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Biography
Lee Lai Yee is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and serves as the Associate Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FOSE) at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. She obtained both her Bachelor's and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. Her doctoral research focused on the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using low-pressure drop silicalite monoliths.
Prof. Lee is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and a Fellow of Advance HE, UK (FHEA). She is also a member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia and a registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. At the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Prof. Lee has established a strong research portfolio in the areas of nanotechnology, water and wastewater treatment, and the thermochemical conversion of biomass waste into value-added products.
Expertise Summary
Prof. Lee Lai Yee is a leading researcher in nanotechnology driven environmental engineering, with expertise spanning functional materials development, pollution control technologies and sustainable resource recovery. Her work focuses on the design, synthesis and application of functional carbon-based nanomaterials, including graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, biochars, activated carbons and silicalite monoliths, for the remediation of environmental pollutants and recovery of valuable resources.
She has pioneered the transformation of agricultural and industrial wastes into high-performance composite materials and agrowaste-based adsorption systems, engineered into low-pressure drop monoliths and 3D macrostructures for efficient removal and recovery of pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, dyes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These innovations have been applied in both batch and continuous separation systems, demonstrating scalability and industrial relevance.
Prof. Lee also contributes significantly to bioenergy and sustainable materials development, including the thermochemical conversion of biomass into biofuels and the fabrication of biodegradable plastics from agricultural residues. Her multidisciplinary approach bridges chemical engineering, nanotechnology, materials science and environmental technology, contributing to circular economy strategies and green engineering innovations. Her research is widely published in high impact international journals and book chapters, reflecting her commitment to translating research into practical solutions for sustainable development.
Teaching Summary
Professor Ir Dr Lee Lai Yee is currently teaching Nanotechnology, Separation Processes 1, Engineering Thermodynamics and Process Engineering Fundamentals. She has previously taught modules such as… read more
Research Summary
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Water and wastewater treatment Development of innovative materials and systems for the removal of contaminants from water sources and industrial effluents.
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Nanotechnology for environmental applications Design and synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials, e.g. graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, etc for pollution control and resource recovery.
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Air pollution control Focus on the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using advanced adsorbents and engineered structures.
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Adsorption and membrane technologies Application of adsorption processes and membrane systems for efficient separation and purification in environmental and industrial contexts.
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Thermochemical conversion of biomass Valorisation of agricultural and industrial waste through pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction and other thermochemical pathways to produce biofuels and value-added products.
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Bioplastic development Fabrication of biodegradable plastics from biomass and agricultural residues as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers.
Selected Publications
LOH, N.Y.L., TEE, W.T., SHAO, Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, GAN, S. and LEE. L.Y., 2025. Adsorption of copper and nickel by a stannum-functionalized 3D graphene composite: synthesis, characterization and optimization studies Process Safety and Environmental Protection. LOH, N.Y.L., TEE, W.T., HIEW, B.Y.Z., HANSON, S. and LEE. L.Y., 2025. Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications. In: IN: AGARWAL, N., SHAH, M.P., SOLANKI, V.S., SINGH, N. (EDS), ed., Nanomaterials in Wastewater Research: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications Springer, Singapore. 1-32 2024. Synthesis, properties and applications of graphene and related materials. In: LOH, N.Y.L., TEE, W.T., HIEW, B.Y.Z., HANSON, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., eds., Elemental Carbon Royal Society of Chemistry. LOH, N.Y.L., TEE, W.T., HANSON, S., CHIU, W.S., HIEW, B.Y.Z., KHIEW, P.S. and LEE, L.Y., 2024. Enhanced removal of lead and zinc by a 3D aluminium sulphate-functionalised graphene aerogel as an effective adsorption system Chemosphere. 362, 142537
Professor Ir Dr Lee Lai Yee is currently teaching Nanotechnology, Separation Processes 1, Engineering Thermodynamics and Process Engineering Fundamentals. She has previously taught modules such as Wastewater Treatment, Fluid Mechanics, Applied Chemistry & Physics and The Engineering Industries.
She is actively involved in supervising BEng Design Projects, MEng Projects, Final Year R&D projects and Process Engineering Laboratories, supporting students in both theoretical understanding and practical applications of chemical and environmental engineering principles.