Annual Report 2007 - The Australian Nanotechnology Network

the actual use of these instruments but also the interpretation of the data obtained and as such developed
my understanding of several of our conducting polymer systems. I also gained valuable contacts both
within the BDI and also with other visitors to DCU and through these contacts, several new avenues of
research have been opened. These new areas of research may require further visits and also the
possibility of postgraduates and/or postdoctorates visiting the IPRI to complete these projects once
initiated. I presented a general overview of the IPRI and my work within the IPRI to the BDI at a research
seminar and was also involved in sharing some of my expertise with postdoctorates and postgraduates
within the BDI.
Therefore, during this trip I greatly increased my own scientific knowledge base as well as budgeting and
leadership skills through my interaction with the many colleagues I meet on my visit. From this visit I also
intend on publishing at least one manuscript based on the work completed and hope to continue this
collaboration, be it on this exact project or on others which are start, in part by my visit to Ireland.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the ARCNN for giving me the opportunity to visit the BDI in Dublin City University.
This has allowed me to develop my knowledge base and experimental skills. I would also like to thank
Prof. Robert Forster and all my colleagues in the BDI who provided not only assistance and advice, but
also friendship and a fantastic working environment throughout my visit. And finally, I would like to thank
Prof. Gordon Wallace and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterial Science for allowing this trip
and providing additional funding
Dr Xiangdong Yao (Uni Queensland) – visit to the University of London (UK).
Xiangdong is an early career researcher and his research interest is Functional nanomaterials for
clean energy
Purpose of visit: This project aims to investigate hydrogenation mechanism of transition-metal
(such as Ni, Pd, V, or Ti) catalysed magnesium both experimentally and theroretically. This
project will address the following challenges: 1) the difficulty in modeling multi-component
systems that involve the synergistic interactions of Mg-X (transition metals)-H; and 2) synthesis
of novel Mg nanostructures with different particle (grain) size and well-dispersed the particles
from aggregation at nanoscale; and 3) preventing the Mg nanostructures from oxidation.
The specific aims of the project are:
1. To develop a modeling approach for general multi-component systems involving the
synergistic interactions of Mg-X-H.
2. To synthesize Mg nanostrutures (mixed with and without nano-sized catalyst particles).
3. To understand the hydrogenation mechanism and the nanoscale effect of catalysts on
hydrogenation and atomic interactions between H and metals (Mg and catalyst elements).
Dr Yao’s application was supported by his supervisor Prof Max Lu and by Prof Xiao Guo from
the University of London.
Dr Xiangdong Yao will be visiting the University of London in June 2008.
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