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The physics of pizza tossing
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29 April 2009
Upgrade / install Flash player for optimum video viewing or refer to the alternative versions below. The physics of pizza tossingAlternative versions: |
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| Pizza chef Karem Mazloum from Toto's Pizza House in Carlton, Melbourne shows Associate Professor James Friend and Daniel (Kuang-Chen) Liu how to toss the perfect pizza. |
Scientists from the Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory will use the physics of a perfect pizza toss to design the next generation of micro motors thinner than a human hair.
PhD student Daniel (Kuang-Chen) Liu and his supervisors Associate Professor James Friend and Dr Leslie Yeo videotaped a professional pizza tosser at work and then calculated how best to describe the way the dough travels through the air, including how much it rotates, how quickly it spins, its stability and the energy efficiency of the toss.
The result is a set of nonlinear differential equations that capture the art of pizza tossing.
The model could help design the next generation of standing wave ultrasonic motors (SWUMs) -- tiny motors that could be used for minimally invasive neuro-microsurgery.
Their fixed component, the stator, is made to vibrate ultrasonically, and this causes the moveable part, the disc-like rotor, to be "tossed" - both rotated and lifted.
"The SWUM works exactly like a pizza chef tossing dough, with the hands representing the vibrating stator of the SWUM and the dough representing the rotor.
"The only difference is that a chef tosses dough about once a second, a few tens of centimetres into the air. A SWUM tosses the rotor a few million times a second into the air," Associate Professor Friend said.
Associate Professor Friend said scientists had been using trial and error to make variations of the SWUMs but until now there had not been a thorough understanding of the forces involved.
View the story and accompanying video of Professor Friend's recent research into Micro Motors and their surgical applications.
29 April 2009
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| Satellite images of smoke plumes from fires in southeast Australia on 11 January 2007. Red outlines indicate active fires. |
A Monash researcher is one of 22 scientists from around the world to make recommendations for future climate change analysis to include fire.
Deputy Head of School of Geography and Environmental Science Associate Professor Christian Kull and his colleagues have made a number of recommendations and assessments of carbon emissions in an article published in Science.
"We have called on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to fully-integrate fire into their assessments of global climate change, and consider fire-climate feedbacks, which have been largely absent in global models," Associate Professor Kull said.
The authors claim that intentional deforestation fires alone contribute to up to one-fifth of the manmade increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
Associate Professor Kull said the report focused on the fact that the earth was an intrinsically flammable planet due to its cover of carbon-rich vegetation, seasonally dry climates, atmospheric oxygen, widespread lightning, and volcano ignitions.
"Yet despite our long-held appreciation of this flammability, the global scope of fire has been revealed only recently by satellite observations," Associate Professor Kull said.
"These satellite images highlight that fire is long-overdue to be incorporated in all assessments of climate change and factored in on modeling and predictions."
The article pulls together knowledge about fire, which has until now, remained separated in various fields and departments of universities across the globe.
29 April 2009
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A team of Monash researchers has successfully lobbied the Victorian government to list the State's dingo as a threatened species.
As a result the dingo is now classified as wildlife, rather than as a pest animal.
Dr Ian Gunn from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr Ernest Healy from the Faculty of Arts and manager Property Services Wayne Brundell have played a pivotal role in successfully lobbying the Victorian government to list the State's dingo as a threatened species.
The team has also been involved in establishing the National Dingo Recovery and Preservation Program (NDPRP), which aims to ensure that remaining populations of the dingo survive throughout Australia.
The NDPRP will record and store the origin, lineage and DNA information of dingo populations of high conservation value.
Dr Gunn, who works with the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, said the process aimed to retain the purity of the dingo species.
"Unfortunately the dingo is being cross-bred either purposefully or in the wild with feral dogs," Dr Gunn said.
"One of the ways we can retain purity is to store the sperm, cell lines or DNA of the pure bred animal for future use in assisted breeding programs," Dr Gunn said.
The Animal Gene Storage and Resource Centre of Australia at MISCL will play a pivotal role in this process.
