HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Zurich, Switzerland or Virtually from your home or work.

Prof. Nirmala Deenadayalu

 

Prof. Nirmala Deenadayalu

Durban University of Technology
South Africa

Abstract Title: Use of an Ionic Liquid for Biochemical Production from Biomass

Biography:

Prof. Nirmala Deenadayalu

Prof. Nirmala Deenadayalu is a distinguished academic and researcher with over 30 years of experience in the field of chemistry. She is a National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rated scientist and has made significant contributions to the academic community through her extensive publication record, which includes over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Prof. Deenadayalu is highly regarded for her expertise in thermodynamics, ionic liquids, biomass processing, and biogas production. Her current research focuses on developing sustainable technologies to address global environmental challenges, particularly through the valorization of biomass for the production of biochemicals and biofuels.

She has contributed significantly to advancing the field of ionic liquids, a class of environmentally friendly solvents and catalysts, in biomass processing. Her work has explored their application in converting sugarcane bagasse, a major by-product of the sugarcane refining industry, into value-added chemicals such as levulinic acid (LA) and gamma valerolactone (GVL). These platform chemicals have wide-ranging applications, including food additives, insecticides, and lacquers, and align with sustainable development goals.

Prof. Deenadayalu has served as a peer reviewer for numerous international journals and has examined several Master’s and PhD theses. Her dedication to fostering academic collaboration is evident through her visits to prestigious institutions worldwide, including Delhi University (India), Warsaw University of Technology (Poland), University of Campinas (Brazil), Kurukshetra University (India), Imperial College (UK), and Hamburg University of Technology (Germany).

Through her local and international collaborations, Prof. Deenadayalu continues to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable energy and chemical production, addressing the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

Prof. Deenadayalu is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry, Durban University of Technology, South Africa, where she continues to mentor and inspire future generations of scientists.

Research Interest:

Prof. Nirmala Deenadayalu’s research interests span a broad spectrum of topics in chemistry and sustainability, with a focus on addressing global environmental challenges. Her key areas of interest include:

  • Thermodynamics: Investigating the physical and chemical properties of substances to optimize processes for chemical and energy applications.
  • Ionic Liquids: Exploring the use of ionic liquids as environmentally friendly solvents and catalysts for biomass processing, with applications in sustainable chemical production.
  • Biomass Valorization: Developing innovative methods to transform agricultural by-products, such as sugarcane bagasse, into value-added chemicals, biofuels, and bioplastics.
  • Biogas Production: Researching sustainable energy production through the conversion of organic waste into biogas.
  • Sustainable Development: Focusing on the design and optimization of chemical processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Platform Chemicals: Investigating the production of key intermediates like levulinic acid (LA) and gamma valerolactone (GVL) for diverse industrial applications, including food additives, insecticides, and lacquers.

Prof. Deenadayalu’s research aims to bridge the gap between fundamental science and practical applications, contributing to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly technologies for a greener future.