Summary

Expertise

Membrane science and technology (:processes, material synthesis (phase inversion), module development, fouling and fouling control); microalgae technology; water and wastewater treatment; Bioprocess and biotechnology; process design, modelling and optimization.

Collaborations

- - Universities: KU Leuven university, Nanyang Technological University (SMTC), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Universitas Gajah Mada (Bio-process group), Universitas Brawijaya (Teknologi Bioproses), Universitas Syah Kuala (Membrane Group), Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (AMTEC), University of Sydney (membrane team), COMSAT-Pakistan (membrane group), and others),
  - Companies: Amer-Sil, PETRONAS, Aquaporin-Asia, etc.
  - Research institutes: VITO, TERI, DHI, and others.

Current Project and Research Interest

Integrated membrane-based fixed film activated sludge system
Membrane-based micro-bubbles generator
Tailor-made membrane material for oily wastewater treatment (Surface modification, natural/waste based material and membrane surface patterning)
The use of Big-Data for chemical plant simulation, modelling and optimization

Advanced membrane module design

Most membrane research focus on developing membrane material, the heart of the membrane based process separation. However, excellent membrane materials must be accompanied with excellent module design and engineering. Good module allows the membrane material to function at their best. Unlike membrane materials that are vastly developed, research on membrane module design is somehow limited. Few approaches that seems to be effective including redesigning the module geometry to facilitate filtration, enhanced mixing via improved hydrodynamics as well as hybrid module system through process intensification.

Grant/Funding

- - Integrated Forwards Osmosis – Electrolysis (IFO-E) System for Water Treatment, RM590,372.43, Co- Principal investigator, Cost-Center: 015MD0-056.
  - Membrane based processes for biomethane recovery from wastewater: anaerobic membrane bioreactor and biogas upgrading, UTM-CRG research grant, Principal Investigator, RM160,000, Principal Investigator [1/11/2020-31/10/2021]
  - Assessment of the traditional salt farming process in Cayo Palawan and development of new salt farming process via membrane distillation/crystallization, UTP-PSU international matching grant, Principal investigator, USD7,000 [1/03/202019-31/8/2021]
  - Pore formation mechanisms of porous phase inverted membrane for liquid separation, FRGS, Principal investigator, RM79k [01/01/2018-31/03/2022].
  - A novel hybrid FO/MD module for produced water treatment, RM189k, Principal investigator, YUTP, 01/08/2017-31/05/2020. [Closed]
  - Study Of Ionic Liquid Modified Silica Nanoparticle For Thin Film Composite Membrane for CO₂ Removal, Co- Principal investigator, Yayasan-UTP, RM176k, 2018-2022.
  - Design and optimization of integrated biorefinery and refinery for producing fuels/chemicals from biomass, RM166k, Co- Principal investigator, Yayasan-UTP, 01/08/2017-31/07/2020.
  - Novel nanofiber membrane for separation of oil in produced water, RM135k, Yayasan-UTP, CO-PI, 01/08/2017-31/07/2020.
  - Aquaporin based biomimetic forward osmosis membranes: from lab-scale production of membrane to pilot scale production and industrial tes bedding of membrane module, RM24k, Principal investigator, Industrial grant, 23/10/2016-31/10/2018.
  - Development of highly hydrophobic PVDF membranes for membrane distillation via combined vapor and temperature induced crystallization, RM25k, Principal investigator, 14/11/2016-13/11/2017.
  - Solar still membrane distillation: A novel module cncept for simultaneous house insulation and distilled water production, RM10k, Principal investigator, I-Gen, 06/12/2016-05/07/2017.
  - Interdisciplinary research project, funded by KU Leuven involving 4 labs and six PhD students (2006-2011, Funding > 2 millios EUR). This project focus on remediation, characterization and modeling of membrane fouling in MBRs.
  - MIP-Project (Milieu- en Energietechnologie-Innovatieplatform) funded by Belgium federal government, involving: two universities, two industries and one research centre (2011-2012, Funding > 500k EUR). This project aimed at maximizing recovery of resource and energy from used water.
  - IOF bioethanol project, funded by Belgium federal government, involving four labs in two universities (2009-2014, Funding > 2 millios EUR). This project proposed a new route for more cost and environmental friendly Bioethanol production by involving novel yeast strain and membrane technology.
  - EXPANd-MBR ) funded by KU Leuven involving 4 labs (Funding > 2 millios EUR). This project is about improving the competitiveness of anaerobic digestion in AnMBR in recovering resource and reusing treated water.
  - Masdar Institute - Massachusetts Institute of Technology funded by UAE government involving six labs in both universities (Funding > 2 millionsUS$). This project deals with broad aspects of membrane destilation including: membrane, module, configuration, etc.
  - MIT-MICP Innovation grant funded by MIT and Masdar Institute involving two labs (Funding, 100k US$). Designing and testing a novel membrane distillation module.
  - EU-India S&T Reseach project funded by India government and EU, involving collaboration between TERI university and KU Leuven (Funding 100k EUR). This project deals with development of novel membrane reactor for treatment of molasses based wastewater