“I’m really passionate about contributing to meaningful, practical change in how we design and use materials.”
Thanks to the support of a BPA student grant, Materials and Processing PhD student Akhila Mathew is currently involved with a University of Waikato research project focusing on developing lightweight, bio-based foams that can serve as fire-resistant and thermally insulating materials in buildings, using materials such as wool-derived keratin and recycled cellulose.
The new products contribute to the goal of the Āmiomio Aotearoa initiative to develop design processes that start from a position of non-acceptance of current conceptions of waste and end of (product) life. The initiative, hosted by the University of Waikato and funded by MBIE, has produced valuable research integrating Mātauranga Māori and western science to promote sustainability.
Both the Amiomio initiative and the biofoam project are led by Professor Kim Pickering, who has been involved in materials-related research for over 30 years, specialising in composite materials.
Akhila’s background is in chemistry, and she completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Kerala, India.
We caught up with her recently to discuss the project; how she got involved and how the BPA’s support has played a key role.
“Before starting my doctoral research, I worked on several research projects in India — from designing smart filtration systems using biomolecule-enhanced activated carbon, to synthesising soft materials like gels and liquid crystals from natural sources such as cardanol (a byproduct of cashew processing).
“I also worked on fluorescent epoxy nanocomposites for surface coatings, which sparked my deeper interest in material science and its real-world applications. Those experiences gave me strong foundation in both protein chemistry and materials science and made me realise how powerful natural materials can be when used thoughtfully.
“The project’s focus on sustainable bio-based materials perfectly aligns with my research interests, which motivated me to apply and join the team.
“I’ve long been interested in biomaterials and sustainable chemistry, particularly the use of natural polymers and renewable resources in functional applications. I also gained some hands-on experience working with bio-based materials, which further strengthened my interest in this area.
“Through the project, I hope to deepen my expertise in bio-based composite materials, gain hands-on experience in material characterisation and processing, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable building technologies.
“The Bioresource Processing Alliance (BPA) funding has played a key role in supporting my research.
“It has provided the necessary resources to carry out experimental work, including access to raw materials and analytical facilities. The funding has also supported opportunities to engage with experts in the field and develop valuable research collaborations.
“Overall, it has given me the platform to undertake high-impact research and grow as an early-career researcher.
“I’m really passionate about contributing to meaningful, practical change in how we design and use materials.”
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