University of Wollongong

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2017 · 2017-01

Room-temperature sodium-sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop silicon-based cathode materials for high-performance RT-sodium/sulphur batteries. These are expected to improve the sulphur electroactivity with sodium and supress the shuttle effect, achieving high energy density and cycling stability. This project will accelerate the sluggish electrochemical reactions between sulphur and sodium by embedding sulphur in hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres, and modify the surface of the mesoporous carbon nanospheres’ host. A superior RT-sodium/sulphur battery with high energy density, a long cycling life, and stationary storage has potential to shift fossil fuels towards renewable energy system to power the economy in the long run. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The geodynamics of past sea level changes. This project is designed to quantify the effect of flow deep within Earth’s interior on past sea-level changes and on the flooding history of Australia over the last 550 million years. The rise and fall of sea level has shaped our planet over time. This project plans to combine recent advances in tectonic reconstructions and dynamic Earth models with the global and Australian rock record. The intended outcome is to understand how the Earth’s surface is shaped by flow within its interior, and how these processes explain the sedimentary record. Project results have the potential to be used as an exploration tool to maximise Australia’s competitive advantage in exploring onshore sedimentary basins. Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Development of novel safe lithium metal-free sulphur batteries. Development of novel safe lithium metal-free sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop a lithium-metal-free sulphur battery system, and technology to commercialise this battery technology. Expected outcomes include an electrochemical system consisting of a selected promising lithium sulphide cathode, an alloying type anode and a liquid-based electrolyte, and large lithium-ion sulphur batteries with selected advanced electrode materials and electrolytes. Anticipated outcomes are the improved safety of typical lithium-sulphur batteries; that Australia will be internationally competitive in the area of energy storage; and increased overseas demand for Australian raw materials for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Impacts of locust control pesticides on arid-zone fauna. Impacts of locust control pesticides on arid-zone fauna. This project aims to understand how different animals encounter pesticide in the landscape through quantifying residue deposition in arid grasslands and investigating how pesticides used to control locust plagues affect fauna. This project will investigate fenitrothion and fipronil, the main pesticides used in Australia for locust control. It will develop a deposition model for aerial pesticide spraying, determine the short-term effect of sprayed pesticides on the behaviour and condition of free-ranging target fauna that use the environment differently, and quantify the relative importance of dietary and non-dietary exposure routes to gauge the importance of animal behaviour on pesticide exposure. Anticipated outcomes are improved baseline assessments for locusticides. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The Quality of Learning as Students Create Digital Explanations of Science. University science learners will become our future scientists and science teachers and thus need to develop content expertise and communications skills during their studies. This interdisciplinary project will examine the quality of learning as university science students create digital explanations of science concepts. Learning with digital technologies is increasingly common across many science contexts and this project aims to develop evidence about the quality and durability of the science learning as well as theoretical insights about multimodal literacy development in the process of creating digital explanations. Research into the quality of learning resulting from innovative strategies to learn science through digital technologies is significant for the future of Australia’s knowledge economy and creating a digital explanation shows promise for enhancing both engagement and quality of learning among university science students. Field of research: 1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Multifunctional 2D materials for sustainable energy applications. This project seeks to explore the great potential of novel graphene-like two dimensional (2-D) materials for energy applications. 2-D materials, which possess atomic or molecular thickness and infinite planar lengths, are regarded as a building block for many applications due to their unique nanostructures, electronic and mechanical properties. This project is focused on the design and exploration of layered two-dimensional artificial graphene and graphene analogues with ‘on-demand’ properties to exploit advanced energy applications. There is now a pressing need to integrate graphene sheets into multidimensional and multifunctional systems with spatially well-defined configurations, and integrated systems with a controllable structure and predictable performance. Project outcomes may lead to next-generation devices in energy storage and other applications. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Border Crossing: The Transnational Career of the Television Crime Drama. This project aims to shed new light on the evolving dynamics of the global television industry in an era of post-broadcast production and distribution with particular attention to the television crime drama. As one of television's most enduring and popular genres, the crime drama has routinely reflected local, regional and national concerns about law and order issues. Through a series of case studies, this project plans to explore how national frames of reference in terms of policy and content are being negotiated in different production contexts within the global market place. The television crime drama may thus provide an illuminating lens through which to examine the impact of globalisation on the rapidly evolving television industry as it enters a new era. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Tackling Atmospheric Chemistry Grand Challenges in the Southern Hemisphere. The project aims to provide a southern hemisphere perspective on current challenges in atmospheric chemistry: air quality, oxidation capacity, stratospheric change, and chemistry–climate interactions. Australia’s geographic position in the relatively clean southern hemisphere allows a unique opportunity to study environments with limited human influence, an opportunity that has largely been lost in the more populous northern hemisphere. The intended outcomes of the project include validated ground-based and satellite datasets for monitoring Australia’s air quality, improved atmospheric models for predicting future atmospheric change, and a deeper understanding of the processes driving atmospheric composition worldwide. Field of research: 0401 - Atmospheric Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Coherent, tuned terahertz photons from nonlinear processes in graphene. The project aims is to develop a low cost, tunable, efficient and coherent source of terahertz light. While much of the electromagnetic spectrum is in common use, the terahertz region, lying in frequency above electronics and radio waves but below photonics and visible light, is still relatively unexploited. Today the biggest challenge in the field remains the radiation source. This project aims to develop a new type of terahertz source based on strong nonlinear optical processes in graphene and cognate materials. It proposes the direct transformation of the surface plasmon polariton to terahertz photons. A high efficiency terahertz radiation source would significantly expand the use of terahertz technology in science, medicine, industry and defence. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Cancelling neighbouring voices for enhanced audio-visual collaboration. Cancelling neighbouring voices for enhanced audio-visual collaboration. This project aims to improve voice communication in immersive video conference technology for distance-based learning, using classrooms of students. research new theoretical approaches and develop new technology to transform the voice communication experience for co-located immersive video conferencing participants. When participants are co-located, two major audio issues—significant acoustic echo and instability—can arise; these are barriers to the wider adoption of this mode of education delivery. The expected outcome is an immersive video conferencing application deployed by the partner organisation. A key benefit will be a significantly enhanced product that provides a commercial advantage as well as a solution to remote learning for Australian students and educators. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Defining systems that clear dangerous misfolded proteins from body fluids. The project intends to establish how the human body defends itself against protein-folding related disease and loss of quality of life. Exposure to everyday physical and chemical stresses can cause proteins to lose their normal shape and become misfolded. Misfolded proteins are causally involved in human ageing and serious diseases (for example, Alzheimer's disease). However, the body does have a protective system that clears dangerous misfolded proteins from body fluids. Using cutting-edge approaches and a novel animal model, the project aims to establish how this system works. The outcomes are expected to improve understanding of the molecular processes affecting human ageing and disease and strengthen the framework needed to develop better strategies to combat these. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

High-voltage electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. This project aims to establish a complete battery research system and develop high-voltage electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries through mechanistic understanding obtained in operando studies. Lithium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for portable electronic devices, including electric vehicles, due to their high power and energy performance compared with other battery technologies. The success of this project is expected to advance fundamental understanding of lithium-ion batteries, and provide techniques to develop a promising high-energy and high-power battery system. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Comfort and ergonomics: Innovative seating solutions for commercial vehicles. Comfort and ergonomics: Innovative seating solutions for commercial vehicles. This project aims to develop a 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and mobile machinery, to reduce unwanted multiple directional vibrations to the driver’s body. Long-term exposure to vibrations from uneven road surfaces, vibrating tools, and vibrating machinery affects driver comfort, fatigue and safety, and can also cause neck and shoulder pain, lower back injuries, and spinal injuries. The expected outcome of the project is a comfortable and ergonomic seating system that, agriculture, transportation, mining and construction vehicles, both in Australia and internationally, can widely use. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. This project aims to significantly improve the energy density, safety and robust storage performance of lithium batteries with reduced cost, by developing a next-generation battery with lithium-rich layered oxide cathodes and titanium oxide-based and silicon-based anodes. Intelligent features will make the whole energy network a next-generation battery storage system, with mechanisms to protect the battery from hazardous and inefficient operating conditions. This lithium ion battery storage system is expected to create opportunities for businesses that harvest renewable energy and make existing industries more environmentally benign. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The evolution of landscape use among modern humans. This project aims to understand the evolution of humans’ adaptive landscape use. The dispersal of modern humans from Africa occurred relatively late in our evolutionary history, which suggests a complex pattern of behavioural evolution in our species. Flexible systems of landscape use underpin human adaptation to different environments resulting in our late expansion and modern global distribution. The project will use a configuration of archaeological and environmental information recovered from around the Doring River, South Africa. The project is expected to open a new avenue of research into the evolution of human behaviour, and address key scientific and general-interest questions about humanity’s emergence. Field of research: 2101 - Archaeology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Superresolution fluorescence imaging in microbiology. Superresolution fluorescence imaging in microbiology: This project involves the purchase of new, and upgrade of existing, fluorescence imaging tools to facilitate the study of intracellular processes in microbial systems at significantly higher spatial and temporal resolutions than hitherto possible. Visualisation of the structure and dynamics of intracellular molecular assemblies at maximal resolution is required to understand protein function inside living cells. The new equipment is designed to provide a fast super-resolution imaging system to study the intracellular dynamics of proteins in vitro and a super-resolution microscope to visualise structures and assemblies inside microbes with a resolution of tens of nanometres, putting in vitro biochemistry into the context of a living cell. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Focused ion beam microscope for trace element analysis and nanomachining. Focused ion beam microscope for trace element analysis and nanomachining: This project aims to fill the critical gap in 3-D imaging and compositional characterisation of metals, functional materials, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics and minerals at micro- and nano-scales. Coupling of dual column focused ion beam microscopy with secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis will is designed to overcome the long-standing limitation of light and trace element analysis in scanning electron microscopes. This facility would provide Australian researchers with a new capability of characterising light and trace elements using scanning electron microscopy. Along with the ability to characterise a diverse range of materials in 3-D, the new system would enable fabrication of functional nanoscale devices for nanotechnology, biomedical and energy applications. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Sugar vs The Reef: Socially-engaged art and urgent environmental problems. Using the intersection between the sugar cane industry and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park as a case study, this project aims to investigate the effectiveness of socially engaged art in intervening in the social dimensions of a complex environmental management problem. What are the barriers to behavioural change in agricultural land use within reef catchment areas? How can socially engaged art catalyse new dialogue between farmers, scientists, environmentalists and policy makers? And how might these discoveries be more widely applicable? Results of the project may inform transformations in farming practices, the establishment of a geographical provenance system for sugar, and a deeper public awareness of the human impact of agriculture on the reef. Field of research: 1905 - Visual Arts and Crafts

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Lithium-Ion Conducting Sulfide Cathodes for All-Solid-State Li–S Batteries. The aim of the project is to develop lithium-ion conducting sulphide cathode materials for high-performance all-solid-state lithium-sulphur (Li–S) batteries. Substituting solid-state electrolyte for liquid electrolyte is the most efficient approach to eliminate the polysulfide shuttle effect, which is the biggest obstacle for the practical application of Li–S batteries based on liquid electrolytes. The project aims to develop novel Li2S-rich cathode materials with high lithium-ion conductivity, which will form the basis of all-solid-state Li–S batteries with high energy density. The new battery is expected to have wide applications in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and grid-scale renewable energy storage. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Intermediate Band Solar Cells Based on Triplet-Triplet Annihilation. This project seeks to develop a new technology which allows solar cells to harvest a broader range of light from the sun, including red and infrared light, to increase solar-to-electric conversion efficiency. It is proposed that this would be accomplished through a series of chemical reactions which allow electrical power to be generated either by conventional means or a multi-step process in which low energy light is ‘glued’ together. This is of interest in relation to emerging technologies such as dye-sensitised solar cells, which are low cost, architecturally appealing and amenable to flexible substrates. It is anticipated that this project will provide a means for substantial improvement in solar cell efficiencies. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Partial Differential Equations in Several Complex Variables. This project aims to make advances in partial differential equations (PDEs) in several complex variables. PDEs in several complex variables are important in modern analysis and geometry, especially harmonic analysis, operator theory, geometric analysis and PDE with rough coefficients. The project aims to study the relationship between geometric curvature conditions and regularity properties of the solutions of complex partial differential equations: specifically the D-bar-Neumann problem, linear operators associated to pseudoconvex domains, and the complex Monge-Ampere equation. These areas find applications in the physical sciences and mathematical finance. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. Performance of granular matrix under heavy haul cyclic loading. This project aims to enhance the longevity of roads and tracks based on improved geotechnical design. The demand for safe and durable roads and railways to accommodate faster and heavier traffic has increased steadily in the past decade. This project will research the performance of compacted granular waste (coalwash & flyash) under cyclic loads, particularly relevant to heavy haul industry, from a geomechanics perspective. It will use geotechnical laboratory testing and field monitoring to develop a computational model, incorporating the relevant strength and deformation properties at varied load frequencies. The anticipated outcome is sustainable, more resilient transport infrastructure. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Chinese seeking citizenship in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, 1860–1920. This project plans to study the paths to citizenship for Chinese settlers in late 19th- and early 20th-century Australia, in comparison with New Zealand and Canada. From the mid-19th century, Chinese migrants to Australia sought to become citizens in their adopted homeland. The project intends to analyse naturalisation law and policy and use biographies and case studies to consider why and how Chinese became British subjects. The project expects to deepen historical understandings of the settlement of Chinese migrants by documenting their struggles for citizenship and rights. By exploring historical case studies it also aims to highlight the socio-economic benefits of naturalisation for the migrant and the nation. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies