ProfessorAli Abbas

Project Opportunities

Title: Chemical Recycling of Mixed Waste Plastics

Summary of opportunity:

Research Area:

Chemical Engineering; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Heterogeneous Chemical Kinetics

Opportunity synopsis:

Waste plastic is a growing problem in Australia and elsewhere in the world. Many plastics are uneconomic to process using conventional physical recycling technologies.

Recent advances have already demonstrated that thermochemical approaches can convert waste contaminated plastic into a feedstock for remanufacturing plastic.

The Scale-up, Optimisation and Modelling of Chemical Recycling of Mixed Waste Plastics Postgraduate Research Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to PhD students who are undertaking research in using advanced engineering reactors to become the next generation of processing technology that specifically targets the conversion of mixed and contaminated (non-recyclable), post-consumer waste plastic into feedstock materials for the virgin plastics manufacturing industry.

Further information:

Suitable for students with a background in Engineering or Science

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Project Opportunities

Title: Plastic polymer biodegradation by fungi

Summary of opportunity:

We are seeking a PhD candidate to develop and optimize a continuous process for scaling up plastic polymer biodegradation using fungi, integrating UV (or other) pre-treatment prior to bioreactor (fermenter or similar) system.

Opportunity synopsis:

This PhD project aims to advance the biodegradation of plastic polymers by fungi through the development of a continuous fermenter reactor process. The research will focus on pre-treating plastic waste with a UV reactor to enhance biodegradability, followed by fungal degradation within the reactor. The successful candidate will explore various fungal strains, optimise various operating conditions, and evaluate the efficiency of the biodegradation process. This work addresses the urgent need for sustainable plastic waste management solutions and aims to contribute significantly to the field of environmental biotechnology.

Qualifications:

First class honours (or higher) in Engineering, Chemistry, or similar field. Alternatively, have a strong research background.

Preferred technical skills:

• Background in biochemical techniques
• Experience in wet lab and PC lab is desirable
• Experience in various analytical tools
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) valorisation and value adding processes

Summary of opportunity:

We are seeking a PhD candidate to explore the valorisation and value-adding processes of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), focusing on recovery of BSFL from organic waste into value added products using various chemical conversion process, such as supercritical CO2, pyrolysis, or other processes

Opportunity synopsis:

This PhD project aims to explore the potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) in transforming organic waste into valuable products through innovative valorisation and value-adding processes. The research will focus on optimizing various pathway for BSFL and developing methods to extract and refine high-value compounds from BSFL, such as as proteins, lipids, and chitin. The successful candidate will evaluate the chemical properties of BSFL-based bioconversion and product development, contributing to sustainable waste management and circular economy initiatives. This project seeks to advance knowledge in the field of insect biotechnology and offer practical solutions for reducing organic waste and generating valuable bioproducts.

Qualifications:

First class honours (or higher) in Engineering, Chemistry, or similar field. Alternatively, have a strong research background.

Preferred technical skills:

• Background in extraction technology
• Experience in wet lab is desirable
• Experience in various analytical tools, such as HPLC, GC-MS, and FTIR
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Sustainable Concrete Production

Summary of opportunity:

We are seeking a PhD candidate to explore sustainable concrete production using advanced 3D printing technology combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques to reduce the carbon footprint of construction.

Opportunity synopsis:

This PhD project aims to innovate in the field of sustainable construction by integrating concrete 3D printing with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. The research will focus on developing sustainable concrete mixes suitable for 3D printing, optimizing printing processes, and incorporating captured carbon dioxide. The successful candidate will investigate various recipes from diverse waste materials to be incorporated into concrete production. The candidate will explore  the mechanical and environmental performance of the concrete structures, aiming to provide practical solutions for reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. This work contributes to the advancement of green construction technologies and promotes a circular economy approach in the building sector.

Qualifications:

First class honours (or higher) in Engineering, Chemistry, or similar field. Alternatively, have a strong research background.

Preferred technical skills:

• Background in concrete technology, material science, or civil engineering is desirable.
• Experience in wet lab is desirable
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Modelling of thermochemical conversion of waste materials

Summary of opportunity:

We are seeking a PhD candidate to investigate the modelling work on various thermochemical conversion technology of waste materials. Focusing on various waste conversion technologies (pyrolysis, gasification, etc.) to optimize processes for efficient resource recovery and energy production.

Opportunity synopsis:

This PhD project aims to develop comprehensive models for the thermochemical conversion of waste materials, investigating technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, and incineration. The research will focus on optimizing these processes to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of converting waste into valuable products and energy.

The candidate will use advanced computational methods to simulate and analyse the thermochemical reactions, exploring different types of waste materials and their conversion pathways.

Qualifications:

First class honours (or higher) in Engineering, Chemistry, or similar field. Alternatively, have a strong research background.

Preferred technical skills:

• Background in modelling software (Matlab, Ansys, etc.)
• Comprehensive understanding of reaction engineering and chemistry.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

----------Current Research Projects----------

Professor Ali Abbas currently leads a diverse and high-impact research portfolio addressing critical sustainability, energy, and circular economy challenges. His major ongoing projects include:

Circular Economy and Waste Transformation

• Waste Transformation Research Hub
• Leading Australia's national research initiative in developing advanced technological and policy solutions to transform waste into valuable resources, aligning with circular economy principles.
• Circular Economy Clean Tech Hub
• Establishing an innovative technology hub focused on clean-tech innovations and sustainable industrial practices, supported by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.

Carbon Capture and Low-Emission Technologies

• Accelerated CO? Sequestration in Sustainable Construction Materials
• Scaling novel processes that sequester CO? into construction materials, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of built infrastructure.
• Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
• Developing integrated modelling and optimisation frameworks for hybrid renewable energy systems, advancing sustainable and efficient power generation.

Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

• Nano-energised Thermal Battery Development
• Creating next-generation thermal storage solutions using advanced nanostructured phase-change materials (nano-PCMs), enhancing efficiency in renewable energy applications.
• Sustainable Manufacturing and Green Chemistry
• Innovating eco-friendly chemical processes and developing sustainable materials from industrial waste streams for use in advanced manufacturing and infrastructure projects.

Process Systems and Circular Systems Engineering (CSE)

• Digital Circular Economy Platform for Circular Precincts
• Developing integrated digital platforms to facilitate resource efficiency and closed-loop operations within urban precincts, supported by strategic partnerships with industry and government stakeholders.
• Circular Systems Engineering Framework
• Leading research on methodological innovations to integrate engineering principles, lifecycle analysis, and sustainability practices systematically within industrial ecosystems.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

• Biodegradation and Bioconversion of Plastic Waste
• Exploring microbial biodegradation pathways and biotechnology-based solutions for sustainable plastic waste management and valorisation.
• Bio-based Sustainable Food Systems
• Developing controlled-environment urban farming systems that utilise circular economy approaches, transforming waste nutrients into high-value food products.

Industry and Community Engagement

• Brains-back-to-the-bush Initiative
• A strategic vision promoting regional skills development, knowledge transfer, and capacity building, supported by tailored microcredentials and industry-linked training initiatives to foster regional resilience and innovation.

These current projects showcase Ali's commitment to applied research with tangible impacts on sustainability, resource efficiency, and community wellbeing, consistently bridging academic excellence with practical industry and societal outcomes.