Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

- Biodegradable coatings for cardiovascular stent application using Magnesium alloys
- Sustainable engineering education and its prominent future

20122022

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Biography

Poovarasi Balan is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering at Monash University Malaysia. She is undertaking research on environmental friendly anti-corrosive coatings for mild steel, biodegradable coatings for biomedical implants and sustainability engineering education research. She is currently developing biodegradable coatings for orthopedic applications that can eliminate the secondary surgery to remove the implant. This brings economic benefits and improvement in well-being of patients with temporary orthopedic injuries. Recently, her research team has expanded to look into coatings on cardiovascular stents using Magnesium alloys as well. 

The current problem is complex in nature as it involves multidisciplinary exchange if knowledge from material scientists, biomedical researchers and orthopedic surgeons. In order to achieve the benefits of using Mg alloys in biomedical implants, various aspects of problems such as from corrosion, mechanical strength and anti-bacterial properties need to be added. Surface pretreatment of Mg alloys need to be investigated in order to improve the adhesion of the coatings.

Research interests

  • Biomaterials
  • Environmental friendly coating using nanomaterials
  • Anti-corrosive coatings for biomedical implants
  • Life Cycle Analysis
  • Sustainable Engineering Education 
  • Education research – Innovation in teaching practice

Monash teaching commitment

  • CHE3162 - Process Control
  • CHE4162 - Particle Technology
  • ENE3608 - Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Systems
  • Final Year Design Project and Final Year Research Project

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Research area keywords

  • Environmental friendly coating using nanomaterials
  • Anti-corrosive coatings for biomedical implants
  • Life Cycle Analysis
  • Sustainable Engineering research
  • Education research – Innovation in teaching practice

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or