MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Investigation of the molecular machinery enabling phage to enter bacteria. This project aims at a comprehensive understanding of the architecture of a biological nanomachine, called a phage, through broad-reaching investigation into how the component parts to work together to function in attacking bacteria. The discovery project takes the foundation knowledge of each of the component parts, builds a conceptual framework using breakthrough technology to address the precise architecture of the component parts within the nanomachine. The project aims to expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability in the research frontier of nanomachines. This ground-breaking research program provides unique training opportunities for research students and staff in projects driving frontier technology applications. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology In industries spanning from food processing to health, bacterial residues on machinery and devices causes both economic loss and disease leading companies to deploy phage (viruses that kill bacteria) to solve this problem. However, substantial gaps in our knowledge base about phage limit their effectiveness in industrial and health settings as well as the development of new applications. This project will isolate phages from local waterways in collaboration with Traditional Owners and deploy Australian national infrastructure for nanoscale imaging of phage to predict how stable they will be in industrial settings, and biological assays to determine how to maximize their potency in killing bacteria. The intellectual property and knowhow generated in the project will underpin the use of phage in biotechnological applications which could unlock substantial economic and commercial benefit for Australian and international companies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Next-generation maps and models of the human brain. This project aims to develop a new framework for understanding how the anatomy of the brain shapes its function and influences individual differences in human behaviour. The project expects to develop innovative methods for mapping and modelling human brain function by combining techniques from neuroscience, physics, informatics, psychology, and genetics. Expected outcomes include new tools for analysing brain imaging data, new models of brain structure and function, an understanding of how genes shape brain architecture, and a comprehensive characterization of how individual differences in brain organization relate to behaviour. These outcomes should benefit our understanding of how the brain works and of the biological basis of behaviour. Field of research: 5202 - Biological Psychology Understanding the human brain is one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. It is essential to promote healthy development and ageing, and to better treat psychiatric and neurological disorders, which cost the Australian economy billions each year. This Fellowship contributes significantly to this endeavour by developing a new framework for understanding some of the fundamental mechanisms that shape human brain function and behaviour. It will also deliver new analysis tools for robustly mapping the human brain and for training the next generation of brain scientists. These analysis and training tools will be released as freely available software, ensuring widespread impact and adoption by diverse teams in both science and industry aiming to unlock the mysteries of the brain, to develop strategies for optimal development and ageing, and to ultimately discover new diagnostics and therapeutics for brain disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and autism.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

High-frequency Estimation of Term Structure Models at the Zero Lower Bound. This project aims to quantify monetary policy shocks as shifts of the entire term structure of interest rates, when the central bank’s policy rate is constrained at the near-zero level. The proposed method will use a high-dimensional panel of high frequency government bond data. The term structure and resultant policy shocks estimated at intra-day frequencies for major economies including Australia, will be made publicly available. This project expects to deepen our understanding of how monetary policy decisions affect the macroeconomy in a near-zero interest-rate environment. This should provide significant benefits to policymakers for implementing and monitoring monetary policy in achieving desired economic outcomes. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics The term structure of interest rates describes the relationship between interest rates and terms to maturity for government bonds. Given that short-term interest rates are constrained at the near-zero level in major economies, the shift of the entire term structure can play a vital role in macroeconomic and financial analyses, especially in assessing the efficacy of monetary policy. This project will provide high-frequency (e.g. hourly) term structure estimates for Australia, among other selected economies, freely available for public use. In a near-zero interest rate environment, changes in the long-end of the term structure contain critical information on the stance of monetary policy, as well as market's expectation on the future path of short-term interest rates. By examining how monetary policies interact with financial markets and real economic activity through the term structure models, this project offers a new set of tools to the Reserve Bank of Australia for implementing and monitoring monetary policy decisions in order to safeguard the Australian economy against recession and inflation risk.