Dr Sammy L I Chan

Dr Chan joined the School in September of 2003 after 16 years teaching and research at the University of Taiwan. Dr Chan is still responsible for an extensive research group at Taiwan University and is building a group within the School at UNSW. Dr Chan is now course coordinator of the Nanotechnology course administered by the School.

A major area of research is nano-energy sources, especially hydrogen batteries and the storage of hydrogen. Ni-MH batteries are of significance because materials containing AB2 and AB5 compounds based on nickel, zirconia and rare earths can be used to store hydrogen at interstitial lattice positions. The amount of hydrogen that can be stored in the manner is greater than that contained in liquid water. An alternative storage mechanism is filling carbon nanotubes with hydrogen atoms. Carbon nanotubes can act as containers at the atomic level where hydrogen atoms can be stacked in their central void space and latter removed for use. Other novel storage materials are porous silicon films only nanometres thick and bulk amorphous materials. Fuel cells and hydrogen batteries are important for the practical use of "nanomachines" which require energy sources.

Research is also being conducted into aluminium matrix composites reinforced with nano-particles and carbon nanotubes. The mechanical properties and ageing kinetics are presently being investigated.

Many academics within the school are reasearching the effect of nanosized grains or particles on materials.