UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Mobilising Dutch East India Company collections for new global stories . Australia has a rich legacy of archives, art and artefacts, including 4 shipwrecks in WA, from its history of encounters with the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Through comparative research in Australian and overseas museums and archives we aim to situate Australian collections in a global context, creating new stories about Australia as part of the VOC global network. An interdisciplinary team will train 3 ECRs and 7 HDRs and forge partnerships with the Netherlands, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa, strengthening national capacity. Our analysis will enrich the value of collections, provide narratives for museums and sites, and revitalise content for international and domestic tourism markets. Field of research: 2102 - Curatorial and Related Studies Australia has the world’s largest collection of Dutch East India Company (VOC) shipwreck material. This project reinterprets this extensive collection to provide an alternative view of Australia’s historic connections to maritime Asia and the rest of the world. An interdisciplinary team will work across separate collections of VOC related shipwrecks, human remains, objects and archives in Australia, Europe, Africa, Malaysia and Indonesia to recover and analyze the rich history of encounters (1600-1800) between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Asian and European peoples. Outcomes include a deeper understanding of the role of the VOC in the movement of people around the Indian Ocean, Australia’s place in that history and the legacies of the VOC in our region. A digital platform for schools and universities and new interpretations for museums and shipwreck sites will communicate findings to the Australian public. Ten emerging researchers will benefit from Industry situated training and aggregated collection data will be available to researchers with tools for further analysis, discovery and visualisation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Defining the multi-scale controls on high-grade gold mineralisation. This project aims to improve our understanding of how extremely high-grade gold occurrences form in order to further our understanding of metal transport and accumulation within the Earth’s crust. This project will generate new knowledge in the area of gold geochemistry using novel experimental programs, interdisciplinary approaches and by utilising advanced technologies. Expected outcomes of this project include reducing the unpredictability of high-grade gold occurrences that impact both production and exploration strategies. This project should benefit the mineral industry partners by helping to discover high grade gold resources which is of great benefit to Australia. Field of research: 0403 - Geology In a resource constrained world and with growing cost and energy pressures, sustainable gold production relies on the maximisation of near-mine resource development and productivity. Current world-wide gold production mainly comes from low-grade deposits associated with high energy and water consumption together with vast volumes of waste. Furthermore, as easily accessible resources are steadily depleting, there is a growing shift towards exploration and extraction for high-grade mineralisation. Down the line, the development of environmentally friendly mineral processing techniques to reduce the environmental impact of mining, represents a growing challenge for the Australian mining industry. A better understanding of the chemical processes leading to the solubilisation, transport and deposition of high-grade gold in natural ore systems is therefore critical for future sustainable development of a the gold resource sector and associated technological applications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The Life And Death Of Plant Genes. My recent work has demonstrated that in contrast to animal genes, many plant genes show presence/absence variation within a species, with associated trait variation. In this project, I will explore models of gene birth and death by comparing genomes of Brassicaceae, including the model Arabidopsis and Brassica crop species. By comparing many genomes I will learn how new genes were born. I will build models that predict the likelihood of gene loss based on a gene’s physical environment, function, and expression. The project will build on our understanding of plant genetic diversity. Expected outcomes of this research include the identification of key genomic elements in gene birth and loss and support strategies to improve plant cultivars. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This project investigates mechanisms and causes of plant gene gain (‘birth’) and loss (‘death’). The aim is to find the mechanisms behind how novel genes arise in plant genomes, and how potentially important genes are lost from plant genomes. The knowledge gained will be translated into practical applications in applied crop improvement. By learning how genes are born we can learn how to create new genes with new functions useful to farmers and breeders. Vice-versa, by learning how genes are lost we can learn how to protect genes of agricultural importance from being lost. The models and technologies developed in this project will enable more rapid and effective development of new crop varieties that are optimal for Australian conditions. This will benefit the Australian economy by providing farmers with improved crop varieties which can produce yield under an increasingly variable climate, resulting in increased food exports. This also ensures food security for Australian consumers. This project aligns with the Australian Government’s National Science and Research Priority ‘Food’.