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Medium temperature electrolysis for low-cost carbon dioxide utilization. Carbon dioxide is a notorious greenhouse gas. Its capture, and subsequent storage or utilization, is a major focus not only for researchers, but also for governments trying to meet their obligations of the Paris Agreement on climate change and for industries managing their legal and social responsibilities. This project aims to develop commercially viable medium temperature electrolysers to convert carbon dioxide into value added chemicals using electricity from renewable sources. New design principles will be developed to generate highly active and selective catalysts with long-term stability. These electrolyzers will be integrated with carbon capture technologies to directly utilize captured carbon dioxide with high energy efficiency. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) Sustainable technologies focused on using carbon dioxide are essential for addressing the world’s energy crisis and mitigating global warming. Those based on electrochemical solutions are highly attractive since valued added chemicals can be generated from carbon dioxide and water directly, using renewable electricity. However, current technologies are inefficient, expensive, or lack long-term stability, and hence are not suitable for large-scale commercial applications. In this project, world-leading expertise in the areas of electrocatalysis and thermal catalysis will be leveraged to develop medium temperature electrolysers that are efficient and stable. These electrolysers will be ultimately integrated with carbon dioxide capture processes for industrial scale applications. The expected long-term benefit is a reduction in dangerous levels of carbon dioxide emissions, leading to improved environmental health. This significant advance in the field is expected to result in benefits, both environmental and economic, for Australian and overseas chemical industry and renewable energy sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Endocrine disruption in wildlife: a sexual selection perspective . The Project aims to uncover how environmental pollution by hormone-mimicking chemicals affects wildlife behaviour, reproductive performance, and offspring viability. Through an integrative approach that combines multigenerational laboratory studies with an experimental evolution perspective, the Project expects to yield important insights into the pervasive influence of chemical contaminants on biological systems, and the capacity for animals to adapt to environments degraded by human activity. Findings will enable predictions of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic change, and contribute new knowledge relevant to the management of Australia’s biodiversity and the security of its sensitive freshwater resources. Field of research: 0602 - Ecology Research into how chemical pollutants affect animal reproduction is crucial for understanding whether and how wildlife adapt to environments impacted by human activity. This Project offers benefits through new fundamental science concerning the effects of hormone-mimicking pollutants, known as endocrine disruptors. Such pollutants are now ubiquitous in the environment, and are a serious threat to wildlife and human health worldwide. By focussing on the long-term population health and reproductive impacts on fish, which play a central role in the functioning and stability of aquatic ecosystems, the Project is expected to yield important insights that are translatable for better management of Australia’s biodiversity and freshwater assets. Given mounting pressures on our sensitive water resources and the unique organisms these systems support, it is strategically important to conduct research towards defining the impacts of endocrine disruptors in the environment – both in Australia and globally.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Investigating non-canonical RNA processing in developing spermatids. RNA combines the information content of DNA and the physical properties of proteins. These features mean it's emerging as a major player for new knowledge; for answers to fundamental questions in biology, and for applications in biotechnology. This project aims to understand how non-canonical RNA processing events control gene expression. How mRNA is processed post-transcriptionally for selective storage, translation, stabilisation or decay to control development. RNA-driven processes program morphogenesis and differentiation of spermatids, but via mechanisms only poorly understood. Uncovering the function of extensive cytoplasmic polyadenylation, which is essential for murine fertility, may fuel the next wave of RNA biotech applications. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics RNA biology is a critical molecule at the interface of biology and biotechnology. RNA has been relegated as 'too hard' for too long. Because it holds more complicated information encryption that DNA; and its structure is less easily accessible than Protein, classical biochemistry and biotechnology initiatives have been slow to fully capitalise on its potential. Yet, a has become clear in the rush to develop vaccines to COVID_19, and in the CRISPR gene editing revolution that is still unfolding, RNA biology is ripe for further breakthrough discoveries that can be leveraged for future therapeutics, biotechnologies and clean chemistry. This proposal is for the study of RNA in developing sperm, where the work has direct relevance for the control of animal fertility and an indirect knowledge base for the understanding of human reproductive health. Because sperm development in mammals occurs in a processed programmed exclusively by RNA, this area is ripe for new discoveries with the potential to feed into novel biotech applications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Optimal shapes in geometry and physics: Isoperimetry in modern analysis. This project will find the best isoperimetric shapes in curved spaces: shapes that optimise geometric or analytic quantities, such as the volume enclosed by a surface of a given area, or the resonant frequency of a drum of given area. The optimal shapes lead to tools that are widely used in differential equations, geometric analysis, statistical physics, probability theory, and quantum computing. Through this work, we will forge connections between the geometry of curved spaces, and the physics of operators therein. The significant benefits of this project include increasing fundamental mathematical knowledge, building capacity in Australia’s world-class geometric analysis community, and strong links with international partners. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics This proposal contributes to society and its culture by supporting internationally significant mathematical research. Australia is a world leader in the area of geometric partial differential equations, and this project will consolidate this reputation. This area is one of the most exciting research fields in modern pure mathematics, recognised with several recent Fields medals (the "Nobel prize of mathematics"). We investigate familiar quantities such as area and volume, but in the challenging setting of curved spaces. It has significant real-world applications because it studies equations arising from the laws of physics (for example, the heat equation). The results of this proposal have the potential to transfer into applications by modelling physical, environmental, engineering and economic processes, with specific applications including models of phase transitions, fire-front propagation, and image analysis; and theoretical applications in quantum computing. This project contributes to the research training of PhD students and postdocs, thus developing the nation's skilled workforce.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Toward a Female Stoic Tradition: Women's Writings in England, 1600-1800. This project aims to investigate the neglected history of women’s engagement with Stoic ideas in early modern England. It expects to generate new knowledge of a distinctive strand of women’s Stoic thought by taking a novel interdisciplinary approach to different genres of early modern writing. The intended outcomes include a new understanding of women’s valuable contributions to philosophy, literature, and politics in the period, as well as a greater appreciation of the gender-inclusivity of Stoic philosophy. This should provide significant benefits, such as the development of Stoic therapeutic techniques informed by women’s experiences, and the promotion of gender equality through the recognition of women’s intellectual history. Field of research: 2202 - History and Philosophy of Specific Fields Experts have noted a rise in mental health problems in Australian society as a result of COVID-19 and especially an increase in women seeking help for anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Through its public outreach efforts and promotion of Stoic therapeutic techniques for women, this project will contribute to Australia’s collective efforts to address the mental health costs of the pandemic and other crises. The project should also reap cultural benefits for Australian society by demonstrating how women made valuable historical contributions to the development of political and philosophical ideas still in currency today. Recent global reports have shown that Australia is falling behind other countries in terms of the promotion of gender equality. Our project will help to further promote gender-equality and gender-inclusivity in Australia by bringing timely recognition to women's strong intellectual, literary, and political past.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Developing macrophage-based technologies for tissue regeneration. Different tissues show distinct regenerative capacities with an organism and across the phylogeny. What underlies this diversity in regenerative ability at cellular and molecular level is far from clear. Building on foundational discoveries in zebrafish, this study seeks to determine if this capacity could, in part, be explained through the properties of a component of the innate immune system, the macrophage, which preliminary data shows generates a transient pro-regenerative muscle stem cell niche in zebrafish. This study will determine if macrophage subtypes acts to coordinate regeneration in other tissues and systems and if a programable pro-regenerative cell can be made in vitro that stimulate regeneration in different settings. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This project seeks to unlock one of the holy grails of regenerative biology; why some organisms and tissues can regenerate and some cannot? Specifically, the project will uncover the role of the innate immune system in coordinating regenerative capacity across different species. Knowledge and valuable intellectual property generated in cellular production and biotechnology, will underpin a new and growing industry in Australia: synthetic cellular biology. This nascent industry seeks to manufacture and control cellular plasticity, with downstream improvements in both veterinary and human health. An understanding of the factors secreted by these cells, for example, or new production methods to create these cells to deliver products in cell therapy, could one day be used in a wide variety of regenerative and biomedical applications.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The research outcomes will be tested in the design and control of lump charging operations in practice through collaboration with the industrial partner. This will ultimately increase Australian ore lump usage in BFs, leading to significant financial and environmental benefits to Australia and the entire steel industry worldwide. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering (1) The outcomes of this project expect to substantially increase Australian ore lump exports by developing an effective platform to guide direct use in ironmaking blast furnaces. (2) The direct lump use help cut the massive cost for constructing, running, and maintaining sinter and pellet plants, leading to unmeasurable financial and environmental benefits to Australia and the entire steel industry worldwide. (3) The project outcomes, such as theories, models, and knowledge, will be valuable intellectual assets for Australia, helping position Australia at the forefront of this field that is of paramount importance to modern industries in this country. (4) The project will train young research scientists and/or qualified engineers to meet the continuous challenges in innovation, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement in Australia’s iron ore industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem. This project aims to investigate the economic and sociocultural impact of community music radio. It seeks to generate new knowledge about the detailed relationships between community music radio stations and the Australian music industry, documenting for the first time national activities and infrastructures. Anticipated outcomes include the identification of policies and strategies to improve the audibility and visibility of Australian music domestically and on global digital platforms; providing a new model for evaluating both economic and sociocultural outputs of creative industries; and building the music-media ecosystem as a vital component of the Australian creative industries. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies Community music radio delivers a diverse range of music programs to Australians in many regional and urban locations. It also plays a vital role in the Australian music-media ecosystem in promoting artists and local music economies. This project examines the economic and cultural value of community music radio to the Australian creative economy. It will assist both the community music radio sector and music industries in building infrastructure; providing Australian content on digital music platforms; and maintaining community music radio’s ‘incubator’ role for the Australian music industry. The project will produce a nationwide database, case studies and reports to inform industry and policy development as part of Partner Organisations’ creative digital strategies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A novel physical-digital approach for the assessing a large critical asset. This project aims to deliver an artificial intelligence-enabled decision-making tool to maintain and manage the floating covers of vast lagoons that treat raw sewage. The cover harvests the biogas released from the anaerobic digestion of sewage for electric power generation that exceeds the plant’s requirement. The approach involves an innovative thermographic technique and exploits transfer learning to adapt neural networks trained on lab-scale and synthetic data to field implementation. The outcome is a machine learning framework to optimise biogas harvesting and renewable energy generation, and to avoid structural failure, that is capable of continuous improvement to take into account improved data and/or modelling capabilities. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering This project aims to deliver an artificial intelligence-enabled decision-making tool to maintain and manage the floating covers of reactors that treat raw sewage. These covers are designed to create an airtight environment for the anaerobic digestion of sewage by bacteria. This process releases methane-rich biogas that is harvested to generate renewable energy that is more than sufficient for the plant’s requirement, with excess electricity exported to the grid. An unexpected failure of these covers can be very costly, both in terms of replacement costs that exceed $20m, due to the bespoke design and vast size that exceeds four times the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as well as lost energy production valued at $8m per year, and a very detrimental environmental impact due to the release of foul-smelling, potent greenhouse gas. The expected benefits will include the creation of machine learning framework designed for continuous learning and improvement that strives to optimise biogas harvesting and renewable energy generation, and to safe-guard the structural integrity of critical assets.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Advancing Australia’s hospitality industry through interactive food. This project aims to develop the first framework for the design of interactive food to advance Australia’s hospitality industry. The project expects to co-develop with restaurateurs and chefs interactive sounds, smells and tastes technologies that enable them to create novel eating out experiences and evaluate diners’ reactions. The expected outcome is an easy-to-use toolkit (comprising a software suite and low-cost sensors) that can be readily incorporated into hospitality operations. This should provide significant benefits, such as enticing people to go out and visit restaurants, supporting some of Australia’s 600,000 hospitality jobs while fostering Australia’s innovative food culture. Field of research: 0806 - Information Systems This research will produce the world’s first understanding of how to incorporate interactive technology as an additional ingredient into restaurant eating and drinking experiences. It will support Australia’s hospitality industry (8% of Australian jobs) to offer experiences people cannot get at home. In doing so, this project will equip restaurateurs and chefs with the ability to use interactive technology as a unique selling point to entice more people to go out, reviving Australia’s challenged hospitality industry (worth $24 billion to the economy) and elevating its standing as a global food and tourist destination. In addition, it will facilitate collaboration between technology developers and the hospitality sector, supporting the digital media and creative sectors. In the longer term, knowledge gains from this work will also support the meaningful evaluation of multisensory interventions such as digital food campaigns, which helps enhance campaign efficacy and assist government organisations and wellbeing advocates to create better interventions that positively affect what and how people eat and drink.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

