Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai
Dr

Pratheep Kumar Annamalai

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Background

Dr. Pratheep Annamalai is a polymer and nanomaterials scientist with a keen interest in engineering materials for sustainable living. He is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. He has extensive expertise in both translational and fundamental research using nanotechnological tools towards sustainability. Currently, he is interested in alternative proteins and valorisation of agricultural crops and food waste into reactive, building blocks for improving the performance and utility of bioproducts. Thematically, his research focuses on

  • Food Processing (plant-based food products)
  • Bioproducts (from agri-food waste)
  • Sustainable building blocks (for advanced materials).

Before joining UQ, Pratheep studied Chemistry in University of Madras, received PhD in Chemistry from University of Pune (India), then went on to work as a postdoctoral researcher on hydrophobic membranes at the Université Montpellier II (France), and on ‘stimuli-responsive smart materials’ at the Adolphe Merkle Institute - Université de Fribourg (Switzerland).

Upon being instrumental in the discovery of ‘spinifex nanofibre nanotechnology’ and establishing Australia’s first nanocellulose pilot-plant, he has been awarded UQ Excellence awards for leadership and industry partnerships for 2019. Recognising his contribution to the nanomaterials, polymer nanocomposites, polymer degradation and stabilisation regionally and globally, he has been invited to serve as a committee member for ISO/TC229-WG2 for characterisation of nanomaterials (2016), a mentor in TAPPI mentoring program (2018), guest/academic editor for various journals (Fibres, Int. J Polymer Science, PLOS One). He has served as a member of the UQ-LNR ethics committee for reviewing the applications (2017-) and a member of the AIBN-ECR committee in 2014.

Availability

Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Bioprocessing, bioproduction and bioproducts Chemical Sciences Civil engineering Composite and hybrid materials Construction materials Crop and pasture biomass and bioproducts Crop and pasture production Engineering Food sciences Forestry biomass and bioproducts Forestry sciences Functional materials Industrial biotechnology Macromolecular and materials chemistry Materials engineering Nanomaterials Non-Newtonian fluid flows (incl. rheology) Polymers and plastics Timber, pulp and paper Wood fibre processing Wood processing

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Madras
  • Masters (Research) of Science, University of Madras
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Pune

Research interests

  • Bioproducts / Sustainable Building Products

    * Agri-food waste recycling & upcycling for circular economy * Nanocellulose from non-wood sources, fundamentals, and applications * Recovery of value-added materials from biomass

  • Engineered Materials (2012-2023)

    * The use of lignocellulose biomass and natural oils in insulation foams * Engineering the microstructure of foam for improving performance * Spinifex-based advanced materials * Elastomers and gels Advance Queensland Research (2016-2019) * Nanoparticles for improving performance and sustainability of cementitious materials (cement, mortar, concrete, and gypsum) * Nano-modified and polymer-modified bituminous materials ARC-Discovery Project (2015-2018) * Lignocellulose carbon precursors (fibre and anode material) UQ-Dow Centre (2014-2015) * Chemically engineering polyethylene for carbon fibre TenasiTech Pty Ltd (2012-2014) * Clay reinforced polymer nanocomposites * Polyurethanes: insulation foams, barrier sheets, golf balls and durable seals Acrylics: Anti-scratch materials

Research impacts

Spinifex nanofibre nanotechnology The spinifex nanofibre nanotechnology has led to: 1) the benefit-sharing landmark agreement between Indigenous Australian community and UQ in 2015 ensuring the ongoing equity and involvement of their indigenous community in the project, 2) establishment of first nanocellulose pilot-scale plant in UQ Long Pocket Precinct with a 5kg/day production capacity by the support of both state and federal governments, and 3) promotion of the systematic harvesting of spinifex grass in regional Australia potentially providing training, jobs, and education in regional Australia, aligning with the major effort 'Closing the gap' by government. Over last seven years, this partnership has single-mindedly supported further R&D for utilising it as renewable functional additive for improving strength and durability of a wide range of materials spanning from rubber, recycled papers to building materials like cement and concrete.

