Australia's Role in
Gravity Wave Research
With amazing new technology developed through an intense international
collaboration, scientists predict that we will soon be capable of
listening in to the birth of the Universe itself.
Detection requires a worldwide array of observatories linked by
internet (see list on right). It is critical to have one in
Australia to give a southern arm and three-dimensional coverage.
The first stage of the Australian International Gravitational Observatory
is under development at Gingin, Western Australia: thus Australia
is already a partner in the global effort.
Australia's key role in gravity wave research has provided the opportunity
to create The Gravity Discovery Centre. This Centre will allow
the public to participate and share in the excitment of discovery.
It is an initiative that will benefit all Australians.
Gravity wave technology has already created a surge of innovation
that will bring significant practical and economic benefits to Australia.
For example, the research has already created enhanced radar technology,
sapphire clocks, supermirrors, gravity sensors, laser technology,
ocean wave monitoring and super-efficient air-condiitoners.
|
|
Scientific Spin-Offs
and Breakthroughs
Radar Oscillators:
The improvement is sufficient to allow radars to detect "Stealth
Bombers" - aircraft that were previously undetectable.
This technology will also allow commercial aircraft to identify
air turbulence faster and more clearly than ever before.
A new Australian industry has emerged based on the commercialisation
of patented spin-offs from gravity wave research.
The Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer:
A gravity gradiometer is a device used in mineral exploration
to detect ore bodies through their gravity effects. Gravity
gradiometers can allow rapid airborne exploration, unlike conventional
gravity sensors. The devices need ultra sensitive detection
of gravity deflections. Today the project has been commercialised
under contract with The University of Western Australia (UWA).
Coastal Ocean Wave Monitors:
UWA gravity wave physicists have developed and patented a land-based
device able to accurately monitor coastal ocean waves. This
device can measure the growth of potentially life-threatening
swells, saving the need for expensive buoys. At least 40
Waverider Buoys are used around Australia to monitor ocean waves
at considerable expense. These buoys are expensive to purchase
($140,000 each) and to maintain ($20,000 pa).
The Sapphire Clock: This was invented at
UWA for gravity wave research and is the only clock in the world
stable enough to allow atomic clocks to reach their ultimate precision.
These are required for the Inter-national Space Station and for
the next generation of precision GPS navigational systems.
The clock, which uses pure crystals of synthetic saphire, is being
developed for the above applications funded by and in collaboratoin
with the French LPTF Laboratory of CNRS in Paris.
Ultra Low Energy Air-Conditioning:
This greenhouse-gas-minimising air conditioning concept was invented
for the special requirements of the AIGO Observatory buildings.
The device makes use of cool underground water and reduces the
total energy requirements to 10% of convenional air conditioning.
The first prototype has been evaluated during the operation of
AIGO. Its eventual commercialisation will allow massive
air conditioning power savings in domestic and industrial locations
across Australia whereever low temperature ground water is available.
Much of the above research has been conducted with the support
of the Australian Research Council.
|
