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
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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.
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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
2024
Journal Article
Rational triple optimizations boost near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance of BiSe
Liu, Hui, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Pan, Lin, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Wang, Lijun, Liu, Wei-Di, Liu, Qingfeng, Wang, Yifeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Rational triple optimizations boost near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance of BiSe. Acta Materialia, 280 120343, 120343. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2024.120343
2024
Journal Article
High‐Performing Flexible Mg<sub>3</sub>Bi<sub>2</sub> Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
Hu, Boxuan, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Cao, Tianyi, Liu, Siqi, Zhang, Min, Lyu, Wanyu, Yin, Liangcao, Tesfamichael, Tuquabo, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). High‐Performing Flexible Mg3Bi2 Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics. Advanced Science. doi: 10.1002/advs.202409788
2024
Journal Article
Deviceization of high-performance and flexible Ag2Se films for electronic skin and servo rotation angle control
Chen, Yue-Xing, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhang, Jun-Ze, Nisar, Mohammad, Zha, Zhong-Zhao, Zhong, Zi-Nan, Li, Fu, Liang, Guang-Xing, Luo, Jing-Ting, Li, Meng, Cao, Tianyi, Liu, Wei-Di, Xu, Dong-Yan, Zheng, Zhuang-Hao and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Deviceization of high-performance and flexible Ag2Se films for electronic skin and servo rotation angle control. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 8356. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52680-0
2024
Journal Article
Sn‐Doping‐Induced Biphasic Structure Advances Ductile Ag<sub>2</sub>S‐Based Thermoelectrics
Wu, Hao, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Wu, Ting, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Yin, Liang‐Cao, Zhu, Ming, Liu, Wei‐Di, Wang, Lijun, Wang, Yifeng, Duan, Jingui, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Sn‐Doping‐Induced Biphasic Structure Advances Ductile Ag2S‐Based Thermoelectrics. Advanced Science ARTN 2408374. doi: 10.1002/advs.202408374
2024
Journal Article
Glassy ZIF-62 compositing induces ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in GeTe
Li, Shu-Qing, Liu, Wei-Di, Yin, Liang-Cao, Wang, De-Zhuang, Wu, Hao, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wang, Yifeng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Glassy ZIF-62 compositing induces ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in GeTe. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 999 174964, 174964. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174964
2024
Journal Article
Silver copper chalcogenide thermoelectrics: advance, controversy, and perspective
Li, Nan‐Hai, Zhang, Qiang, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Jiang, Jun and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Silver copper chalcogenide thermoelectrics: advance, controversy, and perspective. Advanced Materials, 36 (37) e2313146. doi: 10.1002/adma.202313146
2024
Journal Article
Hydrogel‐based functional materials for thermoelectric applications: progress and perspectives
Zhang, Chenyang, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Qingyi and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Hydrogel‐based functional materials for thermoelectric applications: progress and perspectives. Advanced Functional Materials. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202410127
2024
Journal Article
High‐performance AgSbTe2 thermoelectrics: advances, challenges, and perspectives
Li, Lan, Hu, Boxuan, Liu, Qingyi, Shi, Xiao‐Lei and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). High‐performance AgSbTe2 thermoelectrics: advances, challenges, and perspectives. Advanced Materials. doi: 10.1002/adma.202409275
2024
Journal Article
ADVANCES IN GRAPHENE/MOLYBDENUM DICHALCOGENIDE-BASED VAN DER WAALS HETEROSTRUCTURE PHOTODETECTORS
Zhang, Xin-hua, Liu, Wei-di, Gong, You-pin, Liu, Qing-feng and Chen, Zhi-gang (2024). ADVANCES IN GRAPHENE/MOLYBDENUM DICHALCOGENIDE-BASED VAN DER WAALS HETEROSTRUCTURE PHOTODETECTORS. Carbon, 228 119344, 119344. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119344
2024
Journal Article
High‐performance GeSe‐based thermoelectrics via Cu‐doping
Zhang, Min, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Moshwan, Raza, Cao, Tianyi, Chen, Wenyi, Yin, Liangcao, Lyu, Wanyu, Chen, Yongqi, Liu, Siqi, Liu, Wei‐Di, Liu, Qingfeng, Tang, Guihua and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). High‐performance GeSe‐based thermoelectrics via Cu‐doping. Advanced Functional Materials. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202411054
2024
Journal Article
Space-confined growth of two-dimensional manganese oxide nanosheets in plant-cell structures for efficient tetracycline degradation
Zhao, Yuanyuan, Yu, Minghao, Cui, Ruyu, Lin, Yan, Chen, Zhigang and Wu, Zhengying (2024). Space-confined growth of two-dimensional manganese oxide nanosheets in plant-cell structures for efficient tetracycline degradation. Materials Today Communications, 40 109496, 109496. doi: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.109496
2024
Journal Article
Cr doping-induced ferromagnetism in SnTe thin films
Liu, Shanshan, Zhang, Enze, Li, Zihan, Zhang, Xiaoqian, Liu, Wenqing, Narayan, Awadhesh, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin and Xiu, Faxian (2024). Cr doping-induced ferromagnetism in SnTe thin films. npj Quantum Materials, 9 (1) 57. doi: 10.1038/s41535-024-00667-x
2024
Journal Article
Constrained patterning of orientated metal chalcogenide nanowires and their growth mechanism
Yang, Qishuo, Wang, Yun-Peng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, XingXing, Zhao, Erding, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Zou, Jin, Leng, Kai, Cai, Yongqing, Zhu, Liang, Pantelides, Sokrates T. and Lin, Junhao (2024). Constrained patterning of orientated metal chalcogenide nanowires and their growth mechanism. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 6074, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-50525-4
2024
Journal Article
Plant-Cell mediated synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanoparticles and their activation of peroxymonosulfate to remove Tetracycline
