The new Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials (AM2D) has opened at Monash University to foster research and commercialise 2D materials.
2D materials, like graphene, can be employed for various applications due to their high conductivity, strength, and remarkable thermal and optical properties. AM2D’s research will meet this rising demand by improving Australia’s graphene and 2D manufacturing capabilities and assisting in developing high-tech products such as energy storage devices, advanced anti-corrosion coatings, sensors, and water treatment membranes.
AM2D Director Professor Mainak Majumder has been involved in graphene research and development for over a decade and believes there is still a large appetite for R&D into 2D materials and applications.
“Graphene’s versatility has spawned many applications that are finding their way to the market. We are at the tip of the iceberg in this journey as innovative graphene-enhanced products are being designed, and existing products are moving up the technology readiness levels (TRL),” Professor Majumder said.
“Asides from Graphene, AM2D will open up new opportunities for 2D materials of tomorrow. In this large family of graphene-like materials around 100 have been studied, and over 600 distinct materials are unexplored. It remains a research area ripe for new discoveries and products. AM2D will build effective partnerships in translating this research into market-ready products.”
Monash University, as the Organising Partner, will collaborate with other universities to explore the transformative potential of 2D materials, including the University of Adelaide, RMIT, Queensland University of Technology, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and more.
AM2D’s industry partners, including Monash University, are leading in commercialising graphene and 2D materials, establishing a growing supply and value chain in Australia and internationally. Their collaborations with universities have created jobs in manufacturing and high-tech industries. AM2D aims to strengthen these successes and expand the sector’s capabilities.
AM2D’s industry partners, including Monash University, are leading in commercialising graphene and 2D materials, establishing a growing supply and value chain in Australia and internationally. Their collaborations with universities have created jobs in manufacturing and high-tech industries. The university noted that the research hub aims to strengthen these successes and expand the sector’s capabilities.
According to Professor Majumder, the Hub will take a comprehensive approach to developing, manufacturing, and applying 2D materials, including how they move through the supply chain.
“AM2D is also looking at ways to overcome bottlenecks in sustainably producing and modifying bulk quantities of 2D materials and using machine learning to cost-effectively characterise these materials,” the Professor said.
“We’re investigating the ways in which we can add value to Australian mineral and mining resources, and cater to the global demand for critical materials required for the energy transition. It’s a very exciting, very diverse research agenda, but we have a fantastic and diverse team from all over Australia and internationally to help support this.”
The Hub will operate through three key ‘Nodes’ with initiatives spanning the core themes of fundamental new tools for 2D materials, smart manufacturing, and the environmental effect of the 2D materials sector.
Monash University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Engagement) and Senior Vice President Professor Doron Ben-Meir stated that the introduction of the AM2D Research Hub demonstrates that revolutionary innovation is achievable when we invest in each other’s skills and success.
“Through this rich, synergistic collaboration with our university and industry partners, we have the opportunity to realise the full potential of increasingly in-demand 2D materials and – in doing so – generate the most significant impact as we strive to change our world, for good.”
