I received my Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering (Hons) & Finance from Monash University in 2016. As a PhD candidate at RMIT University, I am currently undertaking research into the microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of steel pipelines buried underground, with a focus on simulating soil for corrosion on the external surface of pipelines.
My current work is on the characterisation of semi-solid agar and using it as a novel replacement for soil in the study of pipeline corrosion in laboratory. Later, I will work with bacteria to observe MIC of carbon steel in semi-solid agar conditions. My research interests are in biotechnology and materials. I hope to progress the development of soil-based corrosion studies, particularly MIC related studies, by developing this novel analogue of soil, thus contributing to the safer delivery of water to millions of people. Outside university, I enjoy running the occasional half-marathon.
Skills
- Electrochemical analysis (EIS – electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, PDS - potentiodynamic scans)
- Microscopic analysis (SEM - scanning electron microscopy, EDX – energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, XRD – X-ray diffraction)
PhD project
Prior work
Wang K & Chong W (2016). ‘The Development of a Prototype Mixed-Gas Breakthrough System for Ethane/Ethylene Separation using Metal Organic Frameworks’, BEng thesis, Chem. Eng., Monash Univ., Melbourne, Australia.
Publications
- K. Wang, A. Spark, I. Cole, and L. Ward (2019). ‘Effects of electrochemical techniques on carbon steel in agar’, Corrosion & Prevention; 23-27 November 2019, Melbourne, Australia. Paper ID 45. p 1-11.
- A. Spark, K. Wang, I. Cole, D. Law, and L. Ward (2020). ‘Microbiologically influenced corrosion: a review of the studies conducted on buried pipelines’, Corrosion Reviews, 38(3), 231-262. DOI: 10.1515/corrrev-2019-0108.
Further information
- Senior Supervisor: Dr Xiao-Bo Chen (RMIT University)
- Associate Supervisor: Prof. Ivan Cole (RMIT University)
- Associate Supervisor: Dr Amy Spark (AECOM)
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