Dr Michelle Spencer
|
Position |
Senior Lecturer |
|---|---|
|
School / |
Applied Sciences |
|
Contact Details |
+(61 3) 9925 9697 |
|
Location |
Building: 3 |
|
College/Portfolio |
Science, Engineering & Health |
Qualifications
PhD (La Trobe University, 2002)
Bachelor of Science (Honours H1) (La Trobe University, 1997)
Membership of professional associations
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Chartered Chemist (MRACI CChem)
The Australian Institute of Physics (2005)
Summary of academic responsibilities
Postgraduate Supervision
- Head, Computational Materials Chemistry Group
Teaching
- 2011-2012, Materials Modelling (CHE3) La Trobe University
- 2012, Medicinal Chemistry (CHE2) La Trobe University
- 2012, Organometallics (CHE3) La Trobe University
- 2011, Molecular Design (CHE3) La Trobe University
- 2011, Biological and Bioinorganic Chemistry (CHE2) La Trobe University
- 2010, Nanotechnology Practice (ONPS2956) 3rd year, RMIT University
- 2010, Introduction to Nanotechnology (ONPS2149) 1st year, RMIT University
- 2002-2009, Advanced Materials (PHYS1171) 3rd year, RMIT University
- 2006, 2011, Issues in Nanotechnology Seminar Program (invited lecture) La Trobe University
Coordination
- 2012, 2nd Year Nanochemistry (CHE2NAC) La Trobe University
- 2012, 1st Year Chemistry (CHE1GEN) La Trobe University
- 2011, 2nd Year Nanochemistry Laboratory Program (CHE2NAN) La Trobe University
- 2011, 2nd year Chemistry Laboratory Program (CHE2) La Trobe University (Semester 2, weeks 1-4)
- 2011, 3rd year Chemistry Laboratory Program (CHE3) La Trobe University (Semester 2, weeks 1-4)
- 2010-2002, School of Applied Science, Physics Seminar Program, RMIT University
Research interests
Dr Spencer’s research expertise is in the area of materials and nanostructures for applications in electronic devices, gas sensors and batteries. In particular she specialises in using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to determine the structure, dynamic properties and surface reactions of these materials.
Dr Spencer discusses her research on YouTube Current interest in nanomaterials is enormous. With the discovery of a wide variety of novel nanostructured shapes and forms, from nanowires to nanotubes and nanosheets, it has raised the question about how these materials can be used in current or new technological areas. In order to realise the full potential of such materials an understanding of their properties, including their surface chemistry, is essential. Our research employs computer modelling to examine different nanostructured materials, with the focus being on materials for gas sensing and electronic device applications. Below are some examples of past and current projects.
Research projects, consultancy and student project
- Novel Metal Oxide Nanostructures for Gas Sensing (collaboration with RMIT University, Kyushu University Japan)
- Modelling of ZnO nanostructures (collaboration with CSIRO)
- Nanoscale Silicon for Advanced Electronic Devices (Collaboration with AIST Japan, Toyota Central R&D Labs Japan, RMIT University, CSIRO)
- Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides (ARC Discovery project, collaboration with University of Sydney, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)
- Theoretical Investigation of Adhesion of Iron Surfaces (collaboration with BHP Billiton)
- Organic/Inorganic polymer hybrid materials for coating applications (collaboration with BHP Steel)
- Computational modelling of molecular interactions in mixed-ligand copper organophosphonates
- Adhesion at metal-ceramic interfaces: application to ferroelectric thin films
Publications / Other
Scholarly Book Chapters
- M.J.S. Spencer, “Density functional theory modeling of ZnO for gas sensor applications”, Chemical Sensors, Vol. 1, Series II: Chapter 5, G. Korotcenkov, Ed., Momentum Press (2012) ISBN 978-1-60650-309-6. (Invited Review, peer reviewed)
- I. Yarovsky, M.J.S. Spencer, I.K. Snook, "Metal Surfaces and Interfaces: Properties from Density Functional Theory", in Computational Methods for Large Systems: Electronic Structure Approaches for Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, J.R. Reimers, Ed., Wiley (2011) ISBN: 978-0-470-48788-4. (Invited Review, peer reviewed)
Refereed Journal Articles
- M.J.S. Spencer, Kester W.J. Wong, Irene Yarovsky, “Surface defects on ZnO nanowires: implications for design of sensors”, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 24 (2012) 305001.
