University of Wollongong

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Curvature flow of clusters: optimal partitioning and merging fire fronts. This project aims to develop the curvature flow of clusters, a new mathematical innovation that builds on methods with proven success in making new progress on difficult problems in geometry and topology. The curvature flow of clusters will allow foams - partitions of space - to be viewed dynamically. This allows long-standing problems on their structure, a key mathematical challenge in material science, to be studied in a natural context. The project is expected to produce a software suite capable of simulating the movement of merging fire fronts with better accuracy than ever before. The mathematical tools developed by the project will have broad applicability, not only to space partitioning but also notably to bushfires, especially on the dynamics of merging fire fronts. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

A novel intelligent prognostics platform for complex cyberphysical systems. This project aims to develop a novel data-driven dynamic reliability assessment platform to improve predictive maintenance ability in complex cyberphysical systems (CPSs). This will be achieved by identifying which degradation mechanism(s) are likely to cause an impending failure, and then highlighting the event to trigger for maintenance service or control operation. The expected outcomes are new methods and tools needed to leverage failure prognostics and prognostics-informed maintenance/control for making CPSs resilient with reduced levels of redundancy. This research will produce major advancements in extending core components’ life and durability in complex CPSs, bringing economic benefit for Australia industry. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Mining the deep oceans: ensuring compliance with international obligations. This project aims to influence the development of an effective compliance regime to minimise environmental harm from deep seabed mining, a new industry that poses great risks to ocean environments. This project will contribute to the current development of international mining regulations by translating best available science on environmental management into law and policy recommendations. The project will also analyse what laws nations need to adopt to ensure compliance of their mining operators and thereby avoid liability. This project will advance law of the sea scholarship and generate key environmental benefits by helping to minimise harm to the oceans. It also creates economic benefits for states by avoiding risk. Field of research: 1801 - Law

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Valuing Web Series: Economic, Industrial, Cultural and Social Value. This project investigates the value of web series as a form of online screen entertainment characterised by original and diverse content produced by emerging creatives. It will deploy the theoretical frame of ‘total value’ to assess the role and viability of web series: value accrued as career development opportunities for digital content makers; value accrued by the audiences who consume web series; and the value accrued by the Australian screen industry as web series contribute to innovation in a rapidly evolving global screen ecology. We have partnered with four leading web series festivals who will benefit directly from a hosting a number of forums for the discussion and dissemination of our comparative findings. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety. The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation. Outcomes will be new surface coatings for a wide range of end uses, publication in high ranking journals and commercialisation of the technology. Benefits of this project will include elimination of mercury and reduction in exposure to solvents in the Australian workplace, and a lower energy requirement to produce high-quality surface coated products. Field of research: 0305 - Organic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Protein Structural-Dynamics at Solid Surfaces: Beyond Static Snapshots. The project will use High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy to directly visualize single proteins in ‘action’ with surfaces, revealing their dynamics at unprecedented combined structural and temporal resolution in liquid. Such characterization moves beyond static ‘snapshots’ of protein structure, toward the dynamic changes in protein conformation that will enable new exploration of key biological processes at liquid-solid interfaces. New fundamental discoveries will have an impact on technologies such as medical device coatings, biomaterials, biosensors, microfluidics devices, protein purification and diagnostics assays that are critically dependent on the biological function of adsorbed or immobilized proteins. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Molecular mechanisms of novel bacterial copper defense proteins. This project aims to reveal molecular and cellular mechanisms used by bacteria to neutralise the destructive effects of copper. Copper is an essential trace element in living systems. It is toxic to bacteria and so plays a vital role in nutritional immunity. To counteract copper toxicity, bacteria have evolved defense mechanisms. The project will investigate a novel but poorly understood class of bacterial proteins, the suppressor of copper sensitivity proteins, that contribute to this key virulence trait. The expected outcomes will be fundamental new knowledge of metallo-protein diversity, bacterial virulence mechanisms, and membrane protein function with potential impact on health, environment, and biotechnology. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Quality in adult-child interactions during digital experiences. This project aims to address the digital phenomenon with young children by investigating possibilities for adult-child interactions, guidance for educators and ways to measure quality in interactions. The project intends to influence how mobile technologies and applications are created and used in early childhood contexts. Expected outcomes include theory and evidence-based guidelines for adults about how to interact with children during digital play. The findings may have implications for educators and families supporting children’s digital experiences as well as app designers creating digital opportunities. The project can therefore contribute to a global agenda focused on young children and technology. Field of research: 1301 - Education Systems

