THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

A world-class machine learning facility for Australia. This project aims to provide machine learning researchers from Australia with the hardware they need to continue their research and attract and retain high-calibre researchers in this very competitive research field. It will provide the computational infrastructure for Australian researchers to carry out world-class, innovative machine learning research. Machine learning is making a significant impact in many areas of science across most industry sectors. The technology is driving a Fourth Industrial Revolution, and every sector will see major change as a result. Australia is a world leader in machine learning research, however maintaining this important national advantage in this competitive field requires access to the latest hardware. This project will enable the next generation of world-class machine learning research in Australia. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Animal groups as mobile sensor networks. This project aims to provide biologically inspired solutions to the problems faced by mobile sensor networks. Mobile sensor networks provide a powerful new tool in environmental monitoring and surveillance, however, designing them to be energy efficient while not sacrificing information detection remains a challenge. By immersing animal groups into dynamically changing virtual environments this project will design new efficient mobile sensor networks. The project is expected to provide solutions to mobile sensor network limitations, benefitting areas including robotics, environmental monitoring and defence. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Precarious accounts: money, sex and power in the industrial revolution. This project aims to provide a historical perspective on contemporary debates around the uses of self-tracking technologies. The project expects to generate new knowledge on how practices for quantifying the self relate to significant social and economic change, from the industrial revolution, through to measuring the systems of big data that now shapes the world. It does so using a case study of Gilbert Innes, a banker known for his sexual exploitation of women and obsessive book-keeping. The expected outcome is a history of how accounting shaped identity and morality in the nineteenth century. Through improving our understanding of how quantification practices shape society, this research supports their effective use today. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Supercomputing the tomography of the proton. This project aims to produce theoretical determinations of the quark and gluon distributions of the proton through advanced supercomputer simulations. The project will generate new knowledge in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image structures that have not been possible in the past. This project expects to expand the capacity of the international community to study strong interaction physics, including direct relevance to experimental research at the recently-upgraded Jefferson Lab in the US. In analogy to Rutherford's atomic model, the results will have benefit to future generations of humanity with a deeper understanding of the structure of matter. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Characterisation of vital carbohydrate synthases in pathogenic oomycetes. This project aims to understand the mechanisms that control cell wall stability in the fish pathogen, Saprolegnia parasitica. The biochemical properties and function of vital enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis will be determined using innovative approaches at the interface of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and structural biology. Next generation ion mobility mass spectrometry will be used to solve challenging structural questions that cannot be tackled with conventional techniques. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on challenging membrane proteins that allows development of novel strategies for disease control in aquaculture. The data may also be applicable to crop protection from related plant pathogens. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

A fast readout for new physics discovery at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to explore fundamental physics by developing new technologies to exploit data readout and analysis techniques. With the discovery of the Higgs boson, the focus of high energy physics has progressed to answering fundamental questions of what forces and particles may lie beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The upgraded Large Hadron Collider provides a unique environment to discover new physics processes by enabling searches at the highest energies and masses ever achieved to directly produce new particles. The project expects to enhance fundamental physics and interdisciplinary research in industry and academia. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Blue energy harvesting and storage technology for wearable electronics. This project aims to develop new self-charging power devices that can harvest and store body energy generated during body motions, and power smart and implantable medical electronics. The project will develop new Piezo-supercapacitors by designing new electrode materials and cell designs. The charge storage and transport kinetics will be uncovered using advanced in-situ characterisation techniques and modern simulation methods. The project expects to generate new knowledge in blue energy harvesting and storage systems, training for young scientists, and generate intellectual property with potential commercialised products to be used in implantable devices, placing Australia at the forefront of new technology. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

East Antarctica: subglacial heat flux constraints for ice sheet modelling. This project aims to quantify the heat flux from the East Antarctic continent into the base of the ice sheet via the derivation of a large geochemical database, together with elevation-based modelling and new heat flux measurements in regions formerly contiguous with East Antarctica. This subglacial heat flux is poorly constrained in current ice sheet models, but directly affects ice sheet behaviour. The output of this project will be a greatly improved heat flux map for East Antarctica that can be used in ice sheet modelling studies. This should drive significant improvement in models for the evolution of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, resulting in more accurate projections of ice discharge and associated sea level change. Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Advanced mathematical models and methods for a randomly-varying world. This project aims to develop advanced stochastic models and novel techniques, to analytically obtain performance measures and to efficiently simulate the time evolution. This project also plans to apply new models and methods to address important problems in ecology and epidemiology. The outputs of this project will advance knowledge in mathematics as well as in the intended application areas, including ultimately in improved understanding, modelling, and tracking of the spread of diseases. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Activating the female germline during plant development. This project aims to investigate the mechanistic basis for female germline formation in two plant species including barley, which is of agricultural relevance to Australia. This project’s approach will integrate novel regulatory genes and data from Arabidopsis and barley. This knowledge will provide significant benefits, such as novel reproductive strategies for crop improvement. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

