News and Events

PhD students papers accepted at international congress

19 April, 2012

Three PhD students from the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences have had their papers accepted for the 2012 IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence (WCCI).

The WCCI is the largest high-quality technical event in the field of computational intelligence and will be held in Brisbane this June.

The students’ papers are:

• Kenny Hong, Stephan Chalup and Robert King with their paper 'An Experimental Evaluation of Pairwise Adaptive Support Vector Machines'.
• Arash Jalalian, Stephan Chalup and Michael Ostwald with their paper 'Analysis of Pedestrian Spatial Behaviour using GDTW-P-SVMs'.
• Jason Kulk and James Welsh with their paper 'Measuring Impacts using Support Vector Machines on a Standing Humanoid Robot'.

Visit http://www.ieee-wcci2012.org/ for more information about the WCCI.

---

International Energy Centre students visit Newcastle

12 April, 2012

Master of Energy Studies students from the International Energy Centre (IEC) are in Newcastle this week for an intensive one week course called "Fundamentals of Climate Change".

Based in Brisbane, the International Energy Centre (IEC) is a collaboration between the universities of Queensland, Newcastle, and Western Australia, and industry partner Xstrata.

The Centre has recently commenced offering a Master of Energy Studies (MES) which is aimed at young and mid-level professionals looking to obtain a unique qualification that prepares them to strategically address the challenges posed by a carbon-constrained economy.

The module being delivered this week introduces students to the science and theory of climate change, with students gaining an understanding of the related policy, legal and regulatory aspects.

As part of this course, the students will be heading to Lake Macquarie City Council to get an understanding of the recent issues that have arisen between council and local developers with regard to climate change legislation and sea-level rise.

View this brochure for more information about the Master of Energy Studies.

---

GRANEX to bring solar heat and electricity to The Forum

11 April, 2012

Hunter-based invention GRANEX® will soon be powering and heating The Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre at the University of Newcastle's Callaghan campus thanks to a $770,000 grant from the Australian Solar Institute.

The $770,000 grant, together with $940,000 from partner organisations, will fund the creation of a demonstration solar thermal combined power and heat project by relocating a GRANEX® power plant to The Forum. The plant will generate energy for use in heating the pool and provide power to other areas of the complex.

The project also involves adapting GRANEX® to use solar energy for both power generation and industrial heating, and to provide for thermal storage to power the facility after sunset.

GRANEX® technology delivers higher efficiencies than conventional low-to-medium temperature power plants and therefore increases the amount of electricity that can be generated from these types of heat sources. As a result it reduces the cost of power and produces no CO2 emissions.

Inventors Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and Dr Elham Doroodchi from the University's Priority Research Centre for Energy said the project was an important next step in the roll out of the technology, which was created in partnership with Granite Power Pty Ltd (GPL) and Newcastle Innovation.

"For the first time our technology will be generating both heat and electricity," Professor Moghtaderi said. "The project will allow us to measure the efficiency of a new application of GRANEX® following the success of the 1kW and 100kW prototype plants we have operated since 2009."

GPL Project Manager Sean McCracken said solar collectors would directly heat fluid for GRANEX® to convert into electricity. "After sunset, energy that has been collected and held in thermal storage during the day will be used to maintain power and pool heating requirements. The system is expected to be fully operational by December 2013 and is intended to be the test-bed and launch platform for a commercial product."

Newcastle Innovation CEO Dr Brent Jenkins said the project was a great example of industry connecting with the University to solve problems.

"When GPL wanted to develop commercially viable geothermal energy technology we were able to link it to the expertise offered by Professor Moghtaderi and Dr Doroodchi and provide the support he needed to patent his invention," Dr Jenkins said. "Following years of intensive concept and prototype testing and the proven success of its prototype plants, GRANEX® is now a commercial reality."

The project team will focus on extending the performance parameters of GRANEX® to design and build commercially attractive power plants that work with very low temperature waste heat and put to use valuable heat sources that would otherwise be wasted.

