The Response of the Middle Atmosphere to Solar and Dynamical Forcing. The region of the atmosphere and ionosphere between 50 and 100 km is difficult to measure directly. We will use a unique array of instruments deployed across Australia to study how this region responds to waves generated in the lower atmosphere and to changes in electromagnetic energy from the sun and particle precipitation from the magnetosphere. Outcomes will help our understanding of how the region is responding to rising l ....The Response of the Middle Atmosphere to Solar and Dynamical Forcing. The region of the atmosphere and ionosphere between 50 and 100 km is difficult to measure directly. We will use a unique array of instruments deployed across Australia to study how this region responds to waves generated in the lower atmosphere and to changes in electromagnetic energy from the sun and particle precipitation from the magnetosphere. Outcomes will help our understanding of how the region is responding to rising levels of greenhouse gas concentrations. Cooling effects are already apparent and our research will look for additional evidence of change.Read moreRead less
Geology and geochemistry of Permian and Triassic sediments in Perth Basin for exploration of petroleum in WA. A mutlidisciplinery approach using molecular organic geochemical analyses combined with geological information will innovatively contribute to a coherent portrayal of the decline, collapse and subsequent recovery of biological species at the Permian/Triassic extinction event in Western Australia and other parts of the world. The proposed study will particulary focus on environmental ch ....Geology and geochemistry of Permian and Triassic sediments in Perth Basin for exploration of petroleum in WA. A mutlidisciplinery approach using molecular organic geochemical analyses combined with geological information will innovatively contribute to a coherent portrayal of the decline, collapse and subsequent recovery of biological species at the Permian/Triassic extinction event in Western Australia and other parts of the world. The proposed study will particulary focus on environmental changes closely related to deposition of petroleum source rocks globally but also focussing on the Perth Basin of the Triassic. This information will then be used to better identify rocks in Australia offering good sources of petroleum.Read moreRead less
Localised instabilities in magnetically confined plasmas heated by radio waves. The H-1 Heliac Major National Facility will be used for experiments to search for localised plasma "ballooning" instabilities. These instabilities, studied theoretically but not yet identified in experiments, are thought to limit the pressure achievable in plasmas of interest for production of renewable, low-greenhouse gas emission, fusion power, and are also invoked to explain magnetospheric phenomena like auroral s ....Localised instabilities in magnetically confined plasmas heated by radio waves. The H-1 Heliac Major National Facility will be used for experiments to search for localised plasma "ballooning" instabilities. These instabilities, studied theoretically but not yet identified in experiments, are thought to limit the pressure achievable in plasmas of interest for production of renewable, low-greenhouse gas emission, fusion power, and are also invoked to explain magnetospheric phenomena like auroral substorms. The flexible magnetic configuration, radio frequency (rf) and microwave plasma heating systems, and diagnostic set of H-1 are uniquely suited to this program. Advances in rf plasma techniques and diagnostics will also benefit the development of novel communications and instrumentation technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775621
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,000.00
Summary
Mileura Widefield Array: A New Low Frequency Telescope. A new radio-quiet site for international radio astronomy is being developed at Mileura in Western Australia. We have constructed a low frequency test array on the site, and established that the site is excellent for radio astronomy. We plan to build a telescope which will observe the early universe, when stars and galaxies where first born. This will be the first telescope capable of this type of measurement of the early universe. In addi ....Mileura Widefield Array: A New Low Frequency Telescope. A new radio-quiet site for international radio astronomy is being developed at Mileura in Western Australia. We have constructed a low frequency test array on the site, and established that the site is excellent for radio astronomy. We plan to build a telescope which will observe the early universe, when stars and galaxies where first born. This will be the first telescope capable of this type of measurement of the early universe. In addition, the telescope will measure the solar wind, and its potential interactions with the earth.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347945
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$182,000.00
Summary
Extension to Stable Isotope Facility: Elemental Analyser and GC-GC Preparative Systems. To carry out compound specific stable isotope analysis, compounds need to be resolved by GC, and with samples such as petroleum, this is uncommon. We therefore seek to explore GC-GC as a novel additional preparative system in isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Within our new State Centre of Excellence we will be confronted with samples such as soils, sediments, and natural organic matter which require examinati ....Extension to Stable Isotope Facility: Elemental Analyser and GC-GC Preparative Systems. To carry out compound specific stable isotope analysis, compounds need to be resolved by GC, and with samples such as petroleum, this is uncommon. We therefore seek to explore GC-GC as a novel additional preparative system in isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Within our new State Centre of Excellence we will be confronted with samples such as soils, sediments, and natural organic matter which require examination by bulk isotope analysis. If equipped with a customised elemental analyser as an inlet system, both our existing mass analysers will be capable of measuring carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur isotope values of whole samples.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882938
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,430,000.00
