UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Resilient free-space optical precise positioning and time synchronisation. The aim of this Industry Fellowship is to demonstrate optical precise positioning and time synchronisation across free-space links for the first time. The project will achieve this feat by bringing together cutting-edge optical technologies to enable a globally unique translation opportunity. The expected outcome of this Fellowship will be the world-first demonstration of optical precise positioning and time synchronisation between a transportable ground terminal and an aircraft. This a key validation for medium-term commercialisation opportunities for a terrestrial optical precise positioning and time synchronisation system, and a critical steppingstone to a next-generation, resilient, space-based position, navigation, and timing network. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware Accurate time synchronisation is of vital importance to modern society. Notably, time synchronisation is critical for the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS), which is used daily by most of the world's population. However, GPS is susceptible to spoofing and jamming, and its performance is falling critically short for many emerging applications. This project will demonstrate a new method of time synchronisation that is more secure and more accurate than current systems. The project will achieve this by combining several cutting-edge optical technologies that have been translated from other areas of science. The demonstration will put Australian industry at the forefront of precision timing technologies and provide our Defence agencies with a blueprint for a next-generation, secure, national positioning, navigation, and timing system. The combination of unique technologies from academia and industry, provide the project with globally unique translation and commercialisation opportunity that would otherwise not be possible.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Novel Biofertiliser for Sustainable Agriculture: Tackling Phosphorus Crisis. Shortage and rising prices of phosphorus (P) fertilisers pose major threats to global food security. We discovered a novel symbiosis in which the native fungus Austroboletus occidentalis significantly improves P nutrition of crops by tapping into soil residual P bank. This project aims to i) characterise growth and nutritional benefits of this new biofertiliser for major food and biofuel crops, ii) explore its other potential benefits and formulations, and iii) conduct multi-year field trials to quantify grain yield benefits of the biofertiliser. Expected outcomes would pave the way for broadacre application of this biofertiliser, leading to reduced use of synthetic P fertilisers, enhanced food security and environmental sustainability. Field of research: 3004 - Crop and Pasture Production This research project aims to develop a novel biofertiliser based on an Australian native fungus, addressing a critical gap in crop production: shortage of phosphorus (P) fertilisers. Annually, approximately US$61 billion worth of inorganic P fertilisers are applied worldwide, but 80-90% of it becomes inaccessible to plants due to soil reactions. This new biofertiliser acts as a bridge between crop roots and the P treasure trapped in field soils, enabling farmers to reduce application of expensive P fertilisers, increasing crop yields, and lowering food production costs. With Australia importing around 400,000 tonnes of P fertilisers annually, this proposal enhances national food supply security and aligns with the National Agricultural Innovation Agenda, driving economic growth. The global biofertiliser market was valued at US$2.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$3.8 billion by 2025 (a 46% increase). Beyond innovative science, this project promotes the adoption of this eco-friendly biofertiliser technology in Australia and worldwide. Moreover, supporting crops used in production of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels, the research will contribute to combating climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. Overall, this research offers a promising natural solution to the poor-use efficiency and atrocious environmental impact of synthetic P fertilisers, significantly benefiting Australians in terms of food security, economic growth, and environmental protection.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Integrative geophysics Under cover: getting images of the Unknown Unknowns. The goal of the project is the collaborative development of an integrated multidisciplinary geophysical modelling algorithm to improve our capability to image rocks under cover in Australia. The project will generalise a new gravity anomaly modelling code with the integration of other datasets through the integration of physics, statistical analyses, deep learning and geological modelling. Expected outcomes include the capability to model ‘unknown unknowns’ such as the number of rock units under cover or their relationships together with the associated uncertainty. This will reduce mineral exploration risks and support the identification of prospects for targeted exploration, all while answering scientific challenges. Field of research: 3706 - Geophysics Approximately 80% of Australia’s territory is covered by a layer of weathered rocks, concealing the geology of interest to the welfare and development of human societies, such as water and minerals. Imaging the subsurface under this cover remains challenging due to the lack of direct observations of the rock formations of interest. In this context, geophysical data serves as one of the primary sources of information about the subsurface and rigorous modelling is difficult when limited prior information is available. To address this, this project aims to develop specifically designed new geophysical modelling techniques for a deeper understanding of the subsurface that includes the estimation of unknown unknowns. These techniques will integrate various types of geophysical data (e.g., gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics) while incorporating geological principles to generate collections of subsurface models representing both the available data and the range of plausible subsurface scenarios it allows. The