Dynamic Analysis and Control for Hybrid Systems and Networks. Hybrid systems are now accepted as the best way to model many high-tech situations in transport, energy management, networking, household and industrial automation. This project will develop the theoretical tools needed to ensure such systems operate stably and efficiently despite imperfections and outside disturbances.
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
Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can ....Modelling, Identification and Control of Complex Networks. Australia has been well known for its leading research in systems and control and many real-world applications in, for instance, telecommunications, defence, power grids and life sciences. This project will further promote Australia's leading position in the emerging new research field - complex networks by theoretical breakthrough in modelling, identification and control of complex networks, and cutting-edge platform technology that can help Australian energy industry to reduce greenhouse emissions. It will also result in education of the next generation research leaders in this emerging field.Read 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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Diffusion driven pattern formation and signal propagation in spatially complex excitable media. A basic understanding of the mechanisms for pattern formation, from the spots on leopards to electrical signalling of neurons, has been achieved through reaction-diffusion equations. However to obtain a complete understanding, which is vital for many applications, it is necessary to modify this mathematical model to incorporate spatial complexities in the underlying media. This project will develop ....Diffusion driven pattern formation and signal propagation in spatially complex excitable media. A basic understanding of the mechanisms for pattern formation, from the spots on leopards to electrical signalling of neurons, has been achieved through reaction-diffusion equations. However to obtain a complete understanding, which is vital for many applications, it is necessary to modify this mathematical model to incorporate spatial complexities in the underlying media. This project will develop a fractional calculus framework for pattern formation, including signal propagation, in spatially complex and excitable media. In a particular application we will model the way in which the signalling properties of neurons depend critically on their spatial complexity.Read moreRead less
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
ARC Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems & Control. Complex dynamic systems are an inescapable feature of the world we live in. Modelling, analysing and optimizing complex behaviour is crucial for environment, process industry, biomedical, energy distribution, transportation and other applications. The Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control will become an international authority in the analysis, design and optimization of complex dynamic systems, pursuing both outstanding fundamental and c ....ARC Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems & Control. Complex dynamic systems are an inescapable feature of the world we live in. Modelling, analysing and optimizing complex behaviour is crucial for environment, process industry, biomedical, energy distribution, transportation and other applications. The Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control will become an international authority in the analysis, design and optimization of complex dynamic systems, pursuing both outstanding fundamental and cutting edge applied research outcomes. These outcomes will be of specific benefit to partner organizations including minerals, process, metal forming, and automotive industries.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
Operator algebras associated to product systems, and higher-rank-graph algebras. Operator algebras are used to study a wide range of physical systems in quantum physics and quantum computing, and in electrical engineering. The clearer our picture of how operator algebras work, the better we are able to predict and explain how these physical systems will behave. The proposed research project is aimed at showing that we can describe operator algebras in terms of simple coloured diagrams rather tha ....Operator algebras associated to product systems, and higher-rank-graph algebras. Operator algebras are used to study a wide range of physical systems in quantum physics and quantum computing, and in electrical engineering. The clearer our picture of how operator algebras work, the better we are able to predict and explain how these physical systems will behave. The proposed research project is aimed at showing that we can describe operator algebras in terms of simple coloured diagrams rather than abstract mathematical symbols. Consequently, the project will lead to a simpler and less technical approach to the physical problems which operator algebras are used to study.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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