THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Hydrosocial Adapatations to Water Risk in Australian Agriculture. This project aims to understand how Australian farmers adapt to water resource limitations and governance constraints. We will address this significant challenge by identifying how social and cultural perceptions of water risk inspire farmers to create resilient management solutions in line with policy guidelines. Through ethnographic fieldwork and the analysis of historical patterns of water use, the research seeks identify the hydrosocial adaptations that enable farmers to effectively respond to change. The new knowledge will foster water risk management via the culturally appropriate tailoring of interventions. Outcomes will support the long-term viability of Australian agriculture, with relevant lessons for managing drought globally. Field of research: 1601 - Anthropology The mitigation of water stress is one of Australia’s greatest challenges. Our research contributes to the national interest by identifying how farmers can work proactively within water governance constraints. By generating culturally appropriate strategies for water risk management to guide policy in Australia and internationally, we aim to inform long-lasting solutions that support the nation’s water resilience. This project employs an innovative framework for understanding how farmers respond to water risks, with case studies drawn from viticulture and horticulture. Without the tailoring of water use to specific socio-cultural understandings and practices, policy interventions remain unacceptable for users, leading to governance risks. We will research socio-cultural water management practices and innovations—which we conceptualise as hydrosocial adaptations—to illuminate how farmers respond to water limitations and water use policies in the nation's driest state. The project provides significant benefit because failing hydrological systems cost Australia environmentally, economically and socially.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical modelling, this study will explore novel electrode materials via catalyst design and understanding of the underlying reaction mechanisms. The outcomes will revolutionize battery technology and position Australia as a global leader in the critical transition to a decarbonized economy. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering Australia will benefit enormously from this project through its economic, commercial, and environmental impact, especially in carbon dioxide emission reduction and utilization. The proposed metal-carbon dioxide battery system will advance energy storage technology whilst simultaneously assisting the implementation of clean energy in a smart grid in an efficient, safe, and sustainable way. This project addresses a critical bottleneck in carbon dioxide conversion and utilization technology that has constrained the practical uptake of high performance materials. The principal benefits include new fundamental knowledge and the development of an innovative energy storage system with long cycle life and high safety. Industries that rely on carbon based chemicals will benefit in the long-term from outcomes of the project, and most importantly, the environment will benefit through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Learning how people read: Models, brains, big data and maths. Aims: This project aims to understand how people read. We will use novel mathematical methods, experimentation, brain imaging and computational modelling to adjudicate between model predictions. Significance: This project expects to develop methods to understand and test important aspects of reading. Expected outcomes: Expected outcomes are the development of novel methods for understanding complex models and the collection of data that can extend and falsify current models of reading. Benefits: These developments will significantly increase our understanding of how people read and what causes dyslexia. This work will also provide new ways to evaluate complex computational psychological models. Field of research: 1702 - Cognitive Sciences People who have difficulty reading tend to have poor social and economic outcomes. This is not only a problem for them, but represents a significant risk for Australia’s economic development, especially because the level of literacy in Australia has declined compared to other countries in the last 10 years. A key problem in helping people with poor literacy is understanding the heterogeneity of possible problems they have and how the underlying mechanisms involved in reading could cause them. We will examine this problem using computational models, big data, informational geometry, brain imaging, behavioural experimentation and other novel methods. Using a cross-disciplinary approach will provide exceptional insights into this process that no single method could. The outcomes of this research will enable new methods that target the specific reading difficulties people have to be developed.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Glauconite: Archive Recording Timing and Triggers of Cambrian Radiation . This project aims to constrain the timing and speed of the Cambrian radiation of complex animals, and to test potential environmental triggers of this milestone bioevent. New laser mass spectrometry and mineral mapping technology will be integrated to precisely date glauconite – a silicate mineral commonly formed in Cambrian shallow marine animal habitats. This innovative and cost-effective approach will produce the first high-resolution timeline of early animal evolution, where the glauconite-based marine isotope record identifies the most likely environmental trigger for the Cambrian Radiation. Outcomes of this study include improved understanding of the drivers of animal evolution, and a new dating tool for basic and applied research. Field of research: 0403 - Geology In addition to fundamental science discoveries on the evolution of life, the project has potential immediate and longer-term benefits for the Australian resources sector, particularly in relation to exploration and