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Dr Rumana Hossain is a Lecturer at UNSW Sydney. She completed her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW in 2020.
Rumana is an environmental materials scientist whose research focuses on transforming complex waste streams—including plastics, packaging, electronic waste, spent batteries, automotive residues, textiles and thermosets—into valuable materials and products. Her work integrates waste characterisation, recycling and resource recovery, materials synthesis, environmental remediation, and the study of structure–property relationships.
Rumana has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, holds three granted patents and has delivered more than 30 invited and keynote presentations internationally. She has contributed to Australia’s first microplastics characterisation standard and worked with industry, government, councils and international research organisations on research translation, commercialisation and place-based recycling solutions.
Journal articles
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Ghinangju BS; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'Thermo-oxidative decoating of laminated aluminum aerosol cans: degradation kinetics, emission profiling, and high-value recovery', Green Chemistry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d6gc03696a
2026
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'A comprehensive toolkit for micro- to manoplastic analysis', Environmental Science Nano, 13, pp. 122 - 149, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d5en00856e
2026
Sarkar M; Hossain R; Peng J; Thilakarathna DK; Wang Y; Yao Y; Sharma N; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'Tuning Li+ and Na+ Functionality in Renewable Carbon Electroactive Material Through Site-Specific Nanostructural Disorder', Advanced Science, 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/advs.202523383
2026
Hossain R; Ghinangju B; Sarkar M; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'Detecting the Invisible: Analytical Advances and Regulatory Gaps in Tyre and Road Wear Particle Pollution', Microplastics, 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010047
2026
Sarkar M; Hossain R; Ghinangju BS; Privat K; Bhattacharyya SK; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'In Situ Carbothermic Reduction of Black Mass from Spent Li-Ion, Ni-MH, and Alkaline Batteries for Ni-Based Superalloy Synthesis', ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 18, pp. 37617 - 37627, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c19451
2026
Shoeib T; Hossain R; Álvarez R; Teymourian H; Sahajwalla V; Merkoçi A; Wang J, 2026, 'Repurposing waste streams for a new generation of sensors', Nature Sensors, 1, pp. 471 - 474, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44460-026-00070-y
2026
Al Mahmood A; Hossain R; Islam MB; Das BK, 2026, 'Waste-to-Silicon Carbide: Sustainable Synthesis of SiC-Bearing Materials from Spent Coffee Grounds and Glass Waste', Waste and Biomass Valorization, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12649-026-03687-9
2026
Hossain R; Ali A; Sarkar M; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Understanding the multiple characteristics of microplastics generated from polypropylene bottles', Environmental Nanotechnology Monitoring and Management, 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2025.101103
2025
Wootton N; Reis-Santos P; Przeslawski R; Adyel TM; Blewitt M; Clarke B; Crutchett T; Ghose A; Hajbane S; Hamann M; Hardesty BD; Hossain R; Lavers JL; Leterme SC; Leusch FDL; Lynch SK; MacGregor M; Motti CA; Noble W; OBrien A; Palanisami T; Okoffo ED; Perera K; Puskic P; Hollis JR; Roman L; Sahajwalla V; Santana MFM; Snigirova A; Tuuri EM; Wilson SP; Ziajahromi S; Gillanders BM, 2025, 'A field and laboratory manual for sampling, processing and reporting microplastics in coastal and marine environments', Frontiers in Marine Science, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1674412
2025
Ghinangju B; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Unearthing waste resources: Nano-adsorbents from complex packaging waste for fluoride detoxification of water', Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 108, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jace.20132
2025
Heriyanto ; Ghose A; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Novel upcycling of mixed textile waste into valuable activated carbon: A circular economy solution', Resources Conservation and Recycling, 223, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108526
2025
Hossain R; Ghose A; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Microplastics pollution in Australia: Sources, impacts, and mitigation strategies', Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2024.101036
2025
Al Mahmood A; Kader MA; Islam MB; Hossain R, 2025, 'Sustainable transformation of waste Aluminium into high-performance composites: A review', International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture, 8, pp. 194 - 204, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2024.11.002
2025
Hossain R; Ghose A; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Circular economy of the materials in the healthcare industry: Opportunities and challenges', Resources Conservation and Recycling, 215, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.108041
2025
Ali A; Hossain R; Heriyanto ; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Valorisation of plastic and wood waste through the incorporation in basalt fibre reinforced polymeric composites: A critical review', Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 198, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2025.107016
2025
Al Mahmood A; Jahan N; Tabassum S; Rahman M; Islam MB; Rahman S; Hossain R, 2024, 'Green synthesis of ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles using Aloe vera gel and investigation of their structural, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties', Ceramica, 70, http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/MRCR7435
2024
Hossain R; Ghinangju BS; Biswal S; Schandl H; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Current technological options for recycling packaging waste: Challenges and opportunities in India', Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Energy and Environment, 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wene.500
2024
Al Mahmood A; Syed SB; Hasan Z; Islam MB; Hossain R; Rahman S, 2024, 'Structural, morphological, optical, and antimicrobial study of Mikania micrantha (leaf) extract treated zinc doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and antibacterial clothing applications', Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rsurfi.2024.100303
2024
Hasan MA; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Utilization of battery waste derived ZnO in the removal of dye from aqueous solution: A waste to wealth approach', Journal of Environmental Management, 356, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120461
2024
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Current recycling innovations to utilize e-waste in sustainable green metal manufacturing', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 382, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2023.0239
2024
Sarkar M; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Sustainable recovery and resynthesis of electroactive materials from spent Li-ion batteries to ensure material sustainability', Resources Conservation and Recycling, 200, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107292
2024
Hasan MA; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Sustainable regeneration of cathode active materials from spent lithium-ion batteries by repurposing waste coffee powder', Green Chemistry, 27, pp. 1073 - 1088, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d4gc05048g
2024
Sarkar M; Hossain R; Peng J; Sharma N; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Electrochemical Compatibility of Microzonal Carbon in Ion Uptake and Molecular Insights into Interphase Evolution for Next-Generation Li-Ion Batteries', Advanced Energy Materials, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202401977
2024
Hossain R; Sarkar M; Sahajwalla V, 2023, 'Technological options and design evolution for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries: Impact, challenges, and opportunities', Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Energy and Environment, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wene.481
2023
Shanker R; Khan D; Hossain R; Islam MT; Locock K; Ghose A; Sahajwalla V; Schandl H; Dhodapkar R, 2023, 'Plastic waste recycling: existing Indian scenario and future opportunities', International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 20, pp. 5895 - 5912, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04079-x
2023
Sarkar M; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2023, 'Hard carbons from automotive shredder residue (ASR) as potential anode active material for sodium ion battery', Journal of Power Sources, 584, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233577
2023
Anik Hasan M; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2023, 'Critical metals (Lithium and Zinc) recovery from battery waste, ores, brine, and steel dust: A review', Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 178, pp. 976 - 994, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.08.069
2023
Sarkar M; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2023, 'Unravelling the properties of microzonal carbon from waste hard rubber by selective thermal transformation via conventional heating and microwave irradiation', Carbon, 213, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118274
2023
Sahajwalla V; Hossain R, 2023, 'Rethinking circular economy for electronics, energy storage, and solar photovoltaics with long product life cycles', MRS Bulletin, 48, pp. 375 - 385, http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/s43577-023-00519-2
2023
Islam MT; Huda N; Baumber A; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Waste battery disposal and recycling behavior: a study on the Australian perspective', Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, pp. 58980 - 59001, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19681-2
2022
Hossain R; Islam MT; Shanker R; Khan D; Locock KES; Ghose A; Schandl H; Dhodapkar R; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Plastic Waste Management in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Circular Economy', Sustainability Switzerland, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14084425
2022
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Microrecycled Co3O4from waste lithium-ion battery: Synthesis, characterisation and implication in environmental application', Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.107858
2022
Khayyam Nekouei R; Mofarah S; Hossein R; Maroufi S; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Roles of experimental variables in optimised fabrication of microrecycled CuO-based photoelectrodes', Materials Today Sustainability, 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2022.100111
2022
Hossain R; Nekouei RK; Al Mahmood A; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Value-added fabrication of NiO-doped CuO nanoflakes from waste flexible printed circuit board for advanced photocatalytic application', Scientific Reports, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16614-4
