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Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen
Honorary Professor

Zhi-Gang Chen

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Overview

Background

Prof. Dr Zhigang Chen is currently an Honorary Professor in the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering, the University of Queensland, and a founding director for the ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality (ZeroPC), ARC Future Fellow, Academic Reseach Lead, and a Capacity Building Professor of Energy Materials at the School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Dr Chen received his PhD from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2008 under the supervision of Professor Hui-Ming Cheng, and Professor Gaoqing (Max) Lu. His research focuses on thermoelectrics for power generation and cooling; next-generation optoelectronic devices and functional System; topological insulators for next-generation chips; and high-speed sensors. In total, Dr Chen received ~A$40,000,000 in research grants to support the research, including one prestigious UQ postdoctoral fellowship (2009), ARC APD Fellowship (2009), five ARC Discovery Grants (four as lead CI, one as ARC APD fellowship, and one as ARC Future Fellowship), two ARC Research hub, four ARC Linkage Grant (one as lead CI), four ARC LIEF Grant, >10 Industry Investments (eight as sole CI), two Queensland Smart Futures Funds (sole CI), and >10 University Grants. Currently, Dr Chen is leading one ARC Research Hub, two ARC discovery projects, one sub project at ARC Research Hub, one ARC Linkage project, and four industry investments. Dr Chen is one Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Top 0.1% researcher in the world). He has authored over 330 high-impact journal publications including 1 Nature Energy, 1 Nature Nanotechnology; 3 Nature Communications; 1 Chemical Reviews; 2 Progress in Materials Science; 4 Energy & Environmental Science; 1 Joule; 11 Advanced Materials; and 4 Journal of the American Chemical Society. These publications have attracted >35000 times (Scopus, www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57188708630) and an H index of 70. His google scholar citation is >25,000 with an H index of 100 (https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=vkRX_vgAAAAJ&hl=en). Particularly, in the last three years, Dr Chen has published more than 40 articles per year and attracted over 5,000 citations per year. Dr Chen has delivered over 50 plenary/keynote/invited talks in the international/national conferences. Dr Chen has authored four commercialized patents, which have been attracted industry investments.

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Chinese Academy of Science

Research interests

  • Design inexpensive, abundant, low-toxic and high-efficiency thermoelectric nanomaterials

    Thermoelectric materials directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy, offering a green and sustainable solution for the global energy dilemma. This proposal aims to develop inexpensive, abundant, and low-toxic thermoelectric nanomaterials for high-efficiency energy conversion using novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies.

  • Topological Insulators

    High-Speed Hard Drive: Topological Insulators Open a Path to Room-Temperature Spintronics

Research impacts

Thermoelectric materials for power generation and cooling

Identifying new approaches to develop energy-saving methods and tap into new renewable energy sources is set to be the greatest challenge of the 21st Century. Thermoelectric (TE) energy is one of the approaches that offers great promise as it can be used in multiple applications for power generation and refrigeration. It can create electricity from waste heat at any scale, it can significantly improve energy efficiency at a medium industrial scale, including significantly improving vehicular weight and emissions, and it can even generate electricity or cooling at the nanoscale. For instance, it could potentially be used to convert body heat into electricity in clothing or to charge a cell phone. The thermoelecric materials developed by Dr Chen have extremely high hopes for this technology.

Topological insulators for high speed chips

Imagine if the "information superhighway" had HOV lanes so that data could be stored, processed and disseminated many times faster than possible with today's electronics. New topological insulators developed by Dr Chen will be used for this new generation devices, such a speedway for future devices, an exotic type of electrical conductor.

Works

Search Professor Zhi-Gang Chen’s works on UQ eSpace

503 works between 2005 and 2025

1 - 20 of 503 works

2025

Journal Article

Artificial intelligence-driven phase stability evaluation and new dopants identification of hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric materials

Yan, Shaoan, Xu, Pei, Li, Gang, Li, Yuchun, Zhu, Yingfang, Zhu, Xiaona, Yang, Qiong, Li, Meng, Tang, Minghua, Lu, Hongliang, Liu, Sen, Li, Qingjiang, Zhang, David Wei and Chen, Zhigang (2025). Artificial intelligence-driven phase stability evaluation and new dopants identification of hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric materials. npj Computational Materials, 11 (1) 2. doi: 10.1038/s41524-024-01510-4

Artificial intelligence-driven phase stability evaluation and new dopants identification of hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric materials

