Forest ecosystem diversity, function and service in response to perturbations: the key regulatory role of biogeochemical cycling. The natural and anthropogenic perturbations such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen(N) deposition, fires and land contamination have transformed much of the land surface on the earth and significantly modified terrestrial biogeochemical cycles in the past century. This project seeks to develop and apply novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ....Forest ecosystem diversity, function and service in response to perturbations: the key regulatory role of biogeochemical cycling. The natural and anthropogenic perturbations such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen(N) deposition, fires and land contamination have transformed much of the land surface on the earth and significantly modified terrestrial biogeochemical cycles in the past century. This project seeks to develop and apply novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, isotopic and bio-molecular techniques to examine the key role of interactive biogeochemical cycles of carbon and major elements (N, Phosphorous) in regulating forest ecosystem responses to these perturbations. This project will result in improved mitigation and adaptation strategies for such perturbations, thereby restoring and sustaining forest ecosystems and conserving biodiversity in natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Understanding why aluminium and other trace metals are toxic to plants - the key to improving crop yield in degraded soils. Aluminium toxicity drastically reduces plant growth in acid soils, costing Australia approximately $1.5 billion per annum in lost productivity. This project will aim to identify the reasons behind the toxicities of aluminium and other metals and has the potential to increase yields in 50 per cent of Australia’s agricultural land which is acidic.
Two-dimensional quantum turbulence in superfluid atomic gases. This project will controllably generate and study turbulence in two-dimensional superfluids. With quantum fluids as models to understand two-dimensional fluid dynamics, this project aims to provide a better generic understanding of physical mechanisms behind phenomena as diverse as cyclone dynamics and the stability of the planet Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
Towards an intercontinental quantum network. This project aims to address the security vulnerabilities of online data transmission. Cyber attacks and data stealing are threatening the daily operations of public and private organisations worldwide, and the privacy of individuals. This project expect to realise the key element for a new global network architecture where security is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. This element is the quantum node and it will be implemented through th ....Towards an intercontinental quantum network. This project aims to address the security vulnerabilities of online data transmission. Cyber attacks and data stealing are threatening the daily operations of public and private organisations worldwide, and the privacy of individuals. This project expect to realise the key element for a new global network architecture where security is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. This element is the quantum node and it will be implemented through the development of new techniques for the control and manipulation of individual atoms and innovative integrated optical devices for the interface with fibre networks. The development of this technology will lead to intrinsically secure online communication for organisations in the health and defence sectors and private individuals worldwide.Read moreRead less
Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoverie ....Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoveries, with applications from radio-astronomy to quantum information and navigation. This project aims to build the theoretical foundations for world-beating thermometers, clocks, and photon counters, and to guide experiments in Australia and abroad to bring them into reality.Read moreRead less
Quantum phases of matter driven by strong electronic correlations in complex molecular crystals. This project will provide understanding of organic materials where the physical properties are determined by the interactions between electrons rather than by the behaviour of individual electrons (as in the current generation of electronic devices). Such fundamental understanding would allow us to create radical new technologies that might change lives comparably to the benefits that silicon based t ....Quantum phases of matter driven by strong electronic correlations in complex molecular crystals. This project will provide understanding of organic materials where the physical properties are determined by the interactions between electrons rather than by the behaviour of individual electrons (as in the current generation of electronic devices). Such fundamental understanding would allow us to create radical new technologies that might change lives comparably to the benefits that silicon based technologies have brought us in the last few decades. This project will generate fundamental new understanding of the deep physical principles at play in strongly correlated organic molecular materials (with implications for technologies on the timescale of decades).Read moreRead less
Designing and controlling superconducting circuits for quantum information processing. Superconducting circuits are the quantum version of the standard electric circuits and, as the electric circuit did for the electronics industry, they promise a revolution for quantum technologies. This project aims to design superconducting circuits that are more robust to noise and useful for quantum information processing.
Fundamental tests of quantum mechanics with ultracold atomic gases. The project seeks to make a breakthrough in our understanding of quantum 'entanglement' in large-scale systems of massive particles. Such systems can revolutionise precision measurement and lead to new quantum devices for gravitational and inertial sensing. The project will help position Australia among the world leaders in these developments.
A study of ultracold atom interferometry and interactions through high-performance computing. This project involves a design and study of hyper-sensitive machines to detect changes in motion based on using clouds of atoms near absolute zero temperature. Matter at these ultracold temperatures can be harnessed to detect variations of both space and time, enabling novel quantum measurement devices to be built.
Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques i ....Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques including Förster resonance energy transfer and super-resolution imaging can register changes in shape down to the nanometer scale. The uniquely adaptable ion trap environment enables manipulation of the surrounding solvent cage, temperature, and net charge down to the single quantum level. Read moreRead less