RMIT University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Preventing Exfiltration of Sensitive Data by Malicious Insiders or Malwares. Data exfiltration is a serious threat as highlighted in recent leakage of sensitive data that resulted in huge economic losses as well as unprecedented breaches of national security. The aim of this project is to develop a comprehensive and robust solution for detection and prevention of sensitive data exfiltration attempts by malware and unauthorised human users. Expected outcomes include scalable monitoring methods and efficient algorithms that will be able to prevent real-time exfiltration and identify previously undetected exfiltration of sensitive data. This should provide significant benefits to governments, defence networks as well as businesses and health sectors, as it will protect them from sophisticated cyber attacks. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy Unauthorised data extraction from a computer, or data exfiltration, is a serious problem which may have catastrophic effects on businesses, governments and other organisations possessing sensitive data. Recent outbreaks of ransomware are some examples of new data exfiltration-based attacks for the purpose of financial gain. Not only are attack methods becoming increasingly sophisticated, but most of the advanced hacking is conducted by state-sponsored hackers. This project will develop innovative solutions to detect sensitive data leakage in computer systems, caused by unauthorised human users, as well as hidden malicious software that existing detection engines fail to identify under certain circumstances. The outcome of this project will be models, methods and software solutions that will help secure the data of government and intelligence agencies, defence networks as well as businesses and health sectors. Industry workshops, through the Cremone Digital Hub (where RMIT is one of the contributors), will be conducted to help small-to-medium enterprises protect their data and systems from cyber-security threats.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Liquid Metal Interfaces – A Novel Platform for Catalysis. This project aims to develop the basic design principles that govern the performance of liquid metal alloy catalysts for the methane pyrolysis reaction and manufacturing of ammonia. The project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the reaction dynamics occurring at the gas-liquid metal interface under true working conditions and the composition-catalytic activity relationships of multi-component liquid alloy catalysts through a combined experimental and computational/theoretical approach. The expected outcomes are new liquid metal alloys that open the gateway to a new dimension of catalytic applications. The project should benefit Australia’s key societal challenges of emissions reduction, hydrogen storage and food security. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry This project will develop new materials to address two critical problems that our society is facing: greenhouse gas emissions and food security. Modern agriculture is dependent on the production of ammonia, a chemical ingredient for manufacturing fertilisers. However, producing ammonia requires hydrogen and a lot of energy, leading to the release of vast amounts of carbon dioxide. This project will create new systems for manufacturing ammonia and hydrogen, making Australia less reliant on international supply chains. Importantly, our methods are capable of producing hydrogen from natural gas without emitting any carbon dioxide. Our novel approach utilises metals that are liquid at room temperature and that are capable of making ammonia production more efficiently. This will help Australia to meet its ambitious climate targets. The results from this project will be adopted by the fertiliser production industry by being incorporated into existing manufacturing processes, while also offering new ways to produce clean hydrogen that can be used to help decarbonise the transport sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Corrosion triggered self-passivation of magnesium alloys . This project aims to sustainably protect magnesium alloys from aqueous corrosion in engineering services through an unprecedented self-passivation mechanism (analogues to stainless steel). This project is expected to generate new knowledge in the area of passivation mechanisms for magnesium alloys in corrosive environments through high-throughput screening and in-situ corrosion characterisation at atomic scale. This should provide significant benefits, such as enabling the debut of a scientific strategy to transform the magnesium alloy market with respect to end use (such as electric car industry), energy composition and emissions, which has significant industrial interest as it will provide new opportunities to minimise carbon footprint. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The use of alternative energy sources (such as hybrid, or electricity) driven cars alleviates some of the environmental impact of using fossil fuels on global warming, but these technologies continue to require light materials to maintain fuel efficiency. This project promises to boost the implementation of magnesium alloys (the lightest engineering metal) in the transport industry through inventing a self-passivation strategy to manage the corrosion challenge, which is high on the agenda in magnesium-works globally. The expected outcomes include a feasible self-passivation strategy to trigger and regulate the electrochemical responses upon magnesium alloys in corrosive environments through high-throughput screening and in-situ corrosion characterisation at the atomic scale. New understanding of self-passivation will enhance the commercialisation of light-weighted magnesium alloys across the aerospace, automotive, infrastructure, and energy industries. In addition, the role of light metals research in Australia remains a high national priority with regards to value adding our natural resources, subsidising carbon emission, maintaining the lead in development of advanced materials, and building up excellence in light metals research in relation to both fundamental and practical aspects for which Australia holds an enviable track record.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Room Temperature High Energy Density Sodium-Sulfur Batteries. The project aims to boost room temperature sodium sulfur batteries (RT-NaSBs) with low cost and high energy density based on the insight understanding of “structure (atomic and electronic levels) - performance” relationship between sodium polysulfides, electrolytes, and electrocatalysts, which is a critical but rarely understood in developing a broader family of sulfur redox reaction electrocatalysts. The mechanisms discovered and electrocatalytic materials rationally designed in this project will advance knowledge in fundamental science and engineering to strengthen national research capacity. The anticipated goal of the project is bringing RT-NaSBs from lab to fab, elevating Australia’s standing in Advanced Manufacturing priority. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering As Geoscience Australia observes, Australia’s solar radiation reception, at 58 petajoules per year, exceeds the total annual energy consumption by over 10,000 times. Despite this, Australia still faces significant energy challenges due to our reliance on fossil fuels and the exacerbations caused by unpredictable geopolitical conflicts. As we all know, the production of solar energy is limited by its intermittency, which is maximised by battery storage. This project addresses this problem by seeking to convert and store our abundant solar energy to chemical energy through low-cost and high energy density room temperature sodium sulfur battery systems (RT-NaSBs). The underlying focus on the ‘structure-performance’ relationship between sodium polysulfides, electrolytes, and electrocatalysts is a critical but little investigated question in developing a broad family of sulfur redox reaction electrocatalysts. The usual focus is on the nano-scale, however this project focuses instead on the more magnified electronic structures of this core relationship. The electrocatalysts developed in this project will advance knowledge in fundamental science and engineering, elevating our standing in Advanced Manufacturing and strengthening our national research capacity. The predicted cost-effectiveness of RT-NaSBs along with the natural abundance and non-toxicity of sodium and sulfur, has the potential to yield large-scale solar energy conversion through collaboration with industry partners.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Microfluidics to explore the uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells. This project aims to develop microfluidic technologies for generating lipid nanoparticles with customised properties and investigating their delivery to endothelial cells under various flow dynamics. The project expects to advance our fundamental knowledge of biophysical and biological mechanisms underlying the uptake of lipid nanoparticles by endothelial cells. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced delivery of nanoparticles to vessel walls. This should provide significant benefits, such as establishing a framework for designing future nano delivery systems, which would benefit Australian biotechnology industries. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering Nanoparticles have emerged as effective vehicles for delivering chemicals to cells. However, progress in the development and translation of nanoparticles is hampered by the limitation of the existing methods to examine the delivery of nanoparticles to blood vessel walls under the complex environment of blood vessels. To address this critical gap, this project will pioneer technology platforms to generate lipid nanoparticles with tailored properties and to test their delivery to endothelial cells under tailored flow conditions occurring in blood vessels in a systematic manner. The project will advance our fundamental knowledge of biological mechanisms governing the uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells. The fundamental discoveries and technologies made during this project will contribute to the future development of nano delivery systems. This will benefit the Australian biotechnology industries, leading to generating high-tech manufacturing capability, and creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs. This research and its commercial development through the Australian biotechnology industries will ensure our prosperity in this market. The research team will harness the power of traditional and social media to promote their research outcomes beyond academia and will attend industry events and organise workshops to engage with industry partners.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Deciphering lipid-RNA nanocarrier structure upon RNA complexation. This project aims to decipher the nanostructure evolution, at a millisecond timescale, of lipid self-assembly upon coupling with RNAs and track the nanocarrier structural changes induced by biologically relevant acidic environments. This project will generate new knowledge of the interplay between the self-assembled lipid-RNA nanostructures and cellular objects for successful payload release. The expected outcome of this project is identification of the fundamental mechanisms of lipid-RNA molecular self-assembly and intracellular nucleic acid delivery. This should provide significant advances in the field of lipid nanoparticle engineering for the delivery of RNA therapeutics. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as gene delivery vehicles are composed of multiple lipid components coupled with nucleic acid molecules, called complexes, with a typical size around 100 nm. The exact nanostructures of these complexes, and the dynamic structural evolution to the final state, can be complicated and are related to the ability to exert intended biological functions. This project aims to decipher the unknown nanostructures of lipids upon coupling with nucleic acids such as mRNA and DNA, as well as the structural change after entering the target cell’s acidic environment. Understanding the mechanisms of structural formation and their correlation with nucleic acid delivery to cells will lead to insights including the identification of fundamental lipid-nucleic acid molecular interaction mechanisms, nanoscale structural changes and kinetics, and intracellular trafficking mechanisms, which could lead to fast-tracked, rational engineering of future LNPs. This project aligns with Australia’s national interests to foster cutting-edge nanobiotechnology, combined with innovative usage of our national research infrastructure. Over a longer term, through more successful translation of LNP technology for delivery of genetic materials, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries may generate profound economic benefit and the final products may benefit our society in terms of improved quality of human life, animal health, and food security.