University of Wollongong

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Enabling High-performance Layered Oxide Sodium-Ion Battery Cathodes. The great abundance of sodium on the earth's crust and similar work principles have made sodium-ion batteries the most promising replacement for commercial lithium-ion batteries, which are struggling with the increasing cost. This project studies the layered oxides for use as cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. The cross-disciplinary strategy and approaches will be employed to address the weaknesses of such oxides and release the hidden potential to achieve commercialisation. The expected outcome includes advancement in fundamental knowledge of cathode materials design and the development of clean energy, revamping the energy structure of Australia. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Acting on safety concerns and driving improved performance, Tesla is now transitioning from nickel-based to iron-based lithium cathodes in their batteries. Longer term layered sodium cathodes can deliver still superior safety, capacity, energy, and power performance relative to their lithium counterparts and could replace these. This project will enable that by developing novel sodium cathodes for batteries to power electronic devices and electric vehicles. We will work with our existing partners in mining, chemical and energy-related industries to demonstrate feasibility of these sodium battery cathodes. The success of this project will stimulate the growth of energy-storage industries and create more local job opportunities, thereby enhancing Australia's economy and social safety. The ability to produce more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable high-energy-performance battery systems will not only help position Australia as a green energy powerhouse, but also provide tangible downward pressure on carbon fuel consumption and demand on ageing energy infrastructures.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Are coastal wetlands vulnerable to bushfires? The ‘Black Summer’ fires burned extensive areas of coastal wetland not typically associated with fire impact. These wetlands rely upon plant growth and sediment delivery to respond to sea-level rise, processes which may be impacted by fire. This project aims to quantify the distribution and severity of fire impact, and establish post-fire vegetation and surface elevation trajectories. By integrating fire ecology and wetland science approaches, this project will ascertain the resilience of coastal wetlands to the cumulative impacts of fire and sea-level rise. Expected outcomes of this project include new, spatially-explicit fire management tools which will aid the sustainable, long-term management of coastal wetlands in a changing climate. Field of research: 3709 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience This project brings together leading experts in the response of coastal ecosystems and landscapes to environmental change with experts in bushfire ecology and impacts assessment. The maps and models generated will provide coastal planners and natural resource managers with the confidence to implement decisions that enhance natural capital and improve the resilience of highly valuable coastal ecosystems to climate change impacts arising from bushfires and sea-level rise. Of particular national interest is the continuing capacity of coastal wetlands to sequester blue carbon and contribute to Australia's efforts to mitigate climate change; this capacity is at risk from bushfires and sea-level rise and may place the blue carbon methodology within the Emissions Reduction Fund at risk. This project fills a global knowledge gap about ensuring the resilience of coastal ecosystems to multiple climate change stressors and will place Australia at the forefront of knowledge advancement in the international community tasked with enhancing the resilience of coastal ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Liquid metal composite tactile sensor. Tactile sensing electronic skin is a key enabling technology for smart robotic grippers and neuroprosthetics. However, traditional electronic skin is still underdeveloped in sensing of slip and force direction. Therefore, this project aims to imitate human skin structure to develop a highly sensitive liquid metal-enabled electronic skin that can achieve high-performance multiple tactile sensation capabilities, including normal-tangential force decoupling and slip detection. The expected outcome will enable future manipulator and prosthetics to detect complex forces for precision manipulation, which will provide benefits to advanced manufacturing and bring significant economic and social benefits. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering Tactile sensing electronic skin is a key enabling technology for smart robotic grippers and neuroprosthetics. However, traditional electronic skin is still underdeveloped in sensing of slip and force direction (stopping it from slipping off the skin). Therefore, this project aims to imitate human skin structure to develop a highly sensitive liquid metal-enabled electronic skin that can achieve high-performance multiple tactile sensation capabilities, including force decoupling and slip detection. This electronic skin, which can detect force direction and object roughness, shows broad market prospects in industrial tactile sensors and wearable devices. The skin can be used on prosthetic products and enable the disabled population to receive accurate feedback to operate prosthesis conveniently, greatly benefiting their life quality. To enable the adoption, we will engage with robotic and healthcare companies following the project outcomes, and seek to collaborate to obtain commercial investment for developing practical products. Consequently, this project will benefit the Australian industry and health sectors, and enhance Australia’s global reputation and competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and healthcare technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Unravelling early self-regulation: A longitudinal study. National data show persistent issues in Australian children's social-emotional vulnerability. Research shows we have had limited success shifting these trajectories through current education and intervention efforts. In short, we understand enough about self-regulation to establish it as a priority target in early childhood, yet not enough to meaningfully alter current trajectories. This project will develop a ‘big picture’ theory of children’s self-regulation abilities and change, supported by Australia’s first longitudinal study of early self-regulation, from preschool into early primary school (ages 4 to 6). This robust theory of change is expected to better position ongoing education and intervention efforts to succeed. Field of research: 3903 - Education Systems This project will involve an Australian-first longitudinal study of how young children develop self-regulation abilities, with the aim to improve future education and social outcomes for Australian children as they develop to adulthood. This research will produce a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of self-regulation change–from its moment-to-moment fluctuations to its longer-term growth, including its precursors and the ramifications of these changes. It will respond to social issues of immediate public interest related to child self-regulation (e.g., 'big behaviours' after COVID-19 lockdowns; young children’s digital diets and decisions) to better equip children’s everyday carers to navigate these challenges. Translation of project outcomes will occur through existing collaborative networks of industry and government change-makers–alongside a public dissemination strategy–to inform educational policy and improve the effectiveness of self-regulation practices in homes, schools and services.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

From Snowball Earth to Animals: the Influence of Mantle Dynamics. This project aims to investigate how solid Earth processes contributed to ‘Snowball Earth’ events around 700 million years ago and to the explosion of complex life 540 million years ago, which will shed light on our origin as a species. The approach consists of merging cutting-edge models of the plate-mantle system with the global rock record. The intended outcome is to understand relationships between mantle convection, the behaviour of the magnetic field, global sea levels, continental-scale topography, and the composition of the ocean and atmosphere. Expected significant benefits include building capacity in Earth Sciences and the development of new models that can be used to explore the mineral endowment of the Australian crust. Field of research: 3706 - Geophysics The global rock record indicates that complex life evolved 540 million years ago, following profound changes in the magnetic field and climate, including ‘Snowball Earth’ events when the planet was covered in ice. There is a lack of understanding about the dynamic origin of the environmental changes that led to the explosion of complex life. To address this knowledge gap, this project will merge state-of-the-art models of the dynamics of Earth’s deep interior with the global rock record. Insights gained will include the deep Earth context for the evolution of resource-bearing Australian basins and for the deposition of globally significant rock formations from South Australia that contain some of the first complex fossils and are evidence for ‘Snowball Earth’ events. The project will also reveal how changes in Earth’s atmospheric CO2 and climate have occurred on all time scales. With investment from the minerals industry, the models developed in the project could be used as an exploration tool for metals and minerals that are essential to the Australian economy and to the transition to a low-carbon society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Secure Cloud Computing from Cryptography:The Rise of Pragmatic Cryptography. This Fellowship aims to deliver a new research principle by developing cryptography solutions, namely pragmatic cryptography, for cloud security. Cryptography is critical in protecting data and computing for confidentiality and integrity. Current cryptography solutions are advanced but idealised and incompatible with existing cloud applications. The expected outcomes include design principles of pragmatic cryptography and concrete cryptography constructions to achieve secure cloud computing solutions, narrowing the gap between theory and practice. Achieving these outcomes will revolutionise cloud technology and position Australia as a global leader in innovative technologies that provide user assurance and trust in cloud security. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy Cloud computing users must be confident that their data is protected from unauthorised access. Cryptography solutions exist to guarantee cloud security, but they are idealised – meaning they are not easy to implement in practice. Cloud providers need to rewrite applications to use existing solutions, incurring high costs. This Laureate program proposes a paradigm shift from an idealised framework to establish a new pragmatic cryptography framework, allowing concrete cryptography solutions to be readily adopted in practice, reducing cloud vulnerability and safeguarding the data of individuals, businesses and government. Through collaboration with government bodies, the program will influence adoption of the new framework in international standards, contributing to widespread uptake of cloud computing across all sectors which will reduce reliance on local data storage and realise emissions reductions and business efficiencies. This program is a significant opportunity for Australia to lead this vital technology to protect critical infrastructure and systems as identified in Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Advanced refractory alloy components for aerospace and energy sectors. This project aims to employ state-of-the-art alloy modelling and a new additive manufacturing approach to fabricate advanced alloy components with superior high temperature and chemical properties. Components will be manufactured from both existing and completely new alloys. Expected outcomes include stronger and more damage resistant high temperature parts for high-speed aerospace vehicles, and more stable corrosion resistant alloys for application in molten salts. The project expects to increase our sovereign capabilities in advanced alloy component manufacture, for the benefit of sectors including high-velocity aerospace, defence and molten salt-based energy storage and power generation. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The project offers benefits for Australia’s Aerospace, Defence, Green Energy and Nuclear Energy Sectors. We will develop and improve a 3D metal printing method using a robot-controlled welder to directly produce components layer by layer from molten alloy wires or from a spray of molten metal droplets. This approach has advantages in cost, product quality and production efficiency compared to current 3D metal printing technologies. Prototype alloys and alloy parts for high velocity aircraft and aerospace vehicles, and corrosion resistant coatings will be investigated and manufactured. Potential applications include small components for wing struts and high temperature engine parts, and components for next generation green thermal energy storage systems. Our Australian industry partner is an expert in the fields of materials design and engineering. Through our collaboration lies an opportunity to enhance our, currently lacking, sovereign capabilities in advanced alloy component manufacture in this strategically important field, delivering economic, commercial and environmental benefits for Australia’s future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Accelerating Green Hydrogen Production with High Efficiency Electrolysers. This project aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of high-carbon industries (eg heavy transport, chemical production, and steel) by advancing the manufacture of high efficiency water electrolysers in Australia. Innovative electrochemical and other techniques that exploit all of the levers for high efficiency in electrolysers, will be applied to support the commercial development of this key component of green hydrogen production. Expected outcomes of this project, in collaboration with industry partner Hysata, include a low-cost, simplified design, and ultra-high energy efficiency. This should provide significant benefits to the green hydrogen sector, industry, and contribute to achieving net-zero emissions globally. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry The National Hydrogen Strategy aims to leverage Australia’s abundance in solar and wind power to generate renewable electricity and then convert this to green hydrogen - an energy-dense renewable fuel. Green hydrogen will be essential for us to achieve net-zero. A key future enabler of this plan is the recent development by the applicant, of a new type of electrolyser that is being commercialized by Hysata Pty Ltd. This electrolyser has ultra-high energy efficiency, consuming about 20% less energy with accompanying higher yields of green hydrogen from renewable sources. This will reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen to well below $2/kg, making it cost-competitive with fossil fuels. This project will support the development of a sovereign Australian hydrogen manufacturing capacity at GW scale, with accompanying decarbonisation and employment benefits. It is estimated that green hydrogen, will provide 15-20% of global energy demand in 2050, worth USD$1.7 trillion. The new technology is expected to help Australia capture a large share of that market.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Dynamic Earth Models for Frontier Mineral Exploration. This Project aims to investigate the link between supercontinents, mantle upwelling, and associated mineral resources by combining reconstructions of mantle flow with the global rock record. Mantle upwelling causes eruptions of volcanic provinces and associated rock formations that are rich in minerals. The expected outcomes of the Project include mapping the global potential for magmatic nickel, rare-earth elements, and diamond deposits from 1.8 billion years ago and building a research alliance between the University of Wollongong, Anglo American, and De Beers. Significant benefits will be the development of a digital framework to reduce risks in exploration for minerals that are essential for the transition to a low-carbon economy. Field of research: 3706 - Geophysics In 2022, the top five Australian exporting industries are from its mineral and energy resources. Over the next 25 years, global demand for rare earth elements and for nickel is likely to exceed the total that has been mined to date. Yet, despite increases in exploration expenditure, exploitation of known mineral reserves currently exceeds the discovery of new mineral deposits. This Project will bring together Australian scholars and industry experts in mineral resource exploration to understand the links between supercontinents, mantle upwelling, and mineral deposits. The results of the Project will be openly available in a new digital framework designed to target mineral resources including rare earth elements and nickel. The benefits will include reduced cost and risk, and improved efficiency for mineral exploration. Potential benefits of the Project include the economic benefit of the discovery of new mineral resources in Australia, and the environmental benefit of locating new deposits of minerals that are essential to transition to a low-carbon economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Cryptographic Group Actions and Their Applications. This project aims to develop innovative techniques to construct cryptographic primitives and explore their applications to secure cloud computing. Cryptographic group actions have recently become a promising candidate for post-quantum cryptography. However, whilst possessing strong mathematical complexity, group actions are still in their infancy, and thus it remains challenging to realise advanced cryptographic constructions. The expected outcomes of this project are new techniques from cryptographic group actions and their applications to secure cloud services. This will provide direct benefits to Australia's Industry 4.0 adoption by enabling advanced technologies developed in Australia in the upcoming era of quantum computers. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is an emerging field of research that has attracted significant attention from many government organisations and industries worldwide. Specifically, PQC was introduced to combat the arising future quantum computer attacks. Cryptographic group actions are new and promising candidates for PQC with significant mathematical complexity. Therefore, it remains challenging to realise cryptographic solutions due to the rich underlying mathematical structures. This project will bridge this gap by developing secure and innovative techniques based on group actions, with their applications to cloud security. This will be an enabler for emerging technologies, opening up a whole new range of opportunities for numerous Australian industries to provide secure cloud services with guarantees for long-term security. In the process, significant and necessary updates to Australian cybersecurity standards will be identified, and research training for a new generation of cyber-security experts will be delivered through research collaboration between Australian and international participants.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Space RAdiation Monitoring System (SRAMS) for safe space missions. The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive space radiation monitoring system (SRAMS) that can evaluate: i) the radiation related hazards for astronauts, ii) the radiation damage in electronics during space missions and iii) the ground radiation facility environment used in radiation hardness assurance tests. SRAMS will also address important issue in space by minimizing manned or satellite space mission aborts due to space radiation adverse effects on astronaut’s health and electronics failure, and translates into an enormous economic value proposition. SRAMS will be paramount for leveraging the quantifiable standards of the space-radiation qualification facilities that are important for boosting the Australian Space industry. Field of research: 5107 - Particle and High Energy Physics The hostile radiation environment of space poses significant biological consequences for astronauts on deep space missions as well as a threat to any satellite mission due to radiation damage of electronics. This project is dedicated to the development of a comprehensive space radiation monitoring system for manned and satellite space missions that continuously evaluate the biologically relevant threat for astronauts and damage to electronic components due to space weather conditions, so as to mitigate them in a timely manner and avoid catastrophic mission failures. The proposed monitoring system is unique as it is able to measure the dose equivalent for astronauts. It also measures the total ionizing and displacement doses in electronics and characterises the radiation field for Single Event Effects prediction without prior knowledge of the mixed radiation field. Adoption of the system by space industry for in–flight monitoring and on-ground testing for radiation space qualification of electronics will essentially improve the reliability of satellites leading to a direct and enormous economic benefit.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Towards a Green and Sustainable Energy-efficient Metaverse. This project aims to establish a world-class facility for conducting research on green and sustainable energy-efficient metaverse technologies. The metaverse is widely anticipated as the next technological breakthrough that will revolutionise the way we interact, learn, work, shop and entertain in the new digital economy. However, metaverse technologies, including virtual reality, AI, big data, cybersecurity and blockchains, require a tremendous amount of computation and energy to serve millions of concurrent users. The proposed facility is expected to support the development of energy-efficient algorithms and systems for the metaverse, and establish Australia’s leadership in this emerging area of major economic and societal impact. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy The metaverse is a persistent online 3D universe that will revolutionise the way we interact, learn, work, shop and entertain in the new economy. According to a report by Citi, the metaverse market value could exceed US$13 trillion by 2030. It is predicted that by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least an hour per day in the metaverse. However, to provide a realistic, immersive experience to millions of concurrent users, the metaverse relies on highly energy-demanding technologies, including virtual reality, AI, big data, cybersecurity, blockchains and cloud computing. This project aims to establish a state-of-the-art national facility for conducting research on green and sustainable energy-efficient metaverse technologies. The proposed facility will enable the Australian research community to precisely measure and adaptively optimise the energy consumption of metaverse algorithms and systems. The outcomes of this project are expected to position Australia as a leader in adopting sustainable metaverse technologies for manufacturing, education, commerce and entertainment, especially post COVID-19.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Regulations in Privacy-Preserving Blockchain Systems. This project aims to develop an integrated regulatory paradigm for privacy-preserving blockchain. This project expects to reduce cybercrimes and illegal transactions in blockchain and provide solutions for the regulation concerns raised in the national blockchain roadmap, using interdisciplinary approaches and new primitives. Expected outcomes of this project include providing versatile regulation services covering the whole lifetime of transactions while maintaining transaction privacy and user anonymity. This should provide significant benefits to the economy by reducing the financial loss caused by blockchain abuse worldwide ($76 billion per year) and promoting Australia’s blockchain ecosystem (grow to AU$68.4 billion by 2030). Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy Blockchain put simply is a system in which a record of transactions, such as bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, is maintained across several computers. This project will provide technological solutions to empower blockchain regulation that reduces cybercrime due to blockchain abuse, which causes a global financial loss of $76 billion per year. In doing so it will address the need to balance privacy and enforcement of regulation in digital transactions. The expected outcome of this project is to provide a more secure and regulation-friendly blockchain with versatile regulation services, covering the whole lifecycle of a transaction. Specifically, it is to deter malicious users from blockchain abuse with regulation policies, to trace the identity of malicious users and to rectify polluted transactions, while still preserving privacy for honest users in the system. This research will directly benefit Australia by providing algorithmic solutions to blockchain regulation, a key concern in the National Blockchain Roadmap released by the Australian government. The outcomes of this project will demonstrate feasibility of these new technologies, to be translated in collaboration with other researchers and the national regulator.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

