NanoTRIZ
Innovation Institute
Brisbane, Australia
CORE MISSION:
• Advancing AI-assisted research analysis and deep-tech innovation
• Connecting scientific inquiry, R&D, and practical applications
• Providing non-accredited research mentoring and skills development
Independent, private, non-accredited Australian research and innovation initiative; not a university, RTO, CRICOS provider, or accredited education provider.
Call for Abstracts: Conference
WELCOME TO THE NANOTRIZ INNOVATION INSTITUTE
Throughout my career in nanotechnology, I came to a clear conclusion: scientific progress depends not only on exploring smaller structures, but also on improving the process by which important discoveries are conceived, tested, validated, and translated into use. Genrich Altshuller demonstrated that invention is not purely accidental: inventive problem solving can be studied, structured, and taught. NanoTRIZ advances this direction—from the TRIZ toward a rigorous methodology for scientific discovery, validation, and technological translation. I founded NanoTRIZ as a Meta-Institute for the Future, focused on the architecture of discovery itself to investigate how problems are selected, how research gaps are identified, how hypotheses are generated, how evidence and claims are validated, and how concepts progress toward IP and applications. Our aim is to make scientific problem solving more systematic, rigorous, reproducible, and teachable — while preserving the essential role of human judgment, imagination, and responsibility. We welcome collaboration across four principal tracks:
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Senior scientists and expert mentors — thematic research, scientific review, mentoring, collaboration, and independent validation
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Students and early researchers — research literacy, responsible use of AI, academic writing and scientific communication
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Technical developers — scientific software, research automation, simulation, evidence-management, and validation systems
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Industry and institutional partners — technical problem-framing, innovation sprints, research roadmaps and translation
Professor Dr. Alexander A. Solovev
Founding Director
NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute
Australia | Global Operations
Former research affiliations and appointments include: Harvard University • Columbia University in the City of New York • Max Planck Institute • IFW Dresden • Technical University of Munich • Fudan University • University of Toronto
Applications Open:
NanoTRIZ Research Scholar Program (Remote)
A selective, non-accredited research-enrichment program for motivated students and emerging researchers.
Research Sprint & Residency (Online)
A selective, non-accredited research-enrichment program providing guided support in research planning, literature analysis, responsible AI use, academic writing, scientific communication, and portfolio development. Depending on their progress, participants may develop a research proposal, review, report, presentation, or other portfolio work.
NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute is an independent private initiative. It is not a university, registered higher-education provider, registered training organisation, or CRICOS provider. Participation does not confer an AQF qualification, university credit, academic appointment, or professional licence, and does not guarantee publication, admission, scholarship, employment, or visa outcomes. Program titles and certificates record participation only. “Research Scholar” is an internal program designation only and does not constitute an academic appointment or accredited award.
Guinness World Records – The Smallest Man-Made Jet Engine / Catalytic Nanomotor
Professor Alexander Solovev is widely recognized as one of pioneers of man-made nanomachines research field. The original experimental work behind the Guinness World Records–recognised Smallest Man-Made Jet Engine (nanomotor) was carried out in the Dresden rolled-up nanotechnology environment led by IIN, IFW Dresden director Professor Oliver G. Schmidt. At that time, Alexander A. Solovev was a PhD researcher under Prof. Schmidt’s supervision, with Dr. Yongfeng Mei playing a key scientific and group-leading role in the rolled-up nanotechnology research activities.
The foundational paper was: A. A. Solovev, Y. F. Mei, E. Bermúdez Ureña, G. Huang, and O. G. Schmidt, “Catalytic Microtubular Jet Engines Self-Propelled by Accumulated Gas Bubbles,” Small, 5(14), 1688–1692, 2009. DOI: 10.1002/smll.200900021.
Prof. Alexander A. Solovev was the first author of this original Small 2009 paper, which formed the scientific basis for the Guinness-recognised catalytic nanojet / nanomotor, approximately 600 nanometres in diameter.
The result received early German media attention, including BILD coverage on 17 February 2010 under the headline “Researcher Built the Smallest Rocket in the World.”
Samuel Sánchez joined the Dresden / Max Planck research environment after the original Solovev et al. Small 2009 experimental work had already been established. Later publications and public materials further popularised the “smallest man-made jet engine” narrative.
At NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute, this landmark work is presented as an example of how PhD-level experimental creativity, expert supervision, nanofabrication, catalytic propulsion, and scientific problem-solving can lead to internationally visible breakthroughs.
New Method Invented: Strain-Engineered Nanomembranes & Integrative Nanotechnology
Professor Alexander Solovev was among first contributor to demonstrate a new method of strain-engineered nano- microtubes on polymers. Strain-engineered nanomembranes are a key concept in integrative nanotechnology: ultrathin films are transformed into functional strain-engineered 3D micro- and nanostructures through controlled strain, curvature, geometry and material integration.
Within the Dresden rolled-up nanotechnology environment led by Professor Oliver G. Schmidt at IFW Dresden, Alexander A. Solovev contributed to the early development of strain-engineered nanomembranes on polymers using angular deposition.
This approach helped overcome limitations of earlier rolled-up nanomembrane methods that relied on epitaxial films and harsh chemical etching. The foundational work was: Y. F. Mei, G. S. Huang, A. A. Solovev, E. Bermúdez Ureña, I. Mönch, F. Ding, T. Reindl, R. K. Y. Fu, P. K. Chu, and O. G. Schmidt, “Versatile Approach for Integrative and Functionalized Tubes by Strain Engineering of Nanomembranes on Polymers,” Advanced Materials, 20, 4085–4090, 2008.
This polymer-based strain-engineering concept provided an important fabrication platform for later rolled-up micro/nanotubes, catalytic microengines, biosensing interfaces and integrative micro/nanosystems, including Solovev’s first-author Small 2009 work on catalytic microtubular jet engines.
Platform for Micro- Fluidics, Droplets and Capsules
Our Microfluidics Platform enables the controlled generation, encapsulation and analysis of droplets, microbubbles, microcapsules and soft micromachines. It combines tunable microfluidic geometries, interfacial particle assembly, polymer-shell formation, optical microscopy and data-assisted analysis to create monodisperse, multicompartment and stimuli-responsive structures.
The platform builds on published research in hydrogel microcapsules, catalytic microbubble generators, nanoparticle-shelled bubble micromotors, ultrasound-responsive microbubbles, soft microswimmers and microfluidic transport. Applications include targeted delivery and imaging, environmental remediation, chemical sensing, clean-energy microsystems and rapid prototyping of functional soft materials.
Representative research foundations: Macromolecules (2018); Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter (2019); Environmental Science: Nano (2020); Advanced Materials Interfaces (2020); Advanced Materials (2021); iScience (2024).
Zero-Emission Membraneless Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells
A membraneless electrochemical cell was developed in which hydrogen peroxide functions as the sole liquid reactant, eliminating the need for separate fuel and oxidant compartments. Gold and platinum electrodes enabled direct electrochemical conversion of hydrogen peroxide, producing water and oxygen as the principal reaction products. The simplified architecture achieved a total cell potential of up to 1.09 V without an ion-exchange membrane.
The work demonstrated that surfactants can be used to control the electrode–electrolyte interface, bubble formation and electrochemical output. Systematic variation of surfactant type and concentration showed that interfacial chemistry strongly influences maximum power density. Selected surfactants enhanced cell performance, while others suppressed the electrochemical response, establishing a practical strategy for tuning energy conversion through molecular control of catalytic interfaces. These results provided a basis for compact membraneless power sources, liquid-fuel energy systems, self-powered sensors and autonomous microdevices.
Representative publications: Membraneless Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells as a Promising Clean Energy Source, Journal of Visualized Experiments (2023); Green Energy for Autonomous Devices: Surfactant-Enhanced Membraneless Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells, MARSS (2023); and Synergistic Integration of Hydrogen Peroxide-Powered Valveless Micropumps and Membraneless Fuel Cells: A Comprehensive Review, Advanced Materials Technologies (2024).
Zero-Emission Membraneless Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells
Stable albumin-coated echogenic microbubbles were developed for ultrasound imaging. Their shells were functionalised with gold nanoparticles or nanocages and photodynamic dyes, adding fluorescence and optoacoustic contrast while preserving ultrasound visibility.
The studies established how albumin conformation, dye incorporation and shell composition affect microbubble size, concentration, acoustic stability and storage lifetime. Native-albumin shells substantially improved long-term stability, while phthalocyanine-functionalised microbubbles enabled combined imaging and photodynamic activity.
The concept was extended to polymer-coated perfluoropentane nanodroplets containing magnetite nanoparticles and indocyanine green for ultrasound, magnetic-resonance and optoacoustic imaging. These systems support multimodal diagnostics, image-guided therapy and targeted delivery.
Representative publications: Nanomaterials 11, 415 (2021); Micromachines 12, 1161 (2021); Colloids Surf. A 647, 129095 (2022); Colloids Surf. B 219, 112856 (2022); Laser Photonics Rev. 17, 2300137 (2023); iScience 27, 109286 (2024).
SOI Thin Film Nano-Transistor for Detection of Biomolecular Interactions
A silicon-on-insulator thin-film resistor platform was developed for electrical sensing in liquid environments. Micropatterned silicon channels were integrated into packaged chips and a dedicated measurement system, enabling source–drain current to be monitored while independently controlling the substrate and electrolyte potentials.
The work established a surface-functionalisation route based on oxidation and hydrolysis of silicon dioxide, producing reactive surface groups for attaching molecular and biological recognition layers. This combined semiconductor transport, electrochemical control and biofunctional surface chemistry within one sensing architecture.
The platform provided a foundation for label-free detection of DNA, proteins and other biomolecular interactions, as well as future lab-on-chip and bioanalytical applications.
Representative research foundation: Functionalized Silicon-on-Insulator Thin-Film Resistors for Biosensing Applications, M.Sc. thesis, Walter Schottky Institute, Technical University of Munich (2005)
Hydrogel Microcapsules with pH-Responsive Shell for Water Cleaning
Hydrogel microcapsules with dynamically pH-responsive shells were developed as functional microreactors for water treatment. The capsules were produced in a microfluidic platform, yielding monodisperse structures with controlled size, tunable shell permeability and reversible swelling–deswelling behavior under alkaline and acidic conditions.
The work demonstrated that the shell permeability could be regulated by pH, enabling controlled uptake, retention and release of molecular cargo. By incorporating photocatalytic nanoparticles into the capsule structure, the microcapsules became active reactors for light-driven degradation of organic pollutants in water. Under illumination, the photocatalytic component promoted the breakdown and decolorisation of dye contaminants such as methylene blue, showing the feasibility of capsule-based water purification.
These results established a versatile platform for responsive encapsulation, controllable transport through hydrogel shells and photocatalytic environmental remediation.
Representative publications: Macromolecules 51, 5798–5805 (2018); Environ. Sci.: Nano 7, 656–664 (2020).
Meet Our Administration & Affiliate Principal Investigators
Dr. Ilya Vinnikov
Dr. Brij Briz Mohan
Mrs. Inessa Gor
Dr. Alessandro Bernardi
Dr. Alexander Solovev
Research Projects Available for Students
TRIZ + AI + Research Meta-Skills
The NanoTRIZ approach combines TRIZ-informed problem framing, responsible AI-assisted workflows, and core research skills. TRIZ helps identify contradictions, constraints, and alternative solution pathways.
AI-assisted tools may assist with literature analysis, synthesis, drafting, visualization, and structured comparison of ideas. The researcher remains responsible for accuracy, originality, citations, interpretation, and final conclusions.
Critical thinking, research judgment, communication, and ethical reasoning guide the evaluation and refinement of the work. Together, these elements support a systematic process for defining research questions, developing hypotheses, comparing solution pathways, and communicating results clearly.
Collaboration with Industry
NanoTRIZ works with companies and institutions through defined research and innovation projects. Engagements may include a focused Innovation Sprint for early-stage technical assessment or an Extended R&D Project for problem framing, evidence review, solution mapping, and prototype-oriented planning.
Our approach combines TRIZ-informed problem solving, responsible AI-assisted analysis, scientific review, and translational planning. It is designed to clarify technical challenges, compare possible solution pathways, and support evidence-based R&D decisions.
Project scope, confidentiality, intellectual property, deliverables, timelines, and fees are agreed in writing before work begins. NanoTRIZ does not provide legal, tax, regulatory, investment, or R&D Tax Incentive eligibility advice.
