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Summary of Linkage International Awards Round 1 Proposals
2301 MATHEMATICS
The University of Queensland
LX0774745 Dr M Hong; A/Prof JH Chabrowski;
Prof D Cao; A/Prof C Wang
Approved Project Title Variational methods in partial differential
equations
2006: $7,500
2007: $15,000
2008: $7,500
Collaborating Countries
China
USA
Administering Organisation The University of Queensland
Project Summary
Research in partial differential equations is a very active area of modern
mathematics linking nonlinear functional analysis, calculus of variations
and differential geometry to applied sciences. This project will enable
Australia-based researchers to participate in the forefront of mathematical
research with leading international mathematicians by establishing new
collaborations, strengthening on-going collaborations and providing international
research experience for early career researchers. As a result, this proposal
will enhance Australia's distinguished reputation in analysis and further
link the UQ group with a number of mathematical institutes in USA and
China.
2399 OTHER MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
The University of Melbourne
LX0774784 Prof AJ Guttmann; Dr J DeGier; Dr
F Essler
Approved Project Title Exact dynamics of the asymmetric exclusion
process with boundaries
2006: $3,000
2007: $6,000
2008: $3,000
Collaborating Countries
UK
Administering Organisation The University of Melbourne
Project Summary
This project offers an opportunity for a postgraduate student to participate
in world-class research. It further strengthens collaborative ties with
the renowned department of theoretical physics at Oxford University.
The outcomes of this project are expected to provide valuable fundamental
information for any applied science in which transport plays a crucial
role.
2402 THEORETICAL AND CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
The University of Queensland
LX0774806 Prof PD Drummond; Dr X Liu; Dr JF
Corney; Dr KV Kheruntsyan; Prof H Hu; Prof Dr M Troyer
Approved Project Title Quantum correlations in ultra-cold Fermi
gases
2006: $11,400
2007: $22,800
2008: $22,800
2009: $11,400
Collaborating Countries
China
Switzerland
Administering Organisation The University of Queensland
Project Summary
The field of ultra-cold Fermi gases provides a unique opportunity to
develop and test theoretical methods for novel experimental environments
of exceptional purity and simplicity. This improved understanding will
have potential applications in many fields, ranging from the astrophysics
of neutron stars to condensed matter systems such as superconductors
or nanostructures. Just as importantly, the project will develop linkages
with world leading theoretical groups, which will greatly aid research
student education. There are direct applications to experiments on molecule
formation with ultra-cold fermions in the ARC Centre of Excellence for
Quantum-Atom Optics.
2403 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS; PLASMA PHYSICS
The University of Sydney
LX0774739 Dr K Ostrikov; Prof S Xu
Approved Project Title Deterministic plasma-aided nanoassembly:
from elementary processes to industry-grade nano- and biomaterials
2006: $5,000
2007: $10,000
2008: $10,000
2009: $5,000
Collaborating Countries
China
Germany
Japan
Singapore
Ukraine
USA
Administering Organisation The University of Sydney
Project Summary
This collaborative project aims to develop new approaches for the improved
plasma-based synthesis of selected nano- and biomaterials that will comply
with the relevant industry standards. It is based on extensive international
research networking and will ultimately lead to a major breakthrough
in highly-controlled plasma-aided synthesis of advanced functional materials
and devices. The project outcomes will attract the interest of established
and emerging industries in Australia, Singapore and other countries,
and will be useful for the development of small high-tech companies in
Australia. This project is ideally suited for training of early-career
postdoctoral researchers and research students of competitive international
standing.
2707 ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
University of Wollongong
LX0774859 Prof MM Olsson; Dr E Wapstra; Dr
D Blomqvist; Dr A Pauliny
Approved Project Title From developmental stability to organismic
senility: Hox genes and telomere impact on life history evolution
2006: $7,000
2007: $12,000
2008: $12,000
2009: $7,000
Collaborating Countries
Sweden
Administering Organisation University of Wollongong
Project Summary
Australia benefits from training researchers and technicians in new,
break-through biotechnology and from applying this knowledge to relevant,
cutting-edge questions in highly publicized research fields. This project
contains both these ingredients. Our model species (a lizard) has a relatively
high level of offspring malformations (ca 15%), which makes it much more
likely to detect their underlying genetic mechanism. Furthermore, we
can also assess how these animals survive and reproduce in relation to
how quickly they age, which can be measured by assessing the shortening
of telomeres per unit time. Thus, this collaboration provides an opportunity
to train Australian researchers and in that process generate very
high profile research.
2906 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
The University of Melbourne
LX0774792 Prof GW Stevens; Dr JM Perera; Prof
Y Baba; Dr KA Northcott
Approved Project Title The development of low cost sorbents for
removal of contaminants in ground water at cold regions contaminated
sites
2006: $6,000
2007: $12,000
2008: $9,500
2009: $3,500
Collaborating Countries
Japan
Administering Organisation The University of Melbourne
Project Summary
Contamination of soils and waters as a result of industrial and other
human activities, is a significant global environmental issue. Both Australia
and Japan have a large legacy of hydrocarbon and heavy metals contamination
from mining activities and industry. This project aims to address hydrocarbon
and heavy metals contamination through investigation of novel, low-cost
sorbents suitable for implementation in passive in-situ remediation technologies.
This will be achieved through the combined efforts of Australian and
Japanese scientists who areexpert in the fields of water treatment and
chemical synthesis of sorbent materials.