analysis of these models will provide valuable insights into potential exploration outcomes, reduce the risks, leading to better-informed decision-making. The project's outcomes will include freely available algorithms to be used by practitioners in Australia, the imaging of multiple areas of interest for mineral exploration in Western Australia, local capacity building and the training of PhD students at the University of Western Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Valuing Australia's surfing resources for sustainable coastal management. Surf breaks provide key ecosystem services, but climate and human impacts threaten their integrity and the environmental and socio-economic benefits they support. This project aims to develop a holistic understanding and practical tools to effectively manage Australia’s surf breaks, as valuable resources. The project will combine qualitative research with economic valuation to understand benefits and threats associated with surf breaks and their surrounding areas (i.e. surfing resources). Expected outcomes include Australia’s first comprehensive surf management guidelines, setting a global blueprint for coastal sustainability benefiting industries and local communities, where surfing resources underpin livelihoods, culture and wellbeing. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics Surfing is Australia’s second most practiced water-based sport, contributing $4.6 billion to the national economy and the wellbeing of nearly one million participants. Globally, Australia is renowned as a top surf destination, with over 1,230 surf breaks and world-class waves. However, growing pressures from coastal erosion and infrastructure developments are impacting the complex processes needed for wave formation. Despite their significance, most coastal management mechanisms fail to consider surf breaks as valuable natural resources, with few safeguards to preserve their integrity and the economic and cultural benefits they provide. This research will be the first to comprehensively quantify the benefits derived from Australia’s surf breaks, including contributions to local economies and social wellbeing. Additionally, this project will develop Australia’s first comprehensive guidelines for the sustainable management of surf breaks and their surrounding areas. These key outcomes will assist governments in making effective decisions, considering a set of critical coastal values that had previously been overlooked. This project will serve as a blueprint for translation across Australia and surf-rich regions like Aotearoa New Zealand and Hawai’i. As the 2021-2030 United Nations Oceans Decade unfolds, this research takes place at a pivotal movement when governments, industry and community come together towards a common goal of greater coastal resilience and sustainability.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

The Great Southern Reef: Surviving and Thriving in the Anthropocene. I will integrate long-term ecological field data, seascape genomics and novel breeding and stress experiments to transform our understanding of the functions, challenges, opportunities and trajectories for Australia's Great Southern Reef (GSR) and its kelp forests. Catalysing the knowledge and human capital to ensure a thriving GSR into the future, my fellowship will help secure a global biodiversity hotspot and one of the largest, most unique and valuable marine ecosystems in Australia. This research will leave a strong legacy by generating new capacity to understand, predict and mitigate climate-driven changes in the world’s kelp forests. Field of research: 3103 - Ecology This fellowship will generate unprecedented knowledge of the Great Southern Reef (GSR), an overlooked yet invaluable temperate marine ecosystem in Australia. Focused on climate change, marine heatwaves and kelp forests, the research aims to unravel how this biodiversity hotspot will adapt to future conditions. This new understanding will open opportunities for conservation and sustainable management, not only for the GSR but as a model for kelp forests worldwide. The project's significance is underscored by the GSRs economical, ecological and cultural importance: it contributes >$10 billion/yr to the economy, >70% of its species are found nowhere else on Earth, and it connects over 50 indigenous nations. It also consolidates extensive, long-term data sets covering over 1000 kilometers, a vital resource for future research. Mentoring and knowledge transfer will bolster human capital required to ensure a thriving marine environment for Australia's future. Moreover, by exploring nature-based solutions and future-proof restoration, the project contributes not only to safeguarding Australia's biodiversity but also to global climate resilience. Engaging with local to national policymakers through white papers and policy briefs, utilizing the platforms provided by the GSR Research Partnership and the GSR Foundation, will ensure wide dissemination and practical application of project outcomes and offer a blueprint for safeguarding the GSR and its productive kelp forests.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Quantifying the benefits of time for deep foundations in fine-grained soils. Despite increasing demand for foundations in wind & solar farms, transportation & mining infrastructure, as well as coastal & offshore developments, current methods of assessing their axial capacity in fine-grained soil are flawed and outdated. This project addresses an urgent need for improved reliability and reduced costs by integrating empirical, numerical and theoretical state-of-the-art approaches in a unique and innovative manner. The project will develop a long-awaited design method for displacement foundations that incorporates the critical effect of time in its formulation. This advancement will create significant cost savings in upcoming renewable energy projects, as well as in traditional infrastructural developments. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Displacement foundations are the backbone to Australia's construction and energy sectors, being essential for onshore and offshore infrastructure. However, poor reliability in current design techniques results in costly and inefficient foundation solutions. This project will employ a comprehensive and targeted campaign of field and laboratory experiments, combined with numerical support, to develop a new and robust methodology for the displacement foundation design in fine grained soil. A key feature of this approach is the incorporation of time since installation in the formulations, recognising its significant influence on axial capacity – a crucial aspect that is overlooked in existing approaches. The step-change increase in dependability of the new approach will lead to more efficient designs with an estimated annual saving, based on data from the Piling & Foundation Specialist Federation, of at least $75M for Australia’s displacement pile industry alone. By prioritising efficiency and cost-effectiveness, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the government's national interest in sustainable infrastructure development, particularly in wind and solar energy infrastructure, while positively impacting existing sectors that are critical to Australia's economic success. The project represents an essential step towards aligning economic prosperity and environmental sustainability in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Novel decarbonisation via producing lithium carbonate with carbon emissions. As a critical metal, lithium will play a pivotal role in energy transition. Tianqi Lithium Kwinana is the first to produce battery-grade lithium in Australia in commercial quantities in May 2022. This project aims to make its refining process greener through effective decarbonisation and waste management. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of decarbonising the refining processes of critical minerals. Expected outcomes include a new technology for locking carbon dioxide into lithium products, and a novel approach for managing refinery waste. This should provide significant benefits, such as a boosted lithium production capacity for Australia’s exports, and invented leading technologies for critical minerals industry. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Critical minerals have endowed Australia a world leading position in exploiting and producing key products for energy transition to a net zero future. As a typical product, lithium plays a pivotal role in manufacturing batteries, which power a range of electronic products. Until May 2022, Tianqi Lithium Kwinana firstly produced battery-grade lithium in Australia in commercial quantities, but current process generates heavy carbon emissions and substantial nonlithium waste. This project aims to address such serious issues, benefiting the whole emerging lithium industry in Australia. The research gaps of decarbonising hard rocks lithium processing and converting non-lithium waste to value-added products will be addressed. This research will boost Australia’s lithium production capacity to support the battery manufacturing industry and enhance export value. The outcomes will also help to convert the lithium refining waste to commercial products for greater economic value. The project significantly contributes to decarbonisation, not just broadly promoting energy transition by providing critical minerals but decarbonising the lithium refining process itself. Therefore, it will help Australia achieve the ambitious decarbonisation and net zero targets and make considerable steps in mitigating the effects of climate change. The research outcomes are expected to be adopted by other lithium industries beyond Tianqi and make positive impact to the whole sector of critical minerals.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Evaluating the benefits of teacher training in Einsteinian science. The Einstein-First school science education program developed by this team has been taken up by more than 50 schools and was launched nationally in 2023. It aims to revitalise physical science education across school years 3-10. With early introduction of modern concepts we aim to allow everyone to share the revelations of modern science and our best understanding of the universe. Micro-credential courses and other training vehicles have seen teachers develop confidence and enthusiasm for the new materials. This proposal will evaluate and optimise the teacher training programs, and measure the outcomes in terms of our primary goals of encouraging more students, and especially girls, to choose STEM options with view to future careers. Field of research: 3903 - Education Systems Einstein-First is a national education project aiming to solve three related problems: Students’ declining attitudes towards Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the STEM skills crisis, and widespread anti-science sentiments, arising from ignorance of the revelations of modern science. To solve these problems we created Eight Steps to Einstein’s Universe, a program in which exciting, relevant modern science is taught over four years of primary school and four years of middle school. Supported by abundant evidence for the effectiveness of this program, we developed training programs for upskilling teachers, raised industry funding to take the program across Australia, expanded the program to 50 schools, held a national launch at the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra, received national funding to provide free micro-credential training for teachers in 2024, and funds for a related program called Quantum Girls. To reap the national benefits we aim for, we need to make sure that our training programs are optimised, that our trained teachers do indeed transfer enthusiasm for science to their students, and that more students, especially girls, go on to choose STEM options and aim for STEM careers. This will be of benefit to the economy and increase the pool of people able to undertake the innovations required to cope with the challenges of the future. We aim to make our programs widely and freely available for the benefit of all schools, and the nation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