use of sediment-hosted energy resources. In the short-term, the project will develop and validate a world-first, rapid, and cost-effective method for sediment dating. By going beyond current, traditional methods, this new technique could help identify previously undiscovered deposits. In the longer-term, routine application of this novel method could help de-risk and lower costs of complex resource exploration of prospective basins in Australia, by enhancing profitability and job creation. The industry-linked research training embedded in the project will also contribute to providing a future skilled workforce for the Australian resources industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Structure Determination Pipeline Capabilities for South Australia. This project aims to complete a high-throughput, automated pipeline for biomolecule crystallisation and provide enhanced X-ray structure determination capabilities for all sample types. This is critical because X-ray crystallography remains the primary technique for achieving molecular level insights to help solve cutting-edge problems in life, materials, chemical, earth and agricultural sciences. The diverse researcher community in South Australia will benefit from a more rapid structure determination pipeline from molecular sample to structure. The infrastructure will drive research findings in energy and resources, food, soil and water security, advanced manufacturing and life sciences and lead to economic and technological impacts. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) Cutting-edge problems relating to energy and resources, food and water security, advanced manufacturing and life sciences require the atomic level insight garnered through X-ray crystallography. This includes the development of new materials for clean energy technology, new mineral discovery and its implications for future resource streams, an understanding of plant physiology leading to new products to reduce food waste, the discovery of new pharmaceuticals through structure-guided design, and insights into the mechanisms of life and disease. This wide body of impact arises because the precise three dimensional arrangement of atoms within molecular and macromolecular structures defines their function. The structural insight garnered underpins the conversion of academic research into real benefits for the Australian community and is critical for the competitiveness of Australian industry. This application will expand the pipeline for structure determination, thereby enabling scientific research that will allow the South Australian research community to make scientific breakthroughs that benefit Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Advancing 4D fluorescence microscopy within Australia. This multi-institutional proposal aims to establish a state-of-the-art Lightsheet microscope facility in South Australia with enhanced analysis infrastructure and a national user support network. Expectations are, this will transform researcher outcomes for multiple disciplines by facilitating high-resolution four-dimensional interrogation of novel biological processes. Significant benefits will include the ability to image deep within living tissue over long time-scales without inducing phytotoxicity to produce high-impact fundamental and translatable outcomes, the development of novel probes and methodologies, new cross-disciplinary collaborations, and new and unique funding, student training and public engagement opportunities. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Ultramodern high-resolution four-dimensional deep-tissue imaging will power breakthrough discoveries from Australian researchers and industry to drive improved outcomes across agriculture, biotechnology and life sciences more generally. Agricultural and Life Sciences are key Australian research strengths and vital to the national economy. The $60 billion Australian Agricultural industry contributes 3% to GDP, with exports totalling 77% of annual production, and ASX-listed Life Sciences companies have a market capitalisation of $170 billion. Targeted outcomes from this multidisciplinary proposal include: improved crop drought tolerance, nutrition, fertility and yield; novel strategies to protect against plant and animal pathogens, including zoonotic infections; and new biotechnological approaches that will positively impact livestock reproduction, welfare, and quality of life. Innovation stemming from this infrastructure will make valuable contributions to our nation’s drive to achieve a $100 billion Agricultural industry by 2030 and the continued growth of Australian Life Sciences industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Integrated In situ Characterisation Facilities for Energy Studies. This project aims to establish a new capability to reveal catalytic behaviour of materials under practical working conditions at multi-scale levels. Through in situ monitoring of surface, interface and structural properties of catalysts, this unique integrated facility will overcome current limitations due to a lack of understanding of reaction mechanism, by ex situ and/or individual in situ characterisations. This world-class facility will significantly advance a range of electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and battery applications for renewable energy-storage and clean-fuel generation. This will be Australia’s only platform; it will benefit a number of innovative research projects in energy, catalysis and environmental and materials science. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering This state-of-the-art facility will enable advances in the development of effective solutions for low-cost, low-emission alternative energy technologies including conversion and storage by electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and battery applications. These techniques will utilise Australia’s abundant renewable energy, including sunlight, wind and tidal resources, to produce sustainable and safe chemicals, fuels and electricity. This will significantly boost Australia’s energy-revolution from fossil-fuels to renewable energy sources. Success will underpin and accelerate technological solutions to the conversion and storage of intermittent renewable energies with high energy density, and will provide significant environmental benefit to Australia and globally. The project will support Australian aspirations to create new-markets and supply-chains as renewable energy exporters, together with expansion of industries and employment, particularly in rural and regional areas that are most exposed to the decline of the mining and extraction industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Revitalizing facilities for nuclear magnetic resonance in South Australia. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the single most powerful spectroscopic tool for determining molecular structure. Our aim is to upgrade NMR infrastructure available to researchers across South Australia with an integrated and complementary array of state-of-the-art spectrometers to diversify usage across a range of disciplines. Replacement of outdated spectrometers will modernise core NMR facilities along with installation of new probes to improve sensitivity and the ability to analyze small sample quantities. Our overall strategy is to maximize capability and minimize duplication, while bringing South Australia's NMR capabilities up to a national and international standard. Field of research: 0304 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful spectroscopic tool for elucidating the structures of molecules and its use is fundamental to the molecular sciences, particularly chemistry. The structural information gained from NMR experiments underpins major and emerging technical developments in many other disciplines including biology, biochemistry, physics, health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, and technology. This then sets the scene for future commercial opportunities and industries in drug discovery, disease diagnosis and monitoring, and new medical and industry-ready devices. A coherent, state-of-the-art South Australian facility is proposed to meet the growing needs of researchers across the three local universities and institutes, as well as national and international collaborations and trainees.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Addressing social and ecological constraints to expand marine restoration. This project aims to improve social and ecological outcomes of marine habitat restoration by increasing community and industry engagement in restoration practices with high socio-economic benefits. By understanding and overcoming social and ecological barriers to successful restoration efforts, this project will generate new knowledge on how communities – both human and marine – can work together to rapidly restore robust, productive reef habitats. Expected outcomes of this project include a new ecological, multi-species approach that boosts restoration resilience; and a collaborative framework for developing government policy that builds industry and community support for cooperative management of coastal ecosystem restoration. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology Healthy coastal ecosystems deliver invaluable social and cultural benefits to Australian society. However, restorations of degraded ecosystems often fail due to conflict between relevant government, industrial and community groups. This research seeks to improve stakeholder engagement with marine restorations of high social, cultural, and economic value, while also exploring ecological strategies that maximise productivity and success. Socially, we seek to redefine the role of stakeholders in marine restoration by developing a framework for incorporating socio-economic well-being into restoration planning, and fostering greater community stewardship in conservation. Ecologically, we will explore a multi-species strategy to accelerate the rate of habitat recovery and the productivity of commercially relevant species, such as abalone, oysters and fish. Our results will enhance the success of marine restoration efforts in Australia, bolstering our economically important fishing and tourism industries, supporting marine ecosystem restoration, and improving quality of life in coastal communities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Agave; a new Australian crop with a resilient spirit. This project aims to set the foundations to establish Agave as a sustainable, versatile and climate-proof Australian crop, supporting production of a new high value spirit for domestic and global markets. Outcomes will include novel cultivation and sensor technology for agave harvest at the "sweet spot" and advanced spirit assessment technologies allied with consumer sensory testing. Product character and consistency will be optimised by holistic integration and control of the production chain, encompassing plant growth, input materials, and fermentation and distillation steps for a complete plant to bottle pipeline. Field of research: 0703 - Crop and Pasture Production Agave is a drought-proof succulent that thrives in semi-arid conditions making it an ideal new crop able to grow in marginal areas of Australia and with a changing climate. It produces large stores of sugar making it ideal for alcohol production, but also potentially for biofuel or hydrogen generation, as a stock feed or a source of beneficial human nutrients. The establishment of agave as an Australian crop will allow production and release of a unique new agave spirit into the domestic liquor market worth over $12.5bn a year with our reputation for clean green production making the spirit attractive in the global US$340bn market. Technology developed in this project to non-destructively scan plants to pick the best harvest time could have broader application to fruits and vegetables, detecting freshness or how ripe they are, whilst the search to maximise fermentation efficiency could lead to isolation of novel yeasts, benefiting other beverage producers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Accelerating Consolidation and Closure of Mine Tailings Storage Facilities. All mining operations involve the production of waste. Many regard such waste (tailings) and their environmentally acceptable storage as constituting the largest waste problem on Earth because of the enormous damage and loss-of-life that have resulted from failures of tailings storage facilities. This project focuses on a dewatering technology, electro-osmosis (EO), which has yet to be fully operationalised, for improving the strength, stability and settlement characteristics of the tailings. Sophisticated testing will be undertaken at three scales (lab, meso and, most importantly, field), as well as the development of generic numerical models, to create practical guidelines to facilitate the implementation of EO in mines around the world. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering In the last 5 years, more than 15 tailings storage facilities (TSFs) failures have occurred worldwide, two of which were catastrophic; i.e. the Fundão [50% owned by BHP] and Brumadinho TSFs. Together, these two failures have claimed at least 291 lives, destroyed two cities, and to date, for the Fundão failure alone, has involved US$1.75 billion in compensation and remediation measures. By reducing the water content of the tailings through electro-osmosis (EO), the proposed research will reduce the likelihood of similar such failures. In addition, the following major benefits will be derived: (1) water usage will be significantly reduced (10,000 ML p.a. estimated in Australia from the production of construction and silica sand alone); (2) the operational life of TSFs will be extended; (3) the environmental footprint and sustainability of TSFs will be reduced; (4) guidelines will be developed to operationalise EO in mines globally; (5) a new and unique market opportunity will be created for the partner organisation, and Australia in general; and (6) a new, bespoke numerical model will be developed.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Running Hot: Increasing the Availability of World-Class Precision Timing . Precision clocks are a key enabler for many important technologies including navigation, radar, distributed computing and communications. Unfortunately, the very best clocks are currently bulky and very expensive. This project will take Australia’s multi-award winning sapphire clock technology and transform it so that its unmatched performance is available from a unit with an order of magnitude smaller size, power consumption and cost. This transformation will be driven on the back of a patented revolutionary step that allows operation of the sapphire clock at higher cryogenic temperatures. The new clock will have a wider range of applications delivering more computational power, higher bandwidth transmissions and better radar. Field of research: 1005 - Communications Technologies The sapphire clock was awarded the 2018 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia because of its importance in upgrading the performance of a key defence surveillance asset, Jindalee Over-The-Horizon Radar Network (JORN). The upgrade in radar capability accrues because of the world-beating performance of the sapphire clock. One expects similar benefits would come to many other important technologies, such as computing, navigation and communications, if they were to also have access to the superb sapphire clock. However, as with all precision timing technologies, the sapphire clock is bulky and expensive, prohibiting its use in many important needs. This project will transform the sapphire clock so that its superb signals will be available in a package that is 10 times smaller and less power hungry, while also being significantly cheaper. This promises a much wider deployment of this key technology with subsequent benefits to those critical technologies that depend on excellent timing. This will give Australia’s industry and defence a key edge over its competitors/adversaries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The Intelligent Microscope - novel optical imaging at depth. While optical methods for imaging are used extensively, achieving wide-field imaging through scattering media with high resolution and depth is a major challenge, due mainly to the limited penetration depth of light. This proposal aims to transform wide-field optical imaging through a new ‘intelligent’ microscopy able to capture 3D volumetric images. Innovations in shaping light in both space and time will be combined in a holistic way with computational analysis to extract images from deep within the sample at extraordinary levels of detail. Major benefits of the research range from next-generation tools for enhanced discovery of biological and physical materials, to new Australian start-ups for new imaging and microscopy devices. Field of research: 0205 - Optical Physics Through this proposal, Australia will benefit from an advanced technological push in imaging to positively impact biological discovery, food security and advanced manufacturing. The Fellowship is seeking to deliver concrete economic benefits through the direct creation of new industries based on the licensing and application of generated IP and the expansion of capability within existing imaging/optics companies delivering into national and international markets. The worldwide optical microscopy market is worth US$4.6B with the endoscopy market worth a further US$32.5B (2015 data). A recent Industry Review (Lighting Economic Growth 2020) stated that the Australian photonics-based industry sector accounts for around A$4.3B of economic activity, similar in size to Australian dairy production, and the mining and construction equipment sector, and employs nearly 10,000 people in 465 companies. A vast range of instruments used in the life sciences depend on lasers, microscopy and optical detection systems. We can be significantly expanded upon this and inspire new cohort of researchers based on this proposal.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

