
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
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
2023
Journal Article
Advances in bismuth-telluride-based thermoelectric devices: progress and challenges
Cao, Tianyi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Meng, Hu, Boxuan, Chen, Wenyi, Liu, Wei-Di, Lyu, Wanyu, MacLeod, Jennifer and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Advances in bismuth-telluride-based thermoelectric devices: progress and challenges. eScience, 3 (3) 100122, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.esci.2023.100122
2023
Journal Article
Minimization of the electrical contact resistance in thin-film thermoelectric device
Tan, Ming, Liu, Wei-Di, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Sun, Qiang and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Minimization of the electrical contact resistance in thin-film thermoelectric device. Applied Physics Reviews, 10 (2) 021404. doi: 10.1063/5.0141075
2023
Journal Article
Tuning the saturated vapor pressure of solvothermal synthesis to boost the thermoelectric performance of pristine Bi2Te3 polycrystals by anisotropy strengthening
Yuan, Jing, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Wang, De-Zhuang, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Chen, Wenyi, Yang, Qishuo, Wang, Yifeng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Tuning the saturated vapor pressure of solvothermal synthesis to boost the thermoelectric performance of pristine Bi2Te3 polycrystals by anisotropy strengthening. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 6 (11), 6227-6236. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.3c00755
2023
Journal Article
Ultrafast and cost-effective fabrication of high-performance carbon-based flexible thermoelectric hybrid films and their devices
Sun, Shuai, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Li, Meng, Wu, Ting, Yin, Liangcao, Wang, Dezhuang, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Ultrafast and cost-effective fabrication of high-performance carbon-based flexible thermoelectric hybrid films and their devices. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 15 (21), 25650-25660. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c05226
2023
Book Chapter
Characterizations of thermoelectric ceramics
Shi, Xiao-Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Characterizations of thermoelectric ceramics. Advanced ceramics for energy storage, thermoelectrics and photonics. (pp. 305-326) edited by Peng Cao, Zhi-Gang Chen and Zhiguo Xia. San Diego: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-323-90761-3.00002-4
2023
Journal Article
Hierarchical architectural structures induce high performance in n‐type GeTe‐based thermoelectrics
Wang, De‐Zhuang, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Zheng, Kun, Hu, Hanwen, Yin, Liang‐Cao, Wang, Yifeng, Zhu, He, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Yang, Xiaoning, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Hierarchical architectural structures induce high performance in n‐type GeTe‐based thermoelectrics. Advanced Functional Materials, 33 (14) 2213040, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202213040
2023
Journal Article
Self-hygroscopic and smart color-changing hydrogels as coolers for improving energy conversion efficiency of electronics
Mu, Xiaojiang, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhou, Jianhua, Chen, Huan, Yang, Tingting, Wang, Yitong, Miao, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Self-hygroscopic and smart color-changing hydrogels as coolers for improving energy conversion efficiency of electronics. Nano Energy, 108 108177, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108177
2023
Journal Article
Rapid room-temperature mechanosynthesis tensile-strained Bi3O4Br for robust photomineralization
Liu, Yanan, Zhang, Yi, Ji, Mengxia, Li, Lina, Wei, Tiange, Zhao, Junze, Chen, Zhigang, Li, Huaming and Xia, Jiexiang (2023). Rapid room-temperature mechanosynthesis tensile-strained Bi3O4Br for robust photomineralization. Catalysis Communications, 177 106638, 106638. doi: 10.1016/j.catcom.2023.106638
2023
Journal Article
An ultra‐stable sodium half/full battery based on a unique micro‐channel pine‐derived carbon/SnS <sub>2</sub> @reduced graphene oxide film
Sun, Yu, Yang, Yan‐Ling, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Ye, Liyuan, Hou, Yiwei, Wang, Jiaxin, Suo, Guoquan, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). An ultra‐stable sodium half/full battery based on a unique micro‐channel pine‐derived carbon/SnS 2 @reduced graphene oxide film. Battery Energy, 2 (2) 20220046, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/bte2.20220046
