QUT offers a diverse range of student topics for Honours, Masters and PhD study. Search to find a topic that interests you or propose your own research topic to a prospective QUT supervisor. You may also ask a prospective supervisor to help you identify or refine a research topic.
Found 145 matching student topics
Displaying 25–36 of 145 results
Achieving a sub-micrometer surgical robot end-effector via hybrid sensing
When operating with a tool within the human body in the context of a medical procedure, it is crucial to be able to keep track of the pose of the tool. This project will develop a hybrid approach to end effector pose estimation by combing optical tracking with other sensor inputs (e.g. force, sound, acoustic emissions) to compliment and improve tracking accuracy with applications towards orthopaedic surgical robots. This project is part of a broader collaboration with industry partner Stryker.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies
Dexterous tools with variable stiffness for minimally invasive surgery
Robotics has a positive impact on surgical procedures. This is particularly the case with minimally invasive surgeries. In these procedures, there is a need for compact tools that can be inserted through a tiny opening but are versatile in function. This project will look at the design of dexterous alternatives to traditional surgical tools within this context. Methods to vary the workspace and stiffness of the tool will be investigated by combining inspiration from the design of miniature biological joints …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Robotics
Production of hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries
The transition to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind necessitates efficient and large-scale energy storage solutions. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale storage due to the abundance and low cost of sodium. Hard carbon anodes, derived from biomass, offer a sustainable and effective solution for SIBs, providing a pathway to enhance energy storage capabilities and support renewable energy integration.
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
Physics-informed reinforcement learning for complex environments, using graph neural networks
Neglecting to incorporate physics information into world models for reinforcement learning leads to reduced adaptability to dynamic and complex environments and overall learning outcomes.In this project, we endeavour to develop and implement learnable models in reinforcement learning (RL) based on graph neural networks (GNNs). These models will integrate object and relation-centric representations to enable accurate predictions, strong generalization, and system identification in complex, dynamical systems. Additionally, we will focus on leveraging extensive world knowledge or physics information to refine representations …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics
Quantum machine learning
Quantum machine learning is the integration of quantum algorithms within machine learning programs with great potential to solve complex problems. For instance, Google’s Sycamore processor (61) performs in 200 seconds a task that would require 10,000 years using a classical computer.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics
Adaptive and efficient robot positioning
I am looking for highly motivated and talented PhD students to work with us on robot localisation and navigation. The students would join my DECRA Fellowship project "Adaptive and Efficient Robot Positioning Through Model and Task Fusion" funded by the Australian Research Council, which provides substantial top-up scholarships in addition to QUT's tax-free base stipend.Robot positioningWhere are you? This is a fundamental question to which most of us usually know the answer. And so do the birds singing in our …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Robotics
Advanced numerical modeling to study dust deposition mechanisms on photovoltaic panels for the agrivoltaic industry.
The increase in global energy demand necessitates further advancement in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Advancements in PVs could potentially play a role to help meet the Paris Agreement of limiting global temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius. In conjunction with the rising demand for clean energy production, the global agricultural industry needs to keep pace with rising food demand which is expected to increase by 50% by 2050 to feed over a projected 10 billion people. The scarcity of fertile …
- Study level
- PhD, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
Characterizing effects of radiation therapy in 3D bioengineered cancer models
Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the most commonly used modalities in cancer treatment, usually delivered in combination with surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.However, clinical outcomes show that almost 20% of patients fail to achieve targeted outcomes because of inherent resistance to radiation. This necessitates in-depth understanding of radiation resistance mechanisms using relevant preclinical models of RT. Previous in vitro studies have predominantly used two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models that do not recapitulate the three-dimensional (3D) complexity of native tissues.
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies
Development of a machine learning algorithm for high throughput cell response data in drug therapy
High-throughput screening assays are essential for accelerating drug discovery, but current assays often rely on endpoint measurements that do not capture the dynamic response of cells to drug treatment. Machine learning algorithms (MLAs) have the potential to enable real-time, high-throughput monitoring of cell response to drug treatment by analyzing complex datasets generated by multiplexed live-cell assays. This research project aims to develop an MLA for enabling high throughput cell response data in drug treatment. The project will involve three main …
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Computer Science
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies
Centre for Biomedical Technologies
Leveraging Big Data and AI/ML for Smart Transport Solutions
This PhD position aims to harness the potential of big traffic and mobility data alongside cutting-edge AI/ML algorithms to pioneer innovative solutions for optimizing smart motorways and/or arterial traffic flow. By leveraging these technologies, the project endeavours to develop and test smart algorithms, with the goal of significantly enhancing the efficiency and safety of road networks.Send via email to Prof. Ashish Bhaskar (ashish.bhaskar@qut.edu.au):a brief statement detailing your suitability for the positiona detailed curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, if …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Data Science
Modelling of electrochemical CO2 capture and conversion
Renewable electricity is remarkably cheap, and is only going to get cheaper. However, existing state-of-the-art CO2 capture and conversion processes use thermal energy (typically generated by burning natural gas). This modelling project will investigate electrochemical techniques for capturing CO2 from air (direct air capture) and converting it to useful chemicals and materials.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
Climate equity in multi-hazard vulnerability assessments
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as intense heatwaves, floods, and bushfires, is triggering disruptive disasters that have a significant impact on communities, ecosystems, and economies. While our national climate change adaptation strategy places a paramount focus on enhancing community resilience, it is crucial to recognise that not all communities face climate risks in the same manner. Diverse communities exhibit varying capacities to respond and adapt to distinct climate hazards. This reality underscores the imperative for …
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Architecture and Built Environment
- Research centre(s)
-
Centre for the Environment
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