RMIT University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Play about Place: Expanding the impact of Creative Placemaking after COVID. This project aims to establish a new approach to placemaking through the development of urban play projects. The project expects to generate affordable and engaging experiences that activate existing public spaces, a typology and methodology for analysing the impacts of urban play, and a comparative study of urban play in Melbourne and Christchurch. Expected outcomes include creative placemaking strategies and projects, a connected impact study, and an industry resource for local government outlining our approach. This should provide significant benefits, including First Peoples storytelling experiences, city activation post-pandemic, community engagement, the potential to create jobs and provide economic and social benefit for Australia. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning The COVID pandemic has changed the way that people use urban spaces. This project will demonstrate how urban planning can use creativity and playfulness to invigorate the social and cultural life of our cities. This project will establish and test playful urban environments to show how cities can adapt to the way we now live. This research will seek to influence the design of cities to create environments that offer more flexible lifestyle choices, nurture our physical and mental health, and provide a range of business and employment opportunities. This will lead to improved economic outcomes for small businesses; community cohesion through opportunities to participate in local activities; and improved health and wellbeing from increased time spent outdoors. The researchers will work collaboratively with local government strategists and policy makers to activate public spaces. To promote the research more broadly, we will share our findings through articles for arts industry networks, public presentations, and an app that playfully links people to local arts and cultural events.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

A Digital Twin-Driven Model for Mapping Part Quality in Multi-Jet Fusion. This project aims to develop a digital simulation model to address the irregular mechanical properties of Multi-Jet Fusion in 3D printing of automotive components. This model expects to solve a significant challenge when using Multi-Jet Fusion which is the dependence of quality on the build position. The expected outcome of this project is the development of a novel tool for quality assessment in mass customisation and production. This project will provide significant benefits by creating an independent digital simulation model for quality mapping in Multi-Jet Fusion that reduces production costs and enhances automotive part quality. Field of research: 4014 - Manufacturing Engineering 3D printing has gained popularity, however it is not used for mass production due to low production rates. In this project, virtual copies of automotive parts produced by 3D Printing will be developed. The outcome of this fellowship will be a tool for quality assessment in the mass production of 3D-printed automotive parts. The tool will enable industry to simulate the properties of 3D printed parts before actual printing, leading to improvement of the manufacturing quality and reduction in risk associated with 3D printing. Also, this project increases the potential to establish national manufacturing capability, especially in regional areas, by reducing the risk and cost associated with 3D printing. This project directly translates robust scientific insights toward commercialisation and Ford will use the developed tool for the design and optimisation of the mechanical response of commercial components for automobile safety.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Spatial planning for urban biodiversity conservation. This project will reduce the complexity of planning for biodiversity during urban development by enabling industry and government to visualise and measure the potential performance of different urban designs. This project expects to create a new open-access online tool to allow spatial planning of urban biodiversity conservation actions. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity for developers, environmental consultants and local governments to measure potential urban biodiversity outcomes at a range of scales. This should provide significant benefits to human well-being by increasing the efficiency of urban nature conservation and restoration in cities. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Urban development is one of the greatest threats to nature in Australia, creating cities that expose residents to climate extremes and limit access to the wellbeing benefits that nature provides. Solutions exist, but local governments, urban designers and housing developers need accessible tools to measure the impact of planning decisions on urban nature. This project will produce an online software tool allowing industry and government to identify the best places and actions to benefit urban nature. The tool will be developed in close collaboration with a diverse group of users, creating opportunities for immediate adoption. The freely available tool will be provided with the support of training materials and sample applications. Urban developers and city planners can use the tool to identify where nature restoration will support other urban wellbeing goals, such as safer communities, improved mental health and stormwater control. Industry partners will further promote the tool via training workshops and publications through their commercial and government networks, ensuring wide availability and uptake.