Dr. Helena Wang

Senior Lecturer

University of Melbourne

My research focuses on the innovative application of nanotechnology to tackle pressing environmental and energy challenges, aiming to foster sustainable development and reduce global carbon emissions. I have contributed to the field through 103 refereed peer-reviewed publications, which have garnered over 6000 citations and an h-index of 44 (Google Scholar, April 2024).

My work has been featured in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Energy Materials. Notably, my publications have been selected for prestigious recognitions, including the “Early Career Women in Electrochemistry” Collection by ChemElectroChem-Wiley and the “Emerging Investigator” for the ChemComm 60th Anniversary Collection by ChemComm-RSC, and “Rising Stars” Series by Advanced Materials-Wiley.

My research not only advances scientific understanding but also delivers practical, economically viable solutions for a sustainable future. A core focus of my research is enhancing green hydrogen production. I have developed innovative nanomaterials and catalytic processes to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of water electrolysis. This includes a collaboration with the perovskite solar cell team from the Australian National University, which established a new “world efficiency record” of 20% for the direct production of renewable hydrogen from solar energy using low-cost materials. Our breakthrough, published in Advanced Energy Materials (2021), involved designing a unique "flower-stem" NiMo catalyst that improves electrolyte-catalyst interactions and reaction kinetics. The impact has been recognised by Hot News by Renew Economy (Sep. 2021) and PV Magazine (Sep. 2021).