The origins of electroreception and nocturnality in the earliest known jawed vertebrates and their bearing on vertebrate diversification. This project aims to discover primary new data to pinpoint the timing, anatomical origins and phylogenetic significance when two key sensory systems first appeared in modern vertebrates: electroreception and specialised nocturnal vision. Such abilities today allow high diversity of vertebrates to co-exist within the same geographical range, for example on trop ....The origins of electroreception and nocturnality in the earliest known jawed vertebrates and their bearing on vertebrate diversification. This project aims to discover primary new data to pinpoint the timing, anatomical origins and phylogenetic significance when two key sensory systems first appeared in modern vertebrates: electroreception and specialised nocturnal vision. Such abilities today allow high diversity of vertebrates to co-exist within the same geographical range, for example on tropical reefs or rainforest communities, through careful temporal niche partitioning where reliance on other sensory systems takes over from vision and olfaction as the principal method of prey detection. This project aims to elucidate how the modern fish diversity was shaped by such significant early evolutionary events.Read moreRead less
CCC method: new applications to electron scattering from atoms and molecules. Achievement of the stated aims will be of enormous benefit to industry
and laboratory research because at the present time no reliably accurate
models exist for the range of the required scattering parameters. The
modelling work will result in development of new software packages for
supercomputers and will provide training for research associates, PhD
and Honours students in an area where Australian theorists are ....CCC method: new applications to electron scattering from atoms and molecules. Achievement of the stated aims will be of enormous benefit to industry
and laboratory research because at the present time no reliably accurate
models exist for the range of the required scattering parameters. The
modelling work will result in development of new software packages for
supercomputers and will provide training for research associates, PhD
and Honours students in an area where Australian theorists are
preeminent.Read moreRead less
A complete computational approach to electron-atom collisions. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to improve the efficiency and reduce the toxicity of lighting systems, which has far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability. It will also facilitate significant improvements in the accuracy of astrophysical and artificial plasma modelling, as well as providing insight into many processes fundamental to nanotechnology research. The research project will further enha ....A complete computational approach to electron-atom collisions. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to improve the efficiency and reduce the toxicity of lighting systems, which has far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability. It will also facilitate significant improvements in the accuracy of astrophysical and artificial plasma modelling, as well as providing insight into many processes fundamental to nanotechnology research. The research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where Australian theorists are preeminent, and the research training will produce PhD graduates with a high-level ability in numerical modelling using supercomputers. Such skills are essential in many defense, mining and technological applications of national priority.Read moreRead less
Atomic Collision Theory. Collisions between atomic particles are ever-present in astrophysical and man-made plasmas. Their understanding is vital for both fundamental science and industrial applications. The project will develop underlying scattering theory to solve new and outstanding problems in the field. These range from the fundamental problems of electron- or proton-impact ionisation of hydrogen through to collisions involving targets of interest to astrophysics, fusion, X-ray lasers and t ....Atomic Collision Theory. Collisions between atomic particles are ever-present in astrophysical and man-made plasmas. Their understanding is vital for both fundamental science and industrial applications. The project will develop underlying scattering theory to solve new and outstanding problems in the field. These range from the fundamental problems of electron- or proton-impact ionisation of hydrogen through to collisions involving targets of interest to astrophysics, fusion, X-ray lasers and the lighting industry. The theory will also be extended to atom-surface interactions. The understanding of collisions between atomic particles and surfaces will support emerging fields of nanoscience and quantum computing.
