Adjunct Fellow
Overview
After gainining his Bachelor and Master degrees in Chemical Engineering, Mehdi obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering, at The University of Queensland, Australia. He held one of Australia’s most prestigious scholarship for research higher degree (IPRS). With an extensive knowledgebase and multiple skills, he has forged a successful career that includes mining waste management, mineral processing, surface chemistry, particle technology, process engineering, separation technologies, and project management, all of which were developed and strengthened in the Academic, Resource Mining, and Oil & Gas sectors. As a highly competent research scientist and engineer in a multidisciplinary area, his work contributes to various industries by improving the traditional methods aiming for higher quality products and cleaner environment.
Research Impacts
Dr Azadi works on the recycling and utilisation of Coal Combustion Byproducts (CCBs) and mineral carbonation. Tons of waste materials are generated every year by burning coal in power stations, known as CCBs. Disposal of CCBs can be environmentally and economically adverse. However, they can be used for rehabilitation of mined land sites and other beneficial and environmental friendly purposes. Dr Azadi's research is also focused on mineral carbonation. The world's reliance on fossil fuel has led to a critical build-up of CO2 in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Carbonation is indeed a natural process which can be utilised to return carbon back to the earth in an environmental friendly and cost effective way.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Publications
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Journal Article: Perfluorocarbons: A perspective of theranostic applications and challenges
Kakaei, Nasrin, Amirian, Roshanak, Azadi, Mehdi, Mohammadi, Ghobad and Izadi, Zhila (2023). Perfluorocarbons: A perspective of theranostic applications and challenges. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11 ARTN 1115254. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1115254
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Journal Article: Will global cobalt supply meet demand? The geological, mineral processing, production and geographic risk profile of cobalt
Savinova, E., Evans, C., Lèbre, É., Stringer, M., Azadi, M. and Valenta, R.K. (2023). Will global cobalt supply meet demand? The geological, mineral processing, production and geographic risk profile of cobalt. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 190 106855, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106855
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Journal Article: Future of battery metals supply
Azadi, Mehdi, Lèbre, Éléonore, Ali, Saleem H., Steen, John and Wall, Frances (2022). Future of battery metals supply. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 182 106283, 106283. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106283
Grants
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Stage 1 - Beneficial reuse option for coal combustion products (Proof of Concept)
(2020–2021) Stanwell Corporation Ltd
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Tailings desulfurisation for progressive rehabilitation
(2019–2020) Mount Isa Mines Limited
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Unlocking the value of mining wastes at abandoned mines of Queensland
(2019–2020) Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
Available Projects
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Investigating the effectiveness of pit wall covers for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) control
Masters or Honours Project:
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a common problem in the mining sector, which can potentially affect the environment. AMD is the outflow of acidic water from metal or coal mines, due to oxidation of sulfide-containing rocks in the presence of water and air. Spraying sealing materials to cover walls in open-pit mines is a method to control AMD. The development and selection of the right material require laboratory tests and field trials, with careful consideration of various parameters, which affect AMD generation. The project objective is to determine the long-term effectiveness of new types of cover sprayed onto potential acid forming pit wall exposures in preventing AMD. The project includes conducting a literature review, laboratory testing, potential field trials, and data analysis. The outcome of this project will have significant economic and environmental benefits. The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team of researchers at the Centre of Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute.
Publications
Journal Article
-
Perfluorocarbons: A perspective of theranostic applications and challenges
Kakaei, Nasrin, Amirian, Roshanak, Azadi, Mehdi, Mohammadi, Ghobad and Izadi, Zhila (2023). Perfluorocarbons: A perspective of theranostic applications and challenges. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11 ARTN 1115254. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1115254
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Savinova, E., Evans, C., Lèbre, É., Stringer, M., Azadi, M. and Valenta, R.K. (2023). Will global cobalt supply meet demand? The geological, mineral processing, production and geographic risk profile of cobalt. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 190 106855, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106855
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Future of battery metals supply
Azadi, Mehdi, Lèbre, Éléonore, Ali, Saleem H., Steen, John and Wall, Frances (2022). Future of battery metals supply. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 182 106283, 106283. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106283
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Coppola, Antonio, Scala, Fabrizio and Azadi, Mehdi (2022). Direct dry carbonation of mining and industrial wastes in a fluidized bed for offsetting carbon emissions. Processes, 10 (3) 582. doi: 10.3390/pr10030582
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Verrier, Brunilde, Smith, Carl, Yahyaei, Mohsen, Ziemski, Marcin, Forbes, Gordon, Witt, Kathy and Azadi, Mehdi (2021). Beyond the social license to operate: whole system approaches for a socially responsible mining industry. Energy Research and Social Science, 83 102343, 102343. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102343
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Azadi, Mehdi, Nguyen, Anh V. and Yakubov, Gleb E. (2020). The effect of dissolved gases on the short-range attractive force between hydrophobic surfaces in the absence of nanobubble bridging. Langmuir, 36 (34) acs.langmuir.0c00117, 9987-9992. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00117
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Transparency on greenhouse gas emissions from mining to enable climate change mitigation
Azadi, Mehdi, Northey, Stephen A., Ali, Saleem H. and Edraki, Mansour (2020). Transparency on greenhouse gas emissions from mining to enable climate change mitigation. Nature Geoscience, 13 (2), 100-104. doi: 10.1038/s41561-020-0531-3
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Opportunities for Mineral Carbonation in Australia’s Mining Industry
Azadi, Mehdi , Edraki, Mansour , Farhang, Faezeh and Ahn, Jiwhan (2019). Opportunities for Mineral Carbonation in Australia’s Mining Industry. Sustainability, 11 (5) 1250, 1250. doi: 10.3390/su11051250
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Azadi, Mehdi, Nguyen, Anh V. and Yakubov, Gleb E. (2015). Attractive forces between hydrophobic solid surfaces measured by AFM on the first approach in salt solutions and in the presence of dissolved gases. Langmuir, 31 (6), 1941-1949. doi: 10.1021/la504001z
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Azadi, Mohsen and Azadi, Mehdi (2012). An analytical study of the effect of inlet velocity on the cyclone performance using mathematical models. Powder Technology, 217, 121-127. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2011.10.017
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A case study on suspended particles in a natural gas urban transmission and distribution network
Azadi, Mehdi, Mohebbi, Ali, Soltaninejad, Saeid and Scala, Fabrizio (2012). A case study on suspended particles in a natural gas urban transmission and distribution network. Fuel Processing Technology, 93 (1), 65-72. doi: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2011.09.014
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Azadi, Mehdi (2011). Hydrodynamic modeling of the entrainment of Geldart A group particles in gas-solid fluidized bed: The effect of column diameter. Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 28 (7), 1599-1607. doi: 10.1007/s11814-011-0003-y
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Azadi, Mehdi (2011). Multi-fluid Eulerian modeling of limestone particles' elutriation from a binary mixture in a gas-solid fluidized bed. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 17 (2), 229-236. doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2011.02.011
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Azadi, Mehdi, Mohebbi, Ali, Scala, Fabrizio and Soltaninejad, Saeid (2011). Experimental study of filtration system performance of natural gas in urban transmission and distribution network: A case study on the city of Kerman, Iran. Fuel, 90 (3), 1166-1171. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2010.10.009
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A CFD study of the effect of cyclone size on its performance parameters
Azadi, Mehdi, Azadi, Mohsen and Mohebbi, Ali (2010). A CFD study of the effect of cyclone size on its performance parameters. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 182 (1-3), 835-841. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.06.115
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Experimental study of methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solutions onto carbon nano tubes
Shahryari, Zohre, Goharrizi, Ataallah Soltani and Azadi, Mehdi (2010). Experimental study of methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solutions onto carbon nano tubes. International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, 2 (2) 932F91F1562, 16-28. doi: 10.5897/IJWREE
Other Outputs
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Hydrophobic interactions in salt solutions
Azadi, Mehdi (2016). Hydrophobic interactions in salt solutions. PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2016.1058
Grants (Administered at UQ)
-
Stage 1 - Beneficial reuse option for coal combustion products (Proof of Concept)
(2020–2021) Stanwell Corporation Ltd
-
Tailings desulfurisation for progressive rehabilitation
(2019–2020) Mount Isa Mines Limited
-
Unlocking the value of mining wastes at abandoned mines of Queensland
(2019–2020) Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
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(2017–2019) Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
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.
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Investigating the effectiveness of pit wall covers for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) control
Masters or Honours Project:
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a common problem in the mining sector, which can potentially affect the environment. AMD is the outflow of acidic water from metal or coal mines, due to oxidation of sulfide-containing rocks in the presence of water and air. Spraying sealing materials to cover walls in open-pit mines is a method to control AMD. The development and selection of the right material require laboratory tests and field trials, with careful consideration of various parameters, which affect AMD generation. The project objective is to determine the long-term effectiveness of new types of cover sprayed onto potential acid forming pit wall exposures in preventing AMD. The project includes conducting a literature review, laboratory testing, potential field trials, and data analysis. The outcome of this project will have significant economic and environmental benefits. The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team of researchers at the Centre of Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute.
