Last updated: 13 August 2026
PhD Project Title: Intensifying biohydrogen production from mixed waste feedstock digestion
Supervisor: Sanjay Nagarajan (Chemical Engineering)
Students / 2023
Last updated: 13 August 2026
PhD Project Title: Intensifying biohydrogen production from mixed waste feedstock digestion
Supervisor: Sanjay Nagarajan (Chemical Engineering)
Generic placeholder: context, needs, constraints, feedback loops, and practical direction.
Research project 2
The second research project will normally be executed in a different discipline and on a different topic compared to Research Project 1 to foster a better appreciation of the interdisciplinary aspects of research in sustainable chemical technologies. Research project 2 could be close to the topic of your PhD or at least in the same research group. You will select the topic for Research Project 2 at the start of Semester 2. It is compulsory to have a different supervisor for Project 2 to that of Project 1. You will present your findings in the form of a report and a poster.
25 Credits
Research project 1
Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will undertake a research project focused on sustainable chemical technologies and system thinking. During the first stage, you will undertake the necessary background reading, carry out appropriate safety assessments and devise a programme of work. At the end of the first stage, you will submit a short, formative report to your project supervisor. During the second stage of the project, you will carry out the research according to your work programme in consultation with your supervisor.
25 Credits
Public and policy engagement
Introduction to basic concepts of public and policy engagement (PPE) with science, technology, engineering and maths and the contexts in which it takes place. You will cover a wide range of approaches to PPE and audiences for PPE. As part of this unit, you will have opportunities for engaging in practical PPE work to help you build your skills and confidence when embarking upon PPE activities.
For more information see our Public Engagement page
5 Credits
Commercialisation of new technology
Learn how to develop an idea into a business concept and a marketable product. You will learn techniques and tools necessary to analyse the different pathways for new technologies to be effectively commercialised.
5 Credits
Water cycle and human health
Study the impact of human populations on the global environment, focusing specially on water resources. You will explore water as a limited resource, methodologies for water resource management and the importance of water research for human population health.
5 Credits
Systems Thinking 4: Green chemistry and process metrics
Develop a detailed understanding of scientific methodologies for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of chemical processes in terms of environmental, economic, and social impacts. Through case studies you will develop practical skills in defining appropriate system boundaries and selecting, applying and evaluating key sustainability metrics.
5 Credits
Materials for sustainable energy
Explore how the skills of chemists and engineers contribute to the development of materials and processes for sustainable energy solutions. You will study materials storage and conversion technologies such as batteries, fuel cells or hydrogen storage and explore challenges in their synthesis, fabrication, and application.
5 Credits
Catalysis and sustainability
Develop your knowledge and understanding of how catalysis can provide lower cost, less energy-consuming and more environmentally friendly processes both an industrial and laboratory scale using industrial and academic examples.
5 Credits
AI and machine learning for sustainable chemical technology
Working individually and in teams, you will use software tools to learn core AI and ML methods and apply workflows to prepare, process, and analyse data. You will explore how to harness AI and machine learning to tackle sustainability issues in key areas such as energy, environmental pollution, circular economy, and decarbonisation
5 Credits
Fundamentals of biotechnology for non-biologists
Introduce the fundamentals of molecular cell biology and bioprocess engineering.
5 Credits
Fundamentals of chemistry for non-chemists
You will develop core knowledge of organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry.
5 Credits
Fundamentals of chemical engineering for non-chemical engineers
Explore the principles and practices of chemical engineering and chemical engineering processes. Using case studies from chemical and biochemical engineering, you will learn about material and energy balances as well as the principles of reaction engineering and their application to chemical and biological reactor design preparing you to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
5 Credits
Principles and practice of industrial ecology
Industrial Ecology is the quantification of material and energy flows through industrial systems, from ‘cradle to grave’. This allows us to evaluate and minimise the environmental footprint of our technologies and activities. In this unit, you will explore the principles and practice of industrial ecology for the development of sustainable molecules, materials, and processes.
5 Credits
Circular economy and resource efficiency
Explore the principles and practices of the circular economy and its application to sustainable chemical technologies and resource management. Taking a whole systems approach, you will get an insight how to design resource efficient chemical processes that minimise raw material consumption and waste or use waste as a resource.
5 Credits
Sustainable Development
Explore the social, economic, cultural, ethical, and political context of sustainable chemical technologies and assess their sustainability. You will gain an understanding how to consider and respond appropriately to sustainable development needs in your decision-making. Working in multi-disciplinary groups you will conduct a case study to explore motivations and priorities of different stakeholders.
5 Credits