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The Earliest Australians' Adaptations across Western Australia. This project aims to investigate how the first people to arrive in Australia responded and adapted to diverse environments and changing ecosystems. This project will analyse microscopic remains of human activity from eight key sites in Western Australia, dated between 50,000 and 7,000 years ago. This will generate new evidence on the earliest technology, ecology and landscape management, in relation to environmental changes since the last Ice Age. New understandings on the earliest ecological behaviour and adaptations to diverse ecosystems will be generated through international collaboration, with important outcomes for Australian archaeology and advancing Traditional Owners' engagement in this scientific study of their deep-time heritage. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology Recent discoveries continue to provide new evidence for the early peopling of Australia. However, we still know little on how these first peoples in Australia adapted to the diverse environments and ecosystems including extreme environmental changes during and since the last Ice Age. Focusing between 50,000 and 7,000 years ago, this project will examine microscopic and molecular residues from key sites in Western Australia where other lines of evidence have already emerged (such as, the earliest innovative use of certain stone tools, plants, animals and pigment). The project’s results are expected to help us understand how early cultures of Australia were shaped by and reacted to environmental changes. The project will advance engagement between Traditional Owners and the scientific study of their deep-time history, resulting in new evidence to create better ways preserve this State’s extraordinary Aboriginal heritage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Influence of the food environment near schools on children's food intake. Bridging the disciplines of nutrition, public health, geography and urban planning, this unique and innovative project strives to be the first in Australia to: (i) longitudinally map, measure and monitor the food environment near schools; and (ii) comprehensively investigate how the proximity of healthy and unhealthy food outlets near schools impacts on children’s eating behaviours. The findings will be used to develop a set of policy and practice recommendations for key stakeholders (e.g., school staff, students, parents, community members, retailers, planners and government) to help create equitable and health-promoting food environments near schools. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services This project fits directly within the Australian Government’s Science and Research Priorities of “Food” and “Health.” It focuses on children (a vulnerable population group), will identify how disparities in healthy and unhealthy food access impacts children's food intake and will produce findings to help support planning decisions and future policy direction to create equitable food environments near schools that foster healthy eating. Appropriate nutritional intake during childhood is vital for overall health and wellbeing, physical, psychological and social development and for academic performance. Furthermore, nutrition habits practiced in childhood often persist into adulthood, thus targeting the nutritional practises of young people is crucial to improve the diet of Australian youth, prevent obesity and influence current and future outcomes. Such improvements could lead to economic benefits to the horticulture industry (via increased fruit and vegetable consumption) and significant reductions in future obesity-related costs to governments (via the health-care system).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

High Resolution Mass Spectrometer for Chemical Characterisation in WA. The aim of this proposal is to establish new high resolution mass spectrometry facilities for Western Australia which will support multiple areas of chemical, materials and environmental science. The proposed platform will address a major need for the separation and characterisation of molecules relevant to synthetic and natural products chemistry, advanced materials and environmental analyses. The facility will support a number of high impact ARC funded research projects in diverse areas, such as plant growth regulation, molecular electronics and environmental contaminants. The new instrumentation will be easy to use, provide advanced high quality data and overall benefit the next generation of researchers in Western Australia. Field of research: 0305 - Organic Chemistry The research that will be supported by this vital infrastructure impacts on national science priority areas of Environmental Change, Advanced Manufacturing, Resources, Energy, Health and Soil and Water. The new mass spectrometry facility will advance our capability to study the molecular structure of new compounds, and enhance our ability to identify unknown species in complex biological and environmental samples. The facility will enable breakthrough discoveries in diverse areas relevant to the nation, including in plant/crop growth regulation, drug/agrichemical design, safeguarding our drinking water and natural environment and even in establishing value-adding new industries in electronics. Ultimately, the many projects that this facility will support will positively impact Australia’s economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Reducing self-harm and suicidal behaviours in young people in WA. Aims: reduce self-harm and suicidal behaviours in young people by upskilling teachers and providing resources to respond rapidly to students at risk via an innovative intervention with near real-time measures of changes in vulnerability. Significance: self-harm and suicidal behaviours are increasing at alarming rates in young people. Schools are ideally placed to respond but many struggle to do so. New regular measures and advanced machine learning algorithms measuring change in risk in real time will enable schools to respond in a timely and effective manner and save lives. Expected outcomes: a new intervention to reduce self-harm and suicidal behaviours in young people that measures fluctuations in risk via a Temporal Vulnerability Index. Field of research: 1117 - Public Health and Health Services The Productivity Commission