This project develops an odor-absorbing, environmentally friendly garbage bin made from clay, beeswax, and activated carbon. The porous carbon layer captures unpleasant smells, slowing detectable decomposition compared to standard bins. Future work will test waste-derived additives and create new sustainable containers to promote selective waste collection and environmental awareness.

Textile waste in Australia decomposes slowly and releases toxic chemicals. Natural fibres like cotton could be composted, but dyes and treatments hinder breakdown. This PhD develops a new compost-testing method, measures dye impacts, and identifies toxic residues. The work will inform Australia’s first composting standard and help industry choose safer, circular textile dyes.

This research investigates unstable lipid oxidation products called epoxides, tracking how different fatty acids form them across various fats and oils. By improving detection and understanding of these pathways, the project supports better quality control in pet food and other lipid-based industries, helping reduce waste, extend shelf life, and promote sustainable practices.

Cultivated meat grows animal cells in bioreactors to produce real meat without slaughter. Although approved in several countries, high production costs limit widespread availability. This research targets the genetic pathways controlling cell growth to improve efficiency and lower costs, aiming to make affordable cultivated meat widely accessible and environmentally sustainable.

This research converts waste heat from high-temperature oil extraction into usable electrical energy. By designing circuits that withstand harsh underground conditions and amplifying low outputs, the system powers real-time monitoring devices along pipelines. The work pioneers sustainable energy harvesting where it has never succeeded before, reducing waste heat and contributing to climate solutions.

antifreeze chemicals are toxic. This research tests new ice-recrystallization inhibitors that enter embryos easily, cause minimal developmental effects, and prevent damaging ice-crystal growth. These findings could enable long-term genetic preservation and support future ecosystem restoration.

Athabasca tailings wastewater spans over 1.2 trillion litres, growing daily and damaging ecosystems. Current evaporation methods are slow and costly. This research introduces a simple, low-cost device using cotton towels and solar-heated thin-layer evaporation, increasing evaporation by 400%. The approach could help reclaim contaminated land and restore natural habitats.

This research uses directional freezing to create realistic plant-based meat textures by forming aligned protein fibres similar to muscle. By improving bite, structure, and consumer appeal, these meat alternatives can reduce environmental impact while offering a sustainable, delicious option. The method is low-cost, scalable, and even possible at home.

This research seeks to reduce the energy consumption of 4G and 5G networks—currently about 3% of global usage—by identifying the factors that drive it. By modelling how elements like signal noise affect energy demands in antennas and processing hardware, the project aims to guide the design of more efficient, sustainable mobile networks.

This research tackles the environmental impact of plastic waste by improving the recyclability of coated paper products such as paper cups. By comparing global recycling methods and equipment, the study identifies factors affecting fibre recovery and develops a reliable lab-based protocol to evaluate coated paper recyclability, supporting greener packaging solutions.