- M.J.S. Spencer, T. Morishita, I.K. Snook, “Reconstruction and Electronic Properties of Silicon Nanosheets as a Function of Thickness”, Nanoscale 4 (2012) 2906-2913.
- M.J.S. Spencer, “Gas sensing applications of 1D-nanostructured zinc oxide: Insights from density functional theory calculations”, Prog. Mater. Sci. 57 (2012) 437-486.
- K.W.J. Wong, M.R. Field, J.Z. Ou, K. Latham, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, K. Kalantar-zadeh, “Interaction of hydrogen with ZnO nanopowders—evidence of hydroxyl group formation”, Nanotechnology 23 (2012) 015705.
- M.J.S. Spencer, T. Morishita, M. Mikami, I.K. Snook, Y. Sugiyama, H. Nakano, “The Electronic and structural properties of novel organomodified Si nanosheets”, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13 (2011) 15418.
- T. Morishita, M.J.S. Spencer, S.P. Russo, I.K. Snook M. Mikami, "Surface reconstruction of ultrathin silicon nanosheets", Chem. Phys. Lett. 506 (2011) 221.
- M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, W. Wlodarski, K. Kalantar-zadeh, "Interaction of hydrogen with zinc oxide nanorods: why the spacing is important", Nanotechnology 22 (2011) 135704.
- T. Morishita, S.P. Russo, I.K. Snook, M.J.S. Spencer, K. Nishio, M. Mikami, "First-principles study of structural and electronic properties of ultrathin silicon nanosheets", Phys. Rev. B 82 (2010) 045419.
- M. Breedon, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, "Adsorption of NO2 on Oxygen Deficient ZnO(2110) for Gas Sensing Applications: A DFT Study", J. Phys. Chem. C 114 (2010) 16603-16610.
- M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, "ZnO nanostructures for gas sensing: interaction of NO2, NO, O and N with the ZnO(1010) Surface", J. Phys. Chem. C 114 (2010) 10881-10893.
- M.J.S. Spencer, K.W.J. Wong, I. Yarovsky, "Density Functional Theory Modelling of ZnO(10 Ī 0) and ZnO(2 Ī Ī 0) surfaces: structure, properties and adsorption of N2O", Mat. Chem. Phys. 119 (2010) 505-514.
- M. Breedon, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, "Adsorption of NO and NO2 on the ZnO(2 Ī Ī 0) surface: A DFT study", Surf. Sci. 603 (2009) 3389-3399.
- M. Breedon, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, "Adsorption of atomic nitrogen and oxygen on ZnO(2Ī Ī0) surface: a DFT study", J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21 (2009) 144208-144217.
- M.J.S. Spencer, N. Todorova, I. Yarovsky, "H2S dissociation on the Fe(100) surface: an ab initio molecular dynamics study", Surf. Sci. 602 (2008) 1547-1533.
- M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, "Ab initio molecular dynamics study of H2S dissociation on the Fe(110) surface", J. Phys. Chem. C 111 (2007) 16372-16378.
- N. Todorova, M.J. S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, "Ab initio study of S dynamics on iron surfaces", Surf. Sci. 601 (2007) 665-671.
- M.J.S. Spencer, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, "Effect of S arrangement on Fe(110) properties at 1/3 monolayer coverage: a DFT study", J. Phys. Chem. B 110 (2006) 956-962.
- S.G. Nelson, M.J.S. Spencer, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Effect of sulfur on surface and interface properties of Fe(100): a DFT study”, Surf. Sci. 590 (2005) 63-75.
