Sadia Ilyas

Research 

Metals are the key requirements of today’s material-intensive society and modern technologies. Despite the fast depletion of their primary reserves, catering to the surge demands for metals in their application areas needs new and smart ways for their metallurgical extraction. It involves, not only the sustainable exploitation of ores and minerals but also the processing of tailings, low-grade ores, industrial and electronic waste, and spent materials, which is also imperative to mitigate the supply-risks of critical and valuable metals. Consequently, my research amalgamates the interdisciplinary domains of inorganic chemistry with the aqueous and chemical metallurgy combined with microbial activities, aiming to develop the efficient, low-cost, and less emissive extraction strategies from both primary and secondary sources. It includes carbothermic reduction, roasting, calcination, (chemical/bio/electro)leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation, cementation, etc., whereas metals’ recycling that advocates for a circular economy model and life-cycle analysis to evaluate the environmental impacts are the major application area.

Sustainability aspects

My research lies at the intersection of sustainability and materials science, focusing particularly on advance hydrometallurgical extraction techniques to minimize energy consumption, reduce reagent usage, and low-carbon emissions. In particular, the extraction of critical raw minerals, low-grade ores, and recycling of strategic elements from post-consumer waste materials having direct applications to boost the clean and green energy applications (e.g. permanent magnets, Li-ion & Ni-MH batteries, superalloys, PV panels, phosphor powder, etc.) deals with the Goal-7 and Goal-12 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating advanced recycling practices, my research promotes environmental consciousness within society. In addition, the circular economy pathways open new economic opportunities along with the mitigation of supply-risks for various raw materials, thus contributing to sustainable development and a greener future.