
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
2023
Journal Article
Advances in flexible inorganic thermoelectrics
Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Cao, Tianyi, Chen, Wenyi, Hu, Boxuan, Sun, Shuai, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Lyu, Wanyu, Hong, Min and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Advances in flexible inorganic thermoelectrics. EcoEnergy, 1 (2), 296-343. doi: 10.1002/ece2.17
2023
Journal Article
Fast fabrication of high‐performance CoSb3‐based thermoelectric skutterudites via one‐step Yb‐promoted peritectic solidification
Li, Dou, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Feng, Zhenyu, Li, Meng, Zhu, Jiaxi, Ma, Xiao, Zhang, Lili, Zhong, Hong, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Shuangming and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Fast fabrication of high‐performance CoSb3‐based thermoelectric skutterudites via one‐step Yb‐promoted peritectic solidification. Advanced Functional Materials, 33 (46) 2305269, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202305269
2023
Journal Article
Separation of electric and thermal transport with in-situ precipitates matrix in Ca3Co4O9+δ
Wang, Wenxuan, Liu, Yichen, Xue, Yifan, Yin, Ziqi, Lee, Wen, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Yang, Lei, Koumoto, Kunihito, Yang, Jack, Li, Wenxian and Li, Sean (2023). Separation of electric and thermal transport with in-situ precipitates matrix in Ca3Co4O9+δ. Acta Materialia, 260 119347, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2023.119347
2023
Journal Article
Advances in Ag2S-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics: progress and perspective
Zhu, Min, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wu, Hao, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Advances in Ag2S-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics: progress and perspective. Chemical Engineering Journal, 475 146194, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.146194
2023
Journal Article
Solvothermally silver doping boosting the thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline Bi2Te3
Chen, Wen-Yi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Yang, Qishuo, Li, Meng, Lyu, Wanyu, Liu, Ting, Cao, Tianyi, Hu, Boxuan, Liu, Weidi, Sun, Shuai, Mao, Yuanqing, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Solvothermally silver doping boosting the thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline Bi2Te3. Chemical Engineering Journal, 475 146428, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.146428
2023
Journal Article
Ce‐filled Ni1.5Co2.5Sb12 skutterudite thin films with record‐high figure of merit and device performance
Li, Dou, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Zhu, Jiaxi, Li, Meng, Wang, Jianyuan, Liu, Wei‐Di, Zhao, Qinghua, Zhong, Hong, Li, Shuangming and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Ce‐filled Ni1.5Co2.5Sb12 skutterudite thin films with record‐high figure of merit and device performance. Advanced Energy Materials, 13 (37) 2301525, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202301525
2023
Journal Article
Optimized Thermoelectric Performance and Plasticity of Ductile Semiconductor Ag<sub>2</sub>S<sub>0.5</sub>Se<sub>0.5</sub> Via Dual‐Phase Engineering
Wu, Hao, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Mao, Yuanqing, Li, Meng, Liu, Wei‐Di, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Yin, Liang‐Cao, Zhu, Min, Wang, Yifeng, Duan, Jingui, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Optimized Thermoelectric Performance and Plasticity of Ductile Semiconductor Ag2S0.5Se0.5 Via Dual‐Phase Engineering. Advanced Energy Materials, 13 (43) 2302551, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202302551
2023
Journal Article
Advances in Ag2S-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics: progress and perspective
Zhu, Min, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wu, Hao, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Advances in Ag2S-based thermoelectrics for wearable electronics: progress and perspective. Chemical Engineering Journal, 473 145236, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.145236
2023
Journal Article
Roadmap on energy harvesting materials
Pecunia, Vincenzo, Silva, S Ravi P, Phillips, Jamie D, Artegiani, Elisa, Romeo, Alessandro, Shim, Hongjae, Park, Jongsung, Kim, Jin Hyeok, Yun, Jae Sung, Welch, Gregory C, Larson, Bryon W, Creran, Myles, Laventure, Audrey, Sasitharan, Kezia, Flores-Diaz, Natalie, Freitag, Marina, Xu, Jie, Brown, Thomas M, Li, Benxuan, Wang, Yiwen, Li, Zhe, Hou, Bo, Hamadani, Behrang H, Defay, Emmanuel, Kovacova, Veronika, Glinsek, Sebastjan, Kar-Narayan, Sohini, Bai, Yang, Kim, Da Bin ... Joshi, A. P. (2023). Roadmap on energy harvesting materials. Journal of Physics: Materials, 6 (4) 042501, 042501. doi: 10.1088/2515-7639/acc550
2023
Journal Article
Grain boundary re-crystallization and sub-nano regions leading to high plateau figure of merit for Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> nanoflakes
Liu, Wei-Di, Yin, Liang-Cao, Li, Lei, Yang, Qishuo, Wang, De-Zhuang, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Qingfeng, Bai, Yang, Gentle, Ian, Wang, Lianzhou and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Grain boundary re-crystallization and sub-nano regions leading to high plateau figure of merit for Bi2Te3 nanoflakes. Energy and Environmental Science, 16 (11), 5123-5135. doi: 10.1039/d3ee02370b
2023
Journal Article
Li7La3Zr2O12 coated LiNi0.87Co0.05Mn0.05Al0.03O2 for lithium-ion cells with enhanced performance