The evolution of venom and its role in shaping biodiversity. This project aims to study how venom, nature's most powerful weapon, evolves and shapes biodiversity. Using the iconic Australian and New Guinean venomous snakes as a model, this project expects to develop a novel approach to profile venom composition from museum specimens, test competing hypotheses on the evolution of venoms, and test for the association between the evolution of venoms and the evolution of diversity in species richness and morphology. Expected outcomes include the largest venom database for any animal group and a better understanding of how venoms evolve and what role they play in earth’s biodiversity. The generated venom data has potential to be used in future studies to aid in the development of anti-venoms and drugs. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Australia is home to the largest and most diverse venomous snake group in the world, yet we know the venoms of very few of them, leaving an untapped resource for drug discovery. Venom-based drugs already treat conditions ranging from cancer, arthritis, stroke and heart disease. A more comprehensive knowledge of the venom composition of Australia’s snakes has potentially life-saving implications. Using a new method to profile venom composition, this project will represent a world-first by uncovering the venom of almost all Australian venomous snakes, which will be used to answer questions about changes in our snake population. The findings will be translated into a free online database, containing the hundreds of toxins identified for each of 187 snake species. This critical resource will be used in future drug discovery research and leveraged by the pharmacological and medical sectors in the form of life-saving drugs and in therapeutic treatments. In so doing, the project will contribute fundamental research to the future health of Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Integrating food and nutrition into fisheries and aquaculture management. The project aims to provide knowledge to improve food systems, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, through fisheries and aquaculture. Food and health outcomes are not well-integrated into fisheries and aquaculture policy or management, despite global expectations that aquatic foods will help address current and anticipated food system challenges. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on implementing food- and nutrition-based management objectives in fisheries and aquaculture, and methods to measure benefits in different national contexts. Outcomes should increase capability to manage fisheries and aquaculture to improve human health through diets while achieving environmental, economic and other socially positive outcomes. Field of research: 3005 - Fisheries Sciences The research contributes to Australia’s national interest through new knowledge on fisheries and aquaculture management with the potential to improve public health outcomes. Non-communicable diseases are a leading cause of death and disability in Australia, in particular for Indigenous Australians, and poor diets are the major contributor. Aquatic foods can play an important role in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. This research will contribute insights into improving public health through the management of aquatic foods, while simultaneously targeting environmental and economic benefits. Academia, government and the private sector will be engaged in activities to embed food- and nutrition-based objectives into fisheries and aquaculture sectors and to monitor outcomes, including contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger. The research will also contribute to cross-cultural understandings that improve knowledge exchange between Indigenous Australians and fisheries and aquaculture management.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Building a synthetic chemical synapse through harnessed stochasticity. At the molecular level, biology is noisy, and life has evolved a plethora of mechanisms to harness this noise for useful output. If we want to construct de novo living systems to learn more about biology and the origin of life, then we must not ignore noise. This project aims to apply a design philosophy that embraces randomness to construct an artificial chemical synapse. Expected outcomes include creating a blueprint for the next generation of more dynamic artificial cells, developing vital tools for the elucidation of principles in biophysics and systems biology, and deepening our understanding of how noisy molecular level events have downstream effects on macro-scale behaviours. Several international collaborations are involved. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Synthetic biology seeks to redesign organisms for useful purposes by artificially ‘engineering’ them to have new abilities, and is already changing the way we grow food, treat disease, and manufacture new materials. This project will develop a highly innovative and novel approach to engineer cells that exhibit useful properties, such as the ability to identify and adapt to changes in environmental conditions. Many living systems have this capability, and it underlies many adaptive biological processes, such as evolution. The ability to harness this adaptive capability in synthetic cell systems will contribute to the rapidly growing global market for synthetic biology, has the potential to transform biomanufacturing, particularly in areas such as agriculture, food and chemical synthesis. That growth is estimated to increase from US$5.3B in 2019 to US$18.9B in 2024. The outcomes of this project will establish Australian intellectual property, a proportion of which is expected to be protected by patenting, that can be licensed for agribusiness, diagnostics, and drug discovery.