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Faster interfacial electron transfer: the effect of molecule shape and size. This project aims to explore the effect of shape and size of pi-conjugated molecules on interfacial electron transfer reactions, which are fundamentally important in all applications of photo-electrochemical conversion and storage of energy. By making two series of pi-conjugated molecules and determining electron transfer rates using a combination of transient spectroscopies and computational chemistry, the project expects to generate new design principles for molecules with the potential to significantly improve the efficiencies of solar energy conversion and photo-catalytic processes. The new materials and findings will be exploited in a novel redox-mediated water splitting device as a practical outcome with potential end user benefits. Field of research: 0303 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Revolutionising real-time genomic epidemiology in urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a real-time and high-resolution genomic tool to monitor and track pathogens in urban wastewater systems based on the portable third-generation sequencing platform. Pathogens sicken hundreds of millions of people, cost the global economy tens of billions of dollars annually, and are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The current epidemiology approach, and data, are retrospective and thus insufficient for timely intervention. Integrated with wastewater analysis for pharmaceuticals targeting pathogens, the sewer-based epidemiology approach of this project will greatly enhance public health by achieving early detection and informed control of infectious diseases. Field of research: 0907 - Environmental Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Pedalling for change: cultural geography for traffic congestion innovation. This project aims to offer new knowledge about why commuter cycling has failed to increase at a time when leisure cycling grows exponentially. The project seeks to provide evidence about what cycling enables people to achieve through analysis of a database of media discourses, policies and most importantly the experiences of cyclists. Expected outcomes include an enhanced understanding of cycling as response to congestion and improved policy strategies for increasing purposeful cycling in cities including moving the focus from cycling participation rates to cultures of cycling. Australia will benefit from cycling growing as a mode of transport to attenuate traffic congestion in metropolitan centres. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Bayesian inversion and computation applied to atmospheric flux fields. This project aims to make use of unprecedented sources of measurements, from remote sensing and in situ data, to estimate the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases. An overabundance of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere is arguably the most serious long-term threat to the planet's ecosystems. This project will combine measurement uncertainties, process uncertainties in the physical transport models, and any parameter uncertainties, to provide reliable uncertainty quantification for the estimates. This will be achieved with new Bayesian spatio-temporal inversions and big-data computational strategies. The resulting statistical inferences on greenhouse-gas flux fields will enable the development of critical mitigation strategies. These new statistical inferences will be a valuable resource to policy-makers worldwide, who are assessing progress towards global commitments. Further, the final product may assist in developing cost-effective mitigation strategies in the presence of uncertainty. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Island fauna evolution through deep time: the Flores experiment. This project aims to reveal the evolutionary patterns of insular fauna, including hominins, as exemplified by the island of Flores. Through multidisciplinary analyses of securely dated fossils, artefacts and environmental data spanning 1.4 million years, the project expects to provide a deep and broad reconstruction of faunal adaptations to insular conditions and environmental fluctuations through deep geological time. The significance of this research includes the first comprehensive testing of hypotheses associated with island dwarfing (where megafauna, over time, become smaller), and providing the first palaeo-ecological context for the only known insular hominin, Homo floresiensis. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Magnetic skyrmion materials for next generation spintronic-based devices. Magnetic skyrmions are a novel class of materials with unique spin arrangement, making them suitable for the next generation of information processing and storage with ultrahigh density and extremely low energy consumption. This project aims to establish Australia as a world authority in the field of magnetic skyrmions and their applications, by developing ground-breaking materials and advanced technologies. The expected outcomes of this project include the creation of new functional materials, leading to a better understanding of the skyrmions and producing a foundation for the future development of novel information storage devices. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Interphases and interfaces of nanomaterials in potassium-ion batteries. This project aims to improve the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in multicomponent materials, which is a critical precursor to successfully designing and experimentally validating novel layered sulphide systems for potassium-ion batteries. A new layered structure construction technique will be employed to enhance the intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivities in the anode by controllable interphase and interface engineering. The expected outcomes of this project are to generate potassiumion batteries with high energy density, high safety, and long cycle life for next generation energy storage. This project should give Australia a competitive edge in the globally emerging sustainable manufacturing and energy-storage technologies. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Creative innovation in a new digital economy. This project aims to investigate how the digital genre of the mobile webtoon is transforming media ecosystems in Australia, South Korea and America. While smartphone apps and platforms have enjoyed increasing global penetration since the late 2000s, there has been limited scholarly attention paid to interactions between webtoon artists, platforms, policymakers and global readers. The project will generate new knowledge about cross-media storytelling, aesthetics and technologies by applying big data methods to analyse the production and reception of innovative mobile content. Through its case studies, the project will provide practical knowledge to Australian enterprises seeking to join the digital economy and capitalise on future opportunities in the global media environment. Field of research: 2002 - Cultural Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Long life sodium ion batteries by optimising initial coulombic efficiency. The project aims to develop novel structured phosphorus (Sn/P)-based composites as anode electrodes for sodium ion storage, which have high initial coulombic efficiency (charge capacity), high capacity and stable cycle life. Approaches of modifying surface structure will improve initial coulombic efficiency of Sn/P-based composites, and strategies to stabilise solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film will obtain long-cycle stability. The success of this project will greatly accelerate the commercialisation of sodium ion batteries and support the utilisation of renewable energy in Australia. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

A functional dissection of the bacterial replisome. This project aims to study the replisome, the machine that duplicates DNA before cell division. Years of biochemical research has shown how its protein components work, but observation at the single-molecule level is needed to understand how they all work together. This project aims to combine novel single-molecule biophysical tools with state-of-the-art biochemistry to define how the bacterial replisome coordinates synthesis of the two DNA strands and how it exchanges protein components on the fly. Expected outcomes of this project include improved understanding of a fundamental biological process, development of novel biophysical methodology, and training of the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

High performance lead-free piezoelectrics based on polar nanoregions. This project aims to enhance the electro-mechanical couplings of lead free piezoelectrics via introducing polar nanoregions for medical transducers applications. This is expected to impact on the design and development of high-performance lead free piezoelectrics, and have environmental benefits through replacing lead based counterparts. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Electrophysiology facility for cell phenotyping and drug discovery. This project aims to establish a high-throughput, automated patch clamp facility to enable research at the forefront of cell phenotyping and drug discovery. Ion channels are membrane proteins that underlie cell function and are therefore important drug targets. The patch clamp technique is the most powerful tool available to functionally characterise cells and study the function of ion channels. The significant advance provided by the high-throughput, automated patch clamp system is that it allows up to 384 cells to be recorded simultaneously. This project expects to enhance capacity to automate and standardise the quality of recordings, substantially increase the rate of data production, and enable greater access to patch clamp technology. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Exploring past climates, volcanic disasters and earthquakes in Australasia. This project aims to combine cutting-edge geochemical microanalysis of precisely dated cave deposits and corals to generate fundamental knowledge of Australasian earth hazards and environmental turning points over the past 500,000 years. These novel long-term perspectives of society’s most challenging environmental threats will provide the scientific basis required for informed decision-making and sustainable development in Australasia. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Geographies of transition in Australia’s auto repair and maintenance industry. This project aims to document structural change in the downstream auto industry and transitions in affected local workshops. The project design is informed by evolutionary and labour agency theories and employs comprehensive survey and ethnographic methods. The analysis will aim to identify new technical and competitive dynamics for local auto repair and maintenance firms, and examine changing skill requirements for workers. Such knowledge is crucial to protect jobs in repair and maintenance – the largest source of auto industry employment. Results will build new knowledge on industry transitions across geographical sites and scales. Field of research: 1604 - Human Geography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Deep space-time models for modelling complex environmental phenomena. This project aims to adapt deep-learning models, used in areas of artificial intelligence such as image tagging and automatic text translation, to improve our understanding of the environment. The project expects to develop new theory for deep-learning models to learn from measurement data and numerical-model output about environmental phenomena that evolve in space and time, such as ice sheets and the atmosphere. Expected outcomes include the ability to provide reliable predictions and quantification of uncertainty on environmental concerns of national importance, such as sea-level rise. Key benefits include improved risk management and mitigation, for example through financial incentives or infrastructure planning. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Fabrication of large-scale two-dimensional metallic nanosheets by accumulative rolling. This project aims to develop new techniques and insight into the thinning of metals from bulk to nano thicknesses which enables bulk manufacturing of large-scale two-dimensional (2D) metallic nanosheets. A novel rolling strategy will be adopted to achieve 2D metallic sheets with thicknesses less than 5nm and lateral sizes larger than 1mm, as well as demonstrating significantly improved electro-catalytic performance. The proposed technique is expected to be a high-yield, low-cost alternative to traditional bottom-up techniques and is expected to be ready for implementation in industry for bulk manufacturing of 2D metallic nanosheets. Field of research: 0910 - Manufacturing Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

A pictorial and geochemical history of Great Barrier Reef changes. This project aims to determine the timing and associated drivers behind dramatic changes in coral communities on reef flat environments since European settlement. It will use Uranium-Thorium dating, palaeoecological and geochemical techniques, as well as spatial elevation surveys to determine the timing and cause of ecological transition for inshore coral communities. This project will contribute baseline knowledge on the timing and mechanisms associated with dramatic declines in coral cover on inshore reefs of the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, and provide a robust scientific foundation for effective monitoring. Field of research: 0403 - Geology