Dr Healy, who is a research fellow in the School of Political and Social Inquiry, said although the dingo was likely to have been introduced from Indonesia between 3500 and 5000 thousand years ago, the species was an important part of the nation's natural and cultural history.
"By the time Europeans arrived the dingo had become integral to Australian ecosystems and had been incorporated into Aboriginal culture, used as hunting companions and guard dogs," Dr Healy said.
29 April 2009
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| Dr Sam Davis |
A consortium, led by Dr Sam Davis of Monash University's School of Rural Health at Bendigo, has secured $1.27 million to improve the care of people with dementia in residential aged care.
Participating rural residential aged care facilities will work with Monash, the Loddon-Mallee Primary Care Partnership and McCarthy Psychology Services to create environments that support people with dementia to remain engaged in everyday life.
One in 600 Victorians under the age of 65 has dementia. For those aged 70 and above, the likelihood increases to one in 30 people, while one in eight people aged over 80 and one in three people aged 90 or more have a form of dementia.
Dementia describes the symptoms of a large group of illnesses that cause a progressive decline in a person's functioning including a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, and social skills.
"There is evidence to show that appropriate physical environments and the way care is provided in those environments can address behaviours that causes stress, risk of or actual harm to the person with dementia, care staff, family members or those around them," Dr Davis said.
"Working together, researchers, trainers and aged care providers in the consortium will put this existing information into practice to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.
"The lessons learned in participating Victorian rural aged care facilities will become a blueprint for how to create dementia-friendly environments in aged care facilities around Australia."
The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
The consortium includes Loddon-Mallee Primary Care Partnership, McCarthy Psychology Services, Mallee Track Health and Community Service, Cohuna District Hospital, Echuca Regional Health, Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Tongala and District Memorial Aged Care Service Inc, Boort District Hospital, and Rochester and Elmore District Health Service.
29 April 2009
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| SBS principal Chris Vorster, MSA Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius, SBS head academic affairs Jenny Coles, and MSA Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Dina Burger. |
Monash University's South African campus has entered into a partnership with a business school in Johannesburg to provide collaborative training and research opportunities for students and staff.
Southern Business School (SBS) is a higher-education distant learning institution that provides certificate, diploma and degree courses in management related fields.
The partnership with Monash will include collaboration on various training and development short courses and projects, resource sharing and joint community engagement projects.
Some students who have completed studies at the school will also have the opportunity to prepare for enrolment in degree programs at either Monash or SBS through Monash South Africa's Foundation Program.
Staff at the Southern Business School will also be able to participate in the research training programs offered by the Research Directorate at MSA and make use of the University's library and associated facilities.
MSA Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Dina Burger said the collaborative agreement, the first of its kind for MSA, would be of benefit to both institutions.
"Monash has a reputable standing in the area of research and we have a unique opportunity to assist SBS, which is a small and young institution, to build a research presence in South Africa," Professor Burger said.
"We have also built up a strong reputation for the relevance and quality of our research training programs, which staff and students from SBS will now be able to attend."
29 April 2009
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The Faculty of Law will host the 2009 Great Law Week Debate on Wednesday 13 May at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre as part of Victorian Law Week.
Victorian Law Week is held in the third week of May each year to promote greater understanding of the law within the community.
The debate, which last year attracted more than 300 people, will see two teams of well-known Monash graduates debate the topic: "They're not morons: governments should butt out of young people's lives."
The topic refers to the ways that governments are increasingly regulating how young people live, from internet and video game censorship to curfews and P plate restrictions.
Former world debate champion Meg O'Sullivan will lead the team for the affirmative, ably supported by ABC Radio National's Law Report presenter Damien Carrick, and Victorian Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson.
The negative team will be lead by barrister Shivani Pillai and will include one of Melbourne's most respected Queens Counsels David Galbally and Sally Cockburn (Dr Feelgood) who presents on 3AW and Channel 7's Morning Show.
Overseeing the Great Law Week Debate as moderator is Monash law graduate Will Fowles who in 2005 became the youngest-ever member of the Melbourne Cricket Club Committee and in 2008 ran for Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
The debate starts at 6pm. RSVPs are essential by Friday 8 May, 2009 by phoning +61 3 9905 2630 or emailing marketing@law.monash.edu.au.