A soil ecological approach to increasing Australian crop productivity. The objective of this project is to use emerging genomics technologies to identify and characterize soil bacteria that allow the replacement of current agricultural fertilisers, which have significant environmental and economic disadvantages, with sustainable biological fertilisers. Soil bacteria can greatly enhance phosphate solubilization and hence availability for plant growth. Beneficial microbes will be identified from our existing soil collection and their performance and persistence optimised. Concurrently, our industry partners will develop suitable microbial formulations for application. The outcomes of the project will be the use of biological fertilisers to enhance crop productivity in an environmentally sustainable manner. Field of research: 0503 - Soil Sciences Agricultural production and export is a key industry for Australia. This project will assist development of evidence-based microbial inoculants for Australian agriculture that act as biological fertilisers, increasing productivity for farmers while reducing the costs of conventional fertiliser use. Home-grown microbial fertilisers will reduce negative off-site impacts of poor fertiliser use, promote healthier water-soil ecosystems, and boost sustainability. By identifying and developing beneficial microbes adapted to Australian conditions, the project can also assist in sustaining improved agricultural productivity in the face of issues such climate variability. By developing the evidence-base for microbial inoculants, the project will help develop new export industries and markets for Australian know-how. The training component of this project will also provide skilled workers for this growing sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Advanced zinc-ion batteries with high voltage and high energy density. Zinc-ion battery is not only cheaper than current lithium-ion battery (LIB), but it is safer due to a neutral aqueous electrolyte. However, its grid-scale development is plagued by limited output voltage and inadequate energy density compared with more mainstream LIB. This project aims to solve the discharge-voltage problem by fabricating atomic-level structure engineered manganese (Mn)-based cathode and a new stable solid-state electrolyte, and improve the device energy density by zinc (Zn) anode interface nanotechnology. The success of this project will benefit Australia’s access to new markets and introduce a new low-cost and safe energy storage technology for the long-term viability of Australia’s abundant Zn and Mn resources. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

An advanced framework for multi-agent strategic interactions. Communication security protocols and computer algorithms are expressible in terms of strategic interactions between competing agents, which can be analyzed in a game theory setting. This project will exploit the recent advances in extending this game theory framework to multidimensional spaces, thereby strengthening the theoretical foundations. This will provide new insights into the working of algorithms, potentially improving future secure key distribution. Multi-agent interactions in higher dimensional spaces are considered intractable using traditional matrix methods and this project will build on our exciting new breakthrough showing that such interactions are tractable using geometric multivectors. Field of research: 0806 - Information Systems The project will analyze the optimization of competitive strategic interactions in order to open up a pathway for the discovery of new types of computer algorithms and security protocols. This will support Australia’s leading position in information technology and cybersecurity. It will provide rigorous foundations for downstream digital technologies of strategic importance. Cybersecurity is of vital importance for computer networks that serve the e-commerce, banking, energy, and health sectors. Also emerging game changing cryptocurrencies such as 'bitcoin' create an urgent imperative to investigate means for increased levels of digital security.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Deep Learning that Scales. Deep learning has dramatically improved the accuracy of a breathtaking variety of tasks in AI such as image understanding and natural language processing. This project addresses fundamental bottlenecks when attempting to develop deep learning applications at scale. First, this project proposes efficient neural architecture search that is orders of magnitude faster than previously reported, abstracting away the most complex part of deep learning. Second, we will design very efficient binary networks, enabling large-scale deployment of deep learning to mobile devices. Thus this project will overcome two primary limitations of deep learning generally, however, and will greatly increase its already impressive domain of practical application. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing Machine Learning is in the process of revolutionising the way we live our lives, and a strong Australian capacity in the area is critical if we are to keep up. The approach that we propose here will enable training of deep learning as well as deployment at a much larger scale than that has currently been possible, a capacity which will drive the next generation of Machine Learning-based business and social opportunities. These opportunities will not arise purely as a result of this project, as deep learning at large scale is a trend in AI, and Computer Vision specifically, with companies like Google, Facebook, and Qualcomm investing heavily in the area as a result. If Australia is to benefit from this next generation of Machine Learning technology then we need to participate in its development. The tangible short-term benefit for Australia in developing the technologies proposed, and the associated expertise, is that they might be applied to problems of interest to Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Uncertainties in coherent transport of particles and intrinsic properties. This Project aims to quantify the uncertainty of a model output in terms of uncertainties in modelling assumptions, by developing new mathematical techniques and applying them to real-world data. This will be in the context of assessing the accuracy of tracking coherently moving structures (e.g., hurricanes, oceanic biodiversity hotspots, pollutant patches, insect swarms) from experimental/observational data sets. Novel, data-tested, mathematical methods for uncertainty quantification of coherent structures will be developed as Project outcomes. Project benefits include new insights into protecting the environment, improved uncertainty quantification in climate modelling, and the generation of interdisciplinary knowledge and training. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics This Project will provide new insights into protecting the environment and improving uncertainty quantification in weather and climate modelling. This will contribute towards national security and safety by helping take relevant action in protecting areas, and making informed decisions regarding evacuations, due to impending environmental disasters such as hurricanes or pollutant spills. Improved risk assessment will lead to less damage to the Australian economy. Furthermore, the Project will generate new interdisciplinary knowledge and training of highly-skilled researchers through interaction with one of the world's top universities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

East Asian Monsoon response to periods of abrupt global change. This proposal aims to investigate the response of the East Asian Monsoon to abrupt climatic change, under baseline states of both warm and cool climate. The research is significant as it utilises unique, precisely dated sediments from Japan, and novel approaches to quantifying spatial and temporal climate patterns. The research will improve understanding of the nature and causes of decadal-scale changes in monsoon precipitation, with relevance for constraining the trajectory of the future monsoon, and the risks of prolonged drought and flood. The findings will benefit the Asian people, for whom the monsoon has major economic, social and environmental importance. In turn, this will benefit Australia, via economic and climatic ties to Asia. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience The East Asian Monsoon dictates water resources and water-borne geohazards for approximately one third of Earth's population - in China, Korea and Japan - with direct economic, socio-political and environmental consequences globally, including Australia. Understanding the dynamics of the East Asian Monsoon has direct relevance to the climatology of northern Australia and Australia's surrounding oceans. Multi-decadal projections for future monsoon precipitation are contradictory, reflecting the complex spatial and temporal nature of the phenomenon. The proposed research will therefore reduce this uncertainty by quantifying natural variability and spatial patterns in monsoonal precipitation under a range of warmer and cooler global climatic states. The proposed research will strengthen collaborative links between Australia and Asia, particularly Japan, creating opportunities for Australia's innovation and education sector. Through the proposed research, new analytical and statistical methods will be developed and refined to benefit Earth and environmental science research on Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Modeling, Mathematical Analysis, and Computation of Multiscale Systems. This project develops and implements a systematic approach, both analytic and computational, to extract compact, accurate, system level models of complex physical and engineering systems. Our wide ranging methodology is to construct computationally efficient "wrappers" around fine scale, microscopic, detailed descriptions of dynamical systems (particle or molecular simulation, or PDE or lattice equations). Comprehensively accounting for multiscale interactions between subgrid processes among macroscale variations ensures stability and accuracy. Based on dynamical systems theory and analysis, our approach will empower systematic analysis and understanding for optimal macroscopic simulation for forthcoming exascale computing. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics In current modelling the underlying microscopic mechanisms are known, but the closures to translate microscale knowledge to a system level macroscopic description are rarely available. Our computational methodologies underpinned by mathematical analysis will circumvent this stumbling block to radically improve the modelling, exploration and understanding of complex systems in engineering and sciences. This in turn will improve the prediction and management of complicated systems in industry, commerce and the environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Selection of mixed strength moment restrictions and optimal inference . This project aims to develop consistent model selection criteria even if the target model only provides a weak signal about the parameter of interest. This project expects to generate new knowledge on model selection using new and innovative techniques. Expected outcomes include the quantification of the maximum information on parameter from weak-signal models; new entropy-based model selection criteria; and a robust investigation of the still debated hypothesis in environmental economics that with open and liberalized trade, developing countries would become pollution havens for dirty industries of advanced countries. Success in this undertaking will dramatically enlarge the pool of applied work involving economic models with weak signals. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics The project will create new statistical methods to guide the Australian government and businesses to formulate effective environmental and economic prudential policies based on the exploitation of large datasets. Given the emergence of digital technologies and big data-driven innovations, common quantitative measures used to assess economic policies and to build informed decisions in governments and businesses are failing due to their inability to extract the maximum information available. For many Australian businesses and partner economies, new techniques for processing and analysing big data are becoming an important resource that can lead to new knowledge, drive value creation and foster new products, processes and markets. The project will develop new quantitative tools to extract efficient predictions from big datasets. These tools will be of significant relevance for the Australian community in the age of big data.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Catalytic Degardation of Emerging Microplastic Pollutants. This project aims to develop robust and low-cost nanocarbon hybrids and advanced remediation technology to address globally emerging microplastic contaminations. The project expects to boost innovations in development of novel magnetic nanomaterials, process of microplastic purification, and green catalysis. Expected outcomes of this project will include efficient strategies in materials fabrication and a cutting-edge nanotechnology. The success of the project will underpin the scientific bases of carbocatalysis, provide significant benefits to the Australian industry and society for a sustainable future with clean water, and increase the leading capacity of Australia in fundamental research and frontier technology. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering This project is designed, based on the status quo, to address the severe pollution by microscopic plastics which have been long widespread in Australian coastal areas and sewage wastewaters. The developed technology in this project will lead to breakthroughs in the practical viability of microplastic remediation with low-cost, green, and advanced nanotechnology. The outcomes of this project intend to advance Australia’s world-leading roles in utilisation of functional nanocarbon materials for green environmental remediation. The completion of this project will help address national water and soil contamination and ensure Australia's sustainable economics, environmental wellbeing, food and water safety, as well as provide scientific innovations with cutting-edge technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

New Paradigms for Robust Fitting: Kernelisation and Polyhedral Search. Outliers inevitably exist in visual data due to imperfect data acquisition or preprocessing. To enable computer vision applications that can perform reliably, robust fitting algorithms are necessary to counter the biasing influence of outliers. However, current robust algorithms are unsatisfactory: they are unreliable (due to using randomisation) or too computationally costly (due to using exhaustive search). This project will develop new robust algorithms to mitigate these shortcomings. It will do so by investigating two new paradigms of kernelisation and polyhedral search, which offer unprecedented theoretical insights into the problem. The outcomes will contribute towards computer vision applications that are more practical and reliable. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing With a large land mass and an ageing population, it is crucial for Australia to develop autonomous systems to help maintain our living standards, protect the environment, provide services to remote communities, and reduce healthcare costs. Current autonomous systems are mainly confined to factory floors and workshops, due to their lack of capability to function robustly in unstructured environments such as urban streets, fruit plantations, hospitals and underground mines. A fundamental source of difficulty lies in the outliers (i.e., corrupted data) that inevitably exist in the sensory inputs (e.g., images, videos, 3D point clouds) from challenging environments. To build autonomous systems that can work reliably in the real world, it is necessary to develop perception algorithms that are inherently robust. The project will devise robust perception algorithms by investigating new fundamental insights into the problem called kernelisation and polyhedral search. The project outcomes will contribute towards extending the usability and practicality of autonomous systems to challenging real-world environments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Microarchitectural attacks and JavaScript: threats and defences. This project aims to improve cybersecurity by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in Internet-connected computers. Expected outcomes of this project include novel techniques for protecting web browsers and cloud server, to prevent them from inadvertent leaks of private or sensitive information. This should provide significant benefits, such as reduced risk of cyberattacks and improved privacy for web users. Field of research: 0803 - Computer Software

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Micro-perforation for passive drag reduction. This project aims to reduce skin friction drag by developing a novel passive flow control method using micro-perforated surfaces. Advanced analytical and experimental modelling will be used to develop specific design solutions to improve efficiency in many real life applications, such as to reduce drag in the aerospace, maritime, gas pipelines and wind turbine industries. Expected outcomes include widely applicable knowledge and skills, improved modelling and experimental techniques and tools, and enhanced collaborations. Benefits to Australia are expected to include significant improvements to the efficiency of the aerospace and energy industries, a boost to the Australian economy, and a reduction in carbon emissions. Field of research: 0901 - Aerospace Engineering By attempting to find a way to reduce drag on aircraft, ships and other applications, this project has the potential to reduce carbon emissions through lower fuel consumption and enhance the long term viability of Australia’s transportation and aviation industries. It will also result in improved design, performance and efficiency of air, marine and land transport vehicles, and of energy systems. It will make use of world-class facilities and engage national and international researchers with proven track records. Finally, it will increase modelling and experimental capabilities, and enhance research facilities and tools, to advantage a wide variety of industres including transport, energy, aerodynamics and marine engineering.