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Production of Biofuel from Low-Grade Lipid Feedstock using Enzymatic Approach
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Dr Song , Cher Pin Lecturer BEng , PhD
Research expertise : Biocatalysis , Energy , Waste Reuse and valorisation
E : song . cherpin @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 5641
Biofuels are widely viewed as the potential renewable energy source that can solve a series of problems related to climate and sustainability . They produce significantly less carbon output and fewer toxins , making them a safer alternative to preserve atmospheric quality and lower air pollution . Biofuels are typically produced from edible plants via chemical reactions or fermentation , which decrease the nation ' s dependence upon foreign fuel sources . Despite having the accessibility of edible feedstocks from agricultural industry , the use of edible plants in biofuel production has resulted in food-versus-fuel crisis .
Hence , the focus has now been shifted to non-edible feedstocks such as waste oils , animal fats , algal lipids . Nonetheless , these feedstocks naturally contain a high amount of contaminants , which are unsuitable to undergo the conventional chemicalcatalysed processes . Currently , our research focuses on developing a greener processing route by using enzymatic reaction to synthesise biofuel . Our biocatalyst is insensitive to the contaminants found in the non-edible feedstocks and can catalyse the reaction at mild conditions , making the process feasible and economical .
Designed Synthesis of Smart Nanoassemblies for Innovative Food Systems , Biomedical Applications and Edible Oil Contaminants Removal
Biodiesel produced from waste oil
Reactor setup for biofuel production
Nanoassemblies prepared from functional nanoparticles have been gaining considerable attention as adsorbents , functional food and drug delivery carriers due to their ability to offer structural assembly / disassembly in response to programmed stimulation . My research focuses on developing intelligent magnetic micro- / nanosystems for food and biomedical applications , which aims to provide |
solutions to surpass the various biological barriers in the human body to ensure the targeted or sustained delivery of payloads . Several biological barriers that I am currently investigating include the gastrointestinal tract ( for functional food ) and tumor microenvironment ( for drug delivery ). My research scope has recently been extended to remove contaminants in edible oil |
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and fat food systems utilizing the magnetic-controllable nanoassemblies as adsorbents . The projects are performed under multidisciplinary collaborations between scientists of different backgrounds from local and international universities . |
Dr Low , Liang Ee Lecturer MEng , PhD |
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Research expertise : Smart nanoassemblies , Pickering emulsion , Drug Delivery , Oil and Fat Food Innovation , Colloid and Interface Science
E : low . liangee @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 4420
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Assembly / disassembly behavior of functional nanoparticles |
Thermal decomposition setup for the preparation of magnetic attractable iron oxide nanoparticles |
Magnetic Pickering emulsion for sustained and stimuli-triggered release of payloads |
R E S E A R C H E R P R O F I L E 2022 / 2023