Totally disconnected groups in algebra and geometry. Mathematics research creates and develops new concepts for understanding the world. Group theory is a branch of mathematics based on our innate sense of symmetry. It was invented 200 hundred years ago and has grown into a language for analysing and classifying things ranging from wallpaper patterns to crystals, the fundamental particles of physics and Rubik's cube. The chief investigators have made significant breakthroughs in the study of sym ....Totally disconnected groups in algebra and geometry. Mathematics research creates and develops new concepts for understanding the world. Group theory is a branch of mathematics based on our innate sense of symmetry. It was invented 200 hundred years ago and has grown into a language for analysing and classifying things ranging from wallpaper patterns to crystals, the fundamental particles of physics and Rubik's cube. The chief investigators have made significant breakthroughs in the study of symmetry groups of networks, giving Australia an international lead in this research area. The project will develop the insights gained to make Australia a centre of expertise on these symmetry groups, which have applications to many areas including information and communication technology.Read moreRead less
Equations of Monge-Ampere type and applications. Many fundamental problems in geometry, physics and applied sciences are related to equations of Monge-Ampere type. In recent years there have been rapid developments in the study of these equations with major breakthroughs made by the proposers. This project aims at new discoveries and findings in theory and applications by resolving outstanding open problems, and enhance Australian leadership, expertise, and training in key areas of mathematics a ....Equations of Monge-Ampere type and applications. Many fundamental problems in geometry, physics and applied sciences are related to equations of Monge-Ampere type. In recent years there have been rapid developments in the study of these equations with major breakthroughs made by the proposers. This project aims at new discoveries and findings in theory and applications by resolving outstanding open problems, and enhance Australian leadership, expertise, and training in key areas of mathematics and its applications.Read moreRead less
Singularities and surgery in geometric evolution equations. The analysis of geometric evolution equations is a very active area of mathematical research internationally. The applications of such systems to physical problems such as crystal growth and flame propagation are also of great interest in the broader scientific community. The proposed research addresses questions central to the understanding of curvature flows. The project will yield internationally significant results in theoretical ....Singularities and surgery in geometric evolution equations. The analysis of geometric evolution equations is a very active area of mathematical research internationally. The applications of such systems to physical problems such as crystal growth and flame propagation are also of great interest in the broader scientific community. The proposed research addresses questions central to the understanding of curvature flows. The project will yield internationally significant results in theoretical mathematics, with applications in physics, engineering and image processing. These results will enhance Australia's reputation for high quality theoretical mathematical research with real world applications.Read moreRead less
On the Geometry of Liquid Crystals and Biological Membranes. This project will provide fundamental insights via realistic mathematical models into two areas of technological importance in the development of certain advanced materials involving liquid crystals and biomembranes. The use of liquid crystal devices is ubiquitous in the design of optical display units. Biomembranes are of much current importance, in particular, in connection with sophisticated drug delivery systems. The design of adva ....On the Geometry of Liquid Crystals and Biological Membranes. This project will provide fundamental insights via realistic mathematical models into two areas of technological importance in the development of certain advanced materials involving liquid crystals and biomembranes. The use of liquid crystal devices is ubiquitous in the design of optical display units. Biomembranes are of much current importance, in particular, in connection with sophisticated drug delivery systems. The design of advanced `smart' materials which admit solitonic behaviour is an area at the forefront of materials science and as such is important to the continued development of an advanced technological base within Australia.Read moreRead less
Global aspects of dualities in String Theory in the presence of background fluxes. String Theory, known to the general public as the "Theory of Everything', is currently an extremely active area of research internationally. It has not only stimulated considerable interaction between mathematical physicists and mathematicians, but also increased public interest in science through television programs and books. Unfortunately, the majority of the Australian scientific community has not yet caught ....Global aspects of dualities in String Theory in the presence of background fluxes. String Theory, known to the general public as the "Theory of Everything', is currently an extremely active area of research internationally. It has not only stimulated considerable interaction between mathematical physicists and mathematicians, but also increased public interest in science through television programs and books. Unfortunately, the majority of the Australian scientific community has not yet caught up with these developments. Our recent papers, all published in premier journals in this field, have not only received widespread international attention but have also increased the profile of String Theory amongst Australia's mathematicians and mathematical physicists. The proposed project is expected to continue this trend.Read moreRead less
Noncommutative Algebraic Geometry. As algebra moves into the twenty-first century, we see a strong trend towards interactions with geometry. This project is right in the thick of this trend and will keep Australia abreast of some of the most interesting developments in algebra. The project seeks to start up a research group in noncommutative algebraic geometry which will foster a lively intellectual atmosphere. This will involve training postgraduate students, inviting international experts to g ....Noncommutative Algebraic Geometry. As algebra moves into the twenty-first century, we see a strong trend towards interactions with geometry. This project is right in the thick of this trend and will keep Australia abreast of some of the most interesting developments in algebra. The project seeks to start up a research group in noncommutative algebraic geometry which will foster a lively intellectual atmosphere. This will involve training postgraduate students, inviting international experts to give seminar talks and establishing relations with other Australian mathematicians in related areas.Read moreRead less
Symmetry in Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is a major branch of mathematics studying shape by using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area, especially concerned with the interaction between geometry, differential equations, and symmetry. The mathematical notion of symmetry was already formalised early last century and nowadays lies at the very heart of mathematics and physics. Advances in this area provide essential tools in basic s ....Symmetry in Differential Geometry. Differential geometry is a major branch of mathematics studying shape by using calculus and differential equations. This is a fundamental research project in this area, especially concerned with the interaction between geometry, differential equations, and symmetry. The mathematical notion of symmetry was already formalised early last century and nowadays lies at the very heart of mathematics and physics. Advances in this area provide essential tools in basic science and unexpected technological benefits can easily arise (for example, in medical imaging). Fundamental mathematical research is absolutely necessary if Australia is to maintain a presence on the international scientific stage.
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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.
Invariant theory, cellularity and geometry. Mathematics underpins every aspect of people's interactions with nature (e.g. physics) and with each other (e.g. finance). Its uses range from formulating physical laws in order to understand and predict nature, to analysis of financial concepts and transactions. This project will make fundamental contributions to the mathematics of symmetry. Benefits include enhancement of Australia's position at the very frontier of world class mathematical research, ....Invariant theory, cellularity and geometry. Mathematics underpins every aspect of people's interactions with nature (e.g. physics) and with each other (e.g. finance). Its uses range from formulating physical laws in order to understand and predict nature, to analysis of financial concepts and transactions. This project will make fundamental contributions to the mathematics of symmetry. Benefits include enhancement of Australia's position at the very frontier of world class mathematical research, and a myriad of potential applications to physics, coding theory, information technology, electronic security and experimental design.Read moreRead less
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