Potential projects at UniSA for Summer Research Scholars from ANU
Summer Vacation Projects - 2008/9
- Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences
- Division of Health Sciences
- Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
- University funded research institutes
Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences
| Project Supervisor: | Prof Maureen Dollard, UniSA; Dr Thomas Kalliath, ANU |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Station level psychosocial safety climate and implications for health and engagement in policing |
| Project description: | The student will work on data obtained as part of an ARC Linkage Project |
Division of Health Sciences
| Project Supervisor: | JL Morrison & D Brooks |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Role of IGFs in heart growth: impact of placental restriction |
| Project description: | Individuals born low birth weight have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life. This project will investigate the impact of fetal growth restriction on the intracellular distribution of IGF1 receptor and components of its signalling pathway in cardiomyocytes |
| Project Supervisor: | JL Morrison & S Orgeig |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on surfactant maturation |
| Project description: | Infants that are subjected to IUGR are small at birth and are at an increased risk of developing respiratory distress. In this project lung tissue and lung lavage (washings) from control and growth-restricted fetuses of placentally restricted sheep and undernourished guinea pigs will be analysed for alterations in surfactant expression |
| Project Supervisor: | JL Morrison & D Kennaway |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Expression of genes that regulate circadian rhythm in the heart |
| Project description: | In Australia, 7% of babies are born low birth weight. These babies are at an increased risk of preterm delivery, neonatal death and infant death, including sudden infant death. This dysregulation of cardiorespiratory control may be due to altered development of the circadian rhythm system. This project will investigate the expression of clock genes in the heart of male guinea pigs at 6 time points throughout the day to determine if there is an intrinsic heart circadian rhythm in the guinea pig |
| Project Supervisor: | *S Semple & Chi Ndi (in collaboration with IWRI) |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Extraction and biological testing of antimicrobial compounds from plants |
| Project description: | *Possible project, subject to postdoctoral appointment and discussion with IWRI |
| Project Supervisor: | *S Semple & Chi Ndi (in collaboration with IWRI) |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Extraction and biological testing of antimicrobial compounds from plants |
| Project description: | *Possible project, subject to postdoctoral appointment and discussion with IWRI |
| Project Supervisor: | E Parkinson-Lawrence & D Brooks |
|---|---|
| Project title: | ELISA development & application: a tetraspanin protein assay and its suitability for screening samples from LSD and /or cancer cell lines |
| Project description: | The project would involve purifying antibodies from serum, developing a sandwich ELISA assay, and assaying cell lines |
| Project Supervisor: | E Parkinson-Lawrence & D Brooks |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Proteins involved in organelle trafficking in neuronal cells |
| Project description: | This project would involve characterising proteins involved in organelle trafficking in both control and LSD cells, and would include technique development in neuronal cell culture, immunofluorescence and western blots |
| Project Supervisor: | #T Shandala, B Hopwood, M Scherer, S Flavel (Xian lab) |
|---|---|
| Project description: |
Students will be involved in aspects of
investigating mechanisms of bone growth, nutritional regulation, growth
plate injury and growth defects, mechanisms for and prevention of
chemotherapy-induced bone growth defects # Cory has had prior experience with an ANU MBBS student for 3-4 weeks. The student was subsequently an author on a 2007 publication Xian CJ, JC Cool, J van Gangelan, BK Foster, GS Howarth (2007). Effects of etoposide and cyclophosphamide acute chemotherapy on growth plate and metaphyseal bone in rats. Cancer Biology & Therapy 6, 170-177 |
| Project Supervisor: | C Williams |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Assessing the value of Ross River virus predictive models in south eastern Australia |
| Project description: | Projects in this theme would involve the use of disease forecasting tools. These tools require meteorological and mosquito input data, so scholarship students would be required to obtain both data types (from the lab and field) and integrate them into predictive models |
| Project Supervisor: | G Tomkinson |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Assessment of posture using 3D whole body scans |
| Project description: | We are developing a method of postural analysis using 3D whole-body scanning. This project will involve developing, documenting and applying a postural assessment method, and analysing an existing database of scans of elite rowers. The reliability and validity of the method will also be determined |
| Project Supervisor: | T Olds |
|---|---|
| Project title: | A computerised adult use-of-time instrument |
| Project description: | The Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adolescents (MARCA) is a computerised 24 h recall which allows young people to recall everything they did the previous day in time slices as fine as 5 min, and choosing from 250 coded activities. We have recently developed and validated an adult version. We would now like to do further work with the adult version further validating the instrument, refining the interface, and gathering data across a wide variety of adults. Graphic design and IT skills would be welcome, but not essential |
