Integrating architectural, mathematical and computing knowledge to capture the dynamics of air in design. This research will bring together architectural, mathematical and computing knowledge to discover effective ways to design buildings and cities that are more responsive to the complex dynamics of air movement and temperature. This knowledge will lead to reduced energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, increased comfort and more usable public space.
Demonstrating the feasibility of designing sustainable buildings using evolutionary systems. The design approach proposed in this research will result in two key areas of national benefit. First, the research will enable Australian built environment design professions to become more competitive in both domestic and international markets. There is a growing demand for environmentally-friendly buildings and the proposed design approach will enable Australian firms to be at the cutting edge of sust ....Demonstrating the feasibility of designing sustainable buildings using evolutionary systems. The design approach proposed in this research will result in two key areas of national benefit. First, the research will enable Australian built environment design professions to become more competitive in both domestic and international markets. There is a growing demand for environmentally-friendly buildings and the proposed design approach will enable Australian firms to be at the cutting edge of sustainable design. Second, the research will enable the Australian built environment to become more sustainable. The proposed approach will enable buildings to be designed that perform well, that are cost effective and that minimise their environmental impact. Read moreRead less
Facilitating intuitive interaction with complex devices for older users. Poorly designed interfaces impact more strongly on older people. Helping designers to make more intuitive interfaces for older community members has great potential for improving their lives and health, and thus benefiting the community generally. Making modern devices easier for older people to use will allow them to participate more fully in society and/or the workplace. This will also help to prevent them from becoming i ....Facilitating intuitive interaction with complex devices for older users. Poorly designed interfaces impact more strongly on older people. Helping designers to make more intuitive interfaces for older community members has great potential for improving their lives and health, and thus benefiting the community generally. Making modern devices easier for older people to use will allow them to participate more fully in society and/or the workplace. This will also help to prevent them from becoming isolated and possibly depressed. This project will apply intuitive interaction to healthcare devices that older people use, which can save costly mistakes and even lives.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the fire and energy ratings of cold-formed steel wall systems. This project intends to develop novel cold-formed light-gauge steel frame (LSF) wall systems with superior fire resistance and energy ratings for use in buildings. LSF systems are increasingly used in homes and offices. The project plans to investigate fundamental thermal, structural and energy performances of LSF walls and their components using experimental and numerical studies. It plans to develop enhanced plasterboards ....Enhancing the fire and energy ratings of cold-formed steel wall systems. This project intends to develop novel cold-formed light-gauge steel frame (LSF) wall systems with superior fire resistance and energy ratings for use in buildings. LSF systems are increasingly used in homes and offices. The project plans to investigate fundamental thermal, structural and energy performances of LSF walls and their components using experimental and numerical studies. It plans to develop enhanced plasterboards, insulations and innovative composite panels using suitable nanomaterials, chemical additives, fillers and phase-change materials and use these with innovative wall configurations to significantly improve the fire and energy performance of LSF walls. The new wall systems may increase occupant comfort and safety, reduce business losses in fires, and lead to low-energy buildings.Read moreRead less
Next generation core-shell materials based on biomolecular dual-templating. This project aims to discover and develop new methods and knowledge for the precision engineering of next-generation core-shell materials using sustainable biomolecular dual-templating processes. This research builds on a recent breakthrough - emulsion and biomimetic dual-templating technology for facile preparation of silica capsules, and is expected to revolutionise current approaches for making core-shell materials. S ....Next generation core-shell materials based on biomolecular dual-templating. This project aims to discover and develop new methods and knowledge for the precision engineering of next-generation core-shell materials using sustainable biomolecular dual-templating processes. This research builds on a recent breakthrough - emulsion and biomimetic dual-templating technology for facile preparation of silica capsules, and is expected to revolutionise current approaches for making core-shell materials. Significant outcomes are expected to be achieved through building fundamental understanding around this breakthrough, including new concepts for hierarchical nanomaterials based on biomolecular design, new molecular and engineering design rules for core-shell materials, and novel materials for applications in sustained release and delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Triggering pro-environmental behaviour in pleasure-seeking contexts. This project aims to trigger environmentally friendly behaviours in tourists rather than relying on government or industry action. Using field experiments, the effectiveness of newly developed theory-based measures to reduce plate waste at hotel buffets will be tested. Given one billion tourists travel each year, the expected outcomes from this project can inform measures to substantially improve the sustainability of tourism ....Triggering pro-environmental behaviour in pleasure-seeking contexts. This project aims to trigger environmentally friendly behaviours in tourists rather than relying on government or industry action. Using field experiments, the effectiveness of newly developed theory-based measures to reduce plate waste at hotel buffets will be tested. Given one billion tourists travel each year, the expected outcomes from this project can inform measures to substantially improve the sustainability of tourism globally, regionally and locally.Read moreRead less
Making architectural identity: the architecture of John Andrews. The important Australian architect John Andrews had a career unique for its success, first in Canada and the United States and then in Australia. Research into his design work and how it has been understood will develop new knowledge of design practices of the 1970s, how architecture is understood in terms of nationality, and how design has become globalised.
