Minimal surfaces. Recent stunning progress in topology, in particular a possible solution to one of the Clay Institute million dollar problems, using techniques from partial differential equations and minimal surfaces has made this area a hot topic. To attract researchers in this field to visit Australia and to train students in this area is a major part of this project.
Three-dimensional geometry and topology. This project will carry out important fundamental research into the geometry and topology of 3-dimensional manifolds, an area of intense activity over the last 30 years.
The work has direct applications to physics, for example recent work in cosmology aimed at determining the global structure of our universe. Our work on knotting and symmetries of molecular graphs will also be of considerable interest in chemistry and biology.
The project will also ....Three-dimensional geometry and topology. This project will carry out important fundamental research into the geometry and topology of 3-dimensional manifolds, an area of intense activity over the last 30 years.
The work has direct applications to physics, for example recent work in cosmology aimed at determining the global structure of our universe. Our work on knotting and symmetries of molecular graphs will also be of considerable interest in chemistry and biology.
The project will also provide high quality training of undergraduate and graduate students in geometry and topology, and will increase international cooperation by developing closer links with colleagues and institutions overseas.Read moreRead less
Geometric methods in quantum theory. Quantum theory is the fundamental language of physics, it describes the small scale structure of matter and possibly space-time. The advent of sophisticated models, particularly of quarks has emphasised geometric structure as a basic component of the theory. The issues thrown up by quantum theory are similar to problems encountered in the geometry of manifolds so that tools from the latter have been successfully employed in the former and vice-versa. ....Geometric methods in quantum theory. Quantum theory is the fundamental language of physics, it describes the small scale structure of matter and possibly space-time. The advent of sophisticated models, particularly of quarks has emphasised geometric structure as a basic component of the theory. The issues thrown up by quantum theory are similar to problems encountered in the geometry of manifolds so that tools from the latter have been successfully employed in the former and vice-versa. Previous work of the Chief Investigators has shown the importance of geometric structures known as gerbes which this Project will extend and apply in novel ways.Read moreRead less
Geometric structures on 3-manifolds. Three-dimensional manifolds are of central importance in topology, algebra, and cosmology (providing models for the universe). Thurston's Geometrization Conjecture gives a beautiful conjectural picture of
3-manifolds in terms of eight uniform geometries, but the conjecture and some of its basic consequences remain unproved. This project is aimed at making advances on fundamental questions in the following areas:
* construction of geometric structures by def ....Geometric structures on 3-manifolds. Three-dimensional manifolds are of central importance in topology, algebra, and cosmology (providing models for the universe). Thurston's Geometrization Conjecture gives a beautiful conjectural picture of
3-manifolds in terms of eight uniform geometries, but the conjecture and some of its basic consequences remain unproved. This project is aimed at making advances on fundamental questions in the following areas:
* construction of geometric structures by deformation methods,
* computation of geometric structures,
* geometric and algebraic invariants.Read moreRead less
Triangulations in dimension three: algorithms and geometric structures. Perelman recently won a Fields medal for the solution of the geometrisation and Poincare conjectures on three-dimensional spaces, using a very deep heat flow method to find optimal geometries on these spaces. The project will develop a new constructive approach to building these optimal geometric structures. This will lead to effective algorithmic methods to distinguish three-dimensional spaces, with applications to the stu ....Triangulations in dimension three: algorithms and geometric structures. Perelman recently won a Fields medal for the solution of the geometrisation and Poincare conjectures on three-dimensional spaces, using a very deep heat flow method to find optimal geometries on these spaces. The project will develop a new constructive approach to building these optimal geometric structures. This will lead to effective algorithmic methods to distinguish three-dimensional spaces, with applications to the study of knots and links (for example, knotted DNA molecules) and to mathematical physics. The project will also provide new techniques to study important problems in the classification of three-dimensional spaces, such as the virtual Haken conjecture.Read moreRead less