"This is an excellent example of one of the applications of GRANEX® and assists in demonstrating the breadth of the potential commercial application of the technology and piloting a prospective commercial product that we believe has a significant potential market," GPL Managing Director Stephen de Belle said.

Project partners include the University of Newcastle, NUsport, NEP Solar, Turbo Power Systems and Yokogawa Australia. This project has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Solar Institute's Round 3 funding.

---

Newcastle scientists step closer to Alzheimer's blood test

3 April, 2012

An interdisciplinary team of scientists at the University of Newcastle has shown the potential of a simple blood-based test to identify people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, before any symptoms appear.

The team of four* spent a year studying data from the international Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database, the most comprehensive collection of Alzheimer’s data in the world.

The Newcastle team assessed the levels of 190 proteins in blood from 566 people with either Alzheimer’s Disease, mild cognitive impairment or normal cognition and showed that measuring a panel of 11 proteins in blood can provide a predictive test with more than 85 per cent accuracy. Monitoring the change in blood protein levels over time could increase accuracy above 90 per cent.

The study was funded by the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, and its findings are published today in the prestigious PLoS ONE journal.

Senior author Professor Pablo Moscato said the results were likely to be significant for the way Alzheimer’s was diagnosed.

"Currently, Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis is based on clinical observations and testing of cognitive capacity and memory loss," he said.

"The only reliable and accurate biological markers so far identified for early diagnosis require measurement by either expensive procedures such as brain imaging, or invasive procedures, for example spinal punctures.

"Our study makes a considerable step towards cheap, non-invasive testing by identifying a blood protein panel to predict Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages."

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is considered vital for effective intervention as there is no cure. The only available treatments are drugs that improve the functioning of neurons but do not stop the disease progressing.

Alzheimer’s disease attacks the brain resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting one in 25 Australians aged 60 years and over.

* Research team: Senior author - Professor Pablo Moscato, Co-Director, University of Newcastle Priority Research Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine; Lead author - Dr Dan Johnstone; Dr Regina Berretta; Dr Liz Milward.

The researchers work in collaboration with HMRI’s Information Based Medicine Program. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District and the community.

View the journal article online: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0034341

Visit the PRC for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery & Information-Based Medicine website.

Visit the HMRI website.

---

Construction management prize-winners announced

28 March, 2012

Three students from the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) will receive industry-sponsored awards at the Construction Management Anniversary Dinner on 14 April, 2012.

Ryan Christie-Johnston will receive the NSW Public Works Prize for Construction Management worth $2000 and Alissa Thivakon is the recipient of the MBA Student Estimator Prize. Scott Eftimovski will be awarded a Dean’s Medal and the Newcastle Master Builders Association Prize, worth $500.

"I feel very proud and privileged to receive this award," said Eftimovski.

"It vindicates all of the hard work and long hours of study I have put in over the duration of the course."

Eftimovski was a qualified builder before entering the construction management program and felt that it was the next logical step to developing his career.

He aspires to project manage large scale, unique projects that help to contribute and add value to the lives of occupants and the surrounding community.

He is currently working for top tier construction company Laing O’Rourke on the K10 project located on Kooragang Island.

Winning the MBA Student Estimator Prize came as a surprise to Alissa Thivakon (picture left), who did not know her lecturer had entered her name. She will receive the prize at the MBA’s Top 50 Builders this Friday.

"I am very grateful for receiving this award as it has opened up a lot of doors for me," said Thivakon.

Thivakon enjoys the challenge of being a woman in a traditionally male dominated industry. Since receiving the award she feels even more motivated to continue working hard to do the job she loves.

"I hope to graduate with good grades and gain employment in reputable company where I can learn from others and continue to develop professionally."

Ryan Christie-Johnston grew up on a cattle farm outside of Bathurst and always wanted to get into the building industry.

When choosing a degree to study, he felt that Construction Management offered the greatest range of career prospects and the best opportunity to work on projects from start to finish.

Christie-Johnston believes the course lived up to its billing, combining a great student culture with broad technical and management expertise.

"Studying turned out to be the best four years of my life and I made a lot of great mates," said Christie-Johnston.

Since completing his studies, he has been employed with Parsons Brinckerhoff as a scheduler on their expansion of the Bengalla, and plans to develop skills locally and abroad to the point in which he can successfully manage his own high end projects.

---

Olympic village architect wins gold medal

28 March, 2012

The University of Newcastle professor who has designed multiple Olympic Games venues and villages has been awarded the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest accolade, the Gold Medal.

Multi award-winning architect, Professor Lawrence Nield, provides design leadership through the university’s Architect in Residence program where he acts as a mentor to Australia’s next generation of architects.

He is one of five leading Australian architects at the university's School of Architecture and Built Environment, one of the best-equipped architecture schools in the country.

Professor Nield was recognised at the Institute’s Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards in Adelaide for his impact on Australia’s built environment and significant contributions to teaching.

Professor Nield’s impressive design career spans 45 years. He was head of masterplanning for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, designed five venues for the Athens Olympics in 2004, five venues and for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and the 2012 London Athletes Village.

Professor Nield’s work also includes the redevelopment of the overseas passenger terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney's Cook and Phillip Park near St Mary’s Cathedral and the National Science and Technology Centre – Questacon - in Canberra.

Early in his career, Professor Nield designed the University’s David Maddison clinical sciences building in Newcastle.

---

Research student's excellent work recognised

28 March, 2012

Dr Ibrahim Suleiman has been announced as the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment recipient of the 2011 Award for Research Higher Degree Excellence.

Dr Suleiman’s thesis ‘Catalytic Mechanism of the Deacon Reaction’ investigated the role of copper in hydrogen chloride oxidation reactions, in order to minimise the emissions of the environmentally harmful materials, chlorinated dioxins.

Prof Bogdan Dlugogorski, Conjoint Prof John Mackie, A/Prof Marian Radny, and Prof Eric Kennedy supervised Dr Suleiman’s research.

Dr Suleiman became a student at the University of Newcastle in 2008 on the recommendation of a friend who was completing their PhD here.

"The University of Newcastle is an amazing place to do research," said Dr Suleiman.

"The University’s staff were supportive and co-operative, which helped me focus on my research. The city is very beautiful with fabulous beaches, and the people of Newcastle are very friendly and helpful."

During his studies, Dr Suleiman was supported by a University scholarship and by his family's company, the Ellari Trading Establishment.

Dr Suleiman is currently assisting the Ellari Trading Establishment while looking for a position to use his skills professionally.

"I am looking to continue my research and do more investigations on the area of energy. I hope that one day I will be a research fellow at the University of Newcastle."

---

Pro-Vice Chancellor appointed to ERA committee

19 March, 2012

Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor John Carter has been appointed as a 2012 member of the Research Evaluation Committee for Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

The Australian Research Council’s ERA initiative aims to identify and promote research excellence in Australian higher education institutions.

Professor Carter will join other internationally renowned experts in the Engineering and Environmental Sciences committee, which will evaluate the research output of these fields.

---

Early career researcher set to improve wireless migration

5 March, 2012

Dr Lawrence Ong has been awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA).

The DECRA scheme aims to support and create more opportunities for academics in the early years of their career.

Dr Ong will receive $375,000 over the next three years to fund his project ‘Achieving high-speed wireless communication networks through joint channel and network coding.’

This project will develop new coding techniques to increase the data transmission speed of wireless networks.

Its success will enable a smooth migration from wired to wireless networks for applications that require high data speed like broadband Internet, high-definition video streaming, and health-monitoring system.

"I am grateful for the financial support from the ARC and for the excellent research environment provided by the University for this project," said Dr Ong.

