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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

515 works between 2005 and 2025

161 - 180 of 515 works

2022

Journal Article

Polycrystalline NiSe-Alloyed SnSe with improved medium-temperature thermoelectric performance

Yang, Yan-Ling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Xue, Fan, Liu, Wei-Di, Zhang, Li and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Polycrystalline NiSe-Alloyed SnSe with improved medium-temperature thermoelectric performance. Energy and Fuels, 36 (10), 5352-5359. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c00971

Polycrystalline NiSe-Alloyed SnSe with improved medium-temperature thermoelectric performance

2022

Journal Article

Graphite Nanosheets as Multifunctional Nanoinclusions to Boost the Thermoelectric Performance of the Shear‐Exfoliated Bi <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Se

Pan, Lin, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Song, Chunchun, Liu, Wei‐Di, Sun, Qiang, Lu, Chunhua, Liu, Qingfeng, Wang, Yifeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Graphite Nanosheets as Multifunctional Nanoinclusions to Boost the Thermoelectric Performance of the Shear‐Exfoliated Bi 2 O 2 Se. Advanced Functional Materials, 32 (30) 2202927, 2202927. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202202927

Graphite Nanosheets as Multifunctional Nanoinclusions to Boost the Thermoelectric Performance of the Shear‐Exfoliated Bi <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Se

2022

Journal Article

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of n-type Nb-doped PbTe by compensating resonant level and inducing atomic disorder

Liu, Hang-Tian, Sun, Qiang, Zhong, Yan, Xia, Cheng-Liang, Chen, Yue, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Ang, Ran (2022). Enhanced thermoelectric performance of n-type Nb-doped PbTe by compensating resonant level and inducing atomic disorder. Materials Today Physics, 24 100677, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2022.100677

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of n-type Nb-doped PbTe by compensating resonant level and inducing atomic disorder

2022

Journal Article

Se-alloying reducing lattice thermal conductivity of Ge0.95Bi0.05Te

Wang, De-Zhuang, Liu, Wei-Di, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Gao, Han, Wu, Hao, Yin, Liang-Cao, Zhang, Yuewen, Wang, Yifeng, Wu, Xueping, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Se-alloying reducing lattice thermal conductivity of Ge0.95Bi0.05Te. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 106, 249-256. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.08.020

Se-alloying reducing lattice thermal conductivity of Ge0.95Bi0.05Te

2022

Journal Article

A Solvothermal Synthetic Environmental Design for High‐Performance SnSe‐Based Thermoelectric Materials

Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Sun, Qiang, Xu, Sheng‐Duo, Du, Du, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). A Solvothermal Synthetic Environmental Design for High‐Performance SnSe‐Based Thermoelectric Materials. Advanced Energy Materials, 12 (20) 2200670, 1-10. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202200670

A Solvothermal Synthetic Environmental Design for High‐Performance SnSe‐Based Thermoelectric Materials

2022

Journal Article

Biomass‐Derived Carbon for High‐Performance Batteries: From Structure to Properties

Sun, Yu, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Yang, Yan‐Ling, Suo, Guoquan, Zhang, Li, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Biomass‐Derived Carbon for High‐Performance Batteries: From Structure to Properties. Advanced Functional Materials, 32 (24) 2201584, 1-40. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202201584

Biomass‐Derived Carbon for High‐Performance Batteries: From Structure to Properties

2022

Journal Article

High near-room temperature figure of merit of n-type Bi2GeTe4-based thermoelectric materials via a stepwise optimization of carrier concentration

Yin, Liang-Cao, Liu, Wei-Di, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Gao, Han, Li, Meng, Wang, De-Zhuang, Wu, Hao, Kou, Liangzhi, Guo, Haizhong, Wang, Yifeng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). High near-room temperature figure of merit of n-type Bi2GeTe4-based thermoelectric materials via a stepwise optimization of carrier concentration. Chemical Engineering Journal, 433 133775, 133775. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.133775

