Flow structures and transport: predictability and control. Moving flow structures (the boundary of an eddy, the flow interface between two fluids) are crucial in fluid mixing and in the transport of heat, pollutants and nutrients. This project will analyse their roles in improving predictions of spreading extents and rates for geophysical-scale problems, and in controlling transport at the micro-scale. Inaccuracies in currently available numerical diagnostics for transport prediction will be com ....Flow structures and transport: predictability and control. Moving flow structures (the boundary of an eddy, the flow interface between two fluids) are crucial in fluid mixing and in the transport of heat, pollutants and nutrients. This project will analyse their roles in improving predictions of spreading extents and rates for geophysical-scale problems, and in controlling transport at the micro-scale. Inaccuracies in currently available numerical diagnostics for transport prediction will be comprehensively evaluated via comparison with recent exact models. Analytical methods for quantifying transport under unsteady flow protocols will be developed, and used to answer questions on controlling transport in microfluidic applications in conjunction with experimentalists.Read moreRead less
Microcantilevers for multifrequency atomic force microscopy. This project aims to design a microcantilever with high-performing sensors more sensitive and with better noise performance than the typical optical system used in commercial Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs). The AFM, a nanotechnology instrument, uses a microcantilever (with an extremely shape probe) to interrogate a sample surface. It has made important discoveries in nanotechnology, life sciences, nanomachining, material science and d ....Microcantilevers for multifrequency atomic force microscopy. This project aims to design a microcantilever with high-performing sensors more sensitive and with better noise performance than the typical optical system used in commercial Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs). The AFM, a nanotechnology instrument, uses a microcantilever (with an extremely shape probe) to interrogate a sample surface. It has made important discoveries in nanotechnology, life sciences, nanomachining, material science and data storage systems. Despite its success, the technique’s spatial resolution and quantitative measurements are limited. This project could lead to breakthrough technologies such as atomic force spectroscopy to study elastic modulus of nanostructures, and establish Australia's prominence in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Fuzzy modelling and design of complex networked systems. This project aims to develop analysis and synthesis approaches for non-linear networked control systems, including modelling, stability analysis and design problems. The non-linear effects and analysis of networked control systems have received considerable attention because of the universal existence of nonlinearities in practice. Network-based non-linear systems are widely used but face problems from non-linearities and networks. This pr ....Fuzzy modelling and design of complex networked systems. This project aims to develop analysis and synthesis approaches for non-linear networked control systems, including modelling, stability analysis and design problems. The non-linear effects and analysis of networked control systems have received considerable attention because of the universal existence of nonlinearities in practice. Network-based non-linear systems are widely used but face problems from non-linearities and networks. This project will establish a software-based nonlinear networked control system platform to test the presented algorithms and strengthen the scenarios in applications. This project is expected to increase Australian excellence in cyber-security and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Exploring new tools in nonlinear filtering and control. The conceptual advances with new design rules to be developed in the area of nonlinear filtering and control. Major benefits of this project will be its direct applications to state estimation and control problems in automobile, manufacturing, military hardware and medical device industries, and its increased capacity of contact research.
System identification of microstructure in the brain using magnetic resonance. Magnetic Resonance Imaging technologies will be exploited to probe the microstructure of the brain, using powerful Bayesian optimisation techniques and innovative uses of magnetic resonance. The project will in particular develop non-invasive imaging methods to quantify iron content in the brain, important for research on dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Reliable and efficient algorithms for modelling dynamical systems from data. Mathematical and computational models are increasingly important in diverse areas of science and engineering including aircraft and automotive design, robotics, medical sensing, and biology. However, finding an accurate model remains a difficult task. This project will develop new methods to reliably find highly accurate models from recorded data.
Optimal electromaterial structures for energy applications. This project aims to develop new mathematical and modelling approaches to determine optimal configurations and parameters for material structures created from three-dimensional printing of combined metals and electromaterials. Electromaterials are needed for sustainable energy, but solving coupled-systems of highly nonlinear governing equations is needed for optimal control of spatial arrangement and composition in nano and micro-struct ....Optimal electromaterial structures for energy applications. This project aims to develop new mathematical and modelling approaches to determine optimal configurations and parameters for material structures created from three-dimensional printing of combined metals and electromaterials. Electromaterials are needed for sustainable energy, but solving coupled-systems of highly nonlinear governing equations is needed for optimal control of spatial arrangement and composition in nano and micro-structural domains. Dealing with this mathematical complexity is critical to developing high efficiency energy generation and gas storage systems. This is expected to enhance transport mechanisms within electrochemical devices and create opportunities for industry to use electrofunctional materials.Read moreRead less
New mathematics for multi-extremal optimization and diffusion tensor imaging. This project aims to establish numerically certifiable mathematical theory and methods for semi-algebraic optimisation problems. Numerically certifiable optimisation principles and techniques are vital for the practical use of optimisation technologies because they can be readily implemented by common computer models and algorithms. Yet no such methodologies exist for multi-extremal, semi-algebraic optimisation problem ....New mathematics for multi-extremal optimization and diffusion tensor imaging. This project aims to establish numerically certifiable mathematical theory and methods for semi-algebraic optimisation problems. Numerically certifiable optimisation principles and techniques are vital for the practical use of optimisation technologies because they can be readily implemented by common computer models and algorithms. Yet no such methodologies exist for multi-extremal, semi-algebraic optimisation problems which are common in modern science and medicine. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced optimisation methods for diffusion tensor imaging, an emerging technology in brain sciences.Read moreRead less
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 dev ....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”.Read moreRead less
Improving transient performance for systems with multiple inputs/outputs. This project aims to develop and test new mathematical techniques for the improvement of transient performance in tracking control systems. The fundamental problem to be addressed will be the design of controllers to rapidly track constant and time varying target reference signals without overshooting or undershooting for multiple-input multiple-output systems/plants. These new methods aim to offer improved accuracy and sp ....Improving transient performance for systems with multiple inputs/outputs. This project aims to develop and test new mathematical techniques for the improvement of transient performance in tracking control systems. The fundamental problem to be addressed will be the design of controllers to rapidly track constant and time varying target reference signals without overshooting or undershooting for multiple-input multiple-output systems/plants. These new methods aim to offer improved accuracy and speed in many engineering applications.Read moreRead less