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Current Members
Research Staff:
Current PhD candidates:
Alumni
Dr. Raffaella Mammucari (Lab Manager / Senior Researcher)
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at University of Naples "Federico II" 1998
PhD UNSW
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| Main Research |
Formulation of Cyclodextrins' inclusion complexes by SCF
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| Work Experience |
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Jane Chau Chun Beh (PhD Student)
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, UNSW, 2007
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| Project Title |
Formation of Vescicles by Dense Gas Processing
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| Project Description |
Liposome and polymersome are vesicles composed by natural phospholipids and synthetic polymer respectively. Vesicle contains a membrane that consists of bilayer hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. Liposome had been used as carrier system especially for therapeutic drugs since decades ago, and several liposomal products are currently on market. Vesicle increases the bioavailability of active pharmaceutical compounds, reduces their toxicity, and increases the residence time in the body. Polymersome has better resistance to degradation due to its polymer composition, which could be functional to drug targeting; in fact longer circulation time can increase the ability of drug loaded vesicles to hit their target in the body. Apart from stability, polymersome is more robust under strain and less permeable to water than liposome. The dense gas process, referred to as Depressurization of an Expanded Solution into Aqueous Media (DESAM) is a fast and single-step production method operating at moderated pressures and temperatures, which is used in this study to produce vesicles. Drugs encapsulation will be investigated as well.
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| Presentations |
C.C. Beh, R. Mammucari, N. Foster. Formation of Vesicles by the Depressurization of an Expanded Solution Into Aqueous Media Process. 9th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids (ISSF 2009), Arcachon, France - May 2009
Jane C.C. Beh, Raffaella Mammucari, and Neil R. Foster. Formation of Vesicles by Dense Gas Processing. International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN 2008), Melbourne - February 2008
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Luu Thai Danh (PhD Student)
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
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PhD (2006 to present)
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M.Sci. (Molecular Biology), Belgium, 2004
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Bachelor of Agricultural Science,University of Queensland, 2000
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| Project Title |
Development of process for purification of α and β vetivone from Vetiver essential oil and investigation of effect of heavy metals on quality and quantity of extracted Vetiver oil
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| Project Description |
Since the ancient time, Vetiver grass has been used as a fragant material and in traditional medicine because its roots contain essential oils that have aromatic and biological properties. Recently, α and β vetivone of vetiver essential oil are found to possess antioxidant and insecticidal activity. These compunds have great potential of industrial application. Furthermore, Vetiver grass is not only grown for oil extraction but also for phytoremediaton of heavy metal contaminated soils. In addition, all commercial extraction and research of Vetiver essential oil are based on the commercial variety of Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanioides, no studies are carried out on essential oils extracted from other Vetiver species, such as native Vetiver specices. Therefore, in this study, we will develop method based on supercritical fluid extraction and fractionation to purify α and β vetivone, investigate the effect of heavy metals on quality and quatity of Vetiver essential oil as well as study the yield and chemical composition of 3 Australian native Vetiver grass.
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| Conference Attended |
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The fourth international conference on Vetiver, ICV4. Caracas, Venezuela - October 2006
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The third international vetiver conference, ICV3. Guangzhou, China - Otober 2003
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| Posters or Abstracts |
- Le Viet Dung, Luu Thai Danh, Le Thanh Phong and Paul Truong (2003). Vetiver System for Wave and Current Erosion Control in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam . Proceedings of the third international vetiver conference, ICV3. Guangzhou, China - October 2003.
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L. V. Dung, L.T. Phong, L.T. Danh and N. V. Mi. Applications And Socio-Economic Impacts Of The Vetiver System In The Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The fourth international conference on Vetiver, ICV4. Caracas, Venezuela - October 2006
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Luu Thai Danh, L. Phong, L. Dung and P. Truong.Wastewater Treatment At A Seafood Processing Factory In The Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The fourth international conference on Vetiver, ICV4. Caracas, Venezuela - October 2006
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| Awards |
TVN Award, 2003
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
- PhD (2007 to present)
- B.E. (Chemical) - University of Sydney
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| Project Title |
Subcritical water as a novel processing medium for the manufacturing of micronized biomaterials
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| Work Experience |
- 2006, Qenos on USYD Scholarship Project (MIPPS)
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| Project Description |
This project looks into investigating whether subcritical water may be used as a processing fluid for pharmaceuticals. Subcritical water has been used for extractions of bio-active compounds for neutraceuticals. Examples include anti-oxidants from oregano, essential oils from Thymbra Spicata, damnacanthal from noni roots, and proteins from various other sources. These examples have shown that, not only are high recoveries possible, but that degradation of functional activity due hydrolysis of the active structure was not an issue. It therefore seemed plausible to use subcritical water to dissolve a number of pharmaceuticals and attempt to increase the bioavailability of the compounds (via micronization or encapsulation).