The role of epigenetic modifications in tiger snake adaptation. This project aims to investigate mechanisms underlying animal adaptation to future environmental change by examining the molecular basis for phenotypic plasticity in snakes. This project will specifically examine variation in genetic/epigenetic profiles and compare against important fitness traits, such as variable head size, bite force and swallowing performance to identify relationships between molecular change and physiology. Such research is a critical first step in improving our knowledge of the mechanisms whereby animal populations may adapt to environmental change, allowing us to facilitate such processes or concentrate conservation effort where species are unable to adapt via epigenetic modification. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Contribution to the AugerPrime upgrade of the Pierre Auger observatory. This project will support basic research into the properties of the highest energy particles in our Universe by contributing to the upgrade of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory. A major detector upgrade (AugerPrime) is underway to enhance the sensitivity of the observatory for these high-energy cosmic rays. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays consist of heavy nuclei. AugerPrime will significantly improve the observatory's ability to identify the mass, and hence the charge, of the particles, allowing astrophysical source directions to be identified for the low charge particles which are less deflected by cosmic magnetic fields. The upgrade will also improve the understanding of particle physics at energies well beyond those explored at the Large Hadron Collider. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Unveiling the epigenome dynamics through the pluripotency continuum. This project aims to utilise stem cells and genomics based technologies, in combination with new computational algorithms to dissect the fundamental molecular events that drive the first steps during development. The project is expected to unveil the basic mechanisms underpinning how genes driving the developmental master plan are controlled in cells that have the capacity to give rise to the whole organism and placenta. The knowledge gained from this work will inform and guide future novel approaches, such as in assisted reproductive technologies or regenerative medicine. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Foundations of the nuclear force, nuclear structure and dynamics. This project aims to investigate a profound problem in physics: the structure and interactions of atomic nuclei in terms of their microscopic constituents. It is expected to generate new knowledge and improve our understanding of the structure and dynamics of nuclei, their formation in the cosmos, neutron star properties, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australian capacity in nuclear theory to produce the first predictive model with a modern realistic nuclear interaction. Significant benefits include an enhancement of research training capacity and new international links with the world's major laboratories. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Reconstructing mechanisms of range contraction to avert species extinctions. This project aims to integrate biotic information from fossils and ancient DNA of vertebrates into computational models to establish ecological processes that drive the structure and dynamics of geographical ranges and regulate the severity of species extinction rates from global change. This approach is likely to improve theory on dynamic species borders and expected outcomes include providing a framework for better allocating resources for endangered species in Australia and beyond. This will have significant benefits, such as providing the first mechanistic explanations for the principal drivers of mega-fauna extinctions during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. Field of research: 0699 - Other Biological Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Deep reinforcement learning for discovering and visualising biomarkers. This project aims to develop novel methods for discovering and visualising optimal bio-markers from chest computed tomography images based on extensions of recently developed deep reinforcement learning techniques. The extensions proposed in this project will advance medical image analysis by allowing an efficient analysis of large dimensionality inputs in their original high resolution. In addition, this project will be the first approach capable of discovering previously unknown biomarkers associated with important clinical outcomes. The project will validate the approach on a real-world case study data set concerning the prediction of five-year survival of chronic disease. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Mass spectrometry for next generation isotope analysis of silicate minerals. This project aims to establish a facility for mass spectrometry and sample preparation to enhance Australian capacity to analyse the stable isotope composition of silicate minerals. The project seeks to implement innovations that will greatly enhance the use of stable isotopes in silicate minerals by increasing analytical throughput and reducing cost. This will provide better understanding of the trajectories of environmental change, formation of mineral deposits and identifying trade networks in prehistoric societies. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

