Intellectual Property enforcement and
awareness building in China, Thailand and Indonesia
Category:
3901—LAW
Project Summary:
As a country with a significant intellectual
property industry, Australia has a strong interest
in intellectual property protection and enforcement.
Australia has also an interest in reducing the amount
of infringing material that is brought into the country.
Apart from border control mechanisms, an obvious way
to achieve this is to strengthen enforcement in the
originating countries of this material. The project
will inform the Australian government with regards
to policy making for this area and facilitate the
planning of effective cooperation programs with Asian
countries.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof JF Chicharo
Dr E Li
Dr J Xi
Prof Dr X Peng
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$91,000
$76,000
$76,000
$243,000
Project Title:
Multi-resolution phase measuring profilometry
for dynamic 3D digital imaging
Category:
2917—COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Project Summary:
Fast 3-D sensing is a key technology
in many industrial application areas such as manufacturing,
medical instrumentation, security systems and multimedia
entertainment systems. The proposed project aims to
develop a superior solution when compared to existing
methods. Successful completion of this project will
place Australia at the forefront in terms of this
enabling technology as well establishing cutting edge
expertise. This will potentially lead to significant
commercial opportunities that can easily translate
into new employment/manufacturing opportunities.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr K Chin
Mr DD Lowe
Mr R Raad
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$90,546
$58,416
$58,926
$207,888
Project Title:
A Spatially-Aware RFID-enhanced Sensor
Network
Category:
2917—COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Project Summary:
Using radio frequency identity (RFID)
tags to revolutionise sensor network technologies
has the potential to have wide ranging impacts on
many of Australia's key industries, including precision
agriculture, health care and habitat monitoring (e.g.,
bush fires).
This fundamental research will create a new type
of communication network that will have tremendous
impact by allowing monitoring and tracking technologies
to be deployed over large, infrastructure-free areas
at nominal cost. By contributing to the solution
of the cost and complexity problems that limit practical
deployment of sensor networks, we hope help Australia
become a global leader in realizing real-world benefits
from information communication technologies.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr AR Clarke
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$55,000
$40,000
$40,000
$135,000
Project Title:
Validation of a New Conceptual Model
of ADHD based on Underlying Central Nervous System
Dysfunction.
Category:
3801—PSYCHOLOGY
Project Summary:
ADHD is a debilitating problem that
affects 5% of children and approximately half as many
adults. ADHD causes substantial problems at school
and if untreated, predisposes the individual to increased
drug and alcohol use, marital breakdown, criminal
prosecution and psychiatric problems in later life.
One problem is that we do not fully understand what
are the causes of the disorder. This project will
test the validity of several models of brain dysfunction
in ADHD which have been influential in the literature,
but poorly tested. Through better understanding of
the basic underlying problems, more effective intervention
can be developed.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof RJ Dippenaar
Dr L Strezov
Dr DJ Phelan
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$75,000
$73,000
$75,000
$223,000
Project Title:
Competitive nucleation and growth during
rapid solidification of steel
Category:
2913—METALLURGY
Project Summary:
This research will assist in maintaining
Australia at the forefront of research into strip
casting of steel. Fundamental understanding and new
modelling capabilities will help to promote the take-up
of this energy/emission/cost efficient revolutionary
process. It will furthermore provide, through the
development of a novel experimental technique, new
research capabilities for Australian researchers in
other fields such as rapid solidification of advanced
materials, e.g. hard magnets and thermoelectric alloys.
Australian Postdoctoral Fellow:
Dr DJ Phelan
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof SM Dodds
Dr RA Ankeny
Mr J Grossman
Prof FE Baylis
Dr J Downie
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
2008 $
Total $
$105,140
$69,511
$78,799
$86,208
$339,658
Project Title:
Big-Picture Bioethics: policy-making
and liberal democracy
Category:
4401—PHILOSOPHY
Project Summary:
We live an era of rapid
growth in biotechnology generating new and difficult
ethical questions that need to be tackled by bioethicists
and politicians. This project goes beyond typical
approaches in bioethics to explore the “big
picture”: how policies are generated in ethically-contentious
domains. It is important to examine how the values
of different stakeholders are reflected in such processes
to ensure that they are in accordance with Australia's
commitment to fostering a multicultural, pluralistic,
democratic society. This project will produce practical
recommendations for refining public consultation in
healthcare policy-making through an examination of
three relevant contentious case studies in Australia
with comparison to Canada.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof S Dolnicar
Prof JR Rossiter
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$150,000
$100,000
$100,000
$350,000
Project Title:
Is brand image instability a measurement
artifact?