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Data Privacy Protection in Wireless Sensor Networks. This project aims to explore a comprehensive solution for the protection of privacy-sensitive data in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that are vulnerable to hacking. The project expects to use an innovative approach involving multiple data servers to protect sensor data privacy from data collection to data access and analysis. Expected outcomes of this project include new security and privacy models for WSNs in the setting of multiple servers, new secure protocols, privacy-preserving access control and data analysis protocols, and a prototype of a privacy-preserving WSN system. This should provide significant benefits, such as improved security of sensitive data in the healthcare system, military, utilities and telecommunications. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a spatially distributed sensor network that collects data from remote locations and transmits it wirelessly to a central location. Data collected by WSNs, including physiological, consumption, and location data, are highly sensitive. Unauthorised disclosure can have serious consequences, potentially resulting in harm or loss of life. As such, safeguarding data in WSNs is of paramount importance. This project addresses a significant problem: how to protect privacy-sensitive data in WSN. The research outcomes will significantly enhance data privacy and security protection in WSNs, thereby promoting their wider applications. Notably, the body-worn WSNs can reduce hospital stays while maintaining constant contact with healthcare providers. This project ensures the secure transmission and storage of patient data in healthcare databases, benefitting the Australian government in cutting healthcare costs. WSNs can also provide real-time war pictures and better situational awareness, improving troop readiness and decreasing reaction time. This project's outcomes can secure military data transmission, benefiting the Australian government in cutting military costs. The outcomes will be translated to commercial products and deployed to various WSNs enabled services, such as a privacy-preserving WSN platform for healthcare services, ultimately contributing to a safer wireless sensor network infrastructure.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Two-dimensional nanomaterials for wearable zinc ion battery . The project aims to develop a new wearable battery system, based on advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with robust energy storage performance and lifespan, for industrial application across the rapidly emerging industries of health monitoring, movement tracking, and smart clothing. The project addresses the critical challenges of control functionalization of advanced 2D nanomaterials for developing wearable energy storage. The research outcomes are expected to result in a scalable approach, a variety of advanced 2D nanomaterials, and wearable new battery system, which will bring significant economic and environmental, social, and cultural benefits to Australia and the world. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering There is an urgent need for new materials and technologies to relieve the pressure from the ongoing depletion of fossil fuels and ever-growing energy demands. This project aims to design and develop wearable ‘solid-state zinc batteries’ – which is a type of battery that uses zinc and nano-sized materials to store and release energy with high efficiency. Unlike traditional batteries that use liquid electrolytes, wearable solid-state batteries use solid nano-sized materials to conduct electricity, which makes them safer and more efficient. They are commonly used in wearable devices – like health monitoring, movement tracking, and smart clothing – and are strong, long-lasting and environmentally friendly. Research project outcomes include new ideas in material manufacturing and the creation of low cost and safe batteries. These outcomes will support Australia’s economic development and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy resources for Australian industries. The research will be shared with industry and government to work together to commercialise the battery technology for wide-spread use across Australia. The team will also attend conferences and publish journal articles to communicate their research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Networks: New links between spectrum, dynamics, rewirings and applications. Modern network science has transformed the study of complex systems and led to innovations in many disciplines. This project intends to develop breakthrough theories for control of complex networked system behaviour via interventions of the link-rewiring type. New approaches will be developed for non-random, assortative and/or structured networks, which are poorly understood and difficult to deal with, despite being the real-world norm and despite their impact. The results will give new insights into epidemic outbreaks and their impact on vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly and indigenous), and provides methods to enforce resilience of infrastructure networks such as power grids, thereby providing significant economic and societal benefits. Field of research: 4901 - Applied Mathematics The project intends to solve problems that exist at the very foundations of network science, and thus has the possibility of putting Australia prominently and actively on the map in this rapidly growing field of science. The project has a focus on disease spreading in “networks of human contacts” and resilience of “infrastructure networks.” New theory will be presented to predict network properties of interest from their structure, and new methods of targeting interventions (adding/removing links) to amplify the desired behaviours in such systems. For critical infrastructure, e.g., power grids and communication networks, methods will be developed to target minimal rewiring (of transmission links) that guarantee the largest possible effect in preventing breakdowns due to failures, errors, and malicious attacks. Avoiding catastrophic failure of critical infrastructure via minimal investments can potentially bring significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia and its people. The focus on epidemics will provide new insights into mitigating outbreaks that spread rapidly through populations, with particular examination of vulnerable groups including the indigenous and elderly. The latter faced particularly difficult problems in Australia at the highest mortality rates during the COVID pandemic. Australian advances in these areas can help prepare for, or even prevent future hazards, and thus will be of considerable National Interest.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