"I feel encouraged that my research works are well received and are inline with national research priorities."

Dr Ong’s grant is one of three awarded to the University in 2012.

---

Three of four future fellowships awarded to faculty

5 March, 2012

Three Australian Research Council Future Fellowships have been awarded to the Faculty of Engineering and Built the Environment.

The future fellowships aim to promote research in areas of critical national importance by giving outstanding researchers incentives to conduct their research in Australia.

Four Fellowships were awarded to the University of Newcastle in 2012. The Faculty’s high level of representation highlights the significance of the research being carried out by our academics.

The projects funded include:

• $700,316 to Dr Christopher Kellett for research into the emerging area of hybrid dynamical systems, including next generation electricity distribution networks
• $626,958 to Dr Peter Ireland to develop a dry particle separation process based on triboelectric separation, a novel way to refine mineral ores without using water
• $623,278 to Dr Sarah Johnson to develop new error correction codes to underpin the success of next-generation communications technologies

---

$2.5 million worth of ARC Discovery Projects begin

5 March, 2012

Over the next three years, the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment will receive $2,660,000 from the Australian Research Council Discovery Projects scheme.

The grants will fund eight projects across a range of engineering disciplines. The projects include:

• $535,000 for research into the area of turbulence, which is the usual state of fluid motion.
• $320,000 for research into developing innovative self-healing technological systems that are able to maintain appropriate levels of performance while reacting to unforeseeable faults.
• $360,000 for research aimed at resolving critical issues related to turbulent flows over rough walls, which hinder the engineer's ability to model these flows.
• $340,000 for research into integrated circuits and a new method that uses a tiny, intense spot of light to create low-cost ICs that are small, fast and will enable a vast range of new technologies.
• $320,000 for research into distributed sensor networks, that will find wide applications in smart electricity grids, traffic systems, industrial plants and security systems.
• $320,000 for research into memetic algorithms and adaptive memory metaheuristics for large scale combinatorial optimisation problems arising in biomarker discovery.
• $105,000 for research into new analysis and design tools to develop novel hybrid model predictive control systems with guaranteed stability, robustness and fault tolerance.
• $360,000 to study the fundamental behaviour of Australian natural soils under varying water contents and loading conditions.

---

Faculty awarded over $1 million worth of research grants

29 February, 2012

Over $1 million worth of research projects have just begun in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment.

The projects, conducted in association with different organisations, will see Faculty researchers conduct three different investigations over the next four years. The funding has been awarded by the Australian Research Council, for more information visit the Australian Research Council website.

The 2012 ARC Linkage Projects are:

• 'Foundation systems for reactive soils using scarification and screw piles': $533,256.00 for foundation systems research to investigate the use of soil scarification, in combination with screw piles, as a reliable option for lightweight foundations on damaging reactive (expansive) clay soils. It will validate an innovative foundation alternative that will result in significant cost savings for residential foundations on reactive soil. This project is conducted in association with Ideal Foundations.
• 'Maximising the kinetics of flotation processes': $200,000 to develop a new flotation technology that can be operated at feed rates vastly higher than existing technologies. The technology will be applicable to low grade feeds often discarded to tailings, delivering billions of dollars in additional exports of Australian resources. This project is conducted in association with Australian Coal Research Ltd and Ludowici Australia Pty Ltd.
• 'Development of a measure for assessment of the dynamic thermal response of buildings': $330,000 to develop a unique measure for assessing the thermal behaviour of walls and buildings with the view to improving the accuracy and effectiveness of efforts being made in energy efficient housing. This should increase confidence for both consumers and manufacturers in the use of new energy efficient building designs. This project is conducted in association with Think Brick Australia.

---

NUBots qualify for international RoboCup competition

23 Feburary, 2012

The NUbots have been selected as one of the 24 fully qualified teams for participation in the 2012 Humanoid League Technical Committee of the Humanoid KidSize League of RoboCup.

