Synthetic and theoretical studies of metal complexes containing carbon-rich ligands. Previous studies in my group, in conjunction with synthetic and theoretical chemistry groups at the Université de Rennes 1, France, have delineated the properties of a series of complexes containing carbon chains linking two metal centres. Having achieved a partial understanding of the features which result in good electronic communication between the metal centres via the carbon chain, the present proposal see ....Synthetic and theoretical studies of metal complexes containing carbon-rich ligands. Previous studies in my group, in conjunction with synthetic and theoretical chemistry groups at the Université de Rennes 1, France, have delineated the properties of a series of complexes containing carbon chains linking two metal centres. Having achieved a partial understanding of the features which result in good electronic communication between the metal centres via the carbon chain, the present proposal seeks to extend this collaboration to further studies which will generate related compounds in which actual eletron exchange can occur, i.e. leading to oxidation/reduction, by using compounds in which two or more different metal centres are present. This may lead to development of nano devices, e.g. molecular-scale switches. If one of the centres is activated by light, a photo-active sensor may result.Read moreRead less
Progressive liquefaction within marine sediments: comparison between geo-centrifuge modelling, full-scale wave tank tests and numerical modelling. The evaluation of wave-induced liquefaction within the marine sediment is particularly important for coastal and geotechnical engineers involved in the design of foundation around coastal structures. The proposed study will integrate the existing knowledge from the aspects of coastal and geotechnical engineering with that of overseas experts to provid ....Progressive liquefaction within marine sediments: comparison between geo-centrifuge modelling, full-scale wave tank tests and numerical modelling. The evaluation of wave-induced liquefaction within the marine sediment is particularly important for coastal and geotechnical engineers involved in the design of foundation around coastal structures. The proposed study will integrate the existing knowledge from the aspects of coastal and geotechnical engineering with that of overseas experts to provide coastal engineers with an effective tool for the design of foundations around marine structures. It will also assist in reducing the risk of potential environmental damage caused by failure of marine structures.Read moreRead less
Friction and contact in soil-structure-interaction. Frictional contact, which occurs at soil-structure interfaces, has a major influence on the behaviour of many civil engineering structures such as building foundations and soil anchor systems. To better understand this phenomenon, new theoretical models and solution algorithms are needed to simulate soil-structure interaction. This project aims to develop these models and algorithms. Its outcomes will lead to improved prediction methods and bet ....Friction and contact in soil-structure-interaction. Frictional contact, which occurs at soil-structure interfaces, has a major influence on the behaviour of many civil engineering structures such as building foundations and soil anchor systems. To better understand this phenomenon, new theoretical models and solution algorithms are needed to simulate soil-structure interaction. This project aims to develop these models and algorithms. Its outcomes will lead to improved prediction methods and better geotechnical design strategies.Read moreRead less
Contaminant Transport in Marine Sediment. Sediments in bays and estuaries are often contaminated. The inorganic contaminants in sediments can be released back into the water body through mass transfer processes. The mass transfer rate is largely controlled by the wave-driven seepage flux across the seabed. Quantification of this flux is thus a key factor in modelling water quality of coastal water bodies. This project aims to: (1) develop models forwave-induced seepage flux within sediments and ....Contaminant Transport in Marine Sediment. Sediments in bays and estuaries are often contaminated. The inorganic contaminants in sediments can be released back into the water body through mass transfer processes. The mass transfer rate is largely controlled by the wave-driven seepage flux across the seabed. Quantification of this flux is thus a key factor in modelling water quality of coastal water bodies. This project aims to: (1) develop models forwave-induced seepage flux within sediments and contaminant transport; and (2) establish the link between seepage flux and contaminant transport. Outcomes of the proposed research will enhance the understanding of the mechanism of contaminant transport in marine sediment.Read moreRead less
Microanalysis of novel carbon thin films. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. Electrical devices can be fabricated with these films suitab ....Microanalysis of novel carbon thin films. Carbon coatings are technologically important and have many applications in automotive and biomedical industries worldwide. An example automotive application is as a coating for high performance fuel injectors. Carbon coatings have significant unrealised potential for applications in hostile environments such as those encountered in high performance engineering components and in the human body. Electrical devices can be fabricated with these films suitable for use in compact electrical devices requiring high current density. This project will add to the techniques used for the analysis of carbon coatings being developed in Australia. Read moreRead less
The Future of Oceans Governance in Polar Areas. Australia has a compelling national interest in maintaining its sovereignty and security in the Antarctic. Australian government goals include maintaining the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS); enhancing Australia's influence within the system; protecting the Antarctic environment; understanding the role of Antarctica in the global climate system; and undertaking scientific work of practical, economic and national significance. This project directly ad ....The Future of Oceans Governance in Polar Areas. Australia has a compelling national interest in maintaining its sovereignty and security in the Antarctic. Australian government goals include maintaining the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS); enhancing Australia's influence within the system; protecting the Antarctic environment; understanding the role of Antarctica in the global climate system; and undertaking scientific work of practical, economic and national significance. This project directly addresses national research priorities through analysis of oceans governance issues that centre on Australian interests. This project will also contribute to national benefit by focusing on issues central to the International Polar Year.Read moreRead less
UNSW-Harvard-Cambridge Partnership in Semiconductor Nanostructures for Quantum Computing and Quantum Science. Breakthrough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise important new devices with many applications in information and communications technologies. For example, quantum computers promise an enormous increase in computing power, allowing fast and complex processing in areas such as database searching, gene sequencing and weather modeling. This new collaboration brings together r ....UNSW-Harvard-Cambridge Partnership in Semiconductor Nanostructures for Quantum Computing and Quantum Science. Breakthrough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise important new devices with many applications in information and communications technologies. For example, quantum computers promise an enormous increase in computing power, allowing fast and complex processing in areas such as database searching, gene sequencing and weather modeling. This new collaboration brings together researchers from major national Centres in Australia (UNSW), Great Britain (University of Cambridge) and the USA (Harvard University) to tackle one of modern sciences most challenging problems - how to control and manipulate quantum states.Read moreRead less
Magnetic walls as nano-manipulators for physics, bio- and medical technologies. The focus of this project is the development of new scientific and technological aspects of nanomanipulators allowing not only the effective control of molecules and other magnetic quantities for a new approach in computation, but also the vital influence of biological processes at the molecular level. The outlook of this idea becomes increasingly promising in science and a broad range of industries (electronics, mat ....Magnetic walls as nano-manipulators for physics, bio- and medical technologies. The focus of this project is the development of new scientific and technological aspects of nanomanipulators allowing not only the effective control of molecules and other magnetic quantities for a new approach in computation, but also the vital influence of biological processes at the molecular level. The outlook of this idea becomes increasingly promising in science and a broad range of industries (electronics, materials engineering, nanotechnology and biotechnology). This project will establish Australia's capability at the forefront in this rapidly advancing area. The outcomes predicted may soon lead to the development of practical devices, where Australian science and industry may play one of the key roles.Read moreRead less
Electrorheological Fluid-based Actuators. The proposed project will make significant contribution towards both fundamental understanding of nanoparticle materials and the development of novel nanomaterial based devices. It is expected that new technology obtained from this research will be transferred to the automotive industry in Australia. It will also strengthen the collaboration between Australia and other countries, such as Hong Kong where research is also at the forefront in this field. Au ....Electrorheological Fluid-based Actuators. The proposed project will make significant contribution towards both fundamental understanding of nanoparticle materials and the development of novel nanomaterial based devices. It is expected that new technology obtained from this research will be transferred to the automotive industry in Australia. It will also strengthen the collaboration between Australia and other countries, such as Hong Kong where research is also at the forefront in this field. Australian research students and engineers will also gain training opportunities from this project.Read moreRead less
Open Cities: urban citizenship in Sydney and Berlin. This collaboration will contribute directly to National Research Priority "Safeguarding Australia: Understanding our region and the world". By analysing the differential dynamics of cultural citizenship in global cities such as Sydney, researchers, community service providers and policymakers will be given contemporary knowledge to invigorate their efforts to create and maintain a shared sense of security and belonging in a highly diverse cont ....Open Cities: urban citizenship in Sydney and Berlin. This collaboration will contribute directly to National Research Priority "Safeguarding Australia: Understanding our region and the world". By analysing the differential dynamics of cultural citizenship in global cities such as Sydney, researchers, community service providers and policymakers will be given contemporary knowledge to invigorate their efforts to create and maintain a shared sense of security and belonging in a highly diverse context. Drawing upon the latest research from European contexts will add rigour and validity to the research program and open opportunities for connecting with emerging EU research priorities concerned with managing identity formation across national boundaries.Read moreRead less