Sulfur isotope fractionations in Earth evolution. Sulfur isotopes provide a unique window into the major events in Earth's history. Techniques have been developed for measuring all four sulfur isotopes, including the low abundance sulfur-36 (0.02 per cent) to 0.2 per mil, in situ for sulfides. This project will make innovative technological developments to the counting system to extend this capability to the lower count rates obtained from sulfates. This will open windows for research on proces ....Sulfur isotope fractionations in Earth evolution. Sulfur isotopes provide a unique window into the major events in Earth's history. Techniques have been developed for measuring all four sulfur isotopes, including the low abundance sulfur-36 (0.02 per cent) to 0.2 per mil, in situ for sulfides. This project will make innovative technological developments to the counting system to extend this capability to the lower count rates obtained from sulfates. This will open windows for research on processes occurring in the early solar system, atmospheric and hydrologic conditions in the Archean, ore-forming processes, and evolution of life on Earth. Read moreRead less
Radiation detectors to better understand ion interactions. This project aims to build a Heavy Ion Therapy Research and Treatment Centre in Australia. Understanding how ions interact with matter and their radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is important. The project will introduce an Australian detector technology platform to research ion interaction physics and their RBE. It will develop radiation detectors for ion measurement with a wide energy range, including a practical RBE quality assurance ....Radiation detectors to better understand ion interactions. This project aims to build a Heavy Ion Therapy Research and Treatment Centre in Australia. Understanding how ions interact with matter and their radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is important. The project will introduce an Australian detector technology platform to research ion interaction physics and their RBE. It will develop radiation detectors for ion measurement with a wide energy range, including a practical RBE quality assurance tool with submillimetre spatial resolution. The proposed Australian radiation detection technology is expected to improve understanding of the scientific mechanisms underpinning the radiobiological effectiveness of heavy ion radiation.Read moreRead less
Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower ....Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower frequencies. This project will ensure Australia's continued involvement in the international Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory) project and guarantee Australian participation in the first direct detection of gravitational waves.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the potential of quantitative x-ray micro-tomography. This project aims to build on two new ideas in data acquisition and 3D image reconstruction to bring 3D X-ray microscopy or computed tomography (CT) into advanced research use as well as common industrial applications. In the past 10 years, CT has improved our understanding in areas ranging from the evolution of life and osteoporosis to composite material failure and oil recovery. However, the full potential of CT remains unrealised ....Unlocking the potential of quantitative x-ray micro-tomography. This project aims to build on two new ideas in data acquisition and 3D image reconstruction to bring 3D X-ray microscopy or computed tomography (CT) into advanced research use as well as common industrial applications. In the past 10 years, CT has improved our understanding in areas ranging from the evolution of life and osteoporosis to composite material failure and oil recovery. However, the full potential of CT remains unrealised because crucial features in structure and composition are overlooked by simplistic algorithms. Users cannot directly capture quantities of interest such as key compositional variation or defects, and workflows are poorly adapted for large-scale use in industrial fabrication or phenomics. This project aims to address these shortcomings using advanced mathematics and algorithms.Read moreRead less