It is fair to say that any material can be regarded as electronic material, as it might have good/bad electrical conductivity, absence/presence of magnetic properties, high/low dielectric constant, etc. These materials can be in form of bulk, thin film or even single crystals. Such variety of materials and compounds is in principle limitless and thus very promising to discover and develop new materials with very peculiar electro-magnetic properties. Spintronic and electronic materials group concentrates its research in both research areas: fundamental and applied. Below are some of the research projects conducted by the group:
ARC Discovery
- Design and exploration of novel p-block materials for solar energy conversion
Project ID: DP1402581
Years funded: 2014-2016
Total funding: $520,000
Chief investigators: S. X. Dou, Y. Du, X. Xu, G. Peleckis, J. Scott, J. H. Ye, W. C. Hao, K. S. Liu, P. Cheng
Project summary: This project aims to design and explore novel visible light p-block photocatalysts through in depth surface studies of materials at an atomic level. A new strategy of band structure engineering and in-situ investigation of atomiclevel photocatalytic dynamics will be the key elements in this research which is expected to yield several novel visible light photocatalysts. The outcome of the project will be the understanding of processes and mechanisms underlying the photocatalysis and building the foundation of usable, stable, and durable visible-light photocatalytic applications.
- Two-dimensional plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructures for photocatalysis
Project ID: DP170101467
Chief investigators: Prof. Shi Xue Dou, Dr. Yi Du, Dr. Xun Xu, Dr. Germanas Peleckis, Prof. Jinhua Ye, Prof. Weichang Hao, A/Prof. Lan Chen
Total funding received: $513,000
Project abstract: This project aims to design and explore two-dimensional heterogeneous photocatalysts that can convert solar energy into usable chemical energy. This project will investigate the correlation between surface plasmonic resonance and photocatalytic activities on the atomic level. Heterogeneous engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics is expected to yield several new full-solar-spectrum photocatalysts. The project is expected to contribute to the understanding of the processes and mechanisms underlying photocatalysis, and lead to useable, stable and durable photocatalytics. The outcomes will enable efficient, cost-effective and reliable production of clean energy in a low-emission way.
ARC Future Fellowships
- Electronic topological materials
Project ID: FT130100778
Years funded: 2013 - 2017
Total funding: $987,000
Chief investigators: X. L. Wang
Project summary: Discovery of new classes of materials with new functionalities or significantly improved performance has always been the driving force for the advance of modern science and technology, and the improvement of our daily lives. This project aims to discover a number of innovative materials, based on new strategies of materials design, discover their novel functionalities and novel quantum effects, and elucidate their underlying physics. It is expected that these novel materials will provide a new platform for superconductivity, magnetism, spintronics, optical and multi-disciplinary sciences, and lead to future generations of advanced multifunctional electronic devices.
ARC Linkage Projects
- New generation high efficiency thermoelectric materials and modules for waste heat recovery in steelworks
Project ID: LP100200289
Years funded: 2012 - 2016
Total funding: $810,000
Chief investigators: S. X. Dou, S. Li, W. X. Li, C. Zhang, S. Aminorroaya-Yamini
Industry partner: Baosteel Company
Project summary: The development of thermoelectric materials and devices, and their subsequent uptake by the steel industry, will bring tremendous socio-economic benefits in terms of decreased operational costs, a significantly reduced carbon footprint and will set an excellent example for other industries on how to comply with strict environmental regulations.