Rate My Professor Thomas Nann

Professor Thomas Nann serves as Adjunct Professor in the School of Science (Physics), within the College of Engineering, Science and Environment at the University of Newcastle, Australia, since 2019. He previously directed the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology in New Zealand from 2015 to 2019. Earlier in his career, he established a strong research track record in nanosciences and nanotechnology at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, the University of East Anglia in the UK, and Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg in Germany. There, he obtained his Master of Science in Chemistry in 1994, PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1997, Habilitation in Nanosciences and Venia Legendi in 2004, and Doctor of Science.

Professor Nann's research specializations encompass physical chemistry, nanomaterials, nanosciences, nanotechnology, renewable energy, energy storage, batteries, photocatalysis, nanomedicine, bioimaging, contrast agents, nanosensors, electrochemical energy storage and conversion (40% effort), inorganic materials including nanomaterials (40%), and electrochemistry (20%). The Nann research group fabricates and characterizes functional nanomaterials—luminescent, magnetic (multiferroic), dielectric, upconverting, Raman active, and complex nanoarchitectures—for advanced energy storage solutions like lithium-ion and multivalent batteries, high-energy supercapacitors, and flow batteries aimed at grid-level storage and sustainable energy economies. He has more than 25 years of experience working in physical chemistry and research, focusing on mesoscopic properties of nanomaterials for energy challenges, solar fuel conversion, and nanomedical applications such as MRI contrast agents, radiation detectors, and targeted drug delivery for early cancer detection. Notable publications include forewords and chapters in Comprehensive Nanoscience and Technology, Second Edition (2019), Physical chemistry of nanoparticle syntheses (2019), In Vivo Applications of Inorganic Nanoparticles (2011), Upconverting Nanoparticles (2010), and Fundamental Principles of Quantum Dots (2010), among numerous others on quantum dots, nanoparticle applications, and energy storage innovations like high surface-area cathodes for aluminum ion batteries (2018).