An Aboriginal History of Western Australia. The project will undertake ground-breaking research on innovative approaches to Aboriginal history, combining truth-telling imperatives with restorying techniques in order to produce an Indigenous-centred, future-oriented, new general Aboriginal history of Western Australia in time for the state Bicentenary. This project will create a scholastically rigorous, systematic and culturally appropriate historical resource for communities, students, researchers, and the general public. It will be able to serve as a model for future general histories of Aboriginal people seeking to truly embrace Indigenous perspectives. Field of research: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History Western Australia has the third largest Indigenous population in Australia and Aboriginal culture and history informs many aspects of its identity: from countless placenames, heritage trails and memorials, the inclusion of language, art and performance into civic life, recognition of native title, and local histories. Yet without a broad understanding of WA's past these aspects can appear piecemeal, confusing or overlooked. Unlike some other states, WA lacks a dedicated, coherent, and accessible account that can help its citizens to understand and value its unique Aboriginal past. This is an urgent problem, as recent calls for truth-telling attest. The upcoming WA bicentenary in 2029 provides an opportunity to reckon with the West’s distinctive Aboriginal history. This project will produce valuable, innovative and unparalleled historical resources, including an authoritative book and curriculum materials, that can be used by students, researchers, the public, government agencies and private industries: it will benefit readers - citizens and visitors - who desire a deeper understanding of WA's Aboriginal past and how the histories revealed have shaped the present and can inform our futures. The project will be a model for historical truth-telling, which is not limited to acknowledging dark histories but also entails uncovering histories which inspire, by restoring dignity to ancestors, honouring our singular and shared heritages, and deepening our knowledge and understanding.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Work fragmentation in the gig economy. The gig economy has fragmented working arrangements in Australia and globally, disrupting how, where and on what terms work is performed. This study will systematically interrogate the consequences for work and workers in Australia of the growth and diversification of gig work. It will use a labour geography approach to explain how workers navigate working in the gig economy in the context of their wider lives. This will extend existing research by grounding analysis in the lived experience of workers both across various segments of the gig economy and over time. The project will extend academic theory and provide guidance to policymakers as to how to harness the benefits of gig work while mitigating potential harm. Field of research: 3505 - Human Resources and Industrial Relations The 'gig economy' has recast the nature of work relationships and performance in the Australian economy. This has re positioned workers, simultaneously increasing work opportunities and creating the potential for the exploitation of workers. This project will investigate the experience of work in the gig economy, using geographical and industrial relations frames to show how, why, where and when workers engage in gig work, and what this means for their work and non-work lives. This is of benefit as the regulation of the gig economy is a live political issue, with Parliaments and regulators (primarily the Fair Work Commission) currently deciding the best way to maximise the economic and social benefit of the gig economy for Australia and workers in Australia. By providing a robust, multi-sector and longitudinal data set which will report the motivations, expectations, needs and experiences of gig workers, this project will inform these regulatory choices.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

A new Iron Age! Making Iron complexes fit for C-C cross-coupling catalysis. This project aims to develop new iron catalysts as alternatives to the expensive and increasingly rare noble metals currently used in C-C bond forming reactions, the most important single-step in the fine-chemicals sector. This project expects to create a flexible yet robust framework by introducing a hemilabile ligand into the backbone of the iron complex to control the number of vacant coordination sites. Expected outcomes of this project are 1) iron complexes able to catalyse biaryl couplings from sustainable substrates and 2) knowledge on structure-property relationships of iron-based catalytic processes. Australia will benefit by applying its own resources and help preserving the valuable noble metals for processes relying on them. Field of research: 3402 - Inorganic Chemistry The formation of new bonds between two carbon atoms is the most essential step in the production of many chemicals, including pharmaceuticals. These reactions currently require the use of expensive metals that act as catalysts to speed up the rate of a chemical reaction, but these are not easily available in Australia and must be imported at high cost. This project aims to develop alternative catalysts based on iron, which is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and widely available in Australia. Expected outcomes of this project will be development of new and efficient iron catalysts that can be easily produced in Australia from local iron ore resources. These catalysts are likely to be adopted immediately by the Australian chemical manufacturing industry because they are cheaper and locally available, improving the supply chain for manufacturing chemicals in Australia and strengthening our economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

