Mayuran Jayatharan( Award Conferred 6 November 2024)
Title of Thesis:‘ An Integrated Approach Towards Developing Flood Risk Maps and an Assessment Framework for Nature-Based Solutions.’
This thesis aims to develop an integrated approach to quantifying flood risk, which can evaluate flood impacts’ damage to communities and determine the best nature-based solutions( NBS) to effectively mitigate flood impacts for the study area. It was found that afforestation is the most suitable NBS for mitigating floods in the study area. The methodology developed in this research can be adopted as a blueprint to ensure practical and effective flood mitigation measures are implemented within flood-prone areas. Therefore, the findings of this project could contribute to minimising losses of lives and infrastructures in the catchments prone to flood.
Supervisor: Dr Izni Zahidi Associate Supervisor: Dr Yaser Mohammed Rageh Gamil Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Amin Talei
Dora Lawrencia( Award Conferred 11 December 2024)
Title of Thesis:‘ Biodegradability of Chitosan / Alginate Polyelectrolyte Complex Bilayer Membrane( PCBM) and its Effect on Soil.’
This thesis examines the biodegradation of chitosan / alginate filtration membranes in soil, evaluating their sustainability as a point-of-use water treatment system in less developed areas at the end of their life cycle. The study confirms their biodegradability within 180 days under the right conditions, with potential benefits for plant growth in low-nitrogen soils.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Phaik Eong Poh Associate Supervisor: Dr Polly Yap Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Alice Lay Hong Chuah External Supervisor: Dr Ju Yen Fu External Supervisor: Dr Phatchani Srikhumsuk Associate Supervisor: Dr Thet Thet Htar
Leong Fang Yu( Award Conferred 6 November 2024)
Title of Thesis:‘ Theoretical and Computational Chemistry of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes-based Adsorbents.’
While current approaches can predict the liquid adsorption selectivity of few POSS molecules, the focus in this thesis lies in the development of a large-scale prediction model encompassing over 14 millions varieties of cage-substituent combinations. This model has demonstrated promising performance in replacing costly quantum mechanical methods for predicting POSS-solvent interaction energies. Moreover, a molecular simulation protocol has been developed to enable molecular simulations of gas separation in POSS-based films. This model represents the first of its kind to simulate the separation selectivity of POSS films in gas mixtures. These contributions hold the potential to empower researchers in the rational design of POSS by elucidating the complex interplay between substituents and cages revealed by this study.
Supervisor: Dr Mei Leng Chew External Supervisor: Dr Lee Chern Leing Associate Supervisor: Dr Liang Ee Low
Liow Min Ying( Award Conferred 19 February 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Process intensification of biodiesel production catalyzed by low-cost liquid lipase using ultrasound technology.’
This research investigates a more efficient method for biodiesel production using low-cost liquid lipase and ultrasound technology. It addresses critical challenges, such as high enzyme costs and low reaction reaction efficiency. By optimizing ultrasound parameters, the research demonstrates improved reaction rates while maintaining enzyme activity. The addition of additives such as sorbitol and ionic liquid DACARB could enhance enzyme stability, further increase biodiesel yield and reduce reaction time. A biodiesel content of 91.3 wt % is achieved within 12 h, using only 0.2 wt % of enzyme. This approach offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for biodiesel production.
Supervisor: Dr Song Cher Pin Associate Supervisor: Professor Eng Seng Chan Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Ming Kwang Tan
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