2022
Hossain R; Islam MT; Ghose A; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Full circle: Challenges and prospects for plastic waste management in Australia to achieve circular economy', Journal of Cleaner Production, 368, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133127
2022
Hossain R; Hassan K; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Utilising problematic waste to detect toxic gas release in the environment: fabricating a NiO doped CuO nanoflake based ammonia sensor from e-waste', Nanoscale Advances, 4, pp. 4066 - 4079, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d1na00743b
2022
Hassan K; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2022, 'Recycled ZnO-fused macroporous 3D graphene oxide aerogel composites for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors', Journal of the American Ceramic Society, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jace.18697
2022
Hossain R; Al Mahmood A; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Recovering renewable carbon materials from automotive shredder residue (ASR) for micro-supercapacitor electrodes', Journal of Cleaner Production, 304, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127131
2021
Rezaei M; Zarei-Hanzaki A; Anousheh AS; Abedi HR; Pahlevani F; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V; Berto F, 2021, 'On the damage mechanisms during compressive dwell-fatigue of β-annealed Ti-6242S alloy', International Journal of Fatigue, 146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2021.106158
2021
Hossain R; Kumar U; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Selective thermal transformation of value added cobalt from spent lithium-ion batteries', Journal of Cleaner Production, 293, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126140
2021
Islam MT; Huda N; Baumber A; Shumon R; Zaman A; Ali F; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'A global review of consumer behavior towards e-waste and implications for the circular economy', Journal of Cleaner Production, 316, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128297
2021
Mahmood AA; Hossain R; Bhattacharyya S; Privat K; Sahajwalla V; Al Mahmood MA, 2021, 'Rapid transformation of the metal-polymer laminated packaging materials into ceramic carbide reinforced Al-alloy', Resources Conservation and Recycling, 167, pp. 105374, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105374
2021
Hassan K; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Novel microrecycled ZnO nanoparticles decorated macroporous 3D graphene hybrid aerogel for efficient detection of NO2 at room temperature', Sensors and Actuators B Chemical, 330, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2020.129278
2021
Hassan K; Hossain R; Farzana R; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Microrecycled zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) recovered from spent Zn–C batteries for VOC detection using ZnO sensor', Analytica Chimica Acta, 1165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2021.338563
2021
Hossain R; Al Mahmood A; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Facile Solution for Recycling Hazardous Flexible Plastic-Laminated Metal Packaging Waste to Produce Value-Added Metal Alloys', ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 9, pp. 16881 - 16895, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c04368
2021
Hemati S; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Selective thermal transformation of automotive shredder residues into high-value nano silicon carbide', Nanomaterials, 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano11112781
2021
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Molecular recycling: A key approach to tailor the waste recycling for high-value nano silicon carbide', Journal of Cleaner Production, 316, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128344
2021
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'Microrecycling of waste flexible printed circuit boards for in-situ generation of O- and N-doped activated carbon with outstanding supercapacitance performance', Resources Conservation and Recycling, 167, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105221
2021
Hossain R; Nekouei RK; Mansuri I; Sahajwalla V, 2021, 'In-situ O/N-heteroatom enriched activated carbon by sustainable thermal transformation of waste coffee grounds for supercapacitor material', Journal of Energy Storage, 33, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2020.102113
2021
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2020, 'Material Microsurgery: Selective Synthesis of Materials via High-Temperature Chemistry for Microrecycling of Electronic Waste', ACS Omega, 5, pp. 17062 - 17070, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c00485
2020
Garole DJ; Hossain R; Garole VJ; Sahajwalla V; Nerkar J; Dubal DP, 2020, 'Recycle, Recover and Repurpose Strategy of Spent Li-ion Batteries and Catalysts: Current Status and Future Opportunities', Chemsuschem, 13, pp. 3079 - 3100, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201903213
2020
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Sahajwalla V, 2020, 'Revealing the mechanism of extraordinary hardness without compensating the toughness in a low alloyed high carbon steel', Scientific Reports, 10, pp. 181, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55803-6
2020
Sahajwalla V; Hossain R, 2020, 'The science of microrecycling: a review of selective synthesis of materials from electronic waste', Materials Today Sustainability, 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2020.100040
2020
Babasafari Z; Pan AV; Pahlevani F; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V; Du Toit M; Dippenaar R, 2020, 'Effects of austenizing temperature, cooling rate and isothermal temperature on overall phase transformation characteristics in high carbon steel', Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 9, pp. 15286 - 15297, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.10.071
2020
Haque E; Pahlevani F; Gorjizadeh N; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2020, 'Thermal transformation of end-of-life latex to valuable materials', Journal of Composites Science, 4, pp. 166, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcs4040166
2020
Kumar R; Soam A; Hussain R; Mansuri I; Sahajwalla V, 2020, 'Carbon coated iron oxide (CC-IO) as high performance electrode material for supercapacitor applications', Journal of Energy Storage, 32, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2020.101737
2020
Al Mahmood A; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V; Al Mahmood MA, 2020, 'Investigation of the effect of laminated polymers in the metallic packaging materials on the recycling of aluminum by thermal disengagement technology (TDT)', Journal of Cleaner Production, 274, pp. 122541, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122541
2020
Al Mahmood A; Hossain R; Bhattacharyya S; Sahajwalla V; Al Mahmood MA, 2020, 'Recycling of polymer laminated aluminum packaging (PLAP) materials into carbonaceous metallic microparticles', Journal of Cleaner Production, 269, pp. 122157, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122157
2020
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'Surface modification of high carbon steel through microstructural engineering', Materials Characterization, 148, pp. 116 - 122, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2018.12.020
2019
Handoko W; Pahlevani F; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'Stress-Induced Phase Transformation and Its Correlation with Corrosion Properties of Dual-Phase High Carbon Steel', Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing, 3, pp. 55 - 55, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jmmp3030055
2019
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'Stability of retained austenite in high carbon steel – Effect of post-tempering heat treatment', Materials Characterization, 149, pp. 239 - 247, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2019.01.034
2019
Handoko W; Anurag A; Pahlevani F; Hossain R; Privat K; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'Effect of selective-precipitations process on the corrosion resistance and hardness of dual-phase high-carbon steel', Scientific Reports, 9, pp. 15631, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52228-z
2019
Hossain R; Nekouei RK; Mansuri I; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'Sustainable Recovery of Cu and Sn from Problematic Global Waste: Exploring Value from Waste Printed Circuit Boards', ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 7, pp. 1006 - 1017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b04657
2019
Singla I; Kumar H; Pahlevani F; Handoko W; Cholake ST; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'From waste to surface modification of aluminum bronze using selective surface diffusion process', Scientific Reports, 9, pp. 1559, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-38120-2
2019
Al Mahmood A; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V; Al Mahmood MA, 2019, 'Microrecycling of the metal–polymer-laminated packaging materials via thermal disengagement technology', SN Applied Sciences, 1, pp. 1106, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-1099-7
2019
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Cholake ST; Privat K; Sahajwalla V, 2019, 'Innovative Surface Engineering of High-Carbon Steel through Formation of Ceramic Surface and Diffused Subsurface Hybrid Layering', ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 7, pp. 9228 - 9236, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b00051
2019
Banerjee A; Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Zhu Q; Sahajwalla V; Prusty BG, 2019, 'Strain-rate-dependent deformation behaviour of high-carbon steel in compression: mechanical and structural characterisation', Journal of Materials Science, 54, pp. 6594 - 6607, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-03301-x
2019
Maroufi S; Nekouei RK; Hossain R; Assefi M; Sahajwalla V, 2018, 'Recovery of Rare Earth (i.e., La, Ce, Nd, and Pr) Oxides from End-of-Life Ni-MH Battery via Thermal Isolation', ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 6, pp. 11811 - 11818, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b02097
2018
Karbalaei Mirza Shahrbabaki Z; Pahlevani F; Gorjizadeh N; Hossain R; Ghasemian M; Gaikwad V; Sahajwalla V, 2018, 'Direct Transformation of Metallized Paper into Al-Si Nano-Rod and Al Nano-Particles Using Thermal Micronizing Technique', Materials, 11, pp. 1964 - 1964, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma11101964
2018
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Sahajwalla V, 2018, 'Evolution of Microstructure and Hardness of High Carbon Steel under Different Compressive Strain Rates', Metals, 8, pp. 580, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/met8080580
2018
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Witteveen E; Banerjee A; Joe B; Prusty G; Dippenaar R; Sahajwalla V, 2017, 'Hybrid structure of white layer in high carbon steel – Formation mechanism and its properties', Scientific Reports, 7, pp. 13288, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13749-7
2017
