Cosmic explosions and the origin of the elements. After the big bang, the universe consisted only of hydrogen and helium; all heavier elements, including those necessary to life were made in stars and stellar explosions. This project will develop an understanding and model stars, stellar explosions and the synthesis of heavy elements from the first stars to the present.
Flow structures and transport: predictability and control. Moving flow structures (the boundary of an eddy, the flow interface between two fluids) are crucial in fluid mixing and in the transport of heat, pollutants and nutrients. This project will analyse their roles in improving predictions of spreading extents and rates for geophysical-scale problems, and in controlling transport at the micro-scale. Inaccuracies in currently available numerical diagnostics for transport prediction will be com ....Flow structures and transport: predictability and control. Moving flow structures (the boundary of an eddy, the flow interface between two fluids) are crucial in fluid mixing and in the transport of heat, pollutants and nutrients. This project will analyse their roles in improving predictions of spreading extents and rates for geophysical-scale problems, and in controlling transport at the micro-scale. Inaccuracies in currently available numerical diagnostics for transport prediction will be comprehensively evaluated via comparison with recent exact models. Analytical methods for quantifying transport under unsteady flow protocols will be developed, and used to answer questions on controlling transport in microfluidic applications in conjunction with experimentalists.Read moreRead less
High resolution ultrafast imaging with cold electrons. This project will develop atomic-scale imaging that is able to bypass the resolution limitations of modern electron microscopes. The project will investigate the physical processes underlying a new imaging source based on extracting cold electrons from laser-cooled atoms. Ultrashort pulses of cold electrons will enable time-lapse imaging of fundamental processes at the nano-scale, with applications in fundamental biosciences and materials sc ....High resolution ultrafast imaging with cold electrons. This project will develop atomic-scale imaging that is able to bypass the resolution limitations of modern electron microscopes. The project will investigate the physical processes underlying a new imaging source based on extracting cold electrons from laser-cooled atoms. Ultrashort pulses of cold electrons will enable time-lapse imaging of fundamental processes at the nano-scale, with applications in fundamental biosciences and materials science.Read moreRead less
A coupled finite volume method for viscoelastic flow problems on highly-skewed unstructured meshes: a computational rheology revolution. Commercial tools are unavailable for 21st century industry to analyse complex flow processes involving viscoelastic materials. Using fabrication of microstructured polymer optical fibre as a key case study, a coupled finite volume methodology holds the key for the next generation of computational rheology simulators.
A multiplex microscope platform to define molecular events in fluid systems. This project aims to develop a novel microscopy platform that will enable the visualisation and quantification of molecular events occurring under fluid shear stress. The project will generate new knowledge in platelet biology that will allow characterisation and prediction of key molecular and morphological changes occurring across a blood thrombus under flowing conditions as found in the blood vessels. These new tools ....A multiplex microscope platform to define molecular events in fluid systems. This project aims to develop a novel microscopy platform that will enable the visualisation and quantification of molecular events occurring under fluid shear stress. The project will generate new knowledge in platelet biology that will allow characterisation and prediction of key molecular and morphological changes occurring across a blood thrombus under flowing conditions as found in the blood vessels. These new tools and the imaging platform will have applications for researchers wishing to visualise small and rapid molecular events in four dimensions (length, width, height and across time) under fluid shear stress, which is applicable across a range of industries. The project expects to deliver the next generation of intravital microscopes that can visualise and quantify events in a challenging flow environment.Read moreRead less
Bright x-ray beams from laser-driven microplasmas. This project aims to develop a new generation of bright, laser-like x-ray sources for laboratory use. X-ray sources underpin key diagnostic techniques in materials science, advancing applications from structural engineering through to ore processing and energy storage. However, the limited brightness of present-day laboratory x-ray sources restricts the utility and range of these diagnostic techniques. This research intends to use intense lasers ....Bright x-ray beams from laser-driven microplasmas. This project aims to develop a new generation of bright, laser-like x-ray sources for laboratory use. X-ray sources underpin key diagnostic techniques in materials science, advancing applications from structural engineering through to ore processing and energy storage. However, the limited brightness of present-day laboratory x-ray sources restricts the utility and range of these diagnostic techniques. This research intends to use intense lasers to create microscopic plasmas and drive high harmonic generation. The high harmonic generation process is already used to create laser-like ultraviolet light. By optimising the characteristics of the plasma medium, the project aims to extend bright high harmonic generation to the x-ray regime.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,750,752.00
Summary
Frontiers of reaction dynamics for new generation accelerator science. Innovative concepts and new Australian capabilities will be combined to understand reactions of exotic isotopes. This will underpin applications of next generation international rare isotope accelerators to advance many areas of physics, medical science and future energy technologies. The project strengthens national capacity in a strategic area.
Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international faci ....Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international facilities, and driving theoretical developments, this project will pin down the dynamics of heavy element formation. This will be a high-profile outcome from recent investment in Australian accelerators. Mapping out future opportunities at worldwide billion dollar accelerator developments will secure a strong Australian engagement and benefit from these massive investments.Read moreRead less
From coherent to dissipative dynamics in complex quantum systems: opening a new window through nuclear fusion. The new ideas and precision measurement technologies in the project will enhance the reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subjects of quantum tunnelling and nuclear fusion. The cutting-edge work, and its international linkages, provides outstanding training in quantum and nuclear science of national and international significance.
Integrin Activation by Fluid Flow Disturbance: Mechanobiology Approaches. Understanding how cells can sense and respond to mechanical environment such as dynamic blood flow represents a fundamental question in the emerging field of mechanobiology. This project develops new biomechanical engineering approaches to determine the critical interrelationships among fluid flow disturbance, platelet clotting and the mechano-sensitive signal transduction mechanisms of integrin receptor – the most importa ....Integrin Activation by Fluid Flow Disturbance: Mechanobiology Approaches. Understanding how cells can sense and respond to mechanical environment such as dynamic blood flow represents a fundamental question in the emerging field of mechanobiology. This project develops new biomechanical engineering approaches to determine the critical interrelationships among fluid flow disturbance, platelet clotting and the mechano-sensitive signal transduction mechanisms of integrin receptor – the most important mechano-sensor implicated in cell adhesion, migration, growth and survival. Specifically, it integrates nationally unique cutting-edge techniques including single-molecule force probe, microparticle image velocimetry, microfluidics and molecular dynamics simulation, super resolution and 3D volumetric imaging modalities.Read moreRead less