TAN Khang Wei
Associate Professor Dr.
SDGs Focus
About Me
Dr Tan Khang Wei is currently an Associate Professor at Xiamen University Malaysia. Before this, he was a research fellow (BK21 PLUS) at Kyung Hee University and principal investigator of several projects, including a national competitive grant, i.e. ERGS from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. He is actively engaged in academic-industry collaboration. To date, he has received approximately RM 4 million grant from the industry in the role of principal investigator. His research mainly focuses on the conversation of unutilized resources into sustainable materials for food, water and energy application.
- Ph.D. (Chemical and Environmental Engineering), University of Nottingham, Malaysia 2011
- Master of Science (Environmental Engineering), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, 2021
- Master of Philosophy (Chemical and Environmental Engineering), University of Nottingham, Malaysia, 2008
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Chemical Engineering), University of Nottingham, Malaysia, 2007
- Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE): Associate Member (AMICheM)
- Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM): Graduate Engineer
Guest Editor for Ultrasonics Sonochemistry (2022 – 2023)
Research Interests
With rising consumer demand for natural products, a greener and cleaner technology, i.e., ultrasound-assisted extraction, has received immense attention given its effective and rapid isolation for nanocellulose compared to conventional methods. Nevertheless, the application of ultrasound on a commercial scale is limited due to the challenges associated with process optimization, high energy requirement, difficulty in equipment design and process scale-up, safety and regulatory issues. We aim to narrow down the gap and highlighting the diversified applications, significant roles, and potentials of ultrasound to ease future developments.
Current Courses Taught
- CME 531 – Research Methodology and Entrepreneurship
- CME318 – Chemical Process Technology & Design
- CME428 – Environmental Management
- EGE 203 – Principles of Chemical Engineering I
Local Grant(s)
Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (XMUMRF), Principal Investigator, “An Eco-Friendly and Recyclable Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) for Effective Extraction of Nanocellulose from Lignocellulosic Biomass Waste”, budget RM 60,000.00, July 2022 – June 2025.
Industry Project, Principal Investigator, “Valorization of durian by-product into eco-friendly nanomaterials”, budget RM 385,000.00, July 2020 – Jun 2023.
Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (XMUMRF), Principal Investigator, “Valorization of palm oil agro-waste into nanocellulose for enhanced palm phytonutrients based food fortification”, budget RM 60,000.00, Feb 2019 – Jan 2021.
Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS), Principal Investigator, “Ultrasound Assisted Isolation and Functionalization of Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC) from Oil Palm Biomass for Better Hydroquinone Delivery”, budget RM 130,000.00, Jun 2013 – Nov 2016.
CFF FoodPLUS programme, Co-Investigator, "Development of antioxidant rich dried fruit snack from kedondong using novel drying technique", budget RM 62,500.00, Feb 2015 – Jan 2018.
Toray (Japan) Foundation, Co-Investigator, "Enhanced laccase stability through nanodispersion for recalcitrant dye effluent treatment", budget RM 20,000.00, Mar 2016 – Dec 2016.
Research Grant Scheme (RGS), Principal Investigator, “A Thoroughly Review of Second Generation Bio-Energy from Palm Oil Biomass via Pyrolysis Technology”, budget RM 111,000.00, Nov 2013 - Oct 2015.
Research Grant Scheme, Co-Investigator, “Investigation of Potential Bioactivity of Kenaf Seed and Tiger Milk Mushroom (Lignosus Rhinoceros)”, budget RM 121,000.00, Sep 2013 – Aug 2015.
Research Grant Scheme, Co-Investigator, “Investigation of Termitomyces Heimii and Lignosus Rhinoceros Extracts and Laccases for Bio-Bleaching and Quorum Sensing Inhibition”, budget RM 132, 000.00, Sep 2013 – Aug 2015.
Research Grant Scheme, Co-Investigator, “Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) and Time Trade-Off (TTO) for Periorbital Hyperigmentation Treatment”, budget RM 13,000.00, Jan 2014 – Jun 2015.
Research Grant Scheme, Co-Investigator, “Fabrication of Smart Tubular Furnace with Auto Sensing and Control System to Assist Production of Second Generation Bio-Energy Gained from Palm Oil Biomass via Pyrolysis Technology”, budget RM 66,000.00, May 2014 – Apr 2016.
- Environmental & Sustainable Engineering Research Cluster Equipment Funding, Cluster Coordinator, budget RM 354,000.00, Oct 2013.
International Grant(s)
Industry Project, Principal Investigator, “Valorization of durian by-product into eco-friendly nanomaterials”, budget RMB 5,000,000.00, Sept 2023 – August 2026.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Education for Nature (EFN) Trudy Fellowship, Co-Investigator, “To Convert Durian Seed And Food Wastes Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) Into High-Value And Healthy Food Products”, budget USD 22,000.00, July 2023 – June 2026.
Journal
- Jocelyn Jean Yi Lim, Siah Ying Tang, Sivakumar Manickam, Lih Jiun Yu, Khang Wei Tan*, (2024) One-pot extraction of nanocellulose from raw durian husk fiber using carboxylic acid-based deep eutectic solvent with in situ ultrasound assistance, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 106, 106898.
- Hong Jun Lim, Siah Ying Tang, Kim Wei Chan, Sivakumar Manickam, Lih Jiun Yu, Khang Wei Tan*, (2024) A starch/gelatin-based Halochromic film with black currant anthocyanin and Nanocellulose-stabilized cinnamon essential oil Pickering emulsion: Towards real-time Salmon freshness assessment, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 274, 133329.
- Do Yee Hoo, Zhen Li Low, Darren Yi Sern Low, Siah Ying Tang, Sivakumar Manickam, Khang Wei Tan*, Zhen Hong Ban*, (2022) Ultrasonic cavitation: An effective cleaner and greener intensification technology in the extraction and surface modification of nanocellulose, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 90, 106176.
- Hong Jun Lim, Wai Kit Cheng, Khang Wei Tan*, Lih Jiun Yu, (2022) Oil palm-based nanocellulose for a sustainable future: Where are we now?, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 10(2), 107271.
Current Supervision (Postgraduate only)
CHENG Wai Kit
Valorization of durian by-products into eco-friendly nanomaterials
2019 – Present
Xiamen University Malaysia
JOCELYN Lim Jean Yi
Revolutionizing Solar Innovation: Conquering Stability Hurdles in Perovskite Quantum Dots Solar Cells through Advanced Compositional Engineering and Nanocellulose Encapsulation
2023 – Present
Xiamen University Malaysia
WONG Khai Jie
Nanocellulose: Driving the future of automotive sustainability
2023 – Present
Xiamen University Malaysia
LEIU Yu Xuan
A Nano Leap in Direct Air Capture: The Pioneering Role of Nanocellulose
2023 – Present
Xiamen University Malaysia
Completed Supervision (Postgraduate only)
HOO Do Yee
Advancing Nanocellulose Production: Elevating Sustainable Life Cycle Prospects and Enhancing Carboxylation Degree with Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvent
2021 – 2024
Xiamen University Malaysia
LIM Hong Jun
Novel halochromic film containing black currant anthocyanin and cinnamon essential oil-loaded Pickering emulsion for dynamic visualization of salmon fish freshness
2021 – 2023
Xiamen University Malaysia