Advances in Conformal Field Theory with Extended Symmetry. This project aims to develop novel methods to formulate conformal field theories with extended symmetry that are important in variety of applications ranging from pure mathematics to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will include co ....Advances in Conformal Field Theory with Extended Symmetry. This project aims to develop novel methods to formulate conformal field theories with extended symmetry that are important in variety of applications ranging from pure mathematics to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will include conceptual results of major significance for modern theoretical and mathematical physics, thus placing Australia at the forefront of this research. A rich intellectual environment will be provided for training Australian PhD students by internationally recognised experts.
Read moreRead less
Conformal Field Theories with Higher Spin Symmetry and Duality Invariance. This project aims to develop novel methods to study conformal field theories with higher spin symmetry and duality invarianvce that are important in variety of applications ranging from cosmology to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in one of the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics ....Conformal Field Theories with Higher Spin Symmetry and Duality Invariance. This project aims to develop novel methods to study conformal field theories with higher spin symmetry and duality invarianvce that are important in variety of applications ranging from cosmology to phenomenology of elementary particles. The project expects to advance our knowledge in one of the most challenging areas of modern theoretical physics - Quantum Gravity and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its expected outcomes will be new conceptual results of major significance for modern theoretical and mathematical physics, thus placing Australia at the forefront of this research. Benefits will include a rich intellectual environment for training Australian PhD students by internationally recognised experts.
Read moreRead less
Complexity of group algorithms and statistical fingerprints of groups. This project aims to shape the next generation of efficient randomised algorithms in the field of group theory, the mathematics of symmetry. Fundamental mathematics underpins modern technological tasks such as web searches, sorting and data compression. This project aims to determine characteristic statistical fingerprints of key building-block groups. These group statistics lead to much faster procedures to essentially facto ....Complexity of group algorithms and statistical fingerprints of groups. This project aims to shape the next generation of efficient randomised algorithms in the field of group theory, the mathematics of symmetry. Fundamental mathematics underpins modern technological tasks such as web searches, sorting and data compression. This project aims to determine characteristic statistical fingerprints of key building-block groups. These group statistics lead to much faster procedures to essentially factor huge groups into smaller building-block groups in a manner akin to factoring an integer into its prime factors. The anticipated goal is to include the outcomes in publicly available symbolic algebra computer packages. As the theory of symmetry has broad applications in the mathematical and physical sciences, there is the potential for far reaching benefits.Read moreRead less
Quantifying and parameterising ocean mixing. This project aims to advance our ability to describe the efficiency and intensity of ocean mixing. The project will develop and apply innovative techniques to estimate ocean mixing from both traditional ship-based, vertical-profiling turbulence measurements and from autonomous moorings. The project will undertake a re-analysis of historic measurements and obtain new measurements using autonomous systems. The results will be used to develop both a uni ....Quantifying and parameterising ocean mixing. This project aims to advance our ability to describe the efficiency and intensity of ocean mixing. The project will develop and apply innovative techniques to estimate ocean mixing from both traditional ship-based, vertical-profiling turbulence measurements and from autonomous moorings. The project will undertake a re-analysis of historic measurements and obtain new measurements using autonomous systems. The results will be used to develop both a universal relationship describing the efficiency of ocean mixing, and to quantify the underlying length scale controlling mixing intensity. This will enable the development of the next generation of turbulence closure models needed to describe ocean circulation and stirring.Read moreRead less
Deep ocean thermodynamics and climate change. This project aims to obtain new insights into the thermodynamic and transport properties of mixtures containing water, particularly at high pressures, that impact directly on our understanding of climate change processes. The project will involve the use of a polarisable potential for water which has recently been demonstrated to yield predictions of high accuracy. It will be used to model saline water mixtures containing carbon dioxide, resulting in ....Deep ocean thermodynamics and climate change. This project aims to obtain new insights into the thermodynamic and transport properties of mixtures containing water, particularly at high pressures, that impact directly on our understanding of climate change processes. The project will involve the use of a polarisable potential for water which has recently been demonstrated to yield predictions of high accuracy. It will be used to model saline water mixtures containing carbon dioxide, resulting in valuable data for thermodynamic properties of the world's oceans. These data are of crucial importance for accurate climate change predictions and as such the project will have an important impact on understanding our changing environment.Read moreRead less
Revealing the impacts of super-charged photosynthesis on leaf respiration. This project aims to use state-of-the-art technologies to develop a novel framework that links a super-charged version of photosynthesis (known as C4 photosynthesis) to changes in nocturnal leaf respiration. A quarter of global land photosynthesis occurs in C4 plants that include several important cereal crops. Although advances have been made in modelling C4 photosynthesis, these advances are unable to model variations i ....Revealing the impacts of super-charged photosynthesis on leaf respiration. This project aims to use state-of-the-art technologies to develop a novel framework that links a super-charged version of photosynthesis (known as C4 photosynthesis) to changes in nocturnal leaf respiration. A quarter of global land photosynthesis occurs in C4 plants that include several important cereal crops. Although advances have been made in modelling C4 photosynthesis, these advances are unable to model variations in nocturnal respiration. Expected outcomes include equations that predict respiration in C4 plants growing in current/future climates. Benefits to include knowledge needed to engineer faster-growing crops and providing climate modelers the ability to more accurately predict carbon exchange in C4-dominated ecosystems. Read moreRead less
Exceptionally symmetric combinatorial designs. Advances in digital technologies are underpinned by powerful mathematics; use of symmetry greatly simplifies complex problems. This project aims to exploit the mathematical theory of groups to advance our understanding of combinatorial designs with exceptional symmetry. New designs have become prominent through links with networks and error correcting codes. The project expects to generate constructions and classifications in these areas by utilisin ....Exceptionally symmetric combinatorial designs. Advances in digital technologies are underpinned by powerful mathematics; use of symmetry greatly simplifies complex problems. This project aims to exploit the mathematical theory of groups to advance our understanding of combinatorial designs with exceptional symmetry. New designs have become prominent through links with networks and error correcting codes. The project expects to generate constructions and classifications in these areas by utilising powerful group theory. As well as innovative methods for studying designs with symmetry based on group actions, expected outcomes include enhanced international collaboration, and highly trained combinatorial mathematicians to strengthen Australia’s research standing in fundamental science. Read moreRead less
The synchronisation hierarchy of permutation groups. This project aims to make significant advances in understanding finite primitive permutation groups, which are the basic building blocks of the mathematical study of symmetry. A recently-developed perspective, inspired by the notion of a synchronising automaton, has revealed that these groups fall into a natural hierarchy. While the outline of this synchronisation hierarchy is known, many questions remain about exactly which primitive groups l ....The synchronisation hierarchy of permutation groups. This project aims to make significant advances in understanding finite primitive permutation groups, which are the basic building blocks of the mathematical study of symmetry. A recently-developed perspective, inspired by the notion of a synchronising automaton, has revealed that these groups fall into a natural hierarchy. While the outline of this synchronisation hierarchy is known, many questions remain about exactly which primitive groups lie in which layers. Answering these questions using techniques from group theory, graph theory and finite geometry will substantially deepen our understanding. The benefits of this include new knowledge and enhanced insight into this fundamental class of groups and new tools for their analysis.Read moreRead less
Graph symmetry and simple groups. This project aims to use knowledge of finite simple groups to tackle problems in graph symmetry. The symmetry of an object is encoded by a group, and this allows tools from algebra to be used to study graphs. The main impact will be in areas of pure mathematics such as graph theory and group theory by obtaining new classifications and constructions. Expected outcomes include providing new constructions and classifications of highly symmetric graphs, and an impro ....Graph symmetry and simple groups. This project aims to use knowledge of finite simple groups to tackle problems in graph symmetry. The symmetry of an object is encoded by a group, and this allows tools from algebra to be used to study graphs. The main impact will be in areas of pure mathematics such as graph theory and group theory by obtaining new classifications and constructions. Expected outcomes include providing new constructions and classifications of highly symmetric graphs, and an improved knowledge and understanding of local symmetries for graphs of higher valencies so that they become as well understood as the valency three case.Read moreRead less
Control and Optimization of Distributed Multiagent Formations. The project aims to develop a conceptual framework and algorithms for handling multi-vehicle formation control. Formations of unmanned airborne vehicles are currently used by defence forces and swarms of micro-vehicles are beginning to find increasing use in defence and for civilian emergency response, largely for surveillance purposes. Vehicles must cooperate to achieve a global formation objective, while respecting constraints on s ....Control and Optimization of Distributed Multiagent Formations. The project aims to develop a conceptual framework and algorithms for handling multi-vehicle formation control. Formations of unmanned airborne vehicles are currently used by defence forces and swarms of micro-vehicles are beginning to find increasing use in defence and for civilian emergency response, largely for surveillance purposes. Vehicles must cooperate to achieve a global formation objective, while respecting constraints on sensors, energy, and general mechanical limitations. The project aims to resolve the challenges of deciding what a single vehicle should observe, what and to where it should communicate, and how it should move in relation to what it sees. The conceptual framework developed may also be relevant in guiding future defence acquisitions and civilian applications.Read moreRead less