THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

A multi-environment phenotyping site for biotech plants. This project aims to establish two unique facilities that aid evaluation of genetically modified or gene edited crop plants and grain. The first, a state-of-the-art field site, expects to reduce biotech field trial costs by 10–100 times with remote sensors, phenotyping platforms, and capacity for environmental manipulation to reduce risk and simulate a broad range of field conditions. The second aims to provide commercial grain processing to improve nutrition and quality analysis. Expected benefits and outcomes include accelerated translation of fundamental research findings to commercial breeding programs, novel applications for computer vision and machine learning in remote agriculture, and enhanced training opportunities for researchers. Field of research: 3001 - Agricultural Biotechnology Australia’s $66 billion agricultural sector provides food to domestic and international consumers. A changing environment and loss of productive arable land threatens crop productivity, which needs to increase by 50% over the next 30 years to feed a global population of 10 billion. Recent advances in biotechnology (genetic modification and genome editing) provide innovative ways to develop new crop varieties. Evaluation of these new varieties in the field, over a range of environmental conditions, is essential to fully assess their performance and translate their use into industry breeding programs; however, current access to biotech field trial sites is limited and prohibitively expensive due to regulatory requirements. This project aims to establish powerful new tools to facilitate evaluation of biotech plants and grain by creating two unique facilities: a state-of-the-art field site with remote sensors, real-time plant monitoring, and the capacity to simulate different environmental stresses; and a grain processing facility to expedite nutrition and quality analysis for downstream industry applications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

A customized surface chemistry study system in realistic working condition . This proposal aims to establish a purpose-built X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with a dedicated operando sample station and a contamination-free transfer system, to investigate the chemical signatures of material surfaces with unprecedented accuracy in environments from ultrahigh vacuum to near ambient pressure. The facility will support South Australia’s cutting edge XPS capabilities, immensely driving innovative research on a wide range of functional materials. The newly created knowledge and technology will be critical to materials across diverse disciplines from wide-ranging energy storage and conversion devices, to biological systems, electronics, and minerals, all with positive benefits for the wider Australian economy. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Surfaces and interfaces define an important boundary between a material and its surrounding environment. These interfacial regions are subject to intensive research efforts as they play an important role in influencing the chemical and biological properties of materials. This project will support the development of an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) facility to investigate the surfaces of materials in real time. This facility will address the knowledge gap between fundamental science of materials and practical manufacturing, and support the design and implementation of a wide range of new materials into the next generation of advanced materials, such as energy storage materials, nanomedicines and aerospace materials. The Intellectual Property generated in this project will bring significant benefits to Australian industries, such as improved energy storage solutions and sustainable mineral processing. These outcomes will not only provide significant benefits to the Australian economy, but also the environment, and will allow Australia to take a leading role in fabrication of advanced materials.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Next-generation computational models to understand human joints . This project aims to investigate human joint systems through combining state-of-the-art imaging and high-fidelity biomechanical models. The methods developed in this project are expected to generate new ways of studying the dynamic response of musculoskeletal tissues to activity, including how musculoskeletal physiology can adapt to biomechanical stimuli. Expected outcomes include establishing a non-invasive method for characterising whole joint systems. This project will provide significant knowledge gain on the biomechanical regulation of human joints across form, function, dynamics and loading which may help across many facets of society to guide physical activity choices. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering Human joints diverge in their response to the world around us––some will thrive whereas others will fail. This project aims to build knowledge on how human joints respond and adapt to biomechanical stimuli (e.g., running). This project will use advanced imaging techniques and develop computer models to assess human joints non-invasively––a significant improvement on current low-resolution models and traditional invasive tissue sampling methods. Outputs from this project are expected to benefit Australia economically and socially by contributing knowledge on how joint failure, which costs Australia ~$3.5B annually, can be managed or avoided. The toolkit developed in this project is also expected to guide physical activity choices across society through the identification of the relationship between phenotypes of joints and their response to biomechanical stimuli. Through established industry and defence science collaborations, the models will be available to Australian researchers to advance the monitoring of joint status and for predictive modelling of a joint’s response to novel biomechanical stimuli.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

New techniques and invariants in low-dimensional topology. The aim of this project is to introduce and apply new methods and invariants in the field of low-dimensional topology by developing parametrised and equivariant enhancements of Seiberg-Witten theory and Floer homology. These new refined invariants, made possible by recent advances in gauge theory, will be more powerful than existing ones, enabling the detection of new exotic phenomena. Expected outcomes include effective means for distinguishing families of spaces, measuring their complexity and new obstructions for their existence. The new invariants and techniques will lead to the resolution of some open problems in low-dimensional topology and enhance Australia's reputation as a world leader in this field. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics Modern mathematics builds the theoretical framework necessary for describing the world around us and underpins the fundamental sciences and their applications. This project will deliver new mathematical tools and formulas to study geometric shapes such as knots and spaces of three or four dimensions. These novel tools will improve our understanding of these spaces leading to future applications across a broad spectrum of growing Australian industries including medical imaging technology, advanced manufacturing, financial technology, mathematical biology, data analysis and machine learning. By sharing our findings in scientific journals and at conferences, and disseminating results to the research community, this project will further enhance Australia's reputation as a leading centre for research in an area of fundamental mathematics, crucial for economic prosperity and national security in an increasingly data-driven age. The project will also provide mathematical training to young Australians through the inclusion of graduate students and early career researchers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

ARC Training Centre for Battery Recycling. This Training Centre aims to transform Australia’s battery and resource industry by building advanced manufacturing capability for recycling mixed battery materials, promoting 2nd-life re-use, redesigning high performance batteries towards a battery circular economy, and advancing the supporting regulatory landscape. The research will address the challenges associated with battery recycling, deliver industrial demonstrations and promotion policies, and create a dynamic skilled workforce. Outcomes are expected to shape a distinctive battery recycling model that shifts Australia to zero battery waste to landfill; establish a profitable and self-sustaining onshore industry chain; and help ensure the future of Australia’s energy security. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Battery recycling is critical to sustainability of the burgeoning lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry for electric vehicles and green energy storage. This Training Centre will develop innovative new methods to recycle, reuse, and redesign batteries towards a battery circular economy. It integrates world-class research and industry expertise to tackle the knowledge gaps and challenges in battery recycling, provide technical solutions to onshore battery recycling capability, establish an industrial chain, and champion unified Australian regulation. Centre outcomes will drive tangible benefits to our battery recycling and reuse industries, including recovering valuable metals for deployment in new batteries, safe re-use of viable existing batteries and enabling stable metal supply chains crucial to LIB production. Significant environmental benefits span minimising environmental pollution from landfill and slowing raw material consumption. Our industry partners will be key to adoption of Centre technologies and findings, while a new national network and interactive events will extend the sharing of major results.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

How mammalian males indirectly control transmission of paternal traits. This project aims to address how environmental insults in males prior to conception are able to modify phenotype of subsequent offspring. This project expects to generate fundamental knowledge in a key biological pathway on how non-genetic factors delivered by sperm at conception are able to program the growth of the developing embryo.The knowledge generated from this project will provide understanding and biological options for responding to, and potentially mitigating the impacts of environmental change on the mammalian reproductive system. Field of research: 1114 - Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine Humans have changed natural ecosystems for over 100 years with substantial gains in human economic benefit. However, not all species have benefited from this, with approximately 60% of ecosystems resources - in particular air and water quality and food availability - degrading or becoming unsustainable. The associated effects from this are not restricted to the individual at the time of exposure, with consequences been passed to multiple generations through the male reproductive line. This project looks to understand how environmental exposures in mammalian males prior to conception, transmit paternal traits to subsequent offspring, through non-genetic pathways delivered by sperm at fertilisation. Outcomes from this project should help reduce the overall economic burden from loss of biodiversity due to changes to natural resources and the impact of environmental insults on male non-genetic inheritance.