Overview
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
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.
- IP Disclosure: Spinifex Nanocellulose
- UQ-ChangeMakers –story: https://shorthand.uq.edu.au/changemakers/issue2/grass-roots-discovery/
- UQ-Impact story: http://www.uq.edu.au/research/impact/stories/indigenous-opportunity-sprouts-from-desert-discovery/
- UQ-Small Change story: https://small-change.uq.edu.au/blog/2016/04/grass-ain%E2%80%99t-no-weed
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.
Works
Search Professor Pratheep Kumar Annamalai’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Pyrolysis of brominated polyethylene as an alternative carbon fibre precursor
Laycock, Bronwyn, Wang, Xiaoyu, Liu, Ru-Fen, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Cork, Jorja, Derstine, Chris, Mills, Michael and McFarland, Eric W. (2020). Pyrolysis of brominated polyethylene as an alternative carbon fibre precursor. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 172 109057, 109057. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2019.109057
2020
Conference Publication
Spinifex nanotechnology: a university-Indigenous community partnership for nanomaterials commercialisation
Chaleat, Celine, Annamalai, Pratheep K., Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Amiralian, Nasim, Gauthier, Emilie, Pooley, Liam, Kepa, Katarzyna and Martin, Darren J. (2020). Spinifex nanotechnology: a university-Indigenous community partnership for nanomaterials commercialisation. 8th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN 2020), Brisbane, Australia, 9-13 February 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Spinifex nanocellulose nanotechnology: the uniqueness and Industrial apilications
Annamalai, Pratheep K., Chaleat, Celine, Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Amiralian, Nasim, Gauthier, Emilie, Pooley, Liam, Kepa, Katarzyna and Martin, Darren J. (2020). Spinifex nanocellulose nanotechnology: the uniqueness and Industrial apilications. 8th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN 2020), Brisbane, Australia, 9-13 February 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Spinifex nanocellulose as a potential carbon precursor for carbon fibre and anode material for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries
Jiang, Edward, Amiralian, Nasim, Gaddam, Rohit R., Nanjundan, Ashok A., Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2020). Spinifex nanocellulose as a potential carbon precursor for carbon fibre and anode material for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. 8th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN 2020), Brisbane, Australia, 9-13 February 2020.
2019
Journal Article
Influence of different nanocellulose additives on processing and performance of PAN-based carbon fibers
Jiang, Edward, Maghe, Maxime, Zohdi, Nima, Amiralian, Nasim, Naebe, Minoo, Laycock, Bronwyn, Fox, Bronwyn L., Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Influence of different nanocellulose additives on processing and performance of PAN-based carbon fibers. ACS Omega, 4 (6), 9720-9730. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00266
2019
Conference Publication
Strategies towards sustainable rigid polyurethane insulation foam using biomass derived materials
Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Strategies towards sustainable rigid polyurethane insulation foam using biomass derived materials. 4th International Conference on Frontiers of Composite Materials (ICFCM2019), Brisbane, Australia, 13-16 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Strategies towards sustainable rigid polyurethane insulation foam using biomass-derived materials
Septevani, Athanasia A., Hayati, Amir N., Evans, David A. C., Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Strategies towards sustainable rigid polyurethane insulation foam using biomass-derived materials. 37th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 10-13 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Enhanced dispersion of lignin in polyols for improving sustainability and performance of polyurethane foam based insulation materials
Haridevan, Hima, Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Enhanced dispersion of lignin in polyols for improving sustainability and performance of polyurethane foam based insulation materials. 37th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 10-13 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Influence of bio-derived materials on the microstructure of rigid polyurethane foam at different scales
Haridevan, Hima, Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Influence of bio-derived materials on the microstructure of rigid polyurethane foam at different scales. 4th International Conference on Frontiers of Composite Materials (ICFCM2019), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Influence of bio-derived materials on the microstructure of rigid polyurethane foam at different scales
Haridevan, Hima, Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2019). Influence of bio-derived materials on the microstructure of rigid polyurethane foam at different scales. 37th Australasian Polymer Symposium, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 10-13 November 2019.
