Advanced Combustion Modelling for Scramjets and Rotating Detonation Engines. This project will develop new fundamental knowledge and engineering models underpinning air-breathing high speed propulsion engines employing complex hydrocarbon fuels. Extensive data and new physical understanding will be garnered through analysis of direct numerical simulations of supersonic reacting mixing layers including impinging shock waves. That data will be employed to isolate, test and develop computationally ....Advanced Combustion Modelling for Scramjets and Rotating Detonation Engines. This project will develop new fundamental knowledge and engineering models underpinning air-breathing high speed propulsion engines employing complex hydrocarbon fuels. Extensive data and new physical understanding will be garnered through analysis of direct numerical simulations of supersonic reacting mixing layers including impinging shock waves. That data will be employed to isolate, test and develop computationally efficient engineering models that are accurate and efficient for high speed combustion in rotating detonation engines and scramjets. Expected outcomes are knowledge and tools needed to develop practical and effective supersonic propulsion engines for access to space, defence and high speed point-to-point flight.
Read moreRead less
Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Spacecraft Entry to Earth's Atmosphere. A spaceship returning from Mars will undergo unprecedented aerodynamic heating as it enters Earth's atmosphere. Magnetohydroynamic aerobraking involves applying a strong magnetic field to the plasma which forms around the spacecraft at these speeds, theoretically protecting it by reducing structural heat loads and enabling less severe flight trajectories. This project aims to experimentally study this technology for Eart ....Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Spacecraft Entry to Earth's Atmosphere. A spaceship returning from Mars will undergo unprecedented aerodynamic heating as it enters Earth's atmosphere. Magnetohydroynamic aerobraking involves applying a strong magnetic field to the plasma which forms around the spacecraft at these speeds, theoretically protecting it by reducing structural heat loads and enabling less severe flight trajectories. This project aims to experimentally study this technology for Earth return from deep space. It is significant because it will evaluate a new mechanism for managing the tremendous heat loads of planetary entry. The expected outcome and benefit will be development of a new technology to reduce spacecraft heating, leading to safer, more efficient, and potentially reusable spacecraft.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100217
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,000.00
Summary
Australian Partnership in Advanced LIGO+. This project aims to improve the sensitivity of the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (aLIGO). aLIGO’s detection of gravitational waves proved general relativity in the strong field limit and the existence of black hole binary systems. The increased sensitivity will enable daily detections and new classes of events, opening the field of gravitational wave astronomy. Since telescopes can detect only 5% of the stuff in the univer ....Australian Partnership in Advanced LIGO+. This project aims to improve the sensitivity of the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (aLIGO). aLIGO’s detection of gravitational waves proved general relativity in the strong field limit and the existence of black hole binary systems. The increased sensitivity will enable daily detections and new classes of events, opening the field of gravitational wave astronomy. Since telescopes can detect only 5% of the stuff in the universe, this is expected to greatly improve understanding of the universe. This Australian partnership will put its physicists and astronomers at the vanguard of this field and inspire the next generation to study the physical sciences.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$990,000.00
Summary
Australian partnership in advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) - continuation. Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Obervatory (LIGO) will be the first gravitational wave observatory capable of frequent observation of known sources of gravitational waves leading to the birth of gravitational wave astronomy. By playing a key role in this facility, Australia will reap the scientific rewards of being part of the most exciting frontier of physics in the 2 ....Australian partnership in advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) - continuation. Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Obervatory (LIGO) will be the first gravitational wave observatory capable of frequent observation of known sources of gravitational waves leading to the birth of gravitational wave astronomy. By playing a key role in this facility, Australia will reap the scientific rewards of being part of the most exciting frontier of physics in the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Technologies for space based interferometry. This project aims to develop a new method for laser displacement measurements that will be uniquely suited for use in space. These measurements will enable gravitational measurements of unprecedented accuracy. Missions such as GRACE utilise gravitational observations to provide the distribution of melting polar ice, changes in sea levels, and quantitative estimates of ground water in the world’s food bowls. The technique will also allow space-based gr ....Technologies for space based interferometry. This project aims to develop a new method for laser displacement measurements that will be uniquely suited for use in space. These measurements will enable gravitational measurements of unprecedented accuracy. Missions such as GRACE utilise gravitational observations to provide the distribution of melting polar ice, changes in sea levels, and quantitative estimates of ground water in the world’s food bowls. The technique will also allow space-based gravitational wave detectors far simpler than previous proposals. The improved performance, inherent robustness and drastically reduced complexity will enable new classes of missions that would not otherwise be possible. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100316
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,515.00
Summary
Seeing in the dark: measuring the signature of the early Universe with low-frequency radio telescopes. This project will detect and measure the signature of the first ionising sources in the early Universe. It uses a unique intersection of information theory and analysis methodology to design and implement a method of extracting the faint neutral hydrogen signal of reionisation from complex datasets. The hydrogen structure around these first light sources will be measured using data from the Mur ....Seeing in the dark: measuring the signature of the early Universe with low-frequency radio telescopes. This project will detect and measure the signature of the first ionising sources in the early Universe. It uses a unique intersection of information theory and analysis methodology to design and implement a method of extracting the faint neutral hydrogen signal of reionisation from complex datasets. The hydrogen structure around these first light sources will be measured using data from the Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia, revealing the signature of reionisation for the first time. Measurement of this signal constrains our understanding of the large-scale evolution of the Universe, defines properties of the first generation of stars and galaxies, and expands our understanding of the full history of the Universe.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100849
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,637.00
Summary
Measuring the Universe’s early evolution using lunar occultations. This project seeks to measure a radio signal for the first time, using the Murchison Widefield Array telescope and a novel technique involving the Moon, to learn what luminous objects dominated the early Universe. There is an entire period in the early Universe that remains unobserved because familiar objects such as stars and galaxies have yet to form. One of the few observables from this period, and the time directly following ....Measuring the Universe’s early evolution using lunar occultations. This project seeks to measure a radio signal for the first time, using the Murchison Widefield Array telescope and a novel technique involving the Moon, to learn what luminous objects dominated the early Universe. There is an entire period in the early Universe that remains unobserved because familiar objects such as stars and galaxies have yet to form. One of the few observables from this period, and the time directly following it, is the radio signal emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms. Innovative analysis techniques may be developed and new training pathways for astronomers should be initiated. The Project aims to raise Australia’s scientific profile and engage the public, promoting astronomy by making results accessible and using the Moon as a familiar foundation.Read moreRead less
Marine vessel wave wake: Ferry operations in sheltered waterways. This project aims to address one of the biggest risk factors to the Sydney ferry system, by ensuring the waves that new ferries generate are minimised. This would reduce the impact on other users of this busy waterway or damage to the surrounding infrastructure or environment. Modernising Sydney’s fleet of iconic passenger ferries is an integral part of the New South Wales Government’s long-term transport master plan. The project ....Marine vessel wave wake: Ferry operations in sheltered waterways. This project aims to address one of the biggest risk factors to the Sydney ferry system, by ensuring the waves that new ferries generate are minimised. This would reduce the impact on other users of this busy waterway or damage to the surrounding infrastructure or environment. Modernising Sydney’s fleet of iconic passenger ferries is an integral part of the New South Wales Government’s long-term transport master plan. The project is intended to predict the waves produced by any proposed ferry operation, allowing changes to be made to minimise waves during early planning stages. The new method for predicting the complex wave phenomenon is designed to provide more comprehensive and accurate assessments than conventional technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100055
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
The Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner (AESOP). The Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner (AESOP): The aim of the Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner (AESOP) is to fund the construction costs of an innovative instrument to be built in Australia and installed onto the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) VISTA telescope. Australia leads the world in fibre-positioning instrumentation and their scientific exploitation. This project will allow Australi ....The Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner (AESOP). The Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner (AESOP): The aim of the Australian European Southern Observatory Positioner (AESOP) is to fund the construction costs of an innovative instrument to be built in Australia and installed onto the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) VISTA telescope. Australia leads the world in fibre-positioning instrumentation and their scientific exploitation. This project will allow Australian researchers to take a leading role through major studies of the spatial distributions of galaxies. The outcomes of the project will be construction and delivery of an optical fibre-positioning system to the ESO, resulting in general access to the ESO's premier survey facility for eight Australian researchers.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100145
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Australian membership of the European 4MOST Consortium. Australian membership of the European 4MOST consortium:
The objective of this project is to build the positioner at the Australian Astronomical Observatory to enable participation in the upcoming programs of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The 4MOST Consortium is modifying one of the ESO telescopes for a 10-year campaign of dedicated wide-field astronomy programs. A key component of this upgrade will be the Australian built fibre- ....Australian membership of the European 4MOST Consortium. Australian membership of the European 4MOST consortium:
The objective of this project is to build the positioner at the Australian Astronomical Observatory to enable participation in the upcoming programs of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The 4MOST Consortium is modifying one of the ESO telescopes for a 10-year campaign of dedicated wide-field astronomy programs. A key component of this upgrade will be the Australian built fibre-positioning system. In exchange for covering the labour costs associated with this instrument, Australian astronomers are being provided with the opportunity to lead one of the eight design reference missions and to participate in the other seven. The potential benefits are therefore two-fold: showcasing Australian technologies, and a leadership role for Australian scientists on one of ESO’s key facilities.Read moreRead less