Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so tha ....Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so that widespread uptake of these reactors becomes viable. Outcomes from the project will include a fundamental understanding of pure and doping-induced isotopic magnesium diboride superconductors and their behaviour under high neutron flux and harsh plasma atmosphere, which are specifically designed for application in next-generation, low-cost fusion reactors.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,587.00
Summary
Development and application of super-sensitive spinning quantum sensors. This project aims to use physical rotation of diamonds on timescales faster than quantum decoherence to set new detection limits for precision quantum sensing of electric and magnetic fields. This potentially allows us to see for the first time how the Coriolis force acts on current flowing in a frame rotating 700,000,000 times faster than the earth. The project's expected outcomes are electro-magnetic sensors with unpreced ....Development and application of super-sensitive spinning quantum sensors. This project aims to use physical rotation of diamonds on timescales faster than quantum decoherence to set new detection limits for precision quantum sensing of electric and magnetic fields. This potentially allows us to see for the first time how the Coriolis force acts on current flowing in a frame rotating 700,000,000 times faster than the earth. The project's expected outcomes are electro-magnetic sensors with unprecedented sensitivity that could find application in areas ranging from detecting household wiring to locating magnetic anomalies for defence. These outcomes should fill a blind spot of quantum magnetometry, have commercial impact and expand our knowledge of quantum physics in the rotating frame.Read moreRead less
A New Approach to the Structure of Atomic Nuclei. Starting at the quark level, we have derived a theory of nuclear structure, that in its initial application appears extremely successful. The aim of this project is to advance this revolutionary new approach to the theory of nuclear structure to the next level by exploring its predictions for a number of outstanding questions in modern nuclear physics. This includes the properties of superheavy nuclei, with atomic number beyond 100, including the ....A New Approach to the Structure of Atomic Nuclei. Starting at the quark level, we have derived a theory of nuclear structure, that in its initial application appears extremely successful. The aim of this project is to advance this revolutionary new approach to the theory of nuclear structure to the next level by exploring its predictions for a number of outstanding questions in modern nuclear physics. This includes the properties of superheavy nuclei, with atomic number beyond 100, including the potential existence of a new region of stability and complementing experimental searches underway internationally to discover the limits of stability with large neutron or proton excess, which is crucial to understanding the origin of the elements and may contribute new energy related technology.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the neutron lifetime puzzle with lattice quantum chromodynamics. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to confront one of the outstanding puzzles of nuclear and particle physics, the neutron lifetime. New knowledge will be generated through the development of novel theoretical and numerical techniques to increase the precision of the leading theoretical inputs required to predict the neutron lifetime. The outcomes will provide crucial theoretical guidance into understan ....Unravelling the neutron lifetime puzzle with lattice quantum chromodynamics. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to confront one of the outstanding puzzles of nuclear and particle physics, the neutron lifetime. New knowledge will be generated through the development of novel theoretical and numerical techniques to increase the precision of the leading theoretical inputs required to predict the neutron lifetime. The outcomes will provide crucial theoretical guidance into understanding the neutron; helping to guide the next-generation neutron experiments, from particle physics to applications in advanced materials science. The results will have immediate benefit by resolving the neutron lifetime puzzle, while enabling Australian scientists to take a leadership role in this area of fundamental science.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100197
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,000.00
Summary
In one zeptosecond: quantifying energy dissipation in heavy element fusion. This project aims to understand the process of energy dissipation in superheavy element fusion reactions. Using state-of-the art facilities unique to Australia, the first detailed measurements of the crucial early stages of these reactions will be made. This is expected to generate significant fundamental knowledge on why some superheavy element fusion reactions succeed, and why others fail. The outcomes are expected to ....In one zeptosecond: quantifying energy dissipation in heavy element fusion. This project aims to understand the process of energy dissipation in superheavy element fusion reactions. Using state-of-the art facilities unique to Australia, the first detailed measurements of the crucial early stages of these reactions will be made. This is expected to generate significant fundamental knowledge on why some superheavy element fusion reactions succeed, and why others fail. The outcomes are expected to significantly advance the fundamental understanding of nuclear reactions, and provide key guidance to international opportunities to create new superheavy elements and isotopes. Expected benefits include improving cancer treatments, understanding element abundance in the universe and improved safety in nuclear technologies.Read moreRead less
Imaging the spatial distribution of forces that bind quarks to a proton. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to resolve the distribution of forces acting on quarks inside the proton. New knowledge will be generated in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image novel features that have not been possible in the past. The outcomes will therefore open new research possibilities by expanding the capacity of the international communi ....Imaging the spatial distribution of forces that bind quarks to a proton. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to resolve the distribution of forces acting on quarks inside the proton. New knowledge will be generated in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image novel features that have not been possible in the past. The outcomes will therefore open new research possibilities by expanding the capacity of the international community to study strong interaction physics—including direct relevance to experimental research at the recently-upgraded Jefferson Lab in the US. In analogy to Rutherford's atomic model, the results will have benefit to future generations of humanity with a deeper understanding of the structure of matter.Read moreRead less
Nuclear vibrations under scrutiny in near-spherical and deformed nuclei. This Project aims to elucidate the nature of nuclear vibrations. Evidence is mounting that nuclear excitations long identified as vibrations cannot truly be so. This shakes the foundations of nuclear theory. Coulomb excitation and transfer reaction experiments are to be developed to probe the structure of these quantum states. Expected outcomes include clarification of their true nature and a deeper understanding of why nuc ....Nuclear vibrations under scrutiny in near-spherical and deformed nuclei. This Project aims to elucidate the nature of nuclear vibrations. Evidence is mounting that nuclear excitations long identified as vibrations cannot truly be so. This shakes the foundations of nuclear theory. Coulomb excitation and transfer reaction experiments are to be developed to probe the structure of these quantum states. Expected outcomes include clarification of their true nature and a deeper understanding of why nuclei differ from other many-body quantum systems that do vibrate. Anticipated benefits include enduring methodologies to facilitate international research engagement, and rigorous hands-on training in nuclear methods, to help meet Australia’s need for nuclear-qualified personnel in health, mining, industry and security.Read moreRead less
Supercomputing the tomography of the proton. This project aims to produce theoretical determinations of the quark and gluon distributions of the proton through advanced supercomputer simulations. The project will generate new knowledge in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image structures that have not been possible in the past. This project expects to expand the capacity of the international community to study strong interaction physics, i ....Supercomputing the tomography of the proton. This project aims to produce theoretical determinations of the quark and gluon distributions of the proton through advanced supercomputer simulations. The project will generate new knowledge in the area of fundamental strong-interaction physics by developing innovative approaches to image structures that have not been possible in the past. This project expects to expand the capacity of the international community to study strong interaction physics, including direct relevance to experimental research at the recently-upgraded Jefferson Lab in the US. In analogy to Rutherford's atomic model, the results will have benefit to future generations of humanity with a deeper understanding of the structure of matter.Read moreRead less
Emergent Phenomena in the Foundation of Matter. This project aims to explore the finite-matter-density features of the relativistic field theory of the strong interactions, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Drawing on national supercomputing resources, this project will undertake QCD calculations of unprecedented complexity to discover emergent phenomena in the ground-state quantum fields that form the foundation of matter. By studying their evolution under temperature and matter density and explori ....Emergent Phenomena in the Foundation of Matter. This project aims to explore the finite-matter-density features of the relativistic field theory of the strong interactions, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Drawing on national supercomputing resources, this project will undertake QCD calculations of unprecedented complexity to discover emergent phenomena in the ground-state quantum fields that form the foundation of matter. By studying their evolution under temperature and matter density and exploring their contribution to the structure of the nucleon and its excitations, the research will advance theoretical understanding and challenge experimental programs. Benefits include transferable skills in advanced analytical techniques, high-performance computing, and scientific data visualisation.Read moreRead less