Poovarasi Balan is a Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Monash University Malaysia. She is undertaking research on environmental friendly anti-corrosive coatings for mild steel, biodegradable coatings for biomedical implants and 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.

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.

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

• CHE3162 - Process Control
• ENE3608 - Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Systems