Suresh Bhargava

Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava AM

Dean (R&I, India), Director (Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry)

Black background. Multiple coloured clouds in the foreground. Colours range from white, pink, green, and blue.
Black and white profile photo of Suresh Bhargava smiling towards the camera against a solid white background.

Contact details

STEM College | Office of the DVC


Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry: Founder & Director


Research & Innovation: Dean


Special Assignment India: Dean


Emailsuresh.bhargava@rmit.edu.au


Phone: +61 39925 3365 


Phone PA: +61 39925 3361


Campus: Melbourne City


Programs

More information

Black and white profile photo of Suresh Bhargava smiling towards the camera against a solid white background.

Contact details

STEM College | Office of the DVC


Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry: Founder & Director


Research & Innovation: Dean


Special Assignment India: Dean


Emailsuresh.bhargava@rmit.edu.au


Phone: +61 39925 3365  


Campus: Melbourne City


Programs

More information

Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava is a world-renowned interdisciplinary scientist with decades of leadership in academia and industry, with a lifelong commitment to strengthening Australia’s relationship with India through research collaboration.

Overview

In 1990, Professor Bhargava started at RMIT, where he established the state-of-the-art Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry, known as CAMIC. The centre has developed and innovated translational research that has been implemented and utilised by industry and produced real-world graduates. Professor Bhargava has been an inspiring mentor to some of great talent who have gone on to serve at institutions such as Stanford and Oxford, as well as multinationals such as Alcoa, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. His dedication to uplifting and producing the next generation of industry-ready scientists and engineers is exceptional. He has supervised almost 70 PhD students with a 100% employment rate.

He has authored/co-authored over 800 journal publications, amassing over 26,000 citations, as well as editing two books, 23 book chapters, and presented more than 200 keynote/ plenary lectures. His h-index is 86 and i-10 index 454, and he has received over $34 million dollars in research funding throughout his career. Holding distinguished professorships at top universities in 6 countries, he is an outstanding ambassador of Australian higher education around the world.
Professor Bhargava’s advice is also in demand far beyond RMIT, including business & government leaders in India, China & Malaysia. In 2013, Professor Lord Bhattacharya, University of Warwick, UK invited him as his advisor and to be a panel member for professorial recruitment. He has helped preserve and create jobs and transformed companies and individual lives in Australia. Classified as the topmost researcher in mercury pollution control, his achievements are well recognised in the Australian resources sector.

He has always had a lifelong commitment in connecting India and Australia. Through advisory roles with Australian PMs, Premiers and Governors on Indo-Australian relations, he has been a founding architect of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. In 2018, he developed the award-winning global PhD cotutelle collaboration, the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program, connecting RMIT with39 national CSIR research laboratories of India, providing a platform for equipping PhD students with real-world skills through collaborative research and international engagement.

As a recipient of international prestigious awards, including the Queens Birthday Honours recognition of the Member of the Order of Australia (2022), the KIA Laureate Award (2016), the ‘CHEMECA medal’ (2015) and most recently, he is the first RMIT researcher to ever receive the RMIT University Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award three times, having been awarded the Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Award for Graduate Supervision (2023). He was also honoured in 2014 with the ‘P.C. Ray Chair’ by the Indian National Science Academy. This award is one of India’s most prestigious honours to a foreign scientist including Nobel laureates. He received Honoris Causa D.Sc. Degree from Rajasthan University, presented by the President of India. An inspirational figure to many, he pushed the boundaries and developed innovative ways for how universities should work with industry, creating jobs and changing lives.

Web

Industry experience

Distinguished Professor Bhargava has formally advised the Commonwealth Government and numerous industries on matters regarding industrial processing, yield optimization, mining effluent remediation and other environmental issues.

