Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354793
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
A Neural Network: Understanding Brain Function. This proposal focuses on the mechanisms that regulate brain function, particularly those underpinning the changes in circuitry (plasticity) caused by altered inputs. As such, its core goal is to create an interface between researchers in the neurosciences, computational modelling, robotics and cognitive sciences in order to facilitate optimum collaborative interactions, identify key research questions and promote training opportunities across a mul ....A Neural Network: Understanding Brain Function. This proposal focuses on the mechanisms that regulate brain function, particularly those underpinning the changes in circuitry (plasticity) caused by altered inputs. As such, its core goal is to create an interface between researchers in the neurosciences, computational modelling, robotics and cognitive sciences in order to facilitate optimum collaborative interactions, identify key research questions and promote training opportunities across a multidisciplinary spectrum. This will drive an integrated and accelerated program of discovery and technological development, enhancing Australia's leadership in this crucial field and helping to highlight new biotechnology opportunities and capture social and economic benefits for the nation. Read moreRead less
Integrating holistic processing and face-space approaches to the perception of facial identity. Recognising faces is a socially crucial task, and humans are remarkably good at it. Scientists investigating the 'software' our brains use to recognise faces have referred to two different theories -- one when explaining why we distinguish faces better than objects, and the other in explaining why we distinguish some people's faces more easily than others. The project aims to integrate these two theor ....Integrating holistic processing and face-space approaches to the perception of facial identity. Recognising faces is a socially crucial task, and humans are remarkably good at it. Scientists investigating the 'software' our brains use to recognise faces have referred to two different theories -- one when explaining why we distinguish faces better than objects, and the other in explaining why we distinguish some people's faces more easily than others. The project aims to integrate these two theories. This has two potential long-term benefits: it will give a stronger basis for understanding what goes wrong in people where face recognition does not develop normally; and, the improved knowledge from a biological system may also lead to improved computer face recognition algorithms (eg. for airport security).Read moreRead less
Neurobiological computation using self organization. Despite their phenomenal power and speed there are many simple things that computers still cannot do, that humans, and indeed many animals, are able to perform effortlessly. The research outlined in this proposal aims to develop new, biologically inspired, computational approaches that attempt to bridge this gap. This research will help place Australia, despite its relatively small size, as a leading research community in the development of ....Neurobiological computation using self organization. Despite their phenomenal power and speed there are many simple things that computers still cannot do, that humans, and indeed many animals, are able to perform effortlessly. The research outlined in this proposal aims to develop new, biologically inspired, computational approaches that attempt to bridge this gap. This research will help place Australia, despite its relatively small size, as a leading research community in the development of the next wave of computing devices. The development of new and "more natural" approaches to computing will deliver large dividends to a range of social, economic and environmental problems.Read moreRead less
Modelling the acoustical scattering properties of the human auditory system. The audio and entertainment industry is continually striving towards the development of immersive consumer technologies. Australian companies and researchers within this market sector utilise these audio technologies for many innovative applications, including virtual reality, communication, navigation, monitoring, and auditory products for the hearing impaired. These developments rely heavily on a fundamental understan ....Modelling the acoustical scattering properties of the human auditory system. The audio and entertainment industry is continually striving towards the development of immersive consumer technologies. Australian companies and researchers within this market sector utilise these audio technologies for many innovative applications, including virtual reality, communication, navigation, monitoring, and auditory products for the hearing impaired. These developments rely heavily on a fundamental understanding of our natural sense of spatial hearing. This project will extend the current understanding of the acoustic scattering mechanisms that govern the external auditory system, and provide critical enabling knowledge that will enhance the development of innovative audio technologies.Read moreRead less