasingly ethnically diverse people. Donor-recruit-donor programs, such as telling others about blood donation (word-of-mouth), are the most cost-effective donor recruitment strategy, but how to encourage this behaviour is unknown. This program of research will build knowledge through identifying the motivators, barriers, and current practice of giving word-of-mouth endorsements for blood donation among ethnic minority and majority blood donors. Further, this program will provide social and cultural benefits to the Australian community through improving the social inclusiveness of blood donation by producing culturally relevant and validated resources in collaboration with ethnic minority and majority communities. These materials will facilitate effective conversations about blood donation and becoming a blood donor, providing an economic benefit to Australia through being a cost-effective way to improve donor recruitment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as innovative chemistry strategies and novel molecular probes to advance fundamental research across the chemical and biological sciences. Anticipated benefits include technological innovations of relevance to Australia’s biotechnology sector and enhanced capacity for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Field of research: 0304 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry This research will lead to several benefits: (i) New knowledge gains on neuropeptide signalling and on their role in important physiological processes, such as memory formation; (ii) Technological advancements in molecular probe development, neuro- and photo-pharmacology, and chemical biology to accelerate fundamental research; (iii) Economic benefits in the long-term, as breakthroughs in neuropeptide research can lead to multi-million-dollar returns; (iv) Enhancement of Australia's knowledge/skills base and research capacity due to the project's multidisciplinary nature, the outstanding research environment, the knowledge/skill transfer from Europe to Australia, and the world-class training of the next generation of scientists in the fields of Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Neuropeptide Research; (v) Promotion of Australia’s scientific excellence and recognition in the areas of chemical biology and neuropeptide research, via both academic and non-academic channels, and (vi) New national and international collaborations to strengthen Australia’s competitiveness on an international level.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Normalising Ability Diversity through Career Transitions:Disability at Work. This project aims to investigate how the higher education sector can better support people with disabilities to transition from economic exclusion to work. One in five Australians have a disability and of these 47.3% are not employed. This is a significant issue with regulatory failures and challenges often affecting rights to education and work being exercised on an equal basis. This project seeks to examine international legal norms, theories and strategic and operational practices in the higher education sector. Expected outcomes include advances in scholarship on ableism, informed policy reform, and transferable operational processes for the education and employment sectors, to improve the transition of people with disabilities to work. Field of research: 1801 - Law Strengthening Australia’s economic performance, helping the most vulnerable persons with disabilities and improving the operation of the higher education sector and labour market are all key national priorities. This project will have a tangible impact on all of these key priorities. Through increasing the capacity of the higher education sector to transition students with disabilities to work, this project seeks to turn welfare recipients into tax payers, while helping previously excluded groups to enjoy the cultural and economic benefits previously denied them. These profound benefits can be achieved through improving regulatory and policy interventions in ways that increase rights outcomes, without demanding greater resources This research seeks to inform institutional structures to be more inclusive of all students and staff and in doing so, create a new normal to for all Australians, including the 1 in 5 people who currently have a disability.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Metal Halide Perovskite Metal-organic Framework Crystal-Glass Composites. This project aims to investigate the highly stable and efficient semiconductive composite materials, recently discovered by my group, consisting of metal halide perovskite embedded in metal-organic framework glass. An integrated experimental and computational approach will be used to study the structures and interfacial bonding mechanisms that govern the highly sought-after properties for the composites. Expected outcomes are a new generation of environmentally safe perovskite devices for energy, environmental and health applications, e.g. lighting, displays, X-ray sensing, photocatalysis and photovoltaics. This project will position Australia at the forefront of semiconducting device research and create commercial opportunities. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering Synthetic semiconductive perovskites can find use in a wide range of energy, environmental and biomedical applications. They are considered as the next generation of solar panel materials and quantum dot displays, and can enable low-dose, high-resolution X-ray imaging/sensing. Their practical applications are still hampered by their poor stability and environmental toxicity. This project aims to address the persistent problems for this family of materials, and thereby enable the highly sought-after perovskite devices not currently available in the market. The project outcomes grant significant progress in synthetic materials development, transforming Australia’s vast abundance of natural resources to synthetic advanced materials. It will generate valuable compounds and devices within Australia for export. This project will place Australia at the forefront of the new generation semiconductive material products, and significantly augment advanced manufacturing for the Australian mining industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Epitaxial Stacking of Nanoporous Nanosheets for Next-generation Membranes. The project aims to develop high-precision selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for solute-solute separation by constructing vertically-aligned and chemically-tailorable nanochannels using two-dimensional porous nanosheets as building blocks. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge in the areas of nanosheet synthesis and functionalisation, membrane design and fabrication, selective transport of solutes and applications. The membranes developed in the project should make existing separation processes more effective and sustainable and advance emerging applications in pharmaceutical, dairy and mining industries, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering Highly precise separating one solute from the other is critical in Australian key industries for producing high purity products and minimising waste generation, e.g. ingredient purification in pharmaceutical industry, whey protein recovery in dairy industry and valuable metal extraction in mining industry. However, current separation membranes have reached their intrinsic limits so that they are not able to effectively discriminate solutes, particularly those with similar physicochemical properties. By mimicking natural biological selective channels, the project aims to address this urgent challenge by creating high-precision selective membranes using advanced nanosheets with tailorable pore and chemical functionality. The project expects to advance the in-depth understanding of materials synthesis, membrane design principles and fabrication techniques, which are expected to form solid knowledge base to train next generation scientists and engineers in the development of next generation membranes for Australian industries, in particular, pharmaceutical, dairy and mining industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Enabling Next-generation Rechargeable Aluminium-ion Batteries. This project aims to develop a new generation of high performance and low-cost cathode materials for rechargeable aluminium ion batteries. To address the low capacity issue of current cathodes, this project anticipates to generate new knowledge in the material design of novel graphene materials. By developing an innovative surface perforation technique coupled in a continuous production process, this project expects to produce scalable and cost-effective graphene cathodes with a record-high capacity. Expected outcomes of this project include industrial adaptable manufacturing processing and advanced materials for aluminium ion batteries, thus increasing the competitiveness of the partner organisation in the rapid growing graphene market. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering The global rechargeable battery market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of ~7% in the next 5 years to over AU$ 200 billion by 2024. This project aims to develop a high performance and low-cost graphene as cathode materials and an advanced continuous manufacturing technique to enable next-generation aluminium-ion batteries, a future energy storage technology to replace lithium ion batteries. New understanding of the relationship between battery performance and the structure of novel graphene cathodes will help guide the rational design of next-generation graphene materials for rechargeable aluminium-ion batteries. This project is expected to improve the Australian partner organisation’s manufacturing capability and create a new market for their graphene products. On completion, the project is likely to generate IP and attract commercial interest, supporting and enhancing Australia's market position in rechargeable batteries. It will also train researchers and provide them with multidisciplinary skills in state-of-the-art nanotechnology to solve problems for industry and society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Developing high performance nanocomposite coatings for domestic appliances. Insufficient robustness and durability of the polymeric coatings on precoated metal sheets has resulted in unacceptably high product defects and reject rates. This project aims to develop novel and high performance nanocomposite multilayer coatings through the systematic optimisation of epoxy and polyester/ graphene and nanoclay systems. These complex coatings are expected to have considerably improved toughness, hardness and interfacial adhesion, thus enhancing formability and wear resistance of precoated metal sheets. Successful outcomes from this study will not only solve a long-standing problem in the manufacturing of precoated metals, but generate breakthrough technologies for next-generation nanocomposite coatings. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering Developing new generation high performance coatings for precoated metal sheets is the top priority for global home appliance manufacturers, as the current coating process is neither cost-effective nor environmentally sustainable. With this project, Australia is presented with the opportunity to embrace home-grown nanotechnology in the development of innovative nanocomposite coatings to answer the emerging challenge. Successful outcomes of this research have the potential to impact on a range of industry sectors in Australia. It will improve Australia’s capabilities in the design and development of next-generation consumer goods that are environmentally sustainable. The nanocomposite coatings technologies developed will create an enabling platform that links the global manufacturing industries for domestic appliances, automotive and building materials