Dr Simin Moradmand

Dr Simin Moradmand is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Chemical Engineering at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Newcastle, awarded in 2022, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.

Dr Moradmand’s research focuses on the development of green metal production technologies through advanced electrochemical processes. She currently leads a BHP-funded project aimed at producing iron through molten salt electrolysis, a zero-carbon alternative to traditional coal-based ironmaking. By replacing carbon with renewable electricity in the reduction process, her work addresses one of the most pressing challenges in decarbonising the iron and steel industry, which contributes nearly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Her passion lies in working alongside industry partners to deliver practical, scalable solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support the transition to more sustainable manufacturing. She is also committed to advancing the circular economy by exploring green, non-toxic approaches to metal recovery, offering alternatives to the hazardous pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical techniques widely used today.

In addition to her current work, Dr Moradmand’s earlier PhD research focused on the use of Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) technology to generate cleaner electricity from coal while preventing CO₂ emissions. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with industry leaders, including Tomago Aluminium and BHP, turning research into real-world applications. Her contributions have been recognised through several awards, including:

• BHP Inspiring Woman in Research

• Women and Leadership Australia Scholarship

• Early Career Researcher Excellence in Industry Collaboration (NIER, 2024)

Research Interests

Dr Moradmand’s passion lies in supporting the global transition to net-zero emissions by replacing polluting industrial methods with green, sustainable alternatives. With more than seven years of experience in electrochemical engineering and process development, she approaches this challenge from multiple angles, combining technical expertise with a strong focus on practical application. Her engineering background enables her to turn innovative ideas into real-world industrial solutions that can be scaled and implemented.

A central focus of her work is the use of renewable electrical energy to electrify heavy industries, particularly through the development of molten salt electrolysis systems for zero-carbon metal production. Additionally, she is actively involved in advancing battery technologies, including the design and synthesis of carbon-based materials for next-generation energy storage systems, such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. She is equally committed to driving the circular economy, developing green methods for metal recovery and recycling to replace hazardous, carbon-intensive processes.