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The Australian National University
Source: Australian National University (ANU)
The Australian National University (ANU) is recognised internationally for its exceptional teaching and outstanding research. The ANU alumni and faculty include six Nobel Prize winners and two Australian prime ministers. Small class sizes, industry and international internship opportunities, cutting-edge research and policy influence equip ANU staff and students with opportunities and skills to shape the future of the world. The ANU gives the students a pathway to pursue their passions and ambitious goals by offering 50 pre-defined single degrees and the flexibility to design their own double degrees from 750 possible options. ANU is a part of the Group of Eight and the only Australian member of the International Alliance of Research Universities.
The ANU has seven academic colleges that house a number of schools and research centres that specialise in a range of disciplines - all relevant but some unique in Australia and our region. These include the College of Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Asia and the Pacific, the College of Computer Science and Engineering, the College of Business and Economics, the College of Law, the College of Health and Medicine, and the College of Science. The university is consistently within the top ranked Australian universities and is #1 ranked Australian university according to QS World University Ranking.
Group leaders active in materials research in the ANU Research School of Chemistry
Professor Yun Liu
Professor Mark Humphrey
Professor Antonio Tricoli
Professor David Nisbet Associate Professor Luke Connal
Associate Professor Zongyou Yin Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov Associate Professor Pu Xiao Associate Professor Nicholas Cox Associate Professor Megan O’Mara
Contributions to Materials Science and the Research School of Chemistry
The ANU has extensive research-driven education and well-established research strengths in Advanced Materials. These activities in materials science are spread across the University with contributions from the Research School of Chemistry, the Research School of Physics, the School of Engineering and the Research School of Earth Science. ANU undertakes research in hard and soft materials, electrical and physical properties of materials, devices, colloidal particles, nanotechnology and biomaterials. The University has outstanding facilities for materials characterisation and processing, including the Centre for Advanced Microscopy, the National Laboratory for X-ray Micro Computed Tomography, ion beam facilities and a 1.7 MeV tandem accelerator, and hosts an ACT node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility. Materials science has featured prominently at the Research School of Chemistry (RSC) for over a decade and is well integrated with other strengths in materials physics and engineering on the ANU campus. Ten academic staff are currently involved in this field at RSC. These research groups strive to be the world leaders in energy materials, functional materials, and advanced manufacturing through ambitious and innovative research programs. Materials Science complements the other two RSC themes, Chemical Biology and Synthesis. The Materials theme is enabled by molecular chemistry expertise and there are strong synergies with biomaterials research. RSC has a well-developed, research-informed undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum and has just launched an advanced Master’s degree in materials science, featuring teaching by and opportunities for research projects within the range of contributing Schools noted above.
Renewable Fuel Production
The synthesis of renewable fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, from renewably generated electricity is required for the sustainable use of energy in the transport sector, providing a convenient pathway for large-scale storage and export of renewable energy. Researchers at the RSC are focusing on the design of earth-abundant, low-cost catalysts for the efficient conversion of light and/or electricity into H2 and NH3 via photocatalysis and electrochemistry. Their research ranges from the design of catalytic and electrode materials using computational approaches to the development of scalable, industrycompatible synthesis methods. Associate Professor Zongyou Yin is focused on the development of nano-to-atomic materials for photocatalysis, photoelectro- and electrocatalysis of CO2 to fuel conversion, N2 reduction to NH3, and the transformation of alcohols to H2 fuel. He has established a multi-angle in-operando mapping platform for nanoscale electro- and photo-redox reactions under the stimuli of light, potential, heat, magnetic field and mechanic forces. His group employs techniques including surface plasmonic enhancement, nanointegration, high-throughput computation and machine learning in addition to in-situ experiments. Professor Mark Humphrey is exploring engineered nanomaterials (cobalt phosphide nanorods, trinickel monophosphide hollow nanospheres, and molybdenum carbide nanoparticles) as electrocatalysts and niobium cluster-coated titania nanoparticles as a photocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Professor Antonio Tricoli’s group is leading the development of flame synthesis of metal oxide catalysts for H2 production via electrolysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Flame synthesis is a scalable industrial process, used for the production of various nanoparticles including carbon black, P25 photocatalyst, and fumed silica. His group has recently demonstrated very rapid (seconds) fabrication of electrodes for the oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions, required for water splitting. Professor Yun Liu’s and Associate Professor Nick Cox’s group focuses their research on the understanding and design of highly efficient and noble-metal-free catalysts for hydrogen generation, storage and conversion, carbon/nitrogen conversion, and wastewater treatment. The group is looking for an opportunity to commercialise patented visible-light catalysts.
Battery Materials and Energy Storage Laboratory
ANU Battery Materials and Energy Storage Laboratory was launched at the Research School of Chemistry in February 2021. This new facility established by Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov provides testing opportunities for electrode, electrolyte and binder materials, the key components for aqueous and non-aqueous battery technologies and related devices.
Energy Storage
Batteries are a key energy storage solution that will enable a wide range of applications, ranging from portable electronics and power tools to the next generation electricity grid and electric vehicles. The activities in the development of materials (electrodes, electrolytes and binders) for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, potassium-ion and dual-ion batteries are undertaken in the laboratory of Associate Professor Alexey Glushenkov. These activities form a part of ANU Battery
Storage and Grid Integration Program, a joint initiative between the RSC and the School of Engineering. The group is also developing advanced materials for hybrid energy storage technologies such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion capacitors. Professor Tricoli’s group focuses on the design of three-dimensional materials for emerging lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries. This battery system has potential to deliver a much higher (up to five times) energy density than the current Li-ion intercalation battery technology. His group has demonstrated that the stability and capacity of Li-S batteries can be drastically increased by the use of a composite material architecture, consisting of metalorganic frameworks in a threedimensional carbon matrix. Associate Professor Yin’s research lies in the phase engineering for redox electrodes of batteries. The group’s research focuses on polymorphism in batteries and the development of active polymorph catalysts, their evolution processes in redox electrodes of rechargeable batteries, and the investigation of how the intrinsic properties and electrochemical performances of materials can be improved. Professor Liu’s group is developing hydrogen storage technologies (both liquid and solid forms) that can integrate with solar cell and wind farm driven electrolysers to store green hydrogen at mild or ambient environment for transport (e.g. hydrogen energy export) and applications (e.g., renewable energy supply, hydrogen refuelling stations, heavy vehicles and potentially residential energy storage). Her group is also working on allsolid-state energy storage devices for high power applications. She has been closely collaborated with Associate Professor Cox’s group in materials design using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique.
Advanced Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing will be a key technology in the future of advanced manufacturing. The research conducted by the group of Associate Professor Luke Connal includes the development of functional “inks” for advanced functions. Self-healing and shapechanging objects as well as a range of other properties can be engineered. The group is also developing an entirely new, recently patented process for additive manufacturing to enable facile patterning of multi materials structures, including polymers, metals and semiconductors. Associate Professor Pu Xiao’s group is focused on the manufacturing of polymer-based materials under environment-friendly conditions such as photopolymerisation using mild visible light irradiation, the investigation of light-induced responses of materials, and photophysical chemistry. His group is currently investigating natural dye-based photoinitiating systems applicable to fast 3D printing of biocompatible polymeric materials with visible light. Professor Xiao has just published a book “3D Printing with Light” which includes the fundamentals of photoinitiating systems for 3D printing and resins. Professor Tricoli’s research is focused on the design of a scalable synthesis process for the industrial translation of nanostructured materials in energy and biomedical applications. He has led the development of twin-flame synthesis reactors for the very rapid production of catalysts, nanotextured electrodes, functional coatings, optoelectronic materials and a range of biomaterials for antimicrobial applications, biomedical sensing and implants. His group has also established processes for the scalable fabrication of three-dimensional composite structures of carbon and metal-organic frameworks from low-cost precursors. Professor Liu’s group possesses wellestablished manufacturing facilities for ceramic, glass and alloy thin films and devices, enabling small-scale manufacturing of materials (including nanomaterials) and devices to meet niche market requirements, especially for use in harsh environments and under extreme conditions. Battery materials research group (Associate Professor Glushenkov) is developing electrode materials manufacturing methods enabled by mechanical ball milling and mechanochemistry as well as hightemperature annealing and solid-state synthesis methods.
