Monash University
Research Field: Optical Nano-Materials

Dr. Bao is developing ultra-thin materials and semi-transparent devices that will have the ability to harvest solar power, detect and tune light, and display pictures. Imagine having a huge smart window at home that you can control by remote to let in various amounts of light or view the weather forecast or daily news from the window when you are doing morning exercise at home.
Graphene has the thickness one millionth of a piece of paper but is about 100 times stronger than steel by width, conducts heat and electricity with great efficiency and is nearly transparent. However it has been difficult to mass produce. Qiaoliang has recently discovered a new approach to grow such ultra-thin material on flexible glass on a large scale, and developed cutting-edge technology to tailor it into functional devices. These new technologies will bring the smart window a step closer to our lives.

Qiaoliang is an ambassador for promotion of science and technology to the broader community as a Technology Fellow of the Melbourne Centre of Nanofabrication. He also is involved in Annual Open Day and Immersion Day events which aim to raise the awareness of Materials Science and Engineering field in the wider society. He has also published one book chapter about nano composites, and is currently editing a book aiming to share the discoveries in nanoscience to broader community.