The capacity for exceptional brain repair in a novel rodent species. This project aims to provide a new and much-needed living tool for studying brain injury and repair. The project expects to generate new evidence of effective brain repair in a mammalian species, the spiny mouse. In particular, it will provide important knowledge of the cellular responses that coordinate to allow mammalian brain repair, revealing targets for future understanding and treatment. Expected outcomes include an in-depth characterisation of how neurons and non-neuronal cells (glia) contribute to brain repair, and the identification of new pathways or targets for mammalian brain repair. In the long-term this should provide significant benefits for future research focused on improving the lives of people affected by brain injury. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences The adult mammalian brain is said to be incapable of healing from injury. This project aims to uncover the unique biological responses which enable brain repair in a mammal that has evolved non-typical healing responses in several other organs. In this project, we will create an advanced biological research tool with the potential to generate a blueprint of how effective mammalian brain repair can be achieved; we expect that this research tool will be adopted by other researchers to study brain regeneration but will also have applications for injury to other organs. As such, the project will generate (i) a new research tool and new knowledge to enhance the capacity for regeneration research in Australia, and (ii) a brain repair database, shared via a publicly hosted repository, which may be used by others to identify potential drug targets to improve outcomes for patients suffering brain injury, both with long-term economic and social benefits. The drug targets could also be adopted by the Australian pharmaceutical industry to develop new products and increase its international market share, expanding and creating new jobs, and stimulating commercial and economic growth. The project will also provide training to local researchers in processing complex biological data, bringing novel and sought-after expertise to Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

A novel precision-engineered microfluidic chip for wear particle research. This project aims to develop 1- novel protocols to generate clinically-relevant wear particles from spinal implants in-vitro and 2- a technological framework for the fabrication of a novel microfluidic 3D spinal implant-on-a-chip with tailored mechanical, material and biological properties. This will provide a cost-effective tool, currently unavailable, that allows investigation into the impact of wear particles on healthy spinal disc cells. We expect our technological framework to become an invaluable tool for biomedical engineers, biologists, and bio-engineers to work together and generate clinically relevant in-vitro data that supports optimisation for spinal implant design, fabrication, and safety. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering Intervertebral disc (IVD) provides crucial cushioning between vertebrae and absorbs pressure put on the spine. IVD damage, a common consequence of ageing and injuries, is the main source of back problems that often leads to spinal joint replacement. Because spinal implants are exposed to high load and a great range of motion, they generate large numbers of wear particles, causing inflammation and pain. While there are major concerns that wear particles may damage adjacent healthy IVDs, a strategy to fully understand their impact on healthy IVD biology is currently lacking. Significant research seeking to address this challenge has long been hindered by (1) the absence of a reliable IVD platform that mimics the complex biology of natural IVD and (2) a lack of protocol to generate spinal wear particles in laboratory settings. This project aims to address these gaps, developing protocols to generate wear particles in the lab, create the world-first reproducible and adaptable 3D on-chip IVD spinal implant model and understand the impact of wear particles on healthy IVD cells. This technological framework provides a controlled and monitorable environment for performing a range of IVD lab experiments at a significantly low cost and significantly improve the physiological relevance of experimental data. The outcomes are expected to create new market opportunities for Australian advanced manufacturing firms via optimisation of implant design, fabrication, and safety.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Truth-telling Australia's colonial past with art by non-Indigenous artists. This project aims to address creative practices by non-Indigenous artists that confront Australia's difficult colonial past by advancing best practice approaches for the creation of such artworks. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of contemporary art using an innovative approach that combines practice-led, artistic research with interdisciplinary decolonial methodologies. Expected outcomes of this project include improved approaches to how the art sector engages with uncomfortable colonial histories. This should provide significant benefits such as enhanced relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people by supporting non-Indigenous artists to engage in sensitive truth-telling about Australia’s colonial past. Field of research: 3606 - Visual Arts Non-Indigenous artists are increasingly engaging in truth-telling about Australia’s colonial past through art, often impactfully. At present, however, there are no industry guides that address artists responsibilities when creatively confronting colonial histories. Through scholarly and creative research that engages Indigenous and non-Indigenous arts workers, this project aims to advance knowledge about the opportunities