Co-design and dynamic mission optimisation of hypersonic flight vehicles. This project aims to deliver fundamental knowledge by integrating the modelling and control with the design of next generation hypersonic platforms. In an era where Australia's national security reliance on geographic isolation and support from allied forces are being challenged, the research outcomes of this project will play an important role in understanding the capabilities of hypersonic systems. The project will also ....Co-design and dynamic mission optimisation of hypersonic flight vehicles. This project aims to deliver fundamental knowledge by integrating the modelling and control with the design of next generation hypersonic platforms. In an era where Australia's national security reliance on geographic isolation and support from allied forces are being challenged, the research outcomes of this project will play an important role in understanding the capabilities of hypersonic systems. The project will also have significant spillover benefits into other complex system domains, where computational tools can be used to aid in design leading to high embedded-IP products for Australian industry. Furthermore, the proposal encompasses a strong research training aspect, with graduates exposed to leading edge industry and academia.Read moreRead less
Phylogeography and host specificity of stemborer parasitoids: essential components for the pre-emptive biocontrol of sugarcane pests in Australia. Stemboring insects cause huge economic losses to the sugar industry world-wide but fortunately these pests are largely absent from Australia, in part because quarantine measures have prevented their introduction. However, given their proximity, incursion of foreign stemborers from Asia pose a serious threat to Australian sugarcane. To prepare effectiv ....Phylogeography and host specificity of stemborer parasitoids: essential components for the pre-emptive biocontrol of sugarcane pests in Australia. Stemboring insects cause huge economic losses to the sugar industry world-wide but fortunately these pests are largely absent from Australia, in part because quarantine measures have prevented their introduction. However, given their proximity, incursion of foreign stemborers from Asia pose a serious threat to Australian sugarcane. To prepare effective pest management plans that can be adopted promptly in a worst-case scenario, this study will 1) develop molecular diagnostic tools to select wasp biocontrol agents that are suitable for the control of specific foreign stemborer pests, and 2) evaluate whether any Australian native wasps have the ability to kill foreign stemborers. Read moreRead less
Systematics and coevolution of insect herbivores on casuarinas: testing phylogenetic congruence for selection of plant biocontrol agents. The casuarinas (sheoaks) are a significant component of the Australian floral landscape. Associated with them are many co-evolved insects, some of which may prove useful as biocontrol agents against Casuarina weeds. Using morphological taxonomy combined with a novel molecular approach, we will compare the co-evolution of psyllids, scale and gall insects, and w ....Systematics and coevolution of insect herbivores on casuarinas: testing phylogenetic congruence for selection of plant biocontrol agents. The casuarinas (sheoaks) are a significant component of the Australian floral landscape. Associated with them are many co-evolved insects, some of which may prove useful as biocontrol agents against Casuarina weeds. Using morphological taxonomy combined with a novel molecular approach, we will compare the co-evolution of psyllids, scale and gall insects, and weevils with that of the casuarinas. This project will have significant implications for conservation and regeneration of casuarinas in the Australian context and the selection of specific biocontrol agents against casuarinas as environmental weeds.Read moreRead less
The relationship between cognitive capacity and driver competence following acquired brain injury: Implications for driver rehabilitation and training. This project develops a model of driver rehabilitation and training, based on speed of information processing variables, for people with acquired brain injuries (ABI). Current evaluations of fitness to drive lack sufficient theoretical and empirical foundations. Consequent problems include inappropriate decisions about fitness to drive, comprom ....The relationship between cognitive capacity and driver competence following acquired brain injury: Implications for driver rehabilitation and training. This project develops a model of driver rehabilitation and training, based on speed of information processing variables, for people with acquired brain injuries (ABI). Current evaluations of fitness to drive lack sufficient theoretical and empirical foundations. Consequent problems include inappropriate decisions about fitness to drive, compromised driver safety, and inadequate driver training. Accurate assessment of ABI processing deficits will generate driver-training programs tailored to individual needs. The project also addresses rehabilitation and training outcomes, particularly as they relate to reduced social services needs and enhanced quality of life. It provides a paradigm for evaluating rehabilitation outcomes in wider contexts.
