Australian clay minerals-based slow-released P fertilisers

This is Australian Research Council Discovery Project at The University of Newcastle.

CI: Prof Ravi Naidu and Dr Bhabananda Biswas

PI: Tom Cresswell (ANSTO)

PhD Project 1: Formulation of clay-based slow-released P fertiliser, by Student: Mr Bishow Subedi

PhD Project 2: Formulation of P biofertiliser using clay-base P solubilising bacteria, by Student: Mr Rafique Uddin.

Slow-released N fertiliser for crop productivity

This is student-led project. Student: Anjuman Ara Rajonee

Supervisor: Prof Ravi Naidu and Dr Bhabananda Biswas

We are using inexpensive minerals such as LDHs, diatomite and “weed-to-biochar”-based nitrate fertilisers.

Highlights:

• Our formulated fertiliser shows longer stability in pore water and soil in various pHs.
• Multi-crop and crop rotation is tested with single use of formulated fertiliser. Plant yield higher than conventional and market available slow-released fertiliser.
• Low emission from soil-plant pot when our fertiliser used.

matCARE scale-up

matCARE is an amine-functionalised clay product with more than 15 years of development. The project is now in its scale-up phase, with a strong focus on regeneration, recycling of used chemicals, and overall cost reduction.

Director: Prof Ravi Naidu
Lead: Dr Bhabananda Biswas
Key Researchers: Dr Rashidul Islam, Mr Danidu Kudagamage

Highlights:

Chemical processes are becoming more sustainable.

Highly effective in remediating PFAS from both simple and complex waters and soils.

Up-scaling demonstrates strong value for money. Visit matCARE spec sheet HERE.

Emerging contaminants in aquaculture water and materials-based solutions

Dr Bhabananda Biswas is leading a project aimed at achieving near-zero presence of emerging contaminants in aquaculture waters. Key contaminants of concern include pharmaceutical residues and PFAS.

The project is developing clay- and zeolite-based materials that are safe for aquaculture livestock and effective in removing bioavailable fractions of contaminants from water. This approach helps ensure fish and shellfish remain safe and free from contamination.

Lead: Dr Bhabananda Biswas
Key Researcher: Dr Rashidul Islam

Keep in touch. More to come.

Modified halloysite-rich kaolin as cattle feed for reducing methane burps

This was crcCARE and its industry partner’s supported research 2022-2025.

Principal Investigator: Dr Bhabananda Biswas & Prof Ravi Naidu.

Key Researchers: Dr Rashidul Islam; Dr Solmaz Bidast

We delivered fully with full patent claimed. The partner is now moving toward second phase of this project.

Total fund: over $ 1.6 M

Modified halloysite nanotubes to capture CO2 and utilisation

This was crcCARE and its industry partner’s supported research 2022-2025.

Principal Investigator: Dr Bhabananda Biswas & Prof Ravi Naidu.

Key Researchers: Dr Rashidul Islam; Dr Solmaz Bidast; Dr Santosh Kumar Paul; Dr Amal Kanti Deb.

We delivered fully with full patent claimed. The partner is now moving toward second phase of this project.

Total fund: over $ 800,000

Humboldt Fellowship: Dr Bhabananda Biswas

Dr Biswas was awarded with Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2022-2024).

Host Institute: Greifswald University

Host/Mentor: Professor Laurence N Warr.