This was to be achieved using a bottom-up type process. By dissolving a number of model pharmaceuticals in water, and triggering a rapid precipitation of said compounds, particles of micron-nano size with narrow particle size distributions may be possible. The process is similar in many ways to a supercritical anti-sovent type system. However this method does not rely in the intense change in density and permeability of SC-CO2, but rather relies on the changing polarity of water with temperatures change. The project has already demonstrated that micronization of crystalline pharmaceuticals is possible, and that particle with narrow particle size distribution may be achieved. A range of pharmaceuticals (anti-inflammatories, anti-cancers, analgesics, and stimulants) are being trialled using this method currently, with promising results.
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| Awards |
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| Presentations |
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AICHE 2007 annual meeting, Subcritical Water as a Novel Fluid for Pharmaceutical Processing and Drug Delivery Formulation
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ICONN 2008, Subcritical water as an innovative green fluid for the manufacturing of micronized biomaterials
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
- PhD (2008 to present)
- MPhil (Engineering for Sustainable Development) - University of Cambridge 2005/06
- B.E. (Hons.Chemical) - Universiti Kebangsaan Malayasia 2001
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| Project Title |
Nanomedicine applications using dense gas technology
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| Past Projects |
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Assessment of the WEEE Directive and its Implementation in the UK, and Implications for Precious Metals using Sustainability Criteria. 2006
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Aplikasi Teori Larutan Cair (Dilute Solution Theory) di dalam Meramalkan Kebolehlarutan Bahan Organik di dalam Bendalir Superkritikal (translated: Application of the Dilute Solution Theory in Predicting the Solubility of Organic Compounds in Supercritical Fluids). 2001
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| Publications |
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M. Markom, Teoh Wen Hui. 2007. Solution predictability of low volatile solutes in supercritical carbon dioxide in the absence of saturation pressure data. Journal of Supercritical Fluids 40 (2007) 170-175
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M. Markom, W.H. Teoh, W.R. Wan Daud. 2002. Saturation Pressure Estimation of Low Volatile Organic Compounds in Supercritical Fluids. Asia Pacific Conference on Chemical Engineering (APPCChe) 2002
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Wen Hui Teoh and Masturah Markom. 2001. Predicting the Solubility of Solutes in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Using Dilute Solution Theory in the Absence of Saturation Pressure Data. 15th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers SOMChe 2001.
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| Work Experience |
1. Dec 2006 - August 2008: Lecturer, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
2. August 2001 - Sept 2005 : Research and Development Executive , Asahi Chemical Research Lab
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| Awards |
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Wendy Lam (Alumni -PhD submitted 2009)
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
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| Project Title |
Production of Magnetically Responsive Biodevice by Dense Gas Technology
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| Work Experience |
- Fonterra NZ, Technology in Industry Fellowship, Junior Technologist, Dec 2004- Feb 2005
- GMP Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Production Technologist, Auckland, Dec 2003- Feb 2004
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| Project Description |
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have gained an important role in recent developments in drug targeting, cancer therapy and biomedical imaging. Intense research efforts have been directed toward the application of SPIONs as drug carriers in magnetic drug targeting, as heating mediators in hyperthermia treatments and as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. Surface modification of SPION is required to improve their stability, biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy. Surface modification of SPION is usually achieved by applying a biocompatible polymeric coating. Current coating processes for SPION involve in-situ polymerization of deposited monomers. In situ-polymerization presents the drawbacks of presence of residual solvents in the final product and need of intensive post-processing. The dense gas technology can be an attractive option to conventional coating processes for SPION. The technology of dense gases is able to generate solvent-free products by applying single-step processes. Moreover, it has a proven ability to produce micron size particles with narrow particle size distribution, which is a critical aspect in different biomedical applications of SPIONs
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| Publications |
1. Lam, U. T., Mammucari, R., Suzuki, K., and Foster, N. R., Processing of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Supercritical Fluids. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2008, 47, (3), p.599-614