Category:
3502—BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Project Summary:
If brand images are indeed unstable,
then not only are private companies wasting their
money on image campaigns but also government organisations
are wasting public money on brand image campaigns
such as the many conducted by the Australian Tourism
Commission overseas, and by local governments, such
as “Wollongong—city of innovation.”
Wouldn't you like to know whether your money is being
well spent? A reasonably definitive assessment of
the worthwhileness of public-funded brand image campaigns
will be the main national and community benefit of
this research.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof S Dolnicar
Prof GI Crouch
Prof Dr JA Mazanec
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$45,000
$65,000
$50,000
$160,000
Project Title:
Harnessing Eco-Friendly Markets to Protect
our Natural Resources—Towards A Demand-Driven
Paradigm of Sustainable Tourism
Category:
3502—BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Project Summary:
The tourism industry makes an important
contribution to Australia's national revenues. However,
the price the nation pays for tourism is excessive
use of natural resources: we are selling the exploitation
of our country. This project aims at finding, describing
and attracting tourists with a basic interest in environmental
protection to visit Australia. By doing so, tourism
revenues can still be generated for the benefit of
Australia while the environmental footprints left
behind when the tourists fly back to their home countries
can be reduced.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr M Dowton
Dr IT Riley
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$60,000
$60,000
$60,000
$180,000
Project Title:
The evolution of multipartite mitochondrial
genomes in the cyst-forming nematodes
Category:
2705—ZOOLOGY
Project Summary:
The cyst-forming nematodes are a serious
pest of agricultural crops throughout the world, attacking
cereal, root and legume crops. Although sporadically
recorded in Australia, they have not become established
here. This project will characterize unique sequences
from the noncoding portion of the mitochondrial genome
of a range of cyst-forming nematodes, facilitating
the development of molecular diagnostic screening
tools for these crop pests. This program will train
a number of young scientists with skills in biotechnology,
preparing them to join programs safeguarding our agricultural
industries.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr M Dowton
Prof AD Austin
Dr MJ Sharkey
Asst Prof M Whiting
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$60,000
$60,000
$60,000
$180,000
Project Title:
Structural reorganization of the hymenopteran
mitochondrial genome
Category:
2705—ZOOLOGY
Project Summary:
This study will be the first detailed
investigation of the evolution of mt genome reorganization,
and as such it will identify the processes that
shape the evolution of a molecule widely used to
interpret phylogeny. A description of the processes
that lead to mt genome reorganization will have
a substantial impact on our understanding in two
areas of mt biology;
the discovery of new molecular phenomena that
impact on the organization and evolution of this
genome, and
the interpretation of its phylogenetic content.
It will establish our research group as a leader
in the field of evolutionary genetics.
