Advanced control and estimation strategies for electromechanical brake-by-wire systems. The project aims to investigate the application of advanced control and estimation techniques (robust nonlinear and soft-computing approaches) to the problem of maximising the effectiveness of electromechanical brake-by-wire systems in emergency braking manoeuvres. The work will be conducted using state-of-the-art control design and hardware-in-the loop simulation facilities in the Research Centre for Advance ....Advanced control and estimation strategies for electromechanical brake-by-wire systems. The project aims to investigate the application of advanced control and estimation techniques (robust nonlinear and soft-computing approaches) to the problem of maximising the effectiveness of electromechanical brake-by-wire systems in emergency braking manoeuvres. The work will be conducted using state-of-the-art control design and hardware-in-the loop simulation facilities in the Research Centre for Advanced By-Wire Technologies (RABiT), which has been established to accelerate the development and commercialisation of by-wire technology in Australia. Expected outcomes are actuator and road friction control algorithms which have been demonstrated to be robust in the context of real-world actuator and vehicle dynamics.Read moreRead less
Communication and information storage mechanisms in complex dynamical brain networks. Recordings of electrical activity in the brain often cycle repetitively. The aim of this research is to explain how these brain rhythms assist the brain to coordinate simultaneous activity in several regions. Australian socioeconomic benefits include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of internation ....Communication and information storage mechanisms in complex dynamical brain networks. Recordings of electrical activity in the brain often cycle repetitively. The aim of this research is to explain how these brain rhythms assist the brain to coordinate simultaneous activity in several regions. Australian socioeconomic benefits include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of international collaborations with Europe and Japan; (iii) outcomes will ultimately impact on improved medical bionics and future interfaces between brain activity and machines or computers; and (iv) commercialization and technology transfer opportunities, via the transfer of results to biologically inspired engineering.Read moreRead less
Using Mathematics to Maximize the Efficiency of Shared Infrastructure in Australia's Coal Export Supply Chain. Port Waratah Coal Services operates the world's largest coal export terminal, servicing about 14 coal mining companies in the Hunter Valley, NSW. It is responsible for around $15 billion in annual export income for Australia. The coal supply chain is a complex operation, hampered by bottlenecks in critical shared infrastructure. Such limitations are estimated to cost Australia about $2 ....Using Mathematics to Maximize the Efficiency of Shared Infrastructure in Australia's Coal Export Supply Chain. Port Waratah Coal Services operates the world's largest coal export terminal, servicing about 14 coal mining companies in the Hunter Valley, NSW. It is responsible for around $15 billion in annual export income for Australia. The coal supply chain is a complex operation, hampered by bottlenecks in critical shared infrastructure. Such limitations are estimated to cost Australia about $2 billion pa in lost sales. This project will support the design of new infrastructure and processes to ensure an efficient supply chain. The new science resulting will benefit other coal operations in Australia, and potentially other bulk goods supply chains.Read moreRead less
Patient-specific Computational Tools for Diagnosing and Treating Gait Disorders in Children with Cerebral Palsy. This proposal addresses one of the most fundamental and difficult questions related to the treatment of children with cerebral palsy: Why do these children walk in a crouched position, with excessively bent hips and knees? High-fidelity, patient-specific computer simulations of walking can help to answer this question and, in so doing, can improve the outcomes of orthopaedic surgeries ....Patient-specific Computational Tools for Diagnosing and Treating Gait Disorders in Children with Cerebral Palsy. This proposal addresses one of the most fundamental and difficult questions related to the treatment of children with cerebral palsy: Why do these children walk in a crouched position, with excessively bent hips and knees? High-fidelity, patient-specific computer simulations of walking can help to answer this question and, in so doing, can improve the outcomes of orthopaedic surgeries designed to correct movement abnormalities in these patients. Realistic computer simulations of human movement can play a pivotal role in healthcare through patient rehabilitation; in sports, through the development of personalized training programs for elite athletes; and in entertainment, through the creation of video games and animated films.Read moreRead less
New Model Predictive Control Design Methods. Automatic computer control is fundamental to sustaining a wide range of manufacturing, mineral processing, chemical processing, and other industries vital to the Australian economy. Furthermore, the efficiency, profitability, and environmental impact of these operations is directly linked to the quality of this computer control. In many situations, even a few percent improvement in automatic control delivers dividends measured in many millions of doll ....New Model Predictive Control Design Methods. Automatic computer control is fundamental to sustaining a wide range of manufacturing, mineral processing, chemical processing, and other industries vital to the Australian economy. Furthermore, the efficiency, profitability, and environmental impact of these operations is directly linked to the quality of this computer control. In many situations, even a few percent improvement in automatic control delivers dividends measured in many millions of dollars. This project will develop design tools allowing for more sophisticated, high performance control to be more widely employed. This will deliver the potential for economic and environmental benefits and energy savings to be achieved across a range of industries.Read moreRead less