Pahlevani F; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2017, 'Effect of small addition of Cr on stability of retained austenite in high carbon steel', Materials characterization, 125, pp. 114 - 122, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2017.02.001
2017
Pahlevani F; Dippenaar R; Gorjizadeh N; Cholake ST; Hossain R; Kumar R; Sahajwalla V, 2016, 'Surface Modification of Steel Using Automotive Waste as Raw Materials', Procedia Manufacturing, 7, pp. 387 - 394, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2016.12.007
2016
Pahlevani F; Kumar R; Gorjizadeh N; Hossain R; Cholake ST; Privat K; Sahajwalla V; Goda R, 2016, 'Enhancing steel properties through in situ formation of ultrahard ceramic surface', Scientific Reports, 6, pp. 38740, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep38740
2016
Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Quadir MZ; Sahajwalla V, 2016, 'Stability of retained austenite in high carbon steel under compressive stress: An investigation from macro to nano scale', Scientific Reports, 6, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep34958
2016
Reports
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Abbey W; Way L; Ghose A; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, Current and Emerging Technological Recycling Solutions for Circular Economies in Regional and Remote Communities (2025), UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/32672
2026
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, Multi-Technique for the Isolation and Characterisation of Tyre and Road-Wear Particles from Urban Dust, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/32601
2026
Hossain R; Heriyanto H; Ali A; Spencer J; Peckham R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, Transforming Waste into Sustainable Flooring: A Case Study with the Wellington Aboriginal Community, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/32619
2026
Way L; Kamateros G, 2025, Methodology for Identifying Locations to Investigate Sources and Characteristics of Microplastics, Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/31299, https://www.nespsustainable.edu.au/research/impact-priority-2-plastic-and-waste-materials
2025
Hossain R; Mathur D; Sahajwalla V, 2025, Northern Territory: Case Study
2025
Abbey W; Way L; Al Khadhoori S, 2025, Understanding and Defining Regional and Remote Areas: Criteria and Classifications for Australia, Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/31284, https://www.nespsustainable.edu.au/research/impact-priority-2-plastic-and-waste-materials
2025
Hossain R; Ali A; Mathur D; Sahajwalla V, 2025, Recycling Solutions for Remote and Regional Communities in the Northern Territory: Demonstration of Microrecycling for Multilayer Packaging Waste
2025
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V; Bennet J; Guerin S; Ghose A; Way L; Abbey W, 2024, Indian Ocean Territory: Case Study, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/31270
2024
Arkley-Smith M; Heriyanto H; Kamateros G; Holroyd S; Ghose A; Way L, 2024, Understanding Microplastics, Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/31300, https://www.nespsustainable.edu.au/research/impact-priority-2-plastic-and-waste-materials
2024
Book Chapters
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Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'Chapter 19 - Plastic waste in aquatic systems: Circular economy approaches for sustainable resource transformation', in Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Systems Challenges, Strategies, and Innovative Solutions for a Circular Economy, Elsevier, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-45248-2.00026-2
2026
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'Chapter 5 Waste reduction and recycling initiatives for net zero', in Net ZERO, Elsevier, pp. 225 - 271, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-44454-8.00015-7
2026
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, '3.08 Green Manufacturing Utilising the Problematic Plastic Waste and the Future of Green Plastic', in Comprehensive Green Materials, Elsevier, pp. 162 - 177, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-15738-7.00044-1
2025
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Green Manufacturing Utilising the Problematic Plastic Waste and the Future of Green Plastic', in Comprehensive Green Materials, pp. Vol3 - V177, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15738-7.00044-1
2025
Conference Abstracts
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Hossain R; Hasan MA; Sahajwalla V, 2026, 'Sustainable Recycling of Waste Lithium-ion Batteries Through Biobased Carbothermic Reduction Process', in Advances in Recycling and Environmental Technologies, Springer Nature, San Diego Convention Center and Hilton San Diego Bayfront San Diego, California, USA, presented at Meeting: 2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, San Diego Convention Center and Hilton San Diego Bayfront San Diego, California, USA, 15 March 2026 - 19 March 2026
2026
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Transforming Waste into Opportunity: Rethinking Circular Economies of Materials through SMaRT Innovation', in Proceedings of WCCE 12 & APCChE 2025, Beijing, presented at 21st Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress (WCCE 12 & APCChE 2025), Beijing, 14 July 2025 - 18 July 2025
2025
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'A smart vision for a sustainable future: SMaRT technologies and MICROfactories™ creating sustainable materials and products from waste', in Chemical Engineering Congress, Beijing, China., presented at 12th World Congress of Chemical Engineering and the 21st Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress (WCCE 12 & APCChE 2025), Beijing, China.
