Staff Profile

Dr Yin received his PhD in chemical engineering (Malaya) and was appointed visiting scholar at Columbia University in the City of New York (Dec 2008 - March 2009) and Harvard University (Nov - Dec 2009) where he conducted research on liquid infiltration in nanoporous materials and microfluidics, respectively. His brief stint at Harvard was focused on hands-on PDMS microfluidic device fabrication for pharmaceutical and cell capture applications. 

His current interests are focused on sustainability themes particularly all aspects relating to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Integrating Sustainability for a Future-Ready Business from Singapore Management University and a Certificate of Proficiency in GHG emissions accounting from the GHG Management Institute. As the Director of Internationalisation, he is responsible for the international presence of Newcastle University in Singapore (NUiS) and Newcastle Research & Innovation Institute (NewRIIS). 

He is currently an Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports - a Q1 journal published by Nature Portfolio (formerly Nature Publishing Group) (www.nature.com/srep/about/editors#chemical-engineering) and Materials - a Q1 journal published by MDPI (www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/editors).  

Dr Yin is an Associate Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, United Kingdom (AMIChemE), Member of Engineers Australia (MIEAust) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK. His research and lecturing experience spans more than 18 years in which he has held various academic positions (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader, Associate Professor) at universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. He is currently a Reader in Adv Materials & Sustainability at Newcastle University in Singapore. He was involved as a contributing/supervising Murdoch University academic in Western Australia for a capstone metallurgical engineering design course for final year students under the banner of the Metallurgical Education Partnership (MEP) (2011-2012).

Dr Yin regularly gets invited as speaker/guest lecturer and has delivered several keynote/plenary lectures at several international conferences. He has acted as reviewer for many prominent Elsevier, John Wiley & Sons and American Chemical Society journals and examiner for 6 PhD theses. He is also a proposal reviewer/assessor for the British Council, Leverhulme Trust, Australian Research Council, CONACYT and Kazakhstan National Center of Science and Technology Evaluation. He is currently serving as a Member of the British Council-Newton Fund Engineering and Physical Sciences Review Panel (2015 - present) and has previously served as a UK Management Committee Member for EU COST Action ES1205. He is also currently serving as a Member of the Britcham Singapore Sustainability Committee.

Postgraduate/postdoc supervision forms an integral component of his academic career in which he has supervised 5 successful PhD project and is currently co-supervising PhD students with his UK and Australian collaborators. In recognition of his research accomplishments, he was awarded the 2013 Murdoch University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research (Early Career Development and Achievement) and included in the Stanford list of "Top 2% of scientists of their main subfield discipline". By working closely with UK, Australian and international collaborators, he has (jointly) procured more than £1.2 million-equivalent in competitive research, travel and infrastructure-based grants. Recent successfully obtained grants include:

• 2021 - 2022 National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation grant, Saudi Arabia (Work Package Leader)
• 2017-2018 British Council Institutional Links – Newton Fund grant (UK Principal Investigator)
• 2016 - 2017 Royal Academy of Engineering, UK - Newton Research Collaboration Programme (Principal Investigator)
• 2015 - 2017 Innovative Research Universities (Australia) - IRU-MRUN Collaborative Research Programme (Joint Chief Investigator)
• 2014 - 2015 Teesside University Research Fund (Principal Investigator)
• 2014 - 2015 Teesside International Visiting Academics Scheme (Principal Investigator)
• 2013 Australian Research Council - Linkage, Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Grants (Murdoch University Chief Investigator)
• 2012 - 2014 Sir Walter Murdoch Distinguished Collaborator Program (Chief Investigator)

Dr Yin has published more than 85 indexed journal articles mostly as first/corresponding/joint corresponding author (http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AyvBQgkAAAAJ&hl=en). Recent representative journal publications include:

• Amri, A., Hendri, Y.B., Yin, C.Y., Rahman, M.M., Altarawneh, M. and Jiang, Z.T. (2021). Very-few-layer graphene obtained from facile two-shear exfoliation in aqueous solution. Chemical Engineering Science, 245, 116848 (selected as journal cover image - please see below)
• Ha, N.N., Cam, L.M., Thi Thu Ha, N., Jiang, Z.T., El-Harbawi, M. and Yin, C.Y.^# (2018). Integrated QMMM and Monte Carlo methods for analysis of adsorptive interactions between goethite cluster, carbon nanotubes and arsenate. International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, 118, e25653 (selected as journal cover image - please see below).
• Ha, N.N., Ha, N.T.T., Goh, B.M., Saunders, M., Jiang, Z.T., Altarawneh, M., Dlugogorski, B.Z., El-Harbawi, M. and Yin, C.Y.^# (2017). Understanding the adsorptive interactions of arsenate-iron nanoparticles with curved fullerene-like sheets in activated carbon using a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics computational approach. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 19, 14262-14268 (highlighted by Editors as a HOT manuscript in 2017).
• Yin, C.Y.^#, Ng, M.F., Goh, B.M., Saunders, M., Hill, N., Jiang, Z.T., Balach, J. and El-Harbawi, M., (2016). Probing the interactions of phenol with oxygenated functional groups on curved fullerene-like sheets in activated carbon. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 18, 3700-3705.
• Yin, C.Y.^#, Ng, M.F., Saunders, M., Goh, B.M., Senanayake, G., Sherwood, A., Hampton, M. (2014). New insights into the adsorption of aurocyanide ion on activated carbon surface: electron microscopy analysis and computational studies using fullerene-like models. Langmuir 30 (26), 7703-7709.
• Rahman, M.M., Jiang, Z.T., Xie, Z., Duan, X., Wo, P.C., Yin, C.Y., Mondinos, N., Gu, Q., Widjaja, H., Jack, K., Yago, A., Amri, A. (2014). Understanding local bonding structures of Ni-doped chromium nitride coatings through synchrotron radiation NEXAFS spectroscopy. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 118 (32), 18573-18579.
• Amri, A., Jiang, Z.T., Bahri, P., Yin, C.Y.^#, Zhao, X., Xie, Z., Duan X., Widjaja, H., Rahman, M.M., Pryor, T. (2013). Surface electronic structure and mechanical characteristics of copper cobalt oxide thin film coatings: Soft X-ray synchrotron radiation spectroscopic analyses and modeling. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 117 (32), 16457–16467.
• Golsheikh, A.M., Huang, N.M., Lim, H.N., Zakaria, R., Yin, C.Y. (2013). One-step electrodeposition synthesis of silver-nanoparticle-decorated graphene on indium-tin-oxide for enzymeless hydrogen peroxide detection. Carbon 62, 405-412.
• Yin, C.-Y.^#, Nikoloski, A.N., Wang, W. (2013). Microfluidic solvent extraction of platinum and palladium from a chloride leach solution using Alamine 336. Minerals Engineering 45, 18 – 21.

Research Profile

Theme 1: Industrial Sustainability and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

All aspects concerning industrial sustainability and ESG including sustainability reporting, greenhouse gas emissions quantification, carbon audit, carbon offsetting and carbon reduction.

Theme 2: Adsorption of Metal Ions onto Activated Carbon Surface: Electron Microscopy Analyses and Computational Studies

Though the use of activated carbon (AC) as an industrial wastewater "polisher" to remove pollutants as well as gold extractant in the carbon-in-pulp process are ubiquitous, the exact adsorption mechanisms in terms of metal ions affinity to the AC surface are still poorly understood. Computational and electron microscopy studies could potentially shed light on such fundamental aspects. 

Theme 3: Life Cycle Assessment and Industrial Ecology as Applied for Localised Chemical Industries

Life Cycle Assessment is a technique that provides quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of processes over their specified life cycles. Such technique could be used to aid improved plant designs in relation to environmental sustainability. 

Current Research Project

• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics and rankings
• Synthesis of Carbon Microspheres and Hydrochar from Biomass Wastes and It's Application for Wastewater Treatment.  

Areas for PhD Supervision/Potential PhD Projects

• Advanced carbon materials
• Life cycle assessment
• Adsorption processes
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

• CHE2014: Separation Processes 1 (SIT-NU module)
• CHE2033: Sustainable Industry, Design and Manufacture (SIT-NU module)
• CHE3031: Design Project (SIT-NU module)

Postgraduate

• NUS8101: Environmental Impact Legislation and Engineering
• NUS8201: Energy Resources and Technologies 

