Curtin University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

2D nanomaterial heterostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen production. This project aims to develop two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial heterostructures as photocatalysts for hydrogen production from the liquid carrier of methanol. In addition to transformational photocatalytic technology to utilise Australian raw resources, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of photochemistry, materials science and nanotechnology. These should not only expand the applications of 2D nanomaterials to a new domain of photocatalysts, but also may eventually lead to new industry advances in 2D nanomaterials for a ‘hydrogen economy’. Field of research: 0306 - Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural) The development of a ‘hydrogen economy’ is attractive in a resource-rich country like Australia but difficulties linked to the infrastructure for its storage and transportation are the key issues for widening hydrogen utilisation as a new energy carrier. The successful development of photocatalytic hydrogen production from methanol using 2D nanomaterial heterostructures as photocatalysts could bring considerable economic benefits to Australia’s energy sector. The outcomes from this project should enable the development of new materials and applications not available in the current market, and put Australia at the forefront of hydrogen technology. The research is expected to result in a new class of cost-effective photocatalysts and lay the groundwork for other energy-related and nanotechnology applications including photodetectors, and chemical- or bio-sensors, further stimulating the development of future sustainable energy options.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

A Bayesian Approach to Distributed Estimation for Multi-Object Systems. This project aims to develop new signal processing techniques that facilitate autonomous technologies for environmental perception, with the ability to efficiently process large data volumes from multiple sensing modalities. Rapid advances in sensors and networks have led to a digital data deluge, from which extracting useful information presents new technological challenges and opportunities. To address this development, this project seeks to develop new distributed solutions for statistical estimation, which are specifically designed for dynamic systems with multiple object states, and are inherently scalable and robust. The potential benefits include new technologies for smart cities, autonomous infrastructure, and digital productivity. Field of research: 0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering This project aims to develop new algorithmic technologies that facilitate the future growth of smart cities, autonomous infrastructure, and digital productivity. Australia has made significant investments in its National Broadband Network, and is now embarking on a national rollout of 5G cellular networks. Such networks are driving the uptake of the Internet-of-Things, a global network of people, data, processes and devices, offering a platform for turning information into productivity. The current Industry 4.0 era is increasingly embracing the digitally connected economy, and Australia’s continued economic prosperity is coupled to its ability to capitalize on enabling digital technologies. Through leveraging locally grown expertise, this project seeks to deliver new autonomous systems, that assist people and businesses to exploit the data and network deluge. Potential application areas include autonomous mining, intelligent transport networks with self-driving cars, assessing environmental change with drone swarms, and tracking emerging health threats with integrated government systems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Containment and Reduction of Rework in Transport Mega Projects. Mega transport projects (>$1 billion) are poorly managed during their construction with significant cost and schedule overruns and benefit shortfalls regularly being experienced. Having to perform rework has been identified as a major factor that contributes to these unintended consequences. As there has been limited research that has empirically examined rework causation, an inability to develop effective rework containment and reduction strategies prevails. This research aims to develop a theoretical model that can be used to develop robust containment and reduction strategies to mitigate the adverse economic, productivity and safety consequences that materialize from performing rework during the construction of mega transport projects. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering Mega transport projects procured by the public sector are notoriously poorly managed during their construction with 90% experiencing significant cost and schedule overruns and benefit shortfalls. A major factor contributing to cost and schedule overruns is rework, which can increase projects by 12% or more. While it has been widely recognised that rework is a recurring problem during the construction of transport projects, worldwide, there has been limited empirical research that has examined its causes. This has hindered the ability to design and develop rework containment and reduction strategies. In addressing the serious economic, productivity and safety issues that materialise from performing rework, this significant and timely project will ensure governments and organisations involved with the delivery of mega transport projects are provided with the requisite knowledge needed to address this pervasive problem, which continues to plague the construction process and result in disruptions to businesses and inconvenience citizens.