His industrial consultations include:

  • Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM Chair Professor)
  • CSIRO
  • Rio Tinto
  • Alcoa
  • BHP Billiton
  • Mobile Exxon
  • Australian Alumina Council
  • Hindalco Industries
  • TATA Innovations
  • Reliance Industries
  • Southern Pacific Petroleum
  • Canadian Alumina Council
  • Bharat Petroleum and Corporation Ltd.
  • Clean TeQ
  • Aditya Birla Minerals Ltd. (non-executive board member)
Web

Research

  1. Catalysis in air pollution control
  2. Mines and Minerals processing
  3. Nanotechnology use in Chemical sensors - Mercury emission control
  4. Metallodrugs for Cancer treatment

Research keywords

Gold, Metallodrugs, Catalysis, Mercury, Hydrogen, Cancer SERS, Nanotechnology

Research output summary

600+

Publications

<30M

Grant funding

16

Awards

Web

Supervisor interest areas

  • Minerals processing - Eco-sustainable issues and process intensifications
  • Nano catalysis and 3 D printing in catalysis
  • Metallodrug for cancer treatment
  • Advanced materials
  • Nanomaterials for Chemical sensing in particularly Mercury and hydrogen sensing
  • Natural Carbon materials for different applications

Supervisor projects

  • Critical metals(Ni & Co) refining for Li- Ion Batteries
  • Nano-materials for catalysis and sensing including mercury and Hydrogen sensing
  • Ammonia Fuel cells for Hydrogen production
  • Hydrogen from solid bio-waste

Feature publications

Potent and selective cytotoxic and anti‐inflammatory gold (III) compounds containing cyclometallated phosphine sulfide ligands

Chemistry-A European Journal, 25, 14023-14100

Reddy, T. S., Pooja, D., Privér, S. H., Luwor, R. B., Mirzadeh, N., Ramesan, S., Ramakrishna, S., Karri, S., Kuncha, M., & Bhargava, S. K. (2019). 

 Novel, and Highly Efficient Strategy for the Green Synthesis of Soluble Graphene by Aqueous Polyphenol Extracts of Eucalyptus Bark and Its Applications in High-Performance Supercapacitors

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 7, 11612-11620.

Manchala, S., Tandava, V. S. R. K., Jampaiah, D., Bhargava, S. K., & Shanker, V. (2019).

Building With Bubbles: The Formation of High Surface Area Honeycomb-like Films via Hydrogen Bubble Templated Electrodeposition.

Chemical Communications, 51, 4331- 4346

Plowman, B. J., Jones, L. A., & Bhargava, S. K. (2015).

Key publications

Web

Feature projects

Distinguished Professor Bhargava’s patented and licensed mercury sensor technology is the product of one of his major scientific breakthroughs in the field of electrochemistry and nanotechnology. Professor Bhargava devised a novel galvanic replacement method which allows some of the most precise manipulation and construction of gold nanostructures yet invented, thus unravelling new territories at the boundaries of nanotechnology, electrochemistry and electronic engineering.

The result of applying this research is a mercury sensor that can protect societies from this harmful neurotoxin. The impact of this work has been enormous and has been broadly covered by media. Supported by Alcoa and BHBP, this patented technology has been tested successfully on industrial effluents from Alumina refineries and has been licensed for commercialization.

Key projects

  • Online industrial mercury sensors (2 ARC-L + ARC-D) (Alcoa + BHP Billiton)
  • Organics removal in Bayer Liquor by catalytic wet oxidation (ARC-L, Alcoa)
  • Spectroscopy (bauxite, oil shale & sodium oxalate) (ARC-L, Alcoa)
  • Leaching (uranium minerals processing) (ARC- L, BHP Billiton)
  • Waste utilisation (MgSO4 effluent) (BHP Billiton)
  • Alumina, Uranium, and oil shale mineral processing (ARC-L) (Alcoa + Rio Tinto + SPP)
  • Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) study of copper minerals (ARC-L) (Rio Tinto)
  • Mini DME – collaborative Grand Challenge AISRF (6 million dollars) (3D printing in catalysis and Engineering reactors) (CSIRO + Melbourne Uni + Bharat Petroleum Limited + Indian Institute of Petroleum + IIT Roorkee)
  • Gold drugs for Ovarian Cancer - AISRF
  • Hydrogen production from bio-solid waste
  • Ni and Co refinery for Li-ion Batteries production
  • 3D printed catalysts
  • Hydrogen senor for space flights
Web

Awards

Two people are standing in the middle of a stage. Behind them, a large screen displays a photo of Suresh Bhargava and a block of text that reads 'Suresh Bhargava, Science Engineering Health College RMIT University' prominently. Above the screen a large light display reads 'NRI OF THE YEAR'. Suresh is walking up the front of the stage with his back to the camera.

Non-Resident of India (NRI) of the Year Award; category: Academics

Award date: 2017

Recipients: Suresh Bhargava


Visiting Advanced joint Research Award (VAJRA) 

Award date: 2020

Recipients: Suresh Bhargava

Khwarizmi International Award (KIA Laureate)

Award date: 2016

Recipients: Suresh Bhargava

 

2015 CHEMECA Medal

Award date:  2015

Recipients: Suresh Bhargava

Key awards by year

Leadership Awards

  • 2017 Non-Resident of India (NRI) of the Year Award in the category of Academics as the best Indian academic in Asia-Pacific region by the TIMES Network

Research Awards

  • 2016 Khwarizmi International Award (KIA Laureate), award sponsored by UNESCO

Leadership Awards

  • 2016 Awarded an inaugural Distinguished Professorship at RMIT University

Research Awards

  • 2015 CHEMECA Medal, the most prestigious award in the chemical engineering profession in Australia and New Zealand

Research Awards

  • 2014 RMIT University Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award - First academic to receive this award twice (See '2006 Awards')

Leadership Awards

  • 2014-15 P. C. Ray Chair’ Indian National Science Academy, one of India’s most prestigious honours to a foreign scientist

Research Awards

  • 2013 Applied Research Award – a prestigious award in the field of Applied Sciences given by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Australia

Leadership Awards

  • 2013 Asian Paint Award at CHEMCON, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Mumbai, India

Publication Awards

  • 2011 Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering sponsored by Exxon Mobil in recognition of significant on-going contributions to Chemical Engineering through innovations and outstanding publications

Teaching Awards

  • 2011 Ralph McIntosh Medal (RMIT University) for outstanding services to students beyond normal expectations

Publication Awards

  • 2010 John A. Brodie Medal – Best paper selected from all papers submitted (400+) at CHEMECA 2010, Australian Institute of Chemical Engineering

Research Awards

  • 2009 Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering sponsored by Worley Parsons – IChemE, RACI & Engineers Australia

Leadership Awards

  • 2009 Finalist in the RMIT Media Star Awards

Research Awards

  • 2008 R. K. Murphy Medal for Industrial Chemistry from RACI, known as the most coveted award in the field of Industrial Chemistry in Australia

Teaching Awards

  • 2007 RMIT Research Excellence & Innovation and Teaching Awards

Research Awards

  • 2006 RMIT University Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award - First academic to receive this award twice (See '2014 Awards')

Teaching Awards

  • 2006 RMIT Research Excellence & Innovation and Teaching Awards

Teaching Awards

  • 2005 RMIT Research Excellence & Innovation and Teaching Awards

Teaching Awards

  • 2004 RMIT Research Excellence & Innovation and Teaching Awards

Teaching Awards

  • 2003 RMIT Research Excellence & Innovation and Teaching Awards

Teaching Awards

  • 2002 RMIT Research Excellence & Innovation and Teaching Awards
Web

Grants

CI Bhargava is among the top 1% recipients of the most competitive and collaborative research grants at RMIT University in both number and value (>$30 million over the last 20 years) from various sources including the ARC, AISRF, industry and CRC-P.

