Research directions
Advanced materials research across structural composites, sensing, functional polymers and sustainable nanomaterials.
The work connects synthesis and processing with interfacial behaviour, material performance and practical applications in engineering, energy and the environment.
RESEARCH AREA 01
Epoxy toughening
Novel toughening agents and hybrid reinforcement
Toughening strategies for epoxy thermosets combine polymer modifiers with carbon-based nanomaterials. The research examines hybrid reinforcement, interfacial interactions and the relationship between material architecture and mechanical performance.
RESEARCH AREA 02
Electromagnetic interference shielding
Functional composites for EMI shielding
Lightweight functional composites are developed for electromagnetic interference shielding. Carbon fibres, graphene and polymer hybrids connect electrical response with processing, mechanical properties and shielding performance. Recent work extends this direction to polyimide composite aerogels with direction-dependent shielding and thermal insulation.
RESEARCH AREA 03
Biosensors and nanobiomedical materials
Gold clusters and functional nanomaterials
Functional nanoparticles and luminescent gold quantum clusters provide platforms for molecular recognition and sensing. The work includes fructose-specific binding, cholesterol recognition and creatinine sensing, together with nanomaterial approaches to biomedical applications.
RESEARCH AREA 04
Carbon materials from low-cost precursors
Renewable resources and carbon nanomaterials
Renewable and low-cost feedstocks offer routes to functional carbon materials. Lignin, coconut husk and coir-pith-derived precursors are explored for carbon films, carbon fibres and nanomaterials, linking resource utilisation with material design.
RESEARCH AREA 05
Fibre-reinforced composites
Natural fibres, compatibility and material performance
Natural and synthetic fibre reinforcements are studied through fibre–matrix compatibility, processing and structure–property relationships. The research addresses interfacial adhesion, mechanical performance and the design of sustainable composite systems.
RESEARCH AREA 06
Rubber and polymer nanocomposites
Functional polymer systems and hybrid materials
Elastomer blends and polymer nanocomposites combine flexible matrices with functional fillers. The research explores processing, morphology, thermal behaviour and mechanical performance, with applications in functional and engineering materials.
RESEARCH AREA 07
Green nanomaterials, energy and environment
Sustainable synthesis and functional applications
Green nanomaterials bring together sustainable preparation methods and applications in energy conversion, storage and environmental technologies. This direction connects biomass-derived materials, nanomaterial characterisation and environmental remediation with the development of greener materials systems.
Research innovation
Three granted patents address fructose recognition, cholesterol binding and creatinine sensing through functional nanoparticles and gold quantum clusters.
Explore the granted patents