BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen is a Professor and Head of Programmes for Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering at School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia. She received her PhD degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2014 and continued working there as a Postdoctoral Fellow till 2017. Her research focuses on developing sustainable materials and membrane technologies for CO₂ capture, biogas separation, industrial air purification, haze removal, air quality control and water purification. She was awarded the Distinguished Women Scientist Award at the 2024 International Congress on Separation and Purification Technology (ISPT) by Elsevier, 2023 World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University in 2023, 2016 Green Talents and Top 50 Outstanding Green Talents Alumni from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Chartered Engineer (CEng) from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), United Kingdoms and Professional Engineer (PEng) from the Board of Engineers Malaysia. Additionally, she was a Finalist for the Carbon Capture Future Leader Award, Carbon Capture Science and Technology (CCST), Ireland and a Finalist for the Energy and Sustainability Awards from IChemE, SIngapore, Travel Grant Award from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Australia and Elias Klein Travel Award from North American Membrane Society (NAMS). She also serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member for various internationally reputable journals such as Advanced Membranes, Results in Engineering, Nano Research Energy and Separation and Purification Technology.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Membrane science and technology; polymers; nanomaterials; green syntheses; CO₂ capture; water treatment; adsorption

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Ph.D. (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering), National University of Singapore, Singapore (2014)

• B. Eng. (Hons.) (Chemical Engineering with First Class Honors), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia (2006)

WORKING EXPERIENCE  

• Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia (2024 – Present)

• Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University malaysia (2019 – 2023)

• Head of Programmes, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia (2019 - Present)  

• Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia (2017 – 2018)

• Visiting Scholar, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany (2017)

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Chemical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore (2014 – 2017)

• Senior R&D Engineer, Carsem Technology Centre, Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia (2006 – 2010)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE / GRANTS

• State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University, China, 2025 - 2026, Principal Investigator.

• XMUM Research Fund (XMUMRF), 2024 - 2027, Principal Investigator.

• Divigas, Australia, 2023 - 2024, Principal Investigator.

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 2021 - 2024, Principal Investigator.

• Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia, 2022 - 2025, Co-researcher.

• XMUM Research Fund (XMUMRF), 2021 - 2024, Principal Investigator.

• Hengyuan International Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia, 2019 - 2021, Project Leader.

• Quan Zhou Source Membrane Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd., China, 2019 - 2020, Principal Investigator.

• XMUM Research Fund (XMUMRF), 2018 - 2021, Principal Investigator.

• National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore, 2015 - 2019, Project Leader.

• National University of Singapore, Dean's Office of Faculty of Engineering, 2014 - 2017, Project Leader.

• National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 2014 - 2016, Project Leader.

• BASF SE, Germany, 2014 - 2018, Project Leader.

• National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore, 2010 - 2015, Project Leader.
  

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

[1] Hui Shen Lau, Angelica Eugenia, Ying Weng, Wai Fen Yong*, Recent advances in polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) membranes: Delving into the intrinsic microstructure for carbon capture and arduous industrial applications, Progress in Materials Science, 145 (2024) 101297.

[2] Hao Yi Peng, Siew Kei Lau, Wai Fen Yong*, Recent advances of thin film composite nanofiltration membranes for Mg²⁺/Li⁺ separation, Advanced Membranes, 4 (2024) 100093. 

[3] Leong Sing Soh, Seang Uyin Hong, Can Zeng Liang, Wai Fen Yong*, Green solvent-synthesized polyimide membranes for gas separation: Coupling Hansen solubility parameters and synthesis optimization, Chemical Engineering Journal, 478 (2023) 147451.  

[4] Siew Kei Lau, Tian-Zhi Jia, Xue-Li Cao, Shi-Shi-Peng Sun, Wai Fen Yong* (2023). Sustainable fabrication of zwitterionic nanofiltration membranes with enhanced antifouling performance using sugar, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 811, 110588.

[5] Tian-Zhi Jia, Ming-Yue Rong, Chang-Tao Chen, Wai Fen Yong, Siew Kei Lau, Rong-Fei Zhou, Min Chen, Shi-Peng Sun (2023). Recent advances in nanofiltration-based hybrid processes, Desalination, 565, 116852.

[6] Wei Hang Desmond Goh, Hui Shen Lau, Wai Fen Yong* (2023). An integrated life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis: Evaluation on the production of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) and UiO-66-NH₂ as membrane materials, Science of the Total Environment, 892 (2023) 164582.

[7] Seang Uyin Hong, Yida Wang, Leong Sing Soh, Wai Fen Yong* (2023). Are green solvents truly green? Integrating life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis for sustainable membrane fabrication, Green Chemistry, 25, 4501-4512.

[8] Zin Thong Chong, Leong Sing Soh, Wai Fen Yong*, Valorization of agriculture wastes as biosorbents for adsorption of emerging pollutants: Modification, remediation and industry application, Results in Engineering, 17 (2023) 100960. [invited paper in Special Issue entitled “Emerging Women Investigators in Engineering”]

[9] Wenhao Xia, Siew Kei Lau, Wai Fen Yong*, Comparative life cycle assessment on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) production for CO2 capture, Journal of Cleaner Production, 370 (2022) 133354.

[10] Hui Shen Lau, Siew Kei Lau, Leong Sing Soh, Seang Uyin Hong, Xie Yuen Gok, Shouliang Yi, Wai Fen Yong*, State-of-the-art organic- and inorganic-based hollow fiber membranes in liquid and gas applications: Looking back and beyond, Membranes, 12 (2022) 539. [invited paper in Special Issue entitled "Hollow Fiber Membranes: Past, Present and Future"]

[11] Boon Kee Voon, Hui Shen Lau, Can Zeng Liang, Wai Fen Yong*, Functionalized two-dimensional g-C3N4 nanosheets in PIM-1 mixed matrix membranes for gas separation, Separation & Purification Technology, 296 (2022) 121354.  

[12] Ziwen Yuan, Hang Liu, Wai Fen Yong, Qainhong She, Jesús Esteban, Status and advances of deep eutectic solvents for metal separation and recovery, Green Chemistry, 24 (2022) 1895–1929.

[13] Wai Fen Yong*, Can Zeng Liang, Chaitanyakumar Reddy Pocha, Application of membrane technology for CO2 capture and separation, in: Carbon Dioxide Capture and Conversion: Advanced Materials and Processes, Elsevier (2022) 257–289.

[14] Guat Teng Tee, Xie Yuen Gok, Wai Fen Yong*, Adsorption of pollutants in wastewater via biosorbents, nanoparticles and magnetic biosorbents: A review, Environmental Research, 212 (2022) 113248.

[15] Shu Hua Goh, Hui Shen Lau, Wai Fen Yong*, Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separation: A review on advanced materials in harsh environmental applications, Small, 18 (2022) 2107536.  

[16] Can Zeng Liang, Wai Fen Yong, Ji Wu, Martin Weber, Christian Maletzko, Juin-Yih Lai, Tai-Shung Chung, Plasticization-