Prediction of inertial particle focusing in curved microfluidic ducts. This project aims to develop mathematical models to predict migration of particles suspended in flow through curved microfluidic ducts and their focusing by size to different regions in the cross-section of the duct. New knowledge in mathematics and engineering will be generated through models that capture the two-way force balance between fluid and particles and by a novel use of asymptotics for computational efficiency. Exp ....Prediction of inertial particle focusing in curved microfluidic ducts. This project aims to develop mathematical models to predict migration of particles suspended in flow through curved microfluidic ducts and their focusing by size to different regions in the cross-section of the duct. New knowledge in mathematics and engineering will be generated through models that capture the two-way force balance between fluid and particles and by a novel use of asymptotics for computational efficiency. Expected outcomes are understanding of the physics that drives particle migration and the parameters that may be used to control particle focusing. This will benefit design and operation of microfluidic devices for particle sorting as required for "liquid biopsy", the isolation of cancer cells in a routine blood sample.Read moreRead less
Modeling, Mathematical Analysis, and Computation of Multiscale Systems. This project develops and implements a systematic approach, both analytic and computational, to extract compact, accurate, system level models of complex physical and engineering systems. Our wide ranging methodology is to construct computationally efficient "wrappers" around fine scale, microscopic, detailed descriptions of dynamical systems (particle or molecular simulation, or PDE or lattice equations). Comprehensively a ....Modeling, Mathematical Analysis, and Computation of Multiscale Systems. This project develops and implements a systematic approach, both analytic and computational, to extract compact, accurate, system level models of complex physical and engineering systems. Our wide ranging methodology is to construct computationally efficient "wrappers" around fine scale, microscopic, detailed descriptions of dynamical systems (particle or molecular simulation, or PDE or lattice equations). Comprehensively accounting for multiscale interactions between subgrid processes among macroscale variations ensures stability and accuracy. Based on dynamical systems theory and analysis, our approach will empower systematic analysis and understanding for optimal macroscopic simulation for forthcoming exascale computing. Read moreRead less
Design of Real-time Optimisation Methods with Guaranteed Performance. The project aim is the development of a framework for the advancement of optimisation algorithms operating in real-time applications. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of systems theory and optimisation, and its application to time-varying problems. Expected outcomes of this project should lead to a new theoretical and practical framework that aims to ameliorate the shortcomings of the existing approac ....Design of Real-time Optimisation Methods with Guaranteed Performance. The project aim is the development of a framework for the advancement of optimisation algorithms operating in real-time applications. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of systems theory and optimisation, and its application to time-varying problems. Expected outcomes of this project should lead to a new theoretical and practical framework that aims to ameliorate the shortcomings of the existing approaches that struggle to rapidly respond to new information. This should provide significant benefits. Specifically, this project aims to facilitate a technological leap that generates smaller, faster, and more powerful embedded systems such as broadband services, mobile phones, medical imagining, radar and avionics.Read moreRead less
Digitally networked dynamical systems: Performance and robustness analysis. The project aim is to advance mathematical and computational tools for analyzing collections of dynamical systems that interact with each other by the digital exchange of information. The significance of this aim stems from the emergence and growing complexity and scale of such cyber-physical networks in diverse domains, including agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and infrastructure management. The expected outcomes ....Digitally networked dynamical systems: Performance and robustness analysis. The project aim is to advance mathematical and computational tools for analyzing collections of dynamical systems that interact with each other by the digital exchange of information. The significance of this aim stems from the emergence and growing complexity and scale of such cyber-physical networks in diverse domains, including agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and infrastructure management. The expected outcomes will broaden the scope for exploring achievable performance in the design and deployment of systems that leverage networked interaction for operational gains. Beyond the technical advances, benefits will include sustaining Australia's strong reputation in systems engineering research and researcher training in this area.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of piezoelectric metamaterials: Towards robotic stress sensors. This project aims to design new piezoelectric material microstructures that can enhance the measurement of complex local stress states within robotic limbs. The project expects to generate new knowledge of the achievable properties of multi-poled piezoelectric materials and develop computational tools for the analysis and structural optimisation of such materials. The designed microstructures may revolutionise piezoelec ....Optimisation of piezoelectric metamaterials: Towards robotic stress sensors. This project aims to design new piezoelectric material microstructures that can enhance the measurement of complex local stress states within robotic limbs. The project expects to generate new knowledge of the achievable properties of multi-poled piezoelectric materials and develop computational tools for the analysis and structural optimisation of such materials. The designed microstructures may revolutionise piezoelectric sensor technology. Expected outcomes include manufactured proof-of-concept sensors that enable measurement of local stress fields. This should provide significant benefits, such as improved future robot capability and reliability, and research training for next-generation Australian computational mathematicians. Read moreRead less
