Chemical biomolecular engineering

Supervisors: Dr Jacopo Giaretta, Dr Aeryne Lee and Dr Sina Naficy

Eligibility:

• Passionate about learning new skills and research
• Keen interest in developing biomedical solutions for real life problems
• Previous experience in laboratory work (preferred)
• At the very least, in the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree

Project Description:

Heart valve replacements (HVRs) are medical devices that substitute diseased heart valves. They play a vital role in controlling the flow of blood in and out of the heart. However, overtime, HVRs slowly fail to perform normally. This loss of function can lead to complications if gone undetected.

The project aims to develop a smart HVR with embedded sensors to continuously monitor the correct function of the valve. Sensors will be incorporated via 3D printing of conductive patterns into the HVR. Any defect in the HVR will alter the output signal, highlighting early stages of loss of function.

The candidate will join a multicultural and multidisciplinary team with experts in engineering, chemistry, and science. Our aim is to improve the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of people, improving the state of polymeric HVRs. This project will provide the candidate with hands-on experience on advanced manufacturing and device fabrication.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisor: Prof. Timothy Langrish

Eligibility: 2nd or 3rd year chemical, mechanical or civil engineering

Project Description:

The key theme of the advanced food engineering pilot plant is the creation of an integrated, university-designed, leading-edge, set of food engineering unit operations for pilot-scale production of innovative food products (1-10 kg/h). We currently have an advanced design for spray and fluidised-bed dryers, and the aim of this project is to operate and optimise a semi-batch solid-liquid extraction system for the extraction of valuable nutrients, in liquid form, from solid fruit and vegetable wastes.

This extraction system will feed a solution of valuable soluble solids, with a high antioxidant and nutritional content, into the spray dryer and will be located close to the spray dryer. The specific aim will be to maximise the concentration of soluble solids extracted from orange peels into water at a range of water flow rates to match the ranges of water flow rates for the downstream spray dryer.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisor: Professor Tim Langrish

Eligibility: 2^nd or 3^rd year chemical, mechanical or civil engineering

Project Description: 

This project will improve a new spray dryer design using Computational Fluid Dynamics and experimental testing. The project will use our understanding of fluid and particle mechanics to continue developing the design of an already-existing pilot-scale spray dryer to minimize the deposition rate of particles on the walls of the spray dryer.

Applications include the development of future food materials through advanced food engineering and the production of new particles of Metal Organic Frameworks for Direct Carbon Capture of carbon dioxide. An interest in fluid and particle mechanics and experimental testing would be very helpful for this project.

Requirement to be on campus:.Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisor: Prof. Timothy Langrish

Eligibility: 2nd or 3rd year chemical, mechanical or civil engineering

Project Description:

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 is an exciting and critical development in industrial and academic enterprises, and the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is seeking to develop case studies for IoT-enabled laboratory equipment for leading the teaching and learning conversation with students, starting with the question “why” (does this work?).

This development will therefore raise the level of student-teacher relationships and create clear communications and expectations for learning and teaching. Specific outcomes include embedded digital twins and virtual wrap-around experimental tools, through Vuforia Studio, for bubble columns, spray dryers, and in-vitro and in-vivo human digestion systems, and multi-process dynamics and control.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Dr Xinying Liu, Adj. Prof. David F Fletcher and Dr Sina Naficy

Eligibility: Interest in biomaterial or computational modelling

Project Description:

Our research group is committed to developing innovative polymeric heart valve replacement to provide treatment for children with congenital heart disease with the combined effort from cardiothoracic surgery, bioengineering, polymer chemistry and computational modelling experts.

The polymers we use exhibit hyperelastic behaviour, and their material properties can be obtained through mechanical testing. Once the experimental data is acquired, it can be incorporated into the computational model to assess the heart valve's performance.

You can choose to work on the experimental side, the simulation side, or both, depending on your skillset and interest.

For more information about our project and the team: https://polymeric-heart-valve-eng.sydney.edu.au/

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Dr Xinying Liu, Adj. Prof. David F Fletcher and Dr Sina Naficy

Eligibility: Basic knowledge of CAD/CAE or optimization algorithms is preferred.

Project Description:

Our research group is committed to developing innovative heart valve replacement to provide treatment for children with congenital heart disease with the combined effort from cardiothoracic surgery, bioengineering, polymer chemistry and computational modelling experts.

A major step of our project is to optimize our valve design as well as the material we use to fabricate the valve, with the use of an automated digital simulation tool called Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO). The optimization will be achieved by the combined approach of simulation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to maximise the hydrodynamic performance of the valve.

For more information about our project and the team:

https://polymeric-heart-valve-eng.sydney.edu.au/

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Dr Jacopo Giaretta, Dr Syamak Farajikhah, Prof. Fariba Dehghani

Eligibility: Previous laboratory experience is advantageous

Project Description:

This project aims to optimise the design of a robust biosensor for the non-invasive and rapid diagnosis of cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiac arrest, diabetes, and liver damage. Increasing the signal produced by positive cases is crucial to improve accuracy and minimise false positives.

The candidate will join a highly active and supportive multidisciplinary team of entrepreneurs and experts in engineering, science and clinician working towards solving real-world issues. We are seeking to hire highly motivated, creative, and passionate researchers with a background in medical science, materials engineering, or chemistry ready to join our team to tackle the grand challenges for developing these diagnostic devices to promote human wellbeing. 