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Circular capabilities for living with obdurate waste. The circular economy is being promoted to resolve the looming materials crises created by excessive consumption. But circularity is still out of reach for much of the economy. The DECRA project aims to address critical questions of how to manage obdurate wastes that exceed circular economy models. Through an innovative critical social science approach, the project expects to advance knowledge on two stubbornly obdurate wastes – refrigerants and plastic textiles, their latent capacities for circularity, and the policy framings required to achieve change. Expected outcomes include enhancing Australia’s capacity in developing more circular economies, and integrating these into the next generation of industry and environmental policies. Field of research: 4406 - Human Geography Each year, 90 billion tonnes of materials are used globally to sustain industry and contemporary lifestyles. Some 90% become waste. The circular economy promotes reuse and recycling to minimise waste, and aids new green industries. Hindering progress is that many materials required to feed, clothe, house and transport people and things are unseen, toxic, or difficult to locate, separate or repurpose. This project will trace two such materials—plastic textiles and air-conditioning refrigerants—that add to global environmental problems. New methods integrating in-depth interviews, data mapping, and policy analyses will reveal where these materials go and where they end up, and the governance structures, skills and expertise needed to handle and reuse them. Policymakers, industry stakeholders and communities will benefit from these outcomes: knowledge to better manage difficult waste streams; improved resource reuse; and opportunities for new green industries and jobs. Collaboration with industry networks will enable knowledge transfer and uptake, positioning Australia to lead the world in circular initiatives.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

The evolution of human innovation in an arid biodiversity hotspot. This project will examine the archaeology and environmental history of South Africa’s Succulent Karoo, the world’s only arid biodiversity hotspot. Arid regions of Africa have historically been marginalised in accounts of human evolution yet recent evidence suggests that they were loci of innovation over the last 120 000 years. To explore the importance of such areas to the evolution of our adaptive capabilities, this project will produce comprehensive new datasets relating to the climatic, environmental, and social contexts of innovation among early humans occupying the site of Varsche Rivier 003. The results will test prevailing models of human behavioural evolution, shedding new light on how we came to be human. Field of research: 4301 - Archaeology This project will examine the archaeology and environmental history of South Africa's Succulent Karoo, the world's only arid biodiversity hotspot. By understanding the contexts under which new behaviours appeared in humans as they evolved, the project will carry wide-ranging implications for our understanding of the evolution of humanity generally and the management of water resources, and for the archaeological records of all continents, including Australia. The project will provide exceptional training opportunities for Australian students, enhance conservation outcomes for a global biodiversity hotspot, develop research capability in South Africa, and engage indigenous Africa communities in understanding of their ancient past. In sum, the project will help us better understand the success of our species while providing a training platform from which Australia's next generation of globally connected archaeologists will emerge. This project will generate new data from this region to explore how early societies used these and other strategies to adapt to climate change over the last 100,000 years. Understanding human flexibility and the limits of societal resilience will be critical as the world faces a future in which droughts will likely become more frequent, longer and harsher, particularly in Australia. The project will also benefit the management of Australia’s natural heritage by analysing the long-term impacts of climate variability on biodiversity in fragile arid ecosystems. Finally, at a time when cultural heritage sites globally are threatened by sea level rise, storm damage and erosion, the project will develop methods that can be applied to monitor and mitigate the deterioration of Australia’s historically significant heritage places.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

3D Bipolar Electroactive Architectures for Wireless BioStimulation. Traditional Electrostimulation requires hard-wired metal electrodes and electronic wires connected to a power supply. These tethered systems face numerous challenges in establishing long-lasting effective electronic interfaces with targeted cells and tissues. This project aims to combine technologies in conductive polymers, bipolar electrochemistry, 3D fabrication and cell engineering to develop a 3D bioelectronic system that enables wireless cell stimulation. The major benefit is to generate advanced knowledge of wireless powered electromaterials and novel wireless biotechnology in medical engineering, which could help well-position the Australian in smart bionic devices for human well-being with a bright future. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry Traditional Electrostimulation requires hard-wired metal electrodes and electronic wires connected to a power supply. These tethered systems face numerous challenges in establishing long-lasting effective electronic interfaces with targeted cells and tissues. This project aims to combine technologies in conductive polymers, bipolar electrochemistry, 3D fabrication and cell engineering to develop a 3D bioelectronic system that enables wireless cell stimulation. Traditional electrostimulation of cells has been shown to promote tissue regeneration and treat conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. However, realisation of the potential of electrotherapies is hampered due to the technical challenges associated with delivery using traditional approaches. Moving forward innovations that enable more effective means of wireless electrical stimulation are needed. Our approach addresses this challenge. The fundamental knowledge accrued here will be deployed in collaboration with Australian industry partners to ultimately deliver a new generation of biomaterials (e.g. wireless biochips) and platforms to treat medical conditions and improve patient well-being. This will enable Australian industry to be at the forefront of developing and manufacturing bionic devices, and to effectively compete in the rapidly growing, USD $4.7 billion global bionic devices market.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Scoping the world of ultra-thin film and ultra-high pressure environments. This proposal will establish a unique Australian research facility, a combination of high efficiency Thin Film Thermophysical Property Analyser and a complete package of tools for materials and devices fabrication and characterisation at ultra-high pressures Almax DiaCell. This exceptionally comprehensive and versatile set of tools will foster collaborative activities between participating research organisations supporting breakthrough research conducted by more than 30 researchers across more than 20 ARC and other projects to discover novel unconventional phenomena in topological insulators, superconductors, spintronic materials, low energy devices, one- and two-dimensional micro- and nano-materials, battery, and bio-magnetic materials. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics Australia has been at the forefront of international multidisciplinary research for many years. Newest technological advances, in quantum computing and renewable energy sectors, have prompted researchers across the globe to concentrate their efforts in finding and understanding key fundamental operating principles of materials and devices in unique environments. The proposed research infrastructure will see the establishment of Australia's first platform for fabrication/characterisation of novel functional materials and devices in ultra-thin film and ultra high-pressure environments. This capacity would enable a large number of Australian researchers to be at the forefront critically important and strategic research, that would allow Australia to be intellectually and technologically competitive in the near future. The development of novel low energy functional materials and devices is presently among key developments that are perceived to bring about enormous economic benefits, such as high power computing and low energy transmission.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Provably Secure Cryptography Techniques: Effective, Elegant, and Economic. This project aims to contribute to advanced knowledge and techniques to remove relaxed proof factors from provable security. Cryptography nowadays can be proven secure and must be provably secure before being adopted for data protection. Until today, most cryptography schemes are still using some relaxed proof factors to prove security, but using these relaxed factors was risky. The expected outcomes are proof methodologies for researchers to prove security in an easy way (effective), cryptography techniques for proving security without any relaxed proof factors for cryptography schemes (elegant), and more practical cryptography schemes with elegant proofs to enable Australians to receive benefit from secure data protection (economic). Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy The Australian Government has identified the A$5.6 billion cyber security sector as crucial for Australia’s future growth and prosperity. This project will produce new cryptography technologies and approaches to secure software applications, mobile devices, cloud computing and critical infrastructure. The outcomes will also support the nation’s cyber security in terms of resilience and effective responses to cyber intrusions and attacks. The project will prevent adoption of insecure algorithms that cause substantial economic loss and will contribute to safer and more practical algorithms that reduce protection costs essential for the provision of secure data and data services. The project will support the digital economy and a burgeoning ecosystem of 350 cyber security providers in Australia, securing exports and the employment of over 26,500 workers. It will also enable sovereign cyber security capacity critical to Australia’s security in a rapidly changing world.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Creating a sustainable, healthy, and equitable food system. This project aims to develop a whole-of-food system approach that will result in a more healthy, sustainable, and equitable food environment. A multi-disciplinary approach, based on the US Vermont Farm to Plate initiative, will bring together key stakeholders to collectively increase availability and access to locally sourced food, increase consumer awareness of sustainable food choices, accompanied with a retail “Love Local” campaign. Knowledge created by this research will inform policy and legislative reforms that will empower local governments and communities to respond to food system challenges. This case study in regional NSW will demonstrate the effectiveness of a framework that can be upscaled to other areas and countries. Field of research: 3006 - Food Sciences Urgent action is needed to reduce the environmental impact of the food system in Australia. Current food production methods and dietary patterns are unsustainable in ensuring supply and supporting human and planetary health. What is needed is a more local approach to food systems and livelihoods. This project aims to develop a “paddock-to-plate” food strategy in regional NSW that can be upscaled to other areas. We will work with key stakeholders (growers, agribusiness, food retail, Indigenous land affairs, civil society organisations, local governments) to co-design solutions that can be adopted through online farmers markets, a Love Local food initiative, and transformation of local university campus food environments. Effectiveness of the strategy will be measured through consumer surveys to assess the environmental footprint of food choices, and economic analyses. National benefit of the research is increased capacity to address environmental challenges in food production and food consumption practices.