has recently called for Australia to make the social and emotional development of school children a national priority. Suicide is the leading cause of death in young people, and suicide and self-inflicted injuries cost the national economy more than $28 billion per year. The Prime Minister’s National Suicide Prevention Taskforce has called for a systems approach incorporating cross-agency programs and linkages and improved decision-making tools to support a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. This project aims to help schools and teachers throughout WA to improve their identification of vulnerable students and provide appropriate and timely support. It addresses mental health and wellbeing of young people and prevention of self-harm and suicidal behaviours, which have been identified as high priorities of governments and education systems across Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The economic and social contribution of the Western Australian CME sector. The first co-operative in Western Australia (WA) was founded in Albany in 1868. Since then, co-operative, and mutual enterprises (CMEs) have played a significant role in the development of the state. The evolution of the WA Co-operative and Mutual Enterprise (CME) sector was different from other states. Today, although comprising only 5.3% of the total CMEs in Australia, it has many of the largest and most successful firms. This study examines the unique aspects of the historical evolution of the WA CME sector, and its contribution to the state’s economic and social development. It also examines the lessons that this offers for existing and future CMEs and the role of government policy and regulation in shaping both the past and the future. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies The Co-operative and Mutual Enterprise (CME) sector has played a significant role in helping to shape the economic and social landscape of WA, including the development of the fishing, farming, retailing, motoring services, insurance, and banking industries. However, relatively little attention has been given to research in this sector. The WA sector comprises around 105 enterprises representing a wide range of industries. In 2020 it had a combined annual turnover of $10.73 billion and assets of $16.4 billion. The sector employed more than 6,533 people and had over 2.6 million combined memberships. These businesses continue to provide vital services to the people of WA in both urban and regional areas, including indigenous communities. This research will showcase the contribution of this sector and provide lessons for existing firms and emerging ones, as well as offering guidance to government policy, whilst enhancing community awareness of the sector's role. The study will capture the story of the sector's history and preserve the historical records (e.g., documents and oral history) for future generations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Optimising artificial reef structures for nature-based coastal protection . This project aims to develop a novel framework for predicting how artificial reef structures can be optimally designed to protect coastlines from erosion and flooding. It will develop new theory and models to quantify how waves interact with complex reef structures to reduce wave heights and extreme water levels at the shoreline. Expected outcomes include new practical tools and design guidelines that can be adopted by coastal engineers and managers to maximise coastal protection by reefs. This will boost Australia’s capacity to protect populations and critical infrastructure from coastal hazards and support Australian industries to lead the international development of innovative nature-based coastal protection strategies. Field of research: 0911 - Maritime Engineering As a coastal focused nation, Australia is particularly vulnerable to the economic and societal threats posed by coastal hazards, including sea level rise and extreme weather events. With public safety and hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure at risk, Australia must transform its interaction with, and reliance upon, the coast. Conventional ‘grey’ engineering solutions will not meet the needs of the future as they can substantively erode the amenities and resources provided by the coast. Australia urgently needs to develop novel coastal hazard mitigation solutions that will both effectively address the scale of the problem, while preserving (or even enhancing) the quality of its coastal environments. This project will deliver innovative approaches to design artificial reefs as a nature-based form of coastal protection, including developing new tools and guidelines for use by coastal engineers and managers. The project outcomes will boost Australia’s capacity to respond to the imminent threats of climate change and position Australian industry to lead sustainable coastal protection solutions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Efficiently unlocking full-scale WEC dynamics for industry cost reduction. This project will reduce the cost of ocean wave energy, by uniting leading expertise from academia with cutting-edge know-how and full-scale data from industry to advance the way oceanic forces on wave energy converters are represented in industry models. These models are critical for designing and controlling the next generation of wave energy converters, which have larger motions than ever before. Carefully tested models will lead to better estimates of power production and loads, which will drive down the cost of wave energy and enable its large-scale utilisation. Broad communication of benefits and sharing of new knowledge will accelerate commercialisation of ocean energy in Australia and pave the way to meeting our future energy needs. Field of research: 0911 - Maritime Engineering Australia has the world's largest wave energy resource, sufficient to supply all of the country's energy needs. However, wave energy technology has not advanced to the point where this resource can be extracted economically. The industry’s success and growth rest on improving power yield at a reduced cost. This collaborative project will accelerate the commercialisation of wave energy in Australia by bringing a leading international developer and their performance data into the Australian wave energy community to decrease the cost of these technologies. This is in line with Australia's policy on future energy and the blue economy; wave energy could power homes and businesses but also offshore facilities and remote sensing in Australia's vast exclusive economic zone. Energy from ocean waves and engineering expertise in this field have the potential to be export commodities for Australia. This project will strengthen Australia's research capacity in ocean energy and build its reputation as a global leader in this area.