This year we’re profiling our speakers for Limitless: The Other Side of Impossible so our community can get to know who’ll be presenting on June 5th. We first profiled Dr. Vanessa Pirotta and next up in our series is another doctor, Dr. Han Lin. Han is passionate about developing new materials and technologies that will change lives and we’re incredibly excited to listen to his talk on graphene, the wonder material.
Our devices are everywhere, whether it’s your phone, laptop or wireless headphones, we always want them lighter and the batteries to last longer. How they store energy is a critical topic. Batteries are not sustainable. They have limited storage capacity, and as a result, we throw away 15 billion batteries each year. Although there are rechargeable batteries they take time to charge and they still have a shelf life. They’re also considered dangerous, in some cases lithium-ion batteries have been known to explode.
Can graphene be used to solve this problem?
Graphene could be that solution. What if you had a battery that charged in seconds? Could be considerably smaller, or hold more charge for the same volume. We could take tech to the next level.
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Why is graphene hailed as the wondrous material? It could be used in anything; medicine, optics, energy, the list is endless. It is lighter and stronger than steel. It’s more efficient than copper writing and it even has antibiotic priorities that can purify water! Its potential is limitless.
Han thinks so too. His TEDxMelbourne talk will be on the graphene and its unique properties. ‘It will focus on how graphene can solve the problem with current batteries and how we can apply graphene to achieve ultrafast charging, environmentally friendly energy storage technology with millions of life cycles.’ A senior research fellow from the Centre for Translational Atomaterials (CTAM) at Swinburne University. Han has extensive experience in the research of laser physics, photonic nanomaterials and energy storage device design and fabrication. This has led to the invention of a new method to develop graphene material via 3D printing. He’s then been able to apply this in supercapacitors. This could replace batteries as we know it.
This type of invention is absolutely critical when it comes to finding sustainable ways to maintain our planet. Han and his team are focusing their research outcomes on commercialising the material. The technology can then apply across a broad range of sectors and materials such as renewable energy, personal electronic devices, medical devices, electric vehicles, aerospace and so on.
Han, who grew up in the southeast of China, studied physics with a focus on optical science at university. He believes that graphene will have limitless potential. Which is why the theme of this year’s event was so powerful to him.
‘The “limitless” theme inspired me to talk about the unlimited potential of the graphene material, and how it will change our daily lives in different aspects.’
While he’s excited to speak and share his own ideas. Han is just as excited to listen to his fellow speakers, ‘I’m interested in knowing the frontiers and trends in different areas.”
2019 is a big year for Han and his group as they plan to accomplish the first graphene supercapacitor prototype. It’s a challenge, but they’re motivated by the environmental impacts facing us and they’re ready to take it on.
As we continue to profile our speakers we’re motivated to discuss our limitless potential. We have a responsibility to our planet to continue to push our capacity to help sustain it. Han’s work will contribute to this so don’t miss out to hear him speak and buy your tickets now!
Over the next few weeks we’ll be profiling each of our amazing speakers. To stay in the loop for announcements, follow us on Insta and Facebook.
Reach out, listen, ask and get inspired.
Samantha Gash will show us the importance of living our lives beyond our comfort zones.
Reflecting with one of last year’s Open Mic Night speaker’s Josh Brnjac.
Chris Helder tackles our barriers by tuning our mindset.