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“Sustainability is at the heart of my research work,” says Hatem Abushammala, associate professor of environmental health and safety at Abu Dhabi University in the United Arab Emirates. 

For 13 years, Abushammala has been developing green materials and technologies to reduce humanity’s impact on the environment while allowing communities to develop and grow. “As a scientist in the field of bio-based nanomaterials and polymers, my research focuses on finding alternatives to traditional materials that are both efficient and sustainable,” he says. These materials include green construction materials, biodegradable plastics and materials for energy applications. 

In 2015, the country approved the UAE Green Agenda, which aims to increase its gross domestic product by more than four per cent by 2030 while reducing its emissions by more than 75 per cent. To achieve its ambitious targets, researchers such as Abushammala need to pioneer new technologies and methods.

Abushammala’s goal “is to develop solutions that are not only innovative but also sustainable”, he says. Already, the nanotechnologist has three patents and has authored or contributed to 30 peer-reviewed research publications.

Earlier this year, Stanford University recognised the impact of Abushammala’s work by including him in the top two per cent of the most cited scientists worldwide. “It is a reflection of the importance of sustainability research,” he says.

A significant part of his research is using nanotechnological methods to change the properties of cellulose, a major component of biomass and paper waste. Cellulose offers numerous applications across a variety of fields, including construction, manufacturing and electronics. It has the added benefit of being more sustainable than other traditional materials.

One of Abushammala’s patents involves the preparation of individual cellulose nanocrystals with a coating that can conduct electricity. Electronic waste is one of the world’s fastest-growing waste streams; it is also one of the most dangerous because many of its components are toxic and do not biodegrade. Coated cellulose nanocrystals could replace several of these hazardous components and make electronics more sustainable. Abushammala and collaborator Jia Mao published their findings in the journal .

In another patent, Abushammala developed a novel method for creating pharmaceutical pills using specially prepared cellulose gel, which is less energy-intensive than traditional methods. Abushammala and colleagues described their findings in the journal .

Other research has focused on how to improve the use of cellulose in biofuels. For decades, researchers have been working on ways to improve woody plant materials as an input for biofuels. For example, petrol-substitute bioethanol offers a renewable fuel source, but it can be difficult to produce with high-energy requirements. Abushammala and colleagues have proposed a new way to break down cellulose and produce biofuel. This research has important implications in developing this energy source and moving away from fossil fuels.

But no researcher works alone, and collaboration is fundamental to producing world-class research. “At Abu Dhabi University, I am fortunate to work with a team and external partners that are equally committed to advancing knowledge and driving change,” says Abushammala.