2D Multiferroics: From Materials Design to Device Conceptualization. This project aims to design new transistors with high efficiency and low energy costing for the storage applications based on two-dimensional multifunctional heterostructures. Extensive computational simulations and joint experiments will be employed to develop fundamental knowledge essential to understanding the phenomena of magnetoelectric coupling, which is used to guide rational device design and implementation. The designe ....2D Multiferroics: From Materials Design to Device Conceptualization. This project aims to design new transistors with high efficiency and low energy costing for the storage applications based on two-dimensional multifunctional heterostructures. Extensive computational simulations and joint experiments will be employed to develop fundamental knowledge essential to understanding the phenomena of magnetoelectric coupling, which is used to guide rational device design and implementation. The designed magnetoelectric heterostructures and the multiferroic devices are expected to provide strong foundations for technological innovations resulting in devices with superior functionality and efficiency. The outcome of the project will significantly benefit high-tech electronics.Read moreRead less
Exploring electronic functionality in low-dimensional carbon and boron-nitride nanomaterials via advanced theoretical modelling. This project will spawn innovative carbon/boron nitride materials for next-generation electronics devices by devising new strategies to manipulate and control electronic structure as well as charge/spin transport properties. Outcomes will include technological breakthroughs leading to truly smaller, faster and smarter electronics materials.
Sustainable Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Urea. Urea is a critical chemical for agriculture, the chemical industry and pollution control, yet current production methods are unsustainable. This project aims to design high-efficiency catalysts for electrochemical urea synthesis from theoretical studies. This project expects to generate new knowledge of chemistry and catalysis from new reaction mechanisms and materials. Expected outcomes include optimum catalysts with high conversion efficiency and ....Sustainable Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Urea. Urea is a critical chemical for agriculture, the chemical industry and pollution control, yet current production methods are unsustainable. This project aims to design high-efficiency catalysts for electrochemical urea synthesis from theoretical studies. This project expects to generate new knowledge of chemistry and catalysis from new reaction mechanisms and materials. Expected outcomes include optimum catalysts with high conversion efficiency and reactant selectivity. The novel catalysts have the potential to deliver improved catalytic performance and controllable reaction reactants. This could deliver significant benefits to the crop production increase, cost reduction of chemical industry, and environmental pollution reduction.Read moreRead less
Non-precious fuel cell cathode catalysts from carbon-based nanohybrids: a computational to experimental quest. This joint computational-experimental project will address significant problems including high cost, limited availability and poor performance in traditional platinum-based fuel cell technology. The outcomes are expected to help address global energy problems through the development of inexpensive fuel cell catalysts based on carbon nanohybrids.
The bad metallic state in quantum materials. The project seeks to elucidate how an important quantum state of matter emerges from strong interactions between electrons. Quantum materials are a diverse class of materials whose unusual properties emerge from the strong interactions between electrons. Many have metallic phases with a low electrical conductivity (bad metals). The aim is to understand and characterise this quantum state of matter and how it emerges from the constituent electrons. An ....The bad metallic state in quantum materials. The project seeks to elucidate how an important quantum state of matter emerges from strong interactions between electrons. Quantum materials are a diverse class of materials whose unusual properties emerge from the strong interactions between electrons. Many have metallic phases with a low electrical conductivity (bad metals). The aim is to understand and characterise this quantum state of matter and how it emerges from the constituent electrons. An expected outcome will be falsification of specific theoretical models (based on techniques from string theory) and development of concepts that can be used to interpret experiments, including on ultra-cold atomic gases. Projected future benefits include new insights and concepts that may aid the design and synthesis of new materials for applications based on superconductivity, thermoelectricity and magnetoresistance.Read moreRead less
Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride heterostructures for solar hydrogen production. This project aims to develop a low cost and efficient photo-catalyst for splitting water into clean hydrogen fuel. Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals hetero-structures (stacked 2D crystals) can modulate optical absorption, charge separation and hydrogen evolution activity better than a single 2D material and thus produce hydrogen more efficiently. The approach will build on recent success in controlling elec ....Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride heterostructures for solar hydrogen production. This project aims to develop a low cost and efficient photo-catalyst for splitting water into clean hydrogen fuel. Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals hetero-structures (stacked 2D crystals) can modulate optical absorption, charge separation and hydrogen evolution activity better than a single 2D material and thus produce hydrogen more efficiently. The approach will build on recent success in controlling electron coupling at the hetero-interface. The materials and knowledge achieved from this project will advance the development of renewable energy technology, providing solutions to the global energy and environmental issues.Read moreRead less
Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify a ....Design and Fabrication of 2D Hybrid Materials. There are >300 2D materials like graphene with potentially exotic and useful electrooptic and superconductor properties that will drive novel industrial applications. This project aims to use advanced computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new 2D hybrid materials built from different layers of 2D materials. This approach is essential as the number of possible hybrids is huge (millions) and current processes to identify and build 2D hybrids are technically challenging and slow. Expected outcomes include defining a new paradigm for efficient identification and synthesis of 2D hybrids with exotic, bespoke properties. The generation of a large database of materials for researchers/industry would be of wide benefit.Read moreRead less
Switching, sensing and multifunctionality in spin crossover materials. This project aims to increase the temperature range where molecular spin states can be switched optically or electronically, and to develop new multifunctional materials combining switchable hosts with functional guests. By combining novel theories, synthesis and experiments, this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of spin-switching materials and discover materials with novel properties wort ....Switching, sensing and multifunctionality in spin crossover materials. This project aims to increase the temperature range where molecular spin states can be switched optically or electronically, and to develop new multifunctional materials combining switchable hosts with functional guests. By combining novel theories, synthesis and experiments, this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of spin-switching materials and discover materials with novel properties worthy of commercial development. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the identification and development of several new classes of materials function, each of major fundamental interest, and the generation of new advanced materials with applications in electronics, sensing and gas separations.Read moreRead less
Designing and Building Novel 2D Hybrid Materials. The aim of this project is to use computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new hybrid materials. Single-layer (2-D) materials like graphene have gained prominence and new ones are constantly being reported. Hybrid materials built from combinations of 2-D layers are appearing but progress is slow. This project is designed to increase the rate of discovery and fabrication of hybrids. The outcome would be an extensive data ....Designing and Building Novel 2D Hybrid Materials. The aim of this project is to use computational and experimental techniques to discover and fabricate new hybrid materials. Single-layer (2-D) materials like graphene have gained prominence and new ones are constantly being reported. Hybrid materials built from combinations of 2-D layers are appearing but progress is slow. This project is designed to increase the rate of discovery and fabrication of hybrids. The outcome would be an extensive database of materials properties, clear direction on how to control material properties, and manufacturing protocols to build a wide range of new materials.Read moreRead less
Cost-efficient 2D heterostructures for solar overall water splitting. This project aims to develop novel processes to enable water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen under sunlight using cost-efficient 2D van der Waals heterostructures. Enhanced optical absorption and reduced charge transfer distance across the interface are expected to improve the photocatalytic activity. Experimental design and theoretical simulations will be combined to modulate the materials and achieve optimum photoc ....Cost-efficient 2D heterostructures for solar overall water splitting. This project aims to develop novel processes to enable water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen under sunlight using cost-efficient 2D van der Waals heterostructures. Enhanced optical absorption and reduced charge transfer distance across the interface are expected to improve the photocatalytic activity. Experimental design and theoretical simulations will be combined to modulate the materials and achieve optimum photocatalytic performances. Expected outcomes of this project include expanded chemistry knowledge and techniques in materials design and synthesis, photophysics and photocatalysis mechanism and solar energy conversion. This will provide significant benefits to clean energy and environmental protections.Read moreRead less