Industry engagement

  • Dugalanji Aboriginal Corporation
  • Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
  • Australian Road Research Board
  • Dow Chemicals USA (polyethylene)
  • TenasiTech Pty Ltd (Nanoclay Nanotech)

Pre-UQ

  • Polyurethane-Cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposites based Shape Memory Effect had become the thrust of further research and funding.

Search Professor Pratheep Kumar Annamalai’s works on UQ eSpace

150 works between 2003 and 2025
All (150) Book (1) Journal Article (95) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (42) Book Chapter (10)

1 - 20 of 150 works

Featured

2024

Journal Article

Dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibres in polyols: for controlled microstructure of high-performance polyurethane insulation foam

Haridevan, Hima, Evans, David A. C., Martin, Darren and Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar (2024). Dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibres in polyols: for controlled microstructure of high-performance polyurethane insulation foam. Materials Advances, 5 (4), 1540-1551. doi: 10.1039/d3ma00865g

Dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibres in polyols: for controlled microstructure of high-performance polyurethane insulation foam

Featured

2024

Journal Article

Enhancement of the texture and microstructure of faba bean-based meat analogues with brewers' spent grain through enzymatic treatments

Fan, Yue, Zheng, Shiyu, Annamalai, Pratheep K., Bhandari, Bhesh and Prakash, Sangeeta (2024). Enhancement of the texture and microstructure of faba bean-based meat analogues with brewers' spent grain through enzymatic treatments. Sustainable Food Technology, 2 (3), 826-836. doi: 10.1039/d4fb00045e

Enhancement of the texture and microstructure of faba bean-based meat analogues with brewers' spent grain through enzymatic treatments

Featured

2024

Journal Article

Achieving ultra-tear resistant high-performance natural rubber nanocomposite via bio-inspired lignocellulosic compatibilization

Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Amiralian, Nasim, Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2024). Achieving ultra-tear resistant high-performance natural rubber nanocomposite via bio-inspired lignocellulosic compatibilization. Industrial Crops and Products, 207 117729, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.117729

Achieving ultra-tear resistant high-performance natural rubber nanocomposite via bio-inspired lignocellulosic compatibilization

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Oat flour as a novel stabiliser for designing plant-based Pickering emulsion

Rawal, Kirti, Annamalai, Pratheep K., Bhandari, Bhesh and Prakash, Sangeeta (2023). Oat flour as a novel stabiliser for designing plant-based Pickering emulsion. Journal of Food Engineering, 340 111300, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2022.111300

Oat flour as a novel stabiliser for designing plant-based Pickering emulsion

Featured

2022

Journal Article

A Mixed Acid Methodology to Produce Thermally Stable Cellulose Nanocrystal at High Yield Using Phosphoric Acid

Amin, Khairatun Najwa Mohd, Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2022). A Mixed Acid Methodology to Produce Thermally Stable Cellulose Nanocrystal at High Yield Using Phosphoric Acid. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 7 (2), 99-108. doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2021.12.002

A Mixed Acid Methodology to Produce Thermally Stable Cellulose Nanocrystal at High Yield Using Phosphoric Acid

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Valorisation of technical lignin in rigid polyurethane foam: a critical evaluation on trends, guidelines and future perspectives

Haridevan, Hima, Evans, David A. C., Ragauskas, Arthur, Martin, Darren and Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar (2021). Valorisation of technical lignin in rigid polyurethane foam: a critical evaluation on trends, guidelines and future perspectives. Green Chemistry, 23 (22), 8725-8753. doi: 10.1039/d1gc02744a

Valorisation of technical lignin in rigid polyurethane foam: a critical evaluation on trends, guidelines and future perspectives

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Dispersion methodology for technical lignin into polyester polyol for high-performance polyurethane insulation foam

Haridevan, Hima, McLaggan, Martyn S., Evans, David A.C., Martin, Darren J., Seaby, Trent, Zhang, Zhanying and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2021). Dispersion methodology for technical lignin into polyester polyol for high-performance polyurethane insulation foam. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 3 (7) acsapm.1c00430, 3528-3537. doi: 10.1021/acsapm.1c00430

Dispersion methodology for technical lignin into polyester polyol for high-performance polyurethane insulation foam

