“The over-reliance on non-biodegradable polymers, inefficient recycling processes and resource-intensive production methods contributes to escalating waste, carbon emissions and environmental degradation,” she explains.
“At the same time, there is a growing demand for advanced functional materials, whether for biomedical devices, structural composites, or packaging that are both high-performing and environmentally responsible.”
While significant advances have been made in polymer and composite material development, Associate Professor Kong says there is still a critical gap in translating sustainable material innovations from the laboratory into scalable, commercially viable solutions.
To help bridge this gap, she has developed new ways of transforming waste plastics into strong, functional materials for use in packaging, construction and biomedical applications.
Her work shows that recycled plastics, when combined with natural fibres, metal oxides or other additives, can perform as well as, or even better than, newly manufactured plastics. This approach provides both environmental and economic benefits.
Dr Kong has also pioneered the design and 3D bioprinting of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications and contributed to the development of highly sensitive electrochemical sensors that can detect dangerous chemicals and heavy metals.
“Across all these areas, my focus is on connecting material science with practical manufacturing solutions,” she says.
“By rigorously testing performance and ensuring scalability, my goal is to deliver industry-ready technologies that support the circular economy and more sustainable manufacturing.”