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Multiscale Design of Electrocatalysts for On-Demand H2O2 Production. The aim of this project is to design advanced single-atom catalysts at multiscale for efficient and selective electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxides as clean chemicals and fuels. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials science and electrochemistry, using interdisciplinary approaches of multiscale material engineering, in situ characterisation and theoretical calculations. Expected outcomes include generalised design principles, innovative synthesis strategies, refined reaction mechanism understanding, and commercially relevant electrolysis technologies. Benefits include a sustainable future for Australia with advanced manufacturing, decreased emissions and resilient chemicals supply. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering This project will lead to new, fundamental and technical breakthroughs in the rational development of nanomaterials, in-depth understanding of reaction mechanisms, and eco-friendly production technologies of hydrogen peroxides. The new technology will significantly reduce the carbon footprint and avoid the production of organic by-product wastes in the chemical industry. It will enable the resilient, local and self-sufficient manufacturing and supply of essential chemicals. The project is expected to provide promising materials and technology to store renewable electricity into value-added fuels and chemicals, which can be widely applied in large-scale industrial processes and smaller on-site activities, thus expanding Australia’s economy and employment with new opportunities in energy markets and supply chains. The outcomes will significantly enhance Australia’s research capacity and advance its world-leading roles in developing advanced nanomaterials, promoting green chemistry and addressing climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Conversion of biowastes to porous carbon materials for green catalysis. This project aims to develop a family of biowaste-derived porous carbon and single-atom-anchored porous carbon catalysts for the degradation of emerging microcontaminants in water. Innovations are expected in systematically developing affordable, facile, productive, and sustainable approaches. Via reaction-oriented structure design, new concept will be defined at the atomic level using calculations and in situ characterisations in material engineering and advanced purification technology. The anticipated outcomes will provide fundamental knowledge in green nanotechnologies for water remediation. Success will secure a sustainable future for Australia with clean water and strategies for advanced manufacturing in relevant areas. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering This project is closely related to the Science and Research Priorities in Australia, i.e., Advanced Manufacturing, Soil and Water. Australia has abundant biowaste feedstocks (e.g. bagasse) and this project prioritises the utilisation of biowastes for the preparation of cost-effective, and value-added, porous carbon-based catalysts for removing the emerging micropollutants in Australia’s soil and water systems. The outcomes will bring breakthroughs in the practical viability of affordable green technology, and promote Australia’s leading role not only in advanced manufacturing of biowaste-derived carbon catalysts but also in advanced nanotechnology for environmental sustainability and water security. This project will lead to potential commercialisation in manufacturing industries and water or wastewater treatment industries in Australia, bringing long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits to the community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Investigating the Genetic Basis of Human Intrinsic Capacity. Intrinsic capacity is a new concept introduced by experts at the World Health Organisation to promote healthy ageing. It is defined as the composite of an individual’s physical and mental capacities, based on measures of five criteria; cognitive, sensory, locomotor, vitality and psychological. It is a genetically predetermined trait, but is influenced by a range of environmental stimuli. Applying a cutting-edge genetic methodology on big biobank datasets, this project aims to examine the role of genetics and the environment to explain the variability of intrinsic capacity between individuals. Understanding the biological basis of intrinsic capacity has major implications for scientific research in healthy ageing and mental wellbeing. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics Intrinsic capacity is a holistic measure of an individual’s physical and mental functioning, whose follow up over time is useful to monitor healthy ageing and wellbeing. This project will produce a comprehensive knowledge and framework of how human intrinsic capacity is shaped by genes, the environment and the interaction of them. Results will clarify the biological mechanisms through which the interaction of genetic and environmental factors impacts intrinsic capacity and natural vitality, which can be used in future research to find better ways of promoting healthy ageing. This project will contribute to Australia’s national interest in a number of ways. First, the project aligns with the Australian Government’s aim of promoting innovation. Second, the project will implement cutting-edge genomic research methods and enable the formation of an international team of researchers that will signify Australia’s position as a leader in the research area. Research outcomes will have benefits in the future to maximise the health of Australians and to advance science in healthy ageing and mental wellbeing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Mass spectrometry for mass geochronology. This project