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even after that water has gone, providing a tool to read the record of Earth's earliest oceans. Our new methods will enable Re-Os dating with clarity and confidence, with profound implications for understanding of Earth and extra-terrestrial planetary evolution. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry New knowledge from this project will enable us to read the geological record of Earth's formation, the separation of its core, mantle, and crust, and its evolution to form the planet we live on today. Further, our work will facilitate identification and dating of rocks that once interacted with water -- constraining the formation and extent of Earth's earliest oceans with implications for development of the earliest life. Work in these fields will support Australia's position at the forefront of such studies worldwide. The same process can be undertaken for meteorites, providing an unprecedented new understanding of the formation of the solar system and the presence or absence of ancient water, supporting the work undertaken by Australia's new Space Agency. The results are also relevant to the discovery, mining and processing of the platinum group elements, classified as critical to Australia's future prosperity. Finally, the case study for this project will be undertaken on rare samples from Macquarie Island, part of Australia, and designated a World Heritage Site for its unique and significant geology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Why ocean deserts matter: Phytoplankton productivity in oligotrophic waters. This project aims to revisit the role of ocean deserts in the global ocean primary production. Because of their extent, these areas are paradoxically responsible for about half the global ocean carbon fixation. The project will use a unique combination of optical and biogeochemical data from a research voyage in the Indian Ocean, biogeochemical models and satellite observations, expecting to generate new knowledge on the link between biogeochemical and optical quantities accessible to satellite remote sensing. Expected outcomes are improved estimates of phytoplankton carbon biomass and productivity, in particular in the Indian Ocean. A key benefit will be an improved end-user relevance of satellite monitoring of Australia’s oceans. Field of research: 0405 - Oceanography The Indian Ocean hosts a rich biodiversity. The associated ecosystem services, however, are under major threats, such as faster warming than in other oceans. This project aims to deliver world-class research on a key component of these ecosystems: phytoplankton –-the microscopic algae inhabiting the ocean surface layers. They are the base of the food web and fuel important Australian fisheries industries. As such, this project has potential to bring environmental and economic benefits through improving quantification of ocean productivity. The project fully aligns with strategic plans of National interest, like the National Marine Science plan 2020/25, and it will contribute to developing Australia’s blue economy in a region that has long been recognised of strategic importance for the country’s economy. Through its connection to major space agencies, this project also helps secure Australia’s access to critical foreign satellite datasets and develop the portfolio of the Australian Space Agency. It will also strengthen Australia’s role and reputation in the International Indian Ocean expedition.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Solving the mystery of ultra luminous fast radio burst emission . Fast Radio Bursts are a recently discovered inexplicable astronomical phenomenon whose millisecond-timescale emission is generated by regions less than 300 kilometres across yet so luminous it is visible at cosmological distances. Using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder we have already localised these bursts, which made the front cover of Science, and recently used them to find the missing baryonic matter in the Universe. Next, we will scrutinise these bursts at three nanosecond time resolution, reaching the timescale necessary to probe the mechanism by which their ultra-luminous radiation is generated. This project will reveal previously inaccessible properties of the radiation to unlock the secrets of how they are produced. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences Research into fast radio bursts is fundamental physics. The project will develop new fast signal processing techniques and applications, which will be vital to the success of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder radio telescope, being developed by CSIRO. It is also a key technology for 5G networks, and this project will add value to Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities in this sector. Radioastronomy research of this nature has created a range of economic and new industry opportunities around Geraldton, WA and is supporting the growth of new technologies and applications. These include novel applications in Space Domain Awareness (including monitoring space debris) and Defence, which firmly align with the national interest. In conclusion, this project will demonstrate the nation’s capacity to deliver technology for the Square Kilometre Array, while developing human capability that melds cutting-edge physics with the computational skills and technologies that sit at the core of a modern economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Unlocking Earth’s inner secrets in deep time using palaeointensities. The geomagnetic field, generated in Earth's liquid outer core, provides Earth's biosphere and atmosphere with a critical protective shield from the bombardment of the solar wind. However, we still know little