The effect of nutrition on male life history traits in humans. This project will provide answers to fundamental questions in evolutionary biology while identifying diet compositions that will benefit human health and well-being. Using a longitudinal public-health database, the Raine Study, and a theoretical framework from the field of Nutritional Ecology, the project will provide new knowledge on how nutrition affects key life-history traits in humans including immune function, reproductive health, physical appearance, and healthy ageing. A systematic literature review on how diet impacts these life-history traits in animals generally, and an experimental study of the effect of diet on health and reproduction in the house mouse (a lab analog species for humans) will complement the Raine Study findings. Field of research: 3103 - Ecology The world is facing an emerging crisis in healthcare, driven in large part by changes in human diet. The annual economic cost of treating diet-linked diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is estimated to be $2 billion in Australia. We will analyse dietary and health data from one of the world’s most comprehensive public-health databases, The Raine Study (2,900 pregnant women and their babies commencing in 1989), complemented with a study of the effect of diet on health in laboratory mice. Outcomes will include novel insights into the management of diet-related illnesses by identifying the precise optimal ratio of nutrients that maximize health. Positive findings will provide insight for dietary interventions to extend the number of years during which Australians can lead healthy lives, thus providing economic and social benefits to Australia.  These outcomes would be translatable through public health promotion, health organisations, and media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

A parenting program to improve Aboriginal parent and child wellbeing. This project aims to develop and implement a culturally safe, trauma-informed parenting program that can interrupt the intergenerational transmission of trauma and help improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, parenting, and parent-child relationships. There is a lack of parenting programs that address the issue, and the project will bring light to that. The expected outcomes are to encourage the connection to culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. This program can provide a positive shift in parenting, with significant implications in improving life outcomes for indigenous communities in Australia and internationally who also deal with the impact of intergenerational trauma. Field of research: 4504 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Few parenting programs are developed for and by Aboriginal people and based on Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing. This project partners with communities to design and implement a parenting program that integrates an understanding of the trauma experienced by Aboriginal people. The program aims to improve social and emotional wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. The program will reduce the effect of trauma experienced by parents and grandparents on children, and reduce future risks of poor health and social outcomes (e.g. substance abuse, imprisonment, domestic violence). Effective parenting programs will improve childhood wellbeing, resulting in lifelong emotional, behavioural, educational, economic, and cultural benefits. Because communities will be involved from the beginning, this project can be rolled out widely once it is shown to work. This work can also be translated and adopted through our links with Closing the Gap and other initiatives.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Integrated Crystallisation Facility. This project will provide Western Australia with cutting-edge crystallisation facilities for determination of the structures of biological and chemical materials, increasing throughput and miniaturising experiments to obtain more structures more rapidly. The project will generate new knowledge in the areas of structure-based drug and herbicide design, synthetic biology, and materials science. Expected outcomes include new therapeutic routes, candidate pharmaceuticals for global diseases, smart and safe herbicides to increase food production, and new gas storage materials. In addition to these tangible outputs, the facility will facilitate collaboration within Western Australia, Australia and globally, with academic and industry partners. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Understanding the precise atomic structures of large biological molecules and chemical materials is an essential step in explaining how these materials function and how they interact with other substances. The proposed infrastructure will help us produce crystals of these materials which will in turn let us map their atomic structures. Ultimately, information from these atomic structures can help solve critical global problems in the areas of food security, life sciences, and energy and resources. For example, in partnership with industry the project will reveal the shape of proteins that have been identified as novel targets for weedkillers. This information will allow us to design new weedkiller molecules that work better and are less toxic, to improve food production. Similar approaches will facilitate the design of new materials to trap greenhouse gases, and new drugs. By connecting to industry and global research leaders we will translate benefits to the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Digitising the Drafting of the Australian Constitution. This collaborative project aims to simplify the task of understanding the Australian Constitution and its drafting process. It will provide an accessible means to decipher the proposals, drafts and votes by which the Constitution was formed. The expected outcomes of the project are an open access, online archive that consolidates, corrects and enhances the digital record of the Constitutional Conventions and the processes associated with them. This will provide significant benefits not only to constitutional law scholars and historians but also school teachers and students seeking to reconstruct the process by which our Constitution was formed. Field of research: 4807 - Public Law The Australian Constitution structures and informs many of our most pressing issues as a federation. However, to fully understand our Constitution, one needs to unravel the complex process through which the constitution was developed. Presently, this is a daunting task: the historical records are scattered across Australia, difficult to locate, and where available online, contain errors and omissions. This project will contribute to Australia's cultural heritage by creating Australia’s first open-access, online resource that consolidates, corrects and enhances the digital record of the drafting of the Constitution. Because it will be open-access and online, the platform will be accessible to national and international researchers, lawyers and judges, and students and educators at schools and universities. The resource will also enhance public understanding of the Constitution, including during referendum debates about constitutional change. The project will create a one-stop entry point for all Australians seeking to better understand our founding document.