​WELCOME!

Welcome to Dr. Amir Pakdel's Research Group: "Nano for Energy & Environment (NE2)" at The University of Dublin, Trinity College! 
​As a transdisciplinary science and technology group, our aim is to bridge fragmented disciplines in fundamental science and applied technology. Having a diverse range of expertise in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Composites, Surface Chemistry, and Semiconductor Physics, we have been active in various research topics, including:

• Flexible, wearable, and printable electronics
• Nanoengineering of thermoelectric materials for waste heat energy harvesting
• Synthesis and electron microscopy analysis of 1D & 2D nanomaterials (special interest in boron nitride)
• Molecular-scale interactions at surfaces & interfaces
• Thin films of hierarchical nanostructures for water treatment and biomedical applications
• Development of metal- ceramic- and polymer-matrix nanocomposites for various applications

Currently, our key focus of research is on developing thermoelectric energy harvesters and wearable electronics by additive manufacturing technology. Thermoelectric generators provide a unique capability to directly convert heat to electricity. We use semiconducting inorganic nanomaterials and conductive organic molecules and polymers to manufacture state-of-the-art thermoelectric generators with 3D printing processes. Such small and flexible thermoelectric devices can be attached to human skin or clothes to harvest the always-freely-available heat from our body and turn it into electricity. This electric power could continuously charge portable and wearable electronic devices/sensors with microwatt to milliwatt power levels.