Electronic and Optoelectronic Materials
Professor Humphrey and his colleagues are designing, synthesising and evaluating a broad range of new materials with applications in photonics, including metalrich oligomers, dendrimers and polymers, surface-supported nanostructures, nanoparticle hybrids, semiconductors and coordination polymers. These materials are designed to modify the propagation characteristics of light (frequency, phase, path and amplitude) or act as “molecular switches”. The group is also exploring new luminescent materials (exploiting crystallization-induced emission and thermally activated delayed fluorescence) and ultrabright multi-photon excited emitters with potential applications in the precise spatial control of photodynamic therapy and medical imaging. The group of Professor Liu works on dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials and devices for uses in quantum photonics, solar energy conversion, microwave and millimeter wave communication. This includes various electronic, photonic, optoelectronic and electro optic components, sensors, transducers and actuators. The group is also able to conduct research in order to provide comprehensive investigation on defects, structures and properties of materials to help industry to pin down the problems (such as failure issues) existing in operational functional materials and devices.
Associate Professor Connal’s group is developing functional polymer materials with engineered properties. The researchers have developed a range of polymers which show rapid self-healing to regain their properties, while also demonstrating high strength, mimicking the properties of muscles and bone. These
polymers are being investigated for applications such as soft robotics and artificial muscles. A key theme of the research is in materials inspired by nature. A collaborative program between Associate Professor Connal’s and Associate Professor O’Mara’s groups is the development of new materials to mimic naturally occurring antibacterial surfaces. One of the materials developed is capable of killing coronavirus that lands on a coated surface. The clear coating material shows efficacy within 5 minutes of the virus landing on the surface, and is envisaged to be long-lasting, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Professors Tricoli and Nisbet have developed a surface coating that repels bacterial pathogens and provides a strong antimicrobial action in case of bacterial adhesion. These hierarchically structured nanocoatings anchored on a polymer network layer can reduce adhesion and proliferation of gram positive and negative bacteria by more than 99.85%. The coating structure is highly water repellent, capable of resisting the transmission of pathogens present in droplets expelled by sneezing, coughing or hosted on human skin. When in contact with bacteria, the second nanocomponent of the coating responds by releasing antimicrobial agents that that can quickly destroy the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Professor Liu’s group, in collaboration with ANU colleagues in the medical field, is working on the development of nanomaterials to promote the “growth” of good cells whilst killing bad cells for infection resistance. This group is also developing materials to make specific biosensors for targeting diseases. Associate Professor O’Mara’s group is experts on the use of multiscale molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular systems, with applications in the characterisation of bio-inspired materials and soft matter systems. Lipid based systems are a key research theme within the group. In particular, the research focuses on the characterisation of self-assembly and dynamic interactions of biomolecular and bio-inspired systems and includes the development of computational tools for the parameterisation of polymer systems and supramolecular systems.
Magnetic Resonance Facility
The magnetic resonance facility based at the Research School of Chemistry caters for both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The facility is one of the most advanced in Australia, boasting equipment worth over 12 million dollars and caters for over 100 staff, including members from the ANU, and industrial and commercial users. The centre has one of the most sophisticated NMR spectrometers in Australia including very fast magic angle spinning (MAS) solid state capacity. It also hosts the only high-field EPR instrument in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sustainability
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a key health and environmental concern. Professor Liu’s group has successfully developed catalysts for photodecomposition of PFAS and the remediation of contaminated water and soil using sunlight. The technology is in the stage of seeking industry partners to develop a demonstration facility. Oil remediation represents another important sustainability problem. Professor Humphrey’s group is involved in developing recycling methods for spent lubricants, and a range of approaches to desulphurisation are being explored.
Laser Laboratory
Professor Humphrey manages a dedicated facility for the examination of optical properties of materials. This laser laboratory contains an 11.5 x 6.5m2 cleanroom, providing a dust-free, temperature- and humidity-controlled environment for laser systems. This facility affords wavelength tuneable light (from ca. 300 to 2600 nm) of varying pulse length (femto- to nanosecond) for a range of experiments. An adjacent instrument room contains electrochemical equipment as well as infrared, visible light and ultraviolet spectrometers, enabling a variable temperature spectroelectrochemistry capability.