Featured

2021

Journal Article

An overview of cellulose‐based nanogenerators

Annamalai, Pratheep K., Nanjundan, Ashok Kumar, Dubal, Deepak P. and Baek, Jong‐Beom (2021). An overview of cellulose‐based nanogenerators. Advanced Materials Technologies, 6 (3) 2001164, 2001164. doi: 10.1002/admt.202001164

An overview of cellulose‐based nanogenerators

Featured

2017

Journal Article

The use of cellulose nanocrystals to enhance the thermal insulation properties and sustainability of rigid polyurethane foam

Septevani, Athanasia, Evans, David A.C., Annamalai, Pratheep K. and Martin, Darren J. (2017). The use of cellulose nanocrystals to enhance the thermal insulation properties and sustainability of rigid polyurethane foam. Industrial Crops and Products, 107, 114-121. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.05.039

The use of cellulose nanocrystals to enhance the thermal insulation properties and sustainability of rigid polyurethane foam

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Production of cellulose nanocrystals via a scalable mechanical method

Mohd Amin, Khairatun Najwa, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Morrow, Isabel Catherine and Martin, Darren (2015). Production of cellulose nanocrystals via a scalable mechanical method. RSC Advances, 5 (70), 57133-57140. doi: 10.1039/c5ra06862b

Production of cellulose nanocrystals via a scalable mechanical method

Featured

2009

Journal Article

Nanoscale particles for polymer degradation and stabilization-Trends and future perspectives

Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep, Depan, Dilip, Tomer, Namrata Singh and Singh, Raj Pal (2009). Nanoscale particles for polymer degradation and stabilization-Trends and future perspectives. Progress in Polymer Science, 34 (6), 479-515. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2009.01.002

Nanoscale particles for polymer degradation and stabilization-Trends and future perspectives

2025

Journal Article

Progress in zinc oxide‐based polymer nanocomposites for advancing piezoelectric energy harvesting and self‐powered devices

John, Daphne Mary, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Mahadeva, Sreekanth Kaduvallil, Ramanujam, Kothandaraman, Chetty, Raghuram, Patel, Rajkumar, Raghava, Ramanujam Brahmadesam Thoopul Srinivasa and Nanjundan, Ashok Kumar (2025). Progress in zinc oxide‐based polymer nanocomposites for advancing piezoelectric energy harvesting and self‐powered devices. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering e00239. doi: 10.1002/mame.202500239

Progress in zinc oxide‐based polymer nanocomposites for advancing piezoelectric energy harvesting and self‐powered devices

2025

Journal Article

Rapid stress release through thiol–thioester exchange in phenylic crosslinked polymers

Hossain, Md Daloar, Peng, Hui, Blakey, Idriss, Markus, Josua, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Cutler, Charlotte and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2025). Rapid stress release through thiol–thioester exchange in phenylic crosslinked polymers. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 13 (42), 21375-21382. doi: 10.1039/d5tc02110c

Rapid stress release through thiol–thioester exchange in phenylic crosslinked polymers

2025

Journal Article

Emerging biomedical applications of sustainable cellulose nanocrystal-incorporated hydrogels: a scoping review

Seneviratne, Dinuki M., Whiteside, Eliza J., Windus, Louisa C. E., Burey, Paulomi (Polly), Ward, Raelene and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2025). Emerging biomedical applications of sustainable cellulose nanocrystal-incorporated hydrogels: a scoping review. Gels, 11 (9) 740, 740. doi: 10.3390/gels11090740

Emerging biomedical applications of sustainable cellulose nanocrystal-incorporated hydrogels: a scoping review

2025

Journal Article

Morphology-driven multifunctionality: tailoring ZnO for enhanced absorption dominant EMI shielding and energy harvesting in PVDF/MWCNT nanocomposites

Sabu, Aleena, Ullattil, Pooja, Nair, Meera B, Shukla, D. K., Patel, Rajkumar, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Malakar, Amit, Bose, Suryasarathi and Brahmadesam Thoopul Srinivasa Raghava, Ramanujam (2025). Morphology-driven multifunctionality: tailoring ZnO for enhanced absorption dominant EMI shielding and energy harvesting in PVDF/MWCNT nanocomposites. Nanoscale, 17 (40), 23296-23314. doi: 10.1039/d5nr03391h

Morphology-driven multifunctionality: tailoring ZnO for enhanced absorption dominant EMI shielding and energy harvesting in PVDF/MWCNT nanocomposites

2025

Journal Article

Influence of extrusion processing conditions on fibrous structure, texture, and digestibility of plant-based meat analogues incorporating faba bean protein and brewers’ spent grain

Fan, Yue, Annamalai, Pratheep K., Wang, Jingjing, Gu, Biao, Chen, Xiao Dong, Bhandari, Bhesh and Prakash, Sangeeta (2025). Influence of extrusion processing conditions on fibrous structure, texture, and digestibility of plant-based meat analogues incorporating faba bean protein and brewers’ spent grain. Food Hydrocolloids, 170 111706, 111706. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2025.111706

Influence of extrusion processing conditions on fibrous structure, texture, and digestibility of plant-based meat analogues incorporating faba bean protein and brewers’ spent grain

2025

Journal Article

Characteristics of faba bean protein-based high-moisture meat analogues incorporating brewers' spent grain through extrusion

Fan, Yue, Annamalai, Pratheep K., Bhandari, Bhesh and Prakash, Sangeeta (2025). Characteristics of faba bean protein-based high-moisture meat analogues incorporating brewers' spent grain through extrusion. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 100 103919, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ifset.2025.103919

Characteristics of faba bean protein-based high-moisture meat analogues incorporating brewers' spent grain through extrusion

2025

Journal Article

Engineering plant-based Pickering emulsions as highly stable dairy cream alternatives using a binary mixture of particle stabilisers

Rawal, Kirti, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Bhandari, Bhesh and Prakash, Sangeeta (2025). Engineering plant-based Pickering emulsions as highly stable dairy cream alternatives using a binary mixture of particle stabilisers. Food Hydrocolloids, 159 110604, 110604. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110604

Engineering plant-based Pickering emulsions as highly stable dairy cream alternatives using a binary mixture of particle stabilisers

2025

Journal Article

Tailoring electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical and thermal properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) based hybrid nanocomposites with carbon nanofiber and magnetite nanoparticles

Sabu, Aleena, B, Sabarish Narayanan B., Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar and Brahmadesam Thoopul Srinivasa Raghava, Ramanujam (2025). Tailoring electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical and thermal properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) based hybrid nanocomposites with carbon nanofiber and magnetite nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 13 (4), 1982-1998. doi: 10.1039/d4tc02880e

Tailoring electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical and thermal properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) based hybrid nanocomposites with carbon nanofiber and magnetite nanoparticles

2025

Journal Article

Influence of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based conducting multifunctional blend nanocomposites on the structure, morphology, electrical, electromagnetic interference shielding, and piezoelectric properties

Augustin, Nikhitha, Gopakumar, Vaishak, Senthilkumar, Kanya Koothanatham, Sabu, Aleena, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar and Brahmadesam Thoopul Srinivasa Raghava, Ramanujam (2025). Influence of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based conducting multifunctional blend nanocomposites on the structure, morphology, electrical, electromagnetic interference shielding, and piezoelectric properties. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 7 (3), 1279-1299. doi: 10.1021/acsapm.4c02915

Influence of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based conducting multifunctional blend nanocomposites on the structure, morphology, electrical, electromagnetic interference shielding, and piezoelectric properties

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2020
    Addressing bio-composite technology gaps
    Composites Innovation Centre Manitoba Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Preparation of Nanocellulose & Nanocomposites as Multifunctional Materials derived from Biomass towards Sustainable Developments (SPARC grant administered by Jamia Millia Islamia)
    Jamia Millia Islamia
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Advance Queensland Research Fellowship (Mid): Easily deconstructed spinifex nanofibres for the enhancement of high performance construction materials
    Advance Queensland Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    High performance sustainable carbon fibres from Australian spinifex grass
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai directly for media enquiries about:

  • Construction Materials
  • Nanocellulose
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanotechnology
  • Polymers
  • Renewable Resources
  • Spinifex
  • Sustainable
  • Sustainable materials
  • Waste Recycling

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