Ensemble modelling of space-weather drivers. This project aims to develop methods for forecasting the evolution of magnetic fields on the Sun's surface, and to use the results to drive an ensemble of numerical simulations of the evolution of the magnetic field in the overlying atmosphere. The project expects to create a new framework for forecasting the evolution of solar active regions, applying, for the first time, methods established in Numerical Weather Prediction. The expected outcomes are ....Ensemble modelling of space-weather drivers. This project aims to develop methods for forecasting the evolution of magnetic fields on the Sun's surface, and to use the results to drive an ensemble of numerical simulations of the evolution of the magnetic field in the overlying atmosphere. The project expects to create a new framework for forecasting the evolution of solar active regions, applying, for the first time, methods established in Numerical Weather Prediction. The expected outcomes are physics-based prediction of solar atmospheric magnetic field evolution, including explosive eruptions. The results should have significant benefit in improving prediction of extreme space weather events, which pose an increasing threat to our technologically-dependent society.Read moreRead less
Prediction of coronal mass ejections and their radio emissions. This project aims to explain in detail the motion and properties of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) leaving the sun, the radio emissions they generate, and space weather triggers for the sun and other stars. The project expects to create new knowledge in the fields of space, plasma, and astro-physics and space weather research. Expected outcomes include capabilities to accurately predict CMEs and space weather triggers from the sun to ....Prediction of coronal mass ejections and their radio emissions. This project aims to explain in detail the motion and properties of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) leaving the sun, the radio emissions they generate, and space weather triggers for the sun and other stars. The project expects to create new knowledge in the fields of space, plasma, and astro-physics and space weather research. Expected outcomes include capabilities to accurately predict CMEs and space weather triggers from the sun to Earth and theories for type II and IV solar radio bursts. Benefits include high-level training and enhanced human capital and scientific prominence for Australia.Read moreRead less
Understanding the sources of the slow solar wind. This project aims to reveal the origins of the slow solar wind, a continuous stream of plasma emanating from the Sun that fills the solar system and impacts the Earth. This project expects to enhance our understanding of how this solar wind is accelerated and structured using a suite of state-of-the-art computational simulations. In doing this, the project expects to provide critical physical understanding to allow interpretation of data from NA ....Understanding the sources of the slow solar wind. This project aims to reveal the origins of the slow solar wind, a continuous stream of plasma emanating from the Sun that fills the solar system and impacts the Earth. This project expects to enhance our understanding of how this solar wind is accelerated and structured using a suite of state-of-the-art computational simulations. In doing this, the project expects to provide critical physical understanding to allow interpretation of data from NASA and ESA's flagship space missions Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. Benefits should include enhanced physical understanding that will contribute to the international effort to develop reliable space-weather forecasting systems, critical for space exploration and space-based technology.Read moreRead less
A Stress-relax Model for Stellar Flares. This project aims to improve our ability to predict solar and stellar flares by developing a theoretical model for the build-up and release of magnetic stress in stellar atmospheres. Solar flares are the most energetic events in the solar system, and together with associated coronal mass ejections can create hazardous conditions in our local space environment. Stellar flares are thousands of times more energetic and produce dangerous space weather for exo ....A Stress-relax Model for Stellar Flares. This project aims to improve our ability to predict solar and stellar flares by developing a theoretical model for the build-up and release of magnetic stress in stellar atmospheres. Solar flares are the most energetic events in the solar system, and together with associated coronal mass ejections can create hazardous conditions in our local space environment. Stellar flares are thousands of times more energetic and produce dangerous space weather for exoplanets orbiting flare stars. Expected outcomes include insight into the flare mechanism, and new approaches to flare prediction. The major potential benefit is improved solar and stellar space weather forecasting to protect human safety and infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Space RAdiation Monitoring System (SRAMS) for safe space missions. The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive space radiation monitoring system (SRAMS) that can evaluate: i) the radiation related hazards for astronauts, ii) the radiation damage in electronics during space missions and iii) the ground radiation facility environment used in radiation hardness assurance tests. SRAMS will also address important issue in space by minimizing manned or satellite space mission aborts due to s ....Space RAdiation Monitoring System (SRAMS) for safe space missions. The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive space radiation monitoring system (SRAMS) that can evaluate: i) the radiation related hazards for astronauts, ii) the radiation damage in electronics during space missions and iii) the ground radiation facility environment used in radiation hardness assurance tests. SRAMS will also address important issue in space by minimizing manned or satellite space mission aborts due to space radiation adverse effects on astronaut’s health and electronics failure, and translates into an enormous economic value proposition. SRAMS will be paramount for leveraging the quantifiable standards of the space-radiation qualification facilities that are important for boosting the Australian Space industry. Read moreRead less
Detecting cosmic rays using precision radio imaging. This project's aim is to identify the source of the highest-energy particles in nature, cosmic rays, and discover new physical processes at energies unreachable by the Large Hadron Collider.
It will do this by using the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope to detect the sub-microsecond pulses from cosmic ray interactions in the Earth's atmosphere. The project's intended outcome is a sample of thousands of cosmic ray events, and a new tec ....Detecting cosmic rays using precision radio imaging. This project's aim is to identify the source of the highest-energy particles in nature, cosmic rays, and discover new physical processes at energies unreachable by the Large Hadron Collider.
It will do this by using the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope to detect the sub-microsecond pulses from cosmic ray interactions in the Earth's atmosphere. The project's intended outcome is a sample of thousands of cosmic ray events, and a new technique to analyse the structure within them.
The anticipated benefits are the establishment of the Murchison Widefield Array as a world-leading instrument for astroparticle physics, new knowledge of high-energy astro and particle physics, and advances and training in fast signal processing methods.Read moreRead less
Measuring critical background in the Australian search for dark matter. This project aims to develop ultra-sensitive detector technology essential for SABRE, a world-wide experiment with detectors in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres which are operated together to directly detect the dark matter halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Dark matter makes up nearly five times more mass in the universe than everything we can see, yet it has never been detected in the laboratory. SABRE South will be i ....Measuring critical background in the Australian search for dark matter. This project aims to develop ultra-sensitive detector technology essential for SABRE, a world-wide experiment with detectors in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres which are operated together to directly detect the dark matter halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Dark matter makes up nearly five times more mass in the universe than everything we can see, yet it has never been detected in the laboratory. SABRE South will be installed in the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory in a goldmine in Victoria, Australia. Dark matter is not the only thing SABRE can detect. The project will measure all possible types of naturally occurring radiation, from space, the surrounding rock, and the detectors themselves, that can blind SABRE to dark matter.Read moreRead less
Revealing the atoms that control performance in photoactive perovskites. This project aims to develop new electron microscopy techniques that will unambiguously determine the elusive structures of photoactive perovskite compounds under static and operational conditions, while correlating crystal structure with solar cell device performance. Photoactive perovskites are promising photovoltaic materials, however, many are sensitive to air and irradiation. This has impeded a huge international resea ....Revealing the atoms that control performance in photoactive perovskites. This project aims to develop new electron microscopy techniques that will unambiguously determine the elusive structures of photoactive perovskite compounds under static and operational conditions, while correlating crystal structure with solar cell device performance. Photoactive perovskites are promising photovoltaic materials, however, many are sensitive to air and irradiation. This has impeded a huge international research effort to determine their structure reliably at the atomic scale. With these new techniques applied to leading compounds and devices, it is expected this project will reveal the structural effects controlling electrical properties and device performance and so enable the design of superior perovskite photovoltaics.Read moreRead less
Engineering stable, efficient perovskite solar cells. This project aims to address and resolve a critical issue facing perovskite solar cells which have enormous potential as a future technology for the large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity: their instability under actual operating conditions. The project is expected to make significant fundamental advances in compositional, structural and interface engineering. This project will benefit the environment by paving the way for the wi ....Engineering stable, efficient perovskite solar cells. This project aims to address and resolve a critical issue facing perovskite solar cells which have enormous potential as a future technology for the large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity: their instability under actual operating conditions. The project is expected to make significant fundamental advances in compositional, structural and interface engineering. This project will benefit the environment by paving the way for the widespread adoption of cheaper and more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less
Hot carrier cooling mechanisms in nano structures. This project aims to systematically investigate possible mechanisms of hot carrier cooling in nano structures and to identify the most dominant mechanisms. These are important for efficient hot carrier solar cells and thermoelectrics. This project will develop new physics to understand hot carrier dynamics in nano structures. This project is expected to result in photovoltaic systems with a lower balance of system and levelised cost of electrici ....Hot carrier cooling mechanisms in nano structures. This project aims to systematically investigate possible mechanisms of hot carrier cooling in nano structures and to identify the most dominant mechanisms. These are important for efficient hot carrier solar cells and thermoelectrics. This project will develop new physics to understand hot carrier dynamics in nano structures. This project is expected to result in photovoltaic systems with a lower balance of system and levelised cost of electricity compared to conventional technologies. This should boost solar industry, create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less