Australian National University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging problems in theoretical physics: the quantisation of gravity. The expected outcomes of this project are enhanced quantum sensor design, leading to improved inertial sensing technology. This should provide benefits such as improved capabilities for minerals exploration and monitoring the movement of ground water. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics Many technologies crucial for the environmental and economic wellbeing of Australia are currently limited by our ability to make precise measurements. One example is the precise measurement of gravitational fields, which currently limits our ability to search for minerals deposits without the need to excavate, and our ability to monitor underground water reserves. Another example is our ability to precisely measure accelerations and rotations, which will enable precise navigation in GPS-denied environments. This project aims to make significant breakthroughs in sensing capabilities. In particular, by developing inertial sensors with improved precision, this project may benefit the discovery of new mineral reserves to benefit our mining industry, and improve our ability to monitor the movement of ground water to aid the management of one of our most precious resources. This project also focusses on developing new inertial navigation capabilities that may benefit our military, and help to maintain the safety of Australia and its allies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Scalable high-density hydrogen storage by nano-bubbles in layered materials. Stable and low-cost hydrogen storage and transportation are cornerstones of a global hydrogen economy. This project aims to advance a novel hydrogen storage technology based on highly pressurised nano-bubbles in layered materials. The project expects to expand our fundamental knowledge of the interactions between hydrogen and layered materials. Expected outcomes include a hydrogen storage technology that exhibits a remarkable energy density, high stability and low cost. This should provide significant benefits, such as improving the capacity and robustness of low-cost hydrogen storage and transportation, reducing energy costs and making hydrogen energy a more accessible and sustainable clean energy source for Australia. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology Energy is one of the major drivers for the economic development of any country. Owing to its vast solar and wind resources, Australia has the potential to become a global powerhouse in renewable energy exports. Hydrogen is widely regarded as a potential candidate to replace fossil fuels in an eco-friendly economy. The knowledge and methods developed in this project will make hydrogen energy become an accessible, affordable and sustainable energy source. Importantly, the proposed technology could enable Australia to export renewable hydrogen to other nations, e.g. Japan and South Korea, where a hydrogen economy is being sought. Hence, this research will support the development of new industries and job creation in the future. The proposed project is well aligned with the Science and Research Priority of Energy. The project also offers an excellent opportunity for the generation of patentable and commercially valuable IP, through the development of new hydrogen storage technologies. The project will strengthen the strategic alliance between key Australian (ANU) and Japanese (Toshiba) drivers of innovation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

A Multispecies Anthropological Approach to Influenza. Influenza-type viruses currently pose a considerable threat to humanity, as well as to both domestic and wild animals. This project aims to address a significant gap in our knowledge about cultural perceptions towards influenza across different species, particularly horse flu. Through multispecies anthropology, planned outcomes are to gain a greater understanding of cross-species medical knowledge, including insights into cultural heritage, biodiversity and disease resilience through an integrated socio-cultural-ecological approach. Benefits of these new insights into multi-species dynamics will be a greater understanding of viral spread and Mongolian pastoral health practices that may be employed in the prevention of influenza. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology Zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, spread from wild to domestic species and to humans, impacting the functioning of ecology, economy and society. While Australia has successfully prevented widespread outbreaks with effective biosecurity and vaccination strategies, experience with zoonotic diseases demonstrate the severe risk of uncontrolled spread, which can devastate livestock production and lead to mass culling, trade embargoes and human health impacts. Robust, collaborative research on equine influenza in Mongolia–highly transmissible and susceptible to mass outbreaks–will give Australia access to pastoral knowledge generated over centuries about the prevention and management of influenza across species. Australian farm and veterinary practice will benefit from knowledge leading to new approaches in viral mitigation, biodiversity, pasture health and enhanced herd management, all safeguarding livestock health and rural livelihoods. In turn, these will contribute to Australia’s economic, trade and food security by reducing the risk of influenza impacting human and domestic animal health.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Integrated Planning for Uncertainty-Centric Pilot Assistance Systems. This project aims to deliver a novel pilot assistance system to improve the viability, speed and safety of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. It will advance fundamental algorithms for probabilistic planning in partially observable scenarios to form the core technology of a pilot assistance system that accounts the various types of uncertainty faced by pilots in a typical HEMS/SAR missions. It will exploit recent advances in Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) to recommend robust, safe, and pilot-aware mission and manoeuvring strategies to make HEMS/SAR operations safer for helicopter crews, and more effective for those in need of the service. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing Tens of thousands of Australians benefit from rapid Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and Search and Rescue response every year. However, missions may often be too dangerous to perform and the accident rate remains significantly higher than commercial aviation. This project will develop new technologies to provide significant assistance to helicopter pilots during complex unplanned missions, thereby helping improve the viability, speed and safety of time-critical life-saving services. This project will seed development of a new AI-based industry in Australia relating to assistive aviation technology: AI co-pilots. Furthermore, the project will provide opportunities for students to experience research translation to real-world industrial outcomes, preparing them to compete globally in the era of industry 5.0. This research will have high commercial potential with collaboration with Safran ensuring it has high visibility in the aerospace industry. The global helicopter market size is expected to reach USD 68.34B by 2027 with integration of autonomous capabilities helping drive significant growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development  . The Centre will create a new generation of leaders in the implementation of advanced gene and field technologies for the benefit of the Australian agriculture industry. We will build the workforce and foundations that will drive translation of breakthroughs in advanced breeding, phenotyping and genetic technologies into higher-yielding crops. This will increase productivity across the sector and create new markets. Our technical training programs for graduates, trainees and industry will interface with best evidence-based practices in the wider socio-economic, regulatory and environmental contexts. Coupled with community and stakeholder engagement, the Centre will redefine and secure Australia’s future in agriculture. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology Australia’s $34B crop industry accounted for one-third of GDP gains in 2017 but production is halved in harsh seasons; the frequency of which are increasing. Sectoral leadership is essential to meet commercial and food security challenges. Emerging genetic and analytical technologies provide previously unattainable opportunities to optimise the crops of the future to withstand the increasing seasonal and environmental variations. Critically, there are nationwide bottlenecks in the deployment and societal adoption of innovations in crop improvement. We will develop and apply emerging innovative technologies in order to meet future industry and market challenges, and create an ongoing ‘open-access and socially aware’ technological facility for crop genome engineering. Research-led training and engagement in ethical, social, regulatory and market issues, that align emerging technologies with society’s needs, will help create a crop sector that expeditiously converts innovation into social, economic and productivity benefits for industry, rural communities and society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Nanoscale-interactions making future functional materials more powerful . Traditional crystal chemistry can no longer meet the demands for development of new functional materials - the foundation of modern industry. The program aims to overcome this challenge by introducing a new strategy into experimental and theoretical research to transform our understanding and application of nanoscale structural and chemical features in materials. The program expects to build new crystal chemistry that includes nanoscale-interaction information and deep machine-learning to improve the predictability of material properties. Potential outcomes of the program include enhanced capacity for revolutionary materials development thus keeping Australia's leading position in innovative technology, benefiting academia and industry. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering New materials drive creativity and are the catalyst for innovation. Yet crystal chemistry —now 100 years old— no longer satisfies demand for precise analysis and prediction of new materials. This limits creativity and wastes national research and development resources. This program aligns with the Modern Manufacturing Strategy by making science and technology work for industry. The new crystal chemistry platform will provide a powerful tool to design the next generation of functional materials. The high-performance materials developed through this program will benefit Australian industry including in energy industry. This will deliver opportunities for advanced manufacturing, and commercialisation via networks of established and new partners. The project will improve Australia’s innovation capital and enhance our position as world leaders in emerging science and technology such as material informatics and quantum computing. Australian researchers will gain career opportunities through state of the art training in materials science, innovative technology and leadership.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Illuminating Magnetic Fields as the Scaffold of Gas in Galaxies. This program aims to reveal how gas and magnetic fields interact to set the fate of galaxies. The question of how galaxies evolve is one of the most fundamental in all of astronomy. Magnetism, alongside gravity, is one of the most influential forces in determining the evolution of galaxies, and yet one of the least understood. Using the Fellow's expertise and Australia's newest radio telescope, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, this program will explore the inner workings of our own Milky Way and its galactic neighbours, the Magellanic Clouds. Using new observations and a new international research network, this program expects to position Australia at the centre of international efforts to understand how galaxies work. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences Understanding how galaxies like our own Milky Way form and evolve is fundamental to understanding humanity’s place in the Universe. After gravity, magnetism is the most influential force determining the evolution of galaxies, yet the least understood. This Laureate Fellowship will use the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope to map the gas and magnetic fields in the Milky Way and its nearest galactic neighbours. This will reveal how magnetic fields interact with gas to shape galaxies, form nurseries for new stars and set the ultimate fate of galaxies. By exploiting the unique capabilities of ASKAP, this program will propel Australian researchers to the forefront of international astronomy research.  The program will add direct benefit to Australia's infrastructure investment in radio astronomy through the creation of data-rich jobs, training the next generation of data scientists, and developing the expertise to ensure that we not only host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) infrastructure, but also lead its key scientific projects.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Making hydrogen storage work for the new hydrogen economy. This project aims to develop an innovative Liquid Organic Hydrogen Storage technology and prove its energy industry potential. This project expects to expand and validate the performance, safety and scale-up potential of this new technology in an industrial context to promote the development of the hydrogen economy. Expected outcomes include providing practical, efficient, large-scale storage technology for use in intermittent renewable energy storage and hydrogen vehicle refuelling, and addressing legal/regulatory implementation issues. This should provide significant benefits in cultivating the emerging hydrogen energy industry, strengthening industrial competitiveness, enhancing Australia’s fuel security and protecting the environment. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering This project aims to solve critical safety, efficiency and scale-up problems in Australia's capacity to transform its energy infrastructure to meet near-future requirements. Australia is transitioning from carbon-rich fossil fuel energy production to renewable energy and associated energy vectors (such as hydrogen) to guarantee energy security, meet international emissions reduction commitments and to gain comparative export advantage from the decreasing price of renewables. Hydrogen is an important renewable energy vector but it requires large-scale, safe and low cost storage and transport. Providing suitable storage and transport technology would fill a key capability gap, reduce the supply cost of hydrogen fuels, underpin the roll-out of safe, large-scale hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and accelerate the transition to zero-emission hydrogen for heavy transport and industry. This work creates a foundation to place Australia at the forefront of the development of innovative hydrogen storage, making our energy industry globally more competitive and diversifying our energy export capabilities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Diaspora Humanitarians: How Australia-based migrants help in crises abroad. This project aims to map the extensive humanitarian activities and contributions of Australia-based migrants to crises abroad. Australia is home to large diasporas who are connected to communities in many humanitarian crisis hotspots, including the project's focus areas: Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Nepal, and the Pacific Islands. By generating much-needed knowledge on how and why migrants engage in humanitarian responses, the project expects to support and improve the work of diasporas themselves, the Australian Civil-Military Centre and other humanitarian organisations, who are partners in the project. This will benefit Australia by highlighting our innovative leadership role in humanitarian and migration issues. Field of research: 1603 - Demography Since its landmark 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper, the Australian Government has been ‘committed to working with diaspora communities to promote Australia’s image and reputation’, because they ‘have the knowledge and networks to help improve our understanding of development and humanitarian issues in other countries’. However, there is little evidence available to guide Government agencies to establish effective working relationships with diaspora communities. For the first time in Australia, this project will map the extensive and varied humanitarian contributions of diaspora communities. It will generate new knowledge and tools to help diaspora communities, Government agencies, NGOs and Australia-based international organisations to provide more effective humanitarian aid in times of humanitarian crises. It will bring together diaspora communities, INGOs and government agencies and provide evidence on how to successfully engage with diaspora communities to enhance Australia’s humanitarian efforts overseas.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Lighting Up Dark Fibre for Seismic Imaging. Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is a newly emerging passive seismic technique that converts telecommunication fibre-optic cables (dark fibres) into thousands of individual ground motion sensors. This project aims to harness DAS and the big data arising from it to develop unprecedented high-resolution images of the Earth’s structure, detect micro-seismicity, and thereby relate geological observations to Earth processes. Outcomes of this powerful technique include fine-scale seismic imaging of the Earth’s subsurface as the best proxy for geological processes and geochemistry. Benefits include transforming exploration of mineral resources, water, changes in subsurface structure, as well as geohazard assessments for Australia and worldwide Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) will transform seismic imaging by acquiring vast amounts of truly, high spatial resolution (meter scale) data of the Earth’s sub-surface structure. Current techniques for this type of Earth imaging using passive sources are incapable of achieving this high a resolution due to 1) limitations in instrumentation sampling/spacing, and 2) the high cost of the instruments and challenging logistics to deploy them. This project will utilize DAS to convert existing fibre-optic telecommunication cables as a massive linear array of ground motion sensors (seismometers) for imaging the Earth’s subsurface. The innovative technology will provide new data methods and products related to subsurface imaging, which will lead to increased economic and logistic viability. Benefits for Australia include enhanced geo-hazard assessment (eg earthquakes), nuclear test monitoring, environmental monitoring and exploration and recovery of natural resources. Students and researchers in Australia will also be trained in these absolute cutting-edge technologies, data collection and processing techniques.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Robust Coherent Control Engineering for Quantum Systems and Networks. This project aims to develop new methods for the design of robust coherent controllers for emerging applications to quantum systems and networks. Using robust controllers which are themselves quantum systems, tools from the theory of optimal risk sensitive control aim to enable technological systems to be designed with high levels of performance in the face of unavoidable uncertainties due to imperfect fabrication and interactions with the environment. The research aims to yield systematic control engineering methods to combat the effects of quantum decoherence which is critical in order to make quantum technologies such as quantum computing truly practical. Applications include computing, secure communications, sensing and simulations Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering Quantum technologies have the potential to lead to a whole new technological infrastructure. Already major companies such as IBM, Google and Microsoft are making major investments in quantum computing and quantum measurement technologies are achieving stunning scientific advances such as the detection of gravitational waves. Australia is strongly positioned to be part of this quantum revolution with our strengths in quantum physics, but quantum technology is now moving to a phase where its progress requires advances in engineering and in particular control engineering. This project will help produce those advances, concentrating on new types of control systems in which both the system being controlled and controller are quantum in nature and which have the robustness necessary to operate in demanding quantum environments. The research will advance Australia's capabilities in quantum control engineering and provide research training to Research Associates and Postgraduate Students, improving our ability to apply emerging quantum technologies in areas like manufacturing, medicine, the environment, and defence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Australian Partnership in Advanced LIGO+: continuation. The aim of this project is, in collaboration with the USA and UK, to complete the installation and commissioning of the Advanced LIGO+ facilities in the USA in order to bring them to design sensitivity. These facilities expect to increase the event rate of gravitational wave signals by a factor of 125. This should lead to daily detections and the observation of new sources of gravitational waves. Given that only 5% of the universe is detectable by telescopes, the impact of gravitational wave detections on our understanding of the universe is inestimable. Australian partnership intends to enable our physicists and astronomers to be at the vanguard of this brand new field and inspire a new generation to study the physical sciences. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences The broad interest in the recent detection of gravitational waves by LIGO demonstrates society’s deep fascination with the universe and our place in it. Increasing the sensitivity of the LIGO detectors will allow humanity to prise open this exciting new window on the universe. This project will markedly increase Australia’s standing in the global 'big science' effort to understand our universe. It will enable outcomes that will appear in seminal, highly cited papers adding to the body of knowledge in this field of research. Our continued partnership in this endeavour will ensure that the Australian public and researchers are at the forefront of this exciting new era in observational cosmology and in the new technology that will be required. Scientists and engineers trained on the facility will be highly skilled in optics, electronics, mechanics control systems, essential ingredients for the knowledge economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Australian Membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program. This proposal is for an 18-month membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), the world’s largest collaborative research program in Earth and Ocean sciences. The Program studies the history and current activity of the Earth by conducting seagoing coring expeditions and monitoring of instrumented boreholes, using globally unique infrastructure that Australians would otherwise have no access to. Program outcomes include understanding past global environmental change on multiple time scales, the deep biosphere, plate tectonics, formation and distribution of resources, and generation of hazards. These outcomes are paramount to Australia’s national science and research priorities, and societal and economic prosperity. Field of research: 0403 - Geology Australia's marine jurisdiction is nearly double our