Overview
Background
I am a food scientist and chemical engineer specialising in advanced encapsulation technologies and particle engineering for the delivery of bioactive compounds. My research focuses on developing scalable solutions to improve the stability, bioavailability, and controlled release of micronutrients in food, feed, and agricultural systems.
My work sits at the interface of food science, materials engineering, and nanotechnology, with particular expertise in alginate-based materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-stabilised emulsions, and spray-drying technologies.
My research aims to bridge fundamental science with industrial application, with a strong focus on scalability, cost-effectiveness, and real-world impact. I am particularly interested in collaborating with academic and industry partners to develop next-generation delivery systems that enhance nutrition, product performance, and global food security.
Availability
- Dr Yilun Weng is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Fuels and Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University
- Masters (Coursework) of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Pickering Emulsions and Colloid Engineering
My research explores cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-stabilised Pickering emulsions for encapsulation and delivery of hydrophobic bioactives. I study structure–function relationships in colloidal systems to improve emulsion stability, prevent leakage, and enhance performance under processing and gastrointestinal conditions.
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Metal–Organic Frameworks for Food Applications
I investigate the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as emerging delivery systems for food and feed applications. My work focuses on designing food-compatible MOFs to enhance stability, control release behaviour, and enable advanced encapsulation of sensitive micronutrients under gastrointestinal and processing conditions.
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Spray Drying and Functional Powder Design
I develop spray-drying-based processes for producing stable, functional powders with improved encapsulation efficiency and retention of bioactive compounds. My work focuses on scalable formulation design, process optimisation, and translating laboratory systems into industry-compatible production technologies.
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Encapsulation and Delivery of Bioactive Compounds
My research focuses on encapsulation technologies for improving the stability, bioavailability, and controlled release of bioactive compounds such as vitamins, carotenoids, and essential oils. I develop scalable delivery systems using spray drying and emulsion-based approaches to address degradation and performance limitations in food and agricultural applications.
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Functional Coatings for Fruit Preservation
I investigate spray coating and dip coating technologies using functional edible coatings to improve postharvest stability of fresh fruits. My work focuses on developing barrier and active coatings to reduce moisture loss, oxidation, and microbial spoilage, extending shelf life while maintaining quality and nutritional value.
Research impacts
My research delivers practical solutions to improve the stability, delivery, and effectiveness of bioactive compounds in food, feed, and agricultural systems. By developing scalable encapsulation technologies, my work addresses key industry challenges including nutrient degradation, low bioavailability, and material losses during processing.
This research has direct benefits for industry and society by:
- Improving the retention and controlled release of essential nutrients (e.g. vitamins and carotenoids)
- Reducing processing losses and increasing manufacturing efficiency
- Enabling more stable and functional food and feed products
- Supporting more reliable and cost-effective fortification strategies
The impact of this work is demonstrated through:
- Contribution to research projects with a combined funding value exceeding AUD 1.2 million
- Development of scalable processes such as spray-drying-based delivery systems
- Generation of industry-relevant knowledge to support translation from laboratory to commercial production
By bridging fundamental science with real-world application, my research supports the development of next-generation nutrient delivery systems that enhance food quality, improve health outcomes, and contribute to more sustainable and efficient production systems.
