Quantum Spectra. Fundamental quantum processes will play a key role in emerging technologies in the twenty-first century across diverse industries including quantum information technology, quantum computers and electronics, quantum optics, nanoscale quantum microscopes and superconductor technology. Australia has a strong base of expertise in the underpinning quantum disciplines. This project in strategic basic research within mathematical physics will develop a comprehensive and consistent math ....Quantum Spectra. Fundamental quantum processes will play a key role in emerging technologies in the twenty-first century across diverse industries including quantum information technology, quantum computers and electronics, quantum optics, nanoscale quantum microscopes and superconductor technology. Australia has a strong base of expertise in the underpinning quantum disciplines. This project in strategic basic research within mathematical physics will develop a comprehensive and consistent mathematical description of quantum processes. This research will lead to a deeper understanding of quantum processes, keep Australia at the leading edge of international developments and increase Australia's capacity to develop and implement these new technologies.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the potential for linear and discrete optimisation in knot theory and computational topology. Computational topology is a young, energetic field that uses computers to solve complex geometric problems, such as whether a loop of string is tangled. Such computations are becoming increasingly important in mathematics, and applications span biology, physics and information sciences, however many core problems in the field remain intractable for all but the simplest cases. This project unit ....Unlocking the potential for linear and discrete optimisation in knot theory and computational topology. Computational topology is a young, energetic field that uses computers to solve complex geometric problems, such as whether a loop of string is tangled. Such computations are becoming increasingly important in mathematics, and applications span biology, physics and information sciences, however many core problems in the field remain intractable for all but the simplest cases. This project unites geometric techniques with powerful methods from operations research, such as linear and discrete optimisation, to build fast, powerful tools that can for the first time systematically solve large topological problems. Theoretically, this project has significant impact on the famous open problem of detecting knottedness in fast polynomial time.Read moreRead less
Topology in seven dimensions. Aims: The project aims to give a complete classification of a certain class of 7-dimensional spaces; namely simply-connected spin 7-manifolds. We also present related programs classify G_2-structures on 7-manifolds.
Significance: the proposed classification will be a signature achievement in the topology of manifolds, with applications likely in both geometry and mathematical physics.
Expected outcomes: The project will produce a series of papers published in high ....Topology in seven dimensions. Aims: The project aims to give a complete classification of a certain class of 7-dimensional spaces; namely simply-connected spin 7-manifolds. We also present related programs classify G_2-structures on 7-manifolds.
Significance: the proposed classification will be a signature achievement in the topology of manifolds, with applications likely in both geometry and mathematical physics.
Expected outcomes: The project will produce a series of papers published in high quality journals and enhanced scientific collaboration between Australia and the United Kingdom.
Benefits: The project will enhance Australia's research reputation by producing excellent research in a field not historically represented in the country.Read moreRead less
Green functions, correlation functions and differential equations. Classical and quantum exact solutions are established cornerstones in Australian applied mathematical research. In this project, we will:- 1). Address long standing open problems, whose resolution will add to mathematical knowledge and enhance Australia's reputation as a leading contributor to these topics; 2). List concrete and tractable sub-projects that will engage young scientists, whose training we are particularly keen on, ....Green functions, correlation functions and differential equations. Classical and quantum exact solutions are established cornerstones in Australian applied mathematical research. In this project, we will:- 1). Address long standing open problems, whose resolution will add to mathematical knowledge and enhance Australia's reputation as a leading contributor to these topics; 2). List concrete and tractable sub-projects that will engage young scientists, whose training we are particularly keen on, in vigorous and internationally competitive research; 3). Facilitate collaborations between various Australian research groups, all of whom are very well positioned to contribute to it; 4). Bring leading scientists to visit Australia to the benefit of the entire Australian mathematical community.Read moreRead less