2023
Journal Article
Advances in ionic thermoelectrics: from materials to devices
Sun, Shuai, Li, Meng, Shi, Xiao‐Lei and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Advances in ionic thermoelectrics: from materials to devices. Advanced Energy Materials, 13 (9) 2203692. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202203692
2023
Journal Article
Dispersive localized Ta-rich area and Ta substitution approach ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in CrSi2
Duan, Xingkai, Liu, Wei-Di, Jiang, Yuezhen, Ke, Xiaoli, Hu, Konggang, Shi, Xiao-Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Dispersive localized Ta-rich area and Ta substitution approach ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in CrSi2. Scripta Materialia, 225 115173, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2022.115173
2023
Journal Article
Enhanced Cycling and Structure Stability of an Electron Transfer-Accelerating Polymer Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate)-Covered Mn-Based Layered Cathode with Ga<sup>3+</sup> Doping for a Li-Ion Battery
Chen, Feng, Dai, Weilong, Zhu, Xinqi, Yao, Congcong, Qian, Junchao, Chen, Zhigang and Liu, Cheng-bao (2023). Enhanced Cycling and Structure Stability of an Electron Transfer-Accelerating Polymer Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate)-Covered Mn-Based Layered Cathode with Ga3+ Doping for a Li-Ion Battery. Langmuir, 39 (13), 4662-4675. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03462
2023
Journal Article
SWCNTs/Ag2Se film with superior bending resistance and enhanced thermoelectric performance via in situ compositing
Hu, Qin-Xue, Liu, Wei-Di, Zhang, Li, Sun, Wei, Gao, Han, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Yang, Yan-Ling, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). SWCNTs/Ag2Se film with superior bending resistance and enhanced thermoelectric performance via in situ compositing. Chemical Engineering Journal, 457 141024, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.141024
2023
Journal Article
Unravelling effective-medium transport and interfacial resistance in (CaTe)x(GeTe)100-x thermoelectrics
Li, Meng, Xu, Sheng-Duo, Lyu, Wan-Yu, Sun, Qiang, Hong, Min, Wang, Yuan, Liu, Ji-Xing, Yin, Yu, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Unravelling effective-medium transport and interfacial resistance in (CaTe)x(GeTe)100-x thermoelectrics. Chemical Engineering Journal, 452 (Part 1) 139269, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.139269
2023
Journal Article
Carrier Transport Enhancement Mechanism in Highly Efficient Antimony Selenide Thin-Film Solar Cell
Luo, Yandi, Chen, Guojie, Chen, Shuo, Ahmad, Nafees, Azam, Muhammad, Zheng, Zhuanghao, Su, Zhenghua, Cathelinaud, Michel, Ma, Hongli, Chen, Zhigang, Fan, Ping, Zhang, Xianghua and Liang, Guangxing (2023). Carrier Transport Enhancement Mechanism in Highly Efficient Antimony Selenide Thin-Film Solar Cell. Advanced Functional Materials, 33 (14) 2213941, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202213941
2023
Journal Article
One-step post-treatment boosts thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS flexible thin films
Liu, Xingyu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhang, Li, Liu, Wei-Di, Yang, Yanling and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). One-step post-treatment boosts thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS flexible thin films. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 132, 81-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.05.047
2023
Journal Article
Advances in versatile GeTe thermoelectrics from materials to devices
Hong, Min, Li, Meng, Wang, Yuan, Shi, Xiao‐Lei and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2023). Advances in versatile GeTe thermoelectrics from materials to devices. Advanced Materials, 35 (2) 2208272, 1-48. doi: 10.1002/adma.202208272
2023
Journal Article
Advances in Ag2Se-based thermoelectrics from materials to applications
Wu, Hao, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Duan, Jingui, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Advances in Ag2Se-based thermoelectrics from materials to applications. Energy and Environmental Science, 16 (5), 1870-1906. doi: 10.1039/d3ee00378g
2023
Journal Article
Advances in the design and assembly of flexible thermoelectric device
Cao, Tianyi, Shi, Xiao-Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2023). Advances in the design and assembly of flexible thermoelectric device. Progress in Materials Science, 131 101003, 1-58. doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2022.101003
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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