2018
Journal Article
Chitosan-based bionanocomposites for biomedical application
Kumari, Sangeeta, Singh, Raj Pal, Chavan, Nayaku N. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2018). Chitosan-based bionanocomposites for biomedical application. Bioinspired, Biomimetic and Nanobiomaterials, 7 (4), 219-227. doi: 10.1680/jbibn.15.00015
2018
Journal Article
Facile tuning of the surface energy of cellulose nanofibers for nanocomposite reinforcement
Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Martine, Benoit, Pennells, Jordan, Martin, Darren J. and Amiralian, Nasim (2018). Facile tuning of the surface energy of cellulose nanofibers for nanocomposite reinforcement. ACS Omega, 3 (11), 15933-15942. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02104
2018
Journal Article
Polymer Nanocomposites Characterization: Atomic Layer Deposition of Metal Oxide on Nanocellulose for Enabling Microscopic Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposites (Small 46/2018)
Septevani, Athanasia A., Evans, David A. C., Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Martin, Darren J., Simonsen, John, Conley, John F. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2018). Polymer Nanocomposites Characterization: Atomic Layer Deposition of Metal Oxide on Nanocellulose for Enabling Microscopic Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposites (Small 46/2018). Small, 14 (46), 1870217. doi: 10.1002/smll.201870217
2018
Journal Article
Atomic layer deposition of metal oxide on nanocellulose for enabling microscopic characterization of polymer nanocomposites
Septevani, Athanasia A., Evans, David A. C., Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Martin, Darren J., Simonsen, John, Conley, John F. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2018). Atomic layer deposition of metal oxide on nanocellulose for enabling microscopic characterization of polymer nanocomposites. Small, 14 (46) 1803439, e1803439. doi: 10.1002/smll.201803439
2018
Journal Article
A simple methodology for improving the performance and sustainability of rigid polyurethane foam by incorporating industrial lignin
Hayati, Amir Nemati, Evans, David Alwyn Charles, Laycock, Bronwyn, Martin, Darren James and Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar (2018). A simple methodology for improving the performance and sustainability of rigid polyurethane foam by incorporating industrial lignin. Industrial Crops and Products, 117, 149-158. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.03.006
2018
Journal Article
Hybrid polyether-palm oil polyester polyol based rigid polyurethane foam reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal
Septevani, Athanasia A., Evans, David A.C., Martin, Darren J. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2018). Hybrid polyether-palm oil polyester polyol based rigid polyurethane foam reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal. Industrial Crops and Products, 112, 378-388. doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.12.032
2018
Conference Publication
Elastomers reinforcement using cellulose nanofibre
Amiralian, Nasim, Hosseinmardi, Alireza , Martine, Benoit, Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar and Martin, Darren (2018). Elastomers reinforcement using cellulose nanofibre. The 11th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials (ACCM11), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 29 July 2018 - 1 August 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Australian native Spinifex grass for improving the sustainability and performance of materials
Annamalai, Pratheep K., Amiralian, Nasim, Hosseinmardi, Alireza, Jiang, Edward and Marin, Darren (2018). Australian native Spinifex grass for improving the sustainability and performance of materials. Sixth International Conference on Natural Polymers 2018, Kottayam, 7-9 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Carbon fibre precursors based on spinifex nanofibres reinforced polyacrylonitrile composites
Jiang, Edward, Amiralian, Nasim, Laycock, Bronwyn, Martin, Darren and Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar (2018). Carbon fibre precursors based on spinifex nanofibres reinforced polyacrylonitrile composites. The 11th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials (ACCM11), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 29 July -1 August 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Influence of moisture dependency of pressboard on transformer winding clamping pressure
Naranpanawe, Lakshitha, Ekanayake, Chandima, Annamalai, Pratheep K. and Saha, Tapan Kumar (2017). Influence of moisture dependency of pressboard on transformer winding clamping pressure. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 24 (5) 8120379, 3191-3200. doi: 10.1109/TDEI.2017.006206
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low-carbon cement adoption in the Pacific
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao, Professor Daniel Franks
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Incorporating Faba Bean Protein and Brewers' Spent Grain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Plant-based Pickering emulsions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
A systematic investigation on the valorisation of carbon from sorghum biomass for energy storage materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ashok Kumar Nanjundan, Professor Darren Martin
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of Cellulose Nanofibre and Lignin Additives on the Structure and Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Spinifex Cellulose Nanofibres as a Sustainable Building Block for Carbon Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, Professor Darren Martin
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable and High Performance Rigid Polyurethane Foams Based on Lignin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, Professor Darren Martin
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Reinforcement of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites using Lignocellulosic Biomass
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nasim Amiralian, Professor Darren Martin
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable Rigid Polyurethane Foams Incorporating Natural Oil Polyol and Nanocellulose
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Cellulose nanocrystals reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin
Media
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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