Research Projects
Understanding the Stratigraphy, age, and provenance of the diamondiferous Calonda Formation in North-Eastern Angola: Implications for regional magmatism and paleo fluvial drainage evolution (Old ID 25071)
Eric Roberts
01 Jun 2018 - 31 Dec 2019
The pilot research, based on four Calonda Formation Core Samples, has identified a suite of unexpected Permian-Late Cretaceous magmatic detrital zircon populations, which have the potential to improve our understanding of the age and provenance of the Calonda Formation, as well as the tectonic history of this region. The pilot research identified a suite of Cretaceous detrital zircons that form three discrete age clusters, which we hypothesis may have been produced during kimberlite or other alkaline volcanism; perhaps synchronously with deposition of the Calonda Formation or other Cretaceous cover sequences. However, due to the small number of grains discovered in the pilot study and lack of systematic sampling, robust conclusions cannot be drawn at present. However, the results demonstrate that it should be possible to significantly refine the age of these sedimentary sequences, including the Calonda Formation, through detrital zircon geochronology, as well as to study the geochemistry of these grains to better understand the regional tectonics of this area during the Cretaceous, possibly including better dating of the timing of kimberlite volcanism.
Positron Nano-Dosimetry: Fundamental Measurements of Positron Interactions and their use in State-of-the-Art Modelling of Positron Transport (Old ID 21333)
Ron White
11 Mar 2014 - 10 Mar 2017
This proposal will provide unique experimental and theoretical information on how positrons - the electron antiparticle - interact with matter, in particular with biologically important molecules. This data will be used in a unique set of modelling approaches which will provide, for the first time, an insight into how positrons are transported through gases, liquids and ultimately, soft matter. It will thus have important ramifications for diagnostic tools such as Positron Emission Tomography. The fundamental research will also shed light on one of the key 'mysteries' of life - why the biological building blocks of life possess a definite "handedness", or chirality.
Automated Catch'n'Release Anchor Retrieval Device Reliability Test and Materials Research (Old ID 26292)
Eric Wang
02 Jan 2019 - 02 Jul 2019
The Catch'n'Release Anchor Retrieval Device provides the safest and most sustainable way to retrieve your anchor. Specifically designed for recreational vessels, the device is easy to attach and in just seconds the anchor is pulled up the same way it went down. The device is designed to be used every time you head out on the boat and serves to protect precious marine habitats by minimising damage while promoting a safet boating experience. However, to prove its reliability, the device will have to pass thousands of connect and disconnect test cylces, which is apparantly not viable via manual operation. Therefore, this project aims to develop a solution for automated Catch'n'Release Anchor Retrieval Device reliability test, which can perform the connect-disconnect process automatically thousands of times. On top of that, corrosion and braking tests will be also introduced between every 500 test cycles to simulate the practical usage cases of this device.
TB vaccination-challenge study. (Old ID 27368)
Andreas Kupz
19 Aug 2021 - 31 Mar 2022
This project will test the efficacy of new tuberculosis vaccine formulations developed by Lipotek Pty Ltd in a small animal model of tuberculosis at JCU.
The Solar Rebound and Renewable Energy Adoption in the Sunshine State (Old ID 27450)
Breda McCarthy
15 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022
This research seeks to understand consumers' motivations for, and barriers to, installing rooftop solar and battery storage and to model the factors that drive and mitigate the solar rebound effect.
Does leaving an untreated box jellyfish tentacle on a victim increase the amount of venom delivered? (Old ID 27569)
Jamie Seymour
11 Apr 2022 - 11 Apr 2023
We wish to determine if the number of stinging organelles discharging from tentacles of the box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri actually increases with time after the tentacles come in contact with the envenomed victim. If they do not, then this adds further weight to the suggested first aid advice of NOT using vinegar in box jellyfish and Irukandji stings.
Jurassic Arc? Reconstructing the Lost World of Eastern Australia (Old ID 23299)
Carl Spandler
21 Mar 2018 - 31 Dec 2023
This project aims to resolve a long-standing enigma about the geological formation of the Great Artesian Basin – Australia’s most important onshore reservoir for groundwater and hydrocarbon resources. Specifically, the project will integrate sedimentological and geochemical studies to investigate the geodynamic configuration of Eastern Australia during the Jurassic Period of basin formation. The intended outcomes are an improved understanding of the evolution of the Australian continent and better knowledge of the formation of intercontinental sedimentary basins, which includes better assessment of their potential to contain hydrocarbon resources.
Game, Training and Individual Performance Analytics of Elite Rugby League Players (Old ID 23633)
Wade Sinclair
01 Nov 2017 - 31 Oct 2021
Evaluating training and game performances I elite sport is an information-rich environment particularly with the additional of data analytic companies providing real-time and post-competition analyses for coaching staff. Additionally, the inclusion of wearable technology and in particular, the inclusion of global positioning systems in to the elite training environment have empowered high performance personnel with an overabundance of performance data through which evidence-based evaluations can be made. However, with the inclusion of such technology in to the contemporary elite training environment, coaching staff are now faced with interpretative decisions pertaining to what metrics are suitable and under what constraints.
Review of Glencore Water Quality Monitoring (Old ID 24938)
Shelley Templeman
01 Feb 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
The quality of water discharges from the Glencore Bulk Storage and Handling Facility at the Port of Townsville is managed through an on-site treatment system comprising gravity stormwater filters and a centralised first-flush treatment facility. The specific objective of the review is to assess current water quality monitoring arrangements and provide advice on monitoring infrastructure/practices and data evaluation to ensure Environmental Authority compliance. However it also advances wider research aims concerned with the development of more targeted water quality guidelines and compliance assessment processes for tropical systems subject to extremely variable patterns of rainfall and runoff.
Building Capacity of Civil Society Organisation in Southeast Asia to Collaborate with Governments to Equitably and Sustainably Secure Fisheries and Support Maritime Security (Old ID 27586)
Amy Diedrich
01 Jul 2022 - 30 Jun 2024
The purpose of the project is to partner with selected Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Philippines and Indonesia in order to build capacity to implement Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in coastal communities. More broadly this project will contribute to building the capacity for CSOs to engage with policy processes and partner with governments to strengthen maritime policies and local level implementation. This grant will cover phase one of the program for activities to be delivered over the first two years.