CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
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Computational Biomass & Biopolymer Engineering ( CBBE ) Research Group
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Dr Ho , Yong Kuen ( Joseph ) Senior Lecturer PhD Research expertise : Cellulose , Population balances , Metabolic modelling , Advanced process control E : ho . yongkuen @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 6244
At the Computational Biomass & Biopolymer Engineering ( CBBE ) Research Group , our research is motivated by the use of interesting mathematical ideas to improve engineering predictions and overcome fundamental and mechanistic bottlenecks in the field of biomass and biopolymer processing . Our primary focus is in the advancement and application of population balances – a broad collective wealth of knowledge which deals with the evolutionary aspects of dispersed phase systems , both in time and perhaps also in space . We currently seek to understand the multi-scale physics of cellulose breakdown as well as to understand the mechanistic control factors of
Colloid and Polymers Research Group
Dr Patrick Tang S . Y . Senior Lecturer PhD , MIChemE
Research expertise : Self-healing Rubber , Nanocellulose , Sonoprocessing , Emulsions , Smart Coatings , Controlled Delivery
E : patrick . tang @ monash . edu T : + 603 5514 4435
Development of auto or selfhealing polymers has recently become an important technological area in rubber and plastic industries . A self-healing material is typically characterised by its ability to recover from damage . In our laboratory , my Colloid and Polymers group is developing , for the first time , a novel tough , durable self-healing rubber glove that possesses autonomic healing ability and chemical resistant properties . The self-healing rubber that we are working on incorporates science from selfhealing natural or nitrile rubber and plant-derived biomass . In such self-healing rubber , the random polymer network structure can spontaneously form new bonds when old molecular bonds are broken . It resembles the natural way our flesh heals when wounded . Through self-healing technology , we want to extend cellulose hydrolysis at high solid loadings . We are also working to understand how fine control over the aspect ratio of cellulose fibres and crystals can be exerted via computational modelling . Through our efforts , we hope to address the issues that have thus far prevented the potential of biomass from being harnessed to its maximum capacity .
the working life and safety of rubber gloves whilst tackling the environmental challenges induced by extensive glove use . Our patented glove innovations have won the Gold Medals in both The International Invention , Innovation , and Technology Exhibition ( ITEX ) 2021 and Malaysia Technology Expo ( MTE ) 2023 . Apart from self-healing rubber technology , my research team is also actively working on the ultrasound-assisted production of consumer-friendly and cost- effective delivery systems
Self-healing rubber Bio-based microcapsules glove for enhanced for food and pharmaceutical hand protection applications and safety
Multi-Layered Population Balance Model for cellulose breakdown ( Chem . Eng . Sci ., 206:118-133 , 2019 )
Unified Cybernetic-Population Balance Model for consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose by Clostridium thermocellum ( Biotechnol . Bioeng ., 118:1898 - 1912 , 2021 )
that could provide innovative and exciting perspectives for functional food , cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries . Some examples include extremely stable emulsions , micro / nanocapsules , cellulosic nanocomposites , and polymeric particles with tunable properties entrapping bioactive ingredients for controlled release applications . Furthermore , we have established several collaborative industry-driven projects on functional coatings , sustainable farming and rubber product innovations .
Durable superhydrophobic coatings for versatile industrial applications
RESEARCHER PROFILE 2025 / 2026