Training of high quality students, with exposure
to international researchers, will be a significant
component of this program.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof HM Hasan
Dr KP Crawford
Dr DN Hart
Dr H Linger
Dr L Warne
Ms IM Ali
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$56,000
$51,000
$50,000
$157,000
Project Title:
Socio-technical determinants of agile,
network-centric organisations
Category:
2801—INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Project Summary:
Many companies provide value for customers
by exploiting information and communication technology
in support of networks of self-organising employee
teams. Such network-centric approaches to organisational
structure and function are becoming desired in diverse
government organisations and societal settings. On
one hand, the civil society is increasing reliant
on virtual networks and online communities. On the
other, the military's imperative to learn how to fight
smarter in the information age heralds a fundamental
shift from platform-centred warfare to a mode with
diffuseness of command and control. The findings of
this research will enable the potential benefits of
network-centrism to be realised in these nationally
critical areas.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof X Huang
Prof JF Chicharo
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$68,000
$61,000
$63,000
$192,000
Project Title:
High Capacity Multiple Access Interference
Free Block Spread OFDMA System for Next Generation
Mobile Communications
Category:
2917—COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Project Summary:
Next generation broadband wireless/mobile
communications is considered a critical component
in the ICT industry sector of advanced national economies
and their potential future growth. The proposed project
will develop a superior solution when compared with
existing methods in the sense that it will be characterised
by higher capacity, more flexible signal format, lower
complexity, more power efficient and better overall
performance in fast fading channels. Successful completion
of this project will place Australia at the forefront
of this enabling technology as well establishing cutting
edge expertise. This will lead to significant commercial
opportunities that can easily translate into new employment/manufacturing
opportunities.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof AJ Hulbert
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$75,000
$70,000
$70,000
$215,000
Project Title:
Investigating the “membrane pacemaker”
theory of aging
Category:
2706—PHYSIOLOGY
Project Summary:
All animals age and die but the basis
of the aging process is still not completely understood.
Recent Australian research into the basis of the metabolism
in different animals has suggested that the fatty
acid composition of biological membranes may be the
final part of the puzzle. Understanding why different
species have such different lifespans will give profound
insight into the aging process. Because it is such
a fundamental biological process, understanding how
aging occurs and what determines lifespan will have
obvious benefits to understanding the basis of many
aging-associated diseases. Understanding the role
of dietary fats in influencing lifespan will also
be of benefit to the community, both national and
international.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr SJ Johnstone
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$50,000
$50,000
$50,000
$150,000
Project Title:
Disinhibition in Attention-deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder: A behavioural and psychophysiological investigation.
Category:
3801—PSYCHOLOGY
Project Summary:
This project will provide much-needed
information about optimal workload rates and effort
levels, and the influence of external expectations,
for those with ADHD, with immediate implications in
remediation and educational settings. It will inform
subsequent applied research, leading to better diagnosis
and treatment, resulting in better societal outcomes
for those with ADHD. Long-term outcomes may reduce
the significant financial burden placed on families
and the Australian government and taxpayer by the
increased use of hospital services and higher medical
costs for children with ADHD, significantly increasing
the likelihood of a healthy start to life for those
directly, and indirectly, effected.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr NB Jones
Prof DJ Jacob
Dr RM Mitchell
Mr MD Fromm
Dr SW Wood
Dr DP Edwards
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$162,000
$160,000
$150,000
$472,000
Project Title:
Biomass Burning Emissions? An Innovative
Technique for Assessing Global Climate Impacts
Category:
2606—ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
Project Summary:
This proposal will significantly improve
our understanding of the impacts of biomass burning
on climate and environmental change leading to better
predictive powers and more informed political and
economic responses to issues such as Australian compliance
with international protocols dealing with global climate
change (Kyoto). Further, it will help the development
of Australian expertise in global chemical transport
modelling not currently addressed by other Australian
research programs.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof SC Jones
Prof LC Tapsell
Dr PG Williams
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$48,000
$65,000
$113,000
Project Title:
Healthy eating campaigns: perceptions
of the message and messenger
Category:
3212—PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH
SERVICES
Project Summary:
This project will be a means to evaluate
the likely effectiveness of some of the resolutions
of the NSW Childhood Obesity Summit aimed at the commercial
food industry and the media. The project will provide
information for the food industry on consumers' perceptions
of their credibility as a source of information about
healthy eating. This will inform the development of
communication campaigns, as well as provide guidance
on development and marketing of 'healthier' brand
extensions. The project will also have considerable
benefit for public health. The findings will be relevant
to government and non-government health promotion
organisations considering the effectiveness of social
marketing campaigns in association with food companies.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr W Li
Dr H Du
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$100,000
$68,000
$70,000
$238,000
Project Title:
Manipulation of Biological Particles
Using Dielectrophoresis
Category:
2901—INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
AND FOOD SCIENCES
Project Summary:
Dielectrophoretic manipulation and
separation of particles has numerous biological
and medical applications, e.g. identification and
characterisation of individual cells, purification
of cell subpopulations from mixture suspensions,
etc.