For other events during Victorian Law Week visit the Victoria Law Foundation website.
For more information on studying law at Monash visit the Faculty of Law website.
29 April 2009
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More than 30 high school students have had a taste of university life at the first of two "uni student for a day" programs for 2009.
Hosted by the Gippsland campus, the program provides the opportunity for Year 10, 11 and 12 students to experience what it's like to study at the campus by partnering them with a current university student.
The students attended lectures, toured the campus, enjoyed on-site recreation facilities and had the opportunity to speak to current students and staff.
At the same time, their parents were invited to attend a separate session where they were provided with information about their child's transition to university, including important advice regarding scholarships, finances and student accommodation.
Gippsland campus Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said Monash was proud to offer such a unique program for prospective students.
"The two-day program was a wonderful opportunity for high school students to gain a first-hand experience of what university life is all about," she said.
"The students were matched with a university student who is studying in their area of interest, which ensured the experience was as informative and relevant as possible."
Professor Bartlett said feedback from this and previous year's sessions showed the program made a significant difference in easing students' transition from secondary to tertiary study.
"Often parents have more questions about university than their children and feel they lack the information necessary to support their child's transition," Professor Bartlett said.
"The parent sessions are great in addressing all the common questions and concerns regarding university study and allow parents to speak directly with Monash staff about a variety of issues."
The next "uni student for a day" event will be held in late September.
29 April 2009
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| Stephanie Cumming |
Monash University will welcome an elite level basketballer next year.
After two years at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Stephanie Cumming is moving back to Melbourne to play with the Dandenong Jayco Rangers for the next Women's National Basketball League season.
Ms Cumming will also complete her education degree at Monash and participate in the University's women's basketball program as part of a partnership Monash has with the Rangers.
Monash Sport director of basketball and Rangers head coach Dale Waters said Ms Cumming was the first Rangers player to be offered a scholarship at the AIS.
"It's fantastic that she has now gone full-circle and is coming back home to Dandenong to not only play with the Rangers but to also study and train at Monash," Mr Waters said.
Ms Cumming has an impressive biography. At only 18 years of age she has played in the WNBL, competed in six junior international games, and represented Australia in the 2006 Oceania Youth tournament in New Zealand.
She was also recently announced as the Basketball Australia 2008 Female Junior Player of the year.
For more Monash sports news visit the Monash Sport website.
29 April 2009
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| Professor Amrik Sohal |
Professor Amrik Sohal has been recognised as one of the top 50 ranked researchers in the world in the technology innovation management field, winning an International Association for the Management of Technology research award.
The deputy head of the Department of Management in the Faculty of Business and Economics has not only won this award for the past five years, but is one of only seven researchers worldwide who have maintained this status for an entire decade.
The award is based on the number of articles published over the last five years in the top 10 academic technology innovation management journals.
In receiving the award, Professor Sohal acknowledged the support he had received from the department and faculty.
"My research into new manufacturing technologies dates back to the early 90s with surveys conducted in a number of countries around the world as well as the preparation of case studies about organisations that had adopted new manufacturing technologies and systems," Professor Sohal said.
"A number of my colleagues from the Department of Management have collaborated with me on this research and this award also recognises their standing in the field through joint publications in international journals."
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Julia Gillard announced the first part of the Federal Government's response to the recommendations of the Bradley Review of Higher Education when she opened the Inaugural Universities Australia Higher Education Conference on 4 March. In doing so she again expressed the Government's support for universities and the recognition of the relative neglect of this vital sector over the last dozen years or so.
She made the following specific announcements in that speech and another speech a few days later:
In addition to these announcements, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr at the same meeting and in a later speech made comments relevant to the Bradley Review and the Cutler Review of Innovation along the following lines:
Notably both Ministers emphasised that the current financial situation meant that the government would be restricted in what it could do in the next budget and that it could only move towards increased funding commitments for university education and research in stages.
There are a number of implications of the announcements.