High-value functional ingredients from bean processing waste. Legumes are considered highly nutritious and sustainable food. Accordingly, there is a steady growth in the consumption of legumes worldwide, including in Australia. Due to lengthy soaking and cooking times, consumers prefer ready-to-eat canned legumes. The current processing technologies are energy and water-intensive and generate considerable waste. This project investigates the application of non-thermal technologies to reduce processing time, water and energy use and enable the recovery of valuable polyphenols and soluble dietary fibres normally lost in the wastewater. This knowledge will lead to sustainable beans processing, delivering improved productivity to Australian manufacturers and quality food to Australian consumers. Field of research: 0908 - Food Sciences The diverse agro-climatic zones across Australia have produced a wide array of high-quality legumes for human consumption. Legumes are considered one of the world’s most nutritious and sustainable crops, and their demand is steadily increasing in Australia and worldwide. However, current legume processing technologies are inefficient in terms of resource consumption and waste generation. This project aims to demonstrate the value of novel non-thermal technologies to save water and energy for the legume processing industry and valorise the wasted functional components such as polyphenols and prebiotic soluble dietary fibres. The recovered nutrients have great potential for the nutraceutical and infant food formula industries. Recovering the nutrients from wastewater reduces the burden on the environment, the cost to the manufacturer and could provide additional revenue. The application of novel technologies and valorisation of waste gives the Australian legume processing industry a competitive edge, benefitting the economy and improving sustainability.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Building Australia's Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Infrastructure. This project aims to enhance the resilience, safety, and efficiency of electricity grids operated with fast-charging Electric Vehicles (EVs) by developing new control and optimisation frameworks. This project expects to develop new robust controllers for EV fast-charging infrastructure operated in coordination with wind and solar generated electricity. Expected project outcomes include enabling fast-charge EV infrastructure to be developed and deployed in Australia by the industry partner SwitchDin. Expected benefits including enabling significant reduction in carbon emissions from the transportation sector, accelerating the energy transition to renewables, and placing Australian industry at the forefront of EV grid integration technology. Field of research: 0913 - Mechanical Engineering Australia is on the verge of a rapid take up of electric vehicles (EVs). This provides opportunities for Australian industries to provide fast-charging solutions that enable maximum use of these vehicles. However, these fast-charging stations must be operated in a way that maintains the integrity and resilience of the electricity grid and provides convenience to EV consumers. This project will develop new control and optimisation algorithms that enable the robust, real world operation of smart electrical grids with integrated EV fast-charging capabilities along with a high proportion of renewable and distributed energy resources. The proposed physical pilot demonstration of the 'Droplet' technology with Australian-based company SwitchDin will provide a feasibility test of the technology ahead of an Australian-wide roll-out. Australian industry will benefit from the prospect of enhanced EV charging capabilities and corresponding opportunities for manufacturing and job growth. Australian consumers will enjoy more efficient, reliable use of their EVs on a stable and resilient electricity grid.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Precision Pollination: Data-driven enhancements to boost crop yield. The project aims to transform industrial crop pollination from an intuitive domain to one where decisions are based on sound data and best-practice principles. It proposes to achieve this modernisation of global pollination practice by developing novel technologies to operate a three-stage loop: honeybee pollination monitoring, simulation-based forecasting, and management. This is intended to ensure that the capability of honeybees to provide essential ecosystem services is informed by transferable, standardised data acquisition and management techniques that maintain bee health and maximise pollination. The anticipated outcomes are higher fruit yields and quality, and a beneficial step-change in industry productivity and profitability. Field of research: 0703 - Crop and Pasture Production The project tackles industrial fruit production, protected cropping and pollination. As crops move indoors away from extreme weather, greenhouse culture is Australia's fastest growing food producing sector (>60% p.a., value $1.6B p.a.). For fruit production under cover, pollination is essential, but problematic, since honeybees operate poorly indoors. Outcomes of poor pollination are poor fruit yield and quality – issues that must urgently be addressed for food security and profitability. We address this need and the national research priority for enhanced food production through novel technologies (sensors and real-time data systems). Our partners, the Australian Blueberry Growers Association and Costa Group, include the national body representing 95% of Australia's blueberry industry and Australia’s largest supplier of fruit and vegetables to supermarkets. Hence, our project directly and broadly benefits national fruit production and pollination under cover. With these nation-wide stakeholders we will address pollination issues through new technology for bee monitoring, forecasting and management.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling. This Research Hub aims to develop technologies to transform carbon dioxide emissions from our energy and manufacturing sectors into valuable products and create pathways to market to drive industry transformation. This hub aims to achieve this by developing novel electro, thermo, and biochemical methods for converting CO2 from sectors that cannot easily avoid emissions and a technological pathway for CO2 recycling. The outcomes of this Hub are likely to be transformative for industry, the economy, and society in moving the fate of CO2 from pollutant to feedstock. The benefits to Australia are intended to be the stimulation of a new industry, a skilled workforce for this emerging industry and a contribution to meeting CO2 reduction targets. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering This Hub is a collaboration of universities and industry to develop technologies for harvesting CO2 emissions and creating valuable products. We intend to create pathways for CO2 recycling and develop the markets for our products. Emissions from gas processing and chemical manufacturing industries equate to over 100 Mt CO2-e/year. By converting these emissions into products, our research platforms aims to help the Australian industries meet emission reduction targets and create a new and emerging industry in carbon dioxide-derived products. This research hub aligns closely with the Technology Roadmap, providing technology and market pathways for carbon capture and utilisation. Production of premium "green" CO2 based products and stimulation of a local market for these products may provide an economic pathway for new industries to compete on the global stage. It may also provide new export potential for the chemicals industry. The research programs outlined in this proposal aims to stimulate jobs and growth in a new emerging industry, estimated to have a global value of over $1 trillion by 2050.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

3-D Printed Catalytic Monoliths for Energy Efficient Carbon Conversion. Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) is an essential pathway for reducing carbon in the Earth's atmosphere. However a major hurdle in the carbon utilisation part is that the conversion technologies often rely on energy derived from fossil sources. Electrification of carbon conversion processes can overcome this hurdle by providing this energy via renewables. This project aims to develop an electrically powered energy efficient catalytic process for carbon conversion. A modular 3-D printed monolithic catalytic reactor prototype powered by induction or resistive heating will be developed to minimise energy loss in the carbon conversion process. An expected outcome of this project is translation of this prototype in a CCU pilot scale facility. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from natural gas processing in Australia is on the rise due to increased global gas demand, which is supplied from our shores. This project is aimed at developing technologies for utilising this CO2 to make syngas (CO+H2), a platform chemical for the production of wide range of chemicals. We aim to achieve this by developing 3-D printed monolithic catalysts which will be electrically heated using renewable energy. This new technology will replace the energy which is otherwise be provided via natural gas combustion. Therefore, this project has the potential to eliminate the CO2 emissions from the conversion process and add value to the CO2 captured from natural gas processing. This may help the Australian industries, especially LNG companies, meet the Net-Zero targets by 2050, while creating value for these companies by providing a pathway for revenue generation from a new and emerging circular carbon economy. This project aligns closely with the Technology Investment Roadmap by developing a novel Australian technology for carbon capture and utilisation for chemicals production.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Smart Irrigation: integrating UAV soil moisture maps & variable rate sprays. This project will develop a state-of-the-art precision irrigation system for optimising water use and crop yield. Specifically, a novel UAV soil moisture mapping system based on passive microwave satellite remote sensing technology at L-band will be developed for near-surface soil moisture mapping at accuracies and spatial scales currently not attainable. These soil moisture maps will then be merged with irrigation water delivery models to calibrate for spatial variation in soil properties and/or correct errors in spatial variation of rainfall and evapotranspiration inputs. Ultimately the water balance predictions will be used for implementation of variable rate irrigation control at scales hitherto unattainable. Field of research: 0909 - Geomatic Engineering Irrigated agriculture uses about 60% of the water available for human use. This project will develop new technologies aiming at smarter use of irrigation water to better manage water resources and improve agricultural productivity. The project will integrate new technologies in soil moisture remote sensing (including drones) with soil monitoring and prediction platforms to give farmers and land managers access to the soil moisture data they need for daily land management decision-making. The application of these technologies will have economic and environmental benefits such that the available water can be optimised for food production, contributing to a more resilient and environmentally sustainable agricultural sector that is better prepared for climate change, and the food production challenges of the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Three-dimensional Bayesian Modelling of Geological and Geophysical data. The project aims to develop technologies enabling rapid informed decision-making related to the management of natural resources, including critical metals, copper and water. This new technology will support a greener future, securing our energy future, our access to clean water and reduce the mining footprint. Expected outcomes include an enhanced capability in interoperable, integrated three-dimensional geological and geophysical modelling in order to predictively characterise sub-surface geology. The outcome will be an open-source forecasting dashboard enabling decision making while considering underlying risk related to resource extractions and management with significant benefits to the Australian society (lower emissions, clean water). Field of research: 0403 - Geology Australia is rich in underground natural resources. This project will improve our ability to discover new subsurface resources, and make better decisions regarding their ongoing management. The project will develop interoperable 3D geological modelling tools to add significant value to data held by taxpayer- funded Geological Survey organisations and facilitate the management of Australia's subsurface resources, including critical metals and water . A key output from the project will be an open-source platform, available to industry and decision & policy makers, and the public. This platform will improve resources assessment, management and exploitation, and will underpin urban management decisions related to subsurface geology so that our underground resources are managed sustainably.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

