Innovative solutions to enhance space situational awareness. This project seeks to significantly advance Australia's space situational awareness by researching advanced orbit prediction techniques. The development of novel space object orbit prediction techniques will greatly improve collision warnings for satellite operators that provide essential space-based services to Australian Government and industries.
A Wearable Motion Analysis System: Novel Clinical and Research Applications. Because the biomechanical analysis of human motion is confined to the laboratory, it often has restricted applicability. This is a recognized limitation, because laboratory studies cannot capture the true picture of how individuals move under conditions encountered during daily living. Consequently there are many situations where a more complete and realistic knowledge of biomechanics would be significant advantage such ....A Wearable Motion Analysis System: Novel Clinical and Research Applications. Because the biomechanical analysis of human motion is confined to the laboratory, it often has restricted applicability. This is a recognized limitation, because laboratory studies cannot capture the true picture of how individuals move under conditions encountered during daily living. Consequently there are many situations where a more complete and realistic knowledge of biomechanics would be significant advantage such as in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of movement disorders and injuries. The research project described in this proposal would for the first time, obtain comprehensive biomechanical data outside the laboratory using a fully integrated wearable motion analysis system.Read moreRead less
New high resolution radiation dose mapping of special type polymer-gel dosimeters using mini-MRI scanner of high (4.7 Tesla) magnetic field. Gel dosimeters main advantage is dose determination in 3-dimensions. Their main limitation is low spatial-resolution. We propose fabrication of special-type gels and for the first time use the 4.7 Tesla mini-scanner for dose mapping. Increased magnetic field combined with a small aperture for field dissipation will greatly improve spatial resolution down t ....New high resolution radiation dose mapping of special type polymer-gel dosimeters using mini-MRI scanner of high (4.7 Tesla) magnetic field. Gel dosimeters main advantage is dose determination in 3-dimensions. Their main limitation is low spatial-resolution. We propose fabrication of special-type gels and for the first time use the 4.7 Tesla mini-scanner for dose mapping. Increased magnetic field combined with a small aperture for field dissipation will greatly improve spatial resolution down to micrometers (micro-dosimetry). This new technique will render gel-dosimeters suitable for applications in radiotherapy, industrial and all other radiation fields. Moreover, we will employ new parameter for dose mapping, which is expected to be more sensitive to radiation than the currently used relaxation timesRead moreRead less
Next generation space weather forecasts. Next generation space weather forecasts. This project aims to improve Australia's space weather prediction capabilities by developing space weather forecasts that use ground- and space-based GPS data. The Earth's ionosphere is temporally and spatially variable and the small number of observations limits understanding of its dynamics and effects on radio waves. Using ground- and space-based GPS to remotely sound the ionosphere increases this coverage and c ....Next generation space weather forecasts. Next generation space weather forecasts. This project aims to improve Australia's space weather prediction capabilities by developing space weather forecasts that use ground- and space-based GPS data. The Earth's ionosphere is temporally and spatially variable and the small number of observations limits understanding of its dynamics and effects on radio waves. Using ground- and space-based GPS to remotely sound the ionosphere increases this coverage and can be used to develop space weather forecasts tailored to industries that heavily rely on GPS and satellite communications. An expected direct outcome of this research is modernised space weather forecasts, with economic benefits for several industries.Read moreRead less
Advanced Separation Technologies and Chemometric Data Processing for Macromolecular Materials and Metabolite Profiling. The project will develop innovative separation technologies for specialised materials, which could lead the scientific export industry in Australia, with employment benefits to the community. Partner, Dow has links with researchers around the world, and this project will allow Australian researchers to access the network of Dow laboratories and projects and develop a long-term ....Advanced Separation Technologies and Chemometric Data Processing for Macromolecular Materials and Metabolite Profiling. The project will develop innovative separation technologies for specialised materials, which could lead the scientific export industry in Australia, with employment benefits to the community. Partner, Dow has links with researchers around the world, and this project will allow Australian researchers to access the network of Dow laboratories and projects and develop a long-term relationship. The analysis methods to be developed will focus on metabolite profiling which has relevance to a broad range of biological monitoring activities from human health, to plant genetics and breeding. New generation polymer materials will be characterised by using the new techniques developed. The methods will be platform technologies for future studies eg. anti-terrorism bio- and chemo-monitoring.Read moreRead less
DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE RAPID DETECTION SYSTEM OF DIESEL VEHICLES WITH HIGH LEVEL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS. Diesel vehicle exhaust is a significant source of air pollution leading to major human health problems. However, only a small fraction of vehicles with high exhaust emissions cause the majority of this pollution. Initially, this research will develop a model of dispersion of pollutants into the environment immediately after emission. This model will be the scientific foundation for ....DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE RAPID DETECTION SYSTEM OF DIESEL VEHICLES WITH HIGH LEVEL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS. Diesel vehicle exhaust is a significant source of air pollution leading to major human health problems. However, only a small fraction of vehicles with high exhaust emissions cause the majority of this pollution. Initially, this research will develop a model of dispersion of pollutants into the environment immediately after emission. This model will be the scientific foundation for the development of an efficient and economical rapid detection system for those vehicles with high exhaust emissions. The major outcome is to improve air quality and lower the occurrence/severity of airborne pollution induced health effects.Read moreRead less
The effect of turbulence scale and intensity on water flow measurement using ultrasonic techniques. Management of water resources and water distribution networks is important as Australia and the world face increasing water shortages. A significant aspect of water management is prevention of supply losses in urban and non-urban water distribution networks - a vital factor in improving water security of Australian cities and agricultural production regions. This research will develop ultrasonic f ....The effect of turbulence scale and intensity on water flow measurement using ultrasonic techniques. Management of water resources and water distribution networks is important as Australia and the world face increasing water shortages. A significant aspect of water management is prevention of supply losses in urban and non-urban water distribution networks - a vital factor in improving water security of Australian cities and agricultural production regions. This research will develop ultrasonic flow-velocity technology, which can be retrofitted to existing water distribution networks, providing distributed high precision water flow measurement systems that can prevent the loss each year of more than 155GL of water through leaks and burst in Australia's capital cities alone.Read moreRead less
Advanced technologies for laser refractive surgery. People who wear glasses can now undergo laser eye-surgery to correct their focussing problems. While many can ?throw away their glasses?, the results are optimised for one viewing situation so that when people move their eyes or refocus, visual clarity is not perfect. We need precise measurements of the eye's shape under dynamic conditions to understand exactly how optical distortions (aberrations) affect clarity of sight. This project is to b ....Advanced technologies for laser refractive surgery. People who wear glasses can now undergo laser eye-surgery to correct their focussing problems. While many can ?throw away their glasses?, the results are optimised for one viewing situation so that when people move their eyes or refocus, visual clarity is not perfect. We need precise measurements of the eye's shape under dynamic conditions to understand exactly how optical distortions (aberrations) affect clarity of sight. This project is to build a laser device that incorporates a deformable mirror to investigate the interplay between aberrations and visual clarity. This new knowledge is a vital next step to improve laser eye-surgery success.Read moreRead less
Prediction of solar activity and space weather by automated analyses of solar radio and magnetic field observations and simulations. This project will build world-recognised capabilities to forecast space weather events at Earth in time to take protective measures. It involves around the clock automated identification and analysis of specific solar radio bursts, forecasting solar activity that results in transients moving Earth-ward, and simulations to predict when these will reach Earth.
Geomagnetic induced currents in the Australian electricity supply network. This project will develop measures to protect the Australian electricity supply network from adverse effects of enhanced solar activity. This is essential for risk assessment and long term asset management of the Australian electricity network.