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Engineering safer pastures for livestock. This project aims to develop subterranean clover with elevated condensed tannins in leaves. This important pasture legume is currently a bloat risk for cattle and sheep due to low condensed tannins and high soluble proteins. Bloat is a health issue that costs the Australian and New Zealand livestock industries over $200 million per annum. Condensed tannins can reduce bloat, decrease methane production and improve efficiency of production. A novel approach using CRISPR and other innovative molecular techniques will generate breeding lines high in condensed tannins and deliver knowledge applicable to other pasture legumes. Expected outcomes for livestock producers include improved animal welfare, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced profits. Field of research: 1001 - Agricultural Biotechnology Subterranean clover is the major pasture legume across southern Australia. It provides high quality livestock feed and biologically-fixed nitrogen to soil. However, cattle and sheep that graze pasture legumes can suffer life threatening health issues due to bloat. They also emit large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Consumers are increasingly concerned about animal welfare and greenhouse gases. The Australian red meat industry is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030, while the dairy industry has the goal of a 30% reduction. The project will address these issues by developing novel subterranean clovers with elevated condensed tannins to reduce the risk of bloat and methane emissions and increase feed utilisation. Project results will be applicable to other pasture legumes. The ultimate application is new cultivars to improve the animal welfare and environmental credentials of the red meat, dairy and wool industries and enhance productivity and profits of producers. The collaboration between UWA and PGG Wrightson Seeds provides an excellent opportunity for broad-scale outcome delivery and impact.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Unleashing the Hidden Chemical Diversity in Australian Fungi. This project aims to exploit an exclusive genomic resource consisting of >150 unique Australian filamentous fungi that has been built in a university-industry collaboration for genomic-guided biodiscovery. The genome sequence of these fungi revealed extensive hidden genetic instructions for production of novel biologically active molecules. The project will apply cutting-edge synthetic biology and chemical tools to tap into the hidden genomic potential of these Australian fungi. Expected outcomes of this project include new fine chemicals and lead molecules with desirable bioactivies. This will provide significant benefits to Australia's economy through the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, veterinary products and agrichemicals. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Fungi are prolific producers of molecules known as secondary metabolites (SMs), which exhibit a wide array of useful biological activities. Well-known examples of SMs include the antibiotic penicillins and the cholesterol-lowering statins, which have saved countless lives and positively impacted the course of human history. However, Australia’s rich and unique fungal biodiversity has been largely unexplored to date, with recent genome sequencing pointing to a treasure trove of bioactive SMs waiting to be unlocked. This project will incorporate cutting-edge synthetic biology and biodiscovery tools developed in Australian academic labs into industrial microbial bioactive molecule discovery pipelines to unleash the hidden potential of Australia’s unique fungal biodiversity. Outcomes from the project will provide significant economic returns to Australia through the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, veterinary products and agrichemicals, including next-generation antibiotics to combat the emerging threat of multidrug-resistant superbugs, and new herbicides and pesticides desperately needed by Australian farmers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Robust and Explainable 3D Computer Vision. Computer vision is increasingly relying on deep learning which is fragile, opaque and fails catastrophically without warning. This project aims to address these problems by developing new theory in graph representation of 3D geometric and image data, hierarchical graph simplification and novel modules designed specifically for deep learning over geometric graphs. Using these modules, it aims to design graph convolutional network architectures for self-supervised learning that are robust to failures and provide explainable decisions for object detection and scene segmentation. The outcomes are expected to advance theory in robust deep learning and benefit 3D mapping, surveying, infrastructure monitoring, transport and robotics industries. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing This research will enable Australia to get a share of the tremendous economic market in automatic computer vision, a vital component of Artificial Intelligence. It will have commercial and social benefits in three application domains. The first one includes cost effective 3D mapping, surveying, city planning and infra structure monitoring. The second one is robotics, as the outcomes of this project will equip robots with eyes making them fully autonomous and enabling them to make intelligent decisions beyond navigation. Autonomous robots can improve elderly care and productivity in high risk environments. The final application domain is autonomous navigation in general that is useful for autonomous driving and drones. Autonomous driving can potentially revolutionize the global transportation industry and especially in Australia where road transportation is a major means of inter-state freight. Autonomous vehicles can potentially improve road safety, make people and cargo movement more efficient, make more liveable city environments and allow access to transport services for those unable to drive.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Unravelling the secrets of the rhizosphere of crops. Phosphate is one of the most important limiting nutrients for crop growth and production. Plant acquisition of soil phosphate largely depends on root proliferation to accelerate soil exploration, and on phosphate bioavailability mediated by root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms. Central to this is the need for a better understanding of the complex biogeochemical interfaces in the rhizosphere. This project explores recently developed non-destructive imaging, isotope, and metabolism techniques to generate a systematic research tool in tracking rhizosphere interactions and imaging phosphate dynamics from macroscale to nanoscale levels. This study will provide new opportunities to improve crop nutrient use efficiency and crop production. Field of research: 0703 - Crop and Pasture Production Australian wheat production during the 2019/2020 season totalled 15.17 million tonnes - the lowest since 2008, due to unfavourable seasonal conditions in early spring in most cropping regions. Significant further improvements in efficiency of production are needed to maintain the profitability of Australia’s agricultural industry in the future. This project will establish a basis of efficient structure and function of root systems for capturing phosphate as a major adaptation strategy required in agricultural regions in Australia. Specifically, this project will (1) contribute to sustainable crop production in Australia by improving nutrient uptake efficiency, (2) enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying the complex root-microbe-mineral nutrients interactions in adaptation to heterogeneous soil environments, and (3) increase our ability to link genome and the phenotype to enhance breeding for inclusion of root traits underlying adaptation to specific environments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

From the Desert to the Sea: Managing Rock Art, Country and Culture. This Project will expand our understanding of Aboriginal settlement and land-use in north-west Australia by investigating how the mythological narratives of Australia’s deserts enable the transmission of knowledge in water-limited environments. Combining traditional ecological knowledge and novel scientific approaches (e.g. anthracology, remote sensing, oxygen-isotopes) will provide new insights into human behaviours at rock art site complexes. It will develop management regimes and formal certification for Indigenous rangers while building heritage capacity in these partner communities: enabling intergenerational, culturally appropriate knowledge transfer protocols are in place to ensure sustainable economic heritage futures. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology Northwest Australia has rock art provinces that are globally recognised for their outstanding cultural heritage values. They are part of vast conservation estates which are increasingly co-managed by Indigenous groups. The impact of burgeoning resource extraction has seen unacceptable destruction of these significant sites, highlighting gaps in heritage policy, procedure, documentation and management. This project will directly address these gaps through strategic alliances with industry, government and Indigenous corporations. (1) Economic benefits will result from better planning and management around significant site complexes. (2) Commercial benefits will flow from improved heritage compliances, social licence and sustainable economies. (3) Environmental benefits will accrue from informed approaches to arid zone biodiversity, firing practice and water use. (4) Social benefits will follow with new capacity for Indigenous communities to manage their vast cultural estates with training pathways for Indigenous rangers. These project outcomes will contribute to Indigenous wellbeing and national prosperity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Accelerated tailings remediation with plant and microbial biotechnologies. The Australian alumina industry produces 32 million tonnes of bauxite residue (alumina refining tailings) each year, most of which is stored in perpetuity in landfill-type tailings storage facilities. The high pH, high salinity, lack of plant nutrients, and poor physical properties of bauxite residue are major barriers to safe storage and successful closure of tailings storage facilities. Existing remediation approaches are expensive, slow, and often ineffective. We will deliver new microbial- and plant-driven biotechnologies for rapid, cost-effective remediation of bauxite residue. This will enable safe, sustainable closure of storage facilities, and safeguard the strong contribution of this $15 billion industry to Australia's economy. Field of research: 1002 - Environmental Biotechnology This application will have direct economic, environmental, and social benefits for Australia. Australia is the world’s largest producer of bauxite (27% of global production) and world’s largest exporter of alumina (17 kT in 2019, worth over $8 billion). The Australian aluminium industry contributes over $15 billion to the Australian economy in export revenue, directly employs over 14500 people, and provides income for 40000 Australian families. However, their regulatory and social licences to operate are under threat from growing environmental concerns, particularly around tailings management in the wake of recent high profile international failures such as Brumadinho (Brazil; 2019). Our new biotechnologies for rapid, cost-effective transformation of tailings into productive, functional soils will support safe, stable, sustainable, non-polluting tailings facility closure, improving environmental outcomes and directly contributing to future-proofing the revenue and jobs generated by the $15 billion Australian alumina industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

