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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

504 works between 2005 and 2025

121 - 140 of 504 works

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

Advances in versatile GeTe thermoelectrics from materials to devices

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

Advances in Ag2Se-based thermoelectrics from materials to applications

2022

Journal Article

Composite non-noble system with bridging oxygen for catalyzing Tafel-type alkaline hydrogen evolution

Chen, Zhigang, Hu, Huimin, Yin, Lichang, Zhao, Zhigang, Choi, Jin-Ho, Liu, Gang and Geng, Fengxia (2022). Composite non-noble system with bridging oxygen for catalyzing Tafel-type alkaline hydrogen evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (1) e2209760120, 1-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2209760120

Composite non-noble system with bridging oxygen for catalyzing Tafel-type alkaline hydrogen evolution

2022

Journal Article

Advances in thermoelectric devices for localized cooling

Sun, Wei, Liu, Wei-Di, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Advances in thermoelectric devices for localized cooling. Chemical Engineering Journal, 450 (Part 4) 138389, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.138389

Advances in thermoelectric devices for localized cooling

2022

Journal Article

Thermal-inert and ohmic-contact interface for high performance half-Heusler based thermoelectric generator

Liu, Ruiheng, Xing, Yunfei, Liao, Jincheng, Xia, Xugui, Wang, Chao, Zhu, Chenxi, Xu, Fangfang, Chen, Zhi-Gang, Chen, Lidong, Huang, Jian and Bai, Shengqiang (2022). Thermal-inert and ohmic-contact interface for high performance half-Heusler based thermoelectric generator. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 7738, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-35290-6

Thermal-inert and ohmic-contact interface for high performance half-Heusler based thermoelectric generator

2022

Journal Article

Ni doping and rational annealing boost thermoelectric performance of nanostructured double perovskite Pr1.8Sr0.2CoFeO6

Wu, Hao, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Wei-Di, Gao, Han, Wang, De-Zhuang, Yin, Liang-Cao, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Ni doping and rational annealing boost thermoelectric performance of nanostructured double perovskite Pr1.8Sr0.2CoFeO6. Applied Materials Today, 29 101580, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2022.101580

Ni doping and rational annealing boost thermoelectric performance of nanostructured double perovskite Pr1.8Sr0.2CoFeO6

2022

Journal Article

One-pot synthesis of Al-containing mesoporous silicas in a mildly acidic condition for efficient tetracycline adsorption

Wang, Weiduo, Wu, Xuelian, Ji, Jialu, Xu, Shuang, Li, Dapeng, Lin, Yan, Chen, Zhigang, Wu, Zhengying and Sun, Lin-Bing (2022). One-pot synthesis of Al-containing mesoporous silicas in a mildly acidic condition for efficient tetracycline adsorption. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 346 112300, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2022.112300

One-pot synthesis of Al-containing mesoporous silicas in a mildly acidic condition for efficient tetracycline adsorption

2022

Journal Article

Harvesting waste heat with flexible Bi2Te3 thermoelectric thin film

Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Ao, Dong-Wei, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Kou, Liang-Zhi, Chen, Yue-Xing, Li, Fu, Wei, Meng, Liang, Guang-Xing, Fan, Ping, Lu, Gao Qing and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Harvesting waste heat with flexible Bi2Te3 thermoelectric thin film. Nature Sustainability, 6 (2), 180-191. doi: 10.1038/s41893-022-01003-6

Harvesting waste heat with flexible Bi2Te3 thermoelectric thin film

2022

Journal Article

High-performance in n-type PbTe-based thermoelectric materials achieved by synergistically dynamic doping and energy filtering

Liu, Hang-Tian, Sun, Qiang, Zhong, Yan, Deng, Qian, Gan, Lin, Lv, Fang-Lin, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Ang, Ran (2022). High-performance in n-type PbTe-based thermoelectric materials achieved by synergistically dynamic doping and energy filtering. Nano Energy, 91 106706, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106706

High-performance in n-type PbTe-based thermoelectric materials achieved by synergistically dynamic doping and energy filtering

2022

Journal Article

The effect of rare earth element doping on thermoelectric properties of GeTe

Lyu, Wan-Yu, Liu, Wei-Di, Li, Meng, Hong, Min, Guo, Kai, Luo, Jun, Xing, Juanjuan, Sun, Qiang, Xu, Shengduo, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). The effect of rare earth element doping on thermoelectric properties of GeTe. Chemical Engineering Journal, 446 137278, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137278

The effect of rare earth element doping on thermoelectric properties of GeTe

2022

Journal Article

Realizing a 10°C cooling effect in a flexible thermoelectric cooler using a vortex generator

Xu, Shengduo, Li, Meng, Dai, Yuchen, Hong, Min, Sun, Qiang, Lyu, Wanyu, Liu, Ting, Wang, Yuan, Zou, Jin, Chen, Zhi‐Gang and Dargusch, Matthew (2022). Realizing a 10°C cooling effect in a flexible thermoelectric cooler using a vortex generator. Advanced Materials, 34 (41) 2204508, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/adma.202204508