with emerging Australian nanomaterials and nanocomposites start-ups. This will not only benefit the Australian economy but also generate considerable environmental and social benefits to our community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Engineering cyanobacteria for high-value flavours and fragrances production. Engineering the metabolism of cyanobacteria for industrial production of flavours and fragrances has great commercial potential. Cyanobacteria capture more than 25% of the planet’s carbon. Due to their native metabolism and capacity to express complex plant proteins, they represent an attractive Synthetic Biology platform for the biosynthesis of flavours and fragrances. Combining physiological strain characterisation and ‘omics studies, new Synthetic Biology strategies and models will be developed. The project aims at engineering a suite of modified freshwater and marine cyanobacteria for flavours and fragrances biosynthesis. The project aims at enabling solar biomanufacturing to underpin the emergence of an advanced Australian bioeconomy. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Cyanobacteria are the ideal catalysts required for the conversion of Australia’s naturally advantaged energy source from the sun and location near Asian markets into a $1bn bio-manufacturing industry. The Project aims to convert CO2 and solar energy into high-value fragrances and flavours. This can be achieved by using cyanobacteria as production catalysts. This project expects to prototype a new generation of improved cyanobacteria production strains by combining Bondi Bioworks’ world-leading capabilities in cyanobacteria engineering with UQ and MQU’s unique expertise in applying systems and synthetic biology. Our research aims to provide a framework for the development of new technology for flavours and fragrances production and a capability for converting CO2, into value-added products. Altogether the project aims at providing significant benefits, such as advancing Australia's capability for chemical manufacturing and contribute to positioning Australia at the forefront of synthetic biology providing tangible benefits for society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Public lessons, private interests: Do inquiries promote industry change? Mineral resource extraction is increasingly contentious and conflictual. Leading global companies are responding to high profile issues by commissioning independent inquiries into past events with the reports released publicly. Little is known about the governance arrangements of these inquiries, their independence, or their role in stimulating change. This project aims to investigate the utility of independent inquiries commissioned by global mining companies for different stakeholder groups. By drawing comparisons with government-led commissions of inquiry, the project aims to develop guidelines for industry inquiries to achieve meaningful change and improve resource governance outcomes globally. Field of research: 1503 - Business and Management In an age of unparalleled consumption and climate uncertainty, the link between resource extraction and socio-ecological impact is critical. This link is overt in mining, where impacts are increasingly subject to public scrutiny and community protest. Although the global resources industry generates macro-economic benefits for Australia, this scrutiny has recently intensified as human rights advocacy, public transparency initiatives, and the climate impacts of large-scale mining converge. Supporting innovative forms of stakeholder engagement – including new forms of public inquiry – promises to boost the global resources industry’s contribution to Australia’s national interests. Through this ground-breaking project, new tools and techniques will improve Australia’s ability to maximise its natural resource endowment in a way that reduces conflict, respects human rights, and safeguards our natural assets for future generations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

New Stratigraphy and Geostatistics for Gas and Water Resources . Management of gas and water resources is of significant importance to the Australian economy and society. Industry and government use digital modelling to assist in resources management. The first step in modelling is to correlate geological data and then use geostatistics to estimate properties in areas without data. This project aims to produce a new geological framework for the Surat Basin underpinned by new zircon ages and ages of fossils in sediments and a new geostatistical methodology to better represent flow properties in coal seams and aquifers. This is expected result in a more accurate modelling methodology that can be used by industry and government for modelling resources, including in other basins in Australia and worldwide. Field of research: 0403 - Geology The advanced groundwater models will inform the long-term sustainable protection and use of the critical Great Artesian Basin (GAB) resource. They will be a key tool to optimise use of the GAB by rural communities and key industries, e.g. agriculture and mining, which are significant contributors to the Australian economy. The estimated combined value of GAB groundwater for agriculture, mining and urban water supply was $18.84 billion in 2016. In addition, use of the new techniques in coal seam gas (CSG) planning are expected to result in fewer wells to achieve production targets, assisting the industry to reduce production costs and to maintain ‘social licence to operate’ by reducing social and environmental impacts. The basin’s CSG industry generated exports of $13.48 billion in 2018. Maintaining or increasing economic production from all sectors is fundamental to the economic, social and environmental structure of the GAB, with significant economic benefits at State and national levels. The new techniques will be able to be applied to other regions reliant on groundwater resources or gas development.