Curtin University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Preparing Aboriginal students in remote communities for life beyond school. This project aims to better prepare young Aboriginal adults as they transition from Vocational Education and Training school education to life beyond school, including into the workplace. Data on the experiences of past Aboriginal students will be collected and analysed to contribute to the development of appropriate pedagogy, teaching practices and resources. The expected outcomes will inform teaching practices and assist students in remote communities to successfully transition to work and life following graduation. Field of research: 1303 - Specialist Studies In Education

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Cutting-edge electron backscatter diffraction for materials analysis. This project aims to provide an innovative platform for rapid, quantitative microstructural analysis that will strengthen medium to long-term fundamental and applied materials and minerals research. A new scanning electron microscope, with next-generation detectors, will replace aging systems and enable improved, and orders-of-magnitude faster, data acquisition and processing. The project will utilise emerging technologies to advance our ability to rapidly characterise natural and man-made crystalline materials and drive innovative research across a broad range of disciplines including geoscience, planetary science and mechanical engineering. The orders-of-magnitude faster data acquisition speeds will support an increased user-base and reduce waiting times for instrument access. The technological developments made in this project will benefit the academic research community and will also be transferable to a broad range of industrial end-users. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

New tools for old rocks: first cycle provenance information. The aims of this research are to enhance stratigraphic understanding of sedimentary sequences in Western Australia through application of novel provenance fingerprinting tools in K-feldspar (Pb isotopes) & apatite (U-Pb, Sr isotopes and grain chemistry). While much stratigraphic characterization has been based on detrital zircon ages & their correlation to basement sources, two major limitations are apparent: a) zircon may be multicycle, blurring source-sink relationships, b) zircon may be absent in mafic lithologies thus biasing investigations. In this work K-feldspar & apatite provenance investigation will be undertaken on a state wide basis and include case studies in the Yilgarn Craton and Canning & Northern Carnarvon Basins. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Imaging, analysing and forecasting Australian hazards with satellites. This project aims to improve Australia’s ability to anticipate geophysical hazards. It will generate a new national capability in the use of satellite radar imagery to monitor and manage geohazards, benefiting all communities. By producing high-resolution maps of ground displacements, the project will assess the controls upon where and why these events occur, and whether they exhibit precursory behaviour. This is the first step towards accurate hazard forecasting and in building Australia's capability for near-real-time geophysical hazard monitoring on a national scale. The outputs will impact upon future recommendations for national earthquake and landslide monitoring and deliver new tools to underpin regulation of resource extraction and inform construction codes. Field of research: 0909 - Geomatic Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

The Western Australia ThermoChronology Hub. This project aims to facilitate novel geochronological research in diverse areas of Earth and planetary science by providing a world-first triple-dating instrument facility. Combining three independent radiometric dating methods, the facility will undertake research to advance our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Earth and other planets, and provide tools to enhance exploration for Earth’s resources. Expected outcomes include the formation of a strong collaborative facility for academic, government and industry research and a further strengthening of Australia’s position as an international research and education leader in the field of geochronology. It will lead to an improved understanding of the evolution of Earth’s surface, and the formation and distribution of mineral and petroleum resources. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Cooperative control of networked systems with constraints. This project aims to address the challenge of networked systems in deploying teams of robotic agents. Control of the networked system is extremely difficult due to real world constraints imposed on each agent. This project will focus on motion constraints, equipment/capability constraints, and spatial constraints. In addition to theoretical advances, the wider scientific community will benefit directly, because the control algorithms developed are expected to allow straightforward deployment of robotic teams. There are myriad applications for cooperative robotic agents, ranging from surveillance, to environmental monitoring using underwater and aerial drone formations – with an array of benefits and impacts including economic, commercial and societal. The results are intended to ensure and cement Australia’s front-line position in the current technological revolution known as “Industry 4.0”. Field of research: 0102 - Applied Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Edges of home ownership. This project aims to address substantial knowledge gaps about household behaviours, wealth management and wellbeing outcomes at the edges of home ownership. Housing pathways were traditionally viewed as linear progressions that began when leaving the parental home and ended in outright ownership. However, growing numbers of Australians now face an uncertain future at the edges of home ownership, where there is considerable movement both in and out of owning and renting over the life course. This project will deliver new evidence on households’ wealth strategies, wellbeing and risk burdens at the edges of home ownership. The project will promote policies that enhance financial wellbeing, housing stability and retirement income security amidst growing housing precariousness in Australia. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2019 · 2019-01

