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Muhammad Ali

After completing my PhD at Cardiff School of Engineering, I joined Bridgend College of Technology as a Lecturer. Prior to my research studies, I worked as a Site Engineer on various infrastructure and regeneration projects. Waste Management and the Built Environment are of particular interest to me as far as research is concerned. I have a keen interest in interdisciplinary research and continue to work in this respect.

I have been collaborating with the construction industry to embed R&D and enhance productivity while promoting sustainability and circular economy for waste-derived construction materials. In the past, I have developed and delivered an award-winning Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership project, which lead to patents and End of Waste certifications. I am working on the effective use of various industrial by-products in order to divert waste from landfills.

My research interests are:
Sustainable Construction Materials – Assessing ways to meet the demand for low-cost housing in low-income countries. Seeking to incorporate both organic and inert waste into various construction materials such as concrete and soil building blocks. Research that extends beyond traditional laboratory experiments, employing advanced materials studies and finite element analysis to evaluate the microstructural characteristic of construction materials.

Geo-Environmental Engineering – Development and evaluation of soil remediation strategies, focused on efficient remediation of complex hydrocarbon-based contaminants, utilising low-cost, and environment-friendly techniques.

Waste and Resource Management – Composting, treatment of organic and catering wastes, recycling and reuse of construction and demolition wastes. A key area of interest is the development of markets for waste-derived products including compostable plastic packaging.

I am a Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng) and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers UK

Fallen autumn leaves are a valuable resource – here's how to make the most of them

Nov 25, 2023 07:39 am UTC| Nature

Towards the end of autumn the days get colder and shorter. This triggers the reduction of the plant hormone auxin in most deciduous trees, which start to shed their leaves. In natural woodlands, this isnt an issue....

Biodegradable plastic in clothing doesn't break down nearly as quickly as hoped – new research

May 25, 2023 14:27 pm UTC| Science

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Over 100 million tonnes of plastic enters the environment each year, with more than 10 million tonnes ending up in our oceans....

Economy

Bongbong Marcos' POGO Ban Faces Skepticism: Will It Truly Curb Illegal Operations?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a blanket ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in his recent State of the Nation Address. Despite its popularity, experts worry the ban may push operations further...

Supreme Court Ruling Threatens Innovation, Risks Balkanizing U.S. Economy

The Supreme Courts decision to overturn the four-decade-old Chevron deference doctrine threatens to disrupt U.S. economic stability and innovation. The ruling shifts regulatory power from federal agencies to courts,...

U.S. Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in Q2, Inflation Pressures Easing

The U.S. economy expanded faster than anticipated in the second quarter, with a 2.8% annualized growth rate driven by robust consumer spending and business investment. Inflation pressures eased, supporting expectations for...

China Central Bank Surprises Markets with Second Unscheduled Rate Cut This Week

Chinas central bank surprised markets again this week with an unscheduled rate cut, issuing 200 billion yuan in one-year loans at significantly lower rates to stimulate the economy and address sharp stock market...

Turkey Terminates Saudi Deposit, Reflects Growing Economic Confidence

On July 24, Turkeys central bank announced it terminated a $5 billion deposit transaction with Saudi Arabia, signaling increased confidence in rebuilding foreign exchange reserves independently. The move reflects Turkeys...

Politics

Elon Musk’s Political Stance Risks Alienating Key EV Buyers Amidst Tesla's Mixed Results

Tesla CEO Elon Musks political statements, including support for Trump, risk alienating environmentally conscious EV buyers. During a recent earnings call, Musk discussed the potential impacts of Trumps policies and...

Key MAGA Ally Warns Donald Trump Fans to Stop Contradicting Themselves

As the political landscape shifts with President Joe Bidens decision to exit the 2024 presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump and his supporters find themselves in a...

Donald Trump's Big Regret? Ex-POTUS Eyes Nikki Haley to Replace 'Dud' VP J.D. Vance Amid Campaign Turmoil

As Joe Biden steps down from the 2024 presidential race, making Kamala Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee, Donald Trump faces speculation about a significant shake-up within his own campaign. Reports suggest Trump...

Donald Trump Mocks Kamala Harris with Shocking Nickname: 'I Couldn't Care Less If I Mispronounce It'

Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her a bum and ridiculing the significance of pronouncing her name correctly during a speech in Florida. Speaking at a Turning Point event in...

Kamala Harris Surges as Working Families Party Nominee, Boosting 2024 Campaign Against Donald Trump

Vice President Kamala Harriss 2024 presidential campaign received a significant boost as the Working Families Party (WFP) officially nominated her, ensuring a strategic ballot line in New York and broad organizational...

Science

SpaceX Falcon 9 Ready to Fly Again Saturday After Resolving Engine Anomaly

SpaceX is set to relaunch its Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday (July 26) after a rare flight anomaly earlier this month. The company identified and fixed an engine issue, ensuring the rockets safety and readiness for its next...

SpaceX Reports 50,000 Collision-Avoidance Maneuvers by Starlink Satellites in Six Months

SpaceXs recent report indicates Starlink satellites executed 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers from December 2023 to May 2024, reflecting increasing traffic in orbit and raising concerns about potential...

SpaceX Unveils Design for ISS Deorbit Vehicle Using Dragon Heritage Hardware

NASAs decision to entrust SpaceX with constructing the ISS deorbit vehicle marks a significant milestone in space technology. SpaceX recently revealed a rendering of the car based on its Dragon spacecraft, which features...

SpaceX Completes Heat Shield Upgrade for Starship Ahead of Critical Flight 5 Test

SpaceX has completed a significant heat shield upgrade for Starship ahead of its fifth test flight. The upgrade aims to improve reentry safety following the issues from the fourth flight. A critical static fire test is...

SpaceX's New EVA Spacesuits Pass Testing for Historic Commercial Spacewalk

SpaceX has finalized acceptance testing of its new EVA spacesuits, marking a significant milestone for the Polaris Program. The suits will facilitate the first commercial spacewalk, led by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman,...

Technology

Shiba Inu Expands Horizons with Integration into The Sandbox Metaverse

Shiba Inus integration with The Sandbox marks a significant step in expanding SHIBs reach within the gaming community, aligning with the #RiseOfTheMemecoin campaign. Gaming as a Growth Opportunity The Sandbox has now...

Bitcoin to Hit $13M! Michael Saylor's Bold Forecast at Bitcoin 2024 Stuns Audience

MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor stunned the Bitcoin 2024 audience with a prediction that Bitcoins price will hit $13 million per coin by 2045. Bold BTC Predictions for 2045 Michael Saylor, a vocal co-founder...

Bitcoin Climbs to $67K: 75% of Short-Term Holders in Profit

Bitcoin has surged to $67,000, placing over 75% of short-term holders in profit and suggesting further bullish momentum. With three-quarters of short-term Bitcoin holders now turning a profit, the cryptocurrency could...

WhatsApp Hits 100 Million Monthly Users in the US, Bridging iPhone and Android Gap

WhatsApp has reached 100 million monthly active users in the United States, marking significant growth in a market dominated by Apples iMessage and traditional texting. This milestone highlights WhatsApps role in bridging...

Sam Altman's Worldcoin (WLD) Soars 10% Amid Latest Strategic Update

Worldcoin (WLD) surged 10% in value, hitting $2.31, following a crucial update from its developers. Major Price Surge Details A tremendous increase in the value of Worldcoin (WLD) has recently occurred. In the past...