Chemical and Environmental Engineering

SKIP TO CONTENT

Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Our multidisciplinary research aims at developing innovative technological solutions for contemporary problems relating to sustainable processing, industry, environment, resources and healthcare.

Our multidisciplinary research aims at developing innovative technological solutions for contemporary problems relating to sustainable processing, industry, environment, resources and healthcare.

Our multidisciplinary research aims at developing innovative technological solutions for contemporary problems relating to sustainable processing, industry, environment, resources and healthcare.

Our research, which spans the fundamental and applied engineering sciences, is defined by two main themes.

The energy and environment theme explores the sustainability of natural resources in the context of current and future environmental challenges. In particular, research in this theme is focused on an assessment of environmental impact across a broad spectrum, and the engineering of innovative solutions to manage our resources in a sustainable manner.

In the fluids and polymers theme, fundamental research underpinned by multiscale fluid physics, biotechnology, colloid and polymer science, nanotechnology and rheology is extended to address problems in the chemical process and healthcare industries.

Capabilities

Our research activity encompasses key disciplines in chemical and environmental engineering including
Rheology and multiphase flow
Polymers, Soft matter and interfaces
Biomass utilisation, biosolids and bioenergy
Catalysis
Energy from renewable sources
Desalination and membrane technology
Drug delivery and nanomedicine
Water treatment
Waste to energy and resources
Ecotoxicology
Energy efficiency and optimisation
Environmental management
Groundwater and land contamination
Microfluidics
Nanostructured materials for energy and environment
Urban resilience and climate change
Wastewater treatment and sludge processing
Aerosol technology

Our impact

We work extensively with partners to solve practical problems facing industries and communities. Our partners have included:

AMIRA International
Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association
Australian Meat Processor Corporation
Blacktown City Council
City of Port Phillip
City West Water
CSIRO
Energy Research Centre of Netherlands
Environment Protection Agency Victoria
Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Kraft
Melbourne Water
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Mondelēz International
Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Programme
South East Water
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
World Health Organisation Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory

Recent research highlights include:

A novel method to enhance transfer of drugs and therapeutic molecules into patient-harvested cells so that they can be engineered and re-infused for cancer therapy
A revolutionary nebulisation platform for delivering the next generation of drugs and vaccines via inhalation, which won the Johnson & Johnson World Without Disease Quickfire Challenge
Applications of biochar as potential fertilisers or fuel
Optimisation of flow and performance of anaerobic digesters for municipal sewerage treatment
Synthesis of high performance carbon (with high mesopore content) from waste biomass for environmental remediation and energy storage
Novel nanocatalysts for biofuel production

Research centres and groups

Water: Effective Technologies and Tools (WETT) Research Centre

Facilities

Our research is supported by well-equipped laboratories with cutting-edge equipment for

anaerobic digestion
environmental monitoring
multiphase flow visualisation and analysis
rheometry
thermal and hydrothermal processing
water treatment systems
chemical analyses and surface characterisation

Who we are

Chemical and Environmental Engineering staff

Latest news

The team's experimental set up of hydrogen production using partially treated wastewater. Credit: Shu Shu Zheng, RMIT University

Wastewater contaminants boost green hydrogen production

17 Jul 2025

Research led by RMIT University has developed an experimental invention to turn wastewater’s high contaminant load into an advantage for making green hydrogen that could reduce reliance on fresh water – a scarce resource in many parts of the world.

Two women and one man in a lab - the middle person is holding a vile of brown liquid..

Aussie tech helps make bio-oils for greener industrial applications

10 Apr 2025

Australian technology developed at RMIT University could enable more sustainable and cheaper production of bio-oils to replace petroleum-based products in electronic, construction and automotive applications.

Dr Nasir Mahmood, PhD candidate Muhammad Haris and Professor Nicky Eshtiaghi (left to right) with a sample of water with microplastics and a vial of clean water following its treatment with their innovation. Credit: RMIT University

Magnetic material mops up microplastics in water

30 Nov 2022

Researchers at RMIT University have found an innovative way to rapidly remove hazardous microplastics from water using magnets.

Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials

24 Nov 2020

Researchers have revealed how high-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations.

Closeup robot hand machine picking up white ball on bokeh blurred background. Use smart robot in manufacturing industry. Robotic tool in factory. Robot engineering concept

Applying for a postgraduate degree?

Select your research project

aboriginal flag float-start

torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information