The team will travel to Mexico City in June to participate in the Robocup’s soccer games.

For ten years, 2002-2011, the NUbots have participated in the Standard Platform League (SPL).

In 2012 the team has undergone a transformation from a SPL team into a Humanoid KidSize League team. This involved:

• Change from the Aldebaran Nao robots to the new Darwin-OP humanoid platform.
• Development of a new NUbot software system for the new platform and the new league's rules.
• A generation change in our team: There are four new students on the team led by one senior PhD student from the old team. All other senior students have retired from the team and remain in a supporting role while completing their Masters/PhD degrees.

"I would like to congratulate everyone in the NUbot team and thank all our supporters," said team mentor A/Prof Stephan Chalup.

"This is an excellent outcome of the summer scholarship projects and associated work in the lab for preparation of the qualification material."

"I am very glad and happy that we can say that this transformation and generation change was successful and that the new NUbot team is in an excellent shape."

Watch the NUbots' 2012 qualification video on YouTube.

---

Students to support natural disaster reconstruction efforts

23 Feburary, 2012

Beginning in 2012, students from the School of Architecture and Built Environment will have an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people who have been affected by natural disasters.

During the mid-year semester break, students can take part in a four-week program in conjunction with Emergency Architects Australia.

In conjunction with aid agencies, local communities, governments and funding institutions, Emergency Architects assists to rebuild devastated areas, with the common belief that the construction of permanent (rather than temporary) structures, using local materials, will deliver effective and sustainable long-term results for communities affected by disaster.

The program has patronage from eminent architect H.E. Mr Michael Bryce, AM, AE and is the first of its type in an Australian university.

The University is currently looking for donors to help fund $4,000 scholarships, which will cover the costs of training, flights, accommodation and living expenses incurred while on the program.

For more information about how to get involved, download this pdf or contact Senior Lecturer Ramsey Awad.

---

Faculty University Medallists

15 February, 2012

Congratulations to the seven Engineering and Built Environment students who will be awarded a University Medal at their graduation this year.

A University Medal is awarded to graduates that have a consistent record of exceptional academic achievement at all levels of a Bachelor's degree program and qualify for a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours.

These awards are testament to their hard work and dedication. We wish them all the best with their future endeavours.

The recipients are:

• Reginald Baker - Architecture
• James Curry - Chemical Engineering
• Timothy Evans - Civil Engineering
• Scott Eftimovski - Building
• Nathan Marks - Electrical Engineering
• Luke Babic - Environmental Engineering
• Joshua Frost - Surveying

---

Professor elected chair of the International Association for Fire Safety Science

15 February, 2012

Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski, Director of the Priority Research Centre for Energy, has been elected the Chairman of the International Association for Fire Safety Science.

The IAFSS constitutes a peak body for international fire safety researchers. The Association has around 600 members worldwide, with its Secretariat located in London UK. It seeks to promote high standards, to encourage and stimulate scientists to address fire problems, to provide the necessary scientific foundations and means to facilitate applications aimed at reducing life and property loss.

Professor Dlugogorski has had a long involvement with the international fire science community and with the IAFSS in particular. He has previously served as the Vice-Chairman for the Asia-Oceania region of the Association and its Honorary Secretary.

"I wish to maintain our attention to excellence in research where it already exists, and intend to work with fire safety scientists in countries which are now building up their capability to study fires," wrote Prof Dlugogorski in the latest IAFSS newsletter.

"I hope that we will continue with reaching out to all fire scientists around the world encouraging them to attend the Fire Safety Symposia, with the Symposia retaining and expanding their workshops and the English mentoring scheme."

---

Record enrolments reflect industry demand

2 February, 2012

Industry demands and 100% graduate employment has spurred record enrolments in the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) this year.

The current resource boom and significant investment in renewable energy and Smart Grid technologies has led employers struggling to fill positions.