Microcantilevers for multifrequency atomic force microscopy. This project aims to design a microcantilever with high-performing sensors more sensitive and with better noise performance than the typical optical system used in commercial Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs). The AFM, a nanotechnology instrument, uses a microcantilever (with an extremely shape probe) to interrogate a sample surface. It has made important discoveries in nanotechnology, life sciences, nanomachining, material science and d ....Microcantilevers for multifrequency atomic force microscopy. This project aims to design a microcantilever with high-performing sensors more sensitive and with better noise performance than the typical optical system used in commercial Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs). The AFM, a nanotechnology instrument, uses a microcantilever (with an extremely shape probe) to interrogate a sample surface. It has made important discoveries in nanotechnology, life sciences, nanomachining, material science and data storage systems. Despite its success, the technique’s spatial resolution and quantitative measurements are limited. This project could lead to breakthrough technologies such as atomic force spectroscopy to study elastic modulus of nanostructures, and establish Australia's prominence in this emerging field.Read moreRead less
Mathematical Modelling of the Mechanobiology of Arterial Plaque Growth. Plaque growth is a chronic inflammatory response induced by the interactions between endothelial cells, lipids, monocytes/macrophages, smooth muscle cells and platelets in the arteries. It involves many different biological processes, such as lipid deposition, inflammation and angiogenesis, and their interactions with the microcirculation. To understand the underlying mechanobiology, we propose to develop a mathematical mode ....Mathematical Modelling of the Mechanobiology of Arterial Plaque Growth. Plaque growth is a chronic inflammatory response induced by the interactions between endothelial cells, lipids, monocytes/macrophages, smooth muscle cells and platelets in the arteries. It involves many different biological processes, such as lipid deposition, inflammation and angiogenesis, and their interactions with the microcirculation. To understand the underlying mechanobiology, we propose to develop a mathematical model to interpret plaque growth by integrating these dynamic biological processes. It will offer a systematic rational understanding of plaque growth. New models will be provided to better interpret biological data and contribute to our knowledge in quantifying complex biological mechanisms during growth and development.Read moreRead less
Multiscale modelling of systems with complex microscale detail. In modern science and engineering many complex systems are described by distinctly different microscale physical models within different regions of space. This project is to develop systematic mathematical and computational methods for the compact and accurate macroscale modelling and computation of such systems for application in industrial research and development. Our sparse simulations, justified with mathematical analysis, use ....Multiscale modelling of systems with complex microscale detail. In modern science and engineering many complex systems are described by distinctly different microscale physical models within different regions of space. This project is to develop systematic mathematical and computational methods for the compact and accurate macroscale modelling and computation of such systems for application in industrial research and development. Our sparse simulations, justified with mathematical analysis, use small bursts of particle/agent simulations, PDEs, or difference equations, to efficiently evaluate macroscale system-level behaviour. The objective is to accurately interface between disparate microscale models and establish provable predictions on how the microscale parameter spaces resolve at the macroscale.Read moreRead less
Mathematical and computational models for agrichemical retention on plants. Mathematical and computational models for agrichemical retention on plants. This project aims to build interactive software that simulates agrichemical spraying for multiple virtual plants reconstructed from scanned data. Mathematical modelling and computer simulation could offer an alternative to expensive experimental programs for agrichemical spraying of plants. This project will use contemporary fluid mechanics to bu ....Mathematical and computational models for agrichemical retention on plants. Mathematical and computational models for agrichemical retention on plants. This project aims to build interactive software that simulates agrichemical spraying for multiple virtual plants reconstructed from scanned data. Mathematical modelling and computer simulation could offer an alternative to expensive experimental programs for agrichemical spraying of plants. This project will use contemporary fluid mechanics to build practical mathematical models for droplet impaction, spreading and evaporation on leaf surfaces, and experimentally calibrate and validate the models. The software is expected to drive the development of agrichemical products that increase retention, minimise environmental impacts, and reduce costs for end-users.Read moreRead less
Pattern formation of precursor films: a new mathematical model. This project aims to develop a new mathematical model to predict the pattern formation of a new class of permanent lubricants. Ionic liquids are conductive and do not evaporate, creating a unique opportunity to develop such coatings. These thin films form patterns where the pattern type (patches, stripes or holes) depends on the liquid/surface interaction. Only some patterns result in good lubrication; current limited understanding ....Pattern formation of precursor films: a new mathematical model. This project aims to develop a new mathematical model to predict the pattern formation of a new class of permanent lubricants. Ionic liquids are conductive and do not evaporate, creating a unique opportunity to develop such coatings. These thin films form patterns where the pattern type (patches, stripes or holes) depends on the liquid/surface interaction. Only some patterns result in good lubrication; current limited understanding of the pattern formation process hampers selection of a good lubricant for a chosen material. Current mathematical approaches are computationally expensive and time consuming. The new model expected from this project would provide a cheap, fast and reliable alternative for screening suitable liquid/surface pairs.Read moreRead less