RMIT University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Facade fire failures in buildings: a robust nanocomposite solution. This project aims to develop an innovative fire resistant composite façade system which is also strong, lightweight, thermally efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The project expects to develop new knowledge in areas of fire safety and advanced manufacturing of a nanocomposite facade utilising advanced computational fluid dynamics simulations to model the external flame spread. The outcomes will provide improved insight into the mechanism of external fire spread and development of the façade system which is safe, resilient and fire resistant. This work will be useful for building owners, construction authorities and researchers to tackle the global issues of combustible façades and provide better fire design strategies to protect occupants. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Understanding intramolecular regulation of ubiquitin enzymes. This project aims to combine structural, biophysical and functional studies to characterise how ubiquitin enzymes are regulated. Ubiquitination controls essential cellular pathways in all eukaryotes and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the vital regulation of this process. This project expects to develop broadly applicable techniques for investigating protein conformation and self-association as a means of controlling catalytic activity. The project should significantly increase understanding of several modes of regulation of ubiquitin ligase catalytic activity, and how this controls a myriad of cellular processes. The project will lay the foundation for applied research anti-viral compounds, plant anti-fungals and cancer therapies. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Superconducting diamond for investigating sources of interface noise. This project aims to identify and eliminate the sources of electro-magnetic noise at material interfaces, through the development of diamond as a model semiconductor/superconductor material system. The project expects to generate new understandings about the origin of these noise sources, using a combination of new nanofabrication developments and exquisite control over the surface chemical bonding of the diamond material. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding and control of noise sources in superconducting and quantum devices, and potentially a new material platform for the creation of superconducting quantum circuits. By supporting Australia's nascent quantum technologies industry this project will help support research training and a higher quality workforce, with the possibility for enabling job creation in the future. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Understanding algorithmic distribution in the Australian media industry. This project examines how the use of algorithms to distribute content on social media platforms is affecting the Australian media sector. It will investigate how media professionals work with algorithms, what sort of media content is prioritised on these platforms and whether these algorithms affect content diversity and competition. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how social media platforms function as media distributors and the role of algorithmic systems within the workplace. Findings will inform current policy debates around the role of major social media platforms in a transforming media sector. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Translating ambiance: restorative sound design for urban soundscapes. This project aims to address the issue of sensory overload caused by noise pollution, which can be a significant stressor and threat to wellbeing. The project expects to produce innovations in the area of urban soundscape design by combining biophilic design and ambiance theory. Expected outcomes of this project include new techniques for the creation of sound art installations that advance the effectiveness of urban renewal initiatives. This project should provide significant benefits, such as improving the quality of life in urban centres by producing restful and restorative places, and identifying pathways for the involvement of creative practitioners in the design and management of the built environment. Field of research: 1203 - Design Practice and Management

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Developing a predictive toxicity model for metallic anions in plants. This project aims to develop competitive anionic toxicity models for antimony, arsenic, molybdenum and selenium supported by detailed speciation information. Available ecotoxicological models for inorganic toxicants have exclusively focused on cations such as zinc, and ignored anionic toxicants such as arsenic and antimony. For available models on cations to be applicable to contaminated environments, it is essential for equivalent anionic toxicity models be developed. This project will develop the first such model, which will provide new insights on ecotoxicological modelling for inorganic anionic toxicants. The project will transform ecotoxicological modelling approaches for metals and metalloids in terrestrial systems and directly improve our ability to assess risks associated with environmental contamination. Field of research: 0399 - Other Chemical Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Designing augmented eating interfaces to promote mindful eating. This project aims to develop and test novel augmented eating interfaces in order to address the contradiction between the concept of mindful eating (no distractions) and the reality of screen cultures (eating with screens). Eating while watching screens can be problematic because it can cause overeating, which can manifest into bigger health concerns such as obesity and heart disease. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of human-food interaction. It presents two new augmented eating systems and a socio-technological study of these systems in use within Australian households. The expected outcomes include a framework on how to design interactive systems that encourage mindful eating without compromising the pleasures of screen-based media and the eating experience, and a greater theoretical understanding of how to support mindful eating in everyday practice. Field of research: 0806 - Information Systems

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

ARC Training Centre for Transformation of Australia's Biosolids Resource. This Centre aims to bring together Australia’s leading biosolids researchers and key industry and government stakeholders to advance the management, transformation and reuse of biosolids in agriculture. The focus is: 1) capability and knowledge building, 2) research development, extension and training, 3) sustainable strategic partnerships. The expected outcomes of the Centre are to develop a group of new, highly-trained industry-ready researchers as well as advanced solutions in three major themes: improved technologies, enhanced products and sustainability. This will provide significant benefits in the economic value of new applications and market opportunities as well as deliver cost-savings – all in an environmentally friendly manner. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Cooperation through Code: The social outcomes of blockchain technology. This project aims to show the social consequences of using distributed ledger technology, including blockchains, for compliance, registries and regulatory processes. The project expects to generate new knowledge of how technology is changing administrative coordination between government and non-government entities. Expected outcomes include evidence of how blockchain technology is being applied to specific tasks and whether this improves on legacy systems. In addition to advancing social research on technological change, the project should provide benefits such as fairer strategies for effective regulation through technology, and an understanding of how these technologies in turn should be governed. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

New approaches to interactive sessional search for complex tasks. This project aims to develop new tools and techniques to improve the accuracy and speed of search and data analytics for complex information tasks. There are currently no publicly available search engines which support users engaged in complex interactive search, or that allow searchers to fully control their own data and privacy. Fundamental research advances, based on understanding real user behaviour and search needs will have an impact on important academic, industrial, and government domains, including virtual assistants, health care (clinical decision support), precision medicine, eDiscovery, crime prevention, and detailed socio-economic evaluations. Field of research: 0807 - Library and Information Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Nanodroplet platforms for engineering novel nanocarbon structures. This project aims to exploit surface nanodroplet array platforms to construct multi-scale level assembly of nanometer-scale carbon materials. The project expects to advance knowledge on the interactions between droplets and carbon nanomaterials to enable controlled construction of nanocarbon based optoelectric devices. Successful adoption of nanocarbon material-based optoelectronic devices by the energy conversion industry has the potential to increase efficiency of conversion and reduce the cost of manufacture. The expected outcomes are large scale and well-ordered nanocarbon structures with excellent electronic and optical properties. Field of research: 1007 - Nanotechnology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Manikin Flash Fire Evaluation System for material thermal protection. This project aims to establish the first national Manikin Based Flash Fire Evaluation Research Facility in Australia to develop protocols for assessing real environment fire burning phenomena between the human body and flash fires. This facility will support the diverse needs of researchers working on the assessment of material thermal protection performance, by establishing a system for precise, responsive and highly objective assessment of the thermal protection performance of protective garments and related materials. This knowledge will assist in the development of new quality standards and policies for functional fire protective textiles and equipment, next-generation composites and fire retardant building materials critical for the safety of the Australian workplace and the broader community. Field of research: 0910 - Manufacturing Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Rational design of new synthetic antifreeze molecules for cryopreservation. This project aims to synthesise new carbohydrate-based surfactants optimised for use as cryoprotectants, and to accurately measure, model and optimise their performance. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental methods and advanced phase-field modelling techniques to optimise the cryoprotectants so that they reduce osmotic stress in cells and inhibit ice crystal growth during freezing and thawing. The expected outcomes will be novel cryoprotectants that are easy to synthesise, non-toxic and effective, opening up new possibilities for the cryopreservation of cells, organs and possibly even whole organisms. This will have broad impact in critical applications such as long-term blood storage, reproductive technology and stem cell therapy, as well as preservation of endangered species. Field of research: 0305 - Organic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Internet-distributed television: cultural, industrial and policy dynamics. This project aims to investigate the impact of global subscription video-on-demand platforms on national television markets. The rise of subscription video streaming has created significant challenges for Australian and international broadcast, media and cultural policy frameworks, which are struggling to keep up with audience viewing practices. This project will provide a comparative analysis of how governments are responding and investigating the implications for debates about local content, local screen production, and media diversity. The project will provide an analysis of original production and programming strategies to identify new forms of trans-national media flow. The project will advance an understanding of media globalisation and provide media regulators options and opportunities for a convergent media policy environment. Field of research: 2001 - Communication and Media Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Dynamic Deep Learning for Electricity Demand Forecasting. This project aims at developing a deep learning technology for high resolution electricity demand forecasting and residential demand response modelling. Electricity consumption data are dynamic and highly uncertain. The deep learning technology expects to provide accurate demand forecasting, and thus enabling optimal use of existing grid assets and guiding future investments. The expected outcome can support data-driven decision-making in Australia's electricity distribution network planning and operation by considering future challenges such as integrating battery storage and electric vehicles into the grid, and thus providing reliable energy. The project expects to train next generation expert workforce for Australia's future power grid. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Rainbows on demand: coherent comb sources on a photonic chip. This project aims to create photonic circuit technologies that will generate hundreds of coherent laser lines from a single chip. The emerging industrially scalable silicon nitride on thin-film lithium niobate platform will be advanced to create resonant modulators and nonlinear waveguides with unprecedented efficiency and innovative monitoring and control techniques. When combined, these components will enable highly flexible and robust systems for generating a comb of coherent laser lines. These photonic chip comb sources will be inexpensive, compact and energy efficient with transformative impact in spectroscopy, microscopy, precision measurement, quantum computing and ultra-fast optical fibre communications. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Talking Country: Sharing Indigenous stories of place through mobile media. This project aims to investigate how media technologies can facilitate cross-cultural engagement between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. There is a need to break down the barriers that limit cross-cultural engagement with heritage issues. Mobile media environments provide ways to build this engagement through place-based incentives. The project expects to develop a new model for practice-based research, two mobile apps, two digital archives and a toolkit to guide people on driving, cycling and walking tours to Indigenous places of significance. This will offer valuable avenues to share knowledge on the importance of those sites, build cultural awareness and position Indigenous knowledges at the heart of place-based engagements. Field of research: 2002 - Cultural Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Housing energy efficiency transitions. This project aims to provide an analysis of housing retrofit and its links with household energy costs. It includes householders across eight global urban sites, as well as the businesses that supply retrofit services. The project will analyse the retrofit experience of both energy poor and other households, providing an internationally significant evidence base. Outcomes include a robust empirical evidence base on the implications of retrofit for households to tailor actions that will shape the lives of residents in Australian households. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Engineered ion channels for selective and switchable ion conduction. This project aims to develop an innovative bioinspired approach for fabricating angstrom-sized ion-channel membranes with specific ion selectivity, high ion conductivity and efficient gating function comparable to biological ion channels. Engineering of artificial channels with ion-channel-like shapes, ion selectivity filters and functional gates is expected to bring high-efficiency technologies to applications such as membrane separation and energy conversion. This project has potential to result in new knowledge of biomimetic design of artificial ion-channel membranes and directly benefit manufacturing industry for Australia. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Electrical arc machining of polycrystalline diamond with a wheel electrode. This project aims to discover new theories to overcome the core challenge in electrical discharge machining of polycrystalline diamond. Diamond materials provide the ultimate performance in cutting difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium alloys which are widely used in the aerospace and biomedical industries. However, the extremely slow erosion speed of electrical discharge machining severely impedes their applications. The project will use high energy electrical arcs for the fast machining of polycrystalline diamond. The expected outcome is a new approach and breakthroughs in fundamental knowledge that pave the way for developing new electrical machining methods and lead to significant reductions in manufacturing costs. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Temporary and tactical urbanism: mapping assemblages in agile public space. This project aims to use innovative mapping and analytical tools to investigate new, highly dynamic urban design and planning approaches that are transforming Australia’s cities. The project expects to advance knowledge by articulating the complex networks of actors, interests and resources these practices involve. The project’s expected outcomes include new insights into public space utilisation, community open space needs, and creative urban design and planning approaches. The project’s outcomes have the potential to enhance the agility and innovation of planning and design in Australian cities, broadening civic engagement, and increasing open spaces’ diversity and resilience. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Exploring piezoelectricity of two-dimensional nanocrystals and nanodevices. This project aims to study piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) nanocrystals and nano-devices. This project expects to result in the formulation of new 2D piezoelectric, ferroelectric and multiferroic theory, syntheses of 2D crystals and exploration of their functionalities, which are directly implemented in innovative electronic and photonic components. This will contribute to the advancement of both new 2D multifunctional materials and new nanodevice structures which may open up unprecedented opportunities for both scientific and technological endeavours Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Advanced inverter control for distributed energy systems. This project aims to discover innovative fundamental approaches for the control of electrical grids with a diverse and changing mix of generation sources. It will generate new knowledge in the area of electrical power system control by researching innovative and advanced inverter control techniques coupled to advanced power system models. The expected outcomes are advanced power system control techniques that remove the emerging barriers to increased penetrations of distributed generation and energy storage. The benefit of the research includes an Australian-developed solution to many of the difficulties faced by grid operators around the world in incorporating increased renewable generation and energy storage in their power systems. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Unlocking the potential of low-cost beta-titanium alloys by three-dimensional printing. This project aims to reshape the design and fabrication of beta-titanium (beta-Ti) alloys that offer ultrahigh tensile strength and significant high cycle fatigue strength. It will exploit three-dimensional printing to enable the full use of Iron (Fe) and Chromium (Cr) as beta-stabilizers for Ti without segregation leading to beta-fleck defects. The outcomes of this project are expected to fundamentally change the design and fabrication of ultrahigh-strength beta-Ti alloys and to significantly extend the capabilities of metal three-dimensional printing, as well as advancing the knowledge base of both metal three-dimensional printing and Ti alloys. They further provide a strategic solution to the manufacture of other similar engineering alloys in the broad field of metals. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Privacy-preserving online user matching. This project aims to develop efficient techniques to preserve the privacy of users of online matching websites used for finding employment, friends and partners. The project expects to generate new knowledge in privacy preserving user matching with multiple servers. The expected outcomes are new techniques that can find matching users without revealing their interests to the matching server and a prototype based on these techniques. This should alleviate the privacy concerns of people using online tools that require providing personal information. Field of research: 0803 - Computer Software