Study level

  • Honours

Faculty/School

Faculty of Engineering

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Supervisors

Professor Yang Liu
Position
Professor and Chair of Sustainable Water Technologies
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Dr Kenn Lu
Position
Research Fellow in Microbial Ecology and Wastewater Microbiology
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Engineering

External supervisors

  • Dr Xin Zou, Visiting Research Fellow

Overview

Have you ever wondered how we deal with harmful pollutants like PFAS, the so-called 'forever chemicals'? PFAS are found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam, but they don’t break down in the environment. Over time, they build up in water, soil, and even our food, creating serious risks for human health and ecosystems.

Managing PFAS is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Traditional methods to remove them are expensive and can produce more waste, so we need smarter, more sustainable solutions. This project focuses on creating bio-additives—special microorganisms that can naturally break down PFAS. By working on this cutting-edge technology, you’ll help develop an innovative, eco-friendly way to manage PFAS contamination and protect the environment.

Research activities

  • Isolate microorganisms that can remove PFAS from waste.
  • Conduct lab experiments to measure how well the bio-additives work.
  • Analyse results to understand how to improve PFAS treatment.

Outcomes

  • Hands-on experience in environmental engineering and biotechnology.
  • Skills in growing microorganisms, running experiments, and analysing results.
  • The chance to work on solutions for a major environmental challenge.

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.