An academic from the University's School of Engineering has completed a week-long visit to a leading Chinese University, where he shared his expertise on converting waste into valuable resources.
Dr. Waheed Afzal visited Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) from 22-27 August, where he presented his research into the chemical recycling of wastes including plastics and carbon capture and utilisation at two seminars.
He also discussed potential collaborations with engineering colleagues at XJTU and took time to connect with PhD students, sharing ideas on a range of subjects including carbon capture, designing effective solvents, developing gas-separation membranes, thermophysical properties for new fluids useful for the emerging processes, waste-to-energy technologies, and controlling harmful emissions from combustion systems.
Dr Afzal said: “I was delighted to discuss my research with colleagues and students at XJTU – including Professors Xiangyang Liu, Maogang He, and Ying Zhang to develop collaborations with the the MOE Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering at XJTU.
“I also visited the State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering at XJTU where Professor Hui Jin and Dr Fuxin Yang briefed me about their research on the thermal conversion of solid fuels into cleaner hydrogen and other fuels, and how we can develop collaboration within sustainability, waste engineering, and approaches to achieve net-zero emissions.
“The conversations that took place were insightful and mutually beneficial, and I hope they will lead to potential joint projects that could contribute to advancing knowledge in our respective areas of research.”