Potential student research projects
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Astrophysics
Reducing Entropy in Lunar Supply Chains
It costs a lot to get material to the Moon. Can available materials on the Moon's surface be used?
Launching nano-satellites from the Earth’s Moon.
Generally chemical propulsion is used to launch satellites from the moon. Is it possible to use available resources instead?
Design a rail gun to operate in vacuum producing a force of 1mN
Can electrical launch systems replace chemical systems in launching nano-satellites from the Moon?
Active orbital control systems for nano-sats orbiting the Moon.
Active plasma thrusters are needs for in orbit manouvers and for arranging constellations of satellites.
In space, no-one can hear you scream. Is this true?
Thrusters for propulsion generally require nozzles but is this necessary in the vaccum of space?


Positrons and Dust Grains
Positron emitters are embedded in clouds of dust grains produced by supernova. This project will explore the transport of positrons in dust grains using Monte-Carlo techniques to improve our understanding of positron transport in an astrophysically relevant setting.
Determining the orbital characteristics of a constellation of nano-sats orbiting the Moon
There is no lunar GPS so how will satellite orbits be determined for safety and efficiency in designing missions.
Atomic and Molecular Physics


Positrons and Dust Grains
Positron emitters are embedded in clouds of dust grains produced by supernova. This project will explore the transport of positrons in dust grains using Monte-Carlo techniques to improve our understanding of positron transport in an astrophysically relevant setting.
Fragmentation of molecules by positronium
Positronium is a bound state between an electron and a positron. It is hydrogen-like with a binding energy half that of hydrogen. Positronium has been found to scatter like an electron for the same velocity. Electrons can fragment molecules by temporary attaching leading to fragmentation. This project will explore the fragmentation of molecules in positronium scattering with molecules.
Dr Joshua Machacek, A/Prof. James Sullivan, Professor Stephen Buckman
Biophysics
Bacteria turbulence: diffusion and self-organizaiton
Dense bacterial flows have been shown to exhibit properitse of self-organizaiton. This project is aimed at determining the underlying mechanism of the bacterial self-organizaiton by study the bacteria dispersion using PIV and PTV techniques.
Dr Hua Xia, Dr Nicolas Francois, Professor Michael Shats, Dr Horst Punzmann
Engineering in Physics
Launching nano-satellites from the Earth’s Moon.
Generally chemical propulsion is used to launch satellites from the moon. Is it possible to use available resources instead?
Design a rail gun to operate in vacuum producing a force of 1mN
Can electrical launch systems replace chemical systems in launching nano-satellites from the Moon?
Active orbital control systems for nano-sats orbiting the Moon.
Active plasma thrusters are needs for in orbit manouvers and for arranging constellations of satellites.
In space, no-one can hear you scream. Is this true?
Thrusters for propulsion generally require nozzles but is this necessary in the vaccum of space?


Plasma Thrusters for Spacecraft
Low Earth Orbit satellites such as CubeSats can have their lifetime boosted by using our unique plasma thrusters to insert them into higher orbits.


Magnetic nozzles and plasma generated by a remote source.
When plasmas are decoupled from their source of power, much can be learned about non-local effects of energy transport.


Plasma surface interactions under extreme conditions
High power ion beams can be used to replace lasers as sources for evaporated coating material. Work with industry to discover the physics.


System calculations for hunter killer satellites
Space junk is a major problem for space travel. We use an energetic particle beam to manoeuvre a satellite close to junk then blast it with the particle beam to deorbit the junk


Particle simulation of dual frequency processing plasmas
We employ Particle in Cell simulations that are inexpensive true computer experiments to complement the use of costly industrial microchip plasma systems.


Computer simulation of expanding plasmas
Experimental work on expanding plasmas is greatly aided by computer simulation using plasma fluid codes.
Determining the orbital characteristics of a constellation of nano-sats orbiting the Moon
There is no lunar GPS so how will satellite orbits be determined for safety and efficiency in designing missions.
Environmental Physics
Reducing Entropy in Lunar Supply Chains
It costs a lot to get material to the Moon. Can available materials on the Moon's surface be used?
Physics of Fluids
Bacteria turbulence: diffusion and self-organizaiton
Dense bacterial flows have been shown to exhibit properitse of self-organizaiton. This project is aimed at determining the underlying mechanism of the bacterial self-organizaiton by study the bacteria dispersion using PIV and PTV techniques.
Dr Hua Xia, Dr Nicolas Francois, Professor Michael Shats, Dr Horst Punzmann
Plasma Applications and Technology


Plasma Thrusters for Spacecraft
Low Earth Orbit satellites such as CubeSats can have their lifetime boosted by using our unique plasma thrusters to insert them into higher orbits.


Magnetic nozzles and plasma generated by a remote source.
When plasmas are decoupled from their source of power, much can be learned about non-local effects of energy transport.


Plasma surface interactions under extreme conditions
High power ion beams can be used to replace lasers as sources for evaporated coating material. Work with industry to discover the physics.


System calculations for hunter killer satellites
Space junk is a major problem for space travel. We use an energetic particle beam to manoeuvre a satellite close to junk then blast it with the particle beam to deorbit the junk


Particle simulation of dual frequency processing plasmas
We employ Particle in Cell simulations that are inexpensive true computer experiments to complement the use of costly industrial microchip plasma systems.


Computer simulation of expanding plasmas
Experimental work on expanding plasmas is greatly aided by computer simulation using plasma fluid codes.
Other research projects may be found at the ANU College of Engineering & Computer Science and the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics