Geometry and analysis of discrete integrable systems. Whether we are looking at waves at a beach or the movement of herds of animals in a landscape, their movements and fluctuations turn out to rely on rules expressed by non-linear systems of mathematical equations. The aim of this project is to create a new mathematical theory to describe and predict the solutions of such systems.
HOLOMORPHIC CURVES, REEB FLOWS AND CONTACT TOPOLOGY. Motion of a satellite is one of many examples of a Reeb dynamical system. The aim of the project is to deepen our understanding of Reeb flows. The Reeb flows, in particular, include Hamiltonian flows on three-dimensional contact type energy surfaces. To study the behaviour of Reeb flows we construct systems of global surfaces of section and study the iterates of the Poincare map, which is obtained by following the flow until it hits a surface. ....HOLOMORPHIC CURVES, REEB FLOWS AND CONTACT TOPOLOGY. Motion of a satellite is one of many examples of a Reeb dynamical system. The aim of the project is to deepen our understanding of Reeb flows. The Reeb flows, in particular, include Hamiltonian flows on three-dimensional contact type energy surfaces. To study the behaviour of Reeb flows we construct systems of global surfaces of section and study the iterates of the Poincare map, which is obtained by following the flow until it hits a surface. The main tools in constructing systems of global surfaces of section are holomorphic curves in symplectization, which are defined on punctured Riemann surfaces and solve nonlinear Cauchy-Riemann type operator. These curves are also main ingredients of new invariants of contact and symplectic manifolds.
These new invariants are now known as Contact Homology and Symplectic Field Theory. In the second part of the project we develop analytical foundations for these theories.Read moreRead less
Stochastic Geometry for Multi-sensor Data Fusion System. The aim of this project is to develop efficient algorithms for tracking and sensor management in a multi-sensor multi-target environment. Finite random set theory provides a natural way of representing a random number of (random) object states, an issue that has been largely ignored in the tracking literature until recently. Although a satisfactory foundation for multiple object filtering has been provided by random set theory, in this ear ....Stochastic Geometry for Multi-sensor Data Fusion System. The aim of this project is to develop efficient algorithms for tracking and sensor management in a multi-sensor multi-target environment. Finite random set theory provides a natural way of representing a random number of (random) object states, an issue that has been largely ignored in the tracking literature until recently. Although a satisfactory foundation for multiple object filtering has been provided by random set theory, in this early stage no algorithm capable of tracking many targets has emerged from this framework. We are confident that efficient algorithms can be developed by exploiting the insights and mathematical tools of stochastic geometryRead moreRead less
Eclectic problems in topology, geometry and dynamics. This project aims to resolve a number of problems across several broad areas of pure mathematics. The problems all have a geometric or topological flavour, and some deal with dynamics in the qualitative sense. The problems share two common themes: they have group theoretic aspects and homological aspects. Specifically, the problems lie in the following areas:
1. finite dimensional Lie algebras and their cohomology,
2. low dimensional combin ....Eclectic problems in topology, geometry and dynamics. This project aims to resolve a number of problems across several broad areas of pure mathematics. The problems all have a geometric or topological flavour, and some deal with dynamics in the qualitative sense. The problems share two common themes: they have group theoretic aspects and homological aspects. Specifically, the problems lie in the following areas:
1. finite dimensional Lie algebras and their cohomology,
2. low dimensional combinatorial geometry: graph drawings on surfaces,
3. topological dynamics of group actions,
4. differentiable group actions and foliation theory.
The most significant aims are to resolve two well known conjectures: Halperin's toral rank conjecture and Conway's thrackle conjecture.
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Topological Optimisation of Fluid Mixing. The proposed research is aimed at improving the efficiency of fluid mixers,
which in the long term has potential to reduce vastly the economic and
environmental costs associated with large-scale mixing processes in Australian
chemical industries. The research will not only impact on practical mixer
design, but will also develop important results in the application of topology
to the the field of chaotic dynamical systems. This project will also prov ....Topological Optimisation of Fluid Mixing. The proposed research is aimed at improving the efficiency of fluid mixers,
which in the long term has potential to reduce vastly the economic and
environmental costs associated with large-scale mixing processes in Australian
chemical industries. The research will not only impact on practical mixer
design, but will also develop important results in the application of topology
to the the field of chaotic dynamical systems. This project will also provide a
graduate student and post-doctoral researcher with training to pursue a career
in fluid dynamics or general applied mathematics research.
