Optimal discrete-valued control strategies: A new direction in nonlinear optimal control. The field of optimal control is concerned with finding ways to manipulate systems in the best possible manner. The latest research in optimal control focuses primarily on systems in which the input variables are continuous-valued, yet many real-world systems are controlled via discrete input variables that assume values from a finite set - such as "On/Off", "Open/Closed", "Gear 1/2/3". This project will rev ....Optimal discrete-valued control strategies: A new direction in nonlinear optimal control. The field of optimal control is concerned with finding ways to manipulate systems in the best possible manner. The latest research in optimal control focuses primarily on systems in which the input variables are continuous-valued, yet many real-world systems are controlled via discrete input variables that assume values from a finite set - such as "On/Off", "Open/Closed", "Gear 1/2/3". This project will revolutionise the field of optimal control through the development of new theory and computational tools for optimising discrete input variables in constrained nonlinear systems. The new results will be applied to solve critical problems in the areas of shale-gas extraction, chromatography, pipeline transportation, and micro-robots.Read moreRead less
Complete blood fractionation using a low-cost microfluidic system. This project aims to understand particle focusing in inertial microfluidic systems to design efficient devices for cell sorting. The field of microfluidics could ultimately advance medical research but device design is primitive. Microfluidic particle separations are not thoroughly simulated before fabrication to predict performance. This project is expected to accelerate progress in design of efficient microfluidic devices. The ....Complete blood fractionation using a low-cost microfluidic system. This project aims to understand particle focusing in inertial microfluidic systems to design efficient devices for cell sorting. The field of microfluidics could ultimately advance medical research but device design is primitive. Microfluidic particle separations are not thoroughly simulated before fabrication to predict performance. This project is expected to accelerate progress in design of efficient microfluidic devices. The knowledge and models developed in this project should help design and develop a microfluidic device for efficient fractionation of complex fluids into valuable components.Read moreRead less
Modelling interactions of spray droplets with plants. This project addresses the National Research Priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia by developing sophisticated mathematical models and interactive software that will identify environmentally friendlier technologies to efficiently deliver agrichemicals while minimising large scale water usage. National benefits will accrue from the provision for postdoctoral, PhD and IT staff training, while direct links with industry will provi ....Modelling interactions of spray droplets with plants. This project addresses the National Research Priority of an environmentally sustainable Australia by developing sophisticated mathematical models and interactive software that will identify environmentally friendlier technologies to efficiently deliver agrichemicals while minimising large scale water usage. National benefits will accrue from the provision for postdoctoral, PhD and IT staff training, while direct links with industry will provide technology transfer to end-users to ensure community uptake. The project will benefit rural and regional communities by providing long-term solutions in the areas of water use and quality, pesticide pollution reduction, and improved environment and human health care.Read moreRead less
Particle segregation and dynamics in inertial microfluidics systems. This project aims to produce microfluidic devices suitable for high-throughput cell sorting and cellular therapy in the biopharmaceutical industry. This project will combine state-of-the-art experimental approaches with advanced modelling techniques to design and develop the new generation of filtration systems for the pharmaceutical industry. The knowledge and models developed in this project will assist design and development ....Particle segregation and dynamics in inertial microfluidics systems. This project aims to produce microfluidic devices suitable for high-throughput cell sorting and cellular therapy in the biopharmaceutical industry. This project will combine state-of-the-art experimental approaches with advanced modelling techniques to design and develop the new generation of filtration systems for the pharmaceutical industry. The knowledge and models developed in this project will assist design and development of a unique platform for scalable, high-throughput, low-cost and continuous cell separation.Read moreRead less