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Building better: Neighbourhoods to benefit children with disability. This project aims to identify which neighbourhood features support wellbeing for children with disability. The project expects to advance innovation by combining Australian disability policy, children's lived experience of disability, and high-quality child development and built environment data. Expected outcomes of the project include new, co-created insights for how urban neighbourhoods can enable children with disability to thrive and a suite of end-user indicator tools to monitor their progress. Expected benefits include improved policy options and tools for government and advocates to plan and deliver more equitable neighbourhoods, and ultimately better participation, inclusion, and wellbeing for children with disability. Field of research: 3304 - Urban and Regional Planning Human wellbeing is affected by the local environment. This project will use Australian disability policy, place-based data, and perspectives of children with disabilities to identify neighbourhood features that can assist children with disability to reach their full potential. It will help identify the types of neighbourhoods that enable children with disability to thrive and provide a monitoring framework for government and advocates to evaluate the transition to more inclusive cities. These tools will guide the creation of more equitable and supportive neighbourhoods, benefitting children with disability through increased community participation and social inclusion, improved long-term social and health outcomes, and greater life-long economic contributions (e.g. entering employment). Adoption pathways include workshopping the monitoring framework with local and state government and disability advocacy groups to ensure it is useful prior to release, alongside policy briefs, neighbourhood profiles, and city scorecards for these stakeholders to use.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Aligning personalised news recommendations with the public interest . The project aims to investigate the growth of personalised recommendations in the Australian news sector, which sees readers and automated systems collectively adopting curatorial roles previously undertaken by editors. The research expects to provide the first evidence base around the adoption and deployment of personalised recommendations across the Australian news media. Expected outcomes include enhancing our understanding of how to sustain the important democratic role that the institution of journalism plays in a personalised and automated environment. Expected benefits include the provision of robust evidence to inform industry and policymakers, and support the development of best practice across the news media sector. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies News media organisations increasingly use AI and automated technologies to personalise news for readers. The project will examine how to balance this growing capacity for personalisation, with the broad provision of quality, public interest news, essential for democracies. We do not know how to translate the values and norms held by industries with social responsibilities into automated systems. To solve this problem, the project will develop and test methods to better align these technologies with the news sector’s publicly oriented norms and standards. This project will deliver economic benefit by assisting the news sector with a major technological transition, and has the potential to create jobs and cost efficiencies. Social benefits to Australia will flow from the retention of high-quality news availability and new evidence to inform active policy debates about AI regulation. Methods developed will be adopted through consultation and dissemination via briefings, events, and roundtables with news media organisations and policymakers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Unifying discrete and continuous methods in quantum information theory. This project aims to address a critical gap in quantum information theory by unifying the way that both discrete and continuous quantum systems are represented in mathematical models. This project expects to generate new knowledge in quantum information science by using cutting-edge mathematical tools and insights from signal processing theory. Expected outcomes of this project include a new mathematical framework for use in quantum science and technology development. This should provide significant benefits, such as new ways to efficiently simulate certain quantum processes on ordinary computers and novel approaches to handling noise in quantum computers. Field of research: 4902 - Mathematical Physics From advanced computers to secure communication platforms and precision sensors – with applications in medical imaging, counterintelligence, underground navigation, and more – quantum technology is forecast to be an $86 billion global industry by 2040. Australia has played a leading role in its development for the last 25 years and is well placed to develop sovereign capabilities in this vital strategic sector. Given recent advances in the precise control of objects smaller than an atom, the next step is to get these quantum objects to work together in larger devices. This project addresses a key technical roadblock hindering the development of such devices. Resolving it will allow advances in control of a particular type of quantum hardware to be easily applied to other types, as well. Working directly with leading quantum technology companies will ensure that these innovations are translated into practical solutions to current roadblocks in designing these advanced computers, sensors, and communication platforms.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

More than a reserve? Measuring the benefits of private protected areas. This project aims to develop a framework for understanding the full suite of benefits derived from privately protected areas in Australia. It will develop and test a new interdisciplinary approach to measure the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic benefits of protected areas to both human and non-human beneficiaries. Outcomes will include a systematic process to effectively gather data, analyse, and report on the full suite of benefits derived from protected areas. The framework will provide a robust evidence base for the range of benefits provided by private protected areas. This will be vital to manage and grow Australia’s protected area network to reduce biodiversity and environmental declines, and meet international commitments. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Privately Protected Areas (PPAs) are land managed by individuals or organizations for the long-term conservation of native plants and animals, and the Australian environment. They are an important contribution to national protected areas and growing the number of PPAs is vital for averting the biodiversity crisis facing Australia. This project will reduce biodiversity loss by strengthening the network of PPAs and providing evidence-based guidelines to improve their effectiveness. This will enable PPA managers to invest their limited resources more effectively, guide philanthropic investment in PPAs, and assist government to better prioritise funding for the environment. Benefits of the project will be more effective conservation of Australia’s environment, including increased resilience against climate change and a greater alignment of private land management with social and cultural values. We will work closely with our industry partners, including PPA organisations, to translate the results to an industry-ready format and produce open access tools for wider and immediate adoption of our guidelines.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Privacy-Preserving Collaborative Analytics on Sensitive Data. This project aims to develop efficient solutions that allow multiple institutes to carry out collaborative analytics on aggregated data without revealing their sensitive data to each other. The project expects to remedy acute privacy concerns when institutes share sensitive data across boundaries for collective insights. The expected outcomes include a hybrid trust model with distributed trusts to provide malicious security guarantees, lightweight privacy-enhancing techniques to express rich analytical functionalities, and a system platform for real-world applications. This should provide significant benefits such as facilitating industries to safeguard their customers' data and uplift their businesses in a secure and trustworthy fashion. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy Data analytics has catalysed a wide spectrum of intelligent and quality applications. A recurrent challenge society confronts is that institutes tend to combine their data and draw a mutual benefit through analysing their aggregated dataset, yet their sensitive data cannot be shared across boundaries. This project will enable new techniques for privacy-preserving collaborative analytics on sensitive data, which realise the mutual benefits while mitigating the renewed privacy concerns in this era of intelligence. The outcomes will directly benefit Australian businesses and citizens by protecting their business-sensitive data as well as the private individual information carried by these data. The techniques will be translated to commercial products and deployed to various data-driven services, such as a collaborative fraud detection platform among banks and Australian law enforcement sectors, thus advancing Australia’s national critical infrastructure where the data are most valuable.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Metal organic framework-based membrane for nanoplastics removal . The aim of this project is to understand the fundamental science governing the removal of nanoplastics from wastewater by developing an innovative dually charged metal organic framework based nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane. The project expects to lead to a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of how nanoplastics and other pollutants can be efficiently removed from wastewater using membranes. The expected outcome is a process that can be used to convert wastewater into freshwater suitable for household, industrial and agricultural use. Such removal could also be of significant environmental benefit, as secondary effluent is a significant source of nanoplastics entering the aquatic environment. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Nano- and microplastic contamination in water is a major environmental threat, significantly impacting health, for example by impairing reproduction in aquatic animals. Current treatment technologies are limited in their ability to remove these pollutants from wastewater, leading to their release into open water environments. The aim of this project is to develop novel ultrafiltration membranes for the removal of these pollutants. The membranes will enable conversion of contaminated wastewater into water suitable for household, industrial and agricultural use. The project will develop membranes that will be integrated into existing wastewater treatment facilities after pilot scale studies in collaboration with membrane manufacturers and water industries. The outcome of the project will significantly assist Australia’s water industries to recycle treated wastewater and provide alternative high-quality water to meet the growing water demand. It will contribute to the health of waterways by replenishing with highly treated recycled water resulting from the proposed treatment process.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Eco-friendly low shrinkage concrete integrating upcycled textile waste. This project aims to investigate a novel solution incorporating upcycled textile waste to reduce shrinkage induced cracking in reinforced concrete. The project is expected to generate new knowledge in crack nucleation and healing mechanisms in concrete and the application of flexible textile fibre reinforcement to control shrinkage induced cracking, creating a new fibre reinforced composite. The expected outcome is a reduction in construction waste through extending the life span of concrete structures and reducing textile waste, 85% of which is currently disposed in landfills. The new composite could deliver a circular solution to textile waste leading to significant social, environmental and economic benefits. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Movement of reinforced concrete slabs used in foundations of buildings and airport runways leads to cracking and reduction in life expectancy, often leading to demolition and reconstruction creating large volumes of waste. Almost all textile waste from fabric and carpets in Australia is disposed in landfills. The project will develop a novel solution to reduce cracking in reinforced concrete ground slabs by incorporating waste textile fibre as reinforcement. The outcomes will create a value-added solution for textile waste. Adoption of the solution by the Australian construction industry will be enabled through collaborations with relevant industry partners and local government. The outcomes will extend the life expectancy of concrete ground slabs, reduce the waste and emissions from demolition and reconstruction, and recycle, therefore reducing the amount of textile waste in landfills. Understanding how to prevent cracks in textile concrete will improve reinforced concrete design guidelines and standards adopted by construction companies, infrastructure authorities and concrete industry peak bodies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure. This Centre aims to transform the capability of civil infrastructure stakeholders to design, construct, operate and dispose of infrastructure in a carbon neutral way. By training industry-embedded PhDs and postdocs in the methodology and technology required to design out excess carbon of infrastructure in its whole life, this Centre expects to lead the world in sustainable infrastructure design, enabling a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. Achieving carbon neutral infrastructure in its whole life will bring significant far-reaching benefits, including equipping industry with tools required to meet Australia’s emission reduction targets as well as economic, commercial, environmental, and social gains. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering This Centre aims to train a new generation of civil infrastructure sector leaders through innovative research, developing a methodology and resultant technology to achieve carbon neutral infrastructure in its whole life. The expected outcomes will enable the workforce of the infrastructure sector to design out excess carbon over its entire life. This will lead the world in designing carbon neutral infrastructure, paving the way for a new generation of infrastructure design in Australia and internationally. Equipping infrastructure industry with this capability will benefit Australia i) economically by reducing climate change-induced damages, thus creating billions of dollars in value, ii) commercially by increasing confidence in using low carbon materials and techniques, thus improving commercial innovation and trade, iii) environmentally by reducing carbon emissions and saving resources, thus conserving and protecting Australia’s ecosystems, and iv) socially by demonstrated carbon neutral designs and socio-technical transformation, thus raising community awareness of the significance of carbon neutrality.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Nanobionic sensors for Real-Time Plant Health Monitoring. This project aims to develop nanosensors to detect and monitor plant health in real-time by measuring stress molecules. The project will create new knowledge on functional materials with unique optical, electronic and thermal properties as well as their bio-nano interactions with plants. The expected outcomes of the project will provide insight into 1) how localised nanosensors target organelles in living plants to 2) generate signals that can be picked up by portable devices to 3) report on plant health. Functional nanosensors will enable smart farming, precision agriculture and contribute to future agronomic research, further strengthening Australia’s position as an international leader in nanobiotechnology. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The project aims to create a new type of miniature sensor that will measure chemical reactions within plant cells, providing real-time monitoring of plant health. Such sensors will shape agricultural practice, by enabling non-destructive monitoring and, thereby, early interventions to mitigate and manage plant stress. Our understanding of physiological processes associated with plant health will be improved by early detection of established stress-signalling molecules. In addition to significant advancement and application of functional nanomaterials and nanotechnology, the knowledge produced will be of fundamental importance to realising viable smart farming, precision agriculture and breeding practice. Significant environmental and social benefits will be gained, including increased crop yields, which will benefit Australian industries and the community. Intellectual property generated will contribute to the Australian economy, since Australians will own the patents and can license them. Outcomes will place Australian research and agriculture at the forefront of current technological advancements.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Crossing restrictive biobarriers with self-assembled lipid nanocarriers. This project aims to determine how nanoscale objects which mimic the surface of cells behave in biologically relevant environments. This project expects to generate new knowledge in physical chemistry by complementing innovative surface chemistry design and characterisation with data science approaches. The expected outcome of this project is identification of the mode of interaction of these biomimetic objects with cells, which may then reveal a new pathway for the delivery of pharmaceuticals. This could provide significant future benefits in the treatment of neurological diseases and bacterial infections, by overcoming the barrier that the cell surface presents to the uptake of many medicinal drugs. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry Given that innovative medicine is a primary driver within the pharmaceutical industry (8.7 billion contributed per year to Australian economy and supporting over 20,000 full time jobs), this project’s outcomes have significant economic benefits. The blood-brain barrier is the most restrictive barrier in the body. The restriction of pharmaceutical compounds across this barrier complicates the treatment of neurological disorders. Likewise, the bacterial membrane restricts the entry of antibiotics contributing to resistance. This dissuades drug development in these areas due to relatively high risk of failure in later stage trials. At the same time, Australia is faced with an aging population and rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance. This project will develop a new method to allow pharmaceuticals to traverse these barriers, improving the effectiveness of existing treatments and unlocking new treatment avenues for existing (and new) pharmaceuticals. Improved effectiveness of treatments will improve patient outcomes, reducing costs to the Australian health sector and improving national productivity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials by 3D printing and nanofabrication . This project aims to develop a novel approach to the manufacture of hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials with a fine nanoporous Ta surface through capitalizing on the advantages of metal 3D printing and a unique post nanofabrication process. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the design and manufacture of hierarchical metal lattice materials. Expected outcomes include a new advanced manufacturing method and a new class of highly biocompatible hierarchical Ta-Ti lattice materials. The former should benefit the Australian Manufacturing Industry for the manufacture of a variety of novel metal lattice materials or products while the latter has the potential for applications as implant materials. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Approximately one in every 200 Australians has joint replacement surgery each year and this percentage is expected to increase as our population ages. Current replacements only last up to 10-15 years due to poor integration with bone, leading to more complicated and expensive revision surgeries. As a result, the industry is in urgent need of new implant materials that integrate firmly and permanently with bone. The goal of this project is to develop a new 3D printing-based method to fabricate a novel class of implant material with an internal bone-like structure. Implants made of this new material have the potential to achieve fast, robust and durable integration with bone, thereby greatly reducing the need for revision surgeries in the future. Patents or new intellectual property resulting from this project will be made immediately available to Australian small and medium-sized enterprises. The unique advantages of this new implant material are expected to facilitate rapid adoption by industry, increasing the competitiveness and market share of Australian implant manufacturing companies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Addressing the Crisis of Local Visual News in Regional and Remote Australia. This project aims to measure the volume and quality of visual content on regional news platforms by diverse publishers in eight key geographic areas. It is the first in Australia to examine the full cycle from production through presentation to consumption for local visual news in a regional context. Expected project outcomes include enhanced relationships between journalists and communities, stronger regional news ecosystems, and a more representative local visual news product. These outcomes boost the academic understanding of an understudied area, help regional Australia, including regional Indigenous Australia, see itself in the journalism that is produced in the regions, and provide commercial benefits to hard-hit news providers. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies Journalism is vital to the public good, but regional and remote communities lack the same access to local news as their urban counterparts. This is especially true for local visual news, which is often an afterthought despite its importance in creating high-quality news content, engaging audiences, and shaping public perceptions. This project will observe local journalists at work and evaluate their output against the needs expressed by their communities, thus facilitating a much-needed conversation between local journalists and audiences. In doing so, it defines what quality local visual news should be like, and through local newsroom briefings and events co-hosted with industry provides guidance on how journalists can best produce it. Directly informed by local perspectives, this best-practice guidance is immediately actionable and serves to boost local newsrooms’ sustainability, helping regional and remote Australia see itself in the news it consumes, enhances local communities’ democratic resilience, and leads to a strengthened national identity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Ammonium-selective membranes to shift water industry into circular economy. The project aims to develop ammonium-selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for sustainable ammonia recovery. The project expects to construct the membranes to achieve desirable pore size and surface functionality for fast and selective ammonia transport. The developed membranes should make ammonia recovery from wastewater more effective and sustainable, leading to the healthy waterway and reduced energy for both ammonia production and removal. Recovered ammonia expects to produce valuable products, supporting agriculture industry and hydrogen economy. The developed membranes should enable water industry's shift into circular economy, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering As the second most produced chemical in the world, the total ammonia demand for Australia is more than 1,700 kilo tons in 2020, driven by Australian key industries, such as agriculture, food, and chemical industries. It is estimated that 20% of the total ammonium-based fertiliser demand can be sufficiently met by recovering ammonium from wastewater. This can save Australia more