This research project aims to develop a high-efficiency
and low-cost DEP device for bio-particle manipulation.
It will contribute significantly to the advancements
in the field of biological Micro-Electrical-Mechanical-Systems
(MEMS) and nanotechnology. Industry will benefit
from the expertise on micro/nano-structures and
micro/nano-manufacturing achieved by this project.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr LT Lyons
Dr MT Ford
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$98,500
$84,000
$54,000
$236,500
Project Title:
In the shadow of Singapore: The limits
of transnationalism in Insular Riau
Category:
3701—SOCIOLOGY
Project Summary:
This project will contribute
to the process of safeguarding Australia, through
a better understanding of our nearest neighbours.
An enhanced understanding of nationalism and regionalism
in Southeast Asia is central to the maintenance of
effective bilateral and multilateral relations between
Australia and its near neighbours. Cross-border tension
between our ASEAN neighbours is potentially a problem
for Australia, and thus of political and economic
concern to all Australians.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr LT Lyons; Dr T Devasahayam
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
2008 $
Total $
$100,000
$75,000
$75,000
$75,000
$325,000
Project Title:
Trans/national activism: Organizing
for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia
Category:
3705—DEMOGRAPHY
Project Summary:
This project will contribute
to the identified national priority, Safeguarding
Australia, by providing a better understanding of
the issues surrounding labour migration, including
the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address
the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast
Asia.
By expanding our understanding of the possibilities
for democratisation within the region and contributing
to theoretical developments on the relationship
between state and civil society, this research will
also contribute to the national interest in influencing
institutional reform and democratic transition in
Asia.
Australian Postdoctoral
Fellow:
Dr T Devasahayam
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof RA Markey
A/Prof GE Patmore
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$65,000
$60,000
$30,000
$155,000
Project Title:
Historical Patterns of Non-Union Employee
Representation in Australian Workplaces 1914-96
Category:
4301—HISTORICAL STUDIES
Project Summary:
The project uses historical data
to provide clear direction for public policy in
the development of frontier technology for employment
relations infrastructure at the workplace level.
This infrastructure would support micro-economic
reform, maximisation of workplace efficiency, the
enhancement of employee job satisfaction, as well
as offering means to close the representation gap
that has emerged with the decline in trade union
membership.
By using historical data policy development will
be informed by Australian experience of success
and failures in this area.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof GC Melleuish
Dr AR Buck
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$60,000
$20,000
$33,928
$113,928
Project Title:
Debating Democracy: Political Rhetoric
in New South Wales 1856?1890
Category:
3601—POLITICAL SCIENCE
Project Summary:
This project will highlight the innovatory
nature of democracy in colonial Australia, by establishing
the nature of the relationship between political ideas,
political language and political practice in one of
the first liberal democracies of the modern world.
In so doing it will enable a new and detailed picture
to emerge of the type of political society that liberalism
and democracy created in colonial Australia. As the
first comprehensive study of political rhetoric in
Australian history, this project will facilitate a
new understanding of the distinctiveness of Australian
political language and Australian political culture.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr DW Mercer
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$30,000
$30,000
$60,000
Project Title:
Science, Litigation and the Public Accountability
of Vertically Integrated Expertise
Category:
3706—HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF
SCIENCE AND MEDICINE
Project Summary:
The impetus for this research derives
from concerns with tort law reform; the loss of public
trust in science and legal process when expertise
is perceived to be biased; the opportunity cost of
inappropriate regulation from misunderstood expertise
in litigation; and issues of social justice when regulators
and courts disregard plaintiffs' legitimate claims
because of a refusal to consider various forms of
expertise. By offering a conceptually fresh look at
science/law relations, the project will enrich public
understanding of the management of controversial scientific
issues by the legal system, and assist in the clearer
framing of law reform and science policy.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr AI Minett
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
2008 $
2009 $
Total $
$150,000
$135,000
$140,000
$140,000
$140,000
$705,000
Project Title:
Novel Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials:
Elucidation of key properties for device development
Category:
2918—INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
As the former co-director of CSIRO Nanotechnology
indicated to the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003, 'Nanotechnology
will lead us into a very different future.' The proposed
research on nanomaterial interactions and biomolecular
incorporation protocols will provide a foundation
for future bioelectronic devices. Imagine healthcare
of human diseases when nanocomponents enable the design
of new platforms for devices that give point-of-care
diagnosis, or the impact on the semiconductor industry
with the creation of flexible electronics. Educational
outreach is an important aim of the project, providing
effective research training for early career researchers.
Queen Elizabeth II Fellow
Dr AI Minett
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr CV Murray-Wallace
Dr DS Kaufman
Dr P Hesse
Dr PJ Hearty
Prof RP Bourman
Dr AP Belperio
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$110,000
$50,000
$50,000
$210,000
Project Title:
A one million year record of relative
sea-level, climatic and environmental changes—Aeolianites
of the southern Australian continental margin
Category:
2601—GEOLOGY
Project Summary:
This project will
further refine two dating methods that will
revolutionize Australia's capacity to date geological
and archaeological events;
ensure that Australia remains in the forefront
in applied geochronology and that a sufficient
level of technical expertise remains within the
country;
examine the sensitivity of coastal environments
to rapid climate and sea-level changes;
increase public awareness of the scientific
basis for the unique nature of Australia's coastal
landscapes; and
may also assist in the exploration of strategically
important minerals.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr MM Olsson
Dr E Wapstra
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$180,000
$140,000
$140,000
$460,000
Project Title:
Inbreeding and Amphibian Decline: from
an Individual to a Global Perspective
Category:
2707—ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Project Summary:
Amphibian decline is not a phenomenon
unique to overseas continents and countries. In the
long line of research papers addressing this issue
in the best science journals (e.g., Nature and Science),
Australian frog decline has even been singled out
for specific coverage. This project targets the interplay
between habitat fragmentation, loss of genetic variation
(inbreeding), and its effects on UV and pathogen resistance
in a laboratory model system. It integrates three
disciplines (immunobiology, evolutionary genetics,
and conservation biology) to resolve fundamental aspects
of the drastic, ongoing disappearance of the most
significant ecological indicator taxa known today
(amphibians).
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr AV Pan
Mr S Zhou
Dr Y Genenko
Prof TH Johansen
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$120,000
$115,000
$100,000
$335,000
Project Title:
Development of new technology for coated
conductors able to carry "over-critical"
current densities
Category:
2914—MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
The superconductivity phenomenon has
extremely attractive feature, that superconductors
can carry non-dissipative currents, enabling us to
reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. The new advanced
method suggested in this project might give a new,
fresh and inexpensive boost to not only domestic superconducting
industry, but also worldwide. The development of new
high performance superconductor technology would significantly
promote fundamental understanding and knowledge of
the poorly investigated “long-range” magnetic
interaction between magnetic and superconducting materials.
The University of Wollongong would lead the world
research community in this practically important and
scientifically intriguing area.