land territory. Australia’s blue economy contributes AU$68.1 billion and employs 393,000 people. It is forecast to grow to AU$100 billion per annum by 2025. The marine environment is also a source of hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanism, tsunamis, and long-term impacts including sea-level rise and ecosystem collapse. This project delivers Australia’s continued membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program, which enables scientific ocean exploration using deep and specialised drilling that far exceeds our national capacity and supports Australian marine researchers to deliver improved understanding that will impact on government and industry ensuring they are better able to anticipate marine opportunities and hazards which will in turn safeguard the economic, cultural, and environmental prosperity that Australia derives from the marine environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Methods for Protein Structure Analysis by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. This highly interdisciplinary project aims to establish new tools to analyse the structure and motions of proteins that are otherwise difficult to study. A combination of advanced biochemistry, modern magnetic spectroscopy methods, and high-performance computing techniques will be applied to study proteins at physiological concentrations and in complex environments. New techniques will be developed and tested on proteins of high biochemical or biomedical importance, and the approach will be applied to established drug targets. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Proteins are the essential building blocks of life. Among their many important functions, proteins are critical for signaling to molecules, scaffolding cell structure, and acting as the functional components in molecular machines. Embedded in membranes or floating in solution, proteins have a defined structure and motion which dictates their function. We aim to develop new tools to study large and complex protein systems within their native environment. Our approach uses innovative biochemistry and modern magnetic spectroscopy methods coupled with high-performance computing. These tools provide both the structural information and the motion of important disease-related proteins to define function. The knowledge gained from this project will provide new design criteria for pharmaceuticals and related therapies. It will enhance Australia’s capacity to respond to existing and emergent invasive diseases, improving health and welfare outcomes into the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The Last Soviet Famine, 1946/47: Drought and food crises in war's aftermath. This project aims to increase our understanding of the relationship between drought and famine by analysing the most recent, though least understood famine in Soviet and Modern European History. This famine followed a massive drought in the summer of 1946 across the western Soviet Union and led to the deaths of at least one million people. This research is timely given the growing threats to food security, markets and trade posed by the increasing incidence of severe and enduring drought in Australia and globally. The expected outcome of this research is to produce new historical knowledge with contemporary application to better inform policy approaches with the expected benefit of reducing the threat of food crises emerging from drought. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies This project will produce new historical knowledge on how droughts potentially develop into food crises and famines and what roles might be played by natural conditions along with human decision making in this process. This project is timely because the growing threats to food security, markets and trade posed by the increasing incidence of severe and enduring drought in Australia and globally underscore the urgency of its research into the most important and recent, though least well-known, nexus between drought and famine in European history. The new historical knowledge produced by this project will have contemporary application in informing current policy making responses to the growing challenges that drought poses to food supply and trade in Australia, its region, and globally. This improved understanding will help position Australia at the cutting edge of drought and famine research to adopt and advise on policy responses with the expected benefit to the Australian taxpayer of reaping the significant economic, commercial and environmental advantages of better managing drought.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Life Expectancy among Disease-Diagnosed. This project aims to improve methodological tools for calculating life expectancy for populations with mental or physical disorders in Australia as well as to determine gains and losses in terms of excess mortality. To achieve this goal innovative measures, which solve methodological previous shortcoming regarding different age at diagnosis will be applied. The expected outcomes of the project include precise figures of excess mortality related to mental and physical disorders. Significant benefits for future public policy-making will be gained by analysing excess mortality among individuals diagnosed mental or physical disorders, and cross-country comparisons using national linkage data. Field of research: 1603 - Demography Mental or physical disorders shorten people’s life spans. Yet, previous attempts at assessing life expectancy of people with disorders have failed at addressing the fact that diseases occur at different ages. This project resolves this methodological shortcoming and develops precision metrics, which will be used to determine trends of mental health or physical disorders that affect Australians. By analysing national linkage data, we will identify gaps in longevity between those diagnosed and the general population. The outcomes of this project will inform people with disorders, healthcare providers and decision-makers regarding exact life expectancies and, thereby, generate information on diseases, which ought to be addressed more comprehensively. Thus, supporting all levels of the health system to improve quality of life for those suffering from health disorders. The findings from this project will provide critical insights into the recent gains and losses in Australian life expectancy of populations diagnosed disorders; which will help in establishing priorities for coming public health efforts.