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Dr Fiona J Beck

FERL Fellow
ARC DECRA Fellow
Senior Lecturer
Ian Ross Building (31), R220a
+61 2 619 70113

» read more about Dr Fiona J Beck

Dr Beck leads a research group focused on integrating nanophotonics and optoelectronic device design for applications in solar fuels and the next generation of photodetection technologies. She is also Convener of the Hydrogen Fuels Project in the ANU's Zero-carbon energy for the Asia-Pacific Grand Challenge. 

Dr Beck currently holds a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) from the ARC, as well as the Future Engineering Research Leader (FERL) Fellowship from the ANU. She joined the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the Australian National University as a research fellow and lecturer in 2015. She spent the previous four years as a Marie Curie Research Fellow at ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, Spain, employing plasmonics to enhance the performance of novel optoelectronic devices. She obtained a PhD from the ANU in 2011, with a thesis on designing plasmonic light trapping schemes for applications in solar cells. She has an MSci degree in Physics from The University of Glasgow, and was awarded the Eve and Ravenscroft prize for the most distinguished graduate from the Faculty of Physical Sciences.  

Dr Beck tweets about optoelectronics, nano-optics, and saving the world with renewable energy @Fiona_J_Beck

**I am looking to support a PhD candidate through the ANU domestic scholarship round in early 2022 with a project on the Hydrogen Economy, working with the fabulous ZCEAP Grand Challenge team. See link below for details**

https://cecs.anu.edu.au/research/student-research-projects/phd-project-and-top-scholarship-hydrogen-economy-zero-carbon

Research areas

  • Nanophotonic approaches to photochemistry 
  • Hot electron science and applications 
  • Solar (photoelectrochemical) hydrogen generation
  • The hydrogen economy and the energy transition

Academic history

2019-present: Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow, Research School of Electrical, Energy and Materials Engineering, ANU

2015-2018: Lecturer and Research Fellow, Research School of Engineering, ANU

2011-2014: Postdoctral Researcher, ICFO- Institute of Photonic Science, Barcelona, Spain

2007-2010: PhD in Nanophotonics for light trapping, College of Engineering and Computer Science, The Australian National University, Australia

2002-2006: First Class MSci in Physics, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Grants 

2018: Zero-carbon energy for the Asia-Pacific, ANU Grand Challenges Scheme, Hydrogen Fuels Project Convenor, https://www.anu.edu.au/research/research-initiatives/zero-carbon-energy-for-the-asia-pacific

2018: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Research and Development Program Round 4: Renewable Hydrogen for Export, Low-Cost Perovskite/Silicon Semiconductors Integrated with Earth Abundant Catalysts for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Generation KC007

2018: ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award, Research School of Engineering, ANU, Plasmonic hot-electron technologies for nanoscale energy conversion, DE180100383

2016: ANU Major Equipment Committee Grant, Research School of Engineering, ANU, Photoelectrochemical Characterisation Facility

2014:  Future Engineering Research Leader Fellowship, Research School of Engineering, ANU, Nanostructured Optoelectronic Devices. 

2011-2013: Marie Curie Incoming International Fellowship, European FP7 People Framework, ICFO - Institute of Photonic Science, Barcelona, Spain, Plasmonically enhanced collodial quantum dot photovoltaics, FP7-299517-PECQDPV

My research spans the boundary between nano-scale optics and photoelectrochemical/optoelectronic device design: harnessing an improved understanding of light-matter interactions to investigate new ways to convert light to other forms of energy.

Our research group brings together expertise in numerical simulations, device design and fabrication, and advanced characterisation to demonstrate proof-of-concept devices with the potential to impact a range of applications; including alternative energy production, and the next generation of photodetection technologies. 

For more info on what I do, and why, see:

http://energy.anu.edu.au/news-events/hydrogen-can-transition-australia-zero-carbon-energy-export-superpower

reporter.anu.edu.au/inspiring-energy

 

Research areas

  • Nanophotonic approaches to photochemistry 
  • Hot electron science and applications 
  • Solar (photoelectrochemical) hydrogen generation
  • The hydrogen economy and the energy transition

Projects

 

**I am looking for PhD Candidates interested in Nanophotonic approaches to photochemistry to support through the August 2020 round**

Dr Reza Fazeli »

Grand Challenge Research Fellow

Astha Sharma »

Research Fellow

 

2018: CECS Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, “For her impactful use of active learning technologies within her classes”, Individual award.

2018: CECS Dean’s Award for contributions to Programs that Enhance Student Learning: “For their pioneering efforts in developing enhanced feedback mechanisms and grading mechanisms” Team award.

2018: World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Scientist. Each year, the World Economic Forum honours 50 extraordinary scientists under the age of 40 for their contributions to advancing the frontiers of science, engineering and technology.

2010: Selected as an author for the Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network Book Project.

2010: Nominated for the JG Crawford Prize at The Australian National University for the graduate students in the faculties of Science, Medicine and Engineering most deserving of recognition for the quality of their graduate work.

2006: Ede & Ravenscroft Prize, awarded annually to the most distinguished graduate of the Physical Sciences Faculty at the University of Glasgow. 

 

Service 

2018 Women in Energy Committee

2018 CECS Diversity and Inclusion Committee

start 2018- present: Early Career Academic representative on the CECS Executive

start 2016- end 2017: Student Experience Coordinator for coursework students in RSE.

Student experience and engagement (SE) in the University context incorporates three main ideas: inspiring the active participation and interest of students in their academic studies; providing the services and opportunities necessary for students to fully integrate into college life; and facilitating the engagement of students with external organisations through outreach, internships and work experience in order to enrich their studies.

