Very high energy gamma-ray astronomy in Australia and the development of future gamma-ray detectors. Australia contributes to the burgeoning field of ground-based gamma-ray astronomy via its involvement in the CANGAROO-III project.
I will continue the development of CANGAROO-III and establish links with the other collaborations in this field, in particular H.E.S.S., also in the southern hemisphere. Studies with CANGAROO-III of high energy gamma-ray sources such as supernova remnants and active ....Very high energy gamma-ray astronomy in Australia and the development of future gamma-ray detectors. Australia contributes to the burgeoning field of ground-based gamma-ray astronomy via its involvement in the CANGAROO-III project.
I will continue the development of CANGAROO-III and establish links with the other collaborations in this field, in particular H.E.S.S., also in the southern hemisphere. Studies with CANGAROO-III of high energy gamma-ray sources such as supernova remnants and active galaxies will finally reveal the type of particles that are accelerated in such violent regions of our universe. The development of future ground-based gamma-ray detectors beyond CANGAROO-III is also a project aim, and will expand the energy coverage of gamma-ray detectors into uncharted territory.Read moreRead less
AN INTEGRATED STUDY OF ATMOSPHERIC WAVE GENERATION AND COUPLING. Small-scale atmospheric gravity waves play an important, but not well understood, role in determining the state of the atmosphere. Observations to be made in northern Australia in 2005-2006 will bring together different kinds of radars and other instruments to study rain production processes in thunderstorms. Results will be used in a high-resolution numerical model to test wave generation by storms and to study their impact on the ....AN INTEGRATED STUDY OF ATMOSPHERIC WAVE GENERATION AND COUPLING. Small-scale atmospheric gravity waves play an important, but not well understood, role in determining the state of the atmosphere. Observations to be made in northern Australia in 2005-2006 will bring together different kinds of radars and other instruments to study rain production processes in thunderstorms. Results will be used in a high-resolution numerical model to test wave generation by storms and to study their impact on the atmosphere. The project will contribute to the improvement of weather radar measurements of rainfall and to improvement in numerical weather forecasting and climate prediction. It will provide high-quality training for postgraduate students in the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and models.Read moreRead less
Building and Ethics: Understanding A Corpus of Contemproary Australian Award-Winning Houses as Responses to Ecological, Social and Built Contexts. The project aims to construct an understanding from an ethical framework of the interrelationships between attitudes, perceptions, rhetorical statements about and actual behaviours of a small corpus of contemporary award-winning Australian houses. The project is significant as it will create a conceptual advance in understanding the ways in which note ....Building and Ethics: Understanding A Corpus of Contemproary Australian Award-Winning Houses as Responses to Ecological, Social and Built Contexts. The project aims to construct an understanding from an ethical framework of the interrelationships between attitudes, perceptions, rhetorical statements about and actual behaviours of a small corpus of contemporary award-winning Australian houses. The project is significant as it will create a conceptual advance in understanding the ways in which noted Australian houses respond in a cohesive ethical manner to ecological, social and built contexts. The expected outcomes include documentation of an (ethical) methodology for a cohesive analysis of buildings to assist the building design and construction industry to make informed decisions in housing design and construction in the Australian context(s).Read moreRead less
Improving thermal environment of housing for older Australians. This project aims to develop strategies to improve the thermal environment of housing for older Australians based on systematic investigations of the links between weather, thermal comfort, energy use, and well-being. The project will produce evidence-based guidelines and a framework about planning/design issues and operational/behavioural aspects to support older people living independently. Improved thermal conditions will lead to ....Improving thermal environment of housing for older Australians. This project aims to develop strategies to improve the thermal environment of housing for older Australians based on systematic investigations of the links between weather, thermal comfort, energy use, and well-being. The project will produce evidence-based guidelines and a framework about planning/design issues and operational/behavioural aspects to support older people living independently. Improved thermal conditions will lead to better quality of life, reduce the need for institutional care and reduce public health costs. They will also provide environmental benefits through reduced energy use and carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
