Retracing the Early Evolution of Metazoa using Novel Methods and Strategies. Metazoa is one of the best-characterised groups of species in terms of its morphology, fossil record, development, and genetic make-up, but the phylogeny remains obscure because the fossil record is incomplete and because molecular phylogenetic methods have not yet been developed with the complexity of genomic data in mind. We will develop methods and strategies for the analysis of whole genomes, and use them in studies ....Retracing the Early Evolution of Metazoa using Novel Methods and Strategies. Metazoa is one of the best-characterised groups of species in terms of its morphology, fossil record, development, and genetic make-up, but the phylogeny remains obscure because the fossil record is incomplete and because molecular phylogenetic methods have not yet been developed with the complexity of genomic data in mind. We will develop methods and strategies for the analysis of whole genomes, and use them in studies of the mitochondrial genome. We will infer the animal phylogeny, and use it to chart the evolution of animal morphology and development, and the evolution of mitochondrial genetic codes, gene order, and nucleotide content.Read moreRead less
Dynamics and correlations of many-body systems. The proposed program will greatly enhance Australian science through linking innovative
theoretical techniques with the successful ongoing Australian experimental program in atom
lasers, atom chip interferometry and ultra-cold fermions. Pioneering theoretical methods in
quantum phase-space are internationally recognized, and will be extended into new areas relevant
to Australia. These have fundamental significance to fields ranging from nanotec ....Dynamics and correlations of many-body systems. The proposed program will greatly enhance Australian science through linking innovative
theoretical techniques with the successful ongoing Australian experimental program in atom
lasers, atom chip interferometry and ultra-cold fermions. Pioneering theoretical methods in
quantum phase-space are internationally recognized, and will be extended into new areas relevant
to Australia. These have fundamental significance to fields ranging from nanotechnology to
astrophysics, as well as providing a route to improved atomic clocks and other instruments.
Combining these theoretical and computational methods from the physical sciences with biology
and genetics will provide future cross-disciplinary benefits to Australian biomedical science.Read moreRead less
Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the ....Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the further development of atomic scattering theory, particularly the role of electron-electron correlations, and provide much needed absolute scattering information on the excitation of molecules which are of relevance to our atmosphere and various technological devices.Read moreRead less
House hunting honey bees: speed-accuracy trade-offs in collective decision-making. This project will uncover the mechanisms that underlie the trade-off between speed and accuracy in collective decision-making. We will study two species of honey bee that differ in the relative importance of speed and accuracy when deciding on a new home. Natural selection has shaped the decision-making process differently in the two species, one favouring speed, the other accuracy. We will use the natural wisdom ....House hunting honey bees: speed-accuracy trade-offs in collective decision-making. This project will uncover the mechanisms that underlie the trade-off between speed and accuracy in collective decision-making. We will study two species of honey bee that differ in the relative importance of speed and accuracy when deciding on a new home. Natural selection has shaped the decision-making process differently in the two species, one favouring speed, the other accuracy. We will use the natural wisdom evolved by the bees to design new mathematical models of collective decision-making. These can be applied to create efficient decision-making tools that will be useful for any large organization.Read moreRead less
Quantum Simulations with Dilute Gas Bose Einstein Condensates. Fundamental scientific research, such as we propose, is an important contributor to the long term wealth and well being of the Nation. It shapes our culture, our ways of thinking, and our beliefs. It also contributes directly, and in the shorter term, through the technology development that accompanies scientific research at the frontiers of knowledge. The students participating in this research will develop skills in innovation, int ....Quantum Simulations with Dilute Gas Bose Einstein Condensates. Fundamental scientific research, such as we propose, is an important contributor to the long term wealth and well being of the Nation. It shapes our culture, our ways of thinking, and our beliefs. It also contributes directly, and in the shorter term, through the technology development that accompanies scientific research at the frontiers of knowledge. The students participating in this research will develop skills in innovation, intellectual property management, and commercialisation - all of which are critical to the Nation's future.Read moreRead less
The mathematics of cold quantum matter. Ongoing advances in the experimental realisation of ultracold quantum matter play a leading role in the international effort towards the eventual realisation of quantum technology. This research project aims to build on and develop Australia's mathematical research strengths to explore and describe the enabling physics of cold quantum matter. This approach will further consolidate and enhance Australia's leadership in quantum science. The program of fundam ....The mathematics of cold quantum matter. Ongoing advances in the experimental realisation of ultracold quantum matter play a leading role in the international effort towards the eventual realisation of quantum technology. This research project aims to build on and develop Australia's mathematical research strengths to explore and describe the enabling physics of cold quantum matter. This approach will further consolidate and enhance Australia's leadership in quantum science. The program of fundamental research will also contribute to training mathematically talented students in a rapidly advancing area with the capacity to contribute to a wide range of problems, including the emerging technology of quantum devices.Read moreRead less
Quantum correlations in ultra-cold Fermi gases. The field of ultra-cold Fermi gases provides a unique opportunity to develop and test theoretical methods for novel experimental environments of exceptional purity and simplicity. This improved understanding will have potential applications in many fields, ranging from the astrophysics of neutron stars to condensed matter systems such as superconductors or nanostructures. Just as importantly, the project will develop linkages with world leading the ....Quantum correlations in ultra-cold Fermi gases. The field of ultra-cold Fermi gases provides a unique opportunity to develop and test theoretical methods for novel experimental environments of exceptional purity and simplicity. This improved understanding will have potential applications in many fields, ranging from the astrophysics of neutron stars to condensed matter systems such as superconductors or nanostructures. Just as importantly, the project will develop linkages with world leading theoretical groups, which will greatly aid research student education. There are direct applications to experiments on molecule formation with ultra-cold fermions in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics.Read moreRead less
Singular photonics: twisted light and optical vortices.
This project will help to establish and support a world-leading research team in Australia in the field of singular photonics and the physics of twisted light; it will help to return the leading positions of the Australian physics in the field of singular optics, and it will initiate a design of a novel generation of photonic devices operating with vortex beams. The project will promote this field in order to enhance its rapid development ....Singular photonics: twisted light and optical vortices.
This project will help to establish and support a world-leading research team in Australia in the field of singular photonics and the physics of twisted light; it will help to return the leading positions of the Australian physics in the field of singular optics, and it will initiate a design of a novel generation of photonic devices operating with vortex beams. The project will promote this field in order to enhance its rapid development and facilitate the emergence of novel technologies in Australia; it will be combined with an extensive collaboration with top overseas groups attracting strong interest from industry.Read moreRead less
Black Hole Accretion: The Effects of Magnetic Fields and Radiation. This project represents a significant contribution by Australian researchers to one of Science's Big Questions: How do Black Holes channel gravitational energy into radiation at many different energies and into high speed outflows. It offers Australian Astronomy an opportunity to expand its endeavours into the rapidly growing and high profile areas of high-energy and computational astrophysics, injecting new expertise into the i ....Black Hole Accretion: The Effects of Magnetic Fields and Radiation. This project represents a significant contribution by Australian researchers to one of Science's Big Questions: How do Black Holes channel gravitational energy into radiation at many different energies and into high speed outflows. It offers Australian Astronomy an opportunity to expand its endeavours into the rapidly growing and high profile areas of high-energy and computational astrophysics, injecting new expertise into the interpretation of multi-wavelength data on accreting black holes. We will train a new cohort of internationally competitive students and early career researchers, equipping them with the advanced computational and modelling skills that are in increasingly higher demand in many technology-based industries.Read moreRead less
Strong Interaction Physics from Lattice QCD. This project will significantly advance our knowledge of the subatomic structure of the universe. It will maintain excellence and strength in an area where Australia has built an outstanding international reputation over the past decade. It will place Australia at the cutting edge of fundamental and computational science research and it will maintain and grow strong international links. It will produce Australian graduates and research associates of h ....Strong Interaction Physics from Lattice QCD. This project will significantly advance our knowledge of the subatomic structure of the universe. It will maintain excellence and strength in an area where Australia has built an outstanding international reputation over the past decade. It will place Australia at the cutting edge of fundamental and computational science research and it will maintain and grow strong international links. It will produce Australian graduates and research associates of high quality, who will benefit from participating in these state-of-the-art studies and from the advanced training in modeling, high-performance computer simulation and visualisation. This training will have major economic benefits for and provide strong links to Australian industry.Read moreRead less