aims to establish a new facility for developing and applying novel geochronological and geo/biochemical techniques to a diverse range of rock and mineral samples. The new facility consists of a laser ablation micro-sampling unit coupled with the latest generation reaction-cell quadruple ICP mass spectrometer that will allow for rapid and cost-effective collection of elemental and isotopic data. Expected outcomes of the project are an enhanced understanding of Earth evolution over geological time, improved tracing of marine ecosystems, and increased knowledge of the formation and localisation of metal-rich ore bodies needed for modern society. Field of research: 0403 - Geology This analytical facility will provide cost-effective and rapid measurement of elements and isotopes in a variety of samples down to the sub-millimetre size. The facility will allow Australian scientists to develop new methodologies and applications for resolving the age and evolution of the Australian continent, and for tracing the origins of metal-rich ore deposits and marine organisms using chemical records of minerals. These innovations represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become world leaders in this emerging research field. Economic and social benefits include enhanced success in the discovery of new orebodies needed to supply metals for modern society, and better understanding and management of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Enhancing the SA Regional Facility for Molecular Ecology & Evolution. This project seeks to enhance and upgrade the equipment of the South Australian Regional Facility for Molecular Ecology & Evolution. SARFMEE has a vital role in South Australia’s science community, providing >80 researchers from 6 institutions with state-of the-art genotyping technologies for evolutionary and environmental studies. This project will enable researchers to utilise DNA samples at femtogram levels, resulting in significant outcomes, including fundamental and applied projects to detect, mitigate and manage changes in the environment. This enhanced capacity will also provide significant benefits for students, by providing cutting-edge training that keeps them at the forefront of technological advances in genome sequencing. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology The new equipment will enhance opportunities for innovative research in basic biology, archaeological, agricultural, biomedical, forensic and environmental sciences, including species delineation and the diagnostics of pest, invasive and illegally trafficked species. SARFMEE has operated successfully for 18 years and is the major hub for researchers from across SA and nationally, providing training for students in cutting edge genomic and genotyping analyses, ensuring they keep at the forefront of the rapid technological advances in genome sequencing. Our research is critical for monitoring the nature and extent of environmental change and developing strategies to promote adaptation by species to future climate change, as well as providing the foundation for improving the speed and rigour of environmental impact assessment in the agricultural and mining sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The Australian Rental Monitor: A Data Infrastructure. Rental is Australia’s emerging tenure. Each year the proportion of Australians who rent increases, many of us will rent for life, and for the first time in generations there are now more renters than home owners. The project will provide researchers and policy stakeholders with the essential data infrastructure on Australia’s rental housing conditions that they urgently require - a publicly accessible multi year data resource to monitor housing quality, conditions, and population in the Australian rental sector. Researchers and policy-makers know very little about the rapidly changing conditions in Australia's rental market, and COVID-19 has made the need for this infrastructure all the more important. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography The project will help to create a more responsive rental sector that is better able to balance the interests of tenants and landlords, enable the expansion of affordable housing, and the development of a more efficient housing market. The rental sector is home to 7 million Australians. It is a tenure of diverse quality, spread across our cities and regions. It is also a tenure that has been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We know, however, comparatively little about this large sector of the Australian housing stock. There is currently no large-scale, ongoing research infrastructure that can be used by policy makers, planners and researchers. This LIEF project responds to this important gap, enriching a previously funded, and highly impactful, ARC LIEF that created a publicly accessible and nationally representative 'snapshot' infrastructure in 2020. This project extends that data infrastructure, establishing an ongoing monitor of our rental sector. It will be available to the Australian research and policy community - across disciplines, states, and universities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Geometric reasoning in computer vision with using only 2D supervision. The aim of the project is to build a geometric reasoning system that can exhibit human like performance. Advances in autonomous systems such as vehicles, robots, and drones will transform the Australian and global economy. Geometric reasoning is fundamental to advancement in such AI and is the focus of this project. The project will leverage a theoretical breakthrough in the field of structure from motion; which will allow an AI to learn the 3D pose and shape of an object solely through 2D supervision. The project will provide new insights into how AI should understand the 3D world. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing This project aims to build a geometric reasoning system that can exhibit human like performance.  Geometric reasoning is fundamental to advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI).  This project will provide new insights into how AI should understand the 3D world and how to make it less dependent upon human supervision when learning.  This will allow intelligent machines such as autonomous vehicles, robots, and drones to be deployed into complex environments and application domains previously thought impossible.  Benefits include, for example, allowing biologists to study the 3D movement of animals solely through digital imagery, assisting the study of endangered species and use of autonomous vehicles to increase the mobility of elderly and disabled Australians. Benefits also lie in applying this AI reasoning system to Australia’s emerging and economically valuable space industry – in particular it will assist with docking, debris removal, and inter-spacecraft communications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Quantum Nanostructure Positioning for Breakthrough Quantum Photonics. The integration of quantum nanostructures in optical devices has been proposed to improve the efficiencies of existing optical devices and create new classes of quantum photonics. Limiting progress is that many nanostructures are made through bottom-up processes with inherently randomly distributions, making integration into devices problematic. Lithographic nanostructure fabrication is rarely an option as it leads to diminishes performance. Here, we propose a new and unique nanostructure positioning technique incorporated directly into the growth process. It interfaces bottom-up technologies with device fabrication, facilitating incorporation of nanostructures in photonic devices, and may be transferrable to a variety of other systems. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology This Discovery Proposal supports two National Research Priorities: 1) Advanced Manufacturing, through the Specialised, high value-add Research Challenge; and 2) Cybersecurity, through the New technologies and approaches Research Challenge. The project will develop new semiconductor technologies that will improve the interfacing of semiconductor quantum nanostructures with optical devices, adding functionality to existing devices and creating new ones for fields like quantum information. Through research and training, these new semiconductor technologies will contribute to growing the semiconductor ecosystem in Australia. This ecosystem is vital to the broader Australian high-tech arena, including Defence and commercial industries. In addition, this project will aid in the development of emerging quantum technologies for ultra-secure communications, quantum computing and simulation, contributing to current efforts to be world-leaders in the nascent but fast-growing area of quantum information and the cybersecurity spaces.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The immune response as a determinant of female reproductive investment. Aims: This project will define how ‘cryptic female choice’ affects reproductive outcomes through immune recognition of embryo histocompatibility genes, to modulate maternal nutrient provision and fetal growth. Significance: The research will tackle an important knowledge gap in animal reproduction science, where poorly-understood male-female compatibility effects cause variation in breeding efficiency with major economic and environmental impact. Expected outcomes: We expect to generate new understanding of the genes, immune response elements, and vascular changes that explain compatibility effects. Benefits: The results will inform strategies to improve fertility in livestock animals, and in rare and threatened species. Field of research: 0608 - Zoology Animal breeding programs, whether at farms or zoos, face a difficult problem – the common issue of unpredictable incompatibility between male and female breeding partners. A lack of understanding of the underlying factors and mechanisms of what makes a ‘good pair’ is a limitation with substantial impact on Australia’s economy and environmental sustainability. In this project we will define how certain genes in sperm affect the immune system responses of females, and how these in turn impact embryo implantation and fetal growth. Identifying the mechanisms that bias toward robust reproductive outcomes would be a paradigm shift in reproduction science, and would provide a foundation for future research to identify markers of compatibility for better matching breeding partners. Our long-term goal is to develop tailored interventions based on this research to improve offspring generation in economically-important livestock animals, and in rare and threatened species.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Developing Resilient Housing for Low Socio-Economic Older People. The project aims to advance knowledge about housing design and indoor environment to improve the wellbeing of older people with low socio-economic status in South Australia, including those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It will gather information about indoor living environment and relationships with wellbeing of the occupants, household energy use and operational costs, to explore affordable improvement strategies. The project is significant to address the problems faced by one-third of the population who are unable to afford proper housing and fuel-poor. Improved living conditions will lead to better quality of life and reduce public health costs while providing environmental benefits through reduced energy use. Field of research: 1201 - Architecture This research will contribute to Australia's national interests through its potential economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits. The research will provide evidence in order to (1) advance knowledge about the relationships between housing design, indoor environment quality and well-being and to (2) formulate strategies that will assist policy makers, public and community housing providers and building designer in providing and designing housing that will improve the well-being of occupants who are the most vulnerable in the society: older people with low socio-economic status including those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Improved housing conditions will lead to a better quality of life, reducing the need for institutional care thus reducing public health cost. At the same time, improved housing conditions will lead to less reliance on heating and cooling thus reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Imaging the spatial distribution of forces that bind quarks to a proton. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to resolve the distribution of forces acting on quarks inside the proton. New knowledge will be generated in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image novel features that have not been possible in the past. The outcomes will therefore open new research possibilities by expanding 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 The results of this project will captivate the imagination of the Australian public about the fundamental character of the most dense form of matter in nature. The outcomes of the project will transform our understanding of the way the strongest force of Nature acts on quarks to bind them to the nuclear building blocks of the universe. The training provided to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will deliver a significantly-improved intellectual capacity for Australia's future work force; and securing the nation's competetiveness in rapidly-emerging industries, including data science, machine learning, predictive analytics, data-driven business and exascale supercomputing. Importantly, this training is essential to meet the expanding intelligence and cyber capabilities of the Australian defence community, where there is a surge in demand for graduates possessing analytic, numerical and computational skills.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

How Republics Die: Rome's democratic breakdown in the first century BCE. This project aims to use recent political science scholarship on democratic breakdown and the threat of a competitive authoritarian regime in Trump’s US to analyse the breakdown of the Roman Republic in the 50s BCE under Caesar and Pompey. Expected outcomes include a better understanding of how and why constitutional government collapsed in Rome, using language and concepts directly transferable to our own fragile democracy. This should benefit the study of Roman history at all levels and provide historians and political scientists with a unique dataset for analysing how a centuries-old democracy fell into authoritarian rule. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies This project is in the national interest because it will improve our understanding of the risks to democracies in an international environment where democratic government looks increasingly fragile. Australia has a longstanding and deeply felt commitment to preserving and improving democracy at home (through such programs as Democracy 2025) and abroad (where promoting stronger democratic institutions is one of the five pillars in our membership of the UN Human Rights Council). The Roman Republic was, like Australia, a constitutional polity of long standing, whose citizens could not imagine a better form of government, yet which succumbed to authoritarian rule. Improving our understanding of the political processes by which this happened puts us in a better position to defend our own democracy against similar threats.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Bioinspired photo–iontronic membranes for smart neuron-mimicking systems. The project aims to address key fundamental questions about the development of bioinspired artificial nanochannels that can precisely mimic current signals and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered photo–iontronic systems, harnessing a multidisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties at the nanoscale for unprecedented dynamic control over ionic current through responsive, adaptable neuron-mimicking nanopores. Anticipated outcomes are advanced materials, integrated into smart architectures to overcome the limitations of solid-state systems for the next generation of integrated circuits, bio-interfacial sensors, and energy generators. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology The project will produce significant advances in nanomanufacturing by developing new synthetic technologies—materials, molecules, and functional systems—that can operate as neurons do in the human brain. These systems will be able to replicate the electrical signals, functions and communication mechanisms of the brain’s neurons. The resulting new knowledge and technological advances will provide advanced tools for replicating and harnessing the powerful ability of neurons for transferring and processing information, sensing, adapting, and responding to stimuli and generating energy. This will have a transformative impact on the next generation of bioinspired integrated circuits, novel brain–machine interfacial systems, bionic devices, green energy generators and provide the building blocks for artificial intelligence devices. Development of the proposed technologies could potentially lead to advanced manufacturing opportunities, and the generation of new intellectual property for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Finding the missing links in salt and water transport in plants. Grain