| Project Supervisor: | T Olds |
|---|---|
| Project title: | A market segmentation analysis of health behaviours |
| Project description: | Using data from the recently completed National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity survey, we are using a market segmentation technique (CHAID) to identify clusters of children who are more or less likely to comply with current physical activity, screen time and dietary guidelines |
| Project Supervisor: | J Lynch |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Developing a systematic review of nutrition interventions in infancy and early childhood |
| Project Supervisor: | B Muhlhausler & J Hiscock |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Maternal high-fat diets and the programming of the central reward circuitry |
| Project description: | There is growing evidence that individuals whose mothers consume a high-fat, high-sugar diet during pregnancy are predisposed to obesity after birth, however why this occurs is not well understood. A series of recent studies have shown that high fat and high sugar 'junk' foods activate brain centres which are involved in mediating the central reward response, and that repeated exposure to these high-fat, high-sugar foods can result in junk-food addiction. In this study, we will use a rodent model to determine whether pups born to mothers who are fed a diet consisting of high-fat and high-sugar 'junk' foods during pregnancy have a preference for junk-foods after birth |
| Project Supervisor: | B Muhlhausler, R Gibson (University of Adelaide), R Cook-Johnson (RAH), M James (RAH) |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Omega-3 LC-PUFA and the early origins of obesity |
| Project description: | There is a large body of literature from both human and experimental animal studies which has demonstrated the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFA (Fish-oil) on body composition and cardiovascular health in adult life. In this study we will determine whether providing pregnant rats with an increased supply of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation results in a reduced fat deposition in the offspring in later life. In this project, you will obtain physiological measurements from the mothers and their offspring in order to determine the effect of different nutritional treatments on postnatal growth rate, body composition. This project also uses Real Time PCR in order to determine the effect of maternal fish-oil supplementation on the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes within the adipose tissue |
| Project Supervisor: | B Muhlhausler, R McDermott, T Olds, J Buckley, M Haran, B Dollman (Honours student) & JGrant (Dept of Health) |
|---|---|
| Project title: | The Whyalla Intergenerational Study of Health |
| Project description: | In adults, there is strong evidence that both low fitness and fatness are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. However, there is also emerging evidence that fitness is protective, even in adults with high levels of fatness. The so-called "fit-fat" hypothesis has not been tested in children, and it is not clear whether fitness per se, or the level of physical activity associated with fitness, has a protective role. This study aims to examine the cross-sectional relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness and markers of metabolic health in a cohort of children from Whyalla. The student will be involved in the design of the experimental protocol for testing fitness, and for carrying out the fitness measures. Metabolic markers will include blood pressure, blood lipids, and fasting blood glucose. Possible mediating and confounding factors will also be assessed, including diet (via a food frequency questionnaire) and sleep |
| Project Supervisor: | B Muhlhausler, IC McMillen & JA Duffield |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Fetal growth restriction and the programming of peripheral insulin resistance and visceral obesity |
| Project description: | Intrauterine growth restriction affects ~7% of all births in Australia, and is associated with a number of adverse long-term outcomes including cardiovascular disease and central obesity. A series of studies in both humans and animal models have demonstrated that individuals who are of low birth weight undergo a period of accelerated growth (‘catch up’ growth) during early infancy, and that those individuals who are small at birth and grow rapidly in early infancy are the most at risk developing metabolic disorders later in life. Whilst catch up growth is a well-described phenomenon, the underlying physiological mechanisms involved in catch up growth are not known. In this project, we will use a well-established model of fetal growth restriction in the sheep in order to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating this early period of accelerated growth |
| Project Supervisor: | S Gentili, Jl Morrison & IC McMillen |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Differential expression of oxygen sensing and metabolic genes lead to altered organ growth |
| Project description: | Exposure to chronic fetal hypoxia results in the sparing of growth of key organs such as the brain and adrenal and the relative slowing of growth of other tissues including the fetal liver. The mechanisms by which the fetus senses and responds to this low oxygen environment is unclear. This study aims to determine whether tissues growth is regulated at the tissue level through the upregulation of an oxygen dependent sensing mechanisms, the Hypoxia Response Factors, and through the alteration of local growth factor expression. Furthermore, we aim to determine whether these changes in growth are associated with long term metabolic changes that may lead to or contribute to the development of disorders such as diabetes in adult life |