 

 

ENGN3000 series courses
Code Title Year 20.. Semester
ENGN3334 Semiconductors 18, 19, 20 S2
ENGN6000 series courses
Code Title Year 20.. Semester
ENGN6334 Semiconductors 18, 19, 20, 21 S2

Opinion Articles

  1.  What is blue Hydrogen, for Fuzzy Logic, ACM papers and the Canberra times on the 5th September 2021 
  2. Preparing for a global renewable energy economy:  What the G7’s net-zero commitment means for Australia, F. J. Beck, K. Catchpole, Policy Forum of the Asia and the Pacific Policy Society, 8th July 2021
  3. Australia is at a crossroads in the global hydrogen race – and one path looks risky, T. Longden , F. J. Beck, F. Jotzo, The Conversation, 30th  March 2021
  4. For hydrogen to be truly ‘clean’ it must be made with renewables, not coal, F. Jotzo, F. J. Beck, T. Longden, The Conversation, 2nd December 2019 

Commentary

  1. [Radio] Expert commentary on the role of CCS in emissions reduction, live on Mornings with Adam Shirley, ABC Radio Canberra, 10th November 2021
  2. [Radio] Expert commentary on the Australian Government’s Plan to Deliver Net-Zero, live on the Stephen Cenatiempo Breakfast Show, 2CC Radio, 2nd November 2021 https://www.2cc.net.au/
  3. [Radio] Expert commentary on the Australian Government’s Plan to Deliver Net-Zero, live on Mornings with Adam Shirley, ABC Radio Canberra, 27th October 2021 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/mornings/carbon-energy-hydrogen-fuels-dr-fiona-beck/13605418
  4. [TV] Expert commentary on the NSW Hydrogen Strategy, live on ABC News 24 TV, 13th October 2021
  5. [TV] Expert commentary on the NSW Hydrogen Strategy, pre-recorded interview for SBS News TV, 14th October 2021
  6. [Radio] Expert commentary on the NSW Hydrogen Strategy, pre-recorded interview for ABC Radio PM, 13th October 2021:  https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/is-nsw-green-hydrogen-plan-economically-viable/13584304  
  7. [Radio] Expert commentary on the NSW Hydrogen Strategy, live on Drivetime ABC Radio Newcastle, 13th October 2021
  8. [Print] Interviewed on the NSW Hydrogen Strategy for an article in The Australian, 13th October 2021
  9. [Print] Featured in The Hype About Hydrogen by Clare Watson in Australian Geographic, September Edition 2021
  10. [Print] Expert commentary for Nikkei Asian Review article Australia's hydrogen dreams colored by 'blue' vs. 'green' divide, by Prashant Mehra, 24th July 2021 https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Australia-s-hydrogen-dreams-colored-by-blue-vs.-green-divide
  11. [Radio] Featured on ABC RN Future Tense podcast discussing the role hydrogen will play in our future. 20th June 2021 https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/what-role-will-hydrogen-play-in-our-future/13356484
  12. [Print] Work quoted and results reproduced in Renew Economy Article, Time to stop flirting with ‘blue’ hydrogen and go green, experts say, by Michael Mazengarb, 14th May 2021. https://reneweconomy.com.au/time-to-stop-flirting-with-blue-hydrogen-and-go-green-experts-say/   
  13. [Print] Expert commentary for ABC Science on Andrew Forrest’s ABC Boyer Lecturer on green steel. Quoted in What is green hydrogen, how is it made and will it be the fuel of the future?  By James Purtill, 23rd Janurary 2021. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2021-01-23/green-hydrogen-renewable-energy-climate-emissions-explainer/13081872?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_web
  14. [Print] Interviewed for a story in the Griffith Review by Nicole Hasham, October 2020, https://www.griffithreview.com/articles/hail-hydrogen/
  15. [Print] Interviewed in Engineers Australia Create Magazine Article: Could Australia sit at the centre of a zero-carbon economy? by Chris Sheedy, March 17, 2020 in Energy, https://www.createdigital.org.au/australia-sit-centre-zero-carbon-economy/
  16. [Radio] Expert panellist on live ABC Nightlife: Hydrogen Fuelling the Future, ABC National Radio, 5th March 2020. This was an hour-long live panel discussion chaired by Mark Sutton, with Dr Patrick Hartley, Research director of the Oil, Gas and Fuels research program within CSIRO's Energy Business Unit; and Ben Wilson, CEO of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nightlife/hydrogen---fuelling-the-future/12031204
  17. [Print] Quoted in New Scientist article Australia’s push for hydrogen power may prop up fossil fuel industry, by Ruby Prosser Scully, 2 December 2019 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2225548-australias-push-for-hydrogen-power-may-prop-up-fossil-fuel-industry/
  18. [Radio] Expert commentary on Role of Hydrogen in Australia’s Future, live with Leon Delaney, 2CC Radio. Friday 22nd November 2019 http://2cc.net.au/podcasts/13301-what-role-could-hydrogen-play-in-australia-s-future.html
  19. [Print] Consulted on Emerging Hydrogen Economy for the 21st Sunday Briefing (A subscription-only, British based, weekly report for business leaders, highlighting the geopolitical trends shaping the world and its markets), by Ben Oldfield, May 2019
  20. [Print] Interviewed for an article in the Guardian: 'The perfect storm': hydrogen gains ground on LNG as alternative fuel, by Royce Kurmelovs, 8th April 2019 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/08/the-perfect-storm-woodside-energy-and-siemens-invest-in-australias-hydrogen-economy?

Updated:  10 August 2021/Responsible Officer:  Head of School/Page Contact:  CECS Marketing