New universality in stochastic systems. This project aims to uncover new analyses and effects in the complex behaviour of non-linear systems with random noise. Many systems originate near an unstable equilibrium. This project will develop a new mathematical theory that establishes a universality in the way the long term effect of noise expresses itself as random initial conditions in the dynamics. It will fill gaps in Mathematics and make refinements to existing fundamental scientific laws by including random initial conditions as predicted by our theory. This will advance our understanding of complex systems subjected to noise and will provide significant benefits in the scientific discoveries in Biology, Ecology, Physics and other Sciences where such systems are frequently met. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics The project will develop a new universal paradigm that will yield considerable advances in the understanding of the complex behaviour of many biological and physical phenomena. Mathematically the project will break new grounds in establishing universality in the behaviour of many complex systems with noise and in explaining their development and evolution from their birth to their establishment after a long time. The new mathematical results are important across a broad range of disciplines, from computer science, to physics, to biology. Applications include growth of DNA, establishment of mutants, development of tumours, epidemic models, as well as many other models in science. This will lead to concrete practical benefits. The new universal paradigm will also lead to the development of new techniques for extracting information from the distant past and predicting the future developments of such complex systems.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2021 · 2021-06

Emerging techniques for earlier diagnosis and assessment of severity and... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2021 · 2021-06

Emerging techniques for earlier diagnosis and assessment of severity and... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Outbound Chinese social media platforms and platform governance . This project aims to investigate outbound Chinese social media platforms such as TikTok and the regulatory issues they raise. Chinese platforms are rapidly expanding in Australia and globally, yet they are poorly regulated, leading to the circulation of inappropriate and illegal content. This project expects to advance policy knowledge of the overseas operations of Chinese platforms, their self-regulatory measures, and external regulatory options. Expected outcomes of the project include improved understanding of the policy and regulatory implications of outbound Chinese platforms. Expected benefits include suitable policy advice on regulation of these platforms in Australia, targeted at reducing public exposure to harmful content. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies Chinese social media platforms are rapidly expanding globally. There is some concern that these platforms are poorly regulated and permit content that may be illegal and/or damaging to the public and democracy. This project investigates how Chinese social media platforms are operating outside of China. Using increasingly popular short-video social media platforms such as TikTok as the focus of the research, the project examines how these companies self-regulate content. Gaps in current governmental and industry regulations relevant to these platforms will also be highlighted, and potential regulatory improvements identified. The project results will benefit Australia by providing insights that could guide policy makers and regulators in developing more effective regulatory frameworks and guidance for content developers. In so doing, the project offers insights into better ways of protecting the public from inappropriate content.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Hydrogen carbon waste into concrete: AI assisted nanoscience approach. The carbon waste from hydrogen production will be converted into carbon nanosheets on abundant construction materials for the creation of stronger and more durable concrete. Cutting-edge nanoscience-based experiments, as well as sophisticated modelling techniques including machine learning and finite element modelling, will be employed. The findings will drive advances in clean hydrogen production, carbon waste utilisation, cement hydration, nanotechnology and concrete technology for the next generation of an upskilled workforce and the promotion of a circular economy. This project will be carried out in collaboration with Australian and international renowned experts in computational modelling, nanomaterials and concrete materials. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering The project will facilitate utilisation of carbon waste from hydrogen production in high-performance concrete materials by exploiting emerging nanotechnology, developing clean hydrogen production and cost-effective manufacture of construction material. The project will (a) create new revenue streams for the hydrogen industry to support hydrogen economy as well as the cement and concrete industry; (b) promote a circular economy with improved carbon waste utilisation and reduced greenhouse gas emission; (c) empower the workforce with the cutting-edge skills; and (d) develop new job opportunities. The newly developed concept will lead to clean hydrogen production with the utilisation of carbon waste promoting a circular economy, as well as superior advanced concrete infrastructure and building construction applications, especially observing stringent requirements for infrastructure materials in national strategic development plans.