Invariants, geometric and discrete structures on manifolds. This project aims to develop practical methods for finding geometric and discrete structures on manifolds in both low and high dimensions and advancing our understanding of the information that physics is providing about these spaces. Recently there have been spectacular advances in understanding 3-D spaces and the interaction between ideas in mathematical physics (quantum invariants, string theory) and such spaces. In this project, the ....Invariants, geometric and discrete structures on manifolds. This project aims to develop practical methods for finding geometric and discrete structures on manifolds in both low and high dimensions and advancing our understanding of the information that physics is providing about these spaces. Recently there have been spectacular advances in understanding 3-D spaces and the interaction between ideas in mathematical physics (quantum invariants, string theory) and such spaces. In this project, the first aim is to construct structures with good geometric properties on 3- and 4-manifolds, using triangulations. The second aim is to study combinatorial decompositions of n-manifolds, using our new technique of multisections and also searching for polyhedral metrics of non-positive curvature. The third aim is to connect quantum invariants and geometric structures, again using triangulations.Read moreRead less
Multivariate polynomials: combinatorics and applications. Many combinatorial and computational problems in pure and applied mathematics as well as mathematical physics can be solved using polynomials in many variables. This proposal will expand our understanding of the poorly understood class of non-symmetric polynomials by studying their novel combinatorial structure. The outcomes will address the current difficulty of implementing non-symmetric polynomials in symbolic algebra packages by devel ....Multivariate polynomials: combinatorics and applications. Many combinatorial and computational problems in pure and applied mathematics as well as mathematical physics can be solved using polynomials in many variables. This proposal will expand our understanding of the poorly understood class of non-symmetric polynomials by studying their novel combinatorial structure. The outcomes will address the current difficulty of implementing non-symmetric polynomials in symbolic algebra packages by developing completely new computational algorithms. Secondly, this new understanding will be used to solve several challenging mathematical enumeration problems.Read moreRead less
Minimal surfaces. Recent stunning progress in topology, in particular a possible solution to one of the Clay Institute million dollar problems, using techniques from partial differential equations and minimal surfaces has made this area a hot topic. To attract researchers in this field to visit Australia and to train students in this area is a major part of this project.
Three-dimensional geometry and topology. This project will carry out important fundamental research into the geometry and topology of 3-dimensional manifolds, an area of intense activity over the last 30 years.
The work has direct applications to physics, for example recent work in cosmology aimed at determining the global structure of our universe. Our work on knotting and symmetries of molecular graphs will also be of considerable interest in chemistry and biology.
The project will also ....Three-dimensional geometry and topology. This project will carry out important fundamental research into the geometry and topology of 3-dimensional manifolds, an area of intense activity over the last 30 years.
The work has direct applications to physics, for example recent work in cosmology aimed at determining the global structure of our universe. Our work on knotting and symmetries of molecular graphs will also be of considerable interest in chemistry and biology.
The project will also provide high quality training of undergraduate and graduate students in geometry and topology, and will increase international cooperation by developing closer links with colleagues and institutions overseas.Read moreRead less
Matchings in Combinatorial Structures. The theory of matching in graphs concerns the problem of pairing up objects, subject to constraints on which objects may be paired. It is a well-developed theory that is not only of tremendous mathematical importance, but is also widely applied to efficiently deal with allocation and scheduling problems. Much less is known, however, about the equally important but harder problem of dividing objects into collections of three or more. This project aims to add ....Matchings in Combinatorial Structures. The theory of matching in graphs concerns the problem of pairing up objects, subject to constraints on which objects may be paired. It is a well-developed theory that is not only of tremendous mathematical importance, but is also widely applied to efficiently deal with allocation and scheduling problems. Much less is known, however, about the equally important but harder problem of dividing objects into collections of three or more. This project aims to address this deficiency by developing the theory of matching in important combinatorial objects. The problems it expects to solve are of great significance in their own right, and when considered together may help to lay a foundation for a more general theory of matching.Read moreRead less
Rigidity in measured group theory and geometric group theory. Elite universities throughout the world have all made a point of being leaders in the field of pure mathematics. Geometric group theory and orbit equivalence are currently topical areas which attract many of the best young pure mathematicians as is demonstrated by recent invited talks at the International Congress of Mathematicians. This project will foster the development of these fields in Australia as well as nurturing existing e ....Rigidity in measured group theory and geometric group theory. Elite universities throughout the world have all made a point of being leaders in the field of pure mathematics. Geometric group theory and orbit equivalence are currently topical areas which attract many of the best young pure mathematicians as is demonstrated by recent invited talks at the International Congress of Mathematicians. This project will foster the development of these fields in Australia as well as nurturing existing efforts and international links. This proposal will also provide training and research experience for Australian honours and graduate students in mathematics.Read moreRead less