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Summary of Linkage International Round 11 Award Applications for Funding to Commence in 2006
New South Wales
The University of New South Wales
LX0667295 A/Prof JM Whitelock; Dr MC Weiser-Evans
Approved Project Title: Heparan sulfate proteoglycan from smooth
muscle cell basal lamina: It's role in cell signalling.
2006 : $8,000
2007 : $8,000
Primary RFCD: 2701 - BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
Collaborating Countries
USA
Administering Institution: The University of New South Wales
Project Summary:
Heart disease is the major killer of people in the Western world. central
to this disease is the killing of heart muscle tissue to it being starved
of oxygen via a "heart attack". One of the common treatments
is coronary artery bypass surgery, however, the supply of vessels that
can be used is limited. In order to provide an alternative supply of
vessels, we are aiming to engineer blood vessels in the laboratory.
The major cell of the wall of arteries, the smooth muscle cell, is
critical to normal functioning and integration of these transplanted
arteries. To do this we will need to understand the cell signalling
responses of these cells in relation to molecules in their surrounding
environment.
The University of Sydney
LX0668600 Prof BJ Eggleton; Dr DJ Moss; Dr S Charbonneau
Approved Project Title: Semiconductor Photonic
Crystal Devices
2006 : $12,000
2007 : $12,000
Primary RFCD: 2917 - COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Collaborating Countries
Canada
Administering Institution: The University of Sydney
Project Summary:
Photonic crystals will be a key element of future all-optical ultra-highspeed
photonic integrated circuits for telecommunications and signal processing.
This project will pioneer new structures capable of manipulating light
on integrated photonic chips, based on nano-scale features in semiconductors.
This will have a significant impact on Australia's photonics industry.
LX0665976 Dr DS Jeng; Prof BR Seymour; Prof M Luan; Dr F Gao
Approved Project Title: Progressive liquefaction within marine
sediments: comparison between geo-centrifuge modelling, full-scale
wave tank tests and numerical modelling
2006 : $12,000
2007 : $10,000
Primary RFCD: 2912 - MARITIME ENGINEERING
Collaborating Countries
Canada
China
Administering Institution: The University of Sydney
Project Summary:
The evaluation of wave-induced liquefaction within the marine sediment
is particularly important for coastal and geotechnical engineers involved
in the design of foundation around coastal structures. The proposed
study will integrate the existing knowledge from the aspects of coastal
and geotechnical engineering with that of overseas experts to provide
coastal engineers with an effective tool for the design of foundations
around marine structures. It will also assist in reducing the risk
of potential environmental damage caused by failure of marine structures.
LX0667363 Prof CJ Kepert; Prof KS Murray; Prof H Toftlund; Prof PJ Steel
Approved Project Title: Polynuclear Spin-Crossover Molecular
Switches: Host-Guest Chemistry, Magnetism and Memory
2006 : $7,000
2007 : $7,000
2008 : $7,000
Primary RFCD: 2502 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Collaborating Countries
Denmark
NZ
Administering Institution: The University of Sydney
Project Summary:
The generation of advanced nanomaterials requires both a control of nanoscale
structure and the incorporation of specific properties into that structure.
This project will lead to significant new developments in this area,
with the assembly of complex molecular systems containing electronic
switches. The unique combination of nanoscale switching and guest-binding
and/or magnetic ordering in these systems will lead to entirely new
materials properties, leading in turn to fundamental advances in the
science of molecular electronics and nanomaterials. Benefits of the
research are wide-ranging, and include the development of innovative
new technologies for molecular sensing, molecular separations, data
storage and visual displays.
University of Technology, Sydney
LX0668574 Prof SJ Donald; Prof E Kofman; Dr T Forrest
Approved Project Title: Grounded Cosmopolitanism and Branded
Cities: Australia, Europe and Asia
2006 : $5,685
2007 : $11,000
Primary RFCD: 4203 - CULTURAL STUDIES
Collaborating Countries
UK
Administering Institution: University of Technology, Sydney
Project Summary:
This project builds on contemporary debates in the social sciences and
humanities to forge a new understanding of city identity and the experience
of urban residency in key global regions, Australia and Asia, and Europe.
It will explore the ways in which regional assumptions can be tested
in other locations, against other ecologies of residence, and within
other trajectories of theoretical design. It will foster excellent
new Australian researchers in order to develop postdoctoral research,
extending Australian potential for international and regional research
leadership.
University of Wollongong
LX0668576 Prof C Zhang; A/Prof D Abbott; Prof X Zhang
Approved Project Title: Terahertz optoelectronics based on spintronics
materials
2006 : $12,000
2007 : $10,000
Primary RFCD: 2909 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
Collaborating Countries
USA
Administering Institution: University of Wollongong
Project Summary:
Spintronic devices have many advantages which include non-volatility,
permitting data retention in non-powered conditions, increased integration
densities, high data processing speeds, low electrical energy demands,
and a fabrication process compatible with those currently used in semiconductor
microelectronics. The low energy consumption of spintronic devices
also leads to economic and environmental benefits. Spintronic devices
will help to meet the sensing and storage demands of information technology
in the decades to come. The project will enhance the international
competitiveness and export power of Australian industry in the areas
of information technology, quantum computing, magnetic recording and
optoelectronics.
Victoria
Swinburne University of Technology
LX0668550 Dr JW Chon; Prof Dr M ORRIT
Approved Project Title: A novel spectrum encoding
technology using nanoparticles for high-density, high-speed information
coding and retrieval.
2006 : $9,500
2007 : $10,000
Primary RFCD: 2918 - INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING
Collaborating Countries
Netherlands
Administering Institution: Swinburne University of Technology
Project Summary:
The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over
the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of
information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20
years. The current project of novel spectrum-encoding technology will
prove to be the key technological innovation in photonics (one of the
National Research Priorities), which will not only meet the growing
demands of the consumer market, but also continue to drive the industry
and create new markets. This is in line with the Priority Goals set
by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, as it will put
Australia into the unique position in the information age.
The University of Melbourne
LX0667284 Prof S Prawer; Prof DN Jamieson; Dr CI Pakes; Dr P Olivero; Dr JR Rabeau; Dr ST Huntington; Dr S Rubanov; Prof R Kalish; Prof J Salzman; A/Prof A Hoffman; Dr E Buks
Approved Project Title: Diamond Based Quantum Information Processing
2006 : $25,000
2007 : $25,000
2008 : $25,000
Primary RFCD: 2917 - COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Collaborating Countries
Israel
Administering Institution: The University of Melbourne
Project Summary:
The explosive growth in ideas for applications of quantum mechanics to
practical devices for information processing has been a worldwide phenomenon
of the past 4 years. A leading material which promises many of the
desirable quantum properties is diamond. In collaboration with our
Israeli colleagues we will seek to attain the glittering prize of constructing
diamond devices that will absorb, store and re-emit single light-photons
with revolutionary applications to information storage and processing.
Queensland
The University of Queensland
LX0668565 Dr JL O'Brien; Dr S Takeuchi
Approved Project Title: Optical circuits for
quantum non-locality with single photons
2006 : $15,000
2007 : $15,000
2008 : $15,000
Primary RFCD: 2404 - OPTICAL PHYSICS
Collaborating Countries
Japan
Administering Institution: The University of Queensland
Project Summary:
This collaborative project between the University of Queensland and Hokkaido
University will investigate fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics
concerned with non-locality. The results will have direct relevance
to the emerging field of quantum technology - new technologies based
exploiting the quantum mechanical nature of physical systems. Through
the collaboration Australia will gain access to world-class single
photon generation facilities that will be replicated here. A strong
link between Japanese and Australian researchers, including students,
will be formed.
South Australia
The University of Adelaide
LX0667328 Dr MB Jaksa; Prof GA Fenton; Prof D Griffiths; A/Prof K Phoon; Dr B McCabe
Approved Project Title: Influence of Spatial Variability on
the Design and Performance of Pile Foundations
2006 : $8,000
2007 : $9,000
Primary RFCD: 2908 - CIVIL ENGINEERING
Collaborating Countries
Canada
Ireland
Singapore
USA
Administering Institution: The University of Adelaide
Project Summary:
Currently, no model is available that incorporates the spatial variability
of soil properties into the design and analysis of pile foundations.
Furthermore, only basic rules-of-thumb are available to assist in determining
the scope of appropriate site investigations for piles, and limited
data are available for the LRFD of piles. The new and unique finite
element model, site investigation guidelines and load resistance factors
will reduce the over-design and uncertainty associated with pile design,
which will lead to more reliable pile foundations and reduced construction
cost overruns and delays. Conservatively, it is estimated that this
research will result in savings in excess of $10 million per year,
in Australia alone.
LX0664436 Dr BN Kaiser; Prof A Glass
Approved Project Title: Improving nitrogen use efficiency in
crop plants: Functional analysis of high-affinity ammonium transport
in plant lines altered in ammonium transport capacity
2006 : $10,000
Primary RFCD: 3002 - CROP AND PASTURE PRODUCTION
Collaborating Countries
Canada
Administering Institution: The University of Adelaide
Project Summary:
Improving nitrogen fertiliser use in crop species will benefit Australia
and world agriculture by reducing nitrogen-linked environmental pollution.
Nitrogen fertilisers can be leached from soils and result in the pollution
of ground water, rivers, estuaries and oceans. Using model plant systems
we are dissecting the genes and their encoded proteins responsible
for ammonium nitrogen uptake into plants. Identifying the in planta
function of these genes will allow new breeding approaches to specifically
target genes that will improve the efficiency of ammonium uptake and
lessen the reliance on the supply of nitrogen fertilizers in modern
agricultural crop production.
LX0667592 Dr MS Lee; Dr BP Kear; Dr MW Caldwell
Approved Project Title: Biogeography and evolution of Australia's
fossil reptiles: A global perspective
2006 : $10,000
2007 : $10,000
Primary RFCD: 2601 - GEOLOGY
Collaborating Countries
Canada
Administering Institution: The University of Adelaide
Project Summary:
Large marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs, and missing links such as
legged snakes, are spectacular animals that have captured public attention.
This collaboration will directly enhance public museum displays by
collecting and preparing these spectacular fossils; many of the fossils
found by the CIs are now centerpieces of museum displays (e.g. the
SA museum). Also, it will also promote awareness and sustainable use
of the environment: it will facilitate CI Kear in running earthwatch-style
ecotourism field trips which promote sustainable use of finite fossil
resources by making them commercially valuable to local communities
as a source of tourism revenue.
Western Australia
Curtin University of Technology
LX0667975 A/Prof HJ Jenkins; Prof BJ Fraser; A/Prof HR Wildy; Prof PB Tymms; Dr C Merrell
Approved Project Title: Cost effective smart identification
of early attentional problems associated with literacy and numeracy
indicators in preschool children
2006 : $9,000
2007 : $7,000
Primary RFCD: 3301 - EDUCATION STUDIES
Collaborating Countries
UK
Administering Institution: Curtin University of Technology
Project Summary:
The benefits of this project are improved early identification of children
at-risk of failure, and initiation of a significant longitudinal Australian
educational database. Identifying children with emergent learning problems
will promote interventions to improve achievement leading to a more
productive adult life. The development and administration of screening
procedures with software distributed to schools and analysed with increasing
power as the database expands, will enable the predictive validity
of the process to be examined re-iteratively. The generated longitudinal
student databases will have the potential to track both detection and
intervention effectiveness, and become a national research asset.
The University of Western Australia
LX0667281 Prof SJ Berners-Price; Prof NP Farrell
Approved Project Title: NMR Studies of Second Generation Polynuclear
Platinum Compounds
2006 : $10,000
2007 : $7,000
2008 : $7,000
Primary RFCD: 2502 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Collaborating Countries
Czech Rep.
USA
Administering Institution: The University of Western Australia
Project Summary:
Cancer affects one in four Australians and 50% of cancer patients are
treated with cisplatin. BBR3464 is a new type of platinum anticancer
drug that has shown promise in clinical trials, including results in
cancers that do not respond to cisplatin treatment. Second-generation
analogues, now under development, may offer significant advantages.
This international collaboration between Prof. Berners-Price and the
inventor of these new drugs puts Australian research at the forefront
of the clinical development. There is the potential for the generation
of new IP from new strategies in the design of improved anticancer
drugs. The project builds strong international links and provides international
training for Australian PhD students.
Tasmania
University of Tasmania
LX0668594 Prof DR Chalmers; Dr D Nicol; Prof MF Otlowski; Prof L Skene; Dr MJ Stranger; Prof B Knoppers; Prof A Webster; Prof J Yoon
Approved Project Title: Expand the capacity of an international
multidisciplinary research network focussed on the ethical, legal and
social implications of emerging biotechnologies
2006 : $10,000
2007 : $10,000
Primary RFCD: 4401 - PHILOSOPHY
Collaborating Countries
Canada
Korea
UK
Administering Institution: University of Tasmania
Project Summary:
This project will ensure that Australia plays a central role in international
debates and research activities aimed at regulating and facilitating
advances in biotechnology. The project will also provide Australian
researchers with direct access to key international experts in the
field.