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Earth Abundant Metal Complexes for Nitrogen Activation. This project aims to develop a range of complexes based around earth abundant metals that are capable of activating nitrogen (N2) at ambient pressure and temperature. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of organometallic chemistry, specifically with regards to molecular metal-metal bonding and subsequent reactivity towards the activation of nitrogen. The activation of atmospheric nitrogen is performed on a multi-million tonne scale each year and is key to a number of industrial processes. As such, investigations into new and improved catalysts for this process would potentially bring huge financial benefits to industry, as well as benefiting the environment by reducing energy demand and associated climate change. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry The reaction between nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) to synthesise ammonia (NH3) is performed on a massive scale globally as ammonia is a primary feedstock in a number of industrial processes. Most important amongst these is the synthesis of fertiliser (95% of consumption), without which the global population would require 4 times the current cultivatable land. However, due to the relatively low activity of the current catalyst, the current process to synthesise ammonia (Haber-Bosch) requires extremely high pressures (>20 MPa) and temperatures (450°C). As a result, the synthesis of ammonia consumes 1-2% of the worlds annual energy supply and produces approximately 300 million tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide each year. Developing a catalyst that can perform this reaction under much lower pressures and temperatures would result in huge benefits to both industry and the environment. Some benefits include lower production cost of ammonia (and consequently fertiliser) whilst also considerably reducing the global atmospheric CO2 emissions, a major contributor to climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The evolution of specialised orchid pollination and its reversibility. This project aims to determine the changes in key floral volatile compounds underpinning pollination transitions, identify their molecular basis, and understand the ecological processes favouring reversals away from extreme specialisation. By focusing on pollination of sexually deceptive Australian orchids, this project would be the first to determine the molecular, chemical and behavioural basis of evolutionary reversals to more generalised strategies in a group of plants facing high risk of pollinator extinction. The expected outcome, a mechanistic understanding of how pollination transitions occur, would be internationally ground-breaking, and provide crucial insights to protect this diverse but highly threatened group of plants. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology Australian orchids are widely known and loved by the public as a national treasure. They are also renowned worldwide for their unique flowers and extraordinary pollination strategies, and have featured in high-profile international documentaries. Yet because of their specialised pollination requirements they are extremely vulnerable to climatic extremes, the effects of habitat fragmentation and degradation, and increasing fire frequency and severity, with many species already listed as nationally endangered. This study will: 1. Improve Australian orchid conservation outcomes by obtaining critical knowledge on their pollination strategies and their evolutionary flexibility in the face of environmental change, 2. Enable science-community engagement through revealing the evolutionary origins of some of our best-known plants 3. Build a national database of biological, chemical and genomic data as a key resource for ongoing theoretical and conservation studies of Australian orchids, 4. Discover new scent compounds and their associated genes with the potential for future commercial use in perfumes and flavours.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Breaking barriers to high-performance room-temperature quantum technologies. This project aims to break the major barriers to realising high-performance quantum technologies that operate at room temperature by exploiting the unique properties of colour centres in diamond and two-dimensional materials. This project expects to yield profound new knowledge of colour centres and new theoretical methods, experimental techniques and quantum devices. Expected outcomes are significant enhancements of existing technologies, invention of novel two-dimensional technologies, and expanded domestic capability and international collaborations in quantum technology. These outcomes will benefit Australia by securing its global competitiveness in quantum industry and providing transformative tools to science, defence and industry. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics This project aims to benefit Australia’s economy and security by expanding its capability to innovate and manufacture world-leading quantum technologies, expanding its expertise and facilities to train the workforce for the emerging quantum industry , and strengthening strategic international collaborations for continued innovation. Quantum technologies are transforming science, defence and industry through applications in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, financial and engineering optimisation, biomedicine and advanced materials. Thus, a highly competitive quantum technology industry is rapidly emerging around the world with significant economic and security implications. Due to past research and funding, Australia is in a strong position to compete in the emerging quantum industry and security environment. This project expects to provide Australia a substantial competitive advantage by developing novel quantum technologies that are cheaper, more compact, more robust, and address a much broader range of applications than competing technologies by operating at room temperature.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Pathways to Power: Australian Political Careers. The project aims to uncover the determinants of successful careers of elected and non-elected political elites. The project expects to generate new knowledge about elite career paths (politicians, political staff, media, interest group personnel and bureaucrats), examine the impact of political elites on the quality of government, and whether this has changed over time. The project should provide significant benefits to academics via theoretical development of processes driving careers progression and establishing Australia as a benchmark case facilitating future international collaboration. It hopes to enhance the capacity of citizens and policy makers to assess the overall effectiveness of governance and the regulation of political life. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science Australians' trust in the government is at an all-time low and citizens are concerned about the representativeness of those who lead the country. This project tackles this national concern by analysing the career paths of political elites in Australia and how they impact on how we are governed. By tracing the characteristics and relationships of those ‘at the top’, this project will help the Australian community to understand more clearly why some representatives make it to the top, and others do not. The Government has taken steps to make it clearer to the public how political careers operate by establishing a Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC). This project furthers this important national priority by providing the evidence base needed for honest debate about the representativeness of those we elect. It can show us how to make career success in politics a clearer and fairer process that the community can trust and to improve the overall quality of government.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Maternal contributions to offspring development in a changing climate. This project aims to investigate how maternal contributions to offspring developmental environments affect metabolism, learning, growth, and survival of offspring. This project expects to provide mechanistic and evolutionary insights into how changes in metabolic function, brought about by changes in the developmental environment, contribute to variation in learning and life-history. Expected outcomes include an in-depth understanding of how changes in maternal investment and hormones impact offspring developing in different thermal environments and how such changes are mediated by compromised physiological function – providing significant benefits in understanding population persistence in Australia's rapidly changing climate. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology The project is expected to have a number of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the Australian community. Environmental benefits include an increased understanding of how organisms and populations can respond and adapt to Australia's rapidly changing climate, where severe drought and changes in temperature will impact on resource availability and early developmental conditions (targetting the ARC’s Environmental Change Research Priority). Given that biological science research contributes substantially to the Australian economy, amounting to about 5% GDP or $65 billion dollars, this proposed project will yield social and economic benefits by promoting fundamental research that solidifies Australia's reputation as a world leader in evolutionary ecology and providing knowledge that can be used in plant and animal breeding programs, which may help bolster populations of endangered species and improve economic returns. This project will also forge research ties with leading national and international researchers providing superb opportunities for training students and postdoctoral researchers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The Cartography of Peace: Security Zones, Colour Codes and Everyday Life. This project investigates the impacts of security mapping and the use of specific color-codes by United Nations peacekeeping operations when assessing risks. It will for the first time trace the origins of United Nations security mapping practices and compare key case studies: Afghanistan (green zone), Somalia (white zone), South Sudan and Kenya (blue zones) and Haiti (red and yellow zones). Expected outcomes include better understanding of how policy-makers assess risks on the ground, how security maps are drafted and modified across time, as well as an understanding of the meanings given to specific color-codes. The findings expect to benefit Australian and other policy makers seeking to design better security interventions. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science Australia is renowned as an active contributor of personnel to peacekeeping missions, especially in our region. But the UN security maps determining how those operations are mounted seem to be produced by factors outside of strict efficiency, efficacy and safety considerations. It is in Australia’s interest to improve the safety of its peacekeeping personnel. This project seeks to understand how the UN and other agencies translate risk assessment into operational maps, which then determine the deployment of personnel and resources. More effective peacekeeping fosters rules-based order, which is pivotal to Australia’s regional security and the future prosperity of economies in the region. Through close partnerships with the Australian Government and other agencies, this project will deliver a set of recommendations on managing risk in peacekeeping operations. The uptake of these recommendations will lead to improved safety of peacekeepers and the local populations they aim to protect, efficiency and efficacy of peacekeeping.