Queensland University of Technology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Sustainable Statistical Computing for Climate-Sensitive Science. This project aims to address the substantial carbon footprint of simulation-based statistical computations underpinning modern science. Current research focuses on reducing the time-to-result for computations at the expense of energy efficiency. Thus it is not currently possible to scale-up computations to address great environmental challenges without increased contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Expected project outcomes are new simulation-based inference algorithms designed to be fast, accurate, and energy-efficient. Novel, readily available, low-power computer hardware will be used to demonstrate the future of low-energy statistical computing for climate-sensitive applications in health, environment and sustainability. Field of research: 4905 - Statistics There is no doubt that computer algorithms and simulations are needed to tackle the defining challenge of our generation, the climate crisis. Unfortunately, the environmental impact of the necessary large-scale supercomputing is substantial in terms of carbon footprint and e-waste. Globally, computing produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the aviation industry. In Australia, our supercomputing facilities have four times the carbon footprint of equivalent systems in Europe or the United Kingdom. This project will develop highly efficient statistical analysis algorithms that can operate on readily available low-energy computing devices. This revolutionary change in computational methodology will enable priority climate-sensitive research in health, environment, and sustainability to be performed using computing resources that are themselves sustainable. This will accelerate Australia's progress toward Net Zero by 2050. User-friendly, free open-source software will be provided publicly, allowing the resulting algorithms and technology solutions to be widely available and accessible to any researcher wishing to reduce the carbon footprint of their computational research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Advancing meta-thermoelectrics through dual-channel phonon engineering. This project aims to develop dual-channel phonon engineering for decreasing thermal conductivity, which can not only deliver new knowledge in heat conduction and phonon transport theories, but also significantly advance meta-thermoelectrics. Expected outcomes include a scalable strategy to obtain thermoelectric materials with ultralow thermal conductivity which boosts the figure-of-merit to over 3.0, and enhanced capacity for modulating microscopic heat conduction that can be deployed in high-density and high-efficiency thermoelectric devices for autonomous power generation and miniaturised heat management. This project will benefit markets of personal electronics and hybrid vehicles and promote Australia’s net zero emission target by 2050. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Thermoelectrics, being capable of converting low-quality heat to high value-added electric energy, play an important role on the roadmap of Australia’s net zero emission. To increase the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency, thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity are preferrable. Traditional viewpoint believes that decrease of thermal conductivity is mainly achieved by suppressing phonon (thermal energy carrier) transport in either propagative channel or diffusive channel. Inspired by recent pioneering studies, this project proposes an original dual-channel approach to simultaneously manipulate phonons in both propagative and diffusive channels. The proposed dual-channel phonon engineering will be validated in meta-thermoelectric materials, consisting of crystalline matrix and superionic minority phases that are semi-coherently combined, which expect drastic decrease of thermal conductivity and therefore figure-of-merit higher than 3.0. Meta-thermoelectric devices with energy conversion efficiency up to 18% can thus be assembled to serve for waste heat harvesting and ultrafast cooling techniques, ultimately reducing the combustion of non-renewable fossil fuels and improving energy accessibility globally. These research outcomes will be upscaled to place Australia at the forefront of energy conversion society and create employment for markets valuing over $200M in personal electronics, hybrid vehicles, 5G communication, etc.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Enhancing residual trapping of CO2 during geological sequestration. The project aims to investigate CO2 trapping in porous media during cyclic CO2-water injection by developing an advanced pore-scale model for multiphase flow. Following validation using 3D-printed micromodels, simulations with a wide range of process parameters will identify conditions for maximum trapping. The project expects to generate new knowledge of the effects of fluid properties and flow conditions on CO2 trapping efficiency and a deeper understanding of how pore geometry and spatial heterogeneity affect multiphase flow processes in porous media. The developed simulation technique and new knowledge will enable enhanced CO2 geologic storage efficiency and reduced risk of leakage and hence wider use of carbon geosequestration. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering Australia is committed to combating climate change and is aiming to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2050. This project is focused on assisting Australia to achieve this by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide that can be permanently stored underground in porous rocks (carbon geosequestration). Australia’s CO2 underground storage with current injection techniques is too low to meet the needs and projected to be only 10% of what is required. Alternatingly injecting water and CO2 shows promise to produce more stable CO2 storage. However realistic simulations of this process based on a deep understanding of fluid movement in porous rocks are needed to reliably select CO2-water injection operating conditions that maximise permanent CO2 storage. With a predicted market size for global carbon capture and storage of US$35 billion by 2032, efficient carbon geosequestration would be of economic as well as environmental benefit to Australia. Enhanced CO2 storage through the new process optimised in this project is critical to realise these benefits. In addition to using QUT's extensive network of collaborators to communicate project conclusions to government and industry, the new software will be made widely available through Github to stimulate widespread adoption of this process design technique.