Deep Coal Mining. The occurrence of progressively larger gas outbursts, coal bumps, and the potential for the catastrophic collapse of coal pillars is of increasing importance as mining drives deeper in seams rich in methane and other hydrocarbons. This study will address this issue by examining the roles of stress level, strain-rate, gas desorption rate, and drained and undrained gas and liquid pressures in the dynamic failure of coal, while simultaneously evaluating the promise and fidelity of ....Deep Coal Mining. The occurrence of progressively larger gas outbursts, coal bumps, and the potential for the catastrophic collapse of coal pillars is of increasing importance as mining drives deeper in seams rich in methane and other hydrocarbons. This study will address this issue by examining the roles of stress level, strain-rate, gas desorption rate, and drained and undrained gas and liquid pressures in the dynamic failure of coal, while simultaneously evaluating the promise and fidelity of a variety of hazard indices and precursive signals.Read moreRead less
A historical approach to the development of households. The LI Grant will enable our team to participate in international discussion to build new knowledge about households and families. We will exchange expertise with the UK specialist partners, gaining access to the latest quantitative scholarship in urban household history, providing qualitative analyses using innovative reading techniques in return. The exchange will result in new methodologies to uncover non-nuclear family relationships and ....A historical approach to the development of households. The LI Grant will enable our team to participate in international discussion to build new knowledge about households and families. We will exchange expertise with the UK specialist partners, gaining access to the latest quantitative scholarship in urban household history, providing qualitative analyses using innovative reading techniques in return. The exchange will result in new methodologies to uncover non-nuclear family relationships and household forms as we continue archival research. Presenting our findings to UK scholars through the proposed schedule of visits, symposia, residencies, e-networking and collaborative publication, will facilitate international consideration of the research questions generated by our project.Read moreRead less
Comparative Border Studies. While borders are of increasing interest to Australian scholars and policy-makers, much existing research in Australia is focused on issues of border security or border integrity. There is an urgent need to supplement this work with theoretical and empirical insights drawn from the field of border studies. North America is a key site for international research in this field. Collaboration with North American scholars is thus an important step in developing and expandi ....Comparative Border Studies. While borders are of increasing interest to Australian scholars and policy-makers, much existing research in Australia is focused on issues of border security or border integrity. There is an urgent need to supplement this work with theoretical and empirical insights drawn from the field of border studies. North America is a key site for international research in this field. Collaboration with North American scholars is thus an important step in developing and expanding Australian expertise in border studies. This project will provide the intellectual environment and collaborative networks necessary to establish the first dedicated Centre for Border Studies in Australia.Read moreRead less
Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which in ....Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which includes devices for the European Space Agency's Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space mission, which is due for launch in 2010. This project highlights the importance of Australian Science in a high profile international mission.Read moreRead less
Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project a ....Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project aims at investigating the mechanical and acoustic properties of the newly discovered interlockable geometries (cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra and icosahedra) and identifying the areas of application. The project will promote the international leading role of the collaborating institutions in this novel field.Read moreRead less
Verification and prototypes of Opto-ULSI Processors for MicroPhotonic Applications. The aim of the program is to establish efficient linkage between Australia and Korea by stimulating research towards the rapid integration of VLSI systems into photonic components, hence creating a new platform in intelligent MicroPhotonic systems, which are core elements for future-generation reconfigurable telecommunication networks. Our ultimate target is to (1) design a low-power 256-phase Opto-ULSI processor ....Verification and prototypes of Opto-ULSI Processors for MicroPhotonic Applications. The aim of the program is to establish efficient linkage between Australia and Korea by stimulating research towards the rapid integration of VLSI systems into photonic components, hence creating a new platform in intelligent MicroPhotonic systems, which are core elements for future-generation reconfigurable telecommunication networks. Our ultimate target is to (1) design a low-power 256-phase Opto-ULSI processor, (2) experimentally verify various reconfigurable MicroPhotonic architectures for optical telecommunication applications, (3) develop efficient software for the various MicroPhotonic systems, and (4) develop and verify working prototypes.Read moreRead less
A comprehensive approach to development and understanding of III-nitride-based high performance electronic devices. This project forms part of a long-term, international research program into the development of high-power, high-frequency electronics for high performance radar and communications systems. The advanced fabrication technologies and designs being investigated in this project fall well within the designated priority goal of Frontier Technologies. III-nitride (GaN, AlN, InN and alloys) ....A comprehensive approach to development and understanding of III-nitride-based high performance electronic devices. This project forms part of a long-term, international research program into the development of high-power, high-frequency electronics for high performance radar and communications systems. The advanced fabrication technologies and designs being investigated in this project fall well within the designated priority goal of Frontier Technologies. III-nitride (GaN, AlN, InN and alloys) technology is also of high interest to defence organisations, as radar and satellite-communications links, which operate at frequencies ranging from hundreds of MHz to tens of GHz, often have high power-amplification requirements. The project therefore also falls within the priority goal of Transformational Defence Technologies.Read moreRead less