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Novel vibro-acoustic technologies for detecting bearing and wheel defects in rail vehicles. Research will be conducted to provide the basis for the development of a novel automatic system that detects bearing and wheel defects in under-way railway wagons, thus helping to prevent catastrophic derailments and minimise fuel consumption. It will also maintain Australian industry at the forefront of the global track-side monitoring industry.
Development of a vaccine to protect koalas against koala retrovirus (KoRV). This project aims to develop a vaccine against koala retrovirus (KoRV) to arrest the increasing loss of animals due to this infection. Along with Chlamydia, KoRV threatens the long-term survival of the koala. KoRV infects over 95 per cent of Australia’s koalas and has been strongly linked to lymphoma and leukemia. Although quarantine and antiretroviral drug treatment are possible control measures, they are impractical in ....Development of a vaccine to protect koalas against koala retrovirus (KoRV). This project aims to develop a vaccine against koala retrovirus (KoRV) to arrest the increasing loss of animals due to this infection. Along with Chlamydia, KoRV threatens the long-term survival of the koala. KoRV infects over 95 per cent of Australia’s koalas and has been strongly linked to lymphoma and leukemia. Although quarantine and antiretroviral drug treatment are possible control measures, they are impractical in the wild, leaving vaccination as the only realistic option. This is valuable for both wild and captive koalas; zoos report high animal losses due to KoRV-associated lymphoma. The main outcome will be a KoRV vaccine which can be combined with a Chlamydia vaccine which is being developed in parallel.Read moreRead less
Reducing Blackout Risk through Live Modelling and Monitoring. This project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts through the development of on-line systems for modelling and monitoring of loads and power system controllers. This project is a collaboration with Transgrid, Powerlink, Vencorp and ElectraNetSA, four Transmission companies renowned for innovation in the area of system stability. The project proposes to develop innovative algorithms and to implement these algorithms using advanced hard ....Reducing Blackout Risk through Live Modelling and Monitoring. This project aims to reduce the risk of blackouts through the development of on-line systems for modelling and monitoring of loads and power system controllers. This project is a collaboration with Transgrid, Powerlink, Vencorp and ElectraNetSA, four Transmission companies renowned for innovation in the area of system stability. The project proposes to develop innovative algorithms and to implement these algorithms using advanced hardware, software and communication systems to dynamically generate decision tools for safe and efficient power system operating conditions. These systems will also generate alarms if any risky operational situations arise.Read moreRead less
Condition monitoring and process control of injection molding. Injection molding has been widely used in automotive industry and improvement of the productivity and quality of the products is very important for the injection molding production to be internationally competitive. The aim of this project is to develop a condition monitoring and process control system to monitor the key parameters of the injection molding processes, to optimise the design and process conditions, and consequently, to ....Condition monitoring and process control of injection molding. Injection molding has been widely used in automotive industry and improvement of the productivity and quality of the products is very important for the injection molding production to be internationally competitive. The aim of this project is to develop a condition monitoring and process control system to monitor the key parameters of the injection molding processes, to optimise the design and process conditions, and consequently, to more actively control the processes. This will lead to an more reliable process, improved productivity and production of higher quality of moldings.Read moreRead less
Factors associated with the recruitment and retention of the current and future nursing workforce - a longitudinal e-cohort study. The overall effectiveness of the Australian health care system is dependent on a knowledgeable, skilled and viable nursing workforce. Currently there is a critical shortage of qualified nurses actively working in the Australian health care system which limits the capacity of the system to effectively manage an ageing population. The broad aim of this research project ....Factors associated with the recruitment and retention of the current and future nursing workforce - a longitudinal e-cohort study. The overall effectiveness of the Australian health care system is dependent on a knowledgeable, skilled and viable nursing workforce. Currently there is a critical shortage of qualified nurses actively working in the Australian health care system which limits the capacity of the system to effectively manage an ageing population. The broad aim of this research project is to examine factors associated with recruitment and retention of the current and future nursing workforce across metropolitan, regional and rural areas; with a particular focus on work-based injury. In addition, the project will employ smart use of information technology to develop innovative e-cohort techniques.Read moreRead less
The Australian naturalistic driving study: innovation in road safety research and policy. A revolutionary new approach, the naturalistic driving study, will investigate what people actually do when they drive, in normal and safety-critical situations. It will provide Australia with answers to some intractable, high priority, road safety problems that cannot be answered using current methods, thereby saving hundreds of lives.