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
Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could pr ....Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could provide significant benefits for the scientific community as well as Australian companies.
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Structural transitions in turbulent fluids and plasma through self-organization. Studies into structural transitions in turbulent systems will greatly benefit Australia through its contributions to the science of complex systems, in the areas of self-organization and turbulence control. Applications range from understanding the formation of the Earth's atmospheric spectrum to generation of transport barriers in magnetically confined plasma, as well as development of novel methods of turbulence c ....Structural transitions in turbulent fluids and plasma through self-organization. Studies into structural transitions in turbulent systems will greatly benefit Australia through its contributions to the science of complex systems, in the areas of self-organization and turbulence control. Applications range from understanding the formation of the Earth's atmospheric spectrum to generation of transport barriers in magnetically confined plasma, as well as development of novel methods of turbulence control in engineering. Recent discoveries by the authors open a window of opportunity for a breakthrough in this fundamental field of modern science. The project is based on several national and international collaborations. Australian postgraduate and research training is an integral part of the project.Read moreRead less
Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new m ....Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new methods of transport barrier modelling which will equip specialists dealing with Lagrangian transport with new tools for the transport barrier modelling and characterisation.Read moreRead less
Feedback Processes in Galaxy Formation. We have an opportunity to combine the best Australian theory with the best local and international telescopes, to probe the murky story of how galaxies form and why they look they way they do today. By looking back to a time when the Universe was only 1 billion years old, and comparing what we see with cutting edge supercomputer simulations plus pure theory, we will gain insight into the birth of entire galaxies. The results will form part of the study o ....Feedback Processes in Galaxy Formation. We have an opportunity to combine the best Australian theory with the best local and international telescopes, to probe the murky story of how galaxies form and why they look they way they do today. By looking back to a time when the Universe was only 1 billion years old, and comparing what we see with cutting edge supercomputer simulations plus pure theory, we will gain insight into the birth of entire galaxies. The results will form part of the study of how the universe works - that is driving astrophysics today, and represents pure research for the sake of advancing knowledge and showing us where we fit into the Universe. In doing so we will also advance Australia's base of theoretical and computational expertise.Read moreRead less
Renewable energy generation from flow-induced vibration. Much engineering effort has been expended to eliminate vibration of marine structures. This project seeks to provide the basis for the development of tidal energy harnessing, by deliberately amplifying and harnessing vibration. This technology offers the promise of capturing clean, zero-emissions energy, while presenting no risk to marine life.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668481
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,385.00
Summary
Time-resolved observation of highly transient events by a novel digital high-speed camera. Highly transient, that is, rapidly changing, events occur in nature and in almost every field of science and engineering. Knowledge and understanding of these processes is vital for the design of better and innovative machines, materials and instruments. Valuable insight into these processes can be gained if one can visualise them by means of high-speed photography. This application seeks the acquisition o ....Time-resolved observation of highly transient events by a novel digital high-speed camera. Highly transient, that is, rapidly changing, events occur in nature and in almost every field of science and engineering. Knowledge and understanding of these processes is vital for the design of better and innovative machines, materials and instruments. Valuable insight into these processes can be gained if one can visualise them by means of high-speed photography. This application seeks the acquisition of a novel and unique digital camera system that would allow one to observe rapidly occurring processes with unprecedented clarity. The availability of such a system would significantly strengthen cutting-edge research activities in various disciplines that would ultimately lead to the development of original and innovative products.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100194
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes:
The project seeks to establish equipment to enable the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Such processes, where large amounts of energy are released over a short time frame, occur in nature and almost every field of science and engineering, and their investigation is a formidable challenge. This challenge is designed to be met th ....Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes:
The project seeks to establish equipment to enable the investigation of high-speed energetic processes. Such processes, where large amounts of energy are released over a short time frame, occur in nature and almost every field of science and engineering, and their investigation is a formidable challenge. This challenge is designed to be met through the combined use of state-of-the-art flow visualisation, thermography and spectrometry equipment. These diagnostics would open avenues into so far impossible or difficult to conduct research on highly transient phenomena in various research fields, which include various aspects of fluid mechanics, combustion, and fracture mechanics. The equipment would be instrumental in the design of better and innovative machines, materials, instruments and processes.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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A Laboratory Study of Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling in the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave. A laboratory model of the southern hemisphere mid-latitude ocean-atmosphere system will be used to investigate the dynamics of ocean-atmosphere coupling contributing to the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW). The ACW is a recently discovered multi-year climate oscillation which has considerable effect on Australian and New Zealand precipitation. This will be the first laboratory model to include global scale ocean-a ....A Laboratory Study of Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling in the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave. A laboratory model of the southern hemisphere mid-latitude ocean-atmosphere system will be used to investigate the dynamics of ocean-atmosphere coupling contributing to the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW). The ACW is a recently discovered multi-year climate oscillation which has considerable effect on Australian and New Zealand precipitation. This will be the first laboratory model to include global scale ocean-atmosphere processes, and will be used to test proposed mechanisms for the driving of the climate oscillation that is attributed to the ACW. The project will provide knowledge required for improved computational modelling and climate predictions.
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