Grants & Funding

Research Funding in the School of EE&T

CURRENT AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL GRANTS

discovery grants 2012

Precision measurement standards for electric current and voltage are necessary to ensure the safe and accurateoperation of much of the electronic equipment that underpins modern society. This project will develop a new ultra-high-precision current standard, providing a missing link in today's world standards for electrical measurement.

One atom, one photon, one electron, in a silicon crystal. We will demonstrate a novel technique to detect the absorption of light by a single atom, in the most significant environment for nanoelectronics and photovoltaics. Our technique will help unravel how light is turned into electricity at the most microscopic and fundamental level.

The project deals with the development and integration of radio frequency microelectromechanical devices that can reduce space and cost concomitant with enhanced performance. The outcomes of this proposal are devices with increased functionality required for multi-gigabit data rate transmission and millimetre wave wireless technologies.

This project explores a new way of communicating motion for video and multi-view (3D) applications, facilitating efficient interactive access to content. Outcomes will include new compression methods that avoid redundant transmission of motion side information, plus client/server technology that leverages metadata from smart surveillance cameras.

This project will develop innovative new security techniques for wireless networks. The novel techniques we develop will exploit the natural variability of wireless communication channels in order to deliver much-enhanced data security to a whole range of applications over the mobile internet.

Administering Organisation: The University of Sydney

This project will develop novel techniques for the modelling, design and management of highly dynamic networks, with wireless vehicular networks for autonomous vehicles being a typical but not sole example. Social and economical benefits are expected in the areas of road traffic management and road safety, communication and environment protection.

Linkage GRANTS 2012

This project will develop a monitoring system to address the critical need to ensure safe operations of overhead power lines, particularly in rural areas, and prevent bushfires caused by electrical faults. The research also enable monitoring of power losses in electricity distribution networks and improving the energy efficiency of the supply system.

DISCOVERY GRANTS 2011

Dr Julien R Epps, Prof Eliathamby Ambikairajah, Prof Haizhou Li
Joint modelling and recognition of linguistic and paralinguistic speech information
2011: $90,000
2012: $85,000
2013: $85,000
A new modelling framework will be developed exploiting interdependence between linguistic and paralinguistic cues to improve automatic recognition of emotion-related information. Application in the high-tech industry include automatic routing of angry telephone customers or pre-suicidal crisis centre callers to specialist operators/clinicians.

A/Prof Tuan D Hoang, Prof. Andrey V Savkin
Exploring new tools in nonlinear filtering and control
2011: $100,000
2012: $100,000
2013: $100,000
The conceptual advances with new design rules to be developed in the area of nonlinear filtering and control. Major benefits of this project will be direct applications to state estimation and control problems in automobile, manufacturing, military hardware and medical device industries, and its increased capacity of contact research.

Prof Jinhong Yuan; Prof Li Ping
Efficient cross-layer coding techniques for wireless networks
2011: $80,000
2012: $80,000
2013: $80,000
This project is proposed to develop novel wireless communication/networking design theory and practical strategies based on the emerging network coding technique. The expected outcomes can be used to substantially increase network throughput and reliability of future wireless services, such as wireless internet and mobile broadcasting.

LINKAGE GRANTS 2011

Dr Dipanjan Sen, Dr Brett A Swanson
Physiologically accurate audio processing in cochlear implants
2011: $69,773.00
2012: $69,773.00
2013: $69,773.00
This project proposes to use a physiologically motivated computational model of the cochlea, which along with newly developed cochlea-implant electrode technology will produce the next quantum improvement in speech intelligibility and quality of hearing for implant recipients.

DISCOVERY GRANTS 2010

Dr IF MacGill; Dr RA Betz
Climate change and energy policy: elements of a robust policy mix
2010: $130,000
2011: $80,000
2012: $90,000
The national benefits of the project lie directly in assisting Australia achieve significant emissions reductions (at least 60% by 2050) as part of the global effort to avoid dangerous climate change. This needs to be done in an effective, efficient and equitable manner that takes into account other national policy goals including those of the energy sector. There are clear benefits in developing a framework that can assist in creating a policy mix that explicitly deals with the complementarities and trade‑offs that arise in the interaction of the various policy instruments employed to achieve these multiple goals.

Prof DS Taubman
Non-parametric modelling of motion and depth fields with boundary geometry for scalable compression and dissemination
2010: $126,000
2011: $125,000
2012: $125,000
Applications for large format video surveillance are about to grow rapidly, starting with military applications and then moving into the civilian arena, highlighting the importance of compression for interactive dissemination, so as to make best use of limited communication channels. This project will develop an innovative representation for motion and depth/elevation maps, which addresses a key obstacle in the deployment of technology for efficient interactive access to large format video and geospatial imagery. These applications are relevant to Australia's defence and infrastructure for smart information use. Moreover, this is a strategic proposal to strengthen Australia's existing lead in aspects of interactive media dissemination.

Dr W Zhang; Prof X Xia
Efficient signal transmission techniques for future wireless communications systems
2010: $50,000
2011: $50,000
2012: $50,000
The project aims at developing efficient signal transmission techniques that enable advanced telecommunication services to achieve high quality and cover greater geographic areas with low cost and minimal infrastructure. The outcomes of the project will enable high performance, high data rate and cost‑effective wireless communications in Australia. The outcomes can be directly applied to current and future wireless LAN, cellular mobile networks, WiMax systems, WiFi and other wireless networks. In addition, it will support and enhance the social and economic benefit of wireless access to broadband networks in rural and regional Australia. 

LINKAGE GRANTS 2010

A/Prof Francois Ladouceur, Dr Andrew M Michie, Prof Vladimir G Chigrinov
Multipoint voltage sensor for high power distribution lines
2010: $45,000.00
2011: $90,000.00
2012: $90,000.00
2013: $45,000.00
This project will develop a new electric field sensor array for electricity transmission systems. The project proposes novel sensor designs based on hybrid technology; fibre optics and liquid crystals. Investment in student and researcher training will provide the industry, still in its early growth phase, with future human resources and strengthen research and development programs. The outcomes of this project will benefit our Australian-based Partner Organisation, Smart Digital Optics PTY LTD and will also increase Australian research expertise in the field of photonics materials.

Dr Iain F MacGill, Dr Paul J Twomey, Dr Regina A Betz
The economic value of smart integration of electric vehicles into the Australian electricity industry
2010: $32,500.00
2011: $77,500.00
2012: $77,500.00
2013: $32,500.00
The project will facilitate the potentially rapid and widespread deployment of Electric Vehicles (EV) in Australia with considerable social, economic and environmental benefits. The economics of our current road transportation sector are adversely impacted by rising and volatile oil prices. The near total reliance of the sector on an inherently limited and increasingly imported resource also has energy security implications. Road transport is also responsible for a significant proportion of Australian greenhouse emissions. EVs represent an extraordinary opportunity to address these challenges. However, widespread uptake will hinge on our ability to effectively integrate EV charging into the Australian electricity industry.

Dr Geoffrey S Morrison, Dr Julien R Epps, Prof Eliathamby Ambikairajah, Prof Gary Edmond, Prof Joaquin Gonzalez Rodriguez, Dr Daniel Ramos, A/Prof Cuiling Zhang
Making demonstrably reliable forensic voice comparison a practical everyday reality in Australia
2010: $55,000.00
2011: $97,000.00
2012: $84,000.00
2013: $42,000.00
To assist Australian law-enforcement agencies and courts in the process of the conviction of the guilty and the exoneration of the innocent, this project will develop and test a practical and demonstrably reliable forensic voice comparison system for use with Australian voices. This will allow forensic scientists to produce reliable strength of evidence statements for presentation in court using the same evaluative framework as used with DNA. In addition, application of the system during criminal investigations may lead to the refocussing of investigations on other suspects, or may help leverage guilty pleas, thus saving substantial time and money.
 
Dr Torsten Lehmann, A/Prof Gregg J Suaning, Prof David B Hibbert, Dr Paul M Carter, Mr
Charles R Leigh, Mr Padraig J Hurley
Chip-scale implantable bionics for next generation therapeutic neural prostheses
2010: $95,000.00
2011: $187,500.00
2012: $185,000.00
2013: $92,500.00
Australia has an unmatched reputation as a world leader in neuroprostheses. Most notable of these is the bionic ear and, more recently, leading edge research towards a bionic eye. This project will combine the research strengths and experiences from both the hearing and visual bionics fields to address the main obstacles that prevent the number of electrical stimulation channels (equating to the number of frequencies heard by the deaf, and the number of spots of light seen by the blind) from increasing. The study will improve our understanding of the electrode-tissue interface, the life-long implantablity, and electrical circuitry that will allow future bionic devices to significantly improve their performance.

LIEF GRANTS 2010

Prof Gang-Ding Peng, Prof Chee Y Kwok, A/Prof Rodica Ramer, Dr D Sen, Prof John Canning, Prof Aibing B Yu, Prof Rose Amal, Prof Nasser Khalili, Dr Brant C Gibson, A/Prof Xiaosong Gan, Dr John L Holdsworth, A/Prof Stephen F Collins, A/Prof Jiangtao Xi, Dr Jayantha A Epaarachchi, Dr Jeffrey R Reimers, A/Prof Javid Atai, Dr Tony Khoury, Dr Andrew M Michie, Dr Mattias L Aslund, Dr Kevin Cook, A/Prof Jun Wang, Dr Jason A Scott, A/Prof Jie Bao, Prof Maxwell J Crossley, Prof Graham E Town, Prof Gregory W Baxter
Advanced facility for next generation sustainable energy, biomedical & nano-imaging optical fibre technologies
2010: $600,000
Administering Organisation The University of New South Wales
Partner/Collaborating Organisation(s)
Macquarie University
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of Melbourne
The University of Newcastle
The University of Sydney
University of Southern Queensland
University of Wollongong
Victoria University
Remote optical fibre technologies are the way forward for effective and safe monitoring of many industries, and will play a big part in the sustainability of Australia’s core oil, gas and alternative energy sectors. They are equally important to health industry applications, particularly in medical and imaging technologies. This facility brings together world-class Australian expertise-from across nine universities-in advanced structured optical fibres, complex fibre diagnostic systems, nanoscale imaging, and environment monitoring, to design and implement the next generation of technologies that will reduce the impact of climate change through reduced energy consumption and vastly improved health diagnostics.

DISCOVERY GRANTS 2009

A/Prof TD Hoang; Prof V Solo
Optimisation based analysis and synthesis of sparse systems in signal processing and communication
2009: $112,000
2010: $125,000
2011: $125,000
This project will make conceptual advances in the areas of signal processing and communication. A major benefit of this project will be its direct applications to digital industry - perhaps the major electrical industry of our era. The project will also aim to build a world class research activity at the University of New South Wales to focus attention on low cost signal processing and communication, increase capacity for contract research, enhance international collaboration with leading researchers in the area, and produce quality PhD graduates in the field of signal processing and communication.

Prof MF Rahman; Dr RD Dutta ; Dr WL Soong; Dr N Ertugrul; Prof T Jahns
Optimum rotor and concentrated stator-winding structures for improving the torque, field-weakening and power-density characteristics of interior permanent-magnet machines
2009: $130,000
2010: $100,000
2011: $90,000
The successful completion of this project will deliver one of the most energy efficient and compact motor which will meet the expectations of future electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The current generation of surface Permanent Magnet (PM) and Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motors are not optimized in terms of compactness, energy‑density and efficiency, and torque characteristics. Australia has the world's second largest reserve of the magnet material for IPM machines. It also has a significant niche industry for specialized machine design. These twin advantages should offer Australia huge potential benefits in the world market for electric and hybrid electric vehicles and for substantial reduction in our dependence on importing petrol and greenhouse gas emissions.

A/Prof R Ramer; Dr R Mansour
Radio frequency micro electro mechanical systems switch applications for reconfigurable multifunctional communication systems
2009: $105,000
2010: $90,000
2011: $90,000
Recent advances in modern ultra wideband radar and wireless communications applications demanded high performance and reconfigurable Radio Frequency subsystems that simplify multiple complex functions using common hardware. These trends impose drastic requirements on passive and active devices. The reported performance of Radio Frequency Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (RF MEMS) switches, with extremely low loss and high isolation, microsopic, have lead to their applications in reconfigurable circuits. The proposal deals with the development of RF MEMS based reconfigurable devices that will enable flexible interconnections between various ports and channels and optimize the usage of bandwidth. The outcomes of this project will be of significant benefit to the Australian Telecommunication industry.
 
Dr D Sen
Parametric coding of acoustic fields using models of auditory sensitivity
2009: $120,000
2010: $60,000
2011: $30,000
The project represents cutting edge research in the field of soundfield recording, audio compression and reproduction. The introduction of explicit acoustic field theory to the field of audio compression is a substantive and innovative change that not only furthers the knowledge base in the field but also provides a framework for contributions in related fields such as auditory prosthetics and noise cancellation. The most obvious benefits will be international acclaim and the opportunity to patent, develop and ultimately export technology and systems. Outcomes from the project will benefit consumers and facilitate diverse industries within Australia ranging from health management to the consumer electronics and entertainment industry.
 
Prof V Solo
Joint system identification for point processes and time series
2009: $105,000
2010: $85,000
2011: $85,000
In various application areas such as neurophysiology, earthquake modeling, price spikes in electricity markets, the data of interest are point processes (aka sequences of events) or combinations of point processes and analog signals. To understand the underlying subject of interest we need to be able to extract the maximum information from these observation sequences. The current tools for doing this are very limited. This research program will develop the complex signal processing and system methodology needed to create a suitable tool set.
 
A/Prof J Yuan; Dr W Zhang
Spectrum agile radio communication techniques for future wireless broadband networks
2009: $135,000
2010: $100,000
2011: $100,000
The project aims at developing novel cognitive spectrum access, transmission and receiving technologies, which allow unlicensed devices to use the unoccupied spectrum of licensed users in an intelligent way. The project outcomes will break the spectrum‑availability bottleneck and significantly improve the spectrum utilisation in Australia. Potential applications of the project outcomes allow co-existence of various wireless communication systems working in the same spectrum band, which can lead to new services and open markets for new players. In addition, the Australian research community will benefit from the new theory and techniques while wireless users will benefit from improved high data rates and lower cost of services.

LINKAGE GRANTS 2009

A/Prof F Ladouceur; Prof S Prawer; Dr P Atanackovic; Dr SG Duvall
Diamond based ultra violet (UV) emitting devices
2009: $100,000
2010: $197,500
2011: $175,000
2012: $77,500
The development of UV emitting solid state devices will enable new applications and drive rapid growth of new industries in particular in health care (sterilisation), microelectronics (lithography) and high density data storage. With its deep expertise in photonics, Australia is well positioned to become a significant player in these industries. This collaborative project, involving academic and industrial partners, seeks to leverage Australian scientific expertise to create new hybrid diamond/nitride structures potentially capable of emitting UV radiation with high efficiency and power. The outcomes will help seed new industry and economic growth in Australia.

DISCOVERY GRANTS 2008

A/Prof HR Outhred; Dr IF MacGill; Prof EJ Anderson; Dr RA Betz
Project Title: Understanding the interactions between emissions trading and wholesale electricity markets
2008: $150,000
2009: $142,000
2010: $136,000
Australia faces some critical decisions with regard to its commitment to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. There are a variety of emissions related trading schemes that operate at a State level, and there are now proposals to introduce a National scheme. This research will help in the design of an emissions trading scheme through the use of sophisticated models of the behaviour of individual generation companies operating in a complex market situation. Also this project will build the skill base of Australia in an area of increasing importance where a multi‑disciplinary focus is critical.
 
Prof AV Savkin
Decentralized control problems for networked systems
2008: $170,000
2009: $160,000
2010: $150,000
2011: $100,000
The conceptual advances to be made in the area decentralized control of networked systems. New design rules for decentralized control in networked systems will be developed and published in the top international journals and major international conferences. Also, a contribution of the project will be to produce high quality Ph.D. graduates in this area of control theory.
 
A/Prof J Yuan; Dr R Malaney
Design of cooperative communication techniques for the 4th generation mobile
networks
2008: $97,000
2009: $92,000
2010: $86,000
The project aims at developing novel wireless techniques that will enable breakthroughs in multi‑user multimedia services in the ICT industry sector. The Australian community will benefit from the design and deployment of the next‑generation wireless mobile systems we will develop. These new systems will possess greatly improved quality, high data rates and low cost of services. Other benefits generated by this research include the training of new innovators, and the generation of valuable intellectual property and patent outcomes. This work will help Australian telecommunication and information industries become leaders in wireless ICT based technologies, and contribute to the national economy.

LINKAGE GRANTS 2008

Prof BG Celler;A/Prof E Ambikairajah;Dr J Basilakis; Prof NH Lovell; Dr NM Santamaria
Design of an electronic guideline-driven decision support framework for home and community telehealth setting
2008: $100,500
2009: $195,500
2010: $185,000
2011: $90,000
With rapid advancements in the use of telecare‑based health support in several emerging clinical areas, integrating these services within a stable guideline‑driven decision support framework will support evidence‑best practice in this setting, as well as improving efficiencies in clinical work practice and error minimisation through automation. The result could have a profound socio‑economic impact on the community and a sizable impact on healthcare outcomes; notwithstanding the substantial contribution it has to advancing the knowledge of medical decision support systems, supporting the national technology focus on health technology interoperability, and raising the profile of Australia as the foremost leader in the telecare area.

Prof AV Savkin; Prof NH Lovell; Dr PJ Ayre; Prof Dr FL Rosenfeldt; A/Prof RF Salamonsen
Hybrid sensor-based physiological control of an implantable rotary blood pump
2008: $70,000
2009: $140,000
2010: $140,000
2011: $70,000
With over 11 million people needing heart transplants worldwide and only 3000 donor hearts, an effective alternative therapy is needed. The Ventracor Ltd. rotary blood pump is one possible approach whereby a fully implantable mechanical device assists the failing heart. The innovative steps in this research proposal will be a means to robustly and safely control the speed of the pump to meet the metabolic needs of the body. Apart from the obvious health benefits for patients, this will provide the company with a huge market advantage that will also help to bolster the Australian medical device industry.
 
A/Prof G Peng; Prof J Canning
Highly multiplexed fibre sensor systems for structural health monitoring and risk assessment of critical transport infrastructures
2008: $18,000
2009: $36,000
2010: $36,000
2011: $18,000
Safeguarding critical transport infrastructures is very much in the interest of Australian government and people. This project is to develop advanced photonic and telecommunication technologies for timely and reliably acquiring and processing key structural performance information. This will reduce structural failures and maintenance costs with reliable data of structure health monitoring and risk assessment.
 
Prof AV Savkin; Prof BG Celler; Prof NH Lovell; Dr PM Middleton
Development of a multivariate physiologic state space analysis framework for characterising functional properties of the cardiovascular system
2008: $85,000
2009: $160,000
2010: $145,000
2011: $70,000
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system arising from heart diseases make a major contribution to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This project will provide new diagnostic modalities based on advanced noninvasive bioinstrumentation, signal processing and model based analytical methods to identify early signs of developing disease or the acute exacerbation of existing disease. The impact of these new technologies on the early diagnosis and improved triaging of patients in emergency departments is potentially profound and could result in improved healthcare outcomes for the patients and reduced admissions to hospital as well as the development of a substantial international market.

LIEF GRANTS 2008

A/Prof CY Kwok; Prof E Leonardi; Dr G Rosengarten; Prof BS Haynes; Dr T Trupke; Prof AG Aberle; Dr RE Nordon
Advanced infrared imaging facility for micro to macro systems
2008: $120,000
Administering Organisation The University of New South Wales
Partner Organisations & Collaborating Organisations
The University of New South Wales
The University of Sydney
This state‑of‑the‑art infrared imaging equipment will provide significant benefits towards research and development in a wide variety of important areas such as: green house gas reduction through efficient and clean energy production and usage, using solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy; understanding fire propagation in buildings, and efficiently growing stem cells. This equipment will help maintain Australia's position as a leader in these fields, and thus attract international customers to research and development services in rapidly growing markets such as alternative/renewable energy and biotechnology.
 
A/Prof G Peng; A/Prof CY Kwok; Prof J Canning; Dr GE Town; Dr JL Holdsworth
Upgrade key fabrication equipment for specialty fibre and device research and development
2008: $160,000
Administering Organisation The University of New South Wales
Partner Organisations & Collaborating Organisations
The University of New South Wales
The University of Sydney
The University of Newcastle
Australia remains a world leader in enabling technologies spanning information and communication, lasers, photonic sensing and diagnostics and much more. Underpinning much of this have been key backbone facilities at UNSW and at Sydney. Optical fibre research internationally is moving in new directions and for Australia to continue its leadership role, dedicated facilities for new generation structured optical fibres, which are already impacting much more significantly than conventional fibres, must be available. The upgrade at UNSW will position Australia to continue its leadership and introduce educational and vocational training for the new industries that will depend on these core technologies.

DISCOVERY GRANTS 2007

Dr TD Hoang; Prof AV Savkin
Robust state estimation of complex multi‑object systems
2007: $117,000
2008: $117,000
2009: $117,000
Conceptual advances will be made in the area of robust state estimation of complex systems. New design rules will be developed and published in the top international journals and major international conferences. The main benefit of this project will be its direct applications to industrial control problems in the military equipment and manufacturing industries, bio‑engineering, and automobile industry. We also build a world class research group at the University of New South Wales to focus attention on multi‑object state estimation. There will be increased capacity for contract research, international collaboration with leading researchers in the area and high quality Ph.D. graduates in the field of Systems and Control.
 
A/Prof MF Rahman; A/Prof C Grantham; Prof T Jahns
An integrated starter alternator for automobiles using a new wide speed range interior
2007: $96,000
2008: $95,000
2009: $90,000
The projected growth of power demand and efficiency of future automobiles calls for a suitable integrated starter‑alternator (ISA) to be developed. While interim solutions have been offered, a true ISA is still considered to be more than five years away. Considering the huge worldwide market, an ISA developed in Australia is expected to benefit the large Australian automobile industry significantly. The CIs has strong links with local developers and suppliers of power semiconductors and motors, who have participated in the recent developments already carried out. A proven ISA developed locally should be a boon for these industries.
 
A/Prof DS Taubman; Dr V Sivaraman
A new paradigm for the representation and distribution of high dimensional multimedia content
2007: $85,000
2008: $80,000
2009: $75,000
The proposed project involves cutting edge research in a field of great international significance. The most obvious benefits will be international acclaim and the potential to patent, develop and ultimately export technology and systems for the distribution of high dimensional multimedia content. Outcomes from the project may support the growth of surveillance and networking equipment industries within Australia. One application considered explicitly within the project is the demonstration of a new surveillance oriented approach to both distance education and pre‑recorded educational content, based upon dense multimedia sampling and our proposed paradigm for efficient distribution to interactive clients.

LINKAGE GRANTS 2007

Dr V Sivaraman; Dr A Burdett
Energy‑efficient communication protocols for wearable wireless biomedical sensor devices
2007: $30,000
2008: $60,000
2009: $57,500
2010: $27,500
The purpose of the proposed ambulatory monitoring system is to ensure that a community dwelling elderly person receives automatic, timely aid in the event of an adverse situation while alone at home, such as a fall or stroke. This project is aimed at the priority area 'ageing well, ageing productively'. Providing rapid assistance after a fall will prevent much of the morbidity, distress and socioeconomic cost that are associated with falls. Specifically, this project brings new advanced digital signal processing algorithms to bear on the difficult signal enhancement and classification problems associated with the information stream received from the triaxial accelerometer worn by the elderly client.

LINKAGE GRANT 2006

Prof E Ambikairajah
Classification of human movement patterns from a triaxial accelerometer for home telecare
2006: $53,000
2007: $53,000
2008: $52,000
The purpose of the proposed ambulatory monitoring system is to ensure that a communitydwelling elderly person receives automatic, timely aid in the event of an adverse situation while alone at home, such as a fall or stroke. This project is aimed at the priority area 'ageing well, ageing productively'. Providing rapid assistance after a fall will prevent much of the morbidity, distress and socioeconomic cost that are associated with falls. Specifically, this project brings new advanced digital signal processing algorithms to bear on the difficult signal enhancement and classification problems associated with the information stream received from the triaxial accelerometer worn by the elderly client.

DISCOVERY GRANTS 2006

Prof G Peng; Prof R Amal
Advanced particles and systems for photoinduced processes
2006: $140,000
2007: $100,000
2008: $100,000
One of the most crucial challenges facing chemical scientists is the need for ecologically clean chemical processes and technology. Solar induced processes, such as photocatalysis, are adept at utilising more of our natural energy resources. However, these processes currently suffer from low efficiencies. The proposed research aims to address these issues. Successful implementation of this technology will help place Australian research at the forefront of sustainable methods for water treatment and material synthesis for functional applications. This will provide economic and social benefits due to improvements in processes with higher efficiencies and greater use of clean, natural resources.

Prof CY Kwok; Prof PL Chu
MEMS based chip to chip optical interconnect for future generation of systems in a package
2006: $128,000
2007: $116,000
2008: $89,000
2009: $83,000
2010: $135,000
The project will bring Australian technical known how into the forefront of the information and communication technology revolution. The technology developed in this project will enable computers to operate at very high speeds. More information can be communicated than ever before. This has significant impact on Australian society where speed of information is increasingly important. The technical knowledge of how to make computers operate faster has great commercial value and would be very much sought after. Hence, its impact on the national economy.

Dr S Nooshabadi; Prof MM Lee
Reliable truly deep submicron VLSI computational systems
2006: $138,000
2007: $128,000
2008: $130,000
The phenomenal growth of the digital integrated circuits is founded on the fundamental assumption of reliable operation of logic gates on silicon chip. In the Deep Sub Micron domain this fundamental assumption can no longer be guaranteed. This project, in association with with Dongshin University, Korea with strong links to the semiconductor industry, will develop design techniques for the reliable computational hardware, in the presence of unreliable circuit fabric. This significant research, with potential for generation of IP, will raise the profile of Australian research in integrated circuits design in the global community and will result in significant publicity for the research team and, through them, for Australian industry.

Prof MF Rahman
A segmented interior permanent magnet synchronous motor for wide field weakening range and its sensorless control using improved flux estimators
2006: $65,000
2007: $66,000
2008: $67,000
Australia has the world's second largest reserve (after China) of high energy density permanent magnet (neodymium iron boron) material for the IPM motor. The present limitation of the machine to be driven sensorless over a wide speed range with field weakening is believed to be holding back its widespread use in applications other than servo type which requires highresolution mechanical sensors. Extension of the motor speed range by a combination of magnetic system design (for large field weakening range), and sensorless position and flux estimation with sufficient accuracy for fast dynamic control should lead to large scale adoption of this motor, and hence to significant improvement in energy efficiency and market share for Australia.

A/Prof R Ramer; Dr R Mansour
Radio frequency microelectromechanical systems for wireless communications
2006: $113,000
2007: $103,000
2008: $120,000
Current and future Wireless appliances require increased functionality, frequency of operation, and component integration along with reduced manufacturing costs, size, weight, and power consumption. Micro electro mechanical systems for radio frequency with versatility to integrate both electronic (2D) and microelectro mechanical (3D) devices represent the technology that can offer wide operational bandwidths, onchip passive components, negligible interconnections, almost ideal switches and resonators, in a planar fabrication process, compatible with existing integrated circuits and monolithic microwave integrated circuits. The outcomes of this project will be of significant benefit to the Australian Telecommunication industry.

Prof CY Kwok; Adj/Prof JA Reizes; Prof E Leonardi; A/Prof F Stella
The enhancement of heat transfer in microchips by MEMS actuator: Parametric study
2006: $180,000
2007: $160,000
2008: $180,000
This challenging project has the potential of introducing a new technology for cooling micro devices. Since the computer industry is sensitive to innovation it is necessary to develop the theoretical and practical skill for manufacturing the cooling devices. This will help Australian industry to greatly enhance its capabilities in this very important area of economy. The present project is a rare combination of multidisciplinary studies and will result in a better understanding of the complex thermal and fluid flow phenomena in micro channels, and the design and fabrication techniques for the next generation of micro chips.

A/Prof. J Yuan
Design of MIMO spatial division multiple access techniques for multi user wireless data services
2006: $88,000
2007: $78,000
2008: $80,000
The project aims at developing novel wireless techniques to enable a breakthrough in multi user multimedia services in the ICT industry sector. The Australian research community will benefit from the new theoretical techniques, design and deployment of next generation wireless systems, while wireless users will benefit from improved quality, high data rates and low cost of services. Other benefits include training researchers and industrial innovators, generation of valuable intellectual property and patent outcomes, which may help Australian telecommunication and information industry to become a leader in wireless ICT based technologies, ensure Australian ICT companies to gain commercial advantages, and contribute to national economy.

Prof AS Dzurak; Prof AB Rozenfeld; Dr IM Cornelius; Dr GJ Takacs; Prof M Zaider; Dr MI Reinhard
Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques
2006: $150,000
2007: $140,000
2008: $140,000
Administering Institution University of Wollongong
Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority goal of the National Research Priority "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to personnel involved in such activities. This research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise, and create a critical mass of researchers in this field.

LIEF GRANTS 2006

Prof CY Kwok; A/Prof F Ladouceur; Prof G Peng; Prof AS Dzurak; Prof DN Jamieson; Prof S Prawer; Prof WA Ducker; Prof RG Clark; Prof PN Johnston; A/Prof DG McCulloch; Prof H RubinszteinDunlop; Dr AG White; Dr AV Buryak.
Foundational national nanotechnology infrastructure
2006: $750,000
Administering Institution University of New South Wales
Partner Organisations
The University of New South Wales
The University of Melbourne
RMIT University
The University of Queensland
Breakthrough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise useful devices for absolutely secure transmission of information encoded in quantum states, ultra rapid searching through genome databases for unique gene sequences, faster electronic and photonic devices, robust devices made from diamond and better processing of biomedical materials for diagnosis of illness. Fabrication and characterization of these devices provides training for research students in state of the art techniques with many uses. Deeper understanding of these quantum technologies will lead to better models for some of the most puzzling aspects of quantum mechanical systems that are the foundation of the physical processes of our universe.

Dr D Sen; A/Prof CJ Stevens; Dr E Schubert; Dr DA Cabrera; Prof JA Wolfe; Dr JR Smith;; Prof RT Dean; Prof DK Burnham; Dr S Malloch; Dr GC Paine; Dr FA Bailes; Prof CT Best
See hear! Multimodal recording and analysis facility
2006: $150,000
Administering Institution University of Western Sydney
Partner Organisations
University of Western Sydney
The University of New South Wales
The University of Sydney
University of Canberra
Australian Choreographic Centre
High resolution recording and analysis will exploit the full potential of motion capture with progress towards automatic recognition of gesture and, eventually, real time systems. Automatic tracking and recognition systems are in high demand and the interlacing of data from multiple modes is now computationally achievable. SeeHear! will be coded using techniques in multimodal fusion tracking of bodies will be enhanced by locating and recognizing facial features, and a learning algorithm used to classify gesture from patterns of force and physiological response. In the future, full interactivity will be achieved by interconnecting visual and auditory data with a flow on to applications in the performing arts, rehabilitation and security.

National ICT Australia

	NICTA International Support Scholarships (2004-ongoing)
	NICTA Research Resource Agreements for School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications (2003-ongoing)