and challenges presented when non-Indigenous artists address difficult histories through art, with the research producing a comprehensive handbook that offers practical guidance to arts workers and communities engaged in this work. Benefits of this research include enhanced Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations by supporting the art sector to contribute to sensitive truth-telling about Australia’s colonial past. This urgent research shared through art industry partners including peak body NAVA will be used by the art sector, researchers and communities that are engaged in the recognition of difficult histories and addressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous cross-cultural relations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Tackling food-related single-use plastics in diverse consumption contexts. This project aims to investigate the uneven impacts of interventions that target consumers' engagement with single-use food plastics by utilising critical social science approaches. This research expects to create new knowledge through an evidence base in the area of sustainable consumption and waste studies using innovative qualitative techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include conceptual and methodological approaches that enhance societal capabilities for practicable waste management. This will provide significant benefits by enhancing Australia’s capacity to develop and integrate lived experiences of single-use food plastics use into the current and future National Waste Policy and National Plastics Plan. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning Food-related single-use plastics are one of the primary materials fuelling the waste crisis. This project will analyse the ways that people, particularly in disadvantaged groups, engage with single-use food plastics, and the industrial and regulatory management of the waste. The result will be realistic, effective strategies to minimise the use and maximise the replacement of food-related single-use plastics. This will mean environmental benefits to Australia through the reduction and reuse of plastic waste, and economic and social benefits to industry and consumers through the increased adoption of sustainable products. The recommendations will be tested and refined with key policymakers, industry experts and consumers to ensure that they can be implemented successfully.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Microplastics accumulation in Australian coastal wetlands. This project aims to quantify the intensity, rate and impact of the accumulation of microplastic particles in Australia’s coastal wetlands for the first time. This multidisciplinary project will examine interactions between microplastics, wetland ecology and carbon dynamics using advanced analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry and environmental microbiology. Expected outcomes of this project include the world’s first nationwide analysis of the sequestration of microplastics and their influence on the carbon cycle in coastal ecosystems. This work will provide significant benefits, such as facilitating decision-making about microplastics emissions reduction and coastal wetlands conservation. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Australia is home to vast coastal wetlands, such as tidal marshes, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. Australian coastal wetlands contribute the world’s largest amount of blue carbon wealth- carbon captured by these wetlands- worth billions of dollars. Coastal wetlands also trap microplastics, preventing them from being discharged into the ocean. However, accumulated microplastics in coastal wetlands can cause severe consequences to the ecological, socio-economic, and nature-based services that wetlands provide to Australians. This project addresses government-identified priorities about environmental change, and soil and water health. It will deliver new evidence on the extent to which coastal wetlands trap microplastics and predict the impact of such ecosystems under projected microplastics exposure. This research will contribute to Australia’s commitments to global action on marine plastic pollution and the Environment Restoration Fund. Globally applicable project findings will take Australia to the forefront of the growing field of microplastics research and promote environmental conservation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

High-mobility transparent p-type materials synthesised from metal surfaces. This project aims to investigate the novel high mobility atomically thin materials synthesised from solid and liquid metal surfaces and to analyse the interfacial properties of their crystal. This project is expected to generate fundamental knowledge and applied research capability in interdisciplinary fields of advanced materials, nanomaterials, and electrical and chemical engineering using innovative synthesis approaches. This project promises to support the development of new sustainable, low-waste and green technology for transparent, reliable, energy-efficient, high-performance nanoelectronics that can help to build high throughput and low dissipating power electronics components for energy generation, distribution and utilisation. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The electrification of Australia is essential to reach our net zero emission goals. Australia’s power grid must expand to increase capacity for renewables and charging electric cars. Future energy generation, distribution and utilisation requires new electronic components, but gaps in our fundamental knowledge are preventing their development. This project will advance the fundamental science of liquid metal technology in nanoelectronics for semiconductor device design. It will develop innovative large-scale approaches to support new sustainable, low-waste fabrication technologies for next-generation nanoelectronics while downsizing our electronic footprint. Providing a competitive advantage for Australia, these nanoelectronics will be transparent, reliable, energy-efficient and high-performing for use in solar energy, power electronics and semiconductors. Attractive to industry, this research has commercial and economic benefits. New knowledge will be conveyed to the public, industry and government via blogs, standard and social media. Longer-term benefits for all Australians are environmental and social.