Using theoretical and computational methods, Professor Debra Bernhardt and her group aim to study new materials and fluids and to develop theories that can be applied to understand and predict the behaviour of these systems

This research involves use and development of classical simulation methods as well as quantum mechanical calculations. With her research group, Professor Bernhardt's studies provide the know-how for understanding and developing improved devices, materials and fluids with particular interesting in sustainable energy applications. Current research projects include: Theory and simulation of nonequilibrium fluids - Transport in nanoporous materials - Fluctuation theorems for nanoscale systems - Using computational methods for advancing energy storage and conversion - Developing algorithms for advanced theoretical modelling methods.

Professor Debra Bernhardt is internationally recognised for her contributions to the development of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics including far-from-equilibrium fluids and confined fluids. She is a Fellow of Australian Academy of Science and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow. Professor Bernhardt's 30 years of research experience includes appointments at the University of Basel, Switzerland; the Australian National University; and Griffith University, where she was founding director of the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre. Professor Bernhardt's research interests focus on the use of a range of theoretical and computational approaches to develop a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of matter, and application of these approaches to a wide range of problems including transport in nanopores, fluctuation phenomena, design of materials, gas separation, energy storage and conversion.