2025
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Revolutionizing Waste: The Impact of SMaRT Technologies and MICROfactories™ on a Sustainable Future', in GLOW2025 conference programme, presented at GLOW 2025 – GLObal Conference for Women Leaders and Emerging Researchers in Materials Science, 29 September 2025 - 01 October 2025
2025
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2024, 'Harnessing The Potential of Recycled Materials - A Smart Vision for A Sustainable Future', in RACI, 2nd Australian Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Melbourne, 2024, Melbourne, presented at 2nd Australian Conference on Green & Sustainable Chemistry (GSC1617), Melbourne, 08 December 2024 - 12 December 2024
2024
Al Mahmood MA; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2020, 'Thermal Disengagement Technology: the Perspective of Microrecycling of Polymer-metal Multilayer Packaging Materials', in Recycling of Secondary, Byproduct Materials and Energy, San Diego, USA, presented at 2020 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, San Diego, USA, 23 February 2020 - 27 February 2020, http://www.programmaster.org/PM/PM.nsf/ApprovedAbstracts/9FFCBA1D7E0D7F9F852584290023378C?OpenDocument
2020
Patents
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Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2026, A PROCESS FOR RECOVERING COBALT FROM LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES, Australia, Patent No. AU2022207884
2026
Sahajwalla V; Hossain R, 2021, A process for converting flexible printed circuit boards to useful materials, Patent No. Australian Innovation Patent no. 2021106597
2021
Sahajwalla V; Hossain R, 2021, A process for recovering cobalt from lithium-ion batteries, Patent No. Australian Innovation Patent no. 2021106578
2021
Conference Presentations
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Hossain R, 2026, 'Circular economy, sustainable materials and waste-to-resource manufacturing innovations', presented at Circular Design Springboard, Melbourne TAFE, Melbourne, 30 May 2026
2026
Hossain R, 2026, 'ICBR World Reuse & Recycling Forum in Asia', presented at Microrecycling of end-of-life lithium-ion battery, 30 November 2026 - 02 December 2026
2026
Hossain R, 2026, 'Circular design in manufacturing for net zero', presented at Circular Design in Manufacturing Springboard Pilot Program, Northern Victoria Institute of TAFE, Melbourne
2026
Hossain R, 2025, 'Green Steel: Pioneering Sustainable Manufacturing through Circular Economy Innovations', presented at Smart Energy Council Conference and Exhibition, Sydney, 27 January 2025
2025
Hossain R, 2025, 'Functional material from waste for battery application', presented at World Reuse & Recycling Forum: Batteries, Automotive & Electronics (WRF 2025), Shanghai, China, 10 November 2025 - 13 November 2025, https://icm.ch/past-events/https-events-icm-ch-event-asia2025-home?utm_source
2025
Hossain R, 2025, 'Leveraging the benefits of collaboration between Architects and researchers to help the industry for regenerative future.', presented at TEFMA25 conference, Brisbane, 14 September 2025 - 17 September 2025
2025
Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2025, 'Creating Sustainable Materials and Products from Waste Resources', presented at 2nd GLObal Conference for Women Leaders and Emerging Researchers in Materials Science (GLOW 2025), Singapore, 29 September 2025 - 01 October 2025
2025
Hossain R, 2025, 'Impact of Microplastics from Synthetic Turf', presented at Australian Marine Sciences Association 2025, Brisbane, 13 July 2025 - 17 July 2025
2025
Hossain R, 2025, 'Investigating Tyre Particles in Microplastic Pollution: Source, Analytical Techniques, and Mitigation Strategy', presented at 2nd Nano & Microplastics Australian Conference, 20 March 2025 - 21 March 2025
2025
