Nonlinear and complex dynamical systems, Carbon capture, Carbon sequestration, Global carbon cycles, Thermochemical instabilities, Combustion theory and modelling, Endex thermoreactive systems, Thermochemistry and thermokinetics of char formation, Quasi two-dimensional flows, Country pub lunches: http://countrypublunches.blogspot.com.
Major research projects:
2010-2014 ANU: "The charXive challenge and the clean coal quest: thermokinetic principles and methods for capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide”. ARC Future Fellowship FT0991007.
2003–2008 ANU: "Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids". Fundamental investigations into two-dimensional flow physics and spontaneous emergence of structure. ARC Discovery Project DP0343765.
1999–2003 ANU: “Turbulence and anomalous transport in magnetically confined plasmas: a theoretical and computational study of transport barrier bifurcations". Fusion plasma theory and modelling, aiming to understand and control the formation and relaxation of transport barriers to improve plasma containment and bring the goal of fusion power within reach. ARC APD Fellowship project F00000150.
1998, Leeds University, UK: EPSRC funded project, with the School of Mathematics and Department of Fuel and Energy: “Detailed Thermokinetic modelling of cellulose thermal decomposition and combustion”. The application was related to the prevalent use of char enhancing treatments of celluolosic materials for flame retardation. My published results showed that charring treatments have the opposite effect – they enhance flaming combustion.
1997 Sydney University: Project in the School of Chemistry: “Molecular dynamics simulations and energy minimizations of antifreeze proteins, dynamical modelling of molecular aggregation.”
1993–1996 Macquarie University, PhD thesis: “Endothermal stabilization of chemical reactors”. Synopsis: The mathematical foundations of a new technological concept were expounded: Endex coupled chemical reactor systems. The origins and causes of thermokinetic instabilities were investigated, leading to the first satisfactory explanation of thermal runaways in large storage tanks of reactive liquids, such as the explosive hydrolysis in a tank of methyl isocyanate at the Union Carbide plant at Bhophal in 1984. Outputs were five refereed publications and two provisional patents.
1992 Macquarie University, Honours thesis: “Charge-transfer interactions of lipophilic drug molecules”. Outputs were three publications in international refereed scientific journals, two of which are still cited.