about the evolution of the geomagnetic field or the deep-time secrets it keeps. This project aims to study the varying intensity of the geomagnetic field during Earth’s middle life. The results will help decipher how the Earth’s core responded to evolving tectonic and dynamic systems, including the supercontinent cycles, and when Earth’s solid inner core initiated. Such knowledge will help us to better understand how the Earth System evolved as a whole, and how such an evolution has led to the present day life and environment on Earth. Field of research: 0404 - Geophysics Australia's socio-economic wellbeing critically relies on the discovery of new Earth resources, and a better understanding of the Earth System, including the Earth environment and the magnetic field that protects us from solar wind. In this project we will acquire cutting-edge new knowledge about how the Earth's magnetic field changed through time; how the core, mantle and crust interacted during the Earth's evolution; and how these factors might have impacted on critical points in Earth system evolution, such as oxygenation of the atmosphere, extreme climate events and the explosion of complex life. A clearer understanding of how the Earth’s deep interior interacted with the tectonic plates on the surface has direct implications on what controlled the formation and modification of the Australian crust, and what caused the seemingly episodic occurrence and uneven distribution of mineral resources that our economy relies on. This research will also enhance Australia's international science standing, attract and train high-calibre researchers and strengthen our >20 billion/a international education industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the fundamental controls on rock properties and an enhanced ability to predict and model rock behaviour. The project provides research training in innovative research methodologies, will strengthen Australia’s leadership in nano-geoscience and will provide new methodologies for advanced rock characterisation. Field of research: 0402 - Geochemistry The Australian resources sector mines rocks on a huge scale. The properties and character of these rocks is critically dependent on the interfaces that separate mineral grains, but these are poorly understood. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of mineral interfaces and will provide fundamental science constraint on how these features affect the strength and properties of rocks. As such the results will play an important role in the future characterisation of Australia’s crust and its resource development; a National Strategic Priority. The analytical workflow developed in this project will be transferable to other mineral systems, with potential applications to nuclear waste management, mining and metallurgy, minerals engineering and other industrial end-uses.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Fluid-Structure Interactions in Flows through Flexible-Walled Channels. This project seeks to deliver a definitive understanding of the behaviour of steady and pulsating fluid flow through compliant-walled channels and pipes. Novel theoretical stability-analyses and experimental investigations, complemented by targeted numerical simulations, will be developed and used to identify and categorise fluid- and wall-based wave-disturbances and their interactions. This can underpin the development of technologies that control these flows to advantage in both engineered fluid-flow and biologically occurring systems. Robust design guidelines will emerge to safeguard and enhance the use of compliant liners and flexible panels for drag and noise reductions, or to protect surfaces exposed to fluid flows. Field of research: 0203 - Classical Physics This project will generate fundamental new knowledge of the behaviour of steady and unsteady flows through channels and pipes with flexible walls. These are widespread in engineered and natural systems conveying a fluid by a driving mechanism. The new scientific knowledge discovered has the potential to open up a vast array of future technologies in which a fluid flow interacts with its bounding flexible walls. These technologies can contribute to lower pumping costs, enhanced heat and mass transfer, self-cleaning of liquid-transport pipelines, or reduced drag in industrial and transportation applications. Of direct potential benefit to Australia are those in which wall flexibility reduces flow drag/friction and hence shipping and pipeline-pump energy usage yielding cost savings and reducing environmental impacts. New fundamental understanding of biological fluid-structure interactions, where the fluid may be air, blood, or urea, can in future also underpin improved diagnosis of mechanically-based medical conditions and thence to biomedical advances leading to improved health and bio-technology exports.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

