Optimal shapes in geometry and physics: Isoperimetry in modern analysis. This project will find the best isoperimetric shapes in curved spaces: shapes that optimise geometric or analytic quantities, such as the volume enclosed by a surface of a given area, or the resonant frequency of a drum of given area. The optimal shapes lead to tools that are widely used in differential equations, geometric analysis, statistical physics, probability theory, and quantum computing. Through this work, we ....Optimal shapes in geometry and physics: Isoperimetry in modern analysis. This project will find the best isoperimetric shapes in curved spaces: shapes that optimise geometric or analytic quantities, such as the volume enclosed by a surface of a given area, or the resonant frequency of a drum of given area. The optimal shapes lead to tools that are widely used in differential equations, geometric analysis, statistical physics, probability theory, and quantum computing. Through this work, we will forge connections between the geometry of curved spaces, and the physics of operators therein. The significant benefits of this project include increasing fundamental mathematical knowledge, building capacity in Australia’s world-class geometric analysis community, and strong links with international partners.Read moreRead less
Singular spaces in analysis and geometry. Singularities arise naturally in many areas of mathematics, as models of symmetry, degeneracy, and asymptotic collapse. The aim of this project is to provide powerful, generlisable tools to elucidate the interplay between modes of singularity formation and solutions to the important differential equations which arise in geometric analysis. The proposed framework builds upon the established success of microlocal analysis, initiated by Melrose in the 1980' ....Singular spaces in analysis and geometry. Singularities arise naturally in many areas of mathematics, as models of symmetry, degeneracy, and asymptotic collapse. The aim of this project is to provide powerful, generlisable tools to elucidate the interplay between modes of singularity formation and solutions to the important differential equations which arise in geometric analysis. The proposed framework builds upon the established success of microlocal analysis, initiated by Melrose in the 1980's, in the generalisation of landmark theorems like the Atiyah-Singer index theorem to more general Riemannian manifolds. This project will benefit Australia by increasing its capacity in pure mathematics in this highly active research area.Read moreRead less
Comparing Einstein to Newton: a mathematical foundation for the Newtonian limit and post-Newtonian expansions. This proposal will benefit the nation in the following ways: (i) to make Australia a world leader in post-Newtonian research, (ii) to contribute to Australia's existing commitment to the search for gravitational waves by providing theoretical tools that will aid in the analysis of gravitational wave data, (iii) to train the next generation of Australian gravitational researchers in a fi ....Comparing Einstein to Newton: a mathematical foundation for the Newtonian limit and post-Newtonian expansions. This proposal will benefit the nation in the following ways: (i) to make Australia a world leader in post-Newtonian research, (ii) to contribute to Australia's existing commitment to the search for gravitational waves by providing theoretical tools that will aid in the analysis of gravitational wave data, (iii) to train the next generation of Australian gravitational researchers in a field whose importance will only grow as the field of gravitational wave astronomy matures, and (iv) to facilitate visits by my collaborators to Australia who will bring world class expertise for the benefit of both Australian students and experts in general relativity.Read moreRead less
Mathematics for breaking limits of speed and density in magnetic memories. The aim of this project is to develop a mathematical theory and numerical models of stochastic partial differential equations for magnetic nano-structures. Such materials will yield next-generation magnetic memories with up to three orders of magnitude faster switching speeds and dramatically increased data storage density. New mathematical theories will help understand their sensitivity to small random fluctuations that ....Mathematics for breaking limits of speed and density in magnetic memories. The aim of this project is to develop a mathematical theory and numerical models of stochastic partial differential equations for magnetic nano-structures. Such materials will yield next-generation magnetic memories with up to three orders of magnitude faster switching speeds and dramatically increased data storage density. New mathematical theories will help understand their sensitivity to small random fluctuations that can destroy stored information. This project aims to revolutionise mathematical modelling of magnetic memories and put Australia at the forefront of international research. Technological advances to create much smaller and faster memory devices are expected to enable groundbreaking ways of managing and mining big data.Read moreRead less
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
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
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
Triangulations in dimensions 3 and 4: discrete and geometric structures. Recently there have been spectacular advances in understanding 3-dimensional spaces and the interaction between ideas in mathematical physics (quantum invariants) and such spaces. This project aims at practical methods for finding geometric structures and advancing our understanding of the information that physics is providing about these spaces.
Geodesic arcs and surfaces for hyperbolic knots and 3-manifolds. This project aims to use recent breakthroughs in mathematics to determine explicit geometric information on mathematical spaces, namely knot complements and 3-manifolds. These spaces arise in applications across science and engineering. They break into pieces that admit geometry, where hyperbolic geometry is the most common. This project expects to generate new knowledge around a number of open questions and conjectures on the hype ....Geodesic arcs and surfaces for hyperbolic knots and 3-manifolds. This project aims to use recent breakthroughs in mathematics to determine explicit geometric information on mathematical spaces, namely knot complements and 3-manifolds. These spaces arise in applications across science and engineering. They break into pieces that admit geometry, where hyperbolic geometry is the most common. This project expects to generate new knowledge around a number of open questions and conjectures on the hyperbolic geometry of knots and 3-manifolds. Expected outcomes include development of theory, and improved geometric tools. It will benefit the mathematical community through new insights and improved methods, and possibly lead to downstream applications in other scientific fields that rely on geometry. Read moreRead less
Energy, Cosmic Censorship and Black Hole Stability. Human progress is achieved by confronting fundamental questions, at the leading edge of knowledge. This project will lead to better understanding of space-time physics, and of the properties of singular solutions of non-linear hyperbolic equations. Such equations govern a wide range of physical phenomena, including fluid flow, weather and electromagnetic fields.