Advanced Computational and Analytic Studies in Lattice Statistical Mechanics and Applications. Lattice Statistical Mechanics is one of the current success stories of Australian Science with a significant international presence. The applicants represent a centre of excellence, particularly in the area of combining computational and analytic studies for maximum scientific benefit. The programme of research maximises Australia's investment in this human resource by focussing on an integrated set of ....Advanced Computational and Analytic Studies in Lattice Statistical Mechanics and Applications. Lattice Statistical Mechanics is one of the current success stories of Australian Science with a significant international presence. The applicants represent a centre of excellence, particularly in the area of combining computational and analytic studies for maximum scientific benefit. The programme of research maximises Australia's investment in this human resource by focussing on an integrated set of projects comprising a diverse and innovative group of applications in areas such as polymer science, DNA denaturation, combinatorics and the study of traffic flows. The underlying theme is always the utility of lattice statistical mechanics in 21st century science.Read moreRead less
Key combinatorial problems in lattice statistical mechanics. The enumeration of lattice animals is a famous open problem in combinatorics. These discrete structures also underpin our understanding of many physical phenomena, including polymer collapse and percolation in random media, through the integral part they play in many models in statistical mechanics and theoretical chemistry.
The project aims to answer some key open problems in this area using exact and numerical techniques. We expe ....Key combinatorial problems in lattice statistical mechanics. The enumeration of lattice animals is a famous open problem in combinatorics. These discrete structures also underpin our understanding of many physical phenomena, including polymer collapse and percolation in random media, through the integral part they play in many models in statistical mechanics and theoretical chemistry.
The project aims to answer some key open problems in this area using exact and numerical techniques. We expect that this will lead to proofs of the insolvability of certain problems, new exact solutions of others, and a greater understanding of the effect of topology and geometry on the behaviour of these models.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.
Solvable models on regular and random lattices in statistical mechanics and field theory. There are only a few solvable models in statistical mechanics and field theory, but those that are known give deep insights into the cooperative behaviour that characterizes a critical point, as well as
leading to fascinating mathematics. The two chief investigators have been at the forefront of this field for many years. Currently there are many notable exciting challenges they wish to address:
the re ....Solvable models on regular and random lattices in statistical mechanics and field theory. There are only a few solvable models in statistical mechanics and field theory, but those that are known give deep insights into the cooperative behaviour that characterizes a critical point, as well as
leading to fascinating mathematics. The two chief investigators have been at the forefront of this field for many years. Currently there are many notable exciting challenges they wish to address:
the relationship between Tutte's work on dichromatic polynomials and matrix models, the outstanding problem of calculating the order parameters of the chiral Potts model, and the eigenvalue spectra of the transfer matrices that occur in integrable models.
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Viscous Effects in Free-Surface Flows. Australia has a proud record of achievement in the field of free-surface fluid mechanics. This project will build and extend these research achievements. It will provide new information about how fluid layers overturn and mix, which is an important process in oceanography. It will examine the sloshing behaviour of fluid in moving storage tanks, which is important in fuel transport and building design. The project will develop new mathematical methods fo ....Viscous Effects in Free-Surface Flows. Australia has a proud record of achievement in the field of free-surface fluid mechanics. This project will build and extend these research achievements. It will provide new information about how fluid layers overturn and mix, which is an important process in oceanography. It will examine the sloshing behaviour of fluid in moving storage tanks, which is important in fuel transport and building design. The project will develop new mathematical methods for solving these problems accurately, and will contribute to the next generation of research mathematicians in Australia. Read moreRead less
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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