Professor Zhanying Zhang

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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. He is currently an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellow and was previously an Advance Queensland Mid-Career Industry Research Fellow.

Prof. Zhang’s current research focuses on converting agricultural biomass (sugarcane fibres, rice husk, etc.) into high-value functional materials, including energy materials (hard carbon and SiOx/C for battery anodes, thermal energy management materials, etc.), nanomaterials (nanocellulose, nanosilica, lignin nanoparticles) for enhanced composites and smart packaging materials. He also works on converting food processing waste into high-value functional food ingredients, such as dietary fibres and polyphenols. His work in both biomass-derived battery anode materials and functional food ingredients is strongly supported by industry partners.

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

Additional information

Experience

Prof Zhang has extensive experience in industry engagement. He currently collaborates with industry partners to develop sustainable functional materials from agricultural biomass for use in polymer composites and battery anodes, as well as functional ingredients from food processing waste for food and beverage applications. Previously, Prof Zhang worked with industry partners on producing cellulosic biofuels and biochemicals from agricultural biomass and processing municipal sludge for improving the dewaterability and producing hydrochar soil amendment. He has also developed technologies for recovering resources from textile waste and used carpets in collaboration with industry partners. Prof Zhang was awarded two prestigious industry fellowships: the Advance Queensland Mid-Career Industry Research Fellowship (2018) and the ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship (2025).  Prof Zhang’s research has led to significant real-world impact, with some technology successfully commercialised. In recognition of his achievements, Prof Zhang received the Mid-Career Researcher Award from Sugar Research Australia (2015), the QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation and Creative Practice (2023) and the QUT Faculty of Engineering Research Excellence Award (2024).

Awards

Type
Recipient of an Australia Council Grant or Australia Council Fellowship
Reference year
2025
Details
ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship
Type
Other
Reference year
2024
Details
Faculty Research Excellence Award
Type
Editorial Role for an Academic Journal
Reference year
2023
Details
Editor, Results in Engineering
Type
Other
Reference year
2023
Details
Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence - Innovation and Creative Practice
Type
Visiting Professorships/Fellowships
Reference year
2019
Details
Visiting professor
Type
Fellowships
Reference year
2018
Details
Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship
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

Publications

Research Projects

Title
Biomass-Derived Materials for High Performance Lithium Ion Batteries
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
IM250100139
Start year
2025
Keywords
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
Biorefining of Brewer's Spent Grain into Novel Dietary Fibres
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
LP230201082
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
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)