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| Presentations |
1. Production of Magnetically Responsive Biodevices by Dense Gas Technology.
Oral presentation in the Australian Research Network for Advanced Materials (ARNAM) Annual Workshop (2007), Kiola, Australia
2. Processing of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by the Dense Gas Technology. Oral presentation in the AiChE Annual Meeting (2007), Salt Lake City , USA
3. Processing of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by the Dense Gas Technology. Oral presentation in the 2008 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Melbourne, Australia
4. Production of magnetically and pH responsive biodevices by dense gas technology. Conference Proceeding. The 11th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids (2008), Barcelona, Spain |
| Awards |
Faculty Research Scholar 2005, University of Auckland
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Roshan Yoganathan (Alumni -PhD submitted 2009)
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Contact
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
- PhD (2006-present)
- M. Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, 2005
- B. Applied Science (Biomedical Option), University of Toronto, 2004
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| Project Title |
Dense Gas Synthesis and Novel Processing of Biomaterials
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| Project Description |
Dense gas technology (DGT) employs fluids at or near their critical point and exploits their liquid-like density and gas-like mass transfer properties to provide a more controlled and efficient method of processing polymers. Conventional methods of processing polymers have limitations such as high viscosity, low diffusivity and use of toxic and hazardous chemicals. In this work, the feasibility of using DGT for the production of biocompatible polymer blends is investigated. In the field of biomedical engineering the use of polymer blends is highly desired for their unique properties. Polymer blends possess unique properties which are intermediate to the components. Dense gas technology provides a green and often non-laborious method of creating these blends without the additional stages of purification and extraction. A polymer blend of a physically strong biocompatible polymer and a biodegradable polymer can offer distinctive advantages for prosthetic applications compared to the use of one single polymer |
| Past Projects |
- Impregnation of polyurethane nanocomposites with a model drug via dense gas (Supervisors: A/Prof L.A. Poole-Warren, A/Prof F. Dehghani and Prof. Neil. R. Foster, 2005)
- Simulating the paramagnetic effects of oxygen on the NMR spectroscopy of the SLAM-associated-protein (SAP) (Supervisor: Dr. R.S. Prosser, 2004)
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| Work Experience |
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2007 - Present, SCF Website Administrator
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2007 - Present, Private Maths and Science Tutor (yr4-11), SEC
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2007, ChSE Website Editor ,ChSE IT Team
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2004, Student Engineer, Wardrop Engineering (Consulting)
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2000, Clinical Research Assistant, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children
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| Awards |
1. 2003 University of Toronto Entrepeneurial Design representative at Canadian Engineering Competition
1. 2000 Lorimer Scholarship
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| Posters |
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Roderick Sih (Alumni - graduated 2008)
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Contact Info
Rm 213, Applied Science Building
Ph: (02) 9385 5575
Fax: (02) 9385 5966
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| Education |
- PhD in Chemical Engineering (2008), UNSW
- Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (2003), UNSW
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (1996), Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore
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| Project Title |
New Process Development of Dense Gas Technology for the Processing of Pharmaceuticals
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| Project Description |
The Atomized Rapid Injection for Solvent Extraction (ARISE) process employs the energized rapid release of organic solutions and the anti-solvent capability of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) to effect the precipitation of pharmaceutical compounds from organic solvents. The ARISE process exploits a pressure differential and rapid injection techniques to energetically atomize organic solutions into a vessel containing scCO2 without the use of capillary nozzles. By harnessing the inertia of the organic solution to intensify mixing, a more homogeneous distribution of organic solution can be achieved for precipitation to occur within the entire vessel containing scCO2. Improvements to process design have contributed to shorter operating times and hence higher process throughput, enhanced process scalability and the ability to generate powders of superior aerodynamic performance. |
| Past Projects |
- Re-engineering of a beta-2-agonist with Dense Gas Technology.
- Re-engineering and co-formulation of a lipid-lowering agent with Dense Gas Technology.
- Selective extraction of solvated and non-solvated compounds from a solid matrix with mechanically assisted carbon dioxide mobilization.
- Viscosity Measurements of two-phase multi-component Dense Gas Systems.
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| Presentations, publications and Posters |
- Measurement of the Liquid Viscosity of CO2/Methanol Expanded Solvent Systems
Poster Presentation, 7th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids (2005) Orlando
- Development of a New Particle Formation Process Using Dense Gas Technology - Atomized Rapid Injection for Solvent Extraction (ARISE)
Oral Presentation, 8th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids (2006) Kyoto.
- Visualization and Conception of the Atomized Rapid Injection for Solvent Extraction (ARISE) Process for the Production of Highly Respirable Powders
Oral Presentation, 2007 AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City.
- Liquid Viscosity Measurements on CO2 Expanded Solvent Systems using a Falling Weight Viscometer
Oral Presentation, 2007 AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City.
- Foster, N. R., and Sih, R., Particle Formation. Australian Provisional Patent 2006/905571 dated 6th October 2006.
- Foster, N. R., and Sih, R., Particle Formation. PCT International Application PCT/AU2007/001515 dated 5th October 2007.
- Sih, R., Dehghani, F., and Foster, N.R., Viscosity Measurements on Gas Expanded Liquid Systems. Methanol and Carbon Dioxide. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 2007. 41(1) pages 148-157.
- Sih, R., Armenti, M., Mammucari, R., Dehghani, F., and Foster, N.R., Viscosity Measurements on Saturated Gas-Expanded Liquid Systems. Ethanol and Carbon Dioxide. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 2008. 43(3) pages 460-468.
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| Work Experience |
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Eiffel Technologies Limited, Sydney
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Shell Eastern Petroleum Limited, Singapore
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Singapore Armed Forces (1st Guards Battalion)
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| Awards |
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Best Performance in Workshop Technology and Materials 1993
Conferred by Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore.
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Best Performance in Advanced Machine Shop Practice 1995
Conferred by Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore.
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Letter Of Commendation for Excellent Performance and the Fostering of Good Internal and External Relationships
Conferred by: 1st Battalion Singapore Guards, Singapore Armed Forces, 1998
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