Rate My Professor Behdad Moghtaderi

Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi is a distinguished chemical engineer in the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, where he holds the position of Director of the Centre for Innovative Energy Technologies since January 2022. He previously served as Director of the Priority Research Centre for Energy from 2014 to 2022 and Head of the School of Engineering, Chemical Engineering from 2011 to 2019. His academic career at the University of Newcastle began in 1997, progressing through roles including Lecturer (1999–2002), Senior Lecturer (2002–2005), Associate Professor (2005–2006), and various leadership positions. Earlier, he was a Research Associate and Lecturer at the University of Adelaide in 1998–1999. Moghtaderi earned his PhD from the University of Sydney, a Master of Engineering Studies in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Shiraz University, Iran. He is actively involved in advisory roles, including Australian Representative for the International Energy Agency Task 32 on Biomass Combustion and Cofiring since 2005, Technology Advisor for Siemens Energy Global since 2022, and member of several taskforces on hydrogen and decarbonisation.

Professor Moghtaderi's research specializations encompass thermo-fluid engineering, energy and environment, renewable energy systems including biomass combustion, gasification and co-firing, advanced clean coal technologies such as oxy-fuel and chemical looping combustion, hydrogen-powered micro-energy systems, energy efficiency in buildings and desalination, and fire physics. Key contributions include developments in GRANEX heat engines, ventilation air methane abatement, Hydro Harvester atmospheric water generation, and hydrogen safety research. His work has garnered significant recognition, including the Australian Laureate Fellowship, Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia (2006), Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy (2000), and multiple awards such as the 2023 Ammonia Energy Association Innovation Award for the AMMONIAC process, 2019 NSW Physical Sciences Fund for Hydro Harvester, 2018 IChemE Global Water Award, and 2014 NSW Science & Engineering Award. With over 13,000 citations, notable publications include 'An overview on oxyfuel coal combustion—State of the art research and technology development' (2009, 1070 citations), 'The composition, recycling and utilisation of Bayer red mud' (2019, 728 citations), and 'Influence of pyrolysis conditions on the structure and gasification reactivity of biomass chars' (2004, 721 citations). His innovations have transformed energy and mining sectors by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.