Australian National University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Materials for high data storage capacity quantum devices. This project aims to create a quantum memory with a data storage capacity approaching the fundamental limit by developing a class of memory materials based on rare earth ions in crystals. Quantum memories with high data storage capacities, long storage time and high efficiency are the outstanding component for quantum communication technology, which could change communications systems. Rare earth ions are the only platform to have shown long storage times and high efficiencies, and this project aims to add the capability for high data storage capacity, creating a quantum memory that satisfies all three vital requirements for quantum communications applications. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Hydraulic control on water use, growth and survival in tropical rainforest. This project aims to measure drought-related limits to water transport in the woody xylem tissue of trees in Australian tropical rainforests, to understand how this influences tree water use, photosynthesis, health and mortality risk. Tropical rainforests are sensitive to climate variability, especially drought, but this sensitivity is poorly understood, despite large effects regionally and globally. This project will compare forests that contrast strongly in seasonal drought stress, and use the information to develop a model designed for species-diverse forest, with subsequent potential global application. The understanding gained will enable widely applicable advances designed to feed through rapidly to regional- and global-scale models that inform land use, economic and social policy-making. Field of research: 0501 - Ecological Applications

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

The copper-gold fertility of mountain belts. This project aims to identify the timing of, and understand the causes of, sulphide saturation in granitic suites to test the hypothesis that sulphide saturation controls the fertility of copper-gold deposits. More than half of the world’s copper and gold comes from granitic rocks, but most granitic suites are barren. As copper-gold deposits become increasingly difficult to find, and exploration budgets have been slashed, it is critical to reliably distinguish ore bearing from barren systems. Platinum group element geochemistry could make this distinction by pinpointing the timing of sulphide saturation in evolving magma systems. Eliminating barren suites as exploration targets will save Australia’s exploration dollars which can be directed to where the prospects of success are greatest. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

A quantum bus for large-scale diamond quantum computers. This project aims to experimentally demonstrate a device needed to bus quantum information between defect clusters in large scale quantum computers. Quantum computers could transcend limits of today’s ‘classical’ computers. Diamond is a proven platform for small-scale quantum computing and simple quantum algorithms have already been demonstrated using small clusters of diamond defects. To build a large-scale quantum computer that can realise the potential of quantum computing, a device must be invented to bus quantum information between defect clusters. This project will experimentally demonstrate physical mechanisms that were theoretically identified for the operation of such a device. This is expected to make a quantum bus for large-scale diamond quantum computers possible. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Chromatin structure and pervasive transcription. This project aims to understand mechanisms that repress pervasive transcription and to identify chromatin characteristics that repress transcription initiation outside the promoter regions. Chromatin characteristics, such as position, occupancy and turnover-rate of nucleosomes, establish an elaborate genomic indexing mechanism, which defines functional units in the genome. Defects in this process increase pervasive transcription, toxic accumulation of non-coding transcripts and genomic instability. This work aims to understand eukaryotic genome organisation and may have long-term therapeutic implications for cancer and ageing-related diseases. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Holding coral reefs together with soluble cement. This project aims to characterise and understand cement formation in coral reefs. Coral reefs are constructed by cementing together aragonite building blocks made by corals. The main cementing agent is high-magnesium calcite, the most soluble carbonate mineral and susceptible to ocean acidification. High-magnesium calcite cements are best developed on the high energy margins of coral reefs. This project will quantify how crustose coralline algae produces high-magnesium calcite and controls the dissolution and reprecipitation of high-magnesium cements. This project intends to quantify rates of reef cementation, susceptibility to ocean acidification and warming, and possible mitigating effects of alkalinity addition. Field of research: 0405 - Oceanography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Protein trafficking pathways in fungal rust pathogens of plants. This project aims to investigate protein trafficking pathways in fungal rusts of plants. These are devastating diseases that cause major losses in agricultural crops including wheat. Little is known of how these fungi form long and intimate relationships with plants to extract their nutrients. Using both model and agriculturally important fungi, the project will try to identify proteins that are transferred within the fungus and to the plant host to modify the infection. It will also identify fungal proteins needed to deliver trafficked proteins to plants. These discoveries ultimately may be translated into control strategies for these costly diseases. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Electric field imaging of single charges and molecules via spins in diamond. This project aims to build, demonstrate and advance quantum microscopes in Australia. The microscopes are based on the quantum metrology capabilities of nitrogen-vacancy centre defect spins in diamond. The project will use the microscopes to produce nanoscale images of the electric fields of individual electric charges and molecules in ambient conditions. It will then extend the capabilities of the microscopes towards the vibrational resonance imaging of single molecules. This project could improve the study of electronic processes in biology and nanotechnology and the structure and properties of complex molecules. It may also enable advances in interdisciplinary research and the development of high-performance materials, nanoelectronic devices and associated industry. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Heteroatomic organometallic molecular wires. This project aims to design strategies for the modular construction of heteroatomic molecular wires. Molecular wires are the smallest possible component for miniaturisation of electronic circuitry: metal atoms joined by a linear conducting chain of carbon atoms. This project addresses the synthetic challenge of designing strategies for the modular construction of unprecedented heteroatomic molecular wires. Unique electro-optical properties may be developed (for switching, sensing, data storage applications) for subsequent applications in molecular electronics industries. Electro-optical properties could be used in molecular electronics industries. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Performing transdisciplinarity. This project aims to use the illustrated songbook, a performative genre which fuses image, music and text, to study the transdisciplinary nature of 18th-century print culture. Through multifaceted research on an exemplary songbook, this project will create a multimedia digital interface for linking deep disciplinary knowledge and the recreation of the sounds, sensibilities, and social mores of 18th-century France. The project's model of rich digital understanding has potential benefits for cultural institutions whose complex objects lie dormant or underused. Field of research: 2005 - Literary Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Multi-region relaxation dynamics in fusion and stellar plasmas. This project aims to apply a static plasma modelling approach to linear modes of vibration and nonlinear explosive events in toroidally confined fusion plasma experiments and stellar atmospheres. The long-term survival of advanced civilisation depends on the development of reliable and ecologically sustainable energy sources. One of the most promising approaches for baseload electrical power is magnetic confinement fusion: harnessing, in a magnetic field, the nuclear reactions that power stars. This project will develop powerful new ways of modelling strong plasma instabilities in magnetised plasmas. Learning how to avoid these would remove a key barrier to fusion power. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Creating superheavy elements and isotopes. This project aims to measure properties, probabilities and timescales of competing quasifission processes, by combining Australian accelerator and detector capabilities with exotic radioactive targets. In 2015, nuclear fusion created superheavy elements with atomic numbers 113 to 118. The race is now on to create elements 119 and 120, as their production and properties should pin down the location of the predicted superheavy Island of Stability, but 3-fragment quasifission is a major impediment to their formation. This project will evaluate quassification processes on the nuclear reactions proposed to form new superheavy elements and is expected to identify the best reactions for their discovery. The synthesis of new elements tests quantum physics, relativistic chemistry and element creation in the cosmos, and offers high profile returns on investments. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Adolescent stars and planets in our neighbourhood from Gaia and FunnelWeb. This project aims to understand how infant stars in their stellar nurseries reach adulthood in the Galactic disk, and link stellar birth to the presence and evolution of adolescent planetary systems. The billion dollar Gaia satellite will change the study of stellar adolescence, with data beginning to flow with an initial public release this year. FunnelWeb – the largest star survey of its kind, covering the entire Southern sky – will augment this data. This project will combine these datasets, identifying the birthplace of the majority of nearby adolescent stars in the Southern sky and helping to discover and characterise their planetary systems. The results relating to the origin and Galactic context of our solar system are of broad public interest. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Multi-trait plasticity in response to a changing climate. This project aims to understand the effect of climate change on natural populations. Phenotypic plasticity (the ability to change phenotype with environment) determines natural populations’ immediate response to environmental change. However, studies of plasticity frequently rely on simplifying assumptions, and understanding the genomic and epigenomic mechanisms underlying plasticity is only just emerging. This project will combine a fine-scale temperature-manipulation experiment with genomic and multivariate statistical analyses of a native Australian alpine plant. The intended outcome is a comprehensive analysis of whether multi-trait phenotypic plasticity is adaptive; whether it can evolve; and the epigenomic mechanisms that drive it. The project will predict the likely effect of temperature change on alpine plants, and so generate information internationally relevant to the management of populations adapting to climate change and locally relevant to the conservation of Australian montane flora. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory: Dark matter detector development. This project aims to develop ultra-sensitive detector technology essential for SABRE, a Northern and Southern Hemisphere dual-detector experiment. The SABRE facilities operate to directly detect galactic dark matter. Dark matter makes up 23% of the observable universe but the evidence for its existence is indirect. The direct detection of dark matter would be a discovery on par with gravitational waves and the Higgs boson. This project is an opportunity for Australian research to continue to lead the way in the biggest scientific discoveries of the century and provides opportunities for Australian science in numerous fields ranging from biology to fundamental physics. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Moments, monopoles and the emergence of nuclear collectivity. The project aims to elucidate the origin and nature of collective nuclear vibrations. Recent evidence that vibrational nuclei might not vibrate after all has shaken the foundations of nuclear theory. This project will measure electric monopole transitions and magnetic moments to help determine these nuclei’s true nature, and expose how their collectivity emerges from the complexity of the underlying single-particle motion. The expected outcome is a deeper understanding of emergent phenomena in quantum many-body systems like the atomic nucleus. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Ethics and risk. This project aims to develop a theory of risk. From the extreme to the everyday, from warfare to the drive to work, the modern world is unimaginable without mutual imposition of risk. Philosophers must explain how risks can be justified, or risk irrelevance. This project will use the tools of ethics (the study of right and wrong action) and decision theory (the study of rational decision-making under uncertainty) to develop a comprehensive theory of the ethics of risk. This project is expected to improve understanding of the risks people impose on others as individuals and as a society. Field of research: 2203 - Philosophy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Melting in the Earth and the origin of basalts. This project aims to investigate and link the many studies of natural basalts to better understand Earth’s global tectonics and mineral resources. Much of our knowledge of the deep Earth’s history comes from studying the melting of the mantle to produce basaltic magma. This project will investigate experimentally at high temperatures and pressures, link studies of natural basalts with melting processes in simplified chemical systems. The expected outcome is a comprehensive model for the origin of basalts on Earth and in other rocky planets, which will establish the framework for the geochemical cycles of the elements and lead to a better understanding of mineral resources. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Enabling ultra-reliable and sustainable machine-to-machine communications. This project aims to develop spectrum sharing and power transfer techniques for machine-to-machine communications in future wireless networks. Current wireless networks have high data rate as a priority but cannot deliver ultra-reliable and extended battery life operation for many low data rate machine-type devices. Through proper design of wireless and autonomous machine-to-machine communications, this project expects to improve quality of life and implement ultra-reliable, intelligent and long lasting machine-type monitoring devices for health, agriculture, mining, wildlife and critical national infrastructure. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Variational theory for fully nonlinear elliptic equations. This project aims to develop new methods and techniques to solve challenging mathematical problems in fully nonlinear partial differential equations arising in important applications. The project will develop methods and techniques to study these equations’ regularity and variational properties. This project is expected to establish comprehensive theories and enhance and promote Australian participation and leadership in this area of mathematics. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Harnessing strain for chemical synthesis: The cyclopropane angle. This project aims to develop new reaction pathways of cyclopropanes, the smallest and most strained monocyclic ring systems, but which are also stable and easily prepared. Cyclopropanes have unique capacities to serve as highly effective building blocks in the synthesis of a wide range of otherwise difficult to access and biologically active molecular frameworks. This project will use cyclopropanes to rapidly assemble biologically active systems, especially pharmaceutically or agrochemically valuable natural products and relevant analogues. Field of research: 0305 - Organic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Quantum enhancement of gravitational wave astronomy. The project aims to design, build and test a long wavelength ‘squeezed vacuum’ source reducing quantum noise by more than a factor of 10 across the audio frequency band with long term stability and reliability. This quantum technology is one of three key areas of improvement planned for the gravitational wave detector, LIGO Voyager. The project will enhance the sensitivity and the reach of gravitational wave astronomy and cosmology, and improve the fidelity and reach of gravitational wave observations. Technologies developed may find application in other areas of precision measurements and gravitational wave observations . Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

FIRE-DRIVE: Feedback in Realistic Environments to DRIVE turbulence. This project aims to understand galactic turbulence, which controls the formation of stars in the Universe and determines galaxy evolution and planet formation. Galactic turbulence is not yet well understood. This project’s goal is to determine the turbulence driving with realistic simulations and compare them to observations, to predict star, planet and galaxy formation and evolution. The simulations and observational tools developed in this project will transform our understanding of galactic cloud and star formation, advancing international and Australian research on galaxies, stars and planets. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Diatom lipids to reveal sea-ice history in remote Antarctic regions. This project aims to understand seasonal Antarctic sea-ice extent using molecular, geochemical, elemental and genomic characteristics of specific marine phytoplankton (diatoms). Little is known of the seasonal sea-ice variation and the position of the summer sea-ice extent a million years before satellite records, but this information is critical to determining air-sea gas exchange and ecosystem food web regulation. This project will unite geochemical and biological approaches to provide the data to improve past Antarctic ecosystem and climate models where sea-ice data is missing. Studying diatom biomarkers in deep sea cores from Australia’s Southern Ocean will redefine knowledge of Antarctic climate and provide data necessary to improve global ecosystem and climate models. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Molecular traces of our primordial ancestors. This project aims to work with the exploration industry to develop an age-diagnostic fingerprinting tool for ancient petroleum seeps. Primordial molecules extracted from 1.6 billion years old rocks are the first and only witnesses of this extinct world. Australia’s vast red centre retains undiscovered oil reserves. This project will yield information about an oil’s provenance and help predict where reserves may be hidden, increasing the accuracy of surveys and reducing costs and risks of exploration. Broader benefits from the findings may change common understanding about our very earliest ancestors and their effect on the planet’s evolution. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry