Smart Biocomposite Materials

Ts. Dr. Md Rezaur Rahman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Malaysia. Since 2012, he has also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering, Tokushima University, Japan. His academic journey includes experience as a teaching assistant at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and as a Research Project Leader under the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. In 2015, he was appointed as an External Supervisor at the Faculty of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Rahman holds a Ph.D. from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and brings over 12 years of experience in teaching, research, and industry collaboration. His research expertise spans conducting polymers, nanocomposites, and advanced materials, including graphene, nanoclay, fire retardants, and nanocellulose-reinforced polymer composites. He has made significant contributions to the development of hybrid-filled polymer blends and the chemical modification of lignocellulosic fibers such as jute, coir, and kenaf. To date, Dr. Rahman has authored seven books, 20 book chapters, and over 200 articles in international journals, establishing himself as a prominent researcher in polymer science and nanotechnology. He is also listed in Stanford University's Top 2% Scientists list of the world's most cited scientists. Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington State University (WSU). He specializes in materials and mechanical engineering. He holds a BEng (2014), MEng (2016), and PhD (2018) from Swinburne University of Technology. His research focuses on developing composites making them durable by improving their interfacial interaction and stability of composites through advanced thermal and chemical treatments. His research also emphasizes bio-composites for sustainable and economically viable applications. He also has published over 279 scholarly works, including journal articles, book chapters, newspaper/bulletin, and conference proceedings, focusing on his expertise in wood composites, bio-composites, biomaterials, and wastewater treatment. Previously, Dr. Khusairy worked as a Research Fellow at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) from 2019-2021. During that time, he has collaborated with many researchers through international research projects across Malaysia and abroad. He is also certified as a Graduate Engineer and Professional Technologist under the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT). He is a lifelong member of the Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (APTT) located in Sarawak, Malaysia. Dr. Khusairy has received worldwide recognition, having been nominated and selected as a finalist for the Swinburne Alumni Impact Awards in 2022, and was included in Successful People in Malaysia 2023.