• Articles

  • Alhawtali S, El-Harbawi M, El Blidi L, Alrashed MM, Alzobidi A, Yin C-Y. Date Palm Leaflet-Derived Carbon Microspheres Activated Using Phosphoric Acid for Efficient Lead (II) Adsorption. C-Journal of Carbon Research 2024, 10(1), 26.
  • Chin T, Tam I, Yin C-Y. Wet scrubbing process with oxidation and reduction in series for removal of SO2 and NO from marine diesel engine exhaust. Chemical Engineering Journal 2023, 464, 142299.
  • Al-Awadi AS, El-Harbawi M, Algarawi A, Alalawi A, blidi LE, Alrashed MM, Yin C-Y. Synthesis of carbon microspheres via hydrothermal carbonization of Sabal palms (Sabal palmetto) biomass for adsorption of methylene blue. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 2023, 13, 16943-16953.
  • El-Harbawi M, Alhawtali S, Al-Awadi AS, El Blidi L, Alrashed MM, Alzobidi A, Yin C-Y. Synthesis of Carbon Microspheres from Inedible Crystallized Date Palm Molasses: Influence of Temperature and Reaction Time. Materials 2023, 16(4), 1672.
  • Yin C-Y, El-Harbawi M, Jiang Z-T. Life Cycle Assessment of Production of Hydrochar via Hydrothermal Carbonization of Date Palm Fronds Biomass. Materials 2023, 16(20), 6653.
  • Alhawtali S, El-Harbawi M, Al-Awadi AS, El Blidi L, Alrashed MM, Yin C-Y. Enhanced Adsorption of Methylene Blue Using Phosphoric Acid-Activated Hydrothermal Carbon Microspheres Synthesized from a Variety of Palm-Based Biowastes. Coatings 2023, 13(7), 1287.
  • Amri A, Hendri YB, Saputra E, Heltina D, Yin C-Y, Rahman MM, Minakshi M, Mondinos N, Jiang Z-T. Formation kinetics of sol-gel derived LiFePO4 olivine analyzed by reliable non-isothermal approach. Ceramics International 2022, 48(12), 17729-17737.
  • Chin T, Tam IC, Yin C-Y. Comparison of various chemical compounds for the removal of SO₂ and NO_x with wet scrubbing for marine diesel engines. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2022, 29, 8873-8891.
  • Amri A, Bertilsya Hendri Y, Yin C-Y, Mahbubur Rahman M, Altarawneh M, Jiang Z-T. Very-few-layer graphene obtained from facile two-step shear exfoliation in aqueous solution. Chemical Engineering Science 2021, 245, 116848.
  • Soh SH, Jain A, Lee LY, Chin SK, Yin C-Y, Jayaraman S. Techno-economic and profitability analysis of extraction of patchouli oil using supercritical carbon dioxide. Journal of Cleaner Production 2021, 297, 126661.
  • Taha H, Ibrahim K, Rahman MM, Henry DJ, Yin C-Y, Veder J-P, Amri A, Zhao X, Jiang Z-T. Sol-gel derived ITO-based bi-layer and tri-layer thin film coatings for organic solar cells applications. Applied Surface Science 2020, 530, 147164.
  • Hernandez-Francisco E, Bonilla-Cruz J, Marquez-Lamas U, Suarez-Jacobo A, Longoria-Rodriguez F, Rivera-Haro J, Russell P, Ali Z, Yin C-Y, Lara-Ceniceros TE. Entangled cellulose nanofibrils/nanosheets derived from native mexican agave for lead(II) ion removal. Cellulose 2020, 27, 8785–8798.
  • Carballo-Meilan A, Hernandez-Francisco E, Sosa-Loyde G, Bonilla-Cruz J, Russell P, Ali Z, Garcia-Garcia A, Arizpe-Zapata A, Longoria-Rodriguez F, Lara-Ceniceros TE, Yin C-Y. Biosorption of copper using nopal fibres: moolooite formation and magnesium role in the reactive crystallization mechanism. Cellulose 2020, 27, 10259-10276.
  • Altarawneh M, Waters D, Goh B-M, Jiang Z-T, El-Harbawi M, Yin C-Y. Adsorptive interactions between metaldehyde and sulfonic functional group in ion exchange resin. Journal of Molecular Liquids 2020, 313, 113555.
  • Yin C-Y, Lee LY. Teaching chemical engineering students industrial symbiosis using online resources: A Singapore case study. Education for Chemical Engineers 2019, 27, 28-34.
  • Amri A, Hasan K, Taha H, Rahman MM, Herman S, Andrizal, Awaltanova E, wantono I, Kabir H, Yin C-Y, Ibrahim K, Bahri S, Frimayanti N, Hossain MA, Jiang Z-T. Surface structural features and optical analysis of nanostructured Cu-oxide thin film coatings coated via the sol-gel dip coating method. Ceramics International 2019, 45(10), 12888-12894.
  • Rahman MM, Awaltanova E, Amri A, Altarawneh M, Hossain MA, Zhao X, Hsien Liew WY, Minakshi M, Yin C-Y, Veder J-P, Chuah LS, Jiang Z-T. A holistic analysis of surface, chemical bonding states and mechanical properties of sol-gel synthesized CoZn-oxide coatings complemented by finite element modeling. Ceramics International 2019, 45(8), 10882-10898.
  • Ibrahim K, Rahman MM, Taha H, Hasan SM, Amri A, Kabir H, Kassim MS, Ahmed B, Yin C-Y, Hossain MA, Ahmed F, Altarawneh M, Jiang Z-T. A first-principles study of the electronic, structural, and optical properties of CrN and Mo:CrN clusters. Ceramics International 2019, 45(14), 17094-17102.
  • Harun NFA, Mohd Y, Lim YP, Yin C-Y, Lim Y-C. Understanding the characteristics, enhanced optical and photoelectrochemical performance of copper-loaded titania nanotubes synthesized via successive ionic layer adsorption reaction. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics 2018, 29(16), 14210-14221.
  • Amri A, Fadli A, Jiang Z-T, Yin C-Y, Rahman MM, Widjaja H, Herman S, Yenti SR, Munir MM, Priyotomo G, Iqbal M, Frimayanti N. Surface structural and solar absorptance features of nitrate-based copper-cobalt oxides composite coatings: Experimental studies and molecular dynamic simulation. Ceramics International 2018, 44(13), 15274-15280.
  • Ibrahim K, Mahbubur Rahman M, Taha H, Mohammadpour E, Zhou Z, Yin C-Y, Nikoloski A, Jiang Z-T. Structural, morphological, and optical characterizations of Mo, CrN and Mo:CrN sputtered coatings for potential solar selective applications. Applied Surface Science 2018, 440, 1001-1010.
  • Taha H, Jiang ZT, Yin CY, Henry DJ, Zhao X, Trotter G, Amri A. Novel Approach for Fabricating Transparent and Conducting SWCNTs/ITO Thin Films for Optoelectronic Applications. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2018, 122(5), 3014-3027.
  • Ha NN, Cam LM, Thi Thu Ha N, Jiang Z-T, El-Harbawi M, Yin C-Y. Integrated QMMM and Monte Carlo methods for analysis of adsorptive interactions between goethite cluster, carbon nanotubes, and arsenate. International Journal of Quantum Chemistry 2018, 118(17), e25653.
  • Taha H, Jiang ZT, Henry DJ, Amri A, Yin CY, Alias AB, Zhao X. Improved mechanical properties of sol-gel derived ITO thin films via Ag doping. Materials Today Communications 2018, 14, 210-224.
  • Nguyen NH, Ha NT, Goh BM, Saunders M, Jiang ZT, Altarawneh M, Dlugogorski BZ, El-Harbawi M, Yin CY. Understanding the adsorptive interactions of arsenate-iron nanoparticles with curved fullerene-like sheets in activated carbon using a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics computational approach. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2017, 19(22), 14262 - 14268.
  • Taha H, Henry DJ, Yin CY, Amri A, Zhao X, Bahri S, LeMinh C, Ha NN, Rahman MM, Jiang ZT. Probing the effects of thermal treatment on the electronic structure and mechanical properties of Ti-doped ITO thin films. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 2017, 721, 333–346.
  • Taha H, Jiang ZT, Henry DJ, Amri A, Yin CY, Rahman MM. Improving the optoelectronic properties of titanium-doped indium tin oxide thin films. Semiconductor Science and Technology 2017, 32(6), 065011.
  • Abdul-Bashid HA, Lim HN, Kamaruzaman S, Abdul-Rashid S, Yunus R, Huang NM, Yin CY, Rahman MM, Altarawneh M, Jiang ZT, Alagarsamy P. Electrodeposition of polypyrrole and reduced graphene oxide onto carbon bundle fibre as electrode for supercapacitor. Nanoscale Research Letters 2017, 12, 246.
  • Rahman MM, Jiang ZT, Yin CY, Chuah LS, Lee HL, Amri A, Goh BM, Wood BJ, Creagh C, Mondinos N, Altarawneh M, Dlugogorski BZ. Structural Thermal Stability of Graphene Oxide-Doped Copper-Cobalt Oxide Coatings as a Solar Selective Surface. Journal of Materials Science & Technology 2016, 32(11), 1179-1191.
  • Yin CY, Ng MF, Goh BM, Saunders M, Hill N, Jiang ZT, Balach J, El-Harbawi M. Probing the interactions of phenol with oxygenated functional groups on curved fullerene-like sheets in activated carbon. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2016, 18(5), 3700-3705.
  • Widjaja H, Altarawneh M, Jiang ZT, Yin CY, Goh BM, Mondinos N, Dlugogorski BZ. Geometrical and orientational investigations on the electronic structure of graphene with adsorbed aluminium or silicon. Materials & Design 2016, 89, 27-35.
  • Widjaja H, Jiang ZT, Altarawneh M, Yin CY, Goh BM, Mondinos N, Amri A, Dlugogorski BZ. Double-sided F and Cl adsorptions on graphene at various atomic ratios: Geometric, orientation and electronic structure aspects. Applied Surface Science 2016, 373, 65-72.
  • Widjaja H, Jiang ZT, Altarawneh M, Yin CY, Goh BM, Mondinos N, Dlugogorski BZ. Towards a better understanding of the geometrical and orientational aspects of the electronic structure of halogens (F-I) adsorption on graphene. Applied Surface Science 2015, 356, 370-377.