Research Overview

My research focuses on developing sustainable and energy-efficient engineering solutions for wastewater treatment and waste valorisation, with particular emphasis on waste-to-energy systems, biohydrogen production, and sludge management. The work integrates low-energy pretreatment strategies, biological conversion processes, and resource recovery principles to address contemporary water and energy challenges.

Advancing the Circular Bioeconomy: Sludge Valorisation

A central theme of my research is to improve the conversion efficiency of complex waste streams into valuable energy carriers and resources. This includes mechanistic investigation of sludge disintegration, enhancement of substrate bioavailability, and optimisation of biological pathways for hydrogen and energy recovery.

In addition to established waste-to-energy systems, my research explores emerging directions such as alternative biomass feedstocks, including marine and macroalgal resources, for bioenergy generation. Collectively, this work contributes to environmentally responsible infrastructure systems aligned with circular bioeconomy and sustainability-driven engineering practice.Detailed outcomes of this research are presented through peer-reviewed journal publications and thematic sub-pages.

Emerging Horizons

Marine Biomass

Investigating marine macroalgae as a substrate for biohydrogen. Work focuses on optimising pretreatment chemistry and reactor configuration to improve fermentability from carbohydrate-rich algal biomass.

Saline Waste Streams

Addressing the challenge of high salinity in traditional microbial systems by developing targeted consortia that perform reliably in hypersaline environments for energy recovery.

Decentralised Systems

Design a portable, low-energy bioenergy units that integrate pretreatment and fermentation into field-deployable modules for off-grid or resource-limited settings.

“Ultimately, I aim to establish a multidisciplinary research framework that unites pretreatment chemistry and microbial process engineering to advance the transition toward a net-zero circular bioeconomy.”

See Full List of Publications

Alignment with Global Sustainability Goals

Clean Water & Sanitation

Advanced treatment for industrial and fishery wastewater.
Application of biofilm and aerobic granular sludge technologies.
Strategies for safe water reuse and pollution control.

Affordable & Clean Energy

Biohydrogen production from waste activated sludge.
Low-energy pretreatment optimization (microwave/sonic).
Converting food waste into renewable energy carriers.

Responsible Consumption

Valorizing organic waste for the Circular Bioeconomy.
Developing green concrete using industrial by-products (GGBS).
Reducing construction carbon footprint via waste recycling.