A QUT researcher specialising in electrocatalysis, water purification, Li batteries and the application of electrochemistry for energy generation has been presented with a 2014 Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Award for his contribution to chemistry and the chemistry profession.
Dr Anthony O'Mullane joined QUT's Science and Engineering Faculty as a Senior Lecturer and ARC Future Fellow in 2013 having previously been employed by RMIT and Monash Universities in Melbourne.
A graduate of University College Cork, Ireland, Dr O'Mullane's main areas of research include electrochemical synthesis and characterisation of nanostructural materials including metals such as gold and metal oxides, the development of composite materials using electrochemical approaches for water purification, and Li battery technology.
One of his projects involves transforming gold into highly active nano-sized shapes that can then be used in fuel cells to power vehicles and other applications.
In presenting the award RACI cited Dr O'Mullane's ability to combine innovative synthetic methods with state-of-the-art characterisation to develop new insights into both old and new electroactive materials.
Dr O'Mullane has published one book chapter, 101 articles and 15 conference papers on his areas of expertise and the RACI also applauded his strong contributions to his discipline, including his current role of Chair of the Electrochemistry Division of RACI.
"It is a great honour to receive such recognition from my professional peers. Chemistry has been my passion for almost 20 years now and QUT gives me the opportunity to continue to grow my knowledge," Dr O'Mullane said.
Since completing his PhD in Ireland, Dr O'Mullane has undertaken postdoctoral fellowships in the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia. In 2008 he worked as a research scientist at CSIRO.
In 2010, he and his colleagues were awarded a John A Brodie Medal by the Institution of Engineers, Australia for one of their papers.
RACI is the professional body for the chemical sciences in Australia. It's the nation's qualifying body for professional chemists as well a platform to promote the science and practice of chemistry.
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