Chen, Feng, Bao, Pei, Qian, Junchao, Zhou, Yang, Guan, Xiaodong, Chen, Zhigang, Liu, Chengbao and Liu, Shouqing (2023). Li7La3Zr2O12 coated LiNi0.87Co0.05Mn0.05Al0.03O2 for lithium-ion cells with enhanced performance. Electrochimica Acta, 462 142684, 142684. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142684
2023
Journal Article
Performance optimization of a thermoelectric‐water hybrid cooling garment
Li, Lei, Liu, Wei‐Di, Sun, Wei, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Yin, Liang‐Cao, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Performance optimization of a thermoelectric‐water hybrid cooling garment. Advanced Materials Technologies, 9 (21) 2301069, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/admt.202301069
2023
Journal Article
Metallic W/WO<sub>2</sub> solid-acid catalyst boosts hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte
Chen, Zhigang, Gong, Wenbin, Wang, Juan, Hou, Shuang, Yang, Guang, Zhu, Chengfeng, Fan, Xiyue, Li, Yifan, Gao, Rui and Cui, Yi (2023). Metallic W/WO2 solid-acid catalyst boosts hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 5363, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41097-w
2023
Journal Article
A strategy-purifying wastewater with waste materials: Zn2+ modified waste red mud as recoverable adsorbents with an enhanced removal capacity of congo red
An, Dongdong, Sun, Yu, Yang, Yan-Ling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Chen, Hua-Jun, Zhang, Li, Suo, Guoquan, Hou, Xiaojiang, Ye, Xiaohui, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). A strategy-purifying wastewater with waste materials: Zn2+ modified waste red mud as recoverable adsorbents with an enhanced removal capacity of congo red. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 645, 694-704. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.176
2023
Journal Article
Performance optimization of a dual-thermoelectric-liquid hybrid system for central processing unit cooling
Sun, Wei, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Lei, Wang, De-Zhuang, Yin, Liang-Cao, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Performance optimization of a dual-thermoelectric-liquid hybrid system for central processing unit cooling. Energy Conversion and Management, 290 117222, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117222
2023
Journal Article
Advances in printing techniques for thermoelectric materials and devices
Hong, Min, Sun, Shuai, Lyu, Wanyu, Li, Meng, Liu, Weidi, Shi, Xiao-Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Advances in printing techniques for thermoelectric materials and devices. Soft Science, 3 (3) 29. doi: 10.20517/ss.2023.20
2023
Journal Article
Employing multi-functional SnSe inclusions to boost the thermoelectric performance of the shear-exfoliated Bi2Te2.7Se0.3
Song, Chunchun, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Pan, Lin, Liu, Wei-Di, Sun, Qiang, Li, Meng, Lu, Chunhua, Liu, Qingfeng, Wang, Yifeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Employing multi-functional SnSe inclusions to boost the thermoelectric performance of the shear-exfoliated Bi2Te2.7Se0.3. Acta Materialia, 254 119023, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2023.119023
2023
Journal Article
Approaching high thermoelectric performance in p-type Cu3SbS4-based materials by rational electronic and nano/microstructural engineering
Yang, Jingwen, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Yang, Qishuo, Shen, Weixia, Li, Meng, Zhang, Zhuangfei, Liu, Wei-Di, Fang, Chao, Mao, Yuanqing, Wang, Qianqian, Chen, Liangchao, Wan, Biao, Zhang, Yuewen, Jia, Xiaopeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Approaching high thermoelectric performance in p-type Cu3SbS4-based materials by rational electronic and nano/microstructural engineering. Chemical Engineering Journal, 469 143965, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.143965
2023
Journal Article
Condensed point defects enhance thermoelectric performance of rare-earth Lu-doped GeTe
Lyu, Wan-Yu, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Hong, Min, Cao, Tianyi, Guo, Kai, Luo, Jun, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Condensed point defects enhance thermoelectric performance of rare-earth Lu-doped GeTe. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 151, 227-233. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.01.004
2023
Journal Article
Interstitial Cu: an effective strategy for high carrier mobility and high thermoelectric performance in GeTe
Yin, Liang‐Cao, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Wu, Hao, Wang, Yifeng, Zhang, Lixiong, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Interstitial Cu: an effective strategy for high carrier mobility and high thermoelectric performance in GeTe. Advanced Functional Materials, 33 (25) 2301750, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202301750
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 High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials and Devices for on-chip Applications
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
Advanced Microscopy Technique for High-performance Thermoelectric Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the structural characteristics for two-dimensional nanostructure heterojunction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Jin Zou
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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
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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