| Project Supervisor: | S Gentili, Jl Morrison & IC McMillen |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Mechanisms underlying compensatory placental growth in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses |
| Project description: | Normal placental growth and function is essential for the normal growth and development of the fetus. One of the most common causes of poor fetal growth is therefore poor growth and/or function of the placenta. We have developed a model of poor placental growth in an animal model of pregnancy which results in a compensatory overgrowth of the remaining placenta. Understanding the mechanisms which result in this compensatory overgrowth will inform strategies to improve placental function in pregnancies where placental function has been compromised |
| Project Supervisor: | K Grimmer-Somers |
|---|---|
| Project description: | The student will be attached to health-related projects in the allied health field, in a centre which specialises in the processes of literature synthesis and distillation, with the resulting evidence being disseminated through discussion boards |
| Project Supervisor: | P Howe, J Buckley & A Coates |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Human intervention studies evaluating cardiovascular health benefits of nutritional supplements |
| Project Supervisor: | Associate Professor Libby Roughead |
|---|---|
| Project title: | 1. Trends in medication
use in OECD countries 2. Medication errors: who is most at risk? |
| Project description: |
|
Electrical and Information Engineering
| Project Supervisor: | Prof. John Thomas, Dr Peter Lesniewski, Kerry Thoirs, Maureen Phillips |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Laser Light Scattering & Materials Science Research Group: Ultrasound Motion Calibration Phantom |
| Project description: |
Colleagues in Medical Radiations are interested in using imaging ultrasound to demonstrate and study the longitudinal displacement and velocity of peripheral nerve trunks that occurs in association with limb movement. These nerves are many millimetres in length and ~3-10 mm in cross-sectional width. They move at speeds of ~0.5 - 20mm/s. A method is required to validate measurements of peripheral nerve displacement and velocity using ultrasonic imaging techniques. Time resolved optical imaging may be a suitable technique to validate and calibrate the ultrasound technique. The idea is to use a digital video camera to record images in real time and use image analysis (cross correlation) techniques to measure the displacement and velocity of the phantom sample. A suitable phantom capable of simulating peripheral nerves and their motion would need to be developed. The phantom would need to be amenable to displacement measurements in the order of 2-20 mm, and velocity measurements in the order of 0.5-20mm/s by both optical and ultrasonic techniques. The velocity and direction of motion of the phantom would need to be accurately controlled. If a flexible/elastic phantom was used and it was driven differentially it would be possible to simulate and study stretching motion. The phantom would need to be mounted in an appropriate medium to simulate the environment of body tissue (from an ultrasonic view). Aim: To develop an optical imaging and image analysis system and a suitable phantom to allow the validation of ultrasonic imaging measurements of nerve trunk displacement and velocity. Collaborator(s): Medical Radiations, School of Health Sciences |
Applied Centre for Structural and Synchrotron Studies (ACeSSS)
| Project Supervisor: | Dr. Darren Simpson and Prof. Andrea Gerson |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Atomistic modelling of the bulk and (100) surface of rutile |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr. Joe Cavallaro |
|---|---|
| Project title: |
Thermal processing of small steel samples and associated metallography. Hardness testing and some mechanical testing |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr. Jun Li, Prof. John Thomas and Prof. Andrea Gerson |
|---|---|
| Project title: |
Investigation of effect of additives on the growth mechanisms of fractal gibbsite interfaces by Dynamic Light Scattering |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr, Jun Li, Dr. Nobuyuki Kawashima and Prof. Roger Smart |
|---|---|
| Project title: |
Removal of Al from acid mine drainage to produce acid resistant precipitates |
Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR)
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Nanthi Bolan, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Coal combustion products for immobilizing metals in acid sulphate soils |
| Project description: |
The overall objective of this study is to examine the beneficial use of coal combustion products (CCPs) in addressing some of the environmental issues relating to the revegetation and ecosystem development of contaminated sites. The specific aim of the summer vacation project is to examine the value of CCPs in neutralizing the acid generation potential of acid sulphate soils, thereby reducing the mobilization of toxic metals. We have already collected a number of coal combustion products that include fly ash, bottom ash, fluidised bed boiler ash and flue gas desulphrisation gypsum, and characterized their acid neutralizing potential properties . This is a collaborative project between CERAR, CRC CARE and Flinders Powers, Port Augusta |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Nanthi Bolan, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Management of Recycled Water Irrigation in the Viticultural Industry |
| Project description: |
The overall objective of this study is to examine the beneficial use of coal combustion products (CCPs) in addressing some of the environmental issues relating to the revegetation and ecosystem development of contaminated sites. The specific aim of the summer vacation project is to examine the value of CCPs in neutralizing the acid generation potential of acid sulphate soils, thereby reducing the mobilization of toxic metals. We have already collected a number of coal combustion products that include fly ash, bottom ash, fluidised bed boiler ash and flue gas desulphrisation gypsum, and characterized their acid neutralizing potential properties . This is a joint project between CERAR, CRC CARE, and SARDI |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Nanthi Bolan, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Management of Recycled Water Irrigation in the Viticultural Industry |
| Project description: |
Treated recycled water sources from sewage treatment plants are increasingly used for irrigation. The major objective of this project is to investigate the transformation processes and fate of major nutrients and salts due to irrigation of vineyards with recycled water. Soil samples from a number of vineyards irrigating recycled water and bore water have been collected. The summer students will be examining the effect of recycled water irrigation on soil biological fertility as measured by microbial activity and respiration. This is a joint project between CERAR, CRC CARE, and SARDI |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Nanthi Bolan, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Co-composting biosolids with industrial by-products |
| Project description: |
Biosolids are enriched with carbon and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and can be used as a soil amendment to improve the physical, chemical and biological fertility of soils. However biosolids often contain heavy metals, thereby can act as a source of metal input to soils. The aim of the project is to prepare co-composts involving biosolids and other organic and inorganic waste resources that are efficient in the immobilization of metals thereby reducing their bioavailability |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Megh Mallavarapu, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Role of algae and cyanobacteria in remediation of contaminants |
| Project description: |
Algae and cyanobacteria are ubiquitous but information on their role in contaminant degradation is limited. This project aims to examine the potential of selected algae and cyanobacteria isolated from soil and water to degrade/detoxify commonly used pesticides |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Megh Mallavarapu, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Role of algae and cyanobacteria in reclamation of salt affected soils |
| Project description: |
Algae and cyanobacteria are known to accumulate salt and thereby help in reclamation of salt affected soils. This project involves isolation of algae and cyanobacteria from salt affected soils and examine their potential in removing the salts from sodic soils |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Megh Mallavarapu, CERAR, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Biodiversity of microorganisms in acid-sulfate soils |
| Project description: |
Microorganisms play key role in maintaining the soil health. In Australia acid sulphate soils form considerable portion of the Australian environment. Knowledge on the biodiversity and function of microbiota in acid sulphate soils is very much limited. This projects aims to study the microbial diversity (particularly, algae, bacteria and fungi) and its function in acid sulphate soils. This information will be used to formulate strategies to better manage the acid sulphate soils |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
Institute for Telecommunications Research
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Terence Chan and Prof Alex Grant |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Autonomous information inequality prover |
| Project description: |
Information inequalities are the fundamental laws governing the impossibilities of communications. It dictates the maximal amount of information one can transmit on a network or a channel, and the minimum size a piece of data (say a movie) that can be compressed into. Despite a few well-known information inequalities, many of them are yet to be discovered. The aim of this project is to derive a systematic approach to the discovery of those new inequalities |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Roy Timo and Dr Ingmar Land |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Efficient Compression of Data for Transportation over Networks |
| Project description: |
The importance of data compression has grown significantly with the appearance of capacity constrained wireless networks such as Sensor Networks and Mobile Ad Hoc NETworks (MANETs). Similarly, new applications in fixed wired networks such as internet television, video conferencing and network gaming environments are fundamentally limited by network capacity constraints. Efficient data compression schemes will be essential for these applications. This project will introduce the student to fundamental concepts in information and coding theory. The student will then use these ideas to implement an efficient data compression algorithm for a simple network. Specifically, we will be looking to implement a Low Density Parity Check code for the source coding with coded side information problem (a canonical source coding problem) |
| Project Supervisor: | A/Prof Adrian Barbulescu |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Satellite links for Royal Flying Doctors |
| Project description: |
