Statistical Mechanics of Classical Glasses. Glasses and ceramics can possess a combination of properties not available in other materials and thus they are of technological importance with rapidly developing applications. However a fundamental theoretical basis for describing these systems has been missing. The reason for this is that glasses are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, so the standard tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics cannot be rigorously applied . This project will make an i ....Statistical Mechanics of Classical Glasses. Glasses and ceramics can possess a combination of properties not available in other materials and thus they are of technological importance with rapidly developing applications. However a fundamental theoretical basis for describing these systems has been missing. The reason for this is that glasses are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, so the standard tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics cannot be rigorously applied . This project will make an important contribution towards building a strong local knowledge base by addressing the problem of understanding the glassy state. The knowledge base can then serve as a springboard for possible high tech applications in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less
Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling ....Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling and simulation studies, of the well-grounded hypothesis that suppression of turbulence by sheared flow is a universal phenomenon in such fluids, and that it can be exploited to control transport of fluid constituents. Applications of this new knowledge will be developed.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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Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354716
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Energetically Open Systems Research Network Study. Conceptual frameworks arising in the physical sciences, such as non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, synergetics, chaos and dynamical systems theory, are seminal in the emerging science of complexity. This study will lay the groundwork for a network to link Australian and overseas research on these fundamental concepts, and their application within the context of entropy-producing systems vital to the long-term sustainabilit ....Energetically Open Systems Research Network Study. Conceptual frameworks arising in the physical sciences, such as non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, synergetics, chaos and dynamical systems theory, are seminal in the emerging science of complexity. This study will lay the groundwork for a network to link Australian and overseas research on these fundamental concepts, and their application within the context of entropy-producing systems vital to the long-term sustainability of the earth - oceans, atmosphere, biosphere, CO2-free energy production, space and solar environment. The network would facilitate the development of young investigators and be linked into wider complex systems networks such as the CSIRO Centre for Complex Systems Science.Read moreRead less
Fusion Energy and the Physics of Burning Plasmas. The world faces a global energy crisis. Our standard of living, which is largely powered by base-load electricity supply, is unsustainable. Fusion power is a near zero greenhouse gas technology, which promises millions of years of base-load electricity, free from weapon proliferation. This promise has galvanised the international community to accelerate fusion development by committing to the next-step technology-enabling $16 billion experiment, ....Fusion Energy and the Physics of Burning Plasmas. The world faces a global energy crisis. Our standard of living, which is largely powered by base-load electricity supply, is unsustainable. Fusion power is a near zero greenhouse gas technology, which promises millions of years of base-load electricity, free from weapon proliferation. This promise has galvanised the international community to accelerate fusion development by committing to the next-step technology-enabling $16 billion experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). In anticipation of ITER, this fellowship will foster growth of Australian fusion research, and address a grand science challenge facing ITER: how do we maintain burn in the face of potentially damaging plasma instabilities? The answer will affect both ITER and the viability of fusion power.Read moreRead less
Integrated Photonics for Secure Communication and Related Applications in Financial Transaction Data Analysis. The project includes excellent basic science, semiconductor device fabrication and applied mathematics with explicitly identified consequences for innovation. There is strong potential for national economic benefits through the manufacture of new integrated photonic devices, the application of these devices in secure communication systems, the research of advanced non-linear analysis pr ....Integrated Photonics for Secure Communication and Related Applications in Financial Transaction Data Analysis. The project includes excellent basic science, semiconductor device fabrication and applied mathematics with explicitly identified consequences for innovation. There is strong potential for national economic benefits through the manufacture of new integrated photonic devices, the application of these devices in secure communication systems, the research of advanced non-linear analysis protocols, and the implementation of these in financial transaction analysis. Professional development and research education of postgraduate students and early career researchers will be carried out in a multi-disciplinary research environment with ongoing uptake of the research in industry and commercial sectors.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354794
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian e-Astronomy. Australian e-Astronomy will provide a pre-eminent example of an integrated e-Science program. The Australian e-Astronomy Research Network will build on and extend the LIEF-funded national program to participate in the International Virtual Observatory. The network includes key members of most Australian astronomy research groups, a strong group representing grid research and advanced computing partnerships and an extensive group of international experts. The network dev ....Australian e-Astronomy. Australian e-Astronomy will provide a pre-eminent example of an integrated e-Science program. The Australian e-Astronomy Research Network will build on and extend the LIEF-funded national program to participate in the International Virtual Observatory. The network includes key members of most Australian astronomy research groups, a strong group representing grid research and advanced computing partnerships and an extensive group of international experts. The network developed by Australian e-Astronomy will service the entire Australian astronomical research community (eg theory codes, databases, software telescopes) and provide new programs for postgraduate research training.Read moreRead less
Linear Dynamical Quantum Networks: Synthesis and Control. Australia is recognized as a leader in the international race to develop quantum technologies of the future. This project will strengthen Australia's profile in quantum technology engineering by developing a new theory for building arbitrary complex linear quantum mechanical control systems for control tasks in quantum technology, and presenting new control system design tools to support high performance quantum communication systems. The ....Linear Dynamical Quantum Networks: Synthesis and Control. Australia is recognized as a leader in the international race to develop quantum technologies of the future. This project will strengthen Australia's profile in quantum technology engineering by developing a new theory for building arbitrary complex linear quantum mechanical control systems for control tasks in quantum technology, and presenting new control system design tools to support high performance quantum communication systems. The project outcomes together with advances in experimental physics are anticipated to play an important role in the long term as enablers of viable quantum technologies that can provide new commercial opportunities for Australian hi-tech industries to benefit Australia's economy in the future.Read moreRead less
Miniaturised Adiabatic Light Processing Devices. The project will develop, model and analyse a range of miniaturised light-processing devices for optical communications applications that rely soley on their geometrical design for their optical functionality. Such devices are less complex than devices that rely on other physical phenomena for their operation, such as interference, resonance or grating phenomena. They have potential application to a wide range of applications including optical tel ....Miniaturised Adiabatic Light Processing Devices. The project will develop, model and analyse a range of miniaturised light-processing devices for optical communications applications that rely soley on their geometrical design for their optical functionality. Such devices are less complex than devices that rely on other physical phenomena for their operation, such as interference, resonance or grating phenomena. They have potential application to a wide range of applications including optical telecommunications, optical sensing and biophotonics. The major outcome will be a range of novel devices that are very compact, have very low optical power loss and process light signals in ways that either cannot be readily achieved by other approaches or are simpler than other approaches.Read moreRead less
Photonic Crystal Signal Processing and Antenna Technologies. The information society in which we live requires increasingly high bandwidth, low cost communications. This project addresses two critically important technologies needed to meet these demands: signal processing devices and antennas. These devices will be designed using three-dimensional photonic crystals, which provide excellent possibilities for low-cost, highly integrated photonic circuits. Working prototypes will be built at micro ....Photonic Crystal Signal Processing and Antenna Technologies. The information society in which we live requires increasingly high bandwidth, low cost communications. This project addresses two critically important technologies needed to meet these demands: signal processing devices and antennas. These devices will be designed using three-dimensional photonic crystals, which provide excellent possibilities for low-cost, highly integrated photonic circuits. Working prototypes will be built at microwave frequencies, but due to the scalability of electromagnetic theory these results are also valid in the optical domain. The outcomes of this project will be accurate theoretical models and empirical tests for new technologies that satisfy the future needs of the information society.Read moreRead less