Works
Search Professor Yilun Weng’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Locking in flavor: Aroma chemistry and spray drying encapsulation strategies for stable food applications
Weng, Yilun, Serrano, Thaiza, Magallanes, Karen, Bekker, Marlize and Baldelli, Alberto (2026). Locking in flavor: Aroma chemistry and spray drying encapsulation strategies for stable food applications. Food Chemistry, 513 148598, 1-21. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.148598
2026
Journal Article
Engineering acid-resistant pickering emulsions via sustainable CNC-chitosan synergy: The effect of ionic strength
Na, Yunong, Liu, Kunhao, Oguzlu, Hale, Liu, Huifan, Chen, Yi, Weng, Yilun and Baldelli, Alberto (2026). Engineering acid-resistant pickering emulsions via sustainable CNC-chitosan synergy: The effect of ionic strength. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 353 151204, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151204
2026
Journal Article
Spray drying encapsulation of β-carotene with cellulose nanocrystals: improved stability and controlled release under varying wall-material compositions and inlet temperatures
Liu, Kunhao, Na, Yunong, Magallanes Levano, Karen, Prasad, Sanstuti, Yan, Penghui, Weng, Yilun and Baldelli, Alberto (2026). Spray drying encapsulation of β-carotene with cellulose nanocrystals: improved stability and controlled release under varying wall-material compositions and inlet temperatures. Journal of Food Engineering 113126, 113126. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2026.113126
2026
Journal Article
Transparent and water-resistant edible coatings for sustainable post-harvest preservation of banana
Weng, Yilun, Zhu, Yan, Ren, Yue, Oguzlu, Hale, Shewan, Heather and Baldelli, Alberto (2026). Transparent and water-resistant edible coatings for sustainable post-harvest preservation of banana. Sustainable Food Technology, 4 (2), 1953-1966. doi: 10.1039/d5fb00804b
2025
Journal Article
Promotion Effects of Zr, Na, K, and Mn on Encapsulated Fe@Si Catalysts for CO 2 Hydrogenation
Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Konarova, Muxina, Vogrin, John, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Weng, Yilun, Ma, Beibei, Wang, Juntao and Zhu, Zhonghua (2025). Promotion Effects of Zr, Na, K, and Mn on Encapsulated Fe@Si Catalysts for CO 2 Hydrogenation. Energy & Fuels, 39 (50), 23846-23855. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c05577
2025
Journal Article
Spray drying vitamin B12: Innovations in encapsulation for functional foods
Magallanes Levano, Karen Johana, Weng, Yilun and Baldelli, Alberto (2025). Spray drying vitamin B12: Innovations in encapsulation for functional foods. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 165 105316, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2025.105316
2025
Journal Article
Exploiting the geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate-sensing N-terminal domain of HMG-CoA reductase 2 to regulate farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (Erg20p) for improved monoterpene production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Lu, Zeyu, Evans, Samuel, McDonnell, Liam, Bandari, Naga Chandra, Weng, Yilun, Jin, Wanli, Speight, Robert, Schenk, Gerhard, Howard, Christopher B., Vickers, Claudia E. and Peng, Bingyin (2025). Exploiting the geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate-sensing N-terminal domain of HMG-CoA reductase 2 to regulate farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (Erg20p) for improved monoterpene production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast, 42 (8-10), 169-180. doi: 10.1002/yea.4005
2025
Journal Article
Advances in lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis and catalytic upgrading for sustainable biofuel production: process design strategies and reaction rationales
Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Ge, Lei, Weng, Yilun, Ma, Beibei, Wang, Juntao, Konarova, Muxina, Zhao, Guangyu, Kennedy, Eric M., Zhu, Zhonghua and Stockenhuber, Michael (2025). Advances in lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis and catalytic upgrading for sustainable biofuel production: process design strategies and reaction rationales. Green Chemistry, 27 (35), 10444-10477. doi: 10.1039/d5gc02199e
2025
Journal Article
Recent advances in heterogeneous catalysts for biocrude hydrodeoxygenation
Yan, Penghui, Kennedy, Eric M., Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Weng, Yilun, Peng, Hong, Ma, Beibei, Zhu, Zhonghua and Stockenhuber, Michael (2025). Recent advances in heterogeneous catalysts for biocrude hydrodeoxygenation. Green Chemistry, 27 (13), 3375-3397. doi: 10.1039/d4gc05059b
2025
Journal Article
Optimizing microalgae bioprocessing and digestibility: spraying techniques for drying and encapsulation
Baldelli, Alberto, Weng, Yilun, Prakash, Sangeeta and Bhandari, Bhesh (2025). Optimizing microalgae bioprocessing and digestibility: spraying techniques for drying and encapsulation. Food Bioscience, 68 106288. doi: 10.1016/j.fbio.2025.106288
2024
Journal Article
Critical role of nanomaterial mechanical properties in drug delivery, nanovaccines and beyond
Hui, Yue, Liu, Yun, Yang, Guangze, Weng, Yilun, Hou, Fei, Wang, Xing, Fang, Sheng, Gao, Huajian and Zhao, Chun‐Xia (2024). Critical role of nanomaterial mechanical properties in drug delivery, nanovaccines and beyond. Advanced Materials, 37 (7) 2413779, 1-37. doi: 10.1002/adma.202413779
2024
Conference Publication
Spray drying synthesis of alginate particles for enzyme encapsulation
Weng, Yilun (2024). Spray drying synthesis of alginate particles for enzyme encapsulation. Asian Particle Technology Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 1-4 December 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Design of stimuli-responsive minimalist heptad surfactants for stable emulsions
Li, Yang, Weng, Yilun, Hui, Yue, Wang, Jiaqi, Xu, Letao, Yang, Yang, Yang, Guangze and Zhao, Chun-Xia (2024). Design of stimuli-responsive minimalist heptad surfactants for stable emulsions. Communications Materials, 5 (1) 229, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s43246-024-00670-6
2024
Journal Article
Unlocking the role of Ni-Fe species in CO2 methanation
Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Zhang, Xi, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Ahmed, Mohamed, Weng, Yilun, Rozhkovskaya, Alexandra, Vogrin, John, Konarova, Muxina and Zhu, Zhonghua (2024). Unlocking the role of Ni-Fe species in CO2 methanation. Fuel, 374 132373, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132373
2024
Journal Article
Rapid room-temperature synthesis of biocompatible metal–organic framework for enzyme immobilization with improved stability and on-demand release
Weng, Yilun, Yan, Penghui, Sun, Baode, Wan, Andria, You, Jiakang, Xu, Xin, Lu, Zeyu, Stewart, Glen A., Chen, Xiaojing, Song, Hao and Zhao, Chun-Xia (2024). Rapid room-temperature synthesis of biocompatible metal–organic framework for enzyme immobilization with improved stability and on-demand release. Chemical Engineering Journal, 497 154471, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.154471
2024
Journal Article
Enzyme encapsulation in metal-organic frameworks using spray drying for enhanced stability and controlled release: a case study of phytase
Weng, Yilun, Xu, Xin, Yan, Penghui, You, Jiakang, Chen, Xiaojing, Song, Hao and Zhao, Chun-Xia (2024). Enzyme encapsulation in metal-organic frameworks using spray drying for enhanced stability and controlled release: a case study of phytase. Food Chemistry, 452 139533, 139533. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139533
2024
Other Outputs
Engineering encapsulation technology for enzyme immobilization
Weng, Yilun (2024). Engineering encapsulation technology for enzyme immobilization. PhD Thesis, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/a1d68df
2024
Journal Article
Mechanistic study on phytase stabilization using alginate encapsulation
Weng, Yilun, Sun, Baode, Jin, Wanli, Yan, Penghui, Chen, Xiaojing, Song, Hao and Zhao, Chun-Xia (2024). Mechanistic study on phytase stabilization using alginate encapsulation. Food Hydrocolloids, 151 109837, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.109837
2024
Journal Article
Impact of varied zeolite materials on nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation
Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Wu, Xuankun, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Weng, Yilun, Konarova, Muxina, Vogrin, John, Rozhkovskaya, Alexandra and Zhu, Zhonghua (2024). Impact of varied zeolite materials on nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation. Journal of Catalysis, 432 115439, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2024.115439
2024
Journal Article
Boosting Enzyme Activity in Enzyme Metal–Organic Framework Composites
Weng, Yilun, Chen, Rui, Hui, Yue, Chen, Dong and Zhao, Chun-Xia (2024). Boosting Enzyme Activity in Enzyme Metal–Organic Framework Composites. Chem & Bio Engineering, 1 (2), 99-112. doi: 10.1021/cbe.3c00091
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Yilun Weng is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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