The project will investigate the most suitable technologies available today that would allow RFD nurses to send high resolution images e.g., X-ray, ultrasound, from a remote area, e.g., isolated farm/island/resort to a specialist in a hospital probably located in a capital city. This would help nurses to make an informed decision regarding the optimum treatment in areas outside their specialisation |
| Project Supervisor: | Prof Bill Cowley |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Accoustic Beamforming for Speaker Separation |
| Project description: |
ITR has recently carried out a small project for DSTO that used signal processing techniques to separate overlapping speech signals collected from an array of microphones. This preliminary project can be extended in several ways. For example, at present we assume knowledge of speaker locations and whether one or two speakers are talking at any given time. The aim of the project will be to automatically detect when only one person is speaking so that these periods may be used to train the beamforming algorithms |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Aruna Jayasuriya and A/Prof Arek Dadej |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Sensor Networks in Aged Care Environments |
| Project description: |
The objective of this project is to deploy a small senor network in a residential aged care facility to continuously log and monitor vital signs and locations of selected residents. Sensor network are used to collect selected information from a given environment and send this information to central monitoring station(s) over multiple hops. i.e. information is passed from one sensor to another until it reaches the monitoring station(s). UniSA School of Health Science is collaborating with ITR on this project. Once the network is deployed ITR will work with Researchers from Health Science about using this network to collect information that leads to better design of residential aged care facilities |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Nick Letzepis and Prof Bill Cowley |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Characterization of MIMO Free-Space Optical Channels |
| Project description: |
The objective of this project is to deploy a small senor network in a residential aged care facility to continuously log and monitor vital signs and locations of selected residents. Sensor network are used to collect selected information from a given environment and send this information to central monitoring station(s) over multiple hops. i.e. information is passed from one sensor to another until it reaches the monitoring station(s). UniSA School of Health Science is collaborating with ITR on this project. Once the network is deployed ITR will work with Researchers from Health Science about using this network to collect information that leads to better design of residential aged care facilities |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Nick Letzepis and Prof Bill Cowley |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Characterization of MIMO Free-Space Optical Channels |
| Project description: |
In Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication, information data is transmitted wirelessly using laser beams. Such links have the potential to provide virtually unlimited bandwidth without the expense of buried fibre optic cabling. Unfortunately, FSO link reliability is highly dependent on atmospheric conditions such as turbulence, rain, cloud, dust and fog. These effects cause fading of the received laser beam. In typical FSO channels, a deep fade can cause the loss of millions of data bits. Improvement in reliability can be gained by using multiple lasers and multiple apertures to create a multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) FSO channel. A comprehensive characterisation of this channel is crucial in the future development of reliable and efficient FSO communication systems. In this project, the student will be involved in a 1.5-2 km MIMO FSO laser range experiment. This will include assisting with the setup and calibration of laser experiment equipment, and the collection of channel measurement data. The student will characterise the channel by fitting known statistical distributions to the measurement data, and analysing the temporal and spatial correlation of the channel |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Ingmar Land |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Performance of message passing algorithms in data compression and quantization |
| Project description: |
Communications channels are prone to errors. In order to ensure data are received uncorrupted, channel coding is applied by adding redundancies in the message. A revolutionized breakthrough in modern communications is the use of graph-based codes together with message passing algorithms, in which the nodes of the graph exchange messages iteratively. Graph-based codes have also been used in compression and quantization. However, unlike the state-of-the art counterpart in channel coding, the efficiency of message passing algorithms for this application is unknown. This project aims to analyze the behavior of such algorithms by tracking how the probability density of the messages evolves. The topics covered in this project are information theory, source coding, and iterative channel coding |
| Project Supervisor: | A/Prof Linda Davis |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Investigation of polarization-space-time receivers for wireless broadband |
| Project description: |
This project investigates the performance and complexity trade-offs for receiver structures proposed for space-polarization-time wireless systems. Simulation studies will be used to demonstrate quantization effects and characterise the power consumption for candidate receivers. A detailed receiver design suitable for fixed-point implementation will be developed. Matlab / C (maybe VHDL) experience is desirable |