Sliding diodes: harvesting triboelectricity with surface chemistry. This project aims to create new methods for the conversion of friction at vibrating metal–semiconductor contacts into a continuous source of electricity; an autonomous technology to power miniature electronics in applications spanning health management to environmental sensing. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of new surface chemistry and miniature semiconductor technologies, with benefits for the design and function of silicon-based devices such as life-critical pacemakers, and self-powered monitors in remote/dangerous places. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Analysis and design of interlocking brick system against earthquake loading. This project aims to develop optimised interlocking bricks to resist static and earthquake loads. Using conventional bricks in masonry construction requires skilled labour to connect bricks with mortar. Development of interlocking bricks for mortarless connection has been attracting great interest because the easy alignment improves construction efficiency and quality. Interlocking also leads to better mechanical performance of the resulting structures. This project will have significant impact on construction technology and the Australian masonry industry, and greatly improve the competitiveness of the Australian construction industry in the international market. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Demographic distribution models for ecology, conservation & public health. This project aims to advance distribution modelling by developing a new demographic species distribution modelling (DSDM) framework that unites correlative and process-based approaches. This project will develop ecologically realistic models of the distributions of species and diseases, leading to better decision-making in conservation and public health. This will provide significant benefits, such as a better understanding of where and how to control mosquitoes to reduce malaria transmission in Africa, how best to conserve the vulnerable greater glider in Eastern Australia, and to forecast where and when outbreaks of Ross River virus are likely occur in Victoria. Field of research: 0501 - Ecological Applications

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Unveiling the first billion years: enabling epoch of reionisation science. This project aims to deliver detections and exploration of the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR) through observation of the 21 cm hydrogen emission line from gas in the first billion years of the Universe. The EoR and Cosmic Dawn mark the two remaining unobserved periods in the history of the Universe. Together, they are witness to the formation, birth and illumination of the first stars, galaxies and x-ray sources, and the consequent transformation of the intergalactic medium from a cold, neutral fog of hydrogen, to a heated, ionised canvas for the luminous Universe. The 21cm neutral hydrogen radio signal maps the astrophysics and cosmology of the first billion years, providing a direct tracer of their evolution and spatial distribution. The project will deliver advances in early Universe physics by circumventing limitations of current experiments, and will deliver lasting scientific and technological breakthroughs. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Producing clean energy through geomimetic chemistry. This project aims to provide new chemical pathways able to produce clean energy by following a computational geomimetic approach. It will generate new knowledge in the field of materials science, by characterising the rich mineral chemistry observed on ocean floors and in extra-terrestrial environments that is naturally able to produce fuel through harvesting carbon dioxide. Expected outcomes include a full understanding of chemical reactions that are at present unexplored at a fundamental level. This will open new perspectives in their potential employment to address the contemporary challenge of producing clean energy and will generate environmental and economic benefit to the Australian and international communities. Field of research: 0307 - Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Development of multi-hazard resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This project aims to develop next generation construction of multi-hazard resilient structures for the safety and wellbeing of the public, society and economy, as well as structural health monitoring techniques for effective engineering asset management. Sustainable infrastructure development involves the use of green materials to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and new technologies to reduce construction and life-cycle maintenance cost. The project will use new green materials and techniques to prefabricate structural components which can be easily assembled and dismantled to meet the requirement for adaptation to technology advancement, urban planning and climate change. The project will advance the construction practice for sustainable infrastructure development. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Thermodynamics inversion for mineral systems. This project aims to provide a newly developed science approach to the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP). AusLAMP provides unparalleled geophysical information aimed at unravelling the tectonic history of the Australian continent and its mineral potential. The project will use thermodynamically based geodynamic simulators to jointly analyse and quantify intraplate deformation. This will illuminate the cause of driving fluid flow thorough the lithosphere, mineralisation phenomena, their datasets and geometries, and dynamic aspects of the processes driving mineral systems. Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Fish fingerprints - signatures of oil contamination. The project aims to integrate chemical characterisation of crude oil with inorganic and organic markers in living organisms. Linking harmful effects on ecosystems with exposure to spilled crude oil remains a major challenge due to the ever-changing nature of oil in the environment. This project will expose fish to a range of fresh/weathered oils to mimic various exposure scenarios. The transition of oil to metabolites will be characterised in a suite of environmental and biological matrices using multi-dimensional chromatography/mass spectrometry, trace metals and compound-specific isotope analyses. This project will provide significant benefits by providing an improved capacity to link source oil with specific markers in living organisms. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Reducing health disparities for culturally and linguistically diverse peoples. This project aims to develop a greater understanding of migrants and the factors that predict poor health outcomes related to blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections. The delayed access by migrants to healthcare from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds results in late diagnosis, low treatment uptake, and poorer health outcomes, with enhanced risk of infection and increased burden on the health system. The data collected in this project will assist in developing health services to meet these needs. Field of research: 1603 - Demography

