Grants & Opportunities

Artificial Intelligence Designed 3D-printed Solid-state Li Metal Batteries. This project targets challenges in solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs), lithium dendrite growth and poor interfacial contact, with cutting-edge 3D printing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. Leveraging AI’s predictive capabilities on extensive databases, optimal materials and structures for SSLMBs will be identified. The designed SSLMBs will be precisely fabricated with 3D printing techniques. Expected outcomes include novel solid-state electrolyte formulations, smart battery structures, and high-performance SSLMBs. The project will benefit Australia’s energy storage innovation and economic growth, bolstering Australia’s global leadership in advanced energy technologies.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: Prof Ying Ian Chen

Defining cell communication and mechanics in tissue specific vasculature. This project aims to improve our understanding of the mechanical properties that regulate the organ-specificity of blood vessels and their function. The endothelial cells lining blood vessels play a specialised role in the local physiology of their respective organs, however little is known about the fundamental biophysical events which trigger or characterise this function. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental biology using collaborative, cutting-edge biomechanical techniques. In studying this process, the project should provide critical insights into how changes in cell and fluid mechanics are interpreted by, and consequently determine the identity and function of organ-specific endothelial cells.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering. Lead: Prof Laura Bray

A new paradigm for aluminium geochemistry in acid sulfate environments. Toxic levels of dissolved aluminium are a significant problem in environments that are impacted by acid sulfate soils and acid mine drainage. This project aims to provide a new and potentially paradigm-shifting understanding of the mineral-water interactions that control aluminium geochemistry in such environments. This will be achieved by combining advanced synchrotron-based techniques with novel field studies and innovative laboratory experiments. Outcomes will include transformative new insights on unresolved mineral-water interactions for more accurate modelling of aluminium geochemistry in acid sulfate environments. This should provide a much improved capacity to predict and control aluminium fate to protect valuable water resources.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3703 - Geochemistry. Lead: Prof Edward Burton

Help wanted: The Dynamics of AI-Driven Recruitment and Selection. The increasing use of AI in the recruitment and selection of job candidates is widely acknowledged but not well understood. AI-enabled recruitment offers substantial value to employers but has a significant and unchecked influence on job-seekers. This project will explore how AI capability is developed by technology vendors, deployed by recruiters, and utilised by job candidates. Findings from three integrated studies will build new theoretical understandings of the social and technical implications of AI-enabled recruitment. Benefits include the development of governance principles, industry practice standards, and strategies to assist job-seekers, that promote transparency, privacy and equality in the Australian labour market.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3505 - Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Lead: Prof Paula McDonald

Understanding place-based repair in climate-affected communities. Community-based repair work is a vital but often overlooked aspect of responding to the impacts of climate change and to mitigating the increasing costs of disasters. Through storytelling and creative methodologies, this project will document, map and analyse how people are responding to environmental change through diverse, locally attentive practices of repair. Generating understandings of the nature of repair work for researchers, governments and communities, as well as practical tools, guides and resources, the project will contribute to improved strategies and actions for more inclusive and equitable community-led responses to climate change.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4702 - Cultural Studies. Lead: Prof Emily Potter

Engineering artificial organelles for on-demand bioenergy production. The project aims to create a generalisable and programmable artificial organelle to provide on-demand externally controlled production of bioenergy by engineering synthetic hybridised organelles mimicking chloroplasts and mitochondria. It will be achieved by compartmentalising tailor-made carbon nanozymes in a membrane structure to confine catalytic cascade reactions of photo-oxidative phosphorylation in a nanoreactor. The outcome will provide in-depth understandings of structure-activity relationships of carbon nanoparticles and intelligent artificial organelles and generate patentable methodologies and technologies. This will pave the way for vast applications of controllable biomimetic systems in bioenergy production-related industries. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Zi (Sophia) Gu

Chemo-mechanical behavior in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries. Currently available commercial lithium-ion batteries do not satisfy the increasing demands of portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, due to low energy densities, safety issues and high cost. High capacity electrode materials such as Li metal anode, Ni-rich cathode together with solid-state electrolytes have been confirmed as promising alternatives. However, poor interface stability and material failure remain as significant challenges. The project aims to solve these coupled chemo-mechanical problems through in situ characterisation and advanced modelling technologies. The expected outcomes will help develop next generation batteries and fill the key knowledge gaps in broad energy materials.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Cheng Yan

Developing Sustainable Hard Carbon for High Performance Sodium-Ion Battery. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) demonstrate a great potential to replace expensive lithium-ion batteries for energy storage as sodium is low-cost, safe and abundant as compared to lithium. However, the larger radius of sodium ions often leads to a sluggish kinetics process, and they cannot intercalate into commonly used anode materials like graphite. This project aims to investigate the atomic level sodium storage mechanism in hard carbon and develop a novel green hydrothermal carbonisation process to obtain spherical microstructures via combined experiment and atomistic modelling. This project will not only fill the knowledge gaps in developing high performance SIBs but guide the establishment of sustainable hard carbon manufacture industry.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering. Lead: Prof Cheng Yan

Redefining the mechanosensory role of Transient Receptor Potential channels. This project will answer the question: how do members of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) super family of channels contribute to cellular force sensing? TRP channels do not fit the classic paradigm of force sensing channels as they are not activated by membrane stretch. This project will determine if TRPs can be activated by a different type of force (tensile forces applied at cell adhesion sites) and aims to establish a new paradigm for mechanosensing, where select TRP channels function as mechano-amplifiers to boost the signal from a classical stretch-activated primary mechanosensor, i.e. PIEZO1. This work is anticipated to redefine our understanding of the flexibility of force sensing via ion channels in mammalian cells.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: A/Prof Kathryn Poole

Novel transparent electrodes for efficient bifacial perovskite solar cells. This project aims to design transparent electrode composed of dielectric-metal-dielectric (DMD) structure with required optical and electrical properties for bifacial semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs). Expected new knowledge of how properties of the dielectric materials and metal layer control the transmittance, conductivity, work function as well as stability of the transparent electrodes, and subsequently their performance in ST-PSCs will be generated. The important research outcomes will facilitate the development of efficient ST-PSCs in practice such as building-integrated photovoltaics (PVs), placing Australia in the forefront this important emerging photovoltaics.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Hongxia Wang

A new mechanism regulating cell death. Cell death in multicellular organisms is vital for disposing of damaged and unwanted cells to maintain homeostasis. The project aims to understand how specific protein modification via the process of ubiquitination regulates Gasdermins, the executioners of pyroptosis, a distinct type of cell death. We will use state-of-the-art molecular and cellular approaches to discover mechanisms that control Gasdermins to manage cell death response. Given the essential nature of cell death the outcomes will generate high value conceptual knowledge in a topical field of broad biological significance. This is expected to enhance Australia’s research reputation and capability, foster international collaborations and provide training for PhD students.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Prof Sharad Kumar

Understanding Reionization with the Murchison Widefield Array . Epoch of Reionization is the time during the first 10% of the Universes age when the first stars formed, and illuminated cosmic space with UV radiation that heated and re-ionized intergalactic atomic gas remnant from the time of the cosmic-microwave background. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) Epoch of Reionization key project has collected observations for the past 10 years, aiming to detecting re-ionization in low-frequency radio emission from the 21cm line of hydrogen. This project aims to complete the processing of MWA data to produce a final observational constraint or detection, and integrate these findings with detailed physical models to determine key properties of the first galaxies. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences. Lead: Prof Stuart Wyithe

Young at Heart: Vascular mechanisms supporting healthy cognitive ageing. . This project aims to investigate the vascular mechanisms that contribute to individual variability in cognitive ability in mid-late life. It uses novel measures of regional brain arterial integrity and conventional measures of systemic blood flow to experimentally characterise the vascular mechanisms by which lifestyle choices affect brain structure/function and cognitive ability in healthy older adults. The outcomes will inform integrative models of cognitive ageing and strengthen international, cross-disciplinary collaborations in cognitive ageing neuroscience. This knowledge may inform evidence-based lifestyle approaches to promote healthy and engaged living in mid-late life and reduce the social and economic impacts of cognitive ageing.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5202 - Biological Psychology. Lead: Prof Frini Karayanidis

Harmonic analysis for elliptic partial differential equations. This project aims to establish fundamental estimates for elliptic partial differential equations, a crucial step in unravelling the behaviour of solutions in real-world applications. The overall goal is to study the changes in these estimates as the equation coefficients, indicative of factors like the roughness of the medium, become increasingly singular, through investigating a longstanding conjecture of Pucci from 1966. Anticipated outcomes encompass the invention of a new class of fully nonlinear elliptic equations, along with new harmonic analysis techniques for studying them. The results will be a significant milestone for partial differential equations and solidify Australia's leadership in this cornerstone of modern mathematics.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4904 - Pure Mathematics. Lead: A/Prof Po-Lam Yung

Exploiting duality in quantum relative entropy optimisation. This project aims to develop improved algorithmic and modelling approaches for quantum relative entropy optimisation problems, which naturally arise in the design and analysis of quantum systems. This project expects to achieve this by developing a deeper mathematical understanding of duality for these problems. Expected outcomes include new algorithms for the design of quantum key distribution protocols, as well as theory to characterise the modelling power and limitations of quantum relative entropy optimisation. Possible benefits include the ability to design and reliably characterise properties of larger quantum information processing systems, as well as developing new application areas for this family of optimisation problems.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4903 - Numerical and Computational Mathematics. Lead: Dr James Saunderson

Untangling the mechanisms of visual attention. No area of the brain works in isolation - brain areas are vastly interconnected and work together with precise temporal precision. How does the brain keep track of different connections and integrate them to control behaviour? This project aims to investigate the mechanisms the brain uses to integrate different information to guide visual attention. This project expects to generate a foundational knowledge about a fundamental brain process. The expected outcomes include novel research capacity in Australia and the development of novel methods to study brain function. Understanding neural communication will provide significant benefits to the development of neural engineering projects like neural prosthetics and computer vision.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3209 - Neurosciences. Lead: Dr Maureen Hagan

The role of microbial interactions in controlling bacterial evolution. Bacteria evolve rapidly by sharing DNA through a process called conjugation. Conjugation enables movement of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria within diverse niches, such as within the gut or in soil, facilitating the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Using cutting-edge techniques, this project expects to generate new knowledge into how interactions between microbes allow antibiotic resistance genes to move amongst diverse bacteria, and how the cell receiving the DNA responds to, controls, and modulates this process. This project addresses a long-standing knowledge gap, and results can be used to combat antibiotic resistance, providing significant benefits to our economy, environment, society, and agricultural industries.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3107 - Microbiology. Lead: Prof Dena Lyras

Learning to Value Constraints. Optimisation subject to constraints is key to improving efficiency in transport, energy and many other areas. This project will develop better optimisation algorithms by leveraging the power of machine learning to boost the handling of constraints. By developing more advanced constraint handling, the optimisation methods created in this project will enable larger and more complex optimisation models to be solved. A particular focus is optimisation in applications involving networks. The development of such machine-learning enhanced optimisation approaches is expected to lead to benefits in industries where optimisation plays an important role, including transport, logistics, and energy grid planning.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence. Lead: Prof Andreas Ernst

New polar and radical reactions via electron poor alkyne organocatalysis. Organocatalysts are small organic molecules able to catalyse chemical reactions. In contrast to metal or enzyme catalysts they are simpler to prepare, more robust, and cheaper. However, their use has largely focused on reactions at the carbonyl group (studies which led to the 2021 Nobel prize). In this proposal organocatalysts, either working alone or in tandem, are used to uncover new reactions of alkynes conjugated to the carbonyl group. The reactions targeted are all new and involve polar (2-electron) and/or radical (1-electron) bond formation, along with control of three dimensional shape (stereochemistry). The studies are focused on uncovering general reactivity patterns applicable in a range of contexts.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3405 - Organic Chemistry. Lead: Prof David Lupton

Flexible stepped wedge and cluster randomised crossover designs . Cluster randomised trials are an important class of trial used to assess the effect of interventions. This project aims to develop flexible cluster randomised trial designs by developing statistical theory for designs that can adapt to changing circumstances, update cluster and/or participant recruitment, and the software tools for trial design and analysis. This project expects to generate adaptable and flexible cluster designs. Expected outcomes include tools to allow researchers across a wide range of disciplines to design these trials, the underpinning methodology, and international collaboration. This should provide significant benefits by supporting the conduct of more high-quality, cost-efficient research in Australia and worldwide.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4905 - Statistics. Lead: Prof Jessica Kasza

Energy efficient ammonia electrosynthesis. This project aims to develop an electrolytic technology for the production of ammonia from renewables with a significantly improved energy efficiency using first-of-a-kind electrode designs recently discovered at Monash University. New knowledge in sustainable technologies is expected to be produced by integrated experimental and modelling studies on previously unexplored materials for ammonia synthesis. The target outcome of the project is a sustainable ammonia synthesis method that can replace the current fossil-fuel-based process. The technology to be developed from these outcomes is expected to be of significant benefit to Australia as a source of low-cost fertilisers for agriculture and as a means of storage of renewable electricity.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3406 - Physical Chemistry. Lead: A/Prof Alexandr Simonov

A new mechanism of bacterial membrane defence against environmental stress. Bacterial membranes serve as a critical barrier against external stress and often undergo changes to adapt. This project focuses on investigating a novel adaptive mechanism related to the production of lipoamino acids, a unique class of amino acid-containing lipids. Using systems biology and computational and biophysical tools, this project aims to elucidate the biogenesis of lipoamino acids and their impact on bacterial membrane stability, as well as their interactions with membrane-targeting compounds. By uncovering these mechanisms, this research will greatly enhance our understanding of bacterial adaption to environmental stress and may inform the future design of new antibacterial approaches specifically targeting bacterial membranes.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3107 - Microbiology. Lead: Dr Meiling Han

An investigation into metabolite-mediated immunity. This project aims to investigate how the immune system is modulated by metabolites, an emerging and key area of the life sciences. Presently, little is known about metabolite-mediated immunity, thereby representing a major knowledge gap. The project aims to combine mass spectrometry, structural and biochemical approaches to learn how metabolites are (i) presented by an antigen presenting molecule called MR1 (ii) how this leads to activation by specific T lymphocytes. Outcomes will significantly advance current understanding of the molecular basis underpinning metabolite-mediated immunity. Major benefits will include fundamental new knowledge about immunity that may ultimately be used by the biotechnology industry.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Prof Jamie Rossjohn

Inducing essential bacterial enzymes to self-destruct. Antimicrobial resistance is a looming crisis. Breakthrough cell biology is needed to identify new targets and new mechanisms of inhibition. This project aims to probe the susceptibility of bacteria to a novel “reaction-hijacking” mechanism, which has recently been discovered by our team. This work expects to catalogue targetable enzymes in bacteria and probe the inhibition mechanism using chemical, structural and cell biology approaches. Expected outcomes include the discovery of powerful chemical probes to study key metabolic enzymes in bacteria and a blueprint for the design of selective reaction-hijacking inhibitors. In the longer term, this work will underpin new therapeutic avenues for bacterial infections of humans and animals.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Dr Stanley Cheng Xie

Avant-Garde Kirchhoff's Laws Equivalent for Quantum Thermal Transistors . This project aims to formulate Kirchhoff's Current and Voltage Laws (KCL&KVL) equivalents tailored to quantum thermal transistors, which we pioneered. Drawing inspiration from the transformative impact of traditional KCL&KVL, which revolutionized the electronics industry, our endeavour seeks to extend these principles to the realm of quantum thermal transistors governed by the Schrödinger equation. This innovative approach will yield a unified set of KCL&KVL applicable to traditional and quantum thermal transistors, paving the way for advanced hybrid thermal control circuitry. The resulting software and design principles will catalyze advancements in electronics, including hybrid thermal management systems and chip-scale heat distributors.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4008 - Electrical Engineering. Lead: Prof Malin Premaratne