Thomas CHOONG Shean Yaw
Professor Ir. Dr.
SDGs Focus
About Me
Prof. Thomas Choong obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, and his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He was appointed as a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia in 2026, following his retirement from Universiti Putra Malaysia, where he served for approximately 30 years. He has been recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists from 2022 to 2025. He is a Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, a Chartered Engineer UK, and a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers UK, and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia.
PhD (Chemical Engineering) , University of Cambridge, 2000
Master in Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 1996
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 1991
Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate (BEM)
Chartered Engineer (ECUK)
Fellow, IChemE UK
Fellow, IEM
Chemistry Subject Committee Advisor of the Unified Curriculum Committee for Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School (MICSS) Working Committee.
Editorial Board Member of Processes (MDPI)
Research Interest
Prof. Thomas research interests centre on process modelling and simulation, spanning pressure swing adsorption and, more recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD). I employ CFD to study the behaviour of complex systems, including electric vehicle fire dynamics, with a focus on safety and performance. I also conduct research on functional nanomaterials, particularly nano-sized calcium peroxide (CaO₂), investigating its synthesis, surface modification, and controlled-release properties for environmental remediation and sustainable agriculture. In the area of sustainable energy, my work encompasses waste heat recovery and energy storage technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and supporting decarbonisation in industrial processes. In addition, I am engaged in biofuel research, contributing to the development of cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
Current Courses Taught
BSC401 – Engineers in Society
CME224 – Chemical Engineering Laboratory I
Local Grant(s)
Evaluation of nano-enhanced controlled-release fertilizer for improved soil compatibility and sustainable crop production (2026)
Population balance modelling of nano calcium peroxide synthesis with controllable particle size distribution via homogeneous precipitation with urea. FRGS (2020 – 2024)
Journal
Nurul Nazihah Amerhaider Nuar, Siti Nurul Ain Md Jamil, Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Syazana Ishami Mahadzir, Intan Diana Mat Azmi, Mohd Salahuddin Mohd Basri, Mohamad Rezi Abdul Hamid (2025). Optimized Degradation of Doxycycline in Aqueous Systems Using Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles via Response Surface Methodology. ACS Omega, 10, 10205−10219.
Omar Qistina, Ali Salmiaton, Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Shamsul Izhar, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap (2025). Characterization of Carbon Coated Monolith Synthesized via Chemical Vapor Deposition. Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 28 (1), 13-23.
Cik Jamla Farhan Yahya, Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Wan Azlina Wan Ab Karim Ghani, Farah Nora Aznieta Abd Aziz (2025). The Recovery of Unburned Carbon from Coal Bottom Ash Using Froth Flotation: The Taguchi Optimization Method. Processes, 13, 985. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13040985
Shiqi Lyu, Zurina Zainal Abidin, Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Mohamad Faiz Mukhtar Gunam Resul (2025) Solar-enhanced capture of aquatic uranium and organic pollutants with high efficiency using functionalized porous carbon nanotubes modified polysulfides. Separation and Purification Technology, 373, 133619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2025.133619
Yeoh Jen Xen, Siti Nurul Ain Md. Jamil, Fadhil Syukri, Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Mohd Rashidi Abdul Manap, Rusli Daik Mitsuhiko Koyama, Mohsen Nourouzi Mobarekeh (2025). Treatment of synthetic slaughterhouse wastewater using integrated UV/H2O2/TiO2 photocatalytic advanced oxidation process enhanced by yeast-assisted dissolved air floatation. Water Environ Res., 97:e70069. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.70069
Book
Process Systems Engineering-Incubating Sustainability for Industrial Revolution 4.0. Edited by Tin Sin Lee and Thomas S.Y. Choong (2026). MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Conference
Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Fan Li, Nurul Nazihah Amerhaider Nuar. Application of nano Calcium Peroxide for Wastewater Treatment. 2nd International Conference on Water and Environment for Sustainability (ICWES) and the 7th Postgraduate Colloquium of Environmental Research (POCER), 23rd – 25th April, 2024, KLCC, Malaysia. (Keynote Speaker)
Thomas Shean Yaw Choong, Wan Azlina Wan Abd Karim Ghani, Mohamad Rasool Malekbala, Kiman Silas, Liyana Yahya, Nur Afifi Zainal, Razif Harun. Carbon capture and utilization from flue gas. The 5th International Conference on Integrated and Innovative Solutions for Circular Economy, 5 - 6 October 2020, Tainan. (Invited Speaker)
Thomas Shean Yaw Choong. Malaysia Efforts in Achieving Net Carbon Zero By 2050. The 7th International Conference on Integrated and Innovative Solutions for Circular Economy, 18 October 2023, Taipei. (Invited Speaker)
Fellow, IChemE UK
Fellow, IEM
World’s Top 2% Scientists from 2022 to 2025
Patent
Synthesis of Dextran-Coated Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles for Controlled Oxygen Release Malaysia Patent (PI2025004065)