WAVES IN THE MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE. Atmospheric waves have a profound influence in the atmosphere. A unique network of radars in the southern hemisphere will be used to study wave processes in the upper atmosphere. The project will investigate causes of wave variability, wave sources and wave-wave interactions and will involve satellite measurements and international collaboration. Results will guide the development and testing of schemes that incorporate the effects of small-scale waves in numerica ....WAVES IN THE MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE. Atmospheric waves have a profound influence in the atmosphere. A unique network of radars in the southern hemisphere will be used to study wave processes in the upper atmosphere. The project will investigate causes of wave variability, wave sources and wave-wave interactions and will involve satellite measurements and international collaboration. Results will guide the development and testing of schemes that incorporate the effects of small-scale waves in numerical weather and climate models. Outcomes from the project will have application in modelling climate change.Read moreRead less
Visualising molecular level detail in single cells and intact tissues. The goal of this project is to deliver a new toolkit for imaging cells at an unprecedented resolution and level of chemical detail. We will expand the capabilities of two existing, but complementary, methods: optical fluorescence microscopy with responsive probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Expected outcomes include improved techniques and benchmarks for visualising bacterial and mammalian cells; development of new molecu ....Visualising molecular level detail in single cells and intact tissues. The goal of this project is to deliver a new toolkit for imaging cells at an unprecedented resolution and level of chemical detail. We will expand the capabilities of two existing, but complementary, methods: optical fluorescence microscopy with responsive probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Expected outcomes include improved techniques and benchmarks for visualising bacterial and mammalian cells; development of new molecules for elucidating cellular chemistry; better utilisation of valuable synchrotron resources; and greater understanding of the strengths and limitations of current microscopy workflows. Results should benefit the biotechnology sector, and may lead to improved medical, diagnostic, and bioremediation capacity.Read moreRead less
Carbon conundrum: Functional characterisation of organic matter-clay mineral interactions in relation to carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration in soil has been recognised as one of the possible measures through which greenhouse gas emissions can be mitigated. The major processes involved in carbon sequestration in soil include chemical immobilisation of carbon with soil particles and physical protection in the pores of soil microaggregates. These two processes are mediated through the funct ....Carbon conundrum: Functional characterisation of organic matter-clay mineral interactions in relation to carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration in soil has been recognised as one of the possible measures through which greenhouse gas emissions can be mitigated. The major processes involved in carbon sequestration in soil include chemical immobilisation of carbon with soil particles and physical protection in the pores of soil microaggregates. These two processes are mediated through the functional relationships of soil organic matter and clay mineral interactions in soils. This project investigates nanoscale organomineral association underlying microaggregate formation and stability, as well as the distribution and microbial decomposition of carbon within microaggregates using a suite of advanced spectroscopic, molecular and isotopic techniques.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of the beneficial vs toxic forms of selenium in the diet. This project aims to examine how dietary selenium is converted into essential proteins and beneficial compounds that mitigate against a broad range of human diseases; or alternatively, into toxic molecules. Cutting-edge methodologies should resolve significant unknowns in selenium metabolism, to provide definitive dietary guidelines and to explore how selenium can treat and protect against disease. Expected outcomes from ....Characterisation of the beneficial vs toxic forms of selenium in the diet. This project aims to examine how dietary selenium is converted into essential proteins and beneficial compounds that mitigate against a broad range of human diseases; or alternatively, into toxic molecules. Cutting-edge methodologies should resolve significant unknowns in selenium metabolism, to provide definitive dietary guidelines and to explore how selenium can treat and protect against disease. Expected outcomes from this national and international collaboration include expert training for young biochemical researchers and refinements to novel analytical techniques. Results should benefit the food and agricultural sectors to provide tailored products locally and for export, as well as enhanced health opportunities for all Australians.Read moreRead less