Burning characteristics of solid combustibles in fire investigation. Predictive fire models are increasingly being considered to analyse fire events. Nevertheless, the burning characteristics of solid combustibles relevant to household and industrial fires are yet to be thoroughly understood and described. This project focuses on the development of novel and innovative predictive fire models by incorporating a more comprehensive analysis of the combustion process of solid fuel, and directly link ....Burning characteristics of solid combustibles in fire investigation. Predictive fire models are increasingly being considered to analyse fire events. Nevertheless, the burning characteristics of solid combustibles relevant to household and industrial fires are yet to be thoroughly understood and described. This project focuses on the development of novel and innovative predictive fire models by incorporating a more comprehensive analysis of the combustion process of solid fuel, and directly linking the chemistry with particular volatiles emitted from the solid combustibles. These volatiles are regarded as being game-changing for fire engineering design assessments for a wide range of high temperature conditions in different settings and configurations.Read moreRead less
Characterization of Fast Propagating Fires in Green Buildings. This project aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of fast-propagating fires and to address the deficiency in current fire models in assessing the fire safety requirement of green buildings. Although there are many compelling advantages associated with green building designs, because they promote better natural ventilation they could pose a significant fire hazard to occupants due to the propensity of rapid fire and s ....Characterization of Fast Propagating Fires in Green Buildings. This project aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of fast-propagating fires and to address the deficiency in current fire models in assessing the fire safety requirement of green buildings. Although there are many compelling advantages associated with green building designs, because they promote better natural ventilation they could pose a significant fire hazard to occupants due to the propensity of rapid fire and smoke spread within the enclosed space. The new predictive fire model in this project is expected to promote a safer and sustainable building environment.Read moreRead less
Insulated sandwich panels in high temperature environments. A robust model comprising pyrolysis of polymeric material coupled with gas combustion will be developed to predict the burning behaviour of expanded polystyrene insulated sandwich panels. These models will provide an effective design tool for fire safety engineering design and the assessment of a wide range of polymeric materials in fire conditions.
Boosting up Productivity: Optimizing Scaffolding Life Cycle Management with Virtual Design and Construction. Scaffolding management can be critical to construction industries across oil and gas, building, and infrastructure sectors. It can lead to low productivity and safety due to static and poor planning. This project aims to innovatively integrate a decision support system, virtual design and construction, and onsite monitoring into one dynamic planning system to significantly lift productivi ....Boosting up Productivity: Optimizing Scaffolding Life Cycle Management with Virtual Design and Construction. Scaffolding management can be critical to construction industries across oil and gas, building, and infrastructure sectors. It can lead to low productivity and safety due to static and poor planning. This project aims to innovatively integrate a decision support system, virtual design and construction, and onsite monitoring into one dynamic planning system to significantly lift productivity. The emphasis is on producing optimal solutions for planning, design, erection, monitoring, dismantling, and relocation of scaffolding, so that productivity is maximised subject to satisfying required cost and safety constraints. The project aims to therefore secure long-term economic benefits by improving productivity and enhancing project performance.Read moreRead less
Complex Multiscale Systems: Modeling, Analysis and Scientific Computation. This project aims to develop and implement a systematic approach, both analytic and computational, to extract compact, accurate, system level models of complex physical and engineering systems. The wide ranging methodology is to construct computationally efficient "wrappers" around fine scale, microscopic, detailed descriptions of dynamical systems (particle or molecular simulation, or partial differential equations or la ....Complex Multiscale Systems: Modeling, Analysis and Scientific Computation. This project aims to develop and implement a systematic approach, both analytic and computational, to extract compact, accurate, system level models of complex physical and engineering systems. The wide ranging methodology is to construct computationally efficient "wrappers" around fine scale, microscopic, detailed descriptions of dynamical systems (particle or molecular simulation, or partial differential equations 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, this approach is expected to empower systematic analysis and understanding for optimal macroscopic simulation for forthcoming exascale computing.Read moreRead less
How do sediments become magnetised? Construction of an empirical-numerical framework. The magnetism of sediments provides information on the past behaviour of the Earth's magnetic field. This project will study sediments from the oceans around Australia to understand how the field was recorded and use this information to construct a new generation of computer models that will provide insights into the physics of the recording process.