Australian Postdoctoral Fellow:
Mr S Zhou
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr RG Roberts
Prof AR Chivas
Dr E Willerslev
Dr TF Higham
Dr CB Ramsey
Dr RM Bailey
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$180,000
$160,000
$150,000
$490,000
Project Title:
Life and times of Beringian biota from
luminescence and radiocarbon dating of sedimentary
DNA: chronologies for palaeoenvironmental and archaeological
archives
Category:
2601—GEOLOGY
Project Summary:
This study will yield important new
data on the time of entry of humans into a previously
uninhabited continent (North America) and the record
of subsequent human-environment interactions. The
same broad issues apply to Australia, so understanding
the sequence and causes of events in Beringia will
provide insights into human disruption of the Australian
ecosystem. The development of improved techniques
in palaeogenetics and geochronology will benefit researchers
worldwide, increase the capacity for commercial services,
and enhance Australia's international standing in
cutting edge science. We will train high-quality graduate
students and create new collaborative initiatives
and opportunities for research, exchange, training
and education.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof R Safavi-Naini
Prof PR Wild
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$93,632
$93,000
$92,000
$278,632
Project Title:
Timeless digital signature for self-organising
groups
Category:
2804—COMPUTATION THEORY AND MATHEMATICS
Project Summary:
Working, socialising, establishing commercial
and government institutions on the Internet, is rapidly
becoming a common way of life. Digital signatures
are the main mechanism for providing authentication
and accountability for electronic transactions, and
are indispensable in securing electronic exchange
and collaboration. Existing digital signatures only
provide security for a limited time period and cannot
be used when long term security is required. This
project will provide the required foundations and
construction for building a timeless `trustworthy
cyberspace' and will enable deployment of a wider
range of advanced information technology and telecommunication
services.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr AI Schaefer
Dr SJ Khan
Prof M Elimelech
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$120,000
$98,000
$90,000
$308,000
Project Title:
Adsorption and Removal of Trace Organic
Compounds by Membrane Processes used in Water Treatment
and Wastewater Recycling
Category:
2906—CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
Recycling of municipal wastewaters is
of growing importance as a resource-conservation and
environmental-protection measure in Australia. A major
impediment to increased rates of water recycling is
a lack of knowledge regarding the presence, fate and
removal of key trace organic compounds. Among these
key contaminants are pharmaceutically active compounds
(PhACs) and steroid hormones. This research will lead
to a thorough understanding of the mechanisms involved
with the removal of these compounds by membrane treatment
applications. Major benefits will be enhanced ability
to undertake risk management and a lowering of costs
associated with full-scale water treatment applications.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr AI Schaefer
Prof B Van der Bruggen
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$100,000
$88,000
$90,000
$278,000
Project Title:
Impact of Fouling on Retention of Contaminants
in Electrodialysis for Brackish Water and Wastewater
Applications
Category:
2906—CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
Water desalination and water recycling
are both of utmost importance in the current global
water crisis. Reverse osmosis is a commonly used process
in both areas but this process has two main limitations
(1) it is limited in water recovery by the concentration
of salts, and (2) it produces a relatively large amount
of concentrates that require disposal. Using electrodialysis
to treat such concentrates will decrease the salinity
problem caused by disposal and also increase the water
efficiency of the treatment process. In this research
project the potential performance limitations fouling
and micropollutant removal will be investigated and
hence the performance improved.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof GM Spinks
Prof HR Brown
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$95,000
$75,000
$80,000
$250,000
Project Title:
Single molecule actuators.
Category:
2914—MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
The study of actuation processes in
single molecules will lead to the development of improved
advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately,
to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies.
The research will improve our understanding of how
polymer artificial muscles function, so that these
materials can be further developed to meet the demand
from industry. Applications include biomedical devices,
robotic applicators and various machine parts. In
addition, the research will also contribute to one
of the greatest promises of nanotechnology: the development
of molecular machines. We will demonstrate the mechanical
forces and movements possible from single molecules
so that the design of useful nano-machines can begin.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr W Susilo
Dr Y Mu
Dr F Zhang
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$112,000
$80,000
$192,000
Project Title:
Short Signatures: Tools for Securing
Digital Transactions, and Their Applications
Category:
2804—COMPUTATION THEORY AND MATHEMATICS
Project Summary:
The expected result of this project
will be frontier technologies that are essential in
applications and services, eg. transactions over mobile
devices, whose acceptance will be dependent on users'
assurance about their security in the Cyber world.
The result will also contribute to maintaining Australia's
leading position in the telecommunication and information
technology industries, which is well recognised by
the government increasing funding levels. Using provably
secure short signature schemes in the Internet world
will ultimately contribute to lowering costs, increasing
productivity and therefore, a more competitive economy.