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Community-Led Approaches to Teaching Australian South Sea Islander History. This project argues that a new approach to teaching Australian South Sea Islander history in primary and secondary school education is urgently needed to address conditions by which Australian South Sea Islander students are made disadvantaged at school. Through a Tok Stori methodological approach that draws on community knowledges, this project will develop new ways of teaching Australian South Sea Islander history. It will work towards implementing the kind of meaningful progress that failed to follow the 1993 Recognition, build transnational research links, and increase and strengthen the capacity of Australian South Sea Islander educators and researchers. Field of research: 4513 - Pacific Peoples Culture, Language and History In the 30 years that have followed Australian South Sea Islanders being recognized as a disadvantaged minority group, little has been done to address this disadvantage, particularly in regard to education. Despite a 1996 report recommending that to address disadvantages experienced by Australian South Sea Islander students, it was imperative that Australian South Sea Islander culture and history be taught in schools, nothing has been done to meaningfully implement these recommendations. This project will therefore bridge what has become a broken circuit of recognition by creating numerous resources— derived from community knowledges—to redefine how Australian South Sea Islander history is understood and taught. It will also examine what the historic experience of Australian South Sea Islanders has been in educational institutions and put forward new ethical guidelines for research involving Australian South Sea Islanders. In doing so, this project will work towards implementing the social and cultural changes that should have followed 1993, and advance the field for other researchers, and education policy makers. The project uses a combination of academic and non-traditional modes of dissemination, including publicly available ethical frameworks, podcasts, academic publications and books, and educational resources.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Advanced Heart Simulator: Unveiling the Fluid Dynamics of Heart Valves. This project aims to develop an experimental and computational platform to simulate the dynamic interaction between blood flow and heart valves. This project will significantly improve our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing heart valve function. Therefore, the outcome of this project is an state-of-the-art heart simulator, a critical tool for assessing and refining innovative heart valve designs, characterising how they perform under realistic physiological conditions. The deep understanding and robust experimental capability delivered by this platform are essential to the future development of safer, more effective prosthetic heart valves in Australia, thus improving the lives of patients with heart valve disease. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering This project aims to develop a novel human heart simulator for testing and characterising safer, more effective prosthetic heart valves. The current absence of heart valve-specific experimental infrastructure in Australia makes it difficult for researchers to capture the fundamental understandings and data required to improve the state of the art for these complex, fault-intolerant devices. The proposed heart simulator will enable the design and validation of novel prosthetic heart valves in Australia. This time-consuming and expensive development process is often undertaken overseas, stifling innovation and sending profits and skilled workers offshore. This project will fill a critical local capability gap at a time when Australian cardiovascular engineering is generating headlines worldwide. Future improved heart valve designs enabled by this project will reduce the growing economic burden of repeat surgeries on the health system and improve the lives of patients. To maximize the impact of this platform and ensure its relevance to medical device innovators, industry partners beyond academia will be intrinsically involved in its development. The broader community will be educated and informed about the benefits of this research through media outreach, public seminars and digital platforms. This promotion of local, cutting-edge medical device development capabilities will boost adoption and accelerate the translation of novel ideas to functional medical devices.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Weavable thermoelectric textile for body heat management. Real-time control of the localized body temperature, along with efficient and effective first aid, can alleviate discomfort and enhance productivity in industries. The project aims to develop a lightweight, energy-efficient, and durable wearable smart fabric for localized and controllable heating or cooling with ultra-low power input, catering to individual needs in sectors like construction and mining. By integrating device design and materials engineering strategies, the goal is to achieve rapid, precise, and controllable thermal regulation for specific body area for alleviating the hurt and damage. The expected outcomes will bring healthy and wealthy benefits for Australian industry. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering To overcome bulky, energy-intensive heating and cooling systems with poor wearability, the project aims to develop an innovative woven thermal management system using advanced functional materials. Eco-friendly, woven thermoelectric fabrics will integrate to provide smart localized heating or cooling with ultra-low power input for personal thermal regulation, significantly reducing energy consumption and combating global warming. Such groundbreaking technology and innovation will advance scientific insights, enhancing Australia’s international prominence and influence in smart cooling technology. The developed technology applicable across industries for personal cooling management promises new job opportunities and economic, commercial, and environmental benefits for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Low-Cost Carbon Materials from Agricultural Biomass for Battery Anodes. Agricultural biomass is an abundant, renewable, low-cost carbon source for producing sustainable products. This project aims to convert renewable agricultural biomass into sustainable low-cost carbon materials for high performance sodium ion battery applications. It will generate new knowledge and low-cost innovative approaches for large-scale synthesis of carbon materials from agricultural biomass. Expected outcomes include advanced multi-product biorefinery and manufacturing technologies and enhanced capacity for research collaborations. These outcomes will accelerate the development of a new, low-carbon manufacturing industry for producing sustainable chemicals and carbon materials from agricultural biomass in regional Australia. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Establishing a new thriving manufacturing sector in Australia through the utilisation of low-value agricultural biomass, such as sugarcane fibres and rice husks, has the potential to significantly bolster income in regional Australia. This project seeks to harness agricultural biomass to produce sugars for sustainable building block chemicals and synthesise high-performance carbon materials for low-cost sodium ion battery applications. By developing multi-product biorefinery technologies and advanced carbon synthesis approaches, the project aims to unlock the full value of agricultural biomass, fostering the growth of a sustainable, low-carbon manufacturing landscape in Australia. This new manufacturing sector will not only create jobs and increase income in regional Australia, but also enhance supply chain resilience. In addition, the development of a sustainable manufacturing industry based on the utilisation of renewable agricultural biomass will make a substantial contribution to Australia's goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Advancing Digital Innovation in the Australian Live Performance Sector. This project will advance digital adoption and best practice (such as live stream, AR/VR, AI) for the benefit of the live performance sector. Post COVID-19, there is an urgent need to grow audiences, to reach diverse and remote communities and broaden the impact of the proven benefit of arts and culture to well-being. In partnership with nine of Australia’s leading performing arts institutions, the research will establish a picture of current digital performance and co-design exemplars for practice, policy settings and scholarship. Through a qualitative, multi-method approach the research will generate resources for industry, case studies, policy reports for Creative Australia, scholarly and media articles and convene two signature events. Field of research: 3604 - Performing Arts According to the Australian Census, cultural and creative sectors contributed $112.7B to the Australian economy or 6.4% of GDP (A New Approach, 2022). The live performing arts sector is a substantial part of this economy, with 24 million attendances in 2022. This project advances the capacity of arts and cultural organisations to engage, develop and improve practices in digital making, content and distribution, providing considerable benefit to all Australians by extending the reach and inclusiveness of the current substantial public investment in the live performance sector. Doing so expands audiences and broadens proven impact on well-being (Creative Australia, 2023) for audiences who have historically experienced accessibility obstacles to engaging with live performances, including regional Australians and those with disabilities. The project also helps to future-proof the Australian cultural sector, addressing the negative impact on Australian audiences post COVID-19, ensuring the live performance sector has capacity to respond to future digital disruption and unexpected global impacts, creating content for future generations who have a stronger interest in engaging through the digital. Research outcomes have direct sector impact beyond academia through outputs (frameworks and industry-informed best practice models). Research dissemination is directly translated for industry access via their national peak body to use, adopt and apply into the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Mobile 3D Artefact Digitisation Lab. The Mobile 3D Artefact Digitisation Lab is an integrated research facility providing mobile, robot-automated, multi-camera photogrammetry and 3D sound capture that will enable researchers to investigate efficient, end-to-end digitisation solutions from 3D scanning to immersive experiences with broad impact on the cultural preservation field. The facility will make inexpensive 3D sound and image digitisation available in any location in Australia and cut the time it takes to digitise artefacts 10 times or more. It will be applied on projects with partner organisations, including museum artefacts for exhibition, historical sites, and immersive educational and research projects, and provided on a cost recovery basis to the broader sector. Field of research: 4610 - Library and Information Studies The proposed research equipment will address critical challenges in the preservation and dissemination of Australia's cultural heritage by augmenting Australia’s capacity in 3D digitisation. This aligns closely with the national interest in safeguarding and promoting our rich cultural identity and historical legacy. The project will develop a mobile, robotic, multi-camera photogrammetry and 3D sound capture integrated research facility that is the first of its kind and will support collaborative, interdisciplinary research endeavours, education, and cultural heritage preservation. The facility will make 3D image digitisation ten times faster than is currently achievable, and will result in accessible virtual, augmented and extended reality experiences for education and research at the cutting edge of current technology. The project's focus on advancing 3D digitisation techniques, particularly in the realms of 3D image digitisation, 3D sound, and immersive cultural heritage experiences directly contributes to the national imperative of preserving and sharing Australia's diverse cultural assets for current and future generations.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Artificial protein circuits and the next generation diagnostics Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Intersecting epidemics: genetic and clinical determinants of comorbid... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Developing an anti-racist educational intervention in children’s health... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

2024 Equipment Grants Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-10

NHT Partnerships and Innovation Grants Category: Farming

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-10

Queensland Diabetes Footcare Hubs (Q DFootHubs) Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

High Performance Photoinitiators for 3D Laser Lithography Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

High Performance Photoinitiators for 3D Laser Lithography Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-09

Engendering agency in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-08

Precursors for perovskite solar from an Australian minerals supply chain Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-08

Precursors for perovskite solar from an Australian minerals supply chain Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

ARC Research Hub in the Internet of Things for Water Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

Mineral processing in a fossil fuel free world Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

Mineral processing in a fossil fuel free world Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-07

Generating green hydrogen from mining wastes Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

AusEnHealth: managing place-based health in the context of our... Category: Health and Medical Research