ARC Complex Open Systems Research Network. Complexity is the common frontier in the physical, biological and social sciences. This Network will link specialists in all three sciences through five generic conceptual and mathematical theme activities. It will promote research into how subsystems self-organise into new emergent structures when assembled into an open, non-equilibrium system. Outcomes will include new technologies and software tools and deeper understanding of fundamental questions i ....ARC Complex Open Systems Research Network. Complexity is the common frontier in the physical, biological and social sciences. This Network will link specialists in all three sciences through five generic conceptual and mathematical theme activities. It will promote research into how subsystems self-organise into new emergent structures when assembled into an open, non-equilibrium system. Outcomes will include new technologies and software tools and deeper understanding of fundamental questions in science. An essential function of the network will be introducing researchers end users to new tools and broadening the horizons of graduate students.Read moreRead less
Fluctuations in the properties of nonequilibrium fluids and the influence of thermostatting mechanisms. The behaviour of nonequilibrium fluids will be studied by combining ideas from liquid state theory, statistical mechanics and dynamical systems theory. This work will result in development and testing of mathematical expressions (Fluctuation Theorems) that are consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which determines the direction of any change in any macroscopic system, but are also ....Fluctuations in the properties of nonequilibrium fluids and the influence of thermostatting mechanisms. The behaviour of nonequilibrium fluids will be studied by combining ideas from liquid state theory, statistical mechanics and dynamical systems theory. This work will result in development and testing of mathematical expressions (Fluctuation Theorems) that are consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which determines the direction of any change in any macroscopic system, but are also applicable to microscopic systems. The expressions will determine the probability that finite sized systems will violate the Second Law for small periods of time and will therefore contribute to development of a fundamental understanding of microscopic systems and the development of nanotechnology.
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Fluid properties and chaotic dynamics in equilibrium and nonequilibrium states. Over the last decade a revolution has been taking place in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics [Physics Today, Sept, 2002]. This revolution is characterized by adapting the mathematical theory of chaos to nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Fundamental new theorems and algorithms for computing transport coefficients have been derived. The CIs have played a key role in this revolution. We seek to broaden these dev ....Fluid properties and chaotic dynamics in equilibrium and nonequilibrium states. Over the last decade a revolution has been taking place in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics [Physics Today, Sept, 2002]. This revolution is characterized by adapting the mathematical theory of chaos to nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Fundamental new theorems and algorithms for computing transport coefficients have been derived. The CIs have played a key role in this revolution. We seek to broaden these developments by: generalizing a theorem which relates transport coefficients to chaoticity; detailed studies of the influence of thermostatting mechanisms on nonequilibrium chaoticity and fluctuations, and by understanding the range of applicability of a nonequilibrium fluctuation theorem for non-isoenergetic systems.Read moreRead less
Quantitative Brain Dynamics. This proposal will benefit Australia through unique and fundamental contributions to understanding brain dynamics via the development of innovative approaches and technologies. It will contribute to the national priority goals of Breakthrough Science, Frontier Technologies, and Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy. Science outcomes will include improved understanding and probing of brain self-organization, dynamics, and function, including unique contributio ....Quantitative Brain Dynamics. This proposal will benefit Australia through unique and fundamental contributions to understanding brain dynamics via the development of innovative approaches and technologies. It will contribute to the national priority goals of Breakthrough Science, Frontier Technologies, and Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy. Science outcomes will include improved understanding and probing of brain self-organization, dynamics, and function, including unique contributions to understanding alertness and the foundations of vision. These outcomes will be applied to develop new technologies for brain imaging and monitoring.Read moreRead less
Exact dynamics of the asymmetric exclusion process with boundaries. This project offers an opportunity for a postgraduate student to participate in world-class research. It further strengthens collaborative ties with the renowned department of theoretical physics at Oxford University. The outcomes of this project are expected to provide valuable fundamental information for any applied science in which transport plays a crucial role.
Mathematics of the quantum-classical mechanics interface. Nanotechnology focusses increasing attention on the interface between quantum and classical mechanics. Semiclassical approximations have long been studied, as a means to describe classical systems with 'small' actions as this interface is approached from the classical side. I have recently shown that classical mechanics can be formulated in complex Hilbert space, as a pseudo-quantum theory. This establishes a framework for the developme ....Mathematics of the quantum-classical mechanics interface. Nanotechnology focusses increasing attention on the interface between quantum and classical mechanics. Semiclassical approximations have long been studied, as a means to describe classical systems with 'small' actions as this interface is approached from the classical side. I have recently shown that classical mechanics can be formulated in complex Hilbert space, as a pseudo-quantum theory. This establishes a framework for the development of 'semiquantum' approximations, to enable the description of quantum systems with 'large' actions as the quantum-classical interface is approached from the quantum side. The project aims to explore some ramifications of this theoretical breakthrough.Read moreRead less
Algebraic invariants in mathematics and physics. This project is at the leading edge of fundamental mathematics and will result in important scientific advances that will keep Australia at the forefront internationally in this field of research. The topics under investigation are having high impact worldwide so there is an emphasis on international networking and on research training, particularly of research students. Australians would normally need to go to leading international centres such a ....Algebraic invariants in mathematics and physics. This project is at the leading edge of fundamental mathematics and will result in important scientific advances that will keep Australia at the forefront internationally in this field of research. The topics under investigation are having high impact worldwide so there is an emphasis on international networking and on research training, particularly of research students. Australians would normally need to go to leading international centres such as Paris to partake in projects of this nature. That high profile research of this kind can be done in Australia will enhance our capacity to retain scientific talent.Read moreRead less
Hecke algebras and hidden symmetries in quantum spin chains. This project further strenghtens collaborative ties with Prof. Rittenberg who is a leading figure in statistical mechanics. Rittenberg is Scientific Director of one of the best journals, and has been instrumental in advocating and advancing Australia's influence in the field. All this on top of his original scientific input which we have become used to in the past years.
Quantitative dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging. By modeling and verifying the dynamics of brain activity and blood flow that underlie functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this project will yield improved scientific outcomes and imaging sensitivity. The new data analysis techniques and technologies that result will yield potentially patentable intellectual property, and will increase the standing of Australia in this rapidly developing field, including via links being bu ....Quantitative dynamics of functional magnetic resonance imaging. By modeling and verifying the dynamics of brain activity and blood flow that underlie functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this project will yield improved scientific outcomes and imaging sensitivity. The new data analysis techniques and technologies that result will yield potentially patentable intellectual property, and will increase the standing of Australia in this rapidly developing field, including via links being built to leading international workers. The National Research Priority Goals of Frontier Technologies, Breakthrough Science, Smart Information Use, and Promoting an Innovation Economy will thus be advanced.Read moreRead less
Parametric Brain Imaging via Modeling and Analysis of Electroencephalographic Signals. Parameters of brain function and physiology will be spatially imaged with high time resolution via their effects on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, a form of imaging that is impossible with existing methods. This will be achieved by improving existing physiologically-based models of the generation of EEGs and developing analysis tools based on fitting of model predictions to multielectrode EEG data. T ....Parametric Brain Imaging via Modeling and Analysis of Electroencephalographic Signals. Parameters of brain function and physiology will be spatially imaged with high time resolution via their effects on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, a form of imaging that is impossible with existing methods. This will be achieved by improving existing physiologically-based models of the generation of EEGs and developing analysis tools based on fitting of model predictions to multielectrode EEG data. The results will be used to probe spatiotemporal features of EEGs in normal subjects to explore the underlying fundamental mechanisms and to infer novel parameter variations of practical relevance.Read moreRead less