Student topics

When liquids of different densities mix, they can produce complex fingering patterns. This is particularly important in the flow of liquid in underground porous aquifers, where the density of the groundwater can be influenced by salinity or heat, as well as the insulation properties of porous materials. Another important application is the still-prototypical use of aquifers for carbon sequestration; the dissolution of CO2 into groundwater has a complex effect on its density, and convective mixing is crucial for accelerating the …

Study level

Master of Philosophy, Honours, Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Mathematical Sciences

One of the more challenging aspects of modelling fluid dynamics is the contact-line problem: how does a contact line (a junction between two different fluids and a solid) move over time? A variety of models exist, such as disjoining pressure models, Navier slip models, and the imposition of a prewetting film, to name a few.In this project we will explore the behaviour of these different contact line models in the context of closing or healing liquid films. A hole in …

Study level

Master of Philosophy, Honours, Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Mathematical Sciences

Slight variations in the seasonal timing of Antarctic ice melt can drastically shift the composition of local shallow-water ecosystems from being dominated by invertebrates to algae instead. Such "tipping point" events may become commonplace in the future due to climate change, not just in Antarctica but in many ecosystems worldwide.This project seeks to develop mathematical models of the interactions between Antarctic environmental conditions and the local shallow-water ecosystem states. These models could then be used to make predictions about the …

Study level

PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours, Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Mathematical Sciences

Research centre(s)

Centre for Data Science
Centre for the Environment

Ecosystems respond to gradual change in unexpected ways. Feedback processes between different parts of an environment can perpetuate ecosystem collapse, leading to potentially irreversible biodiversity loss. However, it is unclear if greater knowledge of feedbacks will ultimately change environmental decisions.The project aims to identify when feedbacks matter for environmental decisions, by generating new methods that predict the economic benefit of knowing more about feedbacks. Combining ecological modelling and value-of-information theory, the outcomes of these novel methods will provide significant and …

Study level

PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours, Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Mathematical Sciences

Research centre(s)

Centre for Data Science
Centre for the Environment

Mathematical models involving partial differential equations (PDEs) are useful for simulating many important physical processes including heat and mass transfer, groundwater flow, pollutant transport and drug delivery. This project will focus on developing new mathematical and computational techniques to solve, approximate and/or analyse PDE models.Potential project topics include:developing new numerical and/or analytical methods for solving PDE modelsbuilding new reduced-order PDE models that are easier to solve, interpret or analyseextracting insight into time scales of PDE models, such as the amount …

Study level

PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours, Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Mathematical Sciences