Hossain R, 2025, 'Sustainable Recycling of Waste Lithium-ion Batteries Through Biobased Carbothermic Reduction Process', presented at TMS 2026, 155th Annual Meeting and Exhibition on March, San Diego, California, USA, 15 March 2025 - 19 March 2025
2025
Hossain R, 2024, 'Recycling innovations to utilise waste into sustainable green metal manufacturing', presented at Royal Society Scientific Discussion Meeting, London, https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2024/02/sustainable-metals/
2024
Hossain R, 2024, 'Renewable carbon from waste for battery application', presented at European Materials Research Society (E-MRS) Spring Meeting, Strasbourg
2024
Hossain R, 2024, 'Harnessing the potential of recycled materials for sustainable future', presented at Green Chemistry Conference 2024, Melbourne, 24 November 2024
2024
Hossain R, 2024, 'Carbons from end-of-life materials as potential anode active materials', presented at 4th International Conference on Advanced Materials Synthesis, Characterisation and Applications (AMSCA-2024), Brisbane, Australia, 25 September 2024 - 27 September 2024
2024
Hossain R, 2024, 'Creating sustainable materials and products from waste', presented at International Mass Spectrometry Conference 2024, Melbourne, Australia, 17 August 2024 - 23 August 2024
2024
Hossain R, 2024, 'A smart vision for a sustainable future: creating sustainable materials and products from waste', presented at International Workshop on Advanced Materials, 15th meeting in the IWAM series, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 18 February 2024 - 21 February 2024
2024
Hossain R, 2023, 'Sustainable recycling of rare-earth and critical minerals from waste', presented at 26th World Mining Congress, 26 June 2023
2023
Hossain R, 2023, 'Sustainable recycling of e-waste and batteries for net-zero', presented at 11th Pacific Rim International Conference on advanced Materials and processing (PRICM11), Korea, 19 November 2023
2023
Hossain R, 2022, 'Resilience, Resources and Consumption - Circular Economy, New Materials and Construction Methods', presented at International Conference for The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Sydney, Australia, 09 April 2022 - 15 April 2022, https://caadria2022.org/keynote-panels/
2022
Hossain R, 2022, 'Aligning recycling and manufacturing: SMART technologies and MICROfactories™ creating sustainable materials and products', presented at STEAM Platform, https://www.steamplatform.org/expert/rumana-hossain
2022
Hossain R, 2022, 'Critical metals from complex waste', presented at The Rural & Regional Waste Management Conference No Time to Waste, Wagga Wagga, Australia
2022
Hossain R, 2022, 'Circular Polymer Systems', presented at US/Australia/New Zealand Virtual Roundtable, convened by the US National Science Foundation, CSIRO and the Government of New Zealand, 20 July 2022
2022
Hossain R, 2021, 'Aligning recycling and manufacturing: SMaRT technologies and MICROfactories® creating sustainable materials and products from waste resources', presented at 7th What's in Our Water (WIOW) Symposium, Asia Pacific geographic unit, 30 August 2021
2021
Hossain R, 2021, 'Waste to Value for Sustainable Future', presented at LGPro WebinarHQ, Melbourne, 23 February 2021
2021
Hossain R, 2020, 'Materials Science research in the age of Circular Economy', presented at International Conference on Energy and Healthcare Materials (ICEHM 2020), 05 February 2020
2020
Hossain R, 2020, 'Materials Microsurgery: A state of art technique for green synthesis of hybrid materials from waste', presented at 5th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference, 11 November 2020
2020
Hossain R, 2019, 'Recycling electronic and battery waste', presented at Spark festival, Stanton Library, North Sydney, Australia
2019
Hossain R, 2019, 'Sustainable recycling of complex waste', presented at Science Engagement Program, Stanton Library, North Sydney, Australia
2019