"The School is delighted with the increased interest in the Electrical Engineering area," said program convenor Dr. Steve Mitchell.

"There are many opportunities for our graduates and companies are actively pushing for more graduates in order to fill their skill shortages."

This push was reflected in this year's undergraduate enrolments, with a 58% increase on first preferences and a 45% increase in the current offers for the Electrical Engineering degree.

Electrical engineering graduates have a wide range of employment opportunities including power generation and distribution, renewable energy, electronics, and automation and control engineering.

To find out more about the discipline visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/electrical-engineering-computer-science/areas-of-study/electrical.html.

---

Faculty Medal of the Order of Australia recipients

31 January, 2012

Two members of the Faculty were awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia day this year.

Conjoint Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor Ganapathi Asari Murugesan, received an OAM for service to medicine, particularly in the field of psychiatry. Since 2001 Associate Professor Murugesan has been the Medical Superintendent and Director of Rehabilitation at Bloomfield Mental Health Service in Orange and has served on a host of industry organisations dedicated to the improvement of mental health.

Founder of the University’s Science and Engineering Challenge, Bob Nelson, was acknowledged for his contribution to education through the development and national delivery of the innovative program. The Challenge encourages high school students’ interest in science and engineering by engaging them in fun, hands-on activities. It has grown from a local event to one involving more than 20,000 students nationwide each year.

---

Questioning anti-terrorism spending

16 January, 2012

Many anti-terrorism measures produce no net benefit and should be "judiciously rolled back", according to civil engineer Prof Mark Stewart from the University of Newcastle and political scientist Prof John Mueller from Ohio State University in the US.

In their book Terror, Security and Money, the authors say that increased spending on domestic homeland security over the past decade has totalled US$1 trillion in the US and A$8 billion in Australia.

"We seek to apply conventional cost-benefit and risk analytic approaches to this huge increase in expenditures, and found that vast amounts of money have been misspent."

The analysis is based on considering the probability of a terrorist attack and the resulting damage. The authors acknowledge the difficulty of estimating the probability of rare, high-consequence events such as September 11. "We are uncomfortable saying what the threat probability is," Stewart told Engineers Australia magazine. "We don’t pretend to know the answers."

Instead, the authors use "break-even analysis" to estimate how many attacks of what magnitude would have to take place to justify the expenditure. For example, they calculate that federal, state and local governments in the US have increased their annual spending on homeland security (excluding wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) by US$75 billion per annum since 2001. Supposing these measures reduce risk by 45%, there would have to be 1667 attacks per year with damage of more than US$100 million each in order to break even. To justify Australian government expenditure, there would have to be 25 such attacks per year.

According to this analysis, some measures like hardened cockpit doors in airplanes are cost-effective, while many others, such as the presence of US air marshals on board aircraft, are not. "We have not examined every aspect of enhanced homeland security in equal depth, but it is difficult to find many expenditures that, on balance, have clearly been a net benefit," the book said.

"It is possible that any relaxation in these measures will increase the terrorism hazard, that the counterterrorism effort is the reason for the low hazard terrorism currently presents. However, for the terrorism risk to border on becoming ‘unacceptable’ by established risk conventions – that is, to reach an annual fatality rate of 1 in 100,000 – the number of fatalities from all forms of terrorism in the United States would have to increase 35-fold, and in Australia more than 70-fold."

The book concludes that spending so much on measures that produce so little public benefit is "not only irresponsible, but also immoral". The authors suggest that diverting some of the security expenditure to areas such as flood protection, road safety and healthcare would save many more lives.

But the authors predict that high spending on security could continue unabated because politicians and bureaucrats fear getting accused of "being soft on terrorism". "It may be too late for careful cost-benefit analyses or for judicious comparisons of trade-offs and opportunity costs."

This article first appeared in Engineers Australia magazine, Vol 84 No 1, January 2012, and is reproduced here with permission. For more information on the publication go to www.engineersmedia.com.au.

---