2025

Journal Article

Bi-addition improves the thermoelectric performance of InSb

Chen, Yixing, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Dou, Zhu, Jiaxi, Li, Meng, Zhang, Lei, Zhang, Zihan, Feng, Zhenyu, Ma, Xiao, Zhong, Hong, Li, Shuangming and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Bi-addition improves the thermoelectric performance of InSb. Acta Materialia, 286 120736, 120736-286. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2025.120736

Bi-addition improves the thermoelectric performance of InSb

2025

Journal Article

Reduced Na–S bond adsorption of WSSe enabling fast reaction kinetics in the sodium-ion battery

Liao, Ya-Ning, Yang, Yan-Ling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Sun, Yu, He, Chao-Zheng, Qin, Yi, Zhang, Li, Chen, Yue-Feng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Reduced Na–S bond adsorption of WSSe enabling fast reaction kinetics in the sodium-ion battery. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 102, 609-617. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2024.10.060

Reduced Na–S bond adsorption of WSSe enabling fast reaction kinetics in the sodium-ion battery

2025

Journal Article

Advances in flexible thermoelectric materials and devices fabricated by magnetron sputtering

Hu, Boxuan, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Cao, Tianyi, Li, Meng, Chen, Wenyi, Liu, Wei-Di, Lyu, Wanyu, Tesfamichael, Tuquabo and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Advances in flexible thermoelectric materials and devices fabricated by magnetron sputtering. Small Science, 5 (3) 2300061, 1-21. doi: 10.1002/smsc.202300061

Advances in flexible thermoelectric materials and devices fabricated by magnetron sputtering

2025

Journal Article

Preparation of SnO2QDs-g-C3N4/C composites via biotemplate induction and determination for aflatoxin B1

Yu, Qiao Ling, Liu, Cheng Bao, Zheng, Lei Zhi, Qiu, Yong Bin, Meng, Xian Rong and Chen, Zhi Gang (2025). Preparation of SnO2QDs-g-C3N4/C composites via biotemplate induction and determination for aflatoxin B1. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1020 179398, 179398. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.179398

Preparation of SnO2QDs-g-C3N4/C composites via biotemplate induction and determination for aflatoxin B1

2025

Journal Article

Advances and Outlooks for Carbon Nanotube‐Based Thermoelectric Materials and Devices

Zhou, Shanshan, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Li, Lan, Liu, Qian, Hu, Boxuan, Chen, Wenyi, Zhang, Chenyang, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2025). Advances and Outlooks for Carbon Nanotube‐Based Thermoelectric Materials and Devices. Advanced Materials. doi: 10.1002/adma.202500947

Advances and Outlooks for Carbon Nanotube‐Based Thermoelectric Materials and Devices

2025

Journal Article

Highly Off‐Centering Cations in Pavonite‐Structured Ag<sub>1.75</sub>InSb<sub>5.75</sub>Se<sub>11</sub> with Competitive Thermoelectric Performance

Xie, Chenghao, Li, Rongcheng, Xu, Weibin, Jin, Bowen, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Tang, Xinfeng, Tan, Gangjian and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2025). Highly Off‐Centering Cations in Pavonite‐Structured Ag1.75InSb5.75Se11 with Competitive Thermoelectric Performance. Advanced Functional Materials. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202421545

Highly Off‐Centering Cations in Pavonite‐Structured Ag<sub>1.75</sub>InSb<sub>5.75</sub>Se<sub>11</sub> with Competitive Thermoelectric Performance

2025

Journal Article

Advancing Ag2Se thin-film thermoelectrics via selenization-driven anisotropy control

Cao, Tianyi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Hu, Boxuan, Yang, Qishuo, Lyu, Wan-Yu, Sun, Shuai, Yin, Liang-Cao, Liu, Qing-Yi, Chen, Wenyi, Wang, Xiaodong, Liu, Siqi, Li, Meng, Liu, Wei-Di, Tesfamichael, Tuquabo, Liu, Qingfeng, MacLeod, Jennifer and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Advancing Ag2Se thin-film thermoelectrics via selenization-driven anisotropy control. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 1555, 1. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56671-7

Advancing Ag2Se thin-film thermoelectrics via selenization-driven anisotropy control

2025

Journal Article

Zn/In dual doping enhances the thermoelectric performance of SnTe

Wang, Lijun, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Meng, Li, Lvzhou, Dong, Cuicui, Miao, Pengcheng, Shen, Ziyi, Yuan, NingYi, Ding, Jianningian, Zheng, Shuqi and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Zn/In dual doping enhances the thermoelectric performance of SnTe. Journal of Physics: Materials, 8 (2) 025005, 025005. doi: 10.1088/2515-7639/adb51a

Zn/In dual doping enhances the thermoelectric performance of SnTe

2025

Journal Article

Transient Liquid Induced Hierarchical Structure Contributes to High Thermoelectric Performance in Ag<sub>2</sub>Se

Kitthonbancha, Peeranut, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Pinitsoontorn, Supree and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2025). Transient Liquid Induced Hierarchical Structure Contributes to High Thermoelectric Performance in Ag2Se. Small, 21 (11) 2411798. doi: 10.1002/smll.202411798

Transient Liquid Induced Hierarchical Structure Contributes to High Thermoelectric Performance in Ag<sub>2</sub>Se

2025

Journal Article

Incorporating graphene quantum dots boosts thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS films

Wu, Ting, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Deng, Yu-Yu, Liu, Yuan-Meng, Zhu, Min, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Yue, Fang, Huang, Pei, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Liu, Qingfeng (2025). Incorporating graphene quantum dots boosts thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS films. Chemical Engineering Journal, 506 160219, 160219. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.160219

Incorporating graphene quantum dots boosts thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS films

2025

Journal Article

Temperature-sensitive ionic hydrogels for dual electric and thermal responsive smart window

Zhao, Li-Li, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Huang, Cong-Huan, Zou, Meng-Ling, Liang, Ming-Yu, Liang, Jie, Kang, Shi-Min, Miao, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Temperature-sensitive ionic hydrogels for dual electric and thermal responsive smart window. Chemical Engineering Journal, 505 158937, 158937-505. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158937

Temperature-sensitive ionic hydrogels for dual electric and thermal responsive smart window

2025

Journal Article

Advances and challenges in hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems for renewable energy

Moshwan, Raza, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhang, Min, Yue, Yicheng, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Wang, Lijun, Liang, Daniel and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Advances and challenges in hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems for renewable energy. Applied Energy, 380 125032, 125032-380. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.125032

Advances and challenges in hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems for renewable energy

2025

Journal Article

Investigating Changes in the Physicochemical and Structural–Functional Properties of Soybean Milk Under an Industry-Scale Microfluidization System

Bao, Meng-xiao, Wang, Jie, Zeng, Yan, Guo, Wen, Li, Zhen, Wu, Yue and Chen, Zhi-gang (2025). Investigating Changes in the Physicochemical and Structural–Functional Properties of Soybean Milk Under an Industry-Scale Microfluidization System. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s11947-025-03762-4

Investigating Changes in the Physicochemical and Structural–Functional Properties of Soybean Milk Under an Industry-Scale Microfluidization System

2025

Journal Article

Lattice defect engineering advances n-type PbSe thermoelectrics

Deng, Qian, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Meng, Tan, Xiaobo, Li, Ruiheng, Wang, Chen, Chen, Yue, Dong, Hongliang, Ang, Ran and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Lattice defect engineering advances n-type PbSe thermoelectrics. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 656, 656. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56003-9

Lattice defect engineering advances n-type PbSe thermoelectrics

2025

Journal Article

Enabling ultra-flexible inorganic thin-film-based thermoelectric devices by introducing nanoscale titanium layers

Tan, Ming, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Wei-Di, Jiang, Yong, Liu, Si-Qi, Cao, Tianyi, Chen, Wenyi, Li, Meng, Lin, Tong, Deng, Yuan, Liu, Shaomin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Enabling ultra-flexible inorganic thin-film-based thermoelectric devices by introducing nanoscale titanium layers. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 633, 633. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56015-5

Enabling ultra-flexible inorganic thin-film-based thermoelectric devices by introducing nanoscale titanium layers

2025

Journal Article

Revisiting Cobalt Dopability in GeTe System to Design Modulation-Doped Thermoelectrics

Hu, Ming-Hang, Li, Meng, Wang, De-Zhuang, Yin, Liang-Cao, Wu, Hao, Liu, Wei-Di, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wang, Yifeng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2025). Revisiting Cobalt Dopability in GeTe System to Design Modulation-Doped Thermoelectrics. Advanced Functional Materials. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202421837

Revisiting Cobalt Dopability in GeTe System to Design Modulation-Doped Thermoelectrics

