Measuring and modelling the mechanical response of soils incorporating recycled tyres. Civil engineers use backfill to refill excavated areas around new structures. They have found recently that rubber chips and shredded rubber make excellent backfill when combined with a small percentage of cement to make ‘rubber soil’. The widespread use of rubber soil therefore offers a tremendous opportunity to make use of a serious waste product to achieve important engineering outcomes. However, too little ....Measuring and modelling the mechanical response of soils incorporating recycled tyres. Civil engineers use backfill to refill excavated areas around new structures. They have found recently that rubber chips and shredded rubber make excellent backfill when combined with a small percentage of cement to make ‘rubber soil’. The widespread use of rubber soil therefore offers a tremendous opportunity to make use of a serious waste product to achieve important engineering outcomes. However, too little is known about the technology. This project will model the behaviour of rubber soil in order to introduce it as an environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and technically sound choice of geomaterial for both standard and non-standard geotechnical structures.Read moreRead less
Modelling rolling dynamic compaction. Modelling rolling dynamic compaction. This project aims to measure the influence and efficacy of rolling dynamic compaction (RDC)—a new ground improvement technology used worldwide—in soil types using RDC modules of different shapes and weights in an experimental testing facility. It will examine authentic 1:13 scale RDC models using sophisticated testing and instrumentation embedded in the soil, and use this data to develop a model based on artificial intel ....Modelling rolling dynamic compaction. Modelling rolling dynamic compaction. This project aims to measure the influence and efficacy of rolling dynamic compaction (RDC)—a new ground improvement technology used worldwide—in soil types using RDC modules of different shapes and weights in an experimental testing facility. It will examine authentic 1:13 scale RDC models using sophisticated testing and instrumentation embedded in the soil, and use this data to develop a model based on artificial intelligence techniques that reliably predicts ground improvement using RDC in different ground conditions. This research is expected to transform the Australian and global ground improvement sector, and save hundreds of millions of dollars in land development costs and infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Radar Studies of Rainfall with Applications to Forecasting. Weather watch radars are used to predict severe weather events, with echo strengths depending on the number of rain drops in the beam. With suitable calibration the echo intensities can be used to predict rainfall rates. In 2005 the Bureau of Meteorology will establish a new weather radar near Adelaide. We will compare rainfall estimates made with the new radar with results from a VHF profiler that accurately measures rain drop distribu ....Radar Studies of Rainfall with Applications to Forecasting. Weather watch radars are used to predict severe weather events, with echo strengths depending on the number of rain drops in the beam. With suitable calibration the echo intensities can be used to predict rainfall rates. In 2005 the Bureau of Meteorology will establish a new weather radar near Adelaide. We will compare rainfall estimates made with the new radar with results from a VHF profiler that accurately measures rain drop distributions and rainfall. The aim is to test the weather radar estimates of rainfall rates and their uncertainties. Outcomes will have applications in flood forecasting and hydrology.Read moreRead less
Climate model validation and generation of probabilistic climate projections using data from Phase 5 of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project. New climate model results will be compared with observations to test model skill. Probabilistic projections of regional-scale climate change will be developed and used to investigate a number of ecosystem impact case studies.
Just spaces: security without prejudice in the wireless courtroom. How do jurors respond to seeing defendants in a glass cage, in a traditional wooden dock or at the Bar table? The project will examine how courtroom design shapes attitudes; and, bringing together court executives, architects and researchers, will show how flexible wireless courtrooms can meet both security and human rights standards.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453434
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,077.00
Summary
A new airborne facility for environmental, hydrological, atmospheric and oceanic research: high resolution measurement of soil moisture, temperature and salinity. This proposal seeks to establish a new national capability for airborne remote sensing of key environmental variables. It will enable high-resolution mapping of near-surface soil moisture, land surface salinity and temperature, and ocean surface salinity and temperature. It will be a new tool for hydrologic, atmospheric and oceanic r ....A new airborne facility for environmental, hydrological, atmospheric and oceanic research: high resolution measurement of soil moisture, temperature and salinity. This proposal seeks to establish a new national capability for airborne remote sensing of key environmental variables. It will enable high-resolution mapping of near-surface soil moisture, land surface salinity and temperature, and ocean surface salinity and temperature. It will be a new tool for hydrologic, atmospheric and oceanic researchers, providing unprecedented detail on characteristics critical to our understanding and management of the environment. The small instrument size and weight will enable use of a light aircraft as the observing platform, providing the national (and international) research community with an affordable tool, hitherto unavailable.Read moreRead less
Ultrasound for control of cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, forms in drinking water supplies in Australia and can cause water-quality problems. Current methods to treat blue-green algae involve the use of Copper Sulphate, which is not an environmentally friendly compound. A potential alternative environmentally friendly water-treatment method involves the use of ultrasound to disrupt the cyanobacteria. The aim of this project is to determine the physical properties of ....Ultrasound for control of cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, forms in drinking water supplies in Australia and can cause water-quality problems. Current methods to treat blue-green algae involve the use of Copper Sulphate, which is not an environmentally friendly compound. A potential alternative environmentally friendly water-treatment method involves the use of ultrasound to disrupt the cyanobacteria. The aim of this project is to determine the physical properties of the cyanobacteria when excited with ultrasound for the purpose of finding an efficient method to treat large volumes of water. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100750
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,106.00
Summary
Associative learning and fluid intelligence: Computational and neurogenetic analyses. This project investigates genetic contributions to associative learning, one of our most fundamental abilities. Associative learning allows us to navigate in our environment, predict future events and make appropriate decisions. Electrophysiological measures will be used to study learning processes precisely and to investigate their relationship to polymorphisms in genes that regulate neural function. This rese ....Associative learning and fluid intelligence: Computational and neurogenetic analyses. This project investigates genetic contributions to associative learning, one of our most fundamental abilities. Associative learning allows us to navigate in our environment, predict future events and make appropriate decisions. Electrophysiological measures will be used to study learning processes precisely and to investigate their relationship to polymorphisms in genes that regulate neural function. This research will further understanding of the mechanisms that generate individual differences in learning ability and will have applications for educational techniques and behavioural interventions.Read moreRead less
NEUTRALISING MINERAL REACTIONS IN ACID MINE DRAINAGE CONTROL. The project addresses the serious environmental problem of acid and toxic element release from iron sulfides in waste rock dumps and tailings storage in the mining industry. Long-term neutralising capacity, currently not tested in laboratory assessments, is available from the reaction of some silicate and aluminosilicate minerals. This potential has not been systematically tested or modelled. The research project aims to understand th ....NEUTRALISING MINERAL REACTIONS IN ACID MINE DRAINAGE CONTROL. The project addresses the serious environmental problem of acid and toxic element release from iron sulfides in waste rock dumps and tailings storage in the mining industry. Long-term neutralising capacity, currently not tested in laboratory assessments, is available from the reaction of some silicate and aluminosilicate minerals. This potential has not been systematically tested or modelled. The research project aims to understand the relative mechanisms and rates for long-term alleviation of acid production with mineral layered and blended combinations. Improved understanding will provide methodology for assessment and control of acid mine drainage.Read moreRead less
Energy Dissipation and Nanoscale Processes at Moving Contact Lines. The dynamic process of liquids wetting and dewetting, as moving contact lines pass over solid surfaces is central to many industrial operations and natural phenomena. Contact line motion plays a key role in micro and nanofluidics, the foundation of an emergent technology called process intensification, where large industrial processes can be reduced to Lilliputian in size. Substantial energy reduction and other benefits are exp ....Energy Dissipation and Nanoscale Processes at Moving Contact Lines. The dynamic process of liquids wetting and dewetting, as moving contact lines pass over solid surfaces is central to many industrial operations and natural phenomena. Contact line motion plays a key role in micro and nanofluidics, the foundation of an emergent technology called process intensification, where large industrial processes can be reduced to Lilliputian in size. Substantial energy reduction and other benefits are expected from this project, including the transformation of coarse particle flotation. Young PhD scientists and engineers will be educated in a rich research environment, with strong international research collaboration in areas of national priority.Read moreRead less