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Sexual offence interviewing: Towards victim-survivor well-being and justice. This project aims to improve the way victim-survivors are interviewed in sexual offence cases by examining their experiences and perceptions of investigative interview techniques. It expects to generate new knowledge about interview techniques that can promote victim well-being and the disclosure of sensitive information during investigative interviews. Expected outcomes include new theoretical frameworks in the field of investigative interviewing and an innovative toolkit of victim-centred training resources to directly inform investigative interview policies and practices in sexual offence cases. Anticipated benefits include better victim experiences of investigative interviews and enhanced justice responses to sexual violence. Field of research: 4402 - Criminology Sexual violence impacts millions of Australians but reporting, prosecution, and conviction rates are low. Ensuring effective justice responses for sexual offence victims is a key priority of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, and is an internationally recognised human rights issue, which Australia is committed to improving under United Nations obligations. This research project will contribute towards better justice responses to sexual violence by improving investigative interview techniques with victim-survivors. This project will provide detailed insight into Australian victims’ experiences and perceptions of investigative interview techniques and generate new evidence to promote victim well-being and the disclosure of sensitive details in sexual offence interviews. This research will deliver important social benefits to the Australian community by advancing investigative interview policies and practices in response to sexual violence. Investigative organisations will be consulted throughout the project, in the design, adoption, and promotion of innovative training resources.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Behaviour change science for nature conservation. This project aims to harness human behaviours to improve nature conservation outcomes. This project expects to improve understanding of human-nature interactions through application of interdisciplinary sciences including behaviour change science. Expected outcomes include behaviour change methods and frameworks that can be integrated into policies and programs seeking protect native plants, animals, and ecosystems. This should provide significant benefits including reversing biodiversity loss, particularly in urban areas, and improving societal resilience through healthier human-nature interactions. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Healthy natural environments are essential for human wellbeing and a strong economy, but actions by people are damaging the natural systems that we depend on. Australia has some of the highest rates of species extinction in the world and a third of our threatened plant and animal species live in urban centres, meaning that human behaviours in cities are important for preventing extinctions. So far, nature conservation has largely relied on natural sciences, inadequately embracing social sciences to better understand people and their actions. This project will use behaviour change science to study how people interact with nature in and around cities and develop effective ways to encourage behaviours that help native animals, plants, and ecosystems rather than harm them. The project will create programs that help people connect with and protect nature. This will benefit both the environment and human livelihoods. It will provide tools for other government agencies and non-government organisations to take human-centred approaches to conservation across Australia and beyond our borders, which will be shared via publications and development of a free online training tool.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Cyber secure, battery-free, and wireless wearable patch technology. The project aims to investigate the technological and manufacturing challenges in wearables to integrate prominent high-frequency electrical, optical, and chemical signals on a single tiny patch. The integration expects to generate new multidisciplinary knowledge in wearables for real-time on-site and remote multisensory monitoring systems by using wireless, battery-free, and on-chip data encryption operation. It will develop cutting-edge technology for the highest performance with the least amount of power and space in a challenging environment. The project is expected to provide benefits to national security and defence, agriculture, manufacturing, and human and animal health sectors with remote area accessibility. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The project will use a multidisciplinary approach drawing on materials, electronics, firmware engineering, and cyber security to address the manufacturing challenges of industry-scale fabrication and real-life adoption of the wearable device. Wearable devices depend on cutting-edge electronic technology for optimal performance using the least amount of space and power. As these devices are wireless, they transmit data over the air to a cloud-connected interface. Hence, this device also needs to overcome cybersecurity challenges. Complex electronics such as these devices are usually fabricated using soft materials to ensure they are lightweight for wearability and conformal to a curved surface. However, manufacturing this technology is extremely complex for large-scale fabrication. To address this challenge, this project will investigate how to integrate micrometer-sized hard components into soft materials to produce battery-free, wireless, and cyber-secured operations with applications in national security for detecting chemical threats, biological threats, and highly explosive materials; agriculture for monitoring plant health, and biosignals monitoring for human health.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Innovative Zn alloys with essential mechanical and biofunctional properties. This project aims to develop a breakthrough understanding of the impact of alloying additions on the strengthening mechanisms, degradation behaviour, antibacterial properties and biofunctionalities of zinc alloys. The project expects to generate new knowledge in alloying strategies, plastic deformation and surface modification of zinc alloys to achieve mechanical, corrosion and biofunctional properties satisfying the requirements of biodegradable metallic materials. The expected outcomes are the development of novel zinc alloys and practical technologies for industry applications, such as thermomechanical processing and surface coating. The benefits are expected to extend to physical metallurgy and biomaterial manufacturing. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Current metallic biomaterials used for weight bearing applications such as titanium alloys and stainless steels do not degrade in the body. This leads to the need for a second surgery to remove the medical device. The proposed project will develop new biodegradable zinc alloys with customisable degradation and mechanical properties. New surface-modification techniques will give the zinc alloys biofunctional properties, such as stimulating bone formation and antibacterial activities. The knowledge gained will enable the development of novel biodegradable metals as implant materials with appropriate biodegradability, high mechanical strength, and bone regeneration and bactericidal properties. This, in turn, will reduce the healthcare burden in Australia for musculoskeletal conditions. It will also position Australia as a leader in the biodegradable metals research field and provide the Australian biomaterial and medical device manufacturing industries with distinct competitive advantages. Overall, the new materials and manufacturing technologies developed by this project will benefit Australia’s manufacturing industries in general, through innovative techniques for plastic deformation and surface modification.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Surface ligation of nanomaterials for biomedical applications . The project aims to explore the synergistic effects co-ligands for target recognition and biofouling protection in nanoparticle surface patterns to enable practical atomic scale precision engineering of efficient and biofouling resistant nanosensors. The project will fundamentally characterise interfacial interactions and dynamics of ligated nano-surfaces and biomolecules via advanced computer modelling. Outcomes should include practical molecular design guidelines for functional ligands and predicted optimal patterns for combining functional and antifouling ligands on gold nanomaterials for biosensing technologies. The advanced predictive modelling capabilities will facilitate future practical engineering of efficient biomedical devices. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Sensors that detect disease-associated molecules in biological fluid samples, such as blood or urine, are crucial to modern medical diagnosis. However, one major issue in the use of these sensors is contamination by other molecules in the fluids, reducing their capability for accurately diagnosis. This powerful Australia-UK collaboration will combine theoretical and experimental research to develop the knowledge required to develop contamination-resistant materials for use in diagnostic sensors. The outcomes will be new material designs and practical guidelines for developing new nanomaterials. These designs and guidelines can be easily adapted by the Australian medical devices industry, leading to significant economic benefits through the development of the next generation of biosensors. More accurate disease diagnosis will lead to earlier and more appropriate treatments, improving the health of Australians and reducing costs in the healthcare sector caused by the greater level of care required to treat diseases only detected at a more advanced stage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Multilayer Graphene Based Anti-Corrosion Polymer Coated Structures. This project aims to develop a novel multilayer graphene/polymer coating for structures exposed to corrosive environment with graphene concentration varying layer-wise to eliminate galvanic corrosion yet maintain all unique advantages owing to graphene inclusion, thus offering a cost-effective design solution with significantly improved anti-corrosion performance and remarkably enhanced safety and durability for structures. Expected outcomes of this project include an innovative design, experimental data on corrosion prevention, development of reliable simulation techniques and design procedures for the proposed coating. This should provide huge benefits to Australian civil, offshore and marine engineering industry and national economy. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Corrosion not only possesses a serious threat to structural safety but could also result in a massive economic impact with huge costs equivalent to 3.4% of global GDP each year. Steel which is commonly used in construction of offshore structures is highly susceptible to corrosion-induced damage and failure when exposed to marine environment. To date, corrosion protection of offshore steel structures is still very challenging. The purpose of this project is to develop a novel graphene-based multilayer anti-corrosion coating by innovatively employing the concept of functionally graded materials with the aim of significantly prolonging the service life of offshore structures. The outcomes from this innovative research will provide Australian building industry with highly efficient and cost-effective solutions to corrosion protection thereby enhance their competitive edge in design and construction of offshore structures. The new knowledge from this research will greatly contribute to the safety and durability of offshore infrastructure as well as bring huge benefits to national economy with enormous savings.