At various stages of her research career, Dr. Rumana Hossain has cultivated a diverse, interdisciplinary portfolio focused on sustainable materials, circular resource recovery, waste-to-value innovations, and environmental protection. Her work integrates scientific excellence with real-world applicability and aligns closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13 – Climate Action
• SDG 14 – Life Below Water
• SDG 15 – Life on Land

Her evolving research encompasses the transformation of waste into high-performance materials, clean energy applications, surface and structural enhancements, and critical investigations into plastic pollution and microplastics, offering innovative solutions for industrial and environmental challenges.

Research Focus Areas 

1. Circular Resource Recovery and Advanced Recycling

Dr. Hossain is a leader in waste valorization and circular materials development. Her work focuses on recovering valuable materials from complex waste streams and converting them into high-performance products for industrial use and environmental benefit.

• Recovery of critical and valuable metals (e.g., copper, zinc, rare earth elements) from e-waste and batteries
• Recycling of automotive shredder residue and waste tyres from end-of-life vehicles
• Repurposing of spent lithium-ion batteries and their electrode materials for second-life energy storage
• Transformation of packaging waste, coffee capsules, and laminated plastics into functional materials
• Bio-waste valorisation: converting coffee grounds, macadamia shells, wood, and textiles into porous carbon
• Conversion of plastic packaging waste into carbon sources and ceramic coatings

2. Microplastics and Plastic Waste Pollution Research

Dr. Hossain addresses the global challenge of microplastic pollution with a focus on both scientific understanding and practical mitigation strategies. Her work spans the detection, impact assessment, and upcycling of plastic waste into valuable materials.

Microplastics Characterisation and Environmental Impact:

• Advanced analytical techniques for microplastics detection:
• Identification of microplastics sources across terrestrial, aquatic, and urban systems
• Study of microplastics interactions with other environmental contaminants

Mitigation Strategies and Plastic Waste Recycling:

• Development of low-cost, fit-for-purpose technologies for microplastic mitigation in remote and regional communities
• Exploration of decentralized filtration and capture systems
• Recycling plastic waste into:
  
  • High-value nano-ceramics
  • Porous carbon for energy applications
  • Advanced coatings and composites
• Support for policy frameworks and community-driven solutions to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling practices

3. Sustainable Energy Materials 

• Development of energy storage materials using recycled carbon and metal compounds
• Fabrication of waste-derived porous carbon for clean energy storage
• Utilization of bio-based and solid-state materials in supercapacitors and batteries
• Integration of low-cost, scalable technologies for sustainable energy systems

4. Surface Engineering and Metallurgical Innovations from Waste

Dr. Hossain combines surface engineering and advanced metallurgy to improve material performance through waste-derived inputs and microstructural optimization.

Waste-Based Surface Modification and Coatings:

• Surface engineering of metals using ceramic elements derived from:
  
  • Automotive waste
  • Electronic waste
  • Metallised plastic packaging
• Development of copper-reinforced nano-ceramic coatings from recycled materials
• Microstructural design for enhanced durability and wear resistance
• Surface treatments for the production of porous carbon materials

Metallurgical Processes and Mechanisms:

• Study of solid-state phase transformations under mechanical stress (tensile, compressive, impact)
• Investigation of deformation mechanisms in metal alloys (i.e., steel, aluminium, etc.)
• Effects of microalloying elements on phase transformation behaviour
• Stability of retained austenite in advanced high-strength steels