| Project Supervisor: | A/Prof Linda Davis |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Turbo decoding for systematic convolutional codes with embedded channel estimation |
| Project description: | This project will consider turbo decoding for error control in fading mobile digital communication channels. We will employ a soft-input soft-output convolutional decoder, and will investigate a novel approach to embedded channel estimation in the turbo decoding system. C coding experience desirable |
| Project Supervisor: | A/Prof Arek Dadej and Dr Aruna Jayasuriya |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Analytical model of 802.11 CSMA/CA performance in multi-hop environment |
| Project description: | The objective of this project is to develop and validate (by simulations) analytical model of 802.11 CSMA/CA in multi-hop environment that captures the effects of both hidden and exposed terminals on throughput performance of the network in cases of Basic Access and RTS/CTS modes of CSMA/CA operation |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Mark McDonnell |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Reverse-engineering the brain’s 'neural code', using information theory: lossy compression in sensory neurons in the auditory system |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Mark McDonnell |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Stochastic resonance: Does the neural code use this counter-intuitive phenomenon where random noise can be beneficial? |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Mark McDonnell |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Modelling and simulation of communication via gamma oscillations in biological neural networks using complex systems theory, e.g. synchronization effects, small world networks and emergent phenomena |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Mark McDonnell |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Stochastic pooling networks: A biologically inspired network model for communication and compression |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Mark McDonnell |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Energy efficient distributed sensor networks and low-power wireless communications |
Ian Wark Research Institute
| Project Supervisor: | Dr Craig Priest and Dr. Catherine Whitby, an Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Induced coalescence of particle-stabilised drops in micro-channels |
| Project description: |
The stability of foams and emulsions is important in the formulation of a range of everyday food and personal care products and is central to many industrial processes, such as mineral processing and the production of low-density materials. In many cases, surfactants and small particles are added to stabilise droplets or bubbles against various forms of ageing. One form of ageing is coalescence, which is relatively well understood for surfactant systems; however, much less is known about the coalescence of particle-stabilised systems due to the difficulty in observing coalescence in 3-D systems. In this project, nanolitre droplets will be driven to coalescence within tailored microfluidic channels in the presence of particles and surfactants to better understand the coalescence of particle-stabilised emulsions. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills in nanoparticle and microfluidic technologies within the broader research field of physical chemistry |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
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| Project Supervisor: | Dr Dusan Losic, Associate Professor Jonas Addai-Mensah, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | 1. Natural
Nano-Materials Development as Drug Delivery
System 2. Natural Nano-Materials Development as Novel Catalyst |
| Project description: | The projects involve basic research and development studies of how a class of natural diatomite-based nano-particles may be modified to produce novel (i) pharmaceutical (drug) delivery systems with high efficacy (First project) or (ii) catalysts of importance in energy production (Second project). These two projects offer an excellent opportunity for training and educating students in Nanotechnology, Physical Chemistry (Colloid and surface chemistry and interfacial science), Applied Science / Physics and Bio-Medical science with applications to materials / chemical processing and environmental science. It is envisaged that this study will lead to the development of new or functional nano-materials with tailored surface properties (physico-chemical structures and morphologies) and behaviour for enhanced drug delivery and industrial catalysis |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Associate Professor Jonas Addai-Mensah, Associate Professor William Skinner, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Influence Polymeric dispersant structure type on the size and morphology of colloidal, alumina-coated TiO2 pigment particles |
| Project description: | The projects involve basic research and development studies of how a class of natural diatomite-based nano-particles may be modified to produce novel (i) pharmaceutical (drug) delivery systems with high efficacy (First project) or (ii) catalysts of importance in energy production (Second project). These two projects offer an excellent opportunity for training and educating students in Nanotechnology, Physical Chemistry (Colloid and surface chemistry and interfacial science), Applied Science / Physics and Bio-Medical science with applications to materials / chemical processing and environmental science. It is envisaged that this study will lead to the development of new or functional nano-materials with tailored surface properties (physico-chemical structures and morphologies) and behaviour for enhanced drug delivery and industrial catalysis |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Professor Hans Griesser, Professor Robert Short, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Diagnosis of radiofrequency plasmas |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Associate Professor Jonas Addai-Mensah, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | Stimulus-sensitive Flocculation and Dewatering of Fine Particles Suspensions |
