MS

Message from Materials and Structure Cluster Head

It is essential to understand the fundamental properties, limitations, and challenges in synthesizing smart material for various applications in science and engineering. The most eye-catching features of carbon-based nanomaterial and nanocomposite are their electronic, mechanical, optical, and chemical characteristics, which opens numerous avenues to future applications, especially in biomedical, polymers, material construction, biosensors, coatings, petroleum, energy, and environment. In line with this, Curtin Material and Structure Research Cluster is established to understand the fundamental knowledge generation and transfer through multidisciplinary research collaboration among researchers locally and internationally, to strengthen the research activity and explore the new dimensional material synthesis.

Currently, there are two focused research groups dedicated to the study of smart materials and peatland smart construction. There are several other areas of our research cluster, which include advanced nanomaterial synthesis using microwave technology, advanced material and manufacturing, advanced machining including nano-MQL machining, corrosion engineering, constitutive modelling of soils, highway and transportation engineering, green material synthesis, biomedical application, numerical modelling, surface metrology, sustainable nano composite, sustainable construction materials, lightweight construction, and steel structures. The main aim of this research cluster is to develop advanced sustainable smart materials to meet the need of various sectors i.e., research scientists, graduate students, faculty members, industrial partners, government clients, and environmental consultants working in Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Biotechnological and Environmental Engineering. Furthermore, our research outcomes can be enhancing in various sectors such as industry practitioners, engineers, researchers in environmental remediation, agricultural engineering, electronic energy device industry, sensor and energy harvesting industries, equipment manufacture industry, materials processing industries, nanomaterials developed industries, and construction industry.

There is a substantial effort being made to develop smart materials using bio-wastes like water hyacinth and palm oil fiber, as well as industrial waste like rubber, elastomers, and industrial polymers to make them valuable resources for the production of green smart materials, reducing industrial impacts and fostering circular economies.

Current projects are funded by both industry and government agencies such as the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Sarawak Research and Development Council, Sarawak Multimedia Authority, ASEAN Funding Agency, and Public Works Department Sarawak.

If you are interested in learning more about Material and structure research Cluster, our committee members, and the work we have done to date, you can click on our home page. We hope you will find it informative and interesting.