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Dr Nasim Amiralian

Senior Research Fellow

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
n.amiralian@uq.edu.au
+61 7 344 31296

Overview

I am Group Leader of Bio-inspired Materials Research and Chair of the Gender Equity and Diversity Commission at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland. My pioneering research uses a nanocellulose platform technology to develop innovative materials for diverse applications, including biodegradable packaging materials, protective medical textiles, and biocomposites. The application of nanocellulose for advanced materials is gaining interest internationally, and my vision is to capitalise on this momentum to spearhead research into new sustainable products that will have global impact.

I am a strong advocate for cultural diversity and equity and support staff and students to grow as more effective leaders and create social good.

In recognition of my contribution to the field of nanomaterials engineering and research excellence, I have received a number of awards including; The Eight Australian Women Who Are Shaking up the World Of Science (Marie Claire, 2020), one of Australia’s Top 5 Scientists (ABC/UNSW, 2018), Queensland Women in STEM Prize- judges choice award (2017), Women in Technology Life Sciences and/or Infotech Rising Star Award (2016), AIBN Research Excellence Award (2016), a Class of 2014 Future Leader award and Best poster prize at the Australian Nanotechnology Network ECR Entrepreneurship workshop(2015).

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Publications

View all Publications

Grants

View all Grants

Supervision

  • Nanocellulose-based conductive polymer brush materials

    Doctor Philosophy

  • Biodegradable medical textiles

    Doctor Philosophy

  • Nanocellulose-based hydrogel for flexible electronic applications

    Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • Intelligent medical textiles

    This research project advances our sustainable medical textiles stream to develop intelligent textiles that contain bioactive nanofiber and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials to detect the virus and bacteria and disinfect them. The visionary approach of this concept is based on the possibility of developing a new generation of medical textiles with synergistically combined chemically driven and light-assisted self-disinfection properties. The key in this research direction is the development of low-cost surface functionalities and textile design to enable sustainable industrial development.

  • Biodegradable medical textile

    Single-use plastic causes severe health and environmental impacts. It accounts for 25% of all waste generated by hospitals, which ends up in landfill and breaks down into tiny particles (microplastics) that cause severe health issues. Fossil fuel combustion to produce plastics is also a major contributor to air pollution-related deaths. This research aims to harness nature-derived materials to develop sustainable protective nonwoven fabrics for medical clothing such as PPE (face masks and medical gowns), filters (air and water), and wipes. Expected outcomes will transform the way we manufacture, use, and dispose of these materials.

  • Sustainable biosensors

    Conductive hydrogel is a 3D structural gel with high water content and electrically conductive materials e.g. metallic nanoparticles. This research aims to develop a reliable approach for making a new generation of conductive hydrogels that can serve as building blocks for bioelectronic devices in personalised healthcare and other bioengineering areas, including electronic skins, body matched antennas, and biosensors. This research focuses on the development of a system that demonstrates synergistic outstanding mechanical performance and electrical conductivity, which is currently a significant challenge in the field. Thus, this work is expected to create new paradigms for hydrogel materials fabrication with infinite applications.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Book Chapter

  • Learning about nanotechnology and spinifex grass

    Saltmere, Colin, Memmott, Paul and Amiralian, Nasim (2022). Learning about nanotechnology and spinifex grass. Indigenous engineering for an enduring culture. (pp. 377-388) edited by Cat Kutay, Elyssebeth Leigh, Juliana Kaya Prpic and Lyndon Ormond-Parker. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

  • Nanotechnology and the Dreamtime knowledge of spinifex grass

    Memmott, Paul, Martin, Darren and Amiralian, Nasim (2017). Nanotechnology and the Dreamtime knowledge of spinifex grass. Green composites. (pp. 181-198) edited by Caroline Baillie and Randika Jayasinghe. Duxford, United Kingdom: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-100783-9.00008-3

  • Biopolymeric nanocomposites reinforced with nanocrystalline cellulose

    Jorfi, Mehdi, Amiralian, Nasim, Biyani, Mahesh V. and Annamalai, Pratheep K. (2013). Biopolymeric nanocomposites reinforced with nanocrystalline cellulose. Biomass-based biocomposites. (pp. 277-304) Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom: Smithers Rapra Technology.

  • Circular and ribbon-like silk fibroin nanofibers

    Amiralian, N. and Nouri, M. (2013). Circular and ribbon-like silk fibroin nanofibers. Research in novel materials. (pp. 191-206) edited by Rafiqul Islam. New York, United States: Nova Science Publishers.

  • Circular and ribbon-like silk fibroin nanofibers by electrospinning process

    Amiralian, N. and Nouri, M. (2009). Circular and ribbon-like silk fibroin nanofibers by electrospinning process. Electrospun Nanofibers Research: Recent Developments. (pp. 279-296) edited by A.K. Haghi. New York, NY, United States: Nova Science Publishers.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Other Outputs

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Intelligent medical textiles

    This research project advances our sustainable medical textiles stream to develop intelligent textiles that contain bioactive nanofiber and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials to detect the virus and bacteria and disinfect them. The visionary approach of this concept is based on the possibility of developing a new generation of medical textiles with synergistically combined chemically driven and light-assisted self-disinfection properties. The key in this research direction is the development of low-cost surface functionalities and textile design to enable sustainable industrial development.

  • Biodegradable medical textile

    Single-use plastic causes severe health and environmental impacts. It accounts for 25% of all waste generated by hospitals, which ends up in landfill and breaks down into tiny particles (microplastics) that cause severe health issues. Fossil fuel combustion to produce plastics is also a major contributor to air pollution-related deaths. This research aims to harness nature-derived materials to develop sustainable protective nonwoven fabrics for medical clothing such as PPE (face masks and medical gowns), filters (air and water), and wipes. Expected outcomes will transform the way we manufacture, use, and dispose of these materials.

  • Sustainable biosensors

    Conductive hydrogel is a 3D structural gel with high water content and electrically conductive materials e.g. metallic nanoparticles. This research aims to develop a reliable approach for making a new generation of conductive hydrogels that can serve as building blocks for bioelectronic devices in personalised healthcare and other bioengineering areas, including electronic skins, body matched antennas, and biosensors. This research focuses on the development of a system that demonstrates synergistic outstanding mechanical performance and electrical conductivity, which is currently a significant challenge in the field. Thus, this work is expected to create new paradigms for hydrogel materials fabrication with infinite applications.

  • Smart and active packaging

    The higher demand for healthy, safe and fresh products promotes the search for the development of active packaging systems to extend the food shelf life and monitor the quality of packed food. In active packaging, absorber or emitters are added to the packaging, which interacts with the inner environment of the package to enhance the shelf life of the food. This research project is built on the advancement of our biodegradable packaging materials research stream with a specific focus on food packaging. We will also investigate the effect of essential oils extracted from spinifex and other bush plants as active reagents in the development of active packaging.

This staff member is a UQ Expert for media in the following fields:

Spinifex, Nanocellulose, Additives, Biomaterials, Polymers, Renewables, Packaging, Plastic pollution, Biocomposites, Fibres, Medical Textile, Face mask, Antimicrobial

They are happy to lend their expertise to your articles or broadcasts and share their research discoveries and insights with the community via media channels.

For additional assistance with story ideas, general advice and information or help with seeking further experts, please email the UQ Media Team or telephone (07) 3365 1120.

Links

ResearcherID: S-1693-2016

ORCID: 0000-0003-2624-2561

Scopus ID: 23003612000

Google Scholar ID: GcshUU0AAAAJ

Personal Profile: Link

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