The candidate will acquire various skills in electrochemistry, engineering, additive manufacturing, and various analytical techniques. The candidate will develop hands-on experience with inkjet printing and electrochemical measurements.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Dr Jacopo Giaretta, Dr Syamak Farajikhah, Prof. Fariba Dehghani

Eligibility: Previous laboratory experience is advantageous

Project Description:

To promote early screening of diabetes, a dangerous cardiometabolic disease affecting more than a million Australians, our group is developing a portable biosensor for the non-invasive quantification of glucose in saliva. This project aims to develop a system to improve the stability of the system against interferents present in saliva (acids, other metabolites, salts, etc.) by employing different membranes. Enabling early diagnosis is essential for better treatment, increasing survival rate.

The candidate will join a highly active and supportive multidisciplinary team of entrepreneurs and experts in engineering, science and clinician working towards solving real-world issues. We are seeking to hire highly motivated, creative, and passionate researchers with a background in medical science, materials engineering, or chemistry ready to join our team to tackle the grand challenges for developing these diagnostic devices to promote human wellbeing.  The candidate will acquire various skills in electrochemistry, engineering, additive manufacturing, and various analytical techniques.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisor: Dr Fengwang Li

Eligibility: Background in chemical engineering or chemistry, experience in technoeconomic assessment is preferred.

Project Description:

This project aims to evaluate the technoeconomic feasibility of the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (e-NRR) as a sustainable alternative for green ammonia synthesis. The study will benchmark the e-NRR process against the traditional Haber-Bosch process, focusing on energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

The intern will conduct a comprehensive literature review, perform process simulations, and analyse economic data to compare both methods. Key deliverables include a detailed report highlighting the potential advantages and challenges of e-NRR, and recommendations for future research and development. This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of green chemistry and sustainable industrial practices.

Requirement to be on campus: No.

Supervisor: Dr Li Wei

Eligibility: Senior chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science & engineering student

Project Description:

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used plastics that being produced globally over 60 million tons annually. The disposal of used PVC is mainly treated by landfill, incineration or pyrolysis.

However, PVC is difficult to decompose naturally, and its pyrolysis often emits toxic and stable chlorinated organic compounds. Therefore, removing chlorine (Cl) from PVC before further decomposition is crucial for safe and efficient plastic waste disposal and recycling.

Traditionally, hydrothermal treatment or treatment in subcritical water is required to remove Cl effectively, which require substantial energy. This project focuses on developing efficient single-atom electrocatalysts to remove Cl from PVC using a cathodic (reductive) electrochemical dechlorination process.

The effectiveness of different metal centers will be examined to determine the optimal one for efficient PVC dichlorination. In this six-week project, under senior HDR guidance, you will:

• Receive complimentary lab safety and research training;
• Synthesis structure controlled single-atom catalysts;
• Perform PVC dechlorination experiments and assess the removal efficiency.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Zengxia Pei

Eligibility: WAM>75 and Undergraduate candidates must have already completed at least 96 credit points towards their undergraduate degree at the time of application.

Project Description:

This project aims to develop efficient functional hydrogel electrolytes for sustainable batteries (e.g., aqueous Zn batteries). Successful applicants of this program will have plenty of opportunities to be exposed to and master a broad spectrum of fundamental and technical knowledge in hydrogel electrolytes' synthesis, characterization, and their applications in energy storage. Successful outcomes of the program may lead to possible author contribution in high-quality publications.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Ronil J. Rath, Syamak Farajikhah, Sepehr Talebian, Prof. Fariba Dehghani

Eligibility: Interested in biomedical research and lab-work. Have previous lab experience.

Project Description:

Chronic Kidney Disease is a high-risk metabolic disease that affects 1 in 9 Australians over the age of 18 due to the body incapability of processing urea. The traditional method of detecting this disease involves blood draw which is painful for frequent monitoring and testing. As a result, large number of patients either go undiagnosed or are only diagnosed once the symptoms are severe (e.g. blood in urine).

This project aims at developing a non-invasive test kit for frequent monitoring of urea through biological fluids such as saliva. The test kit consists of an enzymatic paper-based sensor that is low-powered, low-cost and easy to develop with high accuracy providing new avenues for monitoring chronic kidney disease.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisor: Dr Yuan Chen

Eligibility: Completed at least three semesters of chemical engineering courses.

Project Description:

Methane pyrolysis is a potential new sustainable method for hydrogen production, in which methane is split into hydrogen and solid carbon without directly emitting carbon dioxide. Large amounts of carbon materials would be produced.

Exploring potential applications of these carbon materials will play a critical role in the commercial success of this new process. This project will explore the application of carbon materials from methane pyrolysis for sodium-ion battery applications.

The carbon materials will be used as conductive addictive in cathodes, as well as anode materials. The student will participate in research on carbon material characterization, electrode and battery fabrication, and tests.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisor: Yi Shen

Eligibility: WAM>75 and Undergraduate candidates must have already completed at least 96 credit points towards their undergraduate degree at the time of application.  Must have basic bio knowledge.

Project Description:

Many natural protein materials possess extraordinary mechanical properties. For example, spider fibres made by silk proteins are considered as one of the strongest materials. Interestingly, these silk fibres contain structures (beta sheets) similar to pathological aggregates in human cells.

Conventional plastic, which can be found in thousands of products, has caused severe contamination all over the world especially in the oceans, including in Australia. Thus, there is an urge to look for a replacement for single-use plastic generated from synthetic polymers.

In this project, bioplastics are obtained through protein self-assembly. Protein nanofibrils are used as building blocks to be tailored into films for different applications. The aim of the project is to optimise the fabrication and formulation to produce strong and degradable bioplastics.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.