My name is Boyang Mao. I am the Technology Coordinator at Cambridge Graphene Centre (CGC), Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. I am also a Research By-Fellow and the Research Convenor at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest universities and leading academic centres. The Department of Engineering is the largest in Cambridge. It provides a world-class research and technology environment, encouraging research activities to proceed to development and exploitation in close collaboration with industry. The Cambridge Graphene Centre has the mission to investigate the science and technology of graphene, carbon allotropes, layered crystals and hybrid nanomaterials. This engineering innovation centre allows our partners to meet, and effectively establish joint industrial-academic activities to promote innovative and adventurous research with an emphasis on applications.
What was your original motivation to become a researcher?
I try to constantly study and ‘upgrade my brain’ so that I can understand things from chemical processes to quantum physics, and wireless communication to energy storage. Throughout my career, I have worked in multiple fields and departments, including Materials, Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering. Working with people from different backgrounds is tough, but also thrilling and engaging. Being a researcher, I aim to implement my knowledge of nanotechnology and nanomaterials to develop actual products and applications. I would like to address real-world problems by digging into fundamental physics, chemical, and material sciences.
What is your (main) research area today?
My research vision is exploring graphene and other layered materials for practical applications. In recent years, there have been numerous breakthroughs in graphene research – the first two-dimensional atomic crystal – along with significant advancements in its mass production. Graphene stands out due to its exceptional properties, including extraordinary mechanical strength, exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductivities, and impermeability to gases. These unique characteristics make it highly appealing for a wide range of applications. My work specifically targets areas such as energy storage, flexible electronics, telecommunications, green chemistry, net-zero technologies, and more.
What is the main objective of your team in GREENCAP?
In the GREENCAP project, UCAM is leading a subtask to carry out the multiscale characterization for electrodes and electrolytes. UCAM is also involved in the production and upscaling of Single Layer Graphene/Few-Layer Graphene through sustainable processes and conduct supercapacitor electrode and cell fabrication and testing.
What expertise and facilities does the team have to meet those objectives?
At CGC, the over £40M facilities and equipment have been selected to promote alignment with industry, covering all aspects of science and technology of graphene and related layered materials, for development of solutions and inks, printed and flexible optoelectronics, photonics, quantum technologies, high frequency electronics and spectroscopy, a dedicated dry room and battery lab with hundreds of battery channels, CVD production of a variety of layered materials, in-situ metrology to probe the fundamental mechanisms that govern their growth and functionality.
Be specifically, in GREENCAP project, CGC uses a high pressure homogeniser (HPH) to exfoliate synthetic graphite to graphene on an industrial scale and also for the development of graphene solutions and inks. CGC is equipped with a dedicated dry room for pouch cell assembly as well as handling materials sensitive to moisture. Our battery lab with hundreds of battery channels can be used to test the fabricated supercapacitor within the project. CGC is the world leading expertise in using Raman microscopy to probe the fundamental mechanisms that govern layered materials growth and their functionality in energy storage devices. At CGC, we have confocal Raman Microscopy, such as Renishaw InVia, Horiba LabRAM HR Evolution, etc., at excitation wavelengths of 244, 325, 457.9, 488, 514, 532, 632.8 and 785 nm with incident power up to 10 mW. These setups are compatible with powders, films and liquids.
Which aspects of your research at GREENCAP do you believe are the most innovative and what unique opportunities offer GREENCAP to yourself and/or your organization?
In my view, the most innovative part UCAM contribute to GREENCAP is the multiscale material characterization. By applying Raman Spectroscopy, CGC developed a simple, fast, and non-destructive characterisation approach to investigate graphene, curved graphene and MXene materials that are used in GREENCAP project. In addition, CGC uses HPH to fabricate graphene. This technique has the potential to exfoliate other layered materials on an industrial scale as well.
The GREENCAP project provides CGC with an excellent opportunity to collaborate with leading research groups across Europe specializing in the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials and layered materials. This partnership will further strengthen our expertise in supercapacitor research. Additionally, GREENCAP’s focus on achieving high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and promoting sustainable development aligns seamlessly with CGC’s strategic objectives.
How do you see the future use of the GREENCAP results and the impact of GREENCAP project in our daily lives?
The GREENCAP project has the potential to deliver significant advancements not only in the development of high-performance supercapacitors but also in supporting global efforts toward sustainable development and achieving Net Zero goals. What sets this project apart is its innovative approach of utilizing critical-free materials, ensuring that the technological advancements are achieved in an environmentally responsible manner. This focus on sustainability is crucial, as the development of new technologies must minimize reliance on scarce or environmentally damaging resources to remain viable in the long term. This, in turn, could impact our daily lives by accelerating the adoption of renewable energy systems, enabling greener transportation options, and contributing to a cleaner, more resilient energy infrastructure for future generations.