ARC Training Centre for Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis . The Centre for Next-Gen Technologies in Biomedical Analysis will deliver workforce trained in the development of transformative technologies that will rapidly expand the Australian pharmaceutical, diagnostic and defence sector. The university-industry partnership will increase Australia’s manufacturing capability by fast tracking screening, by integrating 3D printing, advanced sensing, big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence for the delivery of optimal solutions in diagnosis, treatment and wellbeing. The centre will deliver training in Industry 4.0 skills which will boost early-stage scale-up and accelerate the sector’s supply chain, which is pivotal for the Australian industries to maintain a competitive edge. Field of research: 0301 - Analytical Chemistry Integration of machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics and automation is pivotal for the future of Australian healthcare and wellbeing. The collaborative university-industry partnership will transform the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and defence sectors by providing industry 4.0 skills relevant for the future of Australia . The centre will achieve this by training a new workforce in automation, sensors, big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The integration of these technologies in the industrial pipeline will boost the economy by creating new job opportunities, attracting global investments in Australian technology and generation of new start-up companies. This will fast track production, quality control and deliver optimal solutions for healthcare and wellbeing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Predicting seed lifespan for improved curation of conservation seed banks. This project aims to improve the practice of seed banking for the conservation of the Australian flora. Recent evidence points to diverse and complex storage behaviour for wild seeds and to seeds of many species being shorter-lived than anticipated. Predicting seed storage behaviour and viability decline is central to effective seedbanking. This project expects to develop new high throughput technologies and data interrogation techniques for predicting seed lifespan in storage, and alternative storage protocols for problematic seeds. Results will allow seed bank managers to more efficiently triage and curate their seed collections and will benefit seed banks globally. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management Seed banking is a primary strategy employed across Australia for the conservation of plants and the mitigation of biodiversity loss, and represents a major investment by the Federal and State governments, NGO’s and industry groups. However, seed banks and seed collections are costly to establish and maintain, and our incomplete understanding of seed performance in storage pressures the utility of seed banks as a low-maintenance means of “extinction-proofing” Australia’s diverse flora. Our project will have positive economic and environmental benefits by providing empirical tools to evaluate seed quality prior to, and during storage to increase efficiencies in curation, to ensure irreplaceable collections are not lost, and viable seeds are available when required. The project will increase the capability of conservation science and management in Australia, maintaining our position as world leaders in the field of agriculture and environment, and by developing and promoting new technologies with international application.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Combined Terahertz Imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography. This project aims to exploit the synergies between terahertz imaging and optical coherence tomography. These novel imaging modalities will be combined into a single multi-modality technique which will have application in numerous industry sectors like manufacturing, non-destructive testing, pharmaceutical and medicine. The intended outcome of the project is to create an internationally leading position for Australia in cutting-edge research in optical and terahertz imaging. This innovative, fundamental research will expand Australia’s research capacity in imaging with wide ranging applications. The anticipated goal of the project is to build a prototype imaging system with industry partners ready for the next step to commercialisation. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering The project will fuse two imaging techniques, terahertz and optimal coherence tomography, thus creating new instrumentation to measure the structure and hydration of complex layered materials like the human eye or the coatings of pharmaceutical tablets. Such imaging will lead to extensive commercial and healthcare benefits for both the Australian population and for medical and manufacturing industries. For example, determining how the coating of a tablet dissolves will lead to better drug delivery and faster development of new drugs. A non-invasive procedure for revealing the microstructure and hydration of a human cornea will allow early detection of eye disease, which will prevent vision impairment and distressing expensive procedures like corneal transplants. As these cannot currently be measured directly, there is no competing technology. The market for this technology is thus expected to be significant. The technology will be commercialised to a broad market leading to high-paid jobs in Australia’s high-tech industry, whilst also improving the wellbeing of Australians and saving healthcare costs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

