Nanotechnology for Energy & Environment

The Nanotechnology for Energy & Environment (NE²) research group focuses on the fundamental aspects and applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the multidisciplinary areas of materials science and engineering, energy & environment, mechanical engineering, semiconductor physics, surface chemistry, and electronics.

There are three main research themes in our group:

• Sustainable energy harvesting and storage, with particular interest in thermoelectric energy convertors and Li-ion batteries.
• Synthesis, characterisation, and properties of inorganic/organic nanomaterials & nanocomposites for various applications.
• Tuning the surface/interface properties of materials by controlling the nano-/micro-morphology and chemical functionalisation for water treatment and biomedical applications.

Currently, our key focus of research is on developing thermoelectric energy harvesters and wearable electronics by additive manufacturing technology. Thermoelectric generators provide a unique capability to directly convert heat to electricity. We use semiconducting inorganic nanomaterials and conductive organic molecules and polymers to manufacture state-of-the-art thermoelectric generators with 3D printing processes. Such small and flexible thermoelectric devices can be attached to human skin or clothes to harvest the always-freely-available heat from our body and turn it into electricity. This electric power could continuously charge portable and wearable electronic devices/sensors with microwatt to milliwatt power levels.

For further information about our group and research, please visit our website: https://pakdelgroup.weebly.com/.

Group Leader

• Dr. Amir Pakdel - Senior Research Fellow, Science Foundation Ireland PI