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Nuclear vibrations under scrutiny in near-spherical and deformed nuclei. This Project aims to elucidate the nature of nuclear vibrations. Evidence is mounting that nuclear excitations long identified as vibrations cannot truly be so. This shakes the foundations of nuclear theory. Coulomb excitation and transfer reaction experiments are to be developed to probe the structure of these quantum states. Expected outcomes include clarification of their true nature and a deeper understanding of why nuclei differ from other many-body quantum systems that do vibrate. Anticipated benefits include enduring methodologies to facilitate international research engagement, and rigorous hands-on training in nuclear methods, to help meet Australia’s need for nuclear-qualified personnel in health, mining, industry and security. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics The aim of this project is to advance the fundamental understanding of atomic nuclei by developing new experimental capabilities at Australia’s Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. The Project thus aims to enhance international scientific exchanges by attracting top scientists to a world-class Australian facility, and promote opportunities for Australians to lead experiments at the top overseas accelerator laboratories. It will serve society by enabling rigorous hands-on training in state-of-the-art nuclear techniques. Nuclear-based technologies are broad ranging and central to diverse public agencies and private industries. Highly skilled personnel are needed for applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, industry, and to support Australia’s leading role in nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation. Two current high-technology national projects that require nuclear expertise are Australia’s first proton cancer-therapy centre under construction, and the developing Australian space industry, which requires radiation-proof instrumentation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Maximising accuracy and reliability of carbonate climate proxy archives. This project brings together expertise and cutting-edge methodology from different disciplines to identify the controls on the compositions of the shells and skeletons of marine organisms. The compositions of these materials are essential tools to reconstruct environmental conditions before modern climate records began. However, recent insights into how they form profoundly complicate and affect their interpretations. The results will enable us to develop new, realistic models for the behaviour of chemical elements in these materials. This will significantly improve paleoclimate interpretations and provide critical benefit for protecting Australia’s marine resources in the future. Field of research: 0403 - Geology Shells and skeletons of marine animals are important archives of past environmental change, reaching back thousands of years. The reliability of data derived from them for use in robust models of our climate future relies on understanding how they are formed by the animals. This project creates synergies that combine innovative nano-analytical and aquaculture methods using Australia’s cutting-edge research facilities. It will strengthen the country’s world-leading position in this research area and expand Australia’s research potential and competitiveness. This interdisciplinary project will ready the next generation of young scientists and industry professionals by equipping them with new cutting-edge nano-analytical skillsets required for Australia’s economy. It will significantly enhance our understanding of, and capability to probe into, past and future climate and environmental change, and secure our marine resources for changing environments in the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Metaphotonics and metasurfaces for disruptive sensing technologies. This project aims to address a big challenge in nanophotonics by developing revolutionary methods for efficient chiral sensing of molecules without the need for spectrometry, frequency scanning, or moving mechanical parts, and to enhance chiroptical signals a hundredfold with the help of metasurface structures. Resonant metasurfaces are arrays of engineered dielectric nanoparticles with extraordinary characteristics, and they would allow to overcome current limitations of chiral sensing analytical tools. Detecting chiral molecules in low concentrations is crucially important to many fields of biology, chemistry, and pharmacy, as well as to the food and cosmetics industries, constituting a market of tens of billions of dollars. Field of research: 0299 - Other Physical Sciences The emerging field of metaphotonics addresses important problems at the frontier of modern physics, and it is one of the hottest areas of research in optics. This project aims to employ the fundamental concepts of resonant metaphotonics to achieve novel functionalities of metasurfaces with the world-first demonstrations of disruptive sensing applications including chiral sensing. Detecting chiral molecules in low concentrations is crucially important to many fields of biology, chemistry, and pharmacy, as well as to the food and cosmetics industries. The project will develop nanophotonic methods capable of efficient chiral sensing of molecules without the need for spectrometry, frequency scanning, or moving mechanical parts, and to enhance chiroptical signals from novel types of resonant nanostructures. This project will provide an innovative research environment for students and postdoctoral fellows, creating unique opportunities to foster skilled people for academic research and upcoming industries in Australia.