High-resolution optical studies of solids nucleation in cryogenic processes. During liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, low concentration impurities can freeze and block the cryogenic heat exchangers at the heart of the liquefaction process. Substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding the kinetics of these solids (i.e. the rate at which they form), especially at the part per million concentrations relevant to LNG. This project, in partnership with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, will use a proven high resolution optical technique to deliver new insight into solid nucleation and growth kinetics in the high-pressure cryogenic fluids that govern industrial blockage risk. The results will enable energy optimisation to increase liquefaction efficiency as well as tests of innovative blockage-remediation methods. Field of research: 0914 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy In 2019, Australia became the world's largest exporter of LNG (liquefied natural gas) with Australia's annual LNG exports worth an estimated $47B. LNG will continue to play a major role in the global energy landscape as the world transitions away from coal: in 2019 Australia provided almost half of Japan and China’s total LNG imports. The outcomes from this research will enable more economic, energy efficient and safer liquefaction of natural gas which is critical to its cost-effective export. The project will ensure that LNG producers in Australia remain globally competitive in an increasingly crowded market, enabling continued local economic benefits and job creation to come from the export of this key energy commodity. The new technologies developed during this research will also be applied to oxygen liquefaction which is critical for health, manufacturing and space industries. The project outcomes will pave the way for broader use of the technologies and liquefaction expertise developed in this project to support new industries including that associated with Australia's emerging hydrogen economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Founding an Australian Critical Zone Observatory Network. This proposal founds a new network of Australian Critical Zone Observatories. The network will fill essential knowledge gaps about interactions of under- and above-ground environmental processes and their responses to disturbance and change. These interactions determine the sustainability of food, clean water, mineral resources and Australian ecosystems, and cannot be studied with existing environmental infrastructure. The 5 foundational sites will host integrated monitoring equipment to observe stocks and fluxes of carbon, water, energy and mass across the “Critical Zone” – the vertical span from plant canopies to fresh bedrock. Joining a burgeoning international movement, the network will catalyse Critical Zone science in Australia. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management The environmental challenges confronting Australia’s agricultural lands, water supply catchments, cities and natural ecosystems arise from complex process interactions in a vertical domain extending from the top of plant canopies to deep groundwater and bedrock. No existing observation network in Australia is equipped to monitor the vital cycles of energy, water, carbon and other solutes across this domain. Integrating above-ground observations with below-ground monitoring of soils, root zones, aquifers, and microbiology will enable a step-change improvement in understanding of environmental functioning; essential for avoiding, mitigating and adapting to future challenges. Steered by an expert team, the Critical Zone Observatories will support economically and environmentally valuable outcomes relating to the provision of food, water, mineral resources, and ecosystem health – essential to Australians' quality of life as population grows and climate and land uses change. The first in the Southern Hemisphere, this network will position Australia at the forefront of global Critical Zone science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Mechanisms of Ammonia (NH3) Combustion and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Formation. A mature commodity that can be readily made from renewable resources, ammonia (NH3) offers an environmentally sustainable and low-cost means of transition from fossil fuels to a clean, low-carbon and renewable energy future. The technical challenge is to combust NH3 efficiently with low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This project will advance the science of NH3 combustion and NOx formation. By applying innovative fixed-bed and fluidised-bed reactor techniques and kinetic modelling, the research will unravel fundamental characteristics and mechanisms of NH3 combustion, NOx formation and in-situ destruction that underpin the development and deployment of practical combustion systems for power generation using NH3 as a carbon-free fuel. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering This research advances the science that underpins the development of practical combustion systems for the use of ammonia (NH3) as a carbon-free fuel, which can be readily made from Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources and thus has important ramifications for Australia’s environmental sustainability, energy security and affordability and long-term economic prosperity. About 90% of Australia’s electricity is generated from coal and natural gas, emitting ~200 million tonnes CO2 annually. Using NH3 as a renewable fuel will significantly reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. NH3 synthesised from hydrogen generated from solar and wind energy also offers a practical means for large-scale storage of excess renewable electricity, allowing Australia’s renewable energy industry to play a more significant role in powering the nation. Effective use of NH3 will also support Australia’s renewable energy export industry and assist with the global effort to reduce CO2 emission. This presents an opportunity for Australia to establish itself as a global leader in renewable energy export in the form of renewable NH3.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