Hossain R, 2019, 'SMaRT microrecycling of the complex waste', presented at IUMRS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ASIA 2019, Perth, Australia, 22 September 2019 - 26 September 2019
2019
Hossain R, 2019, 'TOWARDS A GREEN STRATEGY FOR MATERIALS RECYCLING : TWO FOCUSING DOMAINS : HIGH ADDED VALUE MATERIALS & CO2 FOR INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS', presented at EMRS Symposium, Warsaw, 16 September 2019
2019
Preprints
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Sarkar M; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, 2022, Unraveling the Structural and Morphological Properties of Thermally Transformed Microzonal Carbon from Waste Hard Rubber by Conventional Heating and Microwave Irradiation Via Single Step Selective Thermal Transformation, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4306039
2022
Chalker J; Hossain R; Sahajwalla V, Green Chemistry and Engineering for Our Future, http://dx.doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-zmbcn
Conference Papers
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Hossain R; Pahlevani F; Sahajwalla V, 2018, 'Solid State Phase Transformation Mechanism in High Carbon Steel Under Compressive Load and with Varying Cr Percent', in TMS 2018 147th Annual Meeting & Exhibition Supplemental Proceedings, Springer, Cham, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, pp. 797 - 802, presented at TMS 2018 147th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 11 March 2018 - 15 March 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72526-0_75
2018
Pahlevani F; Dippenaar R; Gorjizadeh N; Cholake ST; Hossain R; Kumar R; Sahajwalla VH; Cholake S; Gorjizadeh N; Hossain R; Kumar R, 2017, 'Surface Modification of Steel Using Automotive Waste as Raw Materials', Kruger National Park, South Africa, presented at International Conference on Sustainable Materials Processing and Manufacturing, SMPM 2017, Kruger National Park, South Africa, 23 January 2017 - 25 January 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2016.12.007
2017
Awards, Fellowships and Recognition
- Included in the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier list of the world’s top 2% of scientists.
- Early Career Researcher Prize, The Royal Society Scientific Discussion Meeting, London, UK, 2024.
- Women in Science Early Career Researcher Award, AMSCA, Brisbane, Australia, 2024.
- TRaCE Industry Mobility Fellowship, with Siemens, 2024–2025.
- Named team member, SMaRT@UNSW finalist, Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research, 2026.
- Australian Postgraduate Award, 2016–2020.
- UNSW Science PhD Writing Scholarship, 2019.
- Bangladesh Government Postgraduate Award, 2011–2013.
Standards Recognition
- Technical Committee Member, Standards Australia.
- Co-developer of AS ISO 24187: Principles for the analysis of microplastics present in the environment.
- Co-developer of AS ISO 5667.27: Water quality—Sampling—Part 27: Guidance on sampling for microplastics, 2025.
- National Environmental Science Program (NESP), Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub (SCaW Hub) — Co-Lead Chief Investigator, 2025–2027.
- Manhari Recycling / TRaCE: Automotive Shredder Residue — Co-Lead Chief Investigator, 2024–2026.
- CRC-P: Upscaling a Novel Technology for Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries — Chief Investigator, 2024–2026.
- Australian Government TRaCE Trailblazer: Transforming Automotive Shredder Residue into Green Materials — Co-Lead Chief Investigator, 2024–2026.
- Liverpool City Council: Circular Pathway for Discarded Mattresses — Lead Chief Investigator, 2026.
- TRaCE Industry Mobility Fellowship with Siemens: Recycling Silica-Filled Epoxy Moulding Waste — Lead Fellow, 2025.
- APR.Intern Industry Internship with Tyre Stewardship Australia — Lead Chief Investigator and supervisor.
- UNSW Faculty of Science SCIF2001 Interdisciplinary Research Project — Project Lead, 2025.