Ji, Jialu, Zhang, Qi, Mo, Hesu, Ren, Zhongfei, Lin, Yan, Chen, Zhigang, Leiviskä, Tiina and Wu, Zhengying (2024). Plant-Cell mediated synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanoparticles and their activation of peroxymonosulfate to remove Tetracycline. Chemical Engineering Journal, 492 152212, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.152212
2024
Journal Article
Solvothermal synthesis of micro-pillar shaped Ag2Se and its thermoelectric potential
Yue, Yicheng, Lyu, Wanyu, Liu, Wei-Di, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Moshwan, Raza, Wang, Nan, Li, Meng, Zhang, Chao and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Solvothermal synthesis of micro-pillar shaped Ag2Se and its thermoelectric potential. Materials Today Chemistry, 39 102183, 102183. doi: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2024.102183
2024
Journal Article
Designing cost-performance porous thermoelectric materials by interface engineering through atomic layer deposition
Li, Shuankui, Zhao, Wenguang, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wang, Liangliang, Pan, Shusheng, Cheng, Guofeng, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Guo, Kai, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Pan, Feng (2024). Designing cost-performance porous thermoelectric materials by interface engineering through atomic layer deposition. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 214, 194-203. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.06.037
2024
Journal Article
Optimization of wet-spun PEDOT:PSS fibers for thermoelectric applications through innovative triple post-treatments
Deng, Yu-Yu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wu, Ting, Yue, Yicheng, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Yue, Fang, Huang, Pei, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Optimization of wet-spun PEDOT:PSS fibers for thermoelectric applications through innovative triple post-treatments. Advanced Fiber Materials, 6 (5), 1616-1628. doi: 10.1007/s42765-024-00441-5
2024
Journal Article
Carrier Separation Boosts Thermoelectric Performance of Flexible <i>n</i>‐Type Ag<sub>2</sub>Se‐Based Films
Hu, Qin‐Xue, Liu, Wei‐Di, Zhang, Li, Gao, Han, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Wu, Ting, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Li, Meng, Liu, Qing‐Feng, Yang, Yan‐Ling and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2024). Carrier Separation Boosts Thermoelectric Performance of Flexible n‐Type Ag2Se‐Based Films. Advanced Energy Materials, 14 (36) 2401890. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202401890
2024
Journal Article
Remarkable purification of organic dyes by NiOOH-modified industrial waste residues
Xie, De-An, Sun, Yu, Yang, Yan-Ling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Suo, Guoquan, Hou, Xiaojiang, Ye, Xiaohui, Zhang, Li and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Remarkable purification of organic dyes by NiOOH-modified industrial waste residues. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 664, 136-145. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.190
2024
Journal Article
Advances in graphene/molybdenum dichalcogenide-based van der Waals heterostructure photodetectors 石墨烯/钼基二硫族化合物范德华异质结光电探测器的研究进展
Zhang, Xin-Hua, Liu, Wei-Di, Gong, You-Pin, Liu, Qing-Feng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2024). Advances in graphene/molybdenum dichalcogenide-based van der Waals heterostructure photodetectors 石墨烯/钼基二硫族化合物范德华异质结光电探测器的研究进展. Xinxing Tan Cailiao/New Carbon Materials, 39 (3), 439-457. doi: 10.1016/S1872-5805(24)60853-X
Funding
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
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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.
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Design high-performance fiber-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of thermoelectric materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of thermoelectric materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Advancing Human Perception: Countering Evolving Malicious Fake Visual Data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Xin Yu
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the structural characteristics for two-dimensional nanostructure heterojunction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
High-performance GeTe Thermoelectrics for Generation and Refrigeration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
High performance flexible thermoelectric materials and their device design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
High-performance SnTe-based Thermoelectric Materials via Synergistically Band and Nanostructure Engineering
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of High-efficiency Metal Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Nanomaterials by Nanostructure Engineering
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2012
Master Philosophy
Synthesis of Tellurium-based Thermoelectric Nanomaterials
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2018
Master Philosophy
The CVD growth and the characterization of MoxW1-xTe2
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Layered Semiconductor Nanostructures and Understanding Their Growth Mechanisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development and Understanding of Solvothermal Synthesized Copper Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Study of Cracking and Breakage Behaviour of Gibbsite Particles at Smelter Grade Alumina Production Conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Development of High-efficient Tin Selenide-based Thermoelectric Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Growth of Metal Chalcogenide Nanomaterials and Their Characterizations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of high-performance bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric nanomaterials through structure manipulating and band engineering
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Development of New-Phase Layer-Structured In3Se4 Nanostructures for Energy Applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Bi2Te3-based Nanostructures Synthesized by the Solvothermal Method
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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2012
Master Philosophy
Electron Microscopy Investigation of epitaxial GaAs nanowires grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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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