Summary
MIRA Widefield Array: a new low frequency telescope. A new radio-quiet site for international radio astronomy is being developed at Boolardy in Western Australia. We have constructed a low frequency test array on the site, and established that the site is excellent for radio astronomy. We plan to build a telescope which will observe the early universe, when stars and galaxies where first born. This will be the first telescope capable of this type of measurement of the early universe. In additi ....MIRA Widefield Array: a new low frequency telescope. A new radio-quiet site for international radio astronomy is being developed at Boolardy in Western Australia. We have constructed a low frequency test array on the site, and established that the site is excellent for radio astronomy. We plan to build a telescope which will observe the early universe, when stars and galaxies where first born. This will be the first telescope capable of this type of measurement of the early universe. In addition, the telescope will measure the solar wind, and its potential interactions with the Earth. Read moreRead less
Investigations and characterization of new materials for wireless communications. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric materials available from different sources at microwave frequencies, in a wide range of temperatures from room down to liquid helium temperatures. Two measurement techniques are proposed to be used for this purpose: the dielectric rod resonator technique for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique ....Investigations and characterization of new materials for wireless communications. The main goal of the project is to characterize electromagnetic properties of single crystal dielectric materials available from different sources at microwave frequencies, in a wide range of temperatures from room down to liquid helium temperatures. Two measurement techniques are proposed to be used for this purpose: the dielectric rod resonator technique for all materials and the whispering gallery mode technique to measure the lowest loss materials. A principal benefit to wireless communication is that very accurately measured microwave parameters of electronic materials will be made available to designers of new components and systems (especially useful for operation at cryogenic temperatures).Read moreRead less
Study of the ionospheric E region during disturbed geomagnetic conditions using stereoscopic HF radar observations. This project is expected to benefit Australia by: maintaining and expanding Australia's traditionally strong research positions in the field of space physics; conducting leading edge research in the rapidly expanding field of geomagnetic storm effects on technological systems; establishing bi-directional transfer of radar technology between Australia and international partners; pro ....Study of the ionospheric E region during disturbed geomagnetic conditions using stereoscopic HF radar observations. This project is expected to benefit Australia by: maintaining and expanding Australia's traditionally strong research positions in the field of space physics; conducting leading edge research in the rapidly expanding field of geomagnetic storm effects on technological systems; establishing bi-directional transfer of radar technology between Australia and international partners; providing unique training in space science and advanced data processing highly valued by industry, government and academia' potentially leading to significant improvements in performance and stability of satellite communication and positioning systems; and supporting Australia's critical infrastructure such as surveillance and power distribution networks.Read moreRead less
DYNAMICS OF EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS. Space weather is produced by rapid variations in wave fields and particle populations in near-Earth space, and has many effects. These include damage to spacecraft (causing operational anomalies and loss of service), degrading the performance of GPS, space-ground, HF radio and cable-based networks, and affecting surveillance radars. The core aim of this project is to improve knowledge of the waves and particles causing these effects. While being important to ....DYNAMICS OF EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS. Space weather is produced by rapid variations in wave fields and particle populations in near-Earth space, and has many effects. These include damage to spacecraft (causing operational anomalies and loss of service), degrading the performance of GPS, space-ground, HF radio and cable-based networks, and affecting surveillance radars. The core aim of this project is to improve knowledge of the waves and particles causing these effects. While being important to aerospace engineers, this work also consolidates Australia's international space profile and provides excellent training in this field. Since space weather causes significant radiation exposure to aircraft crew and passengers this work also has broader ramifications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0451713
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,605.00
Summary
Completion of the Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER). TIGER is part of an international high frequency radar consortium (SuperDARN) studying the coupling of space weather processes to the ionosphere. This is critical for radio, navigation and surveillance networks. TIGER provides important new information because it extends the global radar coverage significantly equatorward, and it can be combined with other radars in Antarctica and Alaska. However, only one of the two T ....Completion of the Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER). TIGER is part of an international high frequency radar consortium (SuperDARN) studying the coupling of space weather processes to the ionosphere. This is critical for radio, navigation and surveillance networks. TIGER provides important new information because it extends the global radar coverage significantly equatorward, and it can be combined with other radars in Antarctica and Alaska. However, only one of the two TIGER radars necessary to carry out these studies has been built. This proposal is for completion of the second radar, to be located in New Zealand. The US Air Force has already granted A$443k toward this project.Read moreRead less