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Empowering Australia’s Visual Arts via Creative Blockchain Opportunities. This project investigates the provision of a blockchain-based solution for protecting the intellectual property and provenance of visual art, and ways to empower its economic, cultural, and social value and benefits. By exploring innovative non-fungible token (NFT) opportunities in a global cyber security context, we will co-design a user-friendly and compliant tool for expanding the creation and movement of art on existing virtual galleries and smart contract-enabled platforms. Building on interdisciplinary synergies between creative and IT practices, we will interrogate the efficacy, risks and governance surrounding this global technology, and produce vital new knowledge for engaging with risks and opportunities in the digital economy. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies This project will contribute to the national economy by addressing the current problem of intellectual property rights infringement in the digital sphere where all forms of visual art are created, bought, sold, and traded. Policymakers, scholars, and Australian artists are all concerned about fakes, imitations, and the lack of trust and transparency in these global transactions. By working with change-makers such as the Australian Copyright Council, Copyright Agency, National Association for the Visual Arts, and Australian Network for Art & Technology, this project will show how the integrity of digital platforms on which artworks are listed and securely traded can be preserved. The aim is to protect the livelihoods of those engaged in the creative arts while safeguarding their contributions, which are forecast to generate $140 billion for the Australian economy by 2025. This initiative will also place Australia at the forefront of cybersecurity technology applications and prevent rising fraud in the wider copyright industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Innovative metamaterial magnetorheological technology for mining machines. Hard-rock mining machines have been identified as the next generation mining technology, which will finally replace the traditional drill and blast method to increase productivity and mitigate dangerous working conditions. This project aims to develop innovative metamaterial magnetorheological elastomer joints for a typical hard-rock mining machine to improve the mining efficiency by reducing the vibration. The findings and outcomes of this research will advance the knowledge and practice of hard-rock mining machines in Australia. The success of this project will significantly increase mining productivity and reduce human injury Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering The $202 billion Australian mining industry is significant for our economic prosperity, sustaining 75% of exports, 10.4% of the economy and 1.1 million jobs. Mining processes have traditionally used drill and blast methods, but these have safety risks, are less cost-effective, and harmful to the environment. Next generation semi-autonomous mining equipment can overcome this by utilising remotely operated hard rock cutting machines to increase the safety and efficiency of the mining process. Vibration of such machinery needs to be addressed as it restricts mining efficiency and potentially induces mechanical failures. This project, with industry partners, will use metamaterial and magnetorheological technologies to solve this challenge. Overcoming the vibration issues will allow for this new cutting technology to be implemented across Australia’s mining industry to create safer, more cost effective and less environmentally harmful mining. This will place Australia at the international forefront of innovative mining equipment manufacturing and design.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

High Efficiency Electrochemical Cells. This project will study a recently developed, energy efficient ‘capillary-fed’ electrochemical cell architecture in the facilitation of various electro-energy and electro-synthetic transformations. The new cell architecture will be examined as a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and as a cell for extracting pure hydrogen from a 5-10% mixture of hydrogen in methane (natural gas), amongst others. The work seeks to improve upon the electrochemical performance of the best commercial and academic cells of such types, if possible. In increasing the efficiency with which renewable electricity can be converted into renewable hydrogen and back, this project will support the national priority of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) Hydrogen strategies for net-zero carbon emissions aim to leverage the natural advantages of Australia in solar and wind to generate renewable electricity that will be converted to ‘green’ hydrogen in large-scale, as an energy-dense renewable fuel. A key enabler of such initiatives is the development of electrochemical cells/cell architectures that are capable of efficiently transforming renewable electricity into green hydrogen and back. This project will contribute to such initiatives by examining and optimising the reverse of these processes with a new cell architecture that has already demonstrated high energy efficiency in the production of green hydrogen from renewable electricity. The cell will be studied for efficient conversion of green hydrogen into renewable electricity. The Australian industry partner has expressed an interest in commercialising new technology deriving from this project, supporting the development of an Australian led low-cost renewable energy economy that will stimulate economic growth and facilitate decarbonisation.