Physics

Dale Muccignat

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Plasma-Liquid Modelling
dale.muccignat@jcu.edu.au

Greg Boyle

Senior Lecturer, Physics
gregory.boyle@jcu.edu.au

Daniel Kosov

Associate Professor
daniel.kosov@jcu.edu.au

James Whinney

Senior Research Officer
james.whinney@jcu.edu.au

Combat apathy in traumatic brain injury patients (Old ID 27911)

Sara Brice

01 Feb 2023 - 31 Dec 2026

Clinicians often mention apathy as the cause for decreased treatment progression for Traumatic Brain Injury patients. TBI patients with apathy symptoms are less motivated to engage continuously in their therapy schedule. Constant monitoring of patient engagement can help clinicians better measure patient progress and personalise the treatment accordingly. However, current clinical measurements of apathy cannot provide clinicians with continuous feedback. This project offers a novel continuous comprehensive measure of apathy feedback to assist clinicians with assessing and improving patient recovery. This apathy measure will combine traditional clinical measures of apathy with neurophysiological data collected from a virtual reality exoskeleton device.

Seismic Interpretation of NE QLD (Old ID 28938)

Lauren Waszek

15 Mar 2023 - 15 Dec 2023

This project will update the interpretation of deep seismic lines across NE QLD, from Georgetown to Thomson and Hodkinson provinces. Work carried out at JCU with regard to tectonic models of the development of the eastern margin of the north Australian craton and new processing techniques should allow a better understanding of the fundamental geological and tectonic structure of NE Queensland. Understanding of the large scale distribution of geological provinces in 3 dimensions will underpin other works in the region such as geological mapping and lead to better understanding of mineral systems which include significant potential for critical minerals.

Development of online assessment and learning within Preparatory Physics: helping students compose mathematical solutions to discipline specific problems.

Sara Brice

30 Oct 2024

In this project an online learning and assessment module will be developed for use within Preparatory Physics (PH1001). The online module will focus on assisting students with their mathematical skills. Each week a specific mathematical skill will be emphasised. Students will view a demonstration on how to use the skill and undertake an online assessment task to assess their application of the skill to discipline specific problems. Implementation of this assessment reform will allow more formative opportunities for students to practice, evaluate, and gain feedback on their ability to compose mathematical solutions.

Optimising the geophysical ore body model to aid in the discovery of new critical mineral deposits

Lauren Waszek

01 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2027

This project aims to develop advanced geophysical tools that can help exploration companies identify critical mineral resources. Current geophysical exploration methods—such as magnetic, electric, gravimetric, magnetotelluric, radiometric, and seismic surveys—are commonly used in the industry to detect geophysical anomalies. However, many detected anomalies do not contain mineralization due to a lack of tools to identify the specific geophysical signatures of ore bodies. Our goal is to create tools that enable explorers to distinguish between barren and mineralized anomalies, enhancing the accuracy of mineral discovery. Currently, there is limited knowledge on the specific geophysical responses of mineralized ore bodies. Some preliminary research by CSIRO on IOCG deposits in Cloncurry suggests that combining geological and petrophysical data can model an ore body's geophysical response.

High-throughput neutron tomography core scanner for critical minerals resources

Greg Boyle

01 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2029

This project aims to develop a drill core scanner based on neutron tomography technology.

Climate Vulnerability Index Greater Blue Mountains (Old ID 27457)

Scott Heron

01 Dec 2021 - 31 Mar 2022

Globally, heritage locations are being impacted by local-scale and global-scale stressors. Climate change poses an existential threat to global heritage. With rising sea-levels, more extreme weather events and aridification, the extensive impacts of climate are evident at heritage sites globally and the pace of this change is startling. In most parts of the world the rate of loss is exceeding adaptive capacity and this deficit is only getting worse. Decisions on conservation and preservation begin with a detailed understanding of a place's vulnerability. The choices made will directly impact that ability to effectively integrate the goals of safeguarding heritage, adapting and mitigating climate change, and driving sustainable development. This project will apply aspects of the Climate Vulnerability Index process to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage property.

Mapping transcrustal transfer of energy critical metals in Northwest Queensland

Lauren Waszek

01 Jul 2025 - 31 Dec 2025

This project will target a resubmission of a near-miss 2025 Discovery Project Expression of Interest. The aim is to develop and demonstrate proof-of-concept methodologies, and deliver preliminary results, in order to strengthen the application for 2026. The project requests funds for 50% of four months salary for the new postdoctoral research associate in Geophysical Ore body modelling to perform this pilot study, and assist with updating and improving the DP application. Funds will be requested for a research associate within the DP application, and thus, if successful, the research associate would take up this role for the DP following the completion of their Trailblazer postdoctoral position.