The project will produce high quality graduates by
generating research opportunities for students.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof S Ville
A/Prof D Merrett
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$35,000
$35,000
$70,000
Project Title:
Business Profitability and Long Term
Industrial Change in Twentieth-Century Australia
Category:
3403—ECONOMIC HISTORY AND HISTORY
OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT
Project Summary:
This project will establish Australia
as a pioneer in longitudinal research into business
profitability in terms of assembling new data and
its use to analyse the relationship of profitability
with capital formation and structural change in the
economy. It will extend our knowledge of long-term
returns to equity investment, a category of savings
and pension funding now common to most Australians,
and contribute to our understanding of Australia's
comparative business performance in light of current
debates regarding the alleged limited global competitiveness
and corporate governance shortcomings of leading Australian
corporations.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof GG Wallace
Dr J Chen
Dr GF Swiegers
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$129,000
$116,000
$116,000
$361,000
Project Title:
Supported Molecular Catalysts for Methanol
Oxidation and Other Reactions
Category:
2501—PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (INCL.
STRUCTURAL)
Project Summary:
Knowledge arising from these fundamental
studies has the potential to place Australia at the
forefront of this important area of materials science
and catalysis. We expect to make discoveries that
will be useful not only in the area of catalysts for
the direct methanol fuel cell, but also in systematising
and developing the whole field of bio-mimetic supported
electrocatalysts. Relevant findings in these exciting
areas will be relayed to researchers and commercialised
where appropriate. This multidisciplinary project
will also provide an excellent environment for research
training.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr G Wang
Dr KK Konstantinov
Prof Dr J Ahn
Dr XQ Yang
Dr Z Xiao
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$80,000
$78,000
$80,000
$238,000
Project Title:
Synthesis of nanowires and application
as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections
Category:
2914—MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
This project is expected to bring significant
scientific, economic and social benefits. We will
develop a number of techniques for the controlled
growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale
systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will
have important applications in chemistry and biology.
Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors
on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used
for early diagnostics of cancer disease, detection
of viruses, and genomic DNA screening. The nanosensors
could also provide a molecular tool for probing living
cells without destroying them, through which we can
track life within cells in real time.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr X Wang
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
2008 $
2009 $
Total $
$210,000
$210,000
$210,000
$120,000
$120,000
$870,000
Project Title:
Exploration for new materials for spintronics
Category:
2914—MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Project Summary:
The scope for use of spintronic materials
in practical applications will be enormous and there
will be a huge market for spintronic devices. In fact,
giant magnetoresistance spintronic materials are already
used in practical applications such as magnetic recording
and storage devices. The success of this project will
certainly lead to a discovery of novel magnetic semiconductor
spintronic materials and better understanding of spin
dependent magnetic interactions. It will enhance the
international competitiveness and export power of
Australian industry in the areas of information technology,
quantum computing, magnetic recording and magneto-electronics.
Queen Elizabeth II Fellow
Dr X Wang
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof TA Wysocki
Dr BJ Wysocki
2005 $
2006 $
2007 $
Total $
$65,000
$65,000
$65,000
$195,000
Project Title:
Diversity Improvements in Ultra-Wide
Band Communications
Category:
2805—DATA FORMAT
Project Summary:
The proposed project will facilitate
development of new frontier technologies that will
most likely form the basis for future optimal usage
of bandwidth. It will strengthen Australia's role
in the advancement of communication technology for
the future. Through involvement in the project, the
PhD, Masters, and Honours graduates will acquire knowledge
and the skills in widely applicable advanced mathematical
theory and methods for the analysis and design of
communication systems. The project will also serve
to build new international links and extend existing
ones through active involvement of overseas researchers.
Reserve
Chief Investigator(s):
D.Ayre , RJ.Whelan
Project Title:
Why conserve genetic variation? Spatial
and temporal variation in plant mating systems and
the diversity of recruits
Chief Investigator(s):
RJ.Barry, AR.Clarke, SJ Johnstone, JA.Rushby
Project Title:
Arousal versus Activation: A psychophysiological
clarification of the energetics of attentional processing
in AD/HD
Chief Investigator(s):
X.Huang, L.Ye
Project Title:
Robust Intersymbol Interference Free
Ultra-Wideband Radio over Multipath Fading Channels
Chief Investigator(s):
S.Roodenrys, C.Hulme
Project Title:
Phonological neighbourhood effects in
short-term memory and speech production: Towards a
unified account.
Chief Investigator(s):
K.Tieu, D. Wei
Project Title:
A multi-scale modelling of friction
and wear in metal forming
