
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
2011
Journal Article
Studies on the feasibility of recycled polystyrene doped with NLO active meta-Nitroaniline for optoelectronics applications
Sureshkumar, M. S., Goyal, R. K., Negi, Y. S., Pratheepkumar, A., Reddy, K. Raghunatha, Singh, R. P., Dadge, J. W. and Aiyer, R. C. (2011). Studies on the feasibility of recycled polystyrene doped with NLO active meta-Nitroaniline for optoelectronics applications. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 22 (12), 1865-1871. doi: 10.1002/pat.1685
2011
Journal Article
Kinetics of mass transfer during vapour-induced phase separation (VIPS) process and its influence on poly-(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane structure and surface morphology
Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar, Pochat-Bohatier, Celine, Bouyer, Denis, Li, Chia-Ling, Deratani, Andre and Wang, Da-Ming (2011). Kinetics of mass transfer during vapour-induced phase separation (VIPS) process and its influence on poly-(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane structure and surface morphology. Desalination and Water Treatment, 34 (1-3), 204-210. doi: 10.5004/dwt.2011.2809
2011
Journal Article
Bioinspired mechanically adaptive polymer nanocomposites with water-activated shape-memory effect
Mendez, Julie, Annamalai, Pratheep K., Eichhorn, Stephen J., Rusli, Rafeadah, Rowan, Stuart J., Foster, E. Johan and Weder, Christoph (2011). Bioinspired mechanically adaptive polymer nanocomposites with water-activated shape-memory effect. Macromolecules, 44 (17), 6827-6835. doi: 10.1021/ma201502k
2011
Book Chapter
Commercial aspects associated with bionanocomposites
Lonkar, S.P., Kumar, A.P. and Singh, R.P. (2011). Commercial aspects associated with bionanocomposites. Nanocomposites with Biodegradable Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Future Perspectives. (pp. 400-419) edited by Vikas Mittal. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199581924.003.0016
2011
Book Chapter
Biopolymeric nanocomposites as environment benign materials
Annamalai, P.K. and Singh, R.P. (2011). Biopolymeric nanocomposites as environment benign materials. Cellulose Fibers: Bio- and Nano-Polymer Composites. (pp. 519-535) edited by Susheel Kalia, B. S. Kaith and Inderjeet Kaur. Verlag, Germany: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-17370-7_20
2011
Conference Publication
Bio-Inspired Mechanically-Adaptive Polymer - Cellulose Nanofiber Nanocomposites,
Pratheep Kumar Annamalai, Mehdi Jorfi, Mahesh Biyani, E Johan Foster and Christoph Weder (2011). Bio-Inspired Mechanically-Adaptive Polymer - Cellulose Nanofiber Nanocomposites,. NanoEvent, Fribourg, Switzerland, 22 November 2011.
2010
Journal Article
Preparation and characterization of bioceramic nanocomposites based on hydroxyapatite (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)
Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep, Mohaideen, Kamal Khaja, Alariqi, Sameh A. S. and Singh, Raj Pal (2010). Preparation and characterization of bioceramic nanocomposites based on hydroxyapatite (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Macromolecular Research, 18 (12), 1160-1167. doi: 10.1007/s13233-010-1208-3
2010
Conference Publication
Kinetics of mass transfer kinetics during vapour-induced phase separation (VIPS) and its influence on PVDF membrane surface morphology
Annamalai, Pratheep Kumar , Pochat-Bohatier, Celine , Bouyer, Denis , Li, Chan Ming , Deratani, Andre and Wang, Da Ming (2010). Kinetics of mass transfer kinetics during vapour-induced phase separation (VIPS) and its influence on PVDF membrane surface morphology. 6th conference of the Aseanian Membrane Society in conjunction with the 7th International Membrane Science and Technology Conference (AMS6/IMSTEC 10), Sydney, NSW., Australia, 22-26 November 2010. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
2009
Journal Article
Single Step Synthesis and Properties of M/MFe2O4 and PVDF/M/MFe2O4 (M= Co, Ni) Magnetic Nanocomposites
Deka, Sasanka, Joy, P. A. and Kumar, A. Pratheep (2009). Single Step Synthesis and Properties of M/MFe2O4 and PVDF/M/MFe2O4 (M= Co, Ni) Magnetic Nanocomposites. Science of Advanced Materials, 1 (3), 262-268. doi: 10.1166/sam.2009.1053
2009
Journal Article
Effect of γ-dose rate on crystallinity and morphological changes of γ-sterilized biomedical polypropylene
Slariqi, Sameh A. S, Kumar, A. Pratheep, Rao, B. S. M. and Singh, R. P. (2009). Effect of γ-dose rate on crystallinity and morphological changes of γ-sterilized biomedical polypropylene. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 94 (2), 272-277. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2008.10.027
2009
Journal Article
Cell proliferation and controlled drug release studies of nanohybrids based on chitosan-g-lactic acid and montmorillonite
Depan, Dilip, Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep and Singh, Raj Pal (2009). Cell proliferation and controlled drug release studies of nanohybrids based on chitosan-g-lactic acid and montmorillonite. Acta Biomaterialia, 5 (1), 93-100. doi: 10.1016/j.aetbio.2008.08.007
2008
Journal Article
Biocomposites of cellulose reinforced starch: improvement of properties by photo-induced crosslinking
Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep and Singh, Raj Pal (2008). Biocomposites of cellulose reinforced starch: improvement of properties by photo-induced crosslinking. Bioresource Technology, 99 (18), 8803-8809. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.04.045
2007
Journal Article
Photo-stabilization of EPDM-clay nanocomposites: effect of antioxidant on the preparation and durability
Lonkar, S.P., Kumar, A.P. and Singh, R.P. (2007). Photo-stabilization of EPDM-clay nanocomposites: effect of antioxidant on the preparation and durability. Polymers For Advanced Technologies, 18 (11), 891-900. doi: 10.1002/pat.925
2007
Journal Article
Novel hybrid of clay, cellulose, and thermoplastics. I. Preparation and characterization of composites of ethylene-propylene copolymer
Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep and Singh, Raj Pal (2007). Novel hybrid of clay, cellulose, and thermoplastics. I. Preparation and characterization of composites of ethylene-propylene copolymer. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 104 (4), 2672-2680. doi: 10.1002/app.25659
2007
Journal Article
Stabilization of γ-sterilized biomedical polyolefins by synergistic mixtures of oligomeric stabilizers. Part II. Polypropylene matrix
Alariqi, Sameh A. S., Kumar, A. Pratheep, Rao, B. S. M. and Singh, R. P. (2007). Stabilization of γ-sterilized biomedical polyolefins by synergistic mixtures of oligomeric stabilizers. Part II. Polypropylene matrix. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 92 (2), 299-309. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2006.10.010
2006
Journal Article
Stabilization of γ-sterilized biomedical polyolefins by synergistic mixtures of oligomeric stabilizers
Alariqi, Sameh. A. S., Kumar, A. Pratheep, Rao, B. S. M., Tevtia, Amit K. and Singh, R. P. (2006). Stabilization of γ-sterilized biomedical polyolefins by synergistic mixtures of oligomeric stabilizers. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 91 (10), 2451-2464. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2006.03.010
2006
Journal Article
Preparation and characterization of novel hybrid of chitosan-g-lactic acid and montmorillonite
Depart, Dilip, Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep and Singh, Raj Pal (2006). Preparation and characterization of novel hybrid of chitosan-g-lactic acid and montmorillonite. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part a, 78 (2), 372-382. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.30738
2006
Journal Article
Photo-/Bio-degradability of agro waste and ethylene-propylene copolymers composites under abiotic and biotic environments
Kumar, A. Pratheep, Pandey, Jitendra K., Kumar, Bijendra and Singh, R. P. (2006). Photo-/Bio-degradability of agro waste and ethylene-propylene copolymers composites under abiotic and biotic environments. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 14 (2), 203-212. doi: 10.1007/s10924-006-0012-9
2006
Journal Article
Biodegradation of γ-sterilised biomedical polyolefins under composting and fungal culture environments
Alariqi, SAS, Kumar, AP, Rao, BSM and Singh, RP (2006). Biodegradation of γ-sterilised biomedical polyolefins under composting and fungal culture environments. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 91 (5), 1105-1116. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2005.07.004
2005
Journal Article
Durability of natural fiber-reinforced composites of ethylene-propylene copolymer under accelerated weathering and composting conditions
Kumar, AP, Depan, D and Singh, RP (2005). Durability of natural fiber-reinforced composites of ethylene-propylene copolymer under accelerated weathering and composting conditions. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 18 (6), 489-508. doi: 10.1177/0892705705054411
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Pratheep Kumar Annamalai is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Plant-based Pickering emulsions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari, Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
-
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and functional properties of plant-based cream emulsions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari, Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low-carbon cement adoption in the Pacific
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao, Professor Daniel Franks
-
Doctor Philosophy
Low-carbon cement adoption in the Pacific
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Franks
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable plant-based meat alternatives
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari, Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
Completed supervision
-
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
Sustainable and High Performance Rigid Polyurethane Foams Based on Lignin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, 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
Reinforcement of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites using Lignocellulosic Biomass
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr 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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