than 7 billion kWh energy and reduce 5 million tons of carbon emission annually. However, current separation membranes have reached their intrinsic limits, they cannot effectively separate ammonium ions in wastewater. Excessive ammonium discharge can cause serious damages to the environment (soil acidification and toxic algae blooms) and human health. This project aims to address this urgent challenge by developing ammonium-selective membranes. This project expects to support Australian water industry's transformation into the circular economy by recovering and converting ammonium from wastewater into valuable products (e.g., fertilisers and hydrogen carriers), providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Direct Electrolysis of Amine Captured CO2 for Producing Syngas. This project aims to develop electrolysis of amine captured carbon dioxide (CO2) technology to integrate CO2 capture and syngas production powered by renewable electricity. The aqueous amine captured CO2 will be directly electrolysed without CO2 desorption, compression, and purification, featuring extremely high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Expected outcomes include the delivery of suitable amines, a family of chemically and structurally controlled electrocatalysts, an in-depth understanding of CO2 electrolysis mechanisms, and the demonstration of robust electrolyser prototypes. This project will provide significant benefits to Australia’s energy and environmental security, and boost its clean energy industry and economic growth. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering One promising approach to reducing carbon emissions is to use renewable electricity to drive chemical reactions to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful fuels. However, current CO2 conversion methods are separate add-ons to the process rather than being built into the process itself, which makes them energy-intensive, inefficient, and expensive. This project will use purposely designed catalysts to integrate CO2 capture and conversion and directly transform waste CO2 streams into synthetic gas (‘syngas’) which is already widely used to manufacture synthetic fuels. Syngas fuels can be used directly in the iron, steel, fertiliser and cement industries, and could also be used to power households and cars. By capturing and recycling CO2 in one step using renewable energy, this project will significantly contribute to ongoing efforts to build a clean energy solution which reduces our environmental footprint and contributes to economic growth for Australian industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Photothermal management with graphene metamaterials. Environmental and industrial thermal management represents major global energy consumption and CO2 emission. This project aims to investigate a game-changing passive thermal management solution to tackle both heating and cooling problems without using any electricity. This is made possible by designing a nanostructured graphene metamaterial to either totally reject or totally absorb electromagnetic waves in certain spectral ranges. Expected outcomes include new design and fabrication strategies for novel photothermal films with high performance and cost-effectiveness. This is expected to lead to the development of novel energy efficient technologies for Australian industries, producing direct economic, social and environmental benefits. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Maintaining a desired temperature is needed in homes, offices, electronics and industrial production, and consumes large amounts of electricity. This project addresses this issue by developing novel materials that will both use sunlight for heating and disperse heat for cooling without the need for electricity. The innovative materials can be attached to buildings or integrated with electronic devices to improve the efficiency of temperature control. They could be used to capture heat generated by industrial processes and use that heat to generate electricity that will reduce energy costs. The materials developed in this project can be readily produced by the construction industry for use in both new buildings and added to the exteriors of existing buildings. There is also great potential for using these materials in electronics such as smart phones, and in data centres that produce very large amounts of heat. The adoption of these materials by Australian homes and businesses will significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. Their use in electronic devices will increase both performance and lifetime.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Quantum sensing of magnetism in two dimensions. This project aims to use innovative quantum sensing technologies to investigate the novel emerging field of two-dimensional magnetism; imaging both static and dynamic forms of 2D magnetism. This project expects to generate new knowledge about magnetic van der Waals materials and their potential application to ultra-thin electronic and spintronic devices. Expected outcomes of this project are a deeper understanding of the formation and modulation of magnetic order in 2D, new fabrication methods for deliberate domain wall formation, production of near-zero energy gap spin-waves, and new encapsulation methods for ultra-stable 2D materials. This should provide significant benefits towards fundamental physics and future device engineering. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials promise to reduce energy consumption in electronics and improve data storage, but there a lack of understanding of how magnetism forms in these materials, which limits our ability to find materials that have the qualities necessary to manufacture cheap, energy efficient alternatives to current electronics. This project will use a magnetic microscope to investigate magnetism in these materials. The outcomes of this research will improve our understanding of these materials and how they can be used to manufacture new and improved electronics. The production of electronic components with 2D materials is still in its infancy. The knowledge that this project will obtain can be used to improve future designs, which will help to position Australia at the forefront of this rapidly expanding industry. There are potentially great commercial benefits to this study to both the Australian electronics and advanced manufacturing industries. This proposal relies on a novel microscope that only exists in a few laboratories in the world.