Geometric problems from quantum theory. This Proposal is fundamental, basic research at the forefront of the application of mathematics to physical theories. The problems that will be worked on are central to much of the research activity which is presently occuring in leading centres and institutes internationally. By being a part of that research we ensure that not only is Australia involved in todays mathematical and physical advances but that we also have Australian mathematicians trained ....Geometric problems from quantum theory. This Proposal is fundamental, basic research at the forefront of the application of mathematics to physical theories. The problems that will be worked on are central to much of the research activity which is presently occuring in leading centres and institutes internationally. By being a part of that research we ensure that not only is Australia involved in todays mathematical and physical advances but that we also have Australian mathematicians trained to take advantage of the benefits those advances will bring in the future.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354466
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Mathematics in Contemporary Science. The Mathematics in Contemporary Science Research Network brings contemporary methods of non-linear analysis and differential equations, geometric reasoning and relevant algebraic and topological ideas to enrich six application areas in modern science: Complex Systems, Computer Vision, Optimal Transportation, Nanotechnology, Physics and Shortest Networks. MiCS will develop both the mathematics and the application areas in parallel. It will focus on postgradu ....Mathematics in Contemporary Science. The Mathematics in Contemporary Science Research Network brings contemporary methods of non-linear analysis and differential equations, geometric reasoning and relevant algebraic and topological ideas to enrich six application areas in modern science: Complex Systems, Computer Vision, Optimal Transportation, Nanotechnology, Physics and Shortest Networks. MiCS will develop both the mathematics and the application areas in parallel. It will focus on postgraduate training through workshops, summer schools and web based resources and build long-term international collaborations with EU networks and NSERC, NSF and EPSRC institutes as well as bringing together academic and industry leaders.Read moreRead less
Noncommutative geometry: new frontiers. This project is at the leading edge of fundamental mathematics and will result in important scientific advances. As a result Australian science will be seen to be at the forefront internationally. This area of mathematics is having a high impact at the moment so that research training is an important aspect. There will be PhD students trained as part of the project and honours students exposed to the latest advances. Australians would normally need to go ....Noncommutative geometry: new frontiers. This project is at the leading edge of fundamental mathematics and will result in important scientific advances. As a result Australian science will be seen to be at the forefront internationally. This area of mathematics is having a high impact at the moment so that research training is an important aspect. There will be PhD students trained as part of the project and honours students exposed to the latest advances. Australians would normally need to go to leading international centres such as Paris to partake in projects of this nature. That high profile research of this kind can be done in Australia will enhance our capacity to retain scientific talent.Read moreRead less
Noncommutative geometry and applications. Noncommutative geometry is a new field of mathematical research having its origins in quantum mechanics. The main feature of this theory is that it deals with geoemtric and topological aspects of objects for which the order in which we make measurements or perform operations or observations is relevant to the outcome. This happens with microscopic systems especially those at the atomic or subatomic length scale. The methods have been motivated by and fou ....Noncommutative geometry and applications. Noncommutative geometry is a new field of mathematical research having its origins in quantum mechanics. The main feature of this theory is that it deals with geoemtric and topological aspects of objects for which the order in which we make measurements or perform operations or observations is relevant to the outcome. This happens with microscopic systems especially those at the atomic or subatomic length scale. The methods have been motivated by and found application in condensed matter physics, string theory, random media, algebraic structures and the geometry and topology of manifoldsRead moreRead less
New approaches to index theory. The laws of nature are often expressed by differential equations, involving their rates of change. If 'elliptic,' they have an 'index,' which is the number of solutions minus the number of constraints imposed. The Atiyah-Singer index theorem gives a striking calculation of this "index'. An extension is Fractional Index Theory, which has received international attention, having solved a fundamental open problem. A central aim is to investigate this further. I will ....New approaches to index theory. The laws of nature are often expressed by differential equations, involving their rates of change. If 'elliptic,' they have an 'index,' which is the number of solutions minus the number of constraints imposed. The Atiyah-Singer index theorem gives a striking calculation of this "index'. An extension is Fractional Index Theory, which has received international attention, having solved a fundamental open problem. A central aim is to investigate this further. I will assist beginners to navigate to the cutting edge of research through workshops, spring-schools and supervision. Benefits include the enhancement of Australia's position in the forefront of international research.Read moreRead less