- M.J.S Spencer, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Effect of sulfur coverage on Fe(110) adhesion: a DFT study”, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 (2005) 10204-10214.
- M.J.S Spencer, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Coverage-dependent adsorption of atomic sulfur on Fe(110): a DFT study”, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 (2005) 9604-9612.
- T.A. Colson, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, “A DFT study of the perovskite and hexagonal phases of BaTiO3”, Computational Materials Science 34 (2005) 157-165.
- M.J.S Spencer, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Effect of sulfur impurity on Fe(110) adhesion: a DFT study”, J. Phys. Chem. B 108 (2004) 10965-10972.
- M.J.S. Spencer, G.L. Nyberg, “Adsorption of silane and methylsilane on gold surfaces”, Surf. Sci. 573 (2004) 151-168.
- N.A. Benedek, M.J.S. Spencer, K. Latham, I. Yarovsky, “Hydrogen bonding in mixed ligand copper organophosphonates”, Chem. Phys. Lett. 378 (2003) 400-405.
- M.J.S. Spencer, G.L. Nyberg, “Adsorption of methylsilane on copper surfaces”, Surf. Sci. 543 (2003) 162-184.
- M.J.S. Spencer, A. Hung, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Sulfur adsorption on Fe(110): a DFT study”, Surf. Sci. 540 (2003) 420-430.
- H.C. Lay, M.J.S. Spencer, E. Evans, I. Yarovsky, “Molecular simulation study of polymer interactions with silica particles in aqueous solution”, J. Phys. Chem. B 107 (2003) 9681-9691.
- M.J.S. Spencer, A. Hung, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Iron surfaces: pathways to interfaces”, Surf. Rev. Lett. 10 (2003) 169-174.
- M.J.S. Spencer, A. Hung, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Further studies of iron adhesion: (111) surfaces”, Surf. Sci. 515 (2002) L464-L468.
- M.J.S. Spencer, A. Hung, I.K. Snook, I. Yarovsky, “Density functional theory study of the relaxation and energy of iron surfaces”, Surf. Sci. 513 (2002) 389-398.
- M.J.S. Spencer, G.L. Nyberg, A.W. Robinson, A.P.J. Stampfl, “Adsorption of SiH4 on copper (110) and (111) surfaces”, Surf. Sci. 505 (2002) 308-324.
- M.J.S. Spencer, G.L. Nyberg, “DFT modelling of hydrogen on Cu (110)- and (111)- type clusters”, Mol. Sim. 28 (2002) 807-825.
Refereed Conference Proceedings
- M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, W. Wlodarski, K. Kalantar-zadeh, “Density functional theory study of ZnO nanostructures for NO and NO2 sensing”, IEEE Proceedings of Transducers’07/ Eurosensors XXI, Lyon, France (2007) 987-990.
- N. Todorova, M.J.S. Spencer, I. Yarovsky, “Dynamic properties of the sulfur-contaminated Fe(110) surface”, Proceedings of the Australian Institute of Physics 16th Biennial Congress (2005) ISBN 0-9598064-8-2.
Older Publications
- Please visit my ResearcherID profile.
Grants and Awards
- Small Grants Program for Research Exchanges with China 2012, La Trobe University
- La Trobe University eResearch Grant 2012 (CI)
- La Trobe University Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering Project Grant 2011 (CI)
- La Trobe University eResearch Grant 2011 (CI)
- RMIT Emerging Researcher Grant 2007 (CI)
- RMIT Emerging Researcher Grant 2006 (AI)
- RMIT Summer Research Internship 2006
- Prize for best Poster, The Sixth Australian Molecular Modelling Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2000
- Prize for best Poster, The Tenth Australian Molecular Modelling Conference, Perth, Australia, 2006
- Australian Postgraduate Award, La Trobe University, 1997-2000
- D.M. Myers University Medal, La Trobe University, 1996
- Max O’Connor Honours Year Prize in Chemistry, La Trobe University, 1996
- Michael Grant Third Year Prize in Chemistry, La Trobe University, 1995