Young Uni of Adelaide innovator named in Asia-Pacific Top 20

A University of Adelaide researcher, whose work could help revolutionise battery technology, has been given global recognition by being chosen as an MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Dongliang (“Donny”) Chao, from the University of Adelaide’s School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, is one of 20 people selected as Innovators Under 35.

In association with the international conference EmTech Asia 2020, the prestigious award celebrates 20 researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs who are trailblazers in their fields leading the next generation of technological breakthroughs – helping to “change the world”.

Dr Chao is the only awardee from an Australian university, and was selected from a highly competitive pool of 200 nominees from across the Asia-Pacific.

An Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA Fellow at the University of Adelaide, Dr Chao’s research focuses on materials for next-generation safe, low-cost and scalable energy storage.

Dr Chao and his mentor Professor Shi-Zhang Qiao have recently secured a $1 million research contract to bring their technology to market, aiming to revolutionise electricity storage by providing a far safer, cheaper and more reliable model than the battery technologies already available. The DECRA Fellowship has provided an additional $450,000 for his research on new battery technologies.

Dr Chao is also Managing Editor of the journal Materials Today Energy, has published more than 80 journal articles and one book, and is highly cited in his field.

“I am very honoured to be recognised for my work in this way,” Dr Chao said.

“The opportunity to improve high-energy, safe battery technology, and to make it more affordable, opens up many possibilities for domestic and commercial battery use, including grid-scale energy storage. A safe, effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to current energy storage technologies is greatly needed worldwide,” he said.

The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Anton Middelberg, said: “To be awarded from such a large and highly competitive field of international innovators is a great credit to the quality of Donny’s research.

“Donny’s work is a great example of how the University of Adelaide is addressing its industry engagement priorities in energy, mining and resources, and is tackling the grand challenge of sustainable energy for the future benefit of the community.”
 

“To be awarded from such a large and highly competitive field of international innovators is a great credit to the quality of Donny’s research.”Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, CEO and publisher of MIT Technology Review, said: “It’s part of our ethos that technology can, and should, be a force for good.

“We’re excited to be expanding our pool of talented young men and women, celebrating the impact they are making in this world.”

The 20 Innovators Under 35 will be formally recognised at the EmTech Asia conference, to held in February 2020 in Singapore.