Professor Zhanying Zhang

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Professor in Biorefining for Functional Materials and Food Ingredients, Faculty of Engineering

PhD (University of Adelaide), Masters of Engineering (Research)

Dr Zhanying Zhang is a Professor of Bioprocess Engineering at the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering (MMPE), and the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy (CAB) at QUT. His primary research area focuses on bioprocessing and biorefining, with an emphasis on converting low-value agricultural biomass and food processing waste into sustainable high-value products.

Early in his career, Prof Zhang developed solvent-based biomass pretreatment and processing technologies to convert agricultural biomass, such as sugarcane fibers, into fermentable sugars for biofuels and biochemicals. Additionally, he pioneered technologies for processing municipal wastes, including sludge and textile waste, to facilitate resource recovery and the creation of value-added products. His textile processing and resource recovery technology has been commercialised by an industry partner.

Prof. Zhang’s current research focuses on producing high-value functional food ingredients (dietary fibers, phenolic antioxidants, etc.) and high-value functional materials (nanocellulose, biosilica, biomass-derived hard carbon anodes, biomass-derived SiOx-carbon anodes, etc).  His work in both functional food ingredients and battery anode materials receives strong support from industry partners.

Projects (Chief investigator)

Projects

Additional information

Experience

Prof Zhang has extensive industry engagement experience. Industry partners have supported or currently support Prof Zhang for the development of lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment and biorefinery technologies to produce cellulosic biofuels and advanced materials (Syngenta, Sugar Research Australia, UPALA), the development of sludge processing technologies to improve sludge dewaterability and produce hydrochar (Meat & Livestock Australia, Queensland Urban Utilities), the development of extraction technologies to produce functional food ingredients from Brewer’s spent grain and food industry waste (Grainstone, Extracta). Prof Zhang’s research had led to real-world impact. In 2023, Prof Zhang received the VC’s Award for Excellence in Innovation and Creative Practice.

Awards

Type
Other
Reference year
2023
Details
Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence - Innovation and Creative Practice
Type
Editorial Role for an Academic Journal
Reference year
2023
Details
Editor, Results in Engineering
Type
Fellowships
Reference year
2018
Details
Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship
Type
Visiting Professorships/Fellowships
Reference year
2019
Details
Visiting professor
Type
Visiting Professorships/Fellowships
Reference year
2018
Details
Visiting professor
Type
Other
Reference year
2017
Details
Vice-Chancellor's Performance Award
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2015
Details
Mid-Career Researcher Award

Research Projects

Title
Developing Sustainable Hard Carbon for High Performance Sodium-Ion Battery
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
DP250102885
Start year
2025
Keywords
Title
Low-Cost Carbon Materials from Agricultural Biomass for Battery Anodes
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
LP240100202
Start year
2025
Keywords
Title
Biorefining of Brewer's Spent Grain into Novel Dietary Fibres
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
LP230201082
Start year
2024
Keywords
Title
ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
IH230100011
Start year
2023
Keywords
Title
Joint Research Centre for Biofuels and Biorefining
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
ACSRIV000053
Start year
2022
Keywords
Title
High Performance Bioderived Hybrid Fillers for Rubber Composite
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
LP200200965
Start year
2021
Keywords
Title
Wastes to Profits: Value Propositions for Better Management of Wastes in Animal Industry Supply Chains
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
V.RDP.3010
Start year
2018
Keywords
Title
A profitable future for Australian agriculture: Biorefineries for higher-value animal feeds, chemicals, and fuels (RnD4Profit 14-01-044) (4207)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
2015/902
Start year
2016
Keywords
Agriculture; Bioproducts; Biorefinery; Diversification; Value Chain
Title
Revenue diversification from sugarcane fibre: novel technologies for the processing of bagasse for low-cost biofuels production
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT051
Start year
2011
Keywords
Pretreatment; Biofuels; Ethanol

Current Supervisions

Completed Supervisions (Doctorate)

Completed Supervisions (Masters by Research)