Selected listed grants are:

  • Novel conversion process for carbon dioxide to chemicals, ARC Discovery Project, DP180104076, $423,152
  • Radio-magnetic nanoparticles as bimodal positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for dendritic cell tracking, ARC Linkage Project, LP130100437, $510,000
  • Advanced studies on the hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry of primary copper sulphide ores, ARC linkage Project, LP130100991, $615,000
  • Controlling arsenic to unlock value in gold and copper resources ARC Linkage Project, LP160101760, $360,000
  • Collaborative facility for high resolution fabrication, imaging, and characterization of nanostructured materials, ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme, LE140100104, $500,000
  • Advanced characterization of materials by nuclear magnetic resonance, ARC LIEF Project LE110100097, $600,000
  • A highly sensitive and selective nanoengineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes, ARC Linkage Project, LP100200859, $290,000
  • Advanced Studies on the Electrochemistry and Hydrometallurgy of Copper Sulfide Ores, ARC Linkage Project, LP130100991, $615,000
  • Nano-engineered multi-functional materials for catalysis and sensing by an integrated chemical and electrochemical approach, ARC Discovery Project, DP110105125, $320,000
  • Enabling future technology by building light element analysis capability; a light element optimised ultra-high-resolution electron microprobe, ARC LIEF Project, LE130100087, $500,000
  • Chemistry of Uranium Extraction studies on the dissolution of uranium ores in complex solution matrix, ARC Linkage Project, LP0883894, $730,387
  • Carbon dioxide conversion over nanostructured mixed metal catalysis, ARC Discovery Project, DP0881773, $308,000
  • Melbourne Platform for Surface characterization of Structured Materials, ARC LIEF Project, LE0989615, $300,000
  • Mini DME (AISRF Grand Challenge Award): A custom-designed solution to bring stranded gas to energy markets, 2013, $6,000,000
  • CRC-P Hydrocarbon Fuel Technology for Hypersonic Air Breathing Vehicles, 2017, $2,615,000
  • CRC-P – Hydrogen production from Solid Bio-waste, 2020 ($2.2 Million)
  • AISRF Grant – Gold drug for treatment of Ovarian Cancer $965,000
Web

Public and media engagements

Patented anti-cancer research from CAMIC’s Molecular Engineering Group “Potent and selective cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory gold (III) compounds containing cyclometallated phosphine sulfide ligands” was covered on more than 240 media and online outlets around the globe, including AAAS potentially reaching up to 176 million people. According to RMIT’s media team, the total average value of the media coverage received for this research was worth $1,642,900 AUD.

Featured in:

  • RMIT News
  • Canberratimes.com
  • Atse.org
  • Esperanceexpress.com
  • Createdigital.org
  • Standard.net.au
  • Stawelltimes.com.au


A cost-saving and eco-friendly method to produce graphene from eucalyptus bark extract was developed by CAMIC researchers in collaboration with National Institute of Technology Warrangal, received media exposure:

Featured in:

  • Technology.org
  • Bioengineer.org
  • Nano-magazine.com
  • Phys.org
  • Nanowerk.com
  • Scienmag.com
  • Nztrucking.co.nz
  • Australiascience.tv
  • Miragenews.com
  • Brightsurf.com
  • Sciencecodex.com

Mercury monitoring technology

Mentioned in:

  • Nanotech-now.com
  • Nanowerk.com
  • Nanotechwire.com
  • Sciencealert.com

Other mentions:

  • TIMES Now media broadcasted Professor Bhargava as a recipient of the 2017 NRI Award, with its network reaching more than 110 countries
  • Interviewed by Liza Kappelle from Canberra Times, 05 Jan 2013 for her article on: Breakthrough for thinner, faster, lighter gadgets.
    • This article also featured in The Press, The Southland Times, Brisbane Times, West Australian, Yahoo 7 News, The Age, WA Today, Canberra Times, Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail, The Australian, Herald Sun, News.com.au, SBS & Tribune Minado.
  • Mentioned in ‘SCI: Australian nanotechnology is revolutionary’ on AAP Newswire, 05 Jan 2013.
  • Appeared on ABC Radio, The Science Show with Robyn Williams to discuss his latest invention on reducing toxic mercury released in the environment.
  • Part of the Nanotechnology Thought Leader Series on AzoNano.com.
  • Mentioned in The Age on the article ‘Mercury Falling’ published by Geoff Maslen.
Web
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.