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Transforming the Zadko Observatory into a Space Surveillance Hub. This project aims to transform the Zadko Observatory to a Space Surveillance Hub in Western Australia that will be used by major national and international users and commercial partners. It would replace the current infrastructure of the Observatory, and its instrumentation with modern equipment. This project would achieve the transformation of the existing facility to a space surveillance hub for a fraction of the nominal cost of a new hub, by leveraging on previous financial investments. Expected outcomes of this project is an improvement of the contribution of the facility to Australia’s strategic Space Programme specifically for space situational awareness and deep space imaging. Field of research: 5109 - Space Sciences Most of the Australia’s space observation and surveillance related activities are performed on the eastern seaboard, which limits their overall efficiency; specific areas of the sky at the end of the night can be observed only from Western Australia. This proposal aims to modernise critical space infrastructure within the Zadko Observatory located in Western Australia. This will be achieved by installing new instrumentation, improved robotic automation, and modern control systems, enabling a world-class versatile space hub at this unique longitude. This state-of-the-art facility will compliment those in the East and ensure a more complete coverage of the sky for astronomical observation and space surveillance. It will enable proactive investigations to identified threats to both space and ground-based assets on or around Earth, such as collisions with space debris plus meteor and asteroid paths. This proposal will improve collaboration between universities on both sides of the country and will be used in immediate applications by academic, commercial, civil and government organizations nationwide.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Synthetic biology tools for just-in-time control of biosynthetic pathways. Synthetic biology enables sustainable synthesis of precious chemicals, ranging from drugs to biomaterials. Using microbes, high production levels are usually attained by overexpressing the genes that make the desired product, but this simple approach often fails for antibiotics and other compounds that are toxic to microbes. Using synthetic biology this project builds genetic circuits enabling smart, just-in-time activation of target genes, which is pervasive in natural pathways. Using these circuits we will boost 1) the production of a valuable antibiotic and 2) calcite precipitation in self-healing concrete. This approach enables the biosynthesis of many other chemicals, leading to cleaner and greener bio-factories. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion in government-funded bio-foundries, which are accelerating the adoption of synthetic biology. These global efforts are underpinned by the benefits synthetic biology has to offer, such as cheaper and safer bioproduction of chemicals from sustainable sources, plus the opportunity to produce highly complex and valuable molecules. The synthetic biology approach we propose here will improve the productivity of novel bioproduction pipelines, allowing us to cheaply manufacture antimicrobials that help to combat the rising superbug crisis as well as smart biomaterials, such as self-healing concrete, supporting safer and more durable building construction. This will not only advance Australia’s manufacturing capacity but also provide direly needed drugs to improve human and animal health, with potential benefits to the health and food sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

National Facility for Performance Characterisation of Infrared Technologies. This project aims to establish a National Facility for noise performance characterisation of state-of-the-art and emerging infrared (IR) technologies. The facility will include state-of-the-art capabilities to measure electronic and eletro-optic noise phenomena, at both device and system levels, that challenge the progress of Australian developed IR imaging arrays and novel IR sensing modalities beyond the laboratory prototypes. The capabilities proposed will enable robust benchmarking and performance validation as essential tools for enabling "beyond state-of-the-art" sovereign IR technologies deployable in defence and in diverse fields of economic activity, such as environmental monitoring and earth observation, among many others. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware This project will establish a national facility for testing the performance of infrared imagers and sensors and measuring unwanted electronic disturbance in these sensing systems. The state-of-the art capabilities, which are currently not available to the Australian research community, will support and enable progress in moving Australian-developed infrared sensing systems from universities to industry applications. In addition to supporting the development of Australian-based defence and security capabilities, the proposed national facility will enable rapid improvement to infrared sensing and imaging for many industrial, agricultural and scientific uses, including remote sensing for mineral exploration, environmental monitoring, on-farm plant assessment, and food security; as such, the proposed facility will significantly contribute to the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Why is (re)development hot?: Measuring cumulative heat in Australian cities. Incremental (re)development of Australia’s residential areas occurs piecemeal, with varied planning oversight, and results in potentially harmful cumulative warming. This project aims to causally identify the warming effect of residential (re)development and investigate the impact of planning policies that control changes in the built form associated with increased heat exposure. Using large geospatial datasets and a quasi-experimental research design, warming in Australia’s suburbs over the past decade at the micro (street canyon)- and neighbourhood-scales, will be attributed to (re)development types and ‘fissures’ in policy to inform climate resilient planning. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning Extreme heat kills more Australians than any other natural hazard (36,000 between 2006-2017), affects mental and physical health, and reduces economic productivity (by 35%). More than 7 in 10 Australians live in cities, where the worst heatwaves occur because there is less vegetation cover and more hard surfaces. Our cities are growing, with current enthusiasm for increased density over ‘urban sprawl’, which can magnify heat exposure even further. Yet, there is little understanding of how this increased warming accumulates across our streets and suburbs as they (re)develop and densify. This project will measure the warming effect of different types of (re)development and suggest climate-resilient planning policies that mitigate increased heat exposure. These outcomes will provide social and health benefits for Australia, as our results will give planners the evidence they need to make our dense cities more liveable. Adoption of our results will occur through direct interaction with the Australian planning community and through advocacy more broadly with Government stakeholders, and the media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Micro-electromechanical technology for harnessing terahertz waves. This project proposes novel low-cost miniature devices for spectral, spatial and temporal manipulation of terahertz waves realised using a unified platform based on a single material and fabrication technology sufficiently generic to span the entire very broad terahertz band. It inherently overcomes the most hindering issue of current terahertz instruments relating to the limited span of the spectrum each tool can cover and the high costs associated with increasing this span; removing the need for making spectral band compromises in the design of future tools. The intended outcome is a platform for terahertz spectroscopic imaging, target recognition, detection of chemical composition of objects, and future high-bandwidth communications. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering Imaging technologies are key to many aspects of our lives, from medical images to diagnose and treat disease to satellite images to monitor melting ice caps. Imaging at different wavelengths of light can reveal new information, extending the applications of these technologies. Traditional imaging components such as lenses and mirrors work only across a limited range of wavelengths. Creating imaging systems that use long wavelengths, in the ‘terahertz’ range, requires novel materials and production methods. In this project, we will develop low-cost, miniature devices, using existing semiconductor manufacturing methods, that can be mass-produced, to manipulate terahertz waves. This will allow exciting new uses of terahertz light waves in drug detection, medical imaging and pharmacology. This technology will also be used for remote and real-time sensing and monitoring in key Australian industries, e.g., agriculture and mining, and in border security, aerospace and defence. These developments will form the basis of new products and markets.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

New Silent Anchors for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in Calcareous Sand . Reliable wind energy sites are in deeper waters and require offshore floating structures to harness the wind energy. Such floating structures require a reliable anchoring system that is secure and environmentally friendly. Calcareous sands, rich in carbonate content, pose unique challenges with their behaviour difficult to predict. In this project, a novel silent anchoring system is investigated that can be installed with minimum noise and vibration compared to more traditional counterparts. Through the state of the art development in numerical modelling and centrifuge modelling, this project will advance Australian Science and Practice in designing floating wind turbines in carbonate rich soils offshore and help energy transition. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Floating wind turbines and floating wave energy devices can help us generate more renewable energy offshore. But for this to happen, we need to attach these devices to solid foundations that are friendly to marine life. The project aims to develop this kind of foundation in the challenging seabed soils off the Australian coast. It will lead to new design guidelines for engineers developing offshore renewable energy devices with foundations that are suited to Australian seabed conditions and similar conditions around the world. The resulting improvement in the design of these foundations will place Australia in a leading global position in the development of floating offshore renewable energy devices and support our transition to renewable energy. The research team works closely with the offshore industry in Australia and around the world, and these long-standing ties can help ensure that the research is translated into widely adopted new technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Reducing geotechnical design conservatism to secure floating wind energy. The next frontier for offshore wind energy is moving further out to sea to avail of stronger and more consistent wind speeds. In these water depths, wind turbines are installed on floaters tethered to anchors in the seabed. Geotechnical design of anchors is inherently conservative, having been shaped by technical and economic considerations of oil and gas facilities. The offshore wind energy industry cannot afford to adopt such conservatism if floating wind is to become commercially viable. This project will, through numerical developments, geotechnical centrifuge modelling and field testing, develop the science that will lead to a reliability-based geotechnical design approach to make floating offshore wind energy economic and viable. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Offshore wind will play a major role in energy generation into the future, with plans in place for enough floating wind projects on Australia’s coastlines to power over 6 million homes. This scale of renewable energy development will require thousands of anchors to keep the floating wind turbines in position. However, anchoring costs are currently a barrier to Australia’s offshore wind energy ambitions. Research outcomes from this project will allow for a design approach that identifies and adopts improvements in seabed strength, allowing for smaller and therefore less expensive anchors. These outcomes will be made publicly available as a web-based application design tool that can be directly adopted in engineering practice. This research will result in economic, environmental and societal benefits for Australia by reducing costs of generating affordable clean energy, creating sustainable jobs, and training the next generation of engineers for this industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Conformal Field Theories with Higher Spin Symmetry and Duality Invariance. This project aims to develop novel methods to study conformal field theories with higher spin symmetry and duality invarianvce that are important in variety of applications ranging from cosmology to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in one of the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will be new conceptual results of major significance for modern theoretical and mathematical physics, thus placing Australia at the forefront of this research. Benefits will include a rich intellectual environment for training Australian PhD students by internationally recognised experts. Field of research: 4902 - Mathematical Physics Quantum mechanics is the study of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles. This understanding can be used to develop exciting new quantum technologies – such as unbreakable data encryption to prevent hacking, and advanced sensors that would make MRI technology used in medical scanning more accurate.  This project will deepen our understanding of quantum technology for the development of new uses in the future. It will bring together an internationally recognised team with a proven track record in pushing the boundaries of research in quantum physics, which will be critical to an integrated approach by Australia in maintaining our leading role in the quantum revolution into the future.  The research will have economic and commercial benefits for Australia as the intellectual property developed through this work will be held in Australia.  This research will be translated and adopted through relationships with industry partners in relevant fields, such as cybersecurity and medical imaging.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Engineering Fungal Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases for Novel Alkaloids. This project aims to use protein-domain shuffling aided by structural biology to decode and engineer a class of modular megaenzymes, called nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), in fungi. These are responsible for the biosynthesis of peptide-derived bioactive molecules, such as the antibiotic penicillin and the immunosuppressant cyclosporin. Expected outcomes of this project include a fungal NRPS engineering platform for generating new molecules with desirable biological activities that can be readily scaled up for sustainable bioproduction. This will provide significant benefits to Australia through the development of cutting-edge biotechnologies as well as the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, veterinary products and agrichemicals. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Fungi have an extraordinary ability to produce molecules that are useful to humans, such as penicillin. However, fungi make these molecules for their own survival, so the molecules often require alterations to make them suitable for human use (i.e. life-saving drugs or pesticides). In order to do so, we need to learn more about the enzymes that fungi use to make these molecules. This project aims to decode these enzymes, to allow us to engineer them to make new molecules designed for our needs. The outcome will be a new ability to generate high-value molecules, such as pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines and pesticides, that will have economic and commercial benefits for the Australian pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Translation of this research would be achieved through engagement with these industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Symmetry: Groups, Graphs, Number Fields and Loops. Exploiting symmetry can greatly simplify complex mathematical problems. This project aims to apply the powerful Classification of Finite Simple Groups to advance our understanding of the internal structure of number fields, highly symmetric graphs, and algebraic structures associated with Latin squares. The project expects to generate new constructions and classifications utilising group theory. Expected outcomes include resolutions of major open problems in each area as well as innovative methods for studying algebraic and combinatorial structures based on group actions. Expected benefits include enhanced international collaboration, and highly trained mathematicians to strengthen Australia’s research standing in fundamental science. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics Cutting-edge mathematics research is essential so that Australia can respond to challenges in robust communications, cryptography and cyber-security. Highly symmetric mathematical structures and systems are very common in these applications. This project will develop the mathematical theory of symmetry and symmetric structures to advance our understanding of these areas. We expect to generate new mathematical methods and theory, allowing us to resolve decades-old questions. This strengthened theory of symmetry will be communicated to the wider international mathematical community to maximise the range of resulting translatable applications in the mathematical and physical sciences such as the encoding schemes that allow us to receive high-quality images from space, or send secure communications with our mobile phones. The project supports world-leading research in group theory, and fosters Australian intellectual property and international competitiveness. It will train early career researchers in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and so strengthen Australia's STEM workforce.