Quarterly Seminars

Autumn Seminar: New members and the potential of AI

Exciton Science’s Autumn Seminar took place at RMIT University in April 2023. This seminar offered a platform for new and existing members to present their findings and engage in thought-provoking discussions.

Speakers included new members Carol Hua, Nina Novikova, Sam Brooke, and Shi Tang, who presented on diverse topics ranging from chiral chemical sensors to 2D material analysis. A highlight of the event was the keynote delivered by Queensland University of Technology’s Daniel Angus.

Titled "Between techno hype and moral panic, the current and future potential of AI for science", this presentation delved into the nuanced role of AI in scientific research, underscoring its potential, challenges, and ethical considerations. This talk, followed by a panel discussion, underlined the Centre's commitment to incorporating cutting-edge technology and fresh research perspectives.

Winter Seminar: Designing cities like forests

The Winter Seminar took place at the University of Sydney in June. This seminar featured guest speakers like Associate Professor Arianna Brambilla, Dr. Jueming Bing, and Ellena Black, who together brought a blend of architecture, physics, and chemistry perspectives to the discussions.

Their expertise in building envelope performance, thin-film solar cells, and electronic density calculations, respectively, provided our members with a multidisciplinary understanding of exciton science and its applications.

Further talks were delivered on multifunctional nanomaterials for biomedical applications, models for electron densities, single fission in TIPS-anthracene, and nuclear magnetic resonance using quantum sensors in diamond.

Additionally, the seminar addressed nano-engineering with novel 2D materials for optoelectronics and spintronic applications, and semiconductor interfaces as single fission sensitizers.

Spring Seminar: A field trip to CSIRO

The Spring Seminar marked a significant step in fostering collaboration and sharing innovative ideas among our members. The first day included a departure from the University of Melbourne to CSIRO, providing an invaluable opportunity for a lab tour that allowed participants to witness cutting-edge research facilities and methodologies in action.

On the second day, the seminar focused on "Industry Impact & Innovation," in a session curated by esteemed professionals from diverse fields. Notable speakers such as Jacek Jasieniak, Kyra Schwarz, and Michael Brear, who shared insights on innovation in research, key trends in energy transition, and solar technology in a net-zero world, respectively. The following day was enriched with presentations from experts like Paul Mulvaney, Shi Tang, Scott Watkins, and Alex Soeriyadi, covering a range of topics from solar cell technology to the sustainability of flexible electronics devices.

The seminar concluded with a series of engaging panel discussions and presentations on topics such as agri-photovoltaics, tumor models for cancer therapies, and the efficiency of multi-junction colored solar cells, highlighting the Centre's commitment to diverse and impactful research.

Impact

These seminars played a pivotal role in the professional development of our members, providing a diverse range of perspectives and insights into current research and applications in the field of exciton science. They were not just events, but a testament to the Centre's commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation.

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APC 2023

The 12th Asian Photochemistry Conference (APC 2023), hosted by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, marked a significant milestone for the field of photochemistry in Asia-Pacific.

Held in Melbourne, Australia, from November 27 to December 1, 2023, this was the first time the prestigious conference took place in Australia. Staged at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event drew experts and enthusiasts from around the globe to the scenic banks of the Yarra River.

APC 2023 showcased an impressive array of plenary speakers including Libai Huang from Purdue University, K. George Thomas from IISER TVM, Yuan-Pern Lee from NYCU, Kazunari Domen from UTokyo, and Gabriela Schlau-Cohen from MIT. Their expertise covered a wide range of topics from ultrafast spectroscopy to materials chemistry and solar energy devices. The keynote speakers, such as Jing Li from Rutgers and Tahei Tahara from Riken, further enriched the conference with insights into functional materials, ultrafast spectroscopy, and nonlinear spectroscopy.

The event also featured comprehensive tutorials delivered at both the University of Melbourne and RMIT University. These sessions were led by distinguished academics and covered topics including photoluminescent materials, quantum dot synthesis, photocatalysis, and plasmon-based chemistry.

A highlight of the schedule included the presentation of the Masuhara Lectureship Award and the final plenary by Exciton Science Associate Investigator Anita Ho-Baillie. The conference underscored the Centre's commitment to fostering international collaboration and advancing research in exciton science.

The successful organisation of APC 2023 by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science not only showcased Australia's vibrant research community but also positioned the Centre at the forefront of global photochemistry research.