AI Assisted Probabilistic Structural Health Monitoring with Uncertain Data. This project aims to develop an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted probabilistic structural health monitoring approach for civil engineering structures. The developed approach applies novel deep learning techniques with a large amount of data measured from uncertain and complex environment, for reliable structural condition monitoring and performance prediction. This project expects to make a step change in data mining and interpretation. Expected outcomes of the project include novel AI assisted approaches to conduct probabilistic structural condition monitoring with sensitive features and future structural performance prediction. This will provide significant benefits to infrastructure asset owners to reduce maintenance costs. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering Austroads reported that in Australia, over 60% of bridges for local roads are over 50 years old and approximately 55% of all highway bridges are over 20 years old. There are around 22,500 bridges with a replacement value of about AUD$3 billion, and an annual maintenance expenditure of about AUD$300 million. This project has significant economic benefits in reducing operational interruptions and maintenance costs, and providing performance prediction of civil engineering structures, in Australian and international community, underpinned by the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence assisted approaches. The new knowledge advanced in the proposed project will contribute to Australian’s Science and Research Priorities on ‘Environmental change - Resilient urban, rural and regional infrastructure’. With the developed approaches in this project, the condition monitoring results of civil engineering structures can be used to support decision making and make infrastructure less vulnerable to natural hazards and environmental change, achieving a sustainable and resilient infrastructure network and community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Blast Resistant Interlocking Brick Walls Using Engineered Waste Materials. This project aims to develop a next-generation building system integrated with robotic construction, using intelligent interlocking block units with hazard resistance, and sustainable engineered recycled plastic waste materials. It spans from discovery of using recycled waste materials to development of analysis and design methods for a new interlocking structure, as well as mitigation measures for blast resistance. The successful implementation of this project will result in a technically, financially and environmentally sound structure form for the next-generation of robotic construction. This should lead to a revolution in construction that will substantially improve construction efficiency, quality and affordability. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering Successful completion of this project will lead to the development of a next-generation building system with hazard resistance and sustainability gains for Australia and globally. It seeks to develop an innovative form of structure that is technically sound, financially practical and environmentally friendly. Using this in Artificial Intelligence-based robotic construction is expected to revolutionise construction efficiency, quality and safety. The development of new brick mixtures utilising recycled plastic waste materials should provide both short-term and long-term strategic solutions to the urgent plastic waste problem in Australia, by consuming waste in construction materials. The discovery of new engineering meta-materials using melted plastic and iron ore residuals is an innovative proposal which bridges the gap between frontier science and engineering practice. The developed knowledge and products will enable Australia to lead in the forthcoming competition in next-generation building and associated manufacturing, addressing the Science and Research Priority of Advanced Manufacturing.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Motivating work teams: An emergence-based process model . With work teams having to undertake more critical and complex tasks, this project aims to develop and evaluate a new process model of team motivation emergence through field studies using varied samples of workers, simulation studies, and computational modelling. The project expects to generate solutions to Australia's declining work engagement by answering calls for research on how to develop team motivation. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of team motivation disseminated through scholarly and practitioner-oriented publications and presentations, as well as practical team assessment and training tools made available to organisations so they can improve team performance. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology Understanding the factors that influence the effectiveness of work teams is crucial to organisational success and Australia's productivity and economic growth. In light of the rise in team-based work and Australia's declining levels of worker motivation, this project aims to answer calls for research on how to develop motivation in teams. New demands placed on workers are being generated through increased use of virtual teams, the integration of automated technology within teams, and a more diverse workforce. With these changes, there is growing concern that organisations are not equipped to fulfill team requirements in the future workplace, as recently noted through the consultation on cooperative workplaces by the Attorney General's Department. This project aims to advance our knowledge of work team motivation and effectiveness, and develop practical assessment and training tools that can be used by work teams to monitor and improve their effectiveness. The knowledge and tools will be developed through rigorous simulation and field research coupled with computational modelling.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Remembering East Timorese migration: History, memory and identity . This project aims to examine the history of East Timorese migration to Australia and how it is remembered within the diaspora and in Australian society today. The project expects to generate new insights into how diasporic actors across several generations negotiate questions of history, memory and identity after the independence of East Timor. Expected outcomes of this project include an understanding of the diversity- and interactions of the East Timorese diaspora with Australians and other migrant communities over time. Benefits to Australia include greater insights into the changing attitudes and needs of this long term diasporic community which can improve service delivery in Australia and bilateral relations with East Timor. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies Australia has historically been shaped by the forces of migration and its relationship with its Asia-Pacific neighbours, countries such as Indonesia and East Timor. With thousands of people of East Timorese origin now living in Australia, this project offers an analysis of the East Timorese diaspora, its history, position and outlook in Australia, almost two decades after East Timor’s independence from Indonesia. Such an analysis will provide insights into the attitudes and needs of diasporic communities and Australian perspectives on migration. These insights will lead to better demographic information that can improve government and private sector service delivery, as well as be translated into policies that encourage the involvement of the diaspora in improving bilateral relations with East Timor.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Inerter-enhanced metastructure for structural vibration control. Meta-based technique has been proposed for vibration control recently due to its special wave filtering effect. However, the current techniques are difficult to attenuate low-frequency waves, thus not suitable for civil structural vibration control. This project proposes incorporating an inerter-based element into the unit cell of a metastructure. Due to the unique mass amplification characteristic of inerter element, manipulating low-frequency waves becomes possible. Practical designs are developed and applied to control the adverse vibrations of engineering structures induced by three typical vibration sources. Comprehensive analytical, experimental and numerical studies are carried out to examine the effectiveness of the proposed method. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering This project intends to develop novel inerter-enhanced metastructures to suppress the excessive vibrations of engineering structures induced by common vibration sources including traffic, earthquakes and sea waves. The developed method will lead to more economical design of vibration control devices, extended service lives of engineering structures, and prevent the possible catastrophic damages/collapses of engineering structures, it thus will have significant impacts on the construction industry, economy, environment and society; It will significantly advance current understanding in the field of solid state physics especially on the meta-based method for vibration mitigation, and ensure Australia at the forefront of fundamental and applied research; It will also find application in international construction practice, help local industry entering the competitive international market as well as potentially generating valuable intellectual property for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Home ownership and housing wealth: ageing and intergenerational pathways. This project plans to fill major research gaps by delivering new evidence on the drivers of intergenerational housing wealth inequality. It aims to generate new knowledge on the ways in which baby boomers manage housing wealth, and shed light on their experiences of using wealth transfers to improve their children’s housing outcomes. The project offers innovative cross-national analyses that should produce internationally relevant findings and foster collaborations on a significant scale. It is expected to provide major national benefits by promoting a shift away from short-term policy planning that unintentionally set generations against each other towards a more holistic policy perspective that meet the needs of co-existing generations. Field of research: 1205 - Urban and Regional Planning This project directly addresses a key national priority of sustaining older generations’ economic security without harming the housing prospects of the young. It offers direct national benefits by generating a rich evidence base that will support a shift in policy thinking from one that addresses the housing concerns of each generation in isolation, to a new platform that accounts for the housing needs of multiple surviving generations. Hence, it will encourage mutually responsive relationships between the young and old. The project’s findings will support forward-looking policy development across a range of social and economic domains, including ageing, housing, financial security, intergenerational equity and intergenerational solidarity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Sodium borohydride for solid-state green hydrogen export. This project aims to develop a new method of producing, storing, and exporting green hydrogen using Australian resources. Sodium borohydride will be produced from borax using renewable energy and exported internationally to countries that desire hydrogen from renewable sources to replace fossil fuels. Green hydrogen will be released from sodium borohydride by adding water. The spent material will then be shipped back to Australia for recycling back to sodium borohydride, creating a closed-loop energy cycle using renewable energy. This will create a new export industry in Australia by expanding current mining expertise whilst harnessing our wealth of renewable energy to potentially deliver billions of dollars of revenue. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering This project will positively impact Australia on multiple fronts, the most important being economic and commercial. A new export industry is to be developed with renewable energy at its core. With global requirements to reduce the carbon footprint, Australia can provide green energy to those who need it most. Japan and South Korea have already expressed their desire to implement a hydrogen economy, while Australia has the required solar energy and natural resources to supply them with hydrogen. Exporting renewable energy is an expensive process as electrical batteries are heavy and expensive, whilst energy dense liquids and gases are potentially difficult to handle, costly, or require special treatment on delivery. This project will export green hydrogen as a solid, reducing costs, increasing safety and simplifying overseas processing. As this is an emerging technology and industry, Australia will also benefit socially due to increased employment opportunities and national revenue.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