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Improving road network operations under non-recurrent events. This project aims to develop an innovative approach for improving Road Network Operations (RNO) under non-recurrent events through analysis of big data and images. The outcomes of this project can not only improve the mobility of people, but also provide improved safety outcomes for all users of the transport network. It will help optimise traffic control strategies and traffic designs, reduce the maintenance cost for road infrastructure and improve quality of life. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Electron, positron, and heavy-particle collisions with molecules. This project aims to develop a computational approach to collisions involving molecular targets with electrons, positrons and heavy particles. Recently, the approach to atomic collisions, the Convergent Close Coupling (CCC) method, has been extended and verified for positron, electron, and heavy particle collisions with the simplest molecular systems (molecular hydrogen and its ion). This project now aims to extend the CCC method to study collisions with more complex molecules. Expected benefits include more accurate data for diagnostic tools such as Positron Emission Tomography, and potential advances in particle-based cancer therapy. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

New technology for designing advanced surface textures. This project aims to develop new methods for the characterisation of advanced textures to aid the manufacturing industry. There is an increasing demand for surfaces with various texture patterns manufactured by modern industry. Thus, novel texture characterisation methods are needed. New methods will allow for optimisation of surface textures for example for improved energy efficiency, bone growth in artificial implants, and others. Field of research: 1204 - Engineering Design

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Smart utilisation of cobaltite based electrodes on solid oxide fuel cells. This project aims to develop solid oxide fuel cell technologies with significantly simplified fabrication steps and at low cost. It aims to generate fundamental knowledge on the polarisation induced electrode/electrolyte interfaces under fuel cell operation conditions. The advanced fuel cell technologies will in turn substantially increase the energy conversion efficiency and provide significant benefit in the reduction of greenhouse emission. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

The recovery of life recorded at the end-cretaceous impact crater. This project aims to provide new insights into how the Earth and its ecosystems respond to catastrophic events and dramatic shifts in climate. Sharp changes in climate and ocean circulation can place ecosystems under severe stress. The unique data stemming from this multidisciplinary characterisation of the fluxes of organisms recorded at the Chicxulub impact crater could be used to model the fate of life, and the potential to recover from future ecologically turbulent events. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing the catalytic reforming of tar as part of the hot gas cleaning during the conversion of biomass. The technology will contribute to Australia’s improved energy security and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the carbon-constrained future. Field of research: 0904 - Chemical Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Empowering vulnerable youth in Australia by combatting linguistic racism. This project aims to investigate how culturally and linguistically diverse young Australians experience discrimination in their daily lives because of how they speak.The project will generate new knowledge addressing the critical need to review the linguistic disparity experienced by bi/multilingual speakers. Major benefits are policy recommendations to improve health and welfare of the population. Field of research: 2004 - Linguistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Teaching and testing second language pragmatic skills. This project aims to develop understanding of what it means to be communicatively proficient in English as a second language. Drawing on research in second language acquisition, pragmatics and language testing, the project will develop a set of language tests to assess learners’ ability to use English appropriately in everyday situations. The tests will then be used to evaluate the effectiveness of language instruction in developing this ability. Outcomes will include a set of novel language tests and valuable information about effective language instruction. The project will inform the extent to which migrants possess the pragmatic skills needed to live and work in Australia and how they can be helped to acquire these skills. Field of research: 2004 - Linguistics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2018 · 2018-01

Impact processes and evolution of the Martian crust. The project aims to define the crustal structure of Mars, using three-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling, experiments and geophysical data obtained from Mars. This will be achieved by the analysis of impact-related seismic data obtained by the forthcoming mission to Mars, along with already available remote sensing data of Mars. This project will start a new multidisciplinary field linking numerical impact physics and seismology. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences