High Performance Microwave Oscillators for Radars, Comminication Systems and Precision Noise Measurements. The aim of the project is to develop a new class of microwave oscillators with unique combination of properties including low-noise, high frequency stability and reduced sensitivity to vibration. Such oscillators are essential for expanding fields of radar, fiber optics, optical frequency synthesis and metrology.
The industrial partner's focus will be on demands for reduced cost and impro ....High Performance Microwave Oscillators for Radars, Comminication Systems and Precision Noise Measurements. The aim of the project is to develop a new class of microwave oscillators with unique combination of properties including low-noise, high frequency stability and reduced sensitivity to vibration. Such oscillators are essential for expanding fields of radar, fiber optics, optical frequency synthesis and metrology.
The industrial partner's focus will be on demands for reduced cost and improved environmental performance, the university team will focus on improved frequency stability, optimal tuning and novel vibration immunity techniques.
Achieving the project goals will broaden the international markets for the industry partner's products and lead to increased export income for Australia.
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Precision Pulsar Timing and its Applications. The rapidly rotating pulsars known as millisecond pulsars have period stabilities which rival that of the best terrestrial clocks. Observations of many millisecond pulsars spread across the sky should allow detection of the gravitational-wave background - likely to be the first direct detection of gravity waves. It will also enable establishment of a long-term time standard which is independent of and probably superior to that derived from terrestria ....Precision Pulsar Timing and its Applications. The rapidly rotating pulsars known as millisecond pulsars have period stabilities which rival that of the best terrestrial clocks. Observations of many millisecond pulsars spread across the sky should allow detection of the gravitational-wave background - likely to be the first direct detection of gravity waves. It will also enable establishment of a long-term time standard which is independent of and probably superior to that derived from terrestrial clocks. New analysis techniques and establishment of an international observing network will be required. Investigation and application of techniques for overcoming radio interference will be an important part of the project.Read moreRead less
Defeating Radio Frequency Interference. The radio spectrum is a valuable resource. Development of techniques which minimize the impact of various users on one another, allowing this resource to be shared, will benefit the entire community. For astronomy in particular, shared use is essential because of the very wide bandwidths needed to obtain sufficient sensitivity. Usage of the radio spectrum is increasing rapidly and radio telescopes are becoming more and more sensitive, compounding the probl ....Defeating Radio Frequency Interference. The radio spectrum is a valuable resource. Development of techniques which minimize the impact of various users on one another, allowing this resource to be shared, will benefit the entire community. For astronomy in particular, shared use is essential because of the very wide bandwidths needed to obtain sufficient sensitivity. Usage of the radio spectrum is increasing rapidly and radio telescopes are becoming more and more sensitive, compounding the problems. The digital signal processing techniques developed under this project will be widely applicable, not only to future radio astronomy facilities such as the Square Kilometer Array, but also to the communications industry generally.Read moreRead less
DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE RAPID DETECTION SYSTEM OF DIESEL VEHICLES WITH HIGH LEVEL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS. Diesel vehicle exhaust is a significant source of air pollution leading to major human health problems. However, only a small fraction of vehicles with high exhaust emissions cause the majority of this pollution. Initially, this research will develop a model of dispersion of pollutants into the environment immediately after emission. This model will be the scientific foundation for ....DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE RAPID DETECTION SYSTEM OF DIESEL VEHICLES WITH HIGH LEVEL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS. Diesel vehicle exhaust is a significant source of air pollution leading to major human health problems. However, only a small fraction of vehicles with high exhaust emissions cause the majority of this pollution. Initially, this research will develop a model of dispersion of pollutants into the environment immediately after emission. This model will be the scientific foundation for the development of an efficient and economical rapid detection system for those vehicles with high exhaust emissions. The major outcome is to improve air quality and lower the occurrence/severity of airborne pollution induced health effects.Read moreRead less
Optical Vortices For Trapping And Guiding Nanoparticles In Air
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,685.00
Summary
A serious challenge for environmental protection in the fast-growing nanotechnology industry is the development of new methods for effective removal of nanoparticle contamination, which may pose hazards to humans, from air. We will develop new laser-based methods for effective capture and removal of nanoparticulate pollutants from air, which will find wide-spread application in developing ecologically clean and health-safe environments for the Australian and world-wide nanotechnology industry.
The Effect of Fuel Type on Health and Environmental Risks Caused by Motor Vehicle Emissions. Motor vehicles constitute one of the most significant sources of air pollutants but the state of knowledge on the quantity of some of these does not permit for projection of the risk they create. This project aims at quantification of emissions of pollutants contributing to deterioration of health, ozone formation, global warming and acid rain as a function of fuel type, using a novel on-road sampling m ....The Effect of Fuel Type on Health and Environmental Risks Caused by Motor Vehicle Emissions. Motor vehicles constitute one of the most significant sources of air pollutants but the state of knowledge on the quantity of some of these does not permit for projection of the risk they create. This project aims at quantification of emissions of pollutants contributing to deterioration of health, ozone formation, global warming and acid rain as a function of fuel type, using a novel on-road sampling method. Resultantly, a holistic picture of integrated health and environmental risk will be developed that will build a scientific foundation for future fuel,transport and land use to protect the community and the environment.Read moreRead less
The best astronomical site on earth? A modern optical/infrared telescope is only as good as its site. We have previously shown that the infrared skies above the South Pole are up to 100 times darker than skies elsewhere, leading to enormous potential gains in sensitivity. We now seek to extend these measurements to Antarctic sites that are even higher, drier and colder than the South Pole. These are expected to be the best observing sites on Earth, paving the way for the deployment of telescop ....The best astronomical site on earth? A modern optical/infrared telescope is only as good as its site. We have previously shown that the infrared skies above the South Pole are up to 100 times darker than skies elsewhere, leading to enormous potential gains in sensitivity. We now seek to extend these measurements to Antarctic sites that are even higher, drier and colder than the South Pole. These are expected to be the best observing sites on Earth, paving the way for the deployment of telescopes of unprecedented sensitivity able to explore the origins of planets, stars and galaxies.
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Development of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Methods and Technology to Enhance the Detection of Explosives and Other Contraband. This project will develop new methods and technology for the detection of explosives and other compounds using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance. This technique is of great importance to aviation security and the military and is particularly relevant to the priority goal of 'Safeguarding Australia'. The Industry partner has licensing contracts with major x-ray manufacturer ....Development of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Methods and Technology to Enhance the Detection of Explosives and Other Contraband. This project will develop new methods and technology for the detection of explosives and other compounds using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance. This technique is of great importance to aviation security and the military and is particularly relevant to the priority goal of 'Safeguarding Australia'. The Industry partner has licensing contracts with major x-ray manufacturers and system integrators to integrate this technology. These investigations should yield improvements in the signal to noise ratio, false alarm rates and the spatial discrimination of targets. This work will lead to significant increases in the value of the technology and open up new areas of commercialization.Read moreRead less