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Multifunctional Biomass Coatings for Electrostatic Induced Fire Hazards. This project aims to solve the problem of fire hazards caused by static electricity in hazardous industrial areas by synthesizing feasible, environmentally friendly, and efficient multifunctional biomass-based coatings. This research expects to study the fire-safe biomass coating using interdisciplinary approaches and establish a comprehensive understanding to provide new strategies and solutions to tackle fire safety issues occurring in hazardous industries and other relevant applications. This research and development of high value-added high-tech multifunctional biomass coating is targeted to boost the Australian local coating industry and bring about important economic and societal benefits. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Fire hazards associated with the build-up of static electricity in hazardous industrial areas are a major problem, especially due to Australia’s relatively dry climate. This project aims to develop eco-friendly fire-proof materials as coatings to protect structures against fires in industries such as mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, military, and the emerging hydrogen energy sector. This technology will advance novel and scalable application of fire-retardant coatings with better efficiency and lower cost. The outcomes include development of an environmental-friendly sprayable coating with high multifunctional features of fire retardancy and anti-static. This research will enable Australian companies, such as the industry partners that the applicant has been collaborating with in the ARC Training Centre for Flame Retardant and Fire Safety Technology, to manufacture, deploy, and export a new generation of fire-retardant coatings for a wide range of industries, therefore contributing to economic and environmental benefits for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Quantum-enabled super-resolution imaging. The aim is to design large scale, quantum-enabled imaging systems to boost the resolution of state-of-the-art instruments by three to five orders of magnitude. Using the toolbox of quantum information and quantum optics, the project expects to generate novel methods for 2D and 3D imaging, and precision measurements that can reach fundamental limits. Imaging is critical in much of today's research. The unparalleled resolution can benefit a broad range of scientific fields, the medical and the defence sector by resolving objects otherwise impossible. This project will strengthen Australia’s position as a world leader in quantum technologies by presenting solutions to overcome critical bottlenecks in imaging methods in the optical domain. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics Taking advantage of a special characteristic of light, this project will develop a new imaging technique that will boost the quality and resolution of current imaging instruments by between 1,000 and 100,000 times. The new technique will reveal details and objects not previously visible, leading to broad applications, including in medicine, defence, and astronomy. This in turn will have great social and economic benefits for the Australian community. For example: high-resolution microscopy and medical imaging will enable more accurate disease diagnosis; high-resolution imaging analyses will allow for the detection of stealth aircraft providing a military advantage to the Australian Defence Force; and applications in astronomy would be so powerful as to enable the imaging of small planets around nearby stars. This ground-breaking project aligns with the focus on quantum technologies as a priority in Australia's Blueprint and Action Plan for Critical Technologies and will support the quantum sector in Australia which is expected to deliver $4bn in economic value and create 16,000 new jobs by 2040.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Developing Switchable Ligands to Control Gold Nanocluster Interfaces. This project aims to unlock the promising catalytic activity of protected gold nanoclusters by developing switchable ligands capable of undergoing controlled detachment and exchange. This project expects to provide a detailed understanding of how the gold thiolate interface of nanoclusters influences their physical and chemical properties. Expected outcomes include the design of improved catalysts for chemical synthesis and biological assays using computer aided chemical modelling. These catalysts should be easier to recover after use, which should improve cost-effectiveness. They should also improve the accuracy of biological sensors, which could ultimately be used for the rapid and early detection of diseases. Field of research: 3407 - Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Gold nanomaterials are ultra-small gold particles that are used in chemical production, and as sensors and medicines. These materials are essential to Australia’s chemical, biotechnology and health-care sectors, but they are also expensive, difficult to recover, and can degrade unpredictably. By identifying and suppressing the ways these nanoparticles break down, this project will provide tools that rapidly predict the stability of gold nanomaterials and design strategies that improve their durability. Australia’s biotechnology sector could use these tools to reduce material screening costs and improve safety. Australian chemical manufacturers could use these design strategies to create more versatile, cost-effective and sustainable gold nanomaterials. Access to more stable and affordable gold nanomaterials would translate to better practical outcomes for their developing applications, including renewable fuel production, rapid disease detection and medical imaging. By enabling these innovations, this project could deliver significant economic, commercial and health benefits to Australian communities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Plant-mediated arsenic-iron mineral transformations. The project goals are to advance our understanding of molecular-level iron-arsenic transformations induced at plant-mineral-atmosphere interfaces as influenced by remediation actions and future environmental change. The project aims for this to be achieved through an innovative experimental infrastructure combined with isotopic, spectroscopic and advanced synchrotron-based tools. Intended outcomes and benefits are the generation of new knowledge, which will improve current understanding of arsenic and iron fate impacted by remediation actions, plant growth and planetary changes induced via the atmosphere-plant-soil interface. Field of research: 4106 - Soil Sciences Arsenic contamination of the environment is a critical issue globally. It is estimated that in excess of 200 million people suffer from excessive arsenic exposure, with an estimated 20 million hectares of contaminated land. In Australia, arsenic contamination has serious effects on human health, land productivity and value that impact local communities, including landowners, farmers, mining operators and remote indigenous communities. Little is known about how plants and climate change influence the leaching of arsenic from contaminated land. This project aims to understand the role that different plants and climate change play in influencing arsenic leaching and its subsequent environmental impacts. The new knowledge generated can be used to improve remediation policies used by landowners, regulatory agencies, and technical service providers to improve management of arsenic contaminated landscapes in Australia through selection of appropriate trees, shrubs and grasses for planting.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science. ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science. This Centre aims to explore the society wide transformations that will flow from optical frequency combs - thousands of highly pure light signals precisely spaced across the entire optical spectrum - by leveraging and building upon the latest breakthroughs in physics, materials science and nanofabrication. It expects to generate a wide new base of knowledge in fields as diverse as astronomy, spectroscopy, chemical sensors, and precision measurement. Expected outcomes include the capability to realise complete comb systems on a chip the size of a fingernail, tailored to specific applications, with significant benefits spanning from imaging live cells to autonomous vehicles, satellite communications, and the search for exoplanets. Field of research: 5102 - Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics An invention combining the precision of lasers with the utility of electronics made it possible to measure any physical quantity with unprecedented accuracy. However, 20 years later, this technology is still so complex and expensive that it has had limited impact on society. This centre will pioneer a revolutionary new form of this technology that can be mass manufactured to be cheap, compact, and reliable – just like the electronics inside a smart phone. The centre will train the next generation of research leaders who will use this technology to address real-world challenges such as turbo-charging the internet, analysing living organisms, and monitoring civil infrastructure and the changing environment. The research program is deeply linked with Australian industries spanning defence, manufacturing, communications, and sensing – ensuring that its breakthroughs will be harnessed for national benefit. The centre will establish Australia as the global focus for sensing and measurement solutions, achieve generational scientific breakthroughs and drive future industrial automation and environmental awareness.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Free Float or support free: a new generation metal 3D printing facility . This project aims to establish a new generation metal 3D printing research facility that allows faster, more cost-effective, and greener 3D printing of complex metal parts, while offering greater design freedom than current metal 3D printing processes. This is important for cutting-edge research into this emerging technology and accelerating its adoption by Australian manufacturing. Expected outcomes include a state-of-the-art laser metal 3D printer, highly innovative metal 3D printing research and development capabilities, closer integration with industrial needs, and training of future metal 3D printing researchers. This should benefit the defence, space, aerospace, biomedical, clean energy, chemical processing and other industries. Field of research: 4014 - Manufacturing Engineering Metal 3D printing is playing an increasingly important role in the manufacture of high value-added metal parts and in enabling new metal product development across virtually all manufacturing sectors. This project aims to establish a new generation metal 3D printing research facility in Australia, which allows faster, more cost-effective (30-50% reduction), and greener 3D printing of complex metal parts than current printing processes. This new metal 3D printing technology will significantly enhance the design freedom while substantially reducing the use of resources. The outcomes include a state-of-the-art laser metal 3D printer, highly innovative metal 3D printing research and development capabilities, and closer integration with industrial needs. Intellectual property arising from the design and production methods of metal products will be communicated and licensed to companies in the Australian defence, space, aerospace, biomedical and clean energy industries to enable the production of cost-effective, low carbon emission products, supporting the Australian Government's Modern Manufacturing Initiative.