2907 RESOURCES ENGINEERING
Griffith University
LX0774709 Prof GA Hope; Dr CA Young; Dr CG
Anderson
Approved Project Title Adsorption and recovery of gold thiosulfate
using nanoporous carbon
2006: $5,000
2007: $10,000
2008: $5,000
Collaborating Countries
USA
Administering Organisation Griffith University
Project Summary
The gold industry is a major export earner for both Australia and the
United States. This collaborative project aims to develop an environmentally
acceptable, cost effective process for the recovery of gold from thiosulfate
leachate. Development of this process will remove one of the barriers
to the acceptance of thiosulfate leaching over conventional cyanide extraction,
leading to substantial benefits to the gold industry and the environment.
A successful outcome in the research project would also lead to export
earnings resulting from technology transfer and an enhanced reputation
for high quality research.
2908 CIVIL ENGINEERING
University of Technology, Sydney
LX0774802 Prof S Vigneswaran; Dr HH Ngo; Prof
M Elimelech; Prof IS Kim
Approved Project Title Establishing the relationship between
water characteristics and fouling of membranes used in water reuse
2006: $7,500
2007: $7,500
Collaborating Countries
Korea
USA
Administering Organisation University of Technology,
Sydney
Project Summary
The project will result in the following significant benefits to the
Australian and international partners: a state-of-the-art laboratory
and semi-pilot system from which a full-scale system could be developed
and tested, funded by the water industry; an outstanding research project
for postgraduate students at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS),
Gwangji Institute of Science and Technology, Korea (GIST) and Yale University;
and fostering a culture of innovation in the wastewater industry in Australia,
Korea and USA and contributing to the commercialization of research by
UTS, GIST and YU.
2914 MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Curtin University of Technology
LX0774743 A/Prof I Low; Prof Y Zhou
Approved Project Title Effects of Phase Purity, Porosity and
Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Thermal Stability of Nanolayered Ternary
Carbides
2006: $7,000
2007: $14,500
2008: $15,000
2009: $7,500
Collaborating Countries
China
Administering Organisation Curtin University of Technology
Project Summary
The successful completion of this collaborative research will lead to
(a) enhanced understanding of the roles of phase purity, porosity and
atmosphere on the thermal stability of ternary carbides which is crucial
for the design of high-performance ternary carbide heating elements;
(b) fostering and strengthening of the continuing research collaboration
between Curtin University and the Institute of Metals Research; (c) development
of high performance prototype ternary carbide heating elements for use
in high temperature furnaces and ovens; and (d) potential joint ventures
with local suppliers of furnaces in Australia and China, together with
Kanthal of Sweden to assist in the manufacture of ternary carbide heating
elements.
2915 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
The University of Western Australia
LX0774754 A/Prof K Miller; A/Prof SK Warfield
Approved Project Title Computational biomechanics for image-guided
neurosurgery
2006: $9,000
2007: $18,000
2008: $18,000
2009: $9,000
Collaborating Countries
USA
Administering Organisation The University of Western
Australia
Project Summary
Our results will lead to significant improvements to the efficacy and
efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours. Visualisation
of the intra-operative configuration of the patient's brain, obtained
by sparse intra-operative MRI, merged with high resolution pre-operative
imaging data will become possible. In current practice, the neurosurgeon
must mentally fuse the information from pre-operative fMRI and DTI by
projecting it through the 3D spatial and temporal changes the patient's
brain has undergone. We propose to replace this mental fusion with computations
based on the biomechanical model that will allow visualisation of the
transformed pre-operative data matched to the current shape of the patient's
brain.
3502 BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Queensland University of Technology
LX0774768 Prof KA Brown; Dr JM Waterhouse; A/Prof
KJ Burgess; Dr P Waring; Prof Dr S Royer; Prof Dr M Festing
Approved Project Title Promoting Knowledge Economy Organisations
and Innovative Work: Regional influences on Knowledge-based Small and
Medium-sized Enterprise clusters in Australia and Germany
2006: $4,250
2007: $8,500
2008: $12,000
2009: $7,750
Collaborating Countries
Germany
Administering Organisation Queensland University of
Technology
Project Summary
In both Australia and Germany many regional areas have experienced economic
and social decline. Clusters offer a means of fostering local economic
development thereby arresting regional social and economic deterioration.
The research focuses on those clusters that rely on knowledge transfer
between organisations. Through identifying the drivers and impediments
to the formation of knowledge based clusters, the research aims to provide
practical guidance to regionally-based organizations to assist in the
successful formation and maintenance of clusters. In doing so, the research
will identify how clusters that rely on the sharing of organizational
knowledge may promote greater regional employment possibilities.
3602 POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
University of Western Sydney
LX0775037 Prof TR Turpin; Prof J Marceau; Prof
SC Hill; Dr BL Bozeman; Dr MM Gaughan
Approved Project Title Research Training, Scientists, Mobility
and Innovation: enhancing comparative methodologies
2006: $6,250
2007: $10,040
2008: $3,790
Collaborating Countries
USA
Administering Organisation University of Western Sydney
Project Summary
The collaboration will facilitate transfer of research value mapping
(RVM) methods and technologies from a leading
US centre into Australia. The RVM program focus on university-business
collaboration will orient future collaborative projects and analyses.
This will enhance the state-of-the-art of research evaluation in Australia
over time. Extension of the CIs unique survey database will incorporate
comparative dimensions into research value mapping. A focus on Australian
respondents in the international database (n=1300) will lead to analyses
that inform science policy and scientist human resource development in
Australia. This will provide a deeper understanding of Australia's science
role in the Asia Pacific region.