High near-room temperature figure of merit of n-type Bi2GeTe4-based thermoelectric materials via a stepwise optimization of carrier concentration

2022

Journal Article

Multifunctional wearable thermoelectrics for personal thermal management

Li, Lei, Liu, Wei‐Di, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Multifunctional wearable thermoelectrics for personal thermal management. Advanced Functional Materials, 32 (22) 2200548, 2200548. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202200548

Multifunctional wearable thermoelectrics for personal thermal management

2022

Journal Article

Achieving ultrahigh power factor In n-type Ag2Se thin films by carrier engineering

Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Zhang, Dong-Liang, Niu, Jun-Yu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Chen, Tian-Bao, Chen, Yun-Fei, Li, Fu, Liang, Guang-Xing, Chen, Yue-Xing, Fan, Ping and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Achieving ultrahigh power factor In n-type Ag2Se thin films by carrier engineering. Materials Today Energy, 24 100933, 100933. doi: 10.1016/j.mtener.2021.100933

Achieving ultrahigh power factor In n-type Ag2Se thin films by carrier engineering

2022

Journal Article

Thermoelectric coolers: infinite potentials for finite localized microchip cooling

Chen, Zhi-Gang and Liu, Wei-Di (2022). Thermoelectric coolers: infinite potentials for finite localized microchip cooling. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 121, 256-262. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.12.069

Thermoelectric coolers: infinite potentials for finite localized microchip cooling

2022

Journal Article

Cheap, large-scale, and high-performance graphite-based flexible thermoelectric materials and devices with supernormal industry feasibility

Sun, Shuai, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Liu, Wei-Di, Wu, Ting, Wang, Dezhuang, Wu, Hao, Zhang, Xiaoyong, Wang, Yu, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Cheap, large-scale, and high-performance graphite-based flexible thermoelectric materials and devices with supernormal industry feasibility. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 14 (6), 8066-8075. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c24649

Cheap, large-scale, and high-performance graphite-based flexible thermoelectric materials and devices with supernormal industry feasibility

2022

Journal Article

Thermoelectric performance of p-type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 incorporating amorphous Sb2S3 nanospheres

Bao, Deyu, Sun, Qiang, Huang, Linsen, Chen, Jie, Tang, Jun, Zhou, Dali, Hong, Min, Yang, Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Thermoelectric performance of p-type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 incorporating amorphous Sb2S3 nanospheres. Chemical Engineering Journal, 430 (Part 1) 132738, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132738

Thermoelectric performance of p-type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 incorporating amorphous Sb2S3 nanospheres

2022

Journal Article

Flexible hollow TiO2@CMS/carbon-fiber van der Waals heterostructures for simulated-solar light photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis

Chen, Hua-Jun, Yang, Yan-Ling, Zou, Xin-Xin, Shi, Xiao-Lei and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). Flexible hollow TiO2@CMS/carbon-fiber van der Waals heterostructures for simulated-solar light photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 98, 143-150. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.05.009

Flexible hollow TiO2@CMS/carbon-fiber van der Waals heterostructures for simulated-solar light photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis

2022

Journal Article

N-doped silk wadding-derived carbon/SnOx@reduced graphene oxide film as an ultra-stable anode for sodium-ion half/full battery

Sun, Yu, Yang, Yanling, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Suo, Guoquan, Xue, Fan, Liu, Jiajun, Lu, Siyu and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). N-doped silk wadding-derived carbon/SnOx@reduced graphene oxide film as an ultra-stable anode for sodium-ion half/full battery. Chemical Engineering Journal, 433 (Part 3) 133675, 133675. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.133675

N-doped silk wadding-derived carbon/SnOx@reduced graphene oxide film as an ultra-stable anode for sodium-ion half/full battery

2022

Journal Article

Achieving high-performance n-type PbTe via synergistically optimizing effective mass and carrier concentration and suppressing lattice thermal conductivity