National Facility for Infrared Technologies. This project aims to establish a national facility for infrared (IR) technologies. The facility will include advanced imaging and spectroscopy facilities as well as unique tools for wafer-scale mapping of IR materials and devices. Combined, the facility will enable new diagnostic capabilities of supersonic combustion processes, aid establishment of wavelength agile integrated photonic chips and provide non-destructive quantitative electro-optical characterisation of IR materials and devices. Establishment of these state-of-the-art capabilities across Australia will have clear benefits in fundamental sciences such as astronomy and quantum information as well as key industry branches in defence, aerospace, communications and security. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering The facility will provide state-of-the-art capabilities that are necessary to develop and deliver new infrared technologies and imaging capabilities to Australia. It will significantly reduce research and development costs and enable optimisation efficiency and flexibility for prototyping of infrared sensors and imagers in Australia. The facility will expedite development of key building blocks for secured communications, improved detector efficiencies and new generation of imaging tool that are urgently required to advance the growing defence and space technologies in Australia. Combined, the facility will serve national strategic needs and national science and industry requirements. The requested facility will enhance and support the tailoring and customisation of infrared applications in strategic sciences such astronomy, spaceborne infrared monitoring, and diagnostics, as well as key goverment and industry priority areas focusing on geology and mineral exploration, communications, defence, aerospace, and security.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Advanced Maskless Photolitography for Western Australia. This project aims to close an existing gap in micro- & nano-fabrication in Western Australia and provide access to advanced maskless photolithography in support of Australian research flagships of international excellence which include advanced infrared and quantum technologies, semiconductor optoelectronics, chemical engineering, microelectromechanical systems, as well as dark matter and gravitational wave discovery. Notably, the new capability is of utmost importance for five distinct ARC Centres in multidisciplinary areas and will be available to all researchers via the WA Node of Australian National Fabrication Facility in support of high impact scientific research and to maintain strong engagement with industry and Australian economy. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering The equipment will facilitate state-of-the-art fabrication of advanced micro- and nano-scale devices needed for energy generation, optoelectronics, computing, nanoelectronics, communications, advanced sensing, and science in search for novel materials. It will enable development of devices with new functionalities, beyond what is currently available. Particularly strong are the benefits for end-users and industry, including the fast-growing Australian space and defence sectors. The proposed capability will enable Australia to develop and deliver new miniaturised sensors and imaging capabilities for space situation awareness, spaceborne monitoring, satellite-to-satellite and ground-to-satellite optical communications, as well as next generation ultra-fast light-based WiFi, and artificial vision for autonomous systems to see what is currently invisible. Industry ready scientific innovation will be supported while providing excellent training for graduates with skills in advanced manufacturing, quantum science, infrared technologies, and remote sensing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

"I think; therefore I am": Loneliness and neurodevelopmental disorders. This project aims to develop a 3-D animated program for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that alters the automatic biases arising from their everyday social communication difficulties (including via social media), which result in negative thought patterns and loneliness. Negative thought patterns, which are arguably the hallmarks of, and causal in, the development of emotional dysfunction are amplified by loneliness, and adolescents with NDDs experience significantly greater levels of loneliness. Altering these negative thought patterns via an engaging 3-D animated program offers great potential to improve educational and social-emotional outcomes along with generating economic benefits nationally and internationally. Field of research: 1303 - Specialist Studies In Education Adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) experience significantly greater levels of loneliness because of their social communication difficulties. As a result they may be prone to interpret the ambiguities arising in their everyday peer interactions in a more negative and threatening manner, which may in turn generate greater problems in social cognition. This project aims to develop a world-first innovative 3-D animation program which uses Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) to alter negative interpretive bias and cognitive distortions. A 3-D animation format is highly engaging, while CBM methods offer a high gain, low cost treatment option because they can circumvent many of the practical and psychological requirements that disadvantage competing psychological interventions, especially in schools. The program, specifically developed for adolescents with NDDs, will place us in a position to improve the lives of adolescents with NDDs, their families and educators and will result in improved educational and social-emotional outcomes and economic benefits to Australia and international communities.