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Signatures of Order, Chaos and Symmetry in Algebraic Dynamics. The project in the breakthrough science of algebraic dynamics will help inform and sustain both algebraic number theory and dynamical systems in Australia. Thus far, Australia is not well represented in this cutting edge international area, and international research prominence and teaching benefits will flow from the pioneering and innovative topics to be addressed. The research incorporates the synergy of an existing highly-product ....Signatures of Order, Chaos and Symmetry in Algebraic Dynamics. The project in the breakthrough science of algebraic dynamics will help inform and sustain both algebraic number theory and dynamical systems in Australia. Thus far, Australia is not well represented in this cutting edge international area, and international research prominence and teaching benefits will flow from the pioneering and innovative topics to be addressed. The research incorporates the synergy of an existing highly-productive international collaboration and creates possibilities for many more such linkages. It affords Australia a strategic opportunity to considerably increase its profile in the algebraic dynamics community, particularly in the Pacific region.Read moreRead less
Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas. Two complex systems in which a magnetic field imposes two-dimensional fluid motions are turbulent fusion plasmas and magnetospheric plasmas. A distinctive property of 2D flows is the inverse energy cascade, whereby energy streaming into large-scale vortices, coherent structures, or sheared flows gives a remarkable propensity for self-organizing behaviour. This can be exploited to govern or guide our respo ....Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas. Two complex systems in which a magnetic field imposes two-dimensional fluid motions are turbulent fusion plasmas and magnetospheric plasmas. A distinctive property of 2D flows is the inverse energy cascade, whereby energy streaming into large-scale vortices, coherent structures, or sheared flows gives a remarkable propensity for self-organizing behaviour. This can be exploited to govern or guide our response to such systems. We propose to investigate the dynamics of momentum and energy exchange in these plasmas, using reduced dynamical models and bifurcation and stability mathematics. Expected outcomes are improved prediction of magnetospheric substorms and confinement of fusion plasmas.
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Global Behaviour of Integrable Complex Systems. Complex systems as diverse as the weather and the solar system are modelled by non-linear equations that have elusive, unstable solutions. An infinitesimally small change in the state of the system at one place can lead to a vast change in its behaviour far away. Such extreme sensitivity is often take to be a sign of chaos, but it also occurs in completely ordered, integrable systems. Our main aim is to tackle the immense challenge of describing th ....Global Behaviour of Integrable Complex Systems. Complex systems as diverse as the weather and the solar system are modelled by non-linear equations that have elusive, unstable solutions. An infinitesimally small change in the state of the system at one place can lead to a vast change in its behaviour far away. Such extreme sensitivity is often take to be a sign of chaos, but it also occurs in completely ordered, integrable systems. Our main aim is to tackle the immense challenge of describing the global behaviour of such elusive solutions, particularly when the systems depend on many variables.Read moreRead less
Extension of representations and homogeneous spaces. The CI is an early-career researcher who is establishing her research program. The proposed project will allow her to broaden the scope of this program by involving other young Australians, including students. The project involves taking a new approach to a classical problem in representation theory; the outcomes will be of interest to a broad range of the mathematical community in Australia and overseas.
Green functions, correlation functions and differential equations. Classical and quantum exact solutions are established cornerstones in Australian applied mathematical research. In this project, we will:- 1). Address long standing open problems, whose resolution will add to mathematical knowledge and enhance Australia's reputation as a leading contributor to these topics; 2). List concrete and tractable sub-projects that will engage young scientists, whose training we are particularly keen on, ....Green functions, correlation functions and differential equations. Classical and quantum exact solutions are established cornerstones in Australian applied mathematical research. In this project, we will:- 1). Address long standing open problems, whose resolution will add to mathematical knowledge and enhance Australia's reputation as a leading contributor to these topics; 2). List concrete and tractable sub-projects that will engage young scientists, whose training we are particularly keen on, in vigorous and internationally competitive research; 3). Facilitate collaborations between various Australian research groups, all of whom are very well positioned to contribute to it; 4). Bring leading scientists to visit Australia to the benefit of the entire Australian mathematical community.Read moreRead less