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Youth, religion and sexuality: digital media, school cultures, exemptions. This project aims to understand the knowledges and practices about sexuality and religion that form the everyday worlds of young people who are religious. This should provide significant new knowledge about a key time in the development of a young person’s identity via a nationwide, deep yet comparative approach. Expected outcomes include strategic health policy and curriculum development advice that responds to current debates around religious exemptions to anti-discrimination law and creates better education and health care for religious and LGBTIQ+ youth. Benefits will include increased wellbeing for religious LGBTIQ+ youth, conservatively religious and newly arrived youth communities in Australia. Field of research: 4702 - Cultural Studies By comparing experiences of religious youth in private and state schools, this project provides an understanding of how religious young people navigate conflicting discourses about sexuality, religion and public debates about religious exemptions. We will improve understandings of cultural diversity in Australia, resulting in better practices of care for religious youth. The research will promote safety and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ young people through advice to the Department of Education at Federal and State levels. The research will examine the relationship between homophobic or transphobic sentiments in religious and state educational contexts, creating new strategies to prevent bullying that will be employed in schools across SA, Victoria and NSW. We will engage directly with religious and government schools, state and federal government bodies to develop health and physical education curriculum and policy advice that will improve health education, religious education and education policy development. Australia will benefit through a safer, more inclusive environment for young people of all backgrounds.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Scalable Stream Processing in Hybrid Edge-Cloud Infrastructures. This project aims to develop a new computational paradigm to ensure low-latency services for streaming applications across heterogeneous Edge devices while satisfying high-throughput and scalability requirements. This project is of high significance for generating new knowledge in the area of real-time streaming using innovative algorithms that overcome the limitations of remote Cloud and distributed Edge computing. Expected outcomes include novel programming abstractions, performance models, and control mechanisms to address complex problems for incremental and iterative computations in hybrid Edge-Cloud infrastructures. This should provide significant benefits, one of which is the optimised utilisation of limited computing resources. Field of research: 4606 - Distributed Computing and Systems Software The use of sensors in remote patient monitoring, livestock tracking, and industrial automation is predicted to become a $10 billion market in Australia by 2030. However, this potential is unlikely to be realised because of an inability to process the vast amounts of data these sensors generate. This project aims to solve this problem by developing a software platform that will allow much faster analysis of sensor data stored in cloud computing services. The platform can be readily adopted by Australian industry and government agencies and incorporated into their data management and analysis systems, enabling them to serve end users by dealing with diverse sensor data accumulated from personal use and industrial practices. For example, it will benefit the Australian agricultural industry by more accurate tracking of the health, vaccination status and location of livestock. In healthcare it will improve the real-time monitoring of the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases. In industry it will assist in optimising supply chains and transportation fleet management.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Extinction Imaginaries: Mapping Affective Visual Cultures in Australasia. This project aims to provide NGOs with new strategies for raising awareness of environmental change by investigating what animal extinction means to Australians. Australasia has the highest global extinction rates, yet despite the wide circulation of visual images of extinction little is known about how they affect people. The project expects to address this critical gap by bringing innovative methodologies to the analysis of public responses to images of extinction and how they affect social imaginaries. Expected outcomes include research translations with environmental NGOs which should provide significant benefits by addressing public concern for the deteriorating ecosystems that future generations will inherit. Field of research: 4702 - Cultural Studies There is little public awareness of the fact that Australasia faces a crisis of declining biodiversity due to the highest rates of species extinction in the world. This project aims to understand what images of extinction mean to Australians, and how imagery can spur people to redress extinction rates. The research will document recent images of extinction and the ways people feel about them. We will then use this data to design a model for effective extinction prevention strategies. Seeking to influence Australian culture towards a greater appreciation of our fragile ecosystems, this research will lead to improved, targeted conservation campaigns that will strive to protect our natural environment. In collaboration with key environmental organisations, the research team will develop strategies and resources, such as an archive of effective images, designs and data visualisation to maximise the benefit of environmental campaigns.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide-based cathode materials, a novel and reliable working principle based on reversible ammonium ion storage, and battery pack prototypes targeting industry demanded energy density and lifespan. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for clean energy storage, net zero future and industry upgrades. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project will design and fabricate at lab scale and manufacture on an industry production line, the rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries from environmental-friendly and cheap raw materials. This novel energy storage technology will address common and major concerns of existing battery technologies by substantially outperforming them with high safety, low price, large power and long life. By boosting lab-scale research to industry manufacture and real-world deployment, the project will facilitate R&D of new energy storage materials and devices, putting Australia at the forefront of renewable energy science and technology, as well as promote battery, auto and related industry upgrades, reaping huge savings for the clean energy industry and creating substantial job opportunities. Via the co-development of academia and industry with combined research, manufacture and market development capabilities, a clear pathway is secured starting from fundamental battery technology breakthroughs, battery scaled-up production, end-user engagement, to potential commercialisation.