
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Atomic scale phase transition study in two-dimensional material heterostructures by in-situ transmission electron microscopy
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
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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
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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