A particle detector array for the Murchison Widefield Array. The project will construct a particle detector array for the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope. The array will identify cosmic ray interactions in the Earth's atmosphere, and trigger radio observations. The outcome will be a new capability to study the origin of the highest-energy particles in nature, cosmic rays, and discover new physical processes at energies unreachable by the Large Hadron Collider. The anticipated benefits are the establishment of the Murchison Widefield Array as a world-leading instrument for astroparticle physics; to lay the foundations for future research with the Square Kilometre Array; and to provide answers to long-standing scientific questions of public interest. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences Multi-messenger astronomy is the study of astronomical objects using not just light, radio waves, or x-rays; but with gravitational waves and high-energy particles. The year 2017 heralded the birth of multi-messenger astronomy with two famous discoveries: the detection of gravitational waves from the merger of a binary neutron star; and the detection of neutrinos from a blazar, a kind of supermassive black hole. The future of astrophysics lies in uniting traditional astronomy with these new disciplines. This project will do so by enabling a radio telescope to study the highest energy particles in nature, cosmic rays. This will cement Australia as a world leader in this emerging field, maximize the return on existing investment in radio astronomy, and pave the way for future projects with the Square Kilometre Array. Particle physics and astronomy have also been at the forefront of technological discoveries in the 20th century, for example producing the World Wide Web and enabling WiFi. By uniting these disciplines, this project will maximize the possibility of future breakthroughs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

WA CRC-MC-ICPMS for Earth, Planetary and Environmental science. This Application aims to provide a mass spectrometer for Australian researchers collaborating on NASA, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency and China National Space Administration extra-terrestrial sample return missions as they characterise unique samples of dust and rock collected from asteroids, the Moon and meteorites. The Application will also support government geoscience agencies who will generate nationally significant isotopic datasets to improve mineral exploration success, and scientists monitoring Earth’s environment. Expected outcomes will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of cosmochemistry, minerals research and environmental studies, which will provide significant benefits to our economy and society. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences The new facility will offer an unprecedented platform for research into the processes that shaped the Earth and other planetary bodies. The formation of the Australian Space Agency and the new Space Science and Technology Centre at Curtin in 2018 signify that space science in Australia is a new and important national priority. The growth in this area deserves to be underpinned by the best instrumentation in the world. Cross-disciplinary in nature, the new facility will also lead to an improved understanding of the evolution of Earth’s surface and environment, and the formation and distribution of mineral and petroleum resources. Predicted outcomes to aid the Australian mineral and resources industry include enhanced exploration targeting and reducing exploration risk. The proposed facility is critical to meeting the demands of Australian students, early career and senior researchers in Earth and Planetary sciences, will help underpin current and future ARC projects, and support broad nationally collaborative programs (e.g, AuScope, MinEx CRC, Geoscience Mapping).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Returning WA Rapid Acquisition Fluorescent Microscopy to the cutting edge. The equipment proposal aims to establish West Australia's only super-rapid-speed, high throughput confocal microscopy facility. The technology will provide researchers in biotechnology, medicine, environmental biology and agriculture with contemporary state-of-art opportunities to analyse living cells and/or large-area tissue specimens in three-dimensions with the highest possible speed and high-resolution. West Australia hosts 1 twelve-year old historic rapid-acquisition confocal microscope that is heavily subscribed, no longer manufactured and prone to regular, prolonged, costly breakdowns. Accessing high-speed confocal systems in other states is not a viable option putting WA-based researchers at a significant disadvantage. Field of research: 1116 - Medical Physiology Rapid acquisition confocal microscopy systems are required for live cell imaging studies, a capability central to life-science researchers. The application is linked to two Australian Government Scientific priorities of 'Food Production' and of 'Health'. The ‘rapid-fluorescent-image-capture' enables consideration of large surface areas without compromising tissue viability, thus permitting a comprehensive and integrated consideration of biological processes in live tissues and cells. The technology is central to research that protects Australia's cereal and grain food production chain; and for bio-discoveries for chronic health diseases (a Commonwealth National Health Priority). Western Australian Life Science researchers wish to continue to make substantive contributions to research of national interest, but to do so require quality assured technology platforms. Please note, the indicated Chief Investigators are a sampling of 63 WA-based LEADING RESEARCHERS undertaking national and international collaboration requiring access to said platform technologies for study of biological systems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Deciphering the tectonic record of the early Earth. This project aims to decipher how and why plate tectonics emerged, and how any precursor tectonic system modulated planetary heat loss. The project expects to generate new knowledge regarding the tectonic record of the early Earth using pressure–temperature–age constraints from truly ancient (2.8–4.0 billion year old) metamorphosed rocks worldwide. Expected outcomes of this collaborative international project include the development of a conceptual geodynamic model for the early Earth. This should provide significant benefits in permitting a better understanding of the where and why of Australia’s natural resources, in training a new generation of Earth system scientists, and in broadening public awareness of fundamental Earth science. Field of research: 0403 - Geology Understanding how the Earth worked in the Archean Eon (4.0–2.5 billion years ago) has fundamental implications, not least for the formation of major mineral deposits. For example, the distribution of gold, copper and platinum is likely controlled by processes at convergent margins, narrow belts in which the rigid tectonic plates that cover the Earth are colliding. Such processes are the result of plate tectonics, which has been the modus operandi on Earth for the past 2 to 3 billion years. However, whether or not these processes were active more than 3 billion years ago is fiercely debated, due largely to the scarcity of rocks of such antiquity. Australia has some of the best exposed areas of truly ancient rocks (greater than 2.8 billion years old), and is a key area of investigation if we are to answer some of the foremost outstanding questions in Earth Science. This knowledge gleaned from the project will permit a better understanding of the where and why of Australia’s natural resources, as well as helping educate Australians about our planet in its youth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Facilitating the attainment of difficult goals: From theory to intervention. Being persistent in pursuing an important goal is glorified in society. People, however, often need to be strategic in their goal pursuits. A series of lab and field studies will aim to test how helping individuals to realise early in their goal striving whether their goal is attainable or not, can support them in making the right decision (persist with, abandon, or change the goal). The project will make novel contributions to theories of motivation and goal regulation. It will also have significant public benefit as it will provide the necessary evidence for the development of brief interventions that maximise the efficient use of individuals’ limited resources, facilitating individual and societal productivity and well-being. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology We ask: “Can people become strategic by deciding early in their goal pursuits whether to persist with a difficult goal or give up and strive for a compatible goal”? We address a significant problem, as research shows that appropriate responses to goal striving difficulties can enhance personal and social well-being, health, and productivity. We study life domains where effective goal management is often problematic, setbacks are common, and effective goal management strategies are needed. For example, we will recruit new parents with work commitments; women and men with a variety of family and work circumstances often report interference between work and family goals. In another study, we will examine money saving goals. Over 2m Australians make a New Year’s resolution to save money, but 3 in 5 break it because their goal is “unachievable”, potentially making themselves financially vulnerable. We will work with key stakeholders (parental and community groups, banks and agencies that offer free financial counselling) to outline ways in which our methods can be implemented (e.g., mobile apps, online advice).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The Global Fireball Observatory: Illuminating Solar System Origins. Virtually everything we know about the origin and evolution of our solar system comes from analysis of meteorites. But reading the record they contain has proven to be difficult: we have almost no constraint on where they come from. With ARC LIEF support, Australian planetary scientists are leading a consortium of 14 international teams to build a Global Fireball Observatory. The facility, with a unique global footprint, will be complete by end-2019. It will track 100s of meteorite falls, and for each one, pinpoint its origin in the solar system. A NASA partnership will provide administrative support. Curtin University will fund its operation. The proposal here is for a researcher and student who can drive the science program. Field of research: 0403 - Geology The Global