| Project description: | Effective dewatering of colloidally stable particulate suspensions is a challenging issue faced by the chemical, petroleum, minerals, food, diary, pharmaceutical and other manufacturing industries world-wide. Large volumes of scarce water is used the various chemical and unit operations for processing ultrafine particles most of which must be recovered by appropriate dewatering methods for recycle. Ultrafine particles dispersed in water do settle under gravity over days or weeks, and hence must be forced to do so via dewatering technologies. In practice, however, the standard solid-water separation methods used are either not as efficient or cost-effective as expected. The inability to readily dewater large volumes dilute suspensions for maximum water recovery for recycle has a striking impact on the environment impact, costing industry and society several billions of dollars annually. The main purpose of study influence of selected, novel, stimulus-sensitive (pH, temperature, shear, and sonication) polymeric flocculants on dewatering performance of ultrafine (nano-colloidal) mineral particles under industrially relevant conditions. This project offers an excellent opportunity for training and educating students in Nanotechnology, Physical Chemistry (Colloid and surface chemistry and interfacial science) and Applied science/Physics with applications to materials processing and environmental science |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr. David Beattie, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus |
|---|---|
| Project title: | 1. Polymers at
Minerals Interfaces: Polymer adsorption and
behaviour at solid
- aqueous solution
interface 2. Polymer-mediated particle interactions in aqueous mineral dispersions |
| Project description: |
Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. The decrease of particle hydrophobicity in flotation, the manipulation of particle interactions in pumping applications, and the control of aggregation in tailings treatment are all examples of the action of polymers in mineral processing systems.The choice of polymers for these various applications has often been decided through trial-and-error testing with little insight into why and how one polymer is more effective than another. The paucity of detailed studies linking polymer structure with adsorbed layer properties and process outcomes led researchers at the Ian Wark Research Institute to undertake studies designed to give the minerals and materials industry, improved knowledge and the tools to choose the right polymer and to understand the function of the polymer at the mineral interface. Two projects are available:
These projects offer an excellent opportunity for training and educating students in Nanotechnology, Physical Chemistry (Colloid and surface chemistry and interfacial science) and Applied science/Physics with applications to materials processing and environmental science. |
| Availability: | 8-12 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Prof N Roy Choudhury, A/Prof B Skinner, Dr N K Dutta |
|---|---|
| Project title: | 1. Novel Nanostructured Membranes
for Energy Storage Applications 2. Hybrid Membrane for high temperature Fuel cell application |
| Project description: |
Energy consumption/production in today's world relies almost entirely on non-renewable sources and continuation of this trend will impact severely on the world economics and ecology. The need for advanced energy storage systems is thus steadily increasing. Electrochemical energy production is an alternative energy/power source, which is designed to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The projects involve basic research and development studies on conductive nano-particles inclusions in functional ionic polymer matrix
These two projects offer an excellent opportunity for training and educating students in Nanotechnology, material science, sustainable material with applications to tailored materials and environmental science. This study will lead to the development of new membrane material suitable for electrochemical applications |
| Availability: | 8-10 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |
| Project Supervisor: | Dr. N. K. Dutta, Prof. N. Roy Choudhury |
|---|---|
| Project title: | 1. Engineering nanoparticle using
self-organization of block-copolymer 2. Designer nanoparticle for biomedical applications |
| Project description: |
Recently, the nanosized noble metal particles and clusters have attracted significant attention due to their unique chemical, physical, electronic and surface properties that are different from those of the bulk materials; and their potential applications in construction of new and improved devices in the fields of photochemistry, electrochemistry, optics, magnetic, electronics, medicine and catalysis. The profound enhancement in catalytic activity with the reduction in particle size (<10 nm) along with high selectivity and stability, such nanoparticles offer the promise of developing sustainable chemistry with significant material and energy saving. In the projects attempts will be made to engineer noble metal nanoparticles and their alloys using guided self organization technique.
The student working the projects will have the opportunity to work in an interesting branch of nanotechnology and develop in depth understanding of different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV/VIS), fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. |
| Availability: | 8-10 weeks, December - 2008 February 2009 |