Successful 2003 Discovery Projects Grants by Institution - Australian ...

esponses.
DP0346711 Prof RN Lamb Dr J Russell
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Title: Poly-crystalline Thin Films for LASER Applications
2003 : $99,000
2004 : $85,000
2005 : $70,000
Category: 2501 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (INCL. STRUCTURAL)
Administering Institution: The University of New South Wales
Summary:
This project is based on a recent discovery which reports LASER emission in disordered media such as
polycrystalline ZnO. This behaviour appears to be related to the crystallographic properties of ZnO
(wurztite) material. Using a novel deposition process the defect density, size of crystallites and
macroscopic orientation within such thin films will be controlled independently. This will provide an
opportunity to study the fundamental basis of such behaviour. In conjunction with this the development of
structure in similarly produced GaN (wurztite) films will be examined. This work should also provide
practical information concerning the potential performance of LASER devices based on disordered
materials.
DP0346379 A/Prof PF Lovibond Dr CJ Mitchell
Title: The role of memory and reasoning processes in associative learning
2003 : $49,000
2004 : $50,000
2005 : $53,000
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Category: 3801 - PSYCHOLOGY
Administering Institution: The University of New South Wales
Summary:
The project will investigate how people learn to detect cues that predict or cause significant events in
their environment (associative learning). The research builds on recent empirical and theoretical work by
the investigators supporting the role of deductive reasoning processes in associative learning. Novel
experimental strategies will be used to identify the separate and interacting roles of lower-level memory
processes and higher-level reasoning processes. Existing competing models and novel cooperative
models will be tested. The research will lead to a better understanding of associative learning in humans,
and will also inform the construction of intelligent artificial systems.
DP0345535 Dr FP Lucien
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Title: Synthesis of oligomers in dense carbon dioxide
2003 : $50,000
Category: 2906 - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Administering Institution: The University of New South Wales
Summary:
The aim of the project is to develop a novel technique for the synthesis of low molecular weight polymers
(oligomers) using dense carbon dioxide as a polymerisation solvent. The use of elevated pressure is the
major impediment to the commercialisation of such technology. The technique proposed in this project will
enable oligomers to be produced at greatly reduced operating pressures and may lead to a more general
procedure for conducting other types of polymer synthesis in dense carbon dioxide.
DP0343808 Dr GP McNally
Title: The regulation of fear and attention: From genes to the brain to behaviour
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