Liu, Hang-Tian, Sun, Qiang, Zhong, Yan, Xia, Cheng-Liang, Chen, Yue, Chen, Zhi-Gang and Ang, Ran (2022). Achieving high-performance n-type PbTe via synergistically optimizing effective mass and carrier concentration and suppressing lattice thermal conductivity. Chemical Engineering Journal, 428 132601, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132601

Achieving high-performance n-type PbTe via synergistically optimizing effective mass and carrier concentration and suppressing lattice thermal conductivity

2022

Journal Article

Thermoelectric coolers: progress, challenges and opportunities

Chen, Wen‐Yi, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2022). Thermoelectric coolers: progress, challenges and opportunities. Small Methods, 6 (2) 2101235, 2101235. doi: 10.1002/smtd.202101235

Thermoelectric coolers: progress, challenges and opportunities

2022

Journal Article

High thermoelectric and mechanical performance in the n-type polycrystalline SnSe incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Mao, Xin-Yu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zhai, Liang-Chuang, Liu, Wei-Di, Chen, Yue-Xing, Gao, Han, Li, Meng, Wang, De-Zhuang, Wu, Hao, Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Wang, Yi-Feng, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2022). High thermoelectric and mechanical performance in the n-type polycrystalline SnSe incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 114, 55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.12.002

High thermoelectric and mechanical performance in the n-type polycrystalline SnSe incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

2021

Journal Article

Novel thermal diffusion temperature engineering leading to high thermoelectric performance in Bi2Te3-based flexible thin-films

Ao, Dong-Wei, Liu, Wei-Di, Chen, Yue-Xing, Wei, Meng, Jabar, Bushra, Li, Fu, Shi, Xiao-Lei, Zheng, Zhuang-Hao, Liang, Guang-Xing, Zhang, Xiang-Hua, Fan, Ping and Chen, Zhi-Gang (2021). Novel thermal diffusion temperature engineering leading to high thermoelectric performance in Bi2Te3-based flexible thin-films. Advanced Science, 9 (5) 2103547, e2103547. doi: 10.1002/advs.202103547

Novel thermal diffusion temperature engineering leading to high thermoelectric performance in Bi2Te3-based flexible thin-films

2021

Journal Article

High carrier mobility and high figure of merit in the CuBiSe2 alloyed GeTe

Yin, Liang‐Cao, Liu, Wei‐Di, Li, Meng, Sun, Qiang, Gao, Han, Wang, De‐Zhuang, Wu, Hao, Wang, Yi‐Feng, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Liu, Qingfeng and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2021). High carrier mobility and high figure of merit in the CuBiSe2 alloyed GeTe. Advanced Energy Materials, 11 (45) 2102913, 2102913. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202102913

High carrier mobility and high figure of merit in the CuBiSe2 alloyed GeTe

2021

Journal Article

Achieving high‐performance Ge0.92 Bi0.08 Te thermoelectrics via LaB 6 ‐alloying‐induced band engineering and multi‐scale structure manipulation

Sun, Qiang, Shi, Xiao‐Lei, Hong, Min, Yin, Yu, Xu, Sheng‐Duo, Chen, Jie, Yang, Lei, Zou, Jin and Chen, Zhi‐Gang (2021). Achieving high‐performance Ge0.92 Bi0.08 Te thermoelectrics via LaB 6 ‐alloying‐induced band engineering and multi‐scale structure manipulation. Small, 18 (6) 2105923, 2105923. doi: 10.1002/smll.202105923

Achieving high‐performance Ge0.92 Bi0.08 Te thermoelectrics via LaB 6 ‐alloying‐induced band engineering and multi‐scale structure manipulation

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

    Development of High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials and Devices for on-chip Applications

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch, 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

    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

  • 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

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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

  • Engineering
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  • Lights
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanostructures
  • Optoelectronic devices

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