crops and horticultural plants use proteins called aquaporins to move water across cell membranes, but a group of these proteins can also transport some important nutrient ions as well as toxic sodium ions. This project aims to reveal the molecular pathways that regulate water and ion transport via aquaporins using advanced techniques in biophysics and molecular biology. These results will provide novel insights into how plants coordinate and adapt to changing water and salt conditions, addressing a missing link in how ions and water move in and out of plant vacuoles. Benefits include an expanded, innovative range of targets for plant breeding programs to improve plant productivity in our changing climate. Field of research: 0607 - Plant Biology In 2019–20 the value of farm production in Australia was $61 billion, and agricultural exports was worth $48 billion, however the effects of drought dominate the financial performance of grain and horticultural farms. Barley and wheat are Australia’s largest cereal crops by area and barley underpins the Australian beer industry worth $16.5bn. Wine grapes underpin the Australian wine industry worth $45.5bn. For these crop and horticultural plants we have identified genes that function to alter plant water use and at the same time can contribute to nutrient uptake and salinity tolerance. This project will train new students and create new intellectual capital to understand this recently discovered mechanism. The dual water-salt transport mechanism will be manipulated in barley using the latest gene editing techniques to understand if it is possible to improve water uptake and salt balance important for drought and salinity tolerance. If successful, the technology will be transferred to other major crops, providing a new tool for improving Australian agricultural sustainability.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Re-purposing shelved 'antibiotics' in the search for new herbicides. This project aims to identify target-specific herbicidal compounds that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis pathways to tackle herbicide resistance. This project expects to validate a novel herbicide discovery strategy by exploiting the similarity between bacterial and plant enzymes in these pathways to re-purpose failed 'antibiotics'. Expected outcomes include advances in our knowledge of the structure, function and inhibition of novel herbicide targets, and the identification of compounds with herbicidal activity. This should lay the foundations for long-term benefits related to improving the quantity and quality of Australia’s crops to ensure our food security. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Australia’s ability to provide food security for a growing population is being increasingly challenged by the emergence of weeds resistant to our current herbicides. Such weeds are destroying the natural diversity and balance of ecological communities, invading farmland and reducing our capacity to deliver the required quality and quantity of crops to sustain our food production and export industries. The impact of herbicide resistance is exacerbated by the lack of new herbicides entering the market in the past 30 years. This project will validate an innovative herbicide discovery strategy to allow for the identification of much needed new herbicide candidates. Furthermore, we will advance fundamental knowledge into new herbicide targets and strategies to minimise herbicide resistance. Consequently, we anticipate making significant long-term economic, commercial and environmental contributions by enhancing food production through increased crop yields to protect Australia’s food sources, agricultural export industry and natural environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Metal-organic Framework (MOF) Superstructure Catalysts. The development of new catalyst technology is crucial to uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising chemicals. Although the designable pore networks of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) provide a highly favourable environment for heterogeneous catalysis, most stable MOF materials are microporous - possessing pores less than 2 nm - which hinders mass transport. This research will develop novel, hierarchically porous MOF superstructures that will overcome these limitations and serve as platform materials for the development of new catalysts. This research will address future challenges in industrial catalysis and realise an important step towards the commercial application of MOF catalysis for valoriation of chemical feedstocks. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Heterogenous catalysts, which are insoluble in the reaction mixture, are ubiquitously employed in large-scale industrial chemical processes as they are easily separated from the product. However, these materials are less active than alternatives that are soluble in the reaction mixture, can be less selective and are developed in a trial-and-error approach. This project will develop synthesis protocols for Metal-organic Framework (MOF) superstructure-based catalysts that combine the separation advantages of industrially preferred heterogenous catalysts with the designable, chemically mutable pore structures of MOFs. Critically, the project will overcome the mass transport limitations of MOFs by developing methodologies for forming MOF superstructures and new catalysts to utilise these hierarchically porous supports. The project will also collect the data to demonstrate the advantages of the new MOF superstructure catalysts. The knowledge and materials developed in this project will benefit Australia through future applications in sustainable chemical production and more broadly in a clean energy economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Mapping sites of visceral convergence connecting the colon and bladder. This project aims to develop multiple neuroanatomical approaches to identify where in the central nervous system the sensory signalling from the colon and bladder merge. The combination of such technologies is novel to the study of the central circuits relaying colon/bladder convergence into the brain and will generate new and detailed knowledge of the central pathways in which pelvic organ sensory (discomfort) and motor (defecation/urination) functions are coordinated. The expected outcomes are predicted to aid future discovery of mechanisms of cross-organ sensitisation and are anticipated to provide significant benefit to therapy development for chronic visceral pain syndromes associated with bowel and bladder dysfunction. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences This project will extend Australia's standing as world leaders in gastroenterology research.The autonomic nervous system is the link between the central nervous system and viscera (internal organs). This project will generate new knowledge on how the central nervous system controls bowel and bladder functions. Such knowledge is required to identify neural abnormalities underlying chronic pelvic pain and motor dysfunction syndromes that affect the bowel, bladder and reproductive organs. Syndromes associated with chronic pelvic dysfunction that involve the bowel and the bladder, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and overactive-bladder syndrome, are estimated to cost Australia more than $6 billion annually. Thus the outcomes from this research will have potential economic benefits as it will provide vital information required to direct future work on identifying targeted therapies to relieve chronic pelvic dysfunction, thus reducing economic burden and attracting potential commercial interest.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Empowering terahertz sources with silicon antennas. This Project aims to create dielectric antennas for high-frequency terahertz sources, i.e., resonant tunnelling diodes. Motivated by their end-use, the Project expects to deliver high-efficiency, high-gain low-profile cavity antennas for free-space operation and Yagi-Uda couplers for guided-mode operation. Silicon will be a key material for both types of terahertz structures to achieve highest efficiency. Effective medium theory will enable performance, functionality, and integrability, while maintaining structural simplicity for cost benefits. The expected outcomes will replace decades-old costly hyper-hemispherical lenses for future terahertz systems in fixed wireless backbone beyond 5G and short-range see-through radar and imaging. Field of research: 1005 - Communications Technologies The terahertz region, situated between the microwave and optical regions, is the last underutilised part of the electromagnetic spectrum for sensing, imaging and communications purposes. This part of the spectrum underpins advanced applications and emerging industries including non-contact security screening, non-invasive medical diagnosis, non-destructive evaluation of a variety of materials, and high-speed beyond-5G communications. One hurdle towards wide adoption of terahertz technology is the need for decades-old bulky, inflexible, and costly lenses. Capitalising Australia’s research strength in advanced electromagnetics, the project will deliver designs of mass-producible multifunction terahertz antennas to replace these decades-old lenses. The inventions will serve an emerging global demand in terahertz technology and contribute to Australia’s high-tech industry sector. An estimated global market for these applications will reach AUD1.7 billion in 2024. Development of the proposed terahertz antennas at this early stage could potentially lead to generation of new intellectual property for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Reconstructing the Beetaloo/Greater McArthur Basin System . This project aims to build a stratigraphic and water chemistry framework for the greater McArthur Basin—a rock system that covers northern Australia from WA to Queensland. This will be a vital resource for researchers and energy/mineral explorers. This project expects to develop novel sediment dating and isotopic proxies for salinity, redox and bioproductivity and use them to build a sequence stratigraphic framework of the basin. The expected outcome is a unique 3D lithological, geochronological and geochemical framework for the basin. Expected benefits include de-risked information for the petroleum and minerals industry, assisting northern Australia's resources economy, as well as insights into the development of our planet in deep time. Field of research: 0403 - Geology The project has the potential to generate large economic benefits for Australia by developing knowledge that could transform our understanding of gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin and the vast greater McArthur Basin, in which it sits. Reserve estimates of gas in the Beetaloo alone make it a critical national asset. Yet, it is >1 billion years old, making it the most unconventional petroleum resource known. This project will develop new methods to understand the resource framework, including new ways to date sedimentary rocks and understand the basin’s ancient water chemistry. These methods are equally applicable to exploring for sedimentary-hosted metal deposits (e.g. zinc, rare earth elements, copper), and in basins of this age elsewhere in Australia or overseas. Social and cultural benefits will come from building a nuanced understanding of how the planet developed towards habitability through this critical period as complex cells evolved and the Earth’s surface was progressively oxygenated. The results will be widely disseminated to inspire the next generation of earth scientists.