Fireball Observatory (GFO) builds on a facility - the Desert Fireball Network (DFN) - that has materially enhanced Australian research capability. It was a driver behind a formal partnership between NASA and Australia that is enabling mission development and cooperation in advanced instrumentation. We have a track record of technical innovation, engagement with industry, and outreach for STEM, that will grow exponentially with the GFO. We have patented innovations in optical sensor technology from earlier iterations of sensor hardware. DFN tracking of satellites, debris re-entry, and overseas rocket launches led to a partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia in space situational awareness (SSA). The Curtin / Lockheed project - FireOPAL - builds on six years engineering heritage from the DFN. It directly benefits Australian national security: SSA is a key priority area for the Australian Defence Force. The GFO will be the perfect testbed for further innovation in SSA sensor technology. Finally, the NASA / GFO partnership will provide a global footprint for our multi-award winning STEM program.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

High-performance green concrete containing lithium refinery residue . This project aims to investigate the potential use of lithium refinery residue as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of green concrete through fundamental investigation of its properties and to incorporate this residue as a new supplementary cementitious material in existing Australian standard. The expected outcomes of the project include characterisation and benchmarking of lithium residue as an alternative supplementary cementitious material in concrete. This will provide significant environmental benefits in both a reduction in lithium waste and reduction of CO2 emission of cement in high-performance green concrete. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering About 1.4 M tonnes lithium residue per year is expected to be generated in lithium refinery plants in Australia due to demand of lithium ion batteries in the world. This volume of residue will require significant land area for disposal, and will lead to environmental problems with the potential for leaching of this residue into the groundwater. It is estimated about 1.3 M tonnes of CO2 emission per year in Australia associated with cement use in the construction industry could be reduced by using lithium residue as a partial replacement of cement in concrete. The construction industry in Australia could also save about A$500 Million in cement cost per year using lithium residue in concrete. Therefore, through this research the lithium residue can be recycled in concrete as a partial replacement of cement, which will provide significant economic, environmental and commercial benefit to the lithium refinery and construction industries in Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Rethinking Zoo Biology: The Histories, Effects and Futures of Captivity. This project aims to transform our understanding of the captive management of wild animals by examining the histories, effects and potential futures of zoo biology. It expects to clarify, synthesise and generate knowledge in the history and philosophy of zoo biology using interdisciplinary approaches to the intersection of human and animal lives. Expected outcomes of this project include international and interdisciplinary collaborations that will develop sophisticated methods and conceptual resources for understanding and improving human-wildlife relations. This will provide significant environmental and social benefits, protecting threatened biological communities and helping them to flourish alongside people in changing conditions. Field of research: 2002 - Cultural Studies This research contributes to Australia's national interest through its potential environmental, social and cultural benefits. It will increase knowledge of the ways human activities impact on wildlife, protecting diverse threatened biological communities and helping them to flourish alongside people in changing conditions. It will expand our environmental literacy and develop interdisciplinary methods more adequate to the complex intersections of wildlife with human communities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and sustainable development of Australia. The successful completion of this project can lead to the development of battery technologies that may lift Australia to a better position in the international market and may also help boost the prosperity of Australia’s world-leading lithium mining industry. Field of research: 0912 - Materials Engineering In recent years, concerns have been expressed on the possible shortage of fossil fuels and environmental issues resulting from low-efficiency, unsustainable electricity generation by fuel combustion. To better utilise the electricity generated by the fluctuating renewable energies, electrochemical storage devices are required. Lithium battery is a promising candidate, but its safety issue related to the flammable organic electrolytes has aroused worldwide attention. This project addresses the problem by developing solid-state lithium batteries via material engineering. The project falls into the Science and Research Priority of Energy. Successful completion of this project should contribute significantly to energy safety and sustainable development of Australia. The project may benefit the development of battery technologies that can lift Australia to a better position in the international market and may help boost the prosperity of Australia’s world-leading lithium mining industry. The project involves the participation of renowned researchers and is expected to promote international collaborations.