2025

Journal Article

Termination-acidity tailoring of molybdenum carbides for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

Chen, Zhigang, Yang, Minghao, Li, Yifan, Gong, Wenbin, Wang, Juan, Liu, Tong, Zhang, Chunyu, Hou, Shuang, Yang, Guang, Li, Hao, Jin, Ye, Zhang, Chunyan, Tian, Zhongqing, Meng, Fancheng and Cui, Yi (2025). Termination-acidity tailoring of molybdenum carbides for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 418, 1. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-55854-6

Termination-acidity tailoring of molybdenum carbides for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

2025

Journal Article

Solvothermally optimizing Ag<sub>2</sub>Te/Ag<sub>2</sub>S composites with high thermoelectric performance and plasticity

Zhu, Min, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Meng, Wu, Hao, Wang, De-Zhuang, Yin, Liang-Cao, Wu, Ting, Liu, Wei-Di, Huang, Yan, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Liu, Qingfeng (2025). Solvothermally optimizing Ag2Te/Ag2S composites with high thermoelectric performance and plasticity. Materials Horizons. doi: 10.1039/d4mh01654h

Solvothermally optimizing Ag<sub>2</sub>Te/Ag<sub>2</sub>S composites with high thermoelectric performance and plasticity

2025

Journal Article

Introducing atomistic dynamics at van der Waals surfaces for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of layered Bi<sub>0.4</sub>Sb<sub>1.6</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>

Mansoor, Adil, Jabar, Bushra, Shah, Syed Shoaib Ahmad, Javed, Muhammad Sufyan, Najam, Tayyaba, Ishaq, Muhammad, Chen, Shuo, Li, Fu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Chen, Yue-Xing, Liang, Guang-Xing, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Zheng, Zhuang-Hao (2025). Introducing atomistic dynamics at van der Waals surfaces for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of layered Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3. Energy & Environmental Science, 18 (5), 2485-2498. doi: 10.1039/d4ee04930f

Introducing atomistic dynamics at van der Waals surfaces for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of layered Bi<sub>0.4</sub>Sb<sub>1.6</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>

Funding

Past funding

  • 2018 - 2021
    High Performance, Low-cost Integrated System for Low-grade Wast Heat Recovery
    HBIS Group Co, Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Development of High Performance Nanostructured (Bi, Sb)2Te3 Nanomaterials
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Smart Futures Fellowship (Early): Development of high-efficiency thermoelectric nanowire arrays for power generation devices
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Queensland International Fellowship: Towards power generation devices for converting waste heat into power energy
    Queensland International Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Epitaxial Growth of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Zn4Sb3 p-n Junction Heterostructure Arrays for Power-Generation Devices
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    An integrated system for measuring thermoelectric properties of advanced materials
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Development of Nanostructured Sensors for Ultra-sensitive, Label-free and Selective Detection of Biological and Chemical Species
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Development of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials for Power-Generation Devices
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Development of silicon nanowire sensors for detection of chemical species
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Epitaxial growth of Zn-VI/III-N nanowire-based structures for future device applications
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Design low-cost, low-toxic and high performance thermoelectric materials

    The direct energy conversion between heat and electricity, based on thermoelectric effects without moving parts, has been considered as a green and sustainable solution to the global energy dilemma. This project aims to develop novel band-engineered metal selenides for high-efficiency energy conversion using novel microwave assisted wet chemistry approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The key breakthrough is to design high performance metal selenide thermoelectrics for satisfying the high efficiency solid-state devices. The expected outcomes will lead to an innovative technology that waste heat recovery and refrigeration, which will place Australia at the forefront of practical energy technologies.

  • Design low-cost and high performance two dimensional topological insulators

    Superfast information technology had HOV lanes so that data could be stored, processed and disseminated many times faster than possible with today's electronics. This project aims to develop new topological insulators using chemical vapor depostion and coupling unique nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The ultimate target is to be used for this new generation devices, such a speedway for future devices, an exotic type of electrical conductor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Design high-performance fiber-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advanced Microscopy Technique for High-performance Thermoelectric Materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the structural characteristics for two-dimensional nanostructure heterojunction

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Atomic scale phase transition study in two-dimensional material heterostructures by in-situ transmission electron microscopy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of thermoelectric materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of thermoelectric materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor Zhi-Gang Chen directly for media enquiries about:

  • Engineering
  • Light electronics
  • Lights
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanostructures
  • Optoelectronic devices

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