Realizing a 10°C cooling effect in a flexible thermoelectric cooler using a vortex generator

2022

Journal Article

Chemistry in advancing thermoelectric GeTe materials

Hong, Min and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Chemistry in advancing thermoelectric GeTe materials. Accounts of Chemical Research, 55 (21), 3178-3190. doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00467

Chemistry in advancing thermoelectric GeTe materials

2022

Journal Article

Graphene/quantum dot heterostructure photodetectors: from material to performance

Zhang, Mao‐Kun, Liu, Wei‐Di, Gong, You‐Pin, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Graphene/quantum dot heterostructure photodetectors: from material to performance. Advanced Optical Materials, 10 (24) 2201889, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/adom.202201889

Graphene/quantum dot heterostructure photodetectors: from material to performance

2022

Journal Article

Optimal array alignment to deliver high performance in flexible conducting polymer-based thermoelectric devices

Xu, Shengduo, Li, Meng, Hong, Min, Yang, Lei, Sun, Qiang, Sun, Shuai, Lyu, Wanyu, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Optimal array alignment to deliver high performance in flexible conducting polymer-based thermoelectric devices. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 124, 252-259. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.03.007

Optimal array alignment to deliver high performance in flexible conducting polymer-based thermoelectric devices

2022

Journal Article

A-site cation engineering enables oriented Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites towards efficient solar cells

Liu, Rui, Yu, Yue, Liu, Chang, Yang, Hua, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Yu, Hua and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). A-site cation engineering enables oriented Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites towards efficient solar cells. Science China Chemistry, 65 (12), 2468-2475. doi: 10.1007/s11426-022-1349-6

A-site cation engineering enables oriented Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites towards efficient solar cells

2022

Journal Article

Thermoelectric coolers for on-chip thermal management: materials, design, and optimization

Chen, Wen-Yi, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Thermoelectric coolers for on-chip thermal management: materials, design, and optimization. Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports, 151 100700, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.mser.2022.100700

Thermoelectric coolers for on-chip thermal management: materials, design, and optimization

2022

Journal Article

Avoiding oxygen induced Pb vacancies for high thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi-doped Pb1-xBixTe compounds

Wang, C., Liu, K., Tao, Q., Zhao, X., Ning, S., Tang, Y., Chen, Z., Wu, J., Su, X., Uher, C., Zhang, Q. and Tang, X. (2022). Avoiding oxygen induced Pb vacancies for high thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi-doped Pb1-xBixTe compounds. Materials Today Physics, 27 100781, 100781. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2022.100781

Avoiding oxygen induced Pb vacancies for high thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi-doped Pb1-xBixTe compounds

2022

Journal Article

Roles of anion sites in high‐performance GeTe thermoelectrics

Li, Meng, Xu, Sheng‐Duo, Hong, Min, Lyu, Wan‐Yu, Wang, Yuan, Dargusch, Matthew, Zou, Jin, Cheng, Hui‐Ming and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Roles of anion sites in high‐performance GeTe thermoelectrics. Advanced Functional Materials, 32 (48) 2208579, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202208579

Roles of anion sites in high‐performance GeTe thermoelectrics

2022

Journal Article

Assembly-free fabrication of high-performance flexible inorganic thin-film thermoelectric device prepared by a thermal diffusion

Ao, Dong‐Wei, Liu, Wei‐Di, Zheng, Zhuang‐Hao, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Wei, Meng, Zhong, Yi‐Ming, Li, Meng, Liang, Guang‐Xing, Fan, Ping and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Assembly-free fabrication of high-performance flexible inorganic thin-film thermoelectric device prepared by a thermal diffusion. Advanced Energy Materials, 12 (42) 2202731, 2202731. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202202731

Assembly-free fabrication of high-performance flexible inorganic thin-film thermoelectric device prepared by a thermal diffusion

2022

Journal Article

Directional thermal diffusion realizing inorganic Sb 2 Te 3 /Te hybrid thin films with high thermoelectric performance and flexibility

Wei, Meng, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Zheng, Zhuang‐Hao, Li, Fu, Liu, Wei‐Di, Xiang, Li‐Ping, Xie, Yang‐Su, Chen, Yue‐Xing, Duan, Jing‐Yi, Ma, Hong‐Li, Liang, Guang‐Xing, Zhang, Xiang‐Hua, Fan, Ping and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Directional thermal diffusion realizing inorganic Sb 2 Te 3 /Te hybrid thin films with high thermoelectric performance and flexibility. Advanced Functional Materials, 32 (45) 2207903, 2207903. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202207903

Directional thermal diffusion realizing inorganic Sb 2 Te 3 /Te hybrid thin films with high thermoelectric performance and flexibility

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

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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