Developing a Theory of Green Information Systems. Reducing the environmental impact and increasing the environmental sustainability of organisations is a priority for Australia. Technology is meant to assist in this challenge, but knowledge is lacking about how information systems can meaningfully assist organisations in becoming sustainable. The goal of this project is to develop and test a theory of Green Information Systems, which describes design principles for information systems that allow ....Developing a Theory of Green Information Systems. Reducing the environmental impact and increasing the environmental sustainability of organisations is a priority for Australia. Technology is meant to assist in this challenge, but knowledge is lacking about how information systems can meaningfully assist organisations in becoming sustainable. The goal of this project is to develop and test a theory of Green Information Systems, which describes design principles for information systems that allow organisations to engage in sustainability sense-making and implement sustainable practices. The outcomes are expected to assist in the development of systems to support sustainability initiatives, the management of sustainability programs, and the reduction of organisations' environmental footprint.Read moreRead less
Deciphering the role of microRNAs during pathogen attack: new concepts for disease resistance in plants. Small non-coding RNAs called ‘microRNAs’ regulate diverse pathways in plants including plant defence against pathogens. This project will investigate the roles of plant microRNAs in response to four economically important viruses and compare these to a bacterial and a fungal pathogen. The aim is to dissect the underlying molecular mechanism of microRNA-based gene regulation during pathogen in ....Deciphering the role of microRNAs during pathogen attack: new concepts for disease resistance in plants. Small non-coding RNAs called ‘microRNAs’ regulate diverse pathways in plants including plant defence against pathogens. This project will investigate the roles of plant microRNAs in response to four economically important viruses and compare these to a bacterial and a fungal pathogen. The aim is to dissect the underlying molecular mechanism of microRNA-based gene regulation during pathogen infection and specifically identify common microRNAs which have evident impact during virus attack. This study is crucial due to its focus on virus diseases that cause severe damage to many crop plants; a global issue with strong implications for food security. This project is expected to provide basic new concepts for disease resistance in plants.Read moreRead less
From Seedling to Supermarket: The Social and Environmental Implications for Australia of the Restructuring of Agri-food Supply Chains. The organisation of agri-food industries is having a major impact upon firms and individuals along the supply chain, including the sustainability of on-farm production. Australia will benefit greatly if foods being produced are from environmentally sound production and distribution systems: current evidence suggests sustainability is not being achieved. The emerg ....From Seedling to Supermarket: The Social and Environmental Implications for Australia of the Restructuring of Agri-food Supply Chains. The organisation of agri-food industries is having a major impact upon firms and individuals along the supply chain, including the sustainability of on-farm production. Australia will benefit greatly if foods being produced are from environmentally sound production and distribution systems: current evidence suggests sustainability is not being achieved. The emerging self-regulatory system for supermarkets may also militate against environmental security and food safety. Finally, supermarket practices have a profound influence over consumer diet and health. In exploring issues of power, food safety regulation, and diet, the research will contribute to a healthier system of food production and consumption in Australia. Read moreRead less