School of Engineering Researcher Profiles | Page 11

0 9CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Comprehensive Solutions for Bioprocess Development and Recovery of Valuable Biocompounds

0 9CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Dr Ooi , Chien Wei Associate Professor PhD , CEng , MIChemE
Research expertise : Bioseparation , In situ product Recovery , Enzyme Technology , Polymer Chemistry
E : ooi . chien . wei @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 6201
Bioprocess engineering is a field that translates biotechnological discoveries into practical processes and systems for the manufacturing of bioproducts . The principles of engineering and biological processes are applied in the design of innovative microbial fermentation platforms to support medical , industrial and agricultural applications . My research field focuses on the development of integrated microbial fermentation systems and bioprocess model prediction tools for the expression of industrially important enzymes and proteins derived from recombinant DNA technology . We offer solutions to the problems ranging from the upstream bioprocessing to the downstream bioprocesses , including
( i ) machine learning tools for prediction of protein productivity , ( ii ) analysis of protein conformation via molecular dynamic simulation , ( iii ) development of integrated fermentation system and bioreactor design , ( iv ) novel bioseparation processes based on aqueous biphasic systems and nanofiber membranes .
My research also involves extraction technologies applied in waste valorisation and the extraction of phytonutrients from microalgal source and agrowastes . These projects have been supported by government grants , such as eScience Fund by MOSTI , and FRGS by MOHE .
Design of bioreactor for integrated up- , mid- , and downstreams of bioprocesses
Analysis of structural stability of protein in ionic liquid

Process System Design for Sustainable Industry Development

Dr Irene Chew Senior Lecturer PhD , CEng , MIChemE
Research expertise : Process integration & system optimization , Energy efficiency , Industry ecology , Nanotechnology
Eco-industrial park ( EIP ) is an approach to promote industrial symbiosis allowing enterprises to co-share resources ( i . e ., material , water and energy ), products and wastes ( i . e ., biomass ). By understanding the fact that carbon , hydrogen , and oxygen are the primary blocks for certain chemical species such as biomass and hydrocarbons , C-H-O symbiosis network ( CHOSYN ) for realizing a structured integration of multiple hydrocarbons plants within an EIP with the existence of shared centralized facilities that enable exchange , conversion , separation , treatment , and mixing of streams .
Our research focuses on the aspects of resource reuse / recycle and biomass conversion through ( 1 ) advanced process integration and modelling , ( 2 ) waste heat storage and recovery system allocation , and ( 3 ) biomass conversion technology to produce higher value-added products including nanocellulose .
Superstructure representation of CHOSYN : example for bioplastic production from sewage sludge
E : irene . chew @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 6231
Oil palm biomass to Cellulose NanoCrystal ( CNC )
R E S E A R C H E R P R O F I L E 2022 / 2023