In the frame: Analysing Liberal and Labor government gender equality policy. This project aims to analyse how Australia’s major political parties have developed government gender equality policy since the early 1970s. The analysis will include a focus on how policies were framed and the outcomes associated with that framing. The project will contribute to an improved understanding of the development and outcomes of gender equality policies and make an original Australian contribution to the international academic literature on issues ranging of gender equality policy and policy framing. Field of research: 1606 - Political Science

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Improving thermal environment of housing for older Australians. This project aims to develop strategies to improve the thermal environment of housing for older Australians based on systematic investigations of the links between weather, thermal comfort, energy use, and well-being. The project will produce evidence-based guidelines and a framework about planning/design issues and operational/behavioural aspects to support older people living independently. Improved thermal conditions will lead to better quality of life, reduce the need for institutional care and reduce public health costs. They will also provide environmental benefits through reduced energy use and carbon emissions. Field of research: 1202 - Building

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Targeting root architecture to improve plant production in sub-optimal soil. This project aims to identify important missing links in the signalling pathways that connect major plant hormones in their control of root architecture, with a focus on the signalling system that helps plants cope with sub-optimal growing conditions. New discoveries in plant hormones will be applied to crops to provide a deeper understanding of root growth responses under sub-optimal conditions, and to maximise plant efficiency. Expected outcomes include a better understanding of signal pathways in roots, improved knowledge about how crops respond to adverse conditions, new knowledge and potential genetic resources for plant industry, and novel ideas about how to improve crop productivity. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Stories from the past: the impact of industrialisation on the human microbiome. This project aims to explore the history and origin of ‘Industrial’ diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and autism. Non-communicable, ‘Industrial’ diseases are rising at an alarming rate in Australia, and changes to the beneficial microorganisms within the human body (microbiota) may be to blame. This project will explore how human microbiota have changed over the past 100 years in response to cultural, environmental, and lifestyle factors linked with Industrialisation. This approach will allow stories from the past to inform modern medical treatment strategies and public health decisions in the future. The project will identify changes in environment, diet, hygiene, and medicine that have altered human microbiota in the past and sparked the Industrial disease epidemic in Australia today. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

From insects to robots: how brains make predictions and ignore distractions. This project aims to address fundamental questions in neuroscience and to integrate this biological understanding with the development of leading-edge robotics. Whether a human catching a ball or a dragonfly feeding in a swarm, brains have the remarkable ability to predict the future location of moving targets. The brain predicts in the presence of distractions and even if the target disappears, for example, when hidden behind another object. This project will investigate how brains use both environmental and internal information to select a target and predict its future location. By implementing bio-inspired computations in hardware, this project aims to provide significant benefits such as improving autonomous systems for defence, health and transportation. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Measuring pain in livestock: mechanisms, objective biomarkers and treatments. This project aims to create an objective blood test to measure pain in livestock, and to create a new drug treatment for persistent pain by targeting the immunology of the brain and spinal cord. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the involvement of the neuro-immune system in the creation and maintenance of persistent pain and how this can be quantified through the innovative use of peripheral blood tests. Expected outcomes of this project include a blood test capable of quantifying the extent of current pain experience, and a cumulative life measure of pain an animal has experienced. This should provide significant benefits to the Australian livestock industry by improving best practice. Field of research: 0608 - Zoology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Social histories of Holden in Australia. This project aims to investigate the social histories of Holden’s manufacturing operations in Australia in the post-World War II (WW2) period through oral interviews and archival research. It will place workers, workplace culture, and the communities in which Holden’s factories were based at the centre of the company’s history. A key focus will be an evaluation of recent assistance provided by Holden to workers to transition to new jobs. The project will produce 100 oral histories and the interviews and interpretive work undertaken during the project will be incorporated into exhibitions at the National Motor Museum and print and online publications. These outcomes will enhance our understanding of Australia's automotive heritage and workplace culture. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Multiscale modelling of systems with complex microscale detail. This project aims to develop systematic mathematical and computational methods for the compact and accurate macroscale modelling of systems with microscopic irregular details. The methodology, justified with mathematical analysis and computation, uses small bursts of particle/agent simulations, partial differential equation (PDEs), or difference equations, to efficiently predict macroscale behaviour. This project’s mathematical methodology aims to efficiently and accurately extract and simulate the collective dynamics which emerge on macroscales, leading to improved prediction and understanding of the significant features of these complex systems at the scale relevant to engineers and scientists. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics