Generalised Energy Based Robust and Nonlinear Control Systems. This project aims to develop new energy-based theories of robust stability analysis and controller design for both linear and nonlinear systems, building on passivity and negative imaginary system theories and their physical interpretations along with stochastic optimal control theory. These control theories would allow for a wide range of plant dynamics in the design of high-performance robust control systems, enabling advances in e ....Generalised Energy Based Robust and Nonlinear Control Systems. This project aims to develop new energy-based theories of robust stability analysis and controller design for both linear and nonlinear systems, building on passivity and negative imaginary system theories and their physical interpretations along with stochastic optimal control theory. These control theories would allow for a wide range of plant dynamics in the design of high-performance robust control systems, enabling advances in emerging technologies including nanopositioning, micro-electromechanical systems and opto-mechatronics. The project plans to combine these theoretical advances with numerical methods involving advanced optimisation tools and the experimental implementation of nanopositioning control systems in atomic force microscopy.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL150100019
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,041,282.00
Summary
Precision laser levitation for quantum metrology and gravitational sensing. Precision laser levitation for quantum metrology and gravitational sensing: This fellowship project aims to levitate macroscopic objects using only laser beams, to provide a new tool to test physics theories. Strong laser beams can exert sufficient force to counteract gravity and make an object levitate. In contrast to other forms of levitation, laser levitation is scatter-free and can preserve system coherence. It has s ....Precision laser levitation for quantum metrology and gravitational sensing. Precision laser levitation for quantum metrology and gravitational sensing: This fellowship project aims to levitate macroscopic objects using only laser beams, to provide a new tool to test physics theories. Strong laser beams can exert sufficient force to counteract gravity and make an object levitate. In contrast to other forms of levitation, laser levitation is scatter-free and can preserve system coherence. It has superior optical and mechanical quality factors and complete information of the system dynamics is retained. This allows laser levitation to be turned into a highly controllable and ultra-sensitive device capable of detecting minute environmental changes. This research aims to probe the relationship between quantum and gravitational physics and develop laser levitation into a precision instrument for the sensing of gravity. Laser levitation has the potential to be developed into technology for mineral exploration and environmental sensing.Read moreRead less
Coherent Laser Levitation for Precision Sensing and Enabling Science. When light collides with matter, it may exert a force called radiation pressure. This project aims to use radiation pressure to levitate a small mirror. Using a tripod of laser beams, it is possible to levitate and trap the mirror in a stable position. Radiation pressure has been used before to levitate, but previous work has always involved scattering light from the levitating object. This project proposes the use of a high q ....Coherent Laser Levitation for Precision Sensing and Enabling Science. When light collides with matter, it may exert a force called radiation pressure. This project aims to use radiation pressure to levitate a small mirror. Using a tripod of laser beams, it is possible to levitate and trap the mirror in a stable position. Radiation pressure has been used before to levitate, but previous work has always involved scattering light from the levitating object. This project proposes the use of a high quality mirror, allowing the collection of the reflected light and the accurate measurement and control of the position of the mirror as it floats on the laser beams. Using the unique properties of the floating mirror, it will be possible to search for signatures of quantum gravity and develop tools for ultra-precision metrology.Read moreRead less
Designing a spectrometer to search for life on extrasolar planets. Finding indicators of life on extrasolar planets is one of the greatest science questions of our time. Astronomers have found rocky, earth-like exoplanets; now we need powerful spectrometers to search for biomarkers in their atmospheres, detecting the faint imprints from molecules associated with life in the colour spectrum of stars. This project will develop the instruments and technologies required to enable spectroscopy with m ....Designing a spectrometer to search for life on extrasolar planets. Finding indicators of life on extrasolar planets is one of the greatest science questions of our time. Astronomers have found rocky, earth-like exoplanets; now we need powerful spectrometers to search for biomarkers in their atmospheres, detecting the faint imprints from molecules associated with life in the colour spectrum of stars. This project will develop the instruments and technologies required to enable spectroscopy with massively multiplexed telescopes. A spectrometer design with large spectral bandwidth and high resolution, optimised for a facility consisting of thousands of small telescopes, and novel optical fibres to link them, will open the door for breakthrough science requiring an entirely new class of telescope.Read moreRead less
Nanoparticle radiosensitisation. This project aims to develop new knowledge through a better understanding of physics interactions of particles in compounds with sub-micron size. Research on radiosensitisation by sub-micrometre sized nanoparticles (NPs) is hot worldwide because it could treat cancer, but the physical/physico-chemical/biological mechanism of radiosensitisation is unclear because no physical models describe particle interactions at nanometre scale in solid state nanometre sized ob ....Nanoparticle radiosensitisation. This project aims to develop new knowledge through a better understanding of physics interactions of particles in compounds with sub-micron size. Research on radiosensitisation by sub-micrometre sized nanoparticles (NPs) is hot worldwide because it could treat cancer, but the physical/physico-chemical/biological mechanism of radiosensitisation is unclear because no physical models describe particle interactions at nanometre scale in solid state nanometre sized objects. This project will develop and evaluate specialised physics models to describe particle interactions in NPs and help optimise nanoparticle technology. It will develop expertise in Australia in physics modelling for nanomedicine and other applications of nanotechnology exposed to radiation (e.g. telecommunications, aviation and space).Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
Australian Seismic Imaging Array. The project aims to create a facility for developing techniques for imaging the deep earth and the surface motion in ambient seismic waves created by wind, waves and human activity. The techniques will enable sources of seismic vibrations to be identified and suppressed, and will allow mapping techniques to be developed for monitoring and discovery of resources such as ground water. Gravitational wave researchers will benefit from the ability to suppress seismic ....Australian Seismic Imaging Array. The project aims to create a facility for developing techniques for imaging the deep earth and the surface motion in ambient seismic waves created by wind, waves and human activity. The techniques will enable sources of seismic vibrations to be identified and suppressed, and will allow mapping techniques to be developed for monitoring and discovery of resources such as ground water. Gravitational wave researchers will benefit from the ability to suppress seismic vibrations, while geophysicists will benefit from new techniques and training. Read moreRead less
Radiation detectors to better understand ion interactions. This project aims to build a Heavy Ion Therapy Research and Treatment Centre in Australia. Understanding how ions interact with matter and their radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is important. The project will introduce an Australian detector technology platform to research ion interaction physics and their RBE. It will develop radiation detectors for ion measurement with a wide energy range, including a practical RBE quality assurance ....Radiation detectors to better understand ion interactions. This project aims to build a Heavy Ion Therapy Research and Treatment Centre in Australia. Understanding how ions interact with matter and their radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is important. The project will introduce an Australian detector technology platform to research ion interaction physics and their RBE. It will develop radiation detectors for ion measurement with a wide energy range, including a practical RBE quality assurance tool with submillimetre spatial resolution. The proposed Australian radiation detection technology is expected to improve understanding of the scientific mechanisms underpinning the radiobiological effectiveness of heavy ion radiation.Read moreRead less
Detecting the deaths of the first stars: Investigating the physical processes in the early Universe. This project will pursue the most distant supernova explosions in the Universe and investigate their host galaxies and environments. It will use a technique that has detected the most distant supernovae, probing 12 billion years into the past, and one that is able to discover, for the first time, the deaths of the first stars to have formed after the Big Bang. This project will use this technique ....Detecting the deaths of the first stars: Investigating the physical processes in the early Universe. This project will pursue the most distant supernova explosions in the Universe and investigate their host galaxies and environments. It will use a technique that has detected the most distant supernovae, probing 12 billion years into the past, and one that is able to discover, for the first time, the deaths of the first stars to have formed after the Big Bang. This project will use this technique to gather a statistical sample of supernovae to determine their occurrence rate and physical properties and to provide crucial data for a newly discovered, extremely powerful, third type of supernova. This data will test the laws in which early galaxies formed their stars and reveal the framework for the subsequent evolution of the Universe.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100888
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Illuminating drug activity in the brain with nanocrystalline beacons. The project focuses on developing technologies to understand the activity of drugs and precisely locate their target sites in the brain. Novel nanocrystalline beacons and ultrahigh-sensitivity optical imaging technology developed in the project have the aim to help visualise opioid and other related drug molecules over extended periods, which is impossible with current methods. Quantifying drug target distribution in the brain ....Illuminating drug activity in the brain with nanocrystalline beacons. The project focuses on developing technologies to understand the activity of drugs and precisely locate their target sites in the brain. Novel nanocrystalline beacons and ultrahigh-sensitivity optical imaging technology developed in the project have the aim to help visualise opioid and other related drug molecules over extended periods, which is impossible with current methods. Quantifying drug target distribution in the brain and imaging their dynamics on a single molecule level will shed light on drug-target interactions.Read moreRead less
Cell–fluid interaction: inside and outside cells. The project aims to measure mechanics at the cellular level using a combination of optical tweezers for measurement of nano-scale environment around/inside cells and light-sheet microscopy for imaging. The project expects to generate new knowledge about movement of cells through their environment, relating to collective behaviour which is of importance in understanding infections and formation of biofilms. Expected outcomes include deepened under ....Cell–fluid interaction: inside and outside cells. The project aims to measure mechanics at the cellular level using a combination of optical tweezers for measurement of nano-scale environment around/inside cells and light-sheet microscopy for imaging. The project expects to generate new knowledge about movement of cells through their environment, relating to collective behaviour which is of importance in understanding infections and formation of biofilms. Expected outcomes include deepened understanding of an enigmatic process conserved from amoebae to humans, by which cells ‘drink and eat’ by ‘gulping’ fluid and supplement their nutrient intake by degrading proteins and cell debris. It will generate new knowledge of these processes to better understand how mechanics affects cellular life.Read moreRead less