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Complete calculation of positron- and electron-impact scattering of atoms. This research will facilitate a deeper understanding of the interaction of positrons (antimatter) with matter. These interactions are fundamental to Positron Emission Tomography used for medical imaging and Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy used for characterisation of materials. This project will provide a fundamental theoretical description of positronium formation that combined with other multidisciplinary re ....Complete calculation of positron- and electron-impact scattering of atoms. This research will facilitate a deeper understanding of the interaction of positrons (antimatter) with matter. These interactions are fundamental to Positron Emission Tomography used for medical imaging and Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy used for characterisation of materials. This project will provide a fundamental theoretical description of positronium formation that combined with other multidisciplinary research within the ARC Centre of Antimatter-Matter Studies will improve our knowledge of, and efficacy, of these techniques.Read moreRead less
Matter-antimatter interactions. Much of the light that we see is either due to or is influenced by collisions between particles on the atomic scale. The understanding of astronomical observations, the Sun, or our atmosphere is underpinned by the knowledge of atomic collisions. They are also critical in the development of fusion, lasers and lighting sources generally. Interactions with antimatter have additional applications in the medical and material sciences. For example, positron collisions w ....Matter-antimatter interactions. Much of the light that we see is either due to or is influenced by collisions between particles on the atomic scale. The understanding of astronomical observations, the Sun, or our atmosphere is underpinned by the knowledge of atomic collisions. They are also critical in the development of fusion, lasers and lighting sources generally. Interactions with antimatter have additional applications in the medical and material sciences. For example, positron collisions with matter are used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans and in surface analysis.Read moreRead less
Rearrangement collisions in atomic physics. Atomic collisions are ubiquitous and form the basis of many sciences and technologies including the emerging nano-, quantum computing and bio-technologies. We are responsible for a major breakthrough in the treatment of such collisions, and are increasing their complexity and scale to meet the demand of practical applications. The most common collisions in many physical and life sciences are of the rearrangement type. We propose to study the prototype ....Rearrangement collisions in atomic physics. Atomic collisions are ubiquitous and form the basis of many sciences and technologies including the emerging nano-, quantum computing and bio-technologies. We are responsible for a major breakthrough in the treatment of such collisions, and are increasing their complexity and scale to meet the demand of practical applications. The most common collisions in many physical and life sciences are of the rearrangement type. We propose to study the prototype positron-atom collision system followed by the ion-atom and molecule systems which are the building blocks of the emerging and many existing sciences and technologies.Read moreRead less
Uncovering highly excited states of quantum three body systems using new technological approaches. Experimental studies of the fundamental structure of quantum three body systems are proposed to uncover long-lived highly-excited states. Ultra-fast timing technology applied to a variant of electron time-of-flight studies will form the basis of the measurement system to be used at a world-class synchrotron light source.
Atomic Ionization on the Attosecond Time Scale. Electrons emit light, carry electric current, and bind atoms together to form molecules. Insight into their atomic-scale motion is the key to understanding the functioning of biological systems, developing efficient sources of x-ray light, and speeding up electronics. Capturing this electron motion requires attosecond (one quintillionth of a second) time resolution. Our research aims to understand and accurately model fundamental atomic processes ....Atomic Ionization on the Attosecond Time Scale. Electrons emit light, carry electric current, and bind atoms together to form molecules. Insight into their atomic-scale motion is the key to understanding the functioning of biological systems, developing efficient sources of x-ray light, and speeding up electronics. Capturing this electron motion requires attosecond (one quintillionth of a second) time resolution. Our research aims to understand and accurately model fundamental atomic processes taking place on the attosecond time scale. This research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where Australian theorists are preeminent, and the research training will produce PhD graduates with the skills essential in a multitude of nano-technology applications. Read moreRead less
Ion-atom collision data for fusion energy, hadron therapy and astrophysics. This project aims to combine experimental and theoretical efforts to generate accurate data required for the development and maintenance of fusion reactors, treatment planning in hadron therapy of cancerous tumours, and modelling astrophysical phenomena. Hadron therapy has been used successfully worldwide for over a decade with Australia’s first such facility, the Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy, currently under construc ....Ion-atom collision data for fusion energy, hadron therapy and astrophysics. This project aims to combine experimental and theoretical efforts to generate accurate data required for the development and maintenance of fusion reactors, treatment planning in hadron therapy of cancerous tumours, and modelling astrophysical phenomena. Hadron therapy has been used successfully worldwide for over a decade with Australia’s first such facility, the Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy, currently under construction. Fusion reactors are a source of abundant green energy. Immense progress is being made in their construction and underlying technology. Currently, there is an urgent demand for accurate data on ion-beam collisions with atoms and molecules for the aforementioned applications. This project intends to meet this demand.Read moreRead less