Designing the future: A UQ researcher’s quest for new materials

From renewable energy to advanced nanotechnology, many of tomorrow's breakthroughs may rely on materials that are to be discovered or created. 

The University of Queensland’s Dr Carla Verdi is using quantum-mechanical and advanced computer simulations in her search for new materials, and to predict how they will behave long before they’re a physical reality. 

“A lot of the limitations we have in advancing technology is due to the availability of specific materials for particular applications,” Dr Verdi said.

“We are using quantum mechanics – a branch of physics that describes matter and energy at the atomic level – to simulate how materials behave.

“This helps us understand and even design their properties.

“This isn’t just abstract quantum physics theory; you can see the tangible outcomes.”

Working at UQ’s School of Mathematics and Physics Dr Verdi said the work would inform the future of technology. 

“If you think about the technological progress of the last couple of centuries, it has always been related to developing new materials,” Dr Verdi said. 

“When we have the tools, we can start to develop things like new nanotechnology, solar cells, superconductors, low-power electronics, batteries and catalysts. 

“In my work, we are using atomic defects to create single-photon sources for quantum communication, or to make superconducting semiconductors.

“Another example is silicon solar cells, they are limited by being rigid, so what about flexible solar cells that can be attached to anything? 

“These are the kind of ideas we are focusing on, and everyone will benefit.” 

Dr Verdi said simulating materials saved researchers time and money.   

"Developing advanced and high-performing materials requires extraordinary precision and often researchers don't know the best approach until they begin testing,” Dr Verdi said.

“So, there can be a lot of costly trial and error in the lab.

“With computer simulations we can precisely reproduce certain properties and see how they behave in a way that was maybe unknown before.”

Dr Verdi has received a UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award (FREA) which will allow her to extend her research.

“With this award, I'll be able to expand my group to work with leading researchers in the field and organise activities,” Dr Verdi said. 

“My dream is to one day have a ‘materials by design’ route where before making something in the lab you first design it and then create the material best suited to help us with any challenges we face.”