An increase in the number of graduates need not imply a great increase in the number of university places if retention and completion rates are increased and if the role of other education providers to bachelor level is increased, as is likely, by 2025.
For example, the role of the TAFE/VET sector in providing education to bachelor level has just started. The private sector has expanded considerably in scope and it is likely that many of these institutions will provide bachelor level education by 2025. Thirdly, the expansion of online education following improved technology and broad-band access will make it possible for universities and other providers to provide bachelor-level education to larger numbers of students in distributed locations. There will likely be an expanded role for Open Universities Australia and possible activities by large-scale international providers in Australia. Obviously the role of the central quality and accreditation agency in ensuring that the diverse range of providers delivers education of an appropriate quality will be vital. Research-intensive, campus-based universities will not be the only contributors to Bachelor-level education but will play a particular role at the top end of the tertiary sector.
The concept of deregulating undergraduate Australian student numbers in our universities with maintenance of capped fees raises the possibility of a number of scenarios over time. It will be tempting for universities to increase the number of domestic places in high demand, low-cost courses such as business and law, and decrease the number of places in high-cost courses or poorly compensated courses such as engineering, health sciences and education.
The reliance on market information to guide the choices of students and universities to deliver the appropriate outcome in terms of the number of graduates in areas of national need is optimistic at best. It is hard to imagine that the Federal Government will allow the number of graduates in areas of political sensitivity such as education, nursing and medicine to be left to the market especially when the market is distorted by price caps. On the other hand, universities will be likely to take national needs into account when deciding on the number of places offered in different disciplines and it will not be possible to make rapid changes to discipline mix given established staff numbers in different disciplines.
Equity targets are meaningless when we use the postcode of a student's residence as the measure of socioeconomic status. Other indicators will be required. Individual targets will need to be assigned for different universities and additional financial help given to generate and deliver the appropriate pathway programs and student support for the students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A national quality and regulatory body seems essential given the diversification of institutions offering degrees. However as university and other tertiary education is currently regulated by the states, this will require agreement between the Commonwealth and the states.
The statement by Senator Carr stating that the government would move towards fully funding the costs of research is welcome. Increasing the Research Infrastructure Block Grant from its current 20 cents in the dollar to 50 cents in the dollar would be a welcome first step.
Senator Carr's comments about compacts appeared a little paradoxical in view of the silence of the Bradley Review on this topic and the advocacy by Deputy Prime Minister Gillard of minimal interference by government in the affairs of universities with accountability based on outcomes.
Regardless of the rhetoric substantially increased investment in universities will be needed if they are to achieve the benefits for Australia articulated in the two reviews and recognised by the two ministers. The tough financial situation will make it difficult for the government to deliver this but a start must be made towards redressing the financial neglect of recent years.
Our universities have done well over the recent past but could deliver so much more for the prosperity of Australia and the welfare of its people and its environment if they were properly funded.
29 April 2009
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Name: Saeed Alshahrani
Course: Master of International Business
Faculty: Business and Economics
Year Level: One
Mode: Full-time
What is it about your course and the University that helped you to choose Monash?
My background is human resources. At Monash I am able to study international business which allows me to focus on and understand international human resources. I also received an International Scholarship For Excellence from Monash.
What is your favourite subject and why?
Human resource management because it requires highly sophisticated skills to balance the relationship between businesses and their stakeholders.
What challenges are ahead for you this year?
To maintain high grades in my subjects.
What will be your ideal career (and what will it involve) when you graduate?
I used to work in the tourism industry and I might continue because it is a new industry in my country Saudi Arabia.
What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
The interesting overlap between economics, management and marketing studies.
What your favourite destination and why?
Japan is my next destination. I like Japanese language and there are many things that attract me to Japanese culture and heritage.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Stay true to yourself.
What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn't know?
That I'm married with two children.
29 April 2009
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About 380 students are enrolled in the University's 2009 Enhancement Studies program, almost 100 more than last year.
As part of the Monash Passport, this program gives high-achieving secondary school students the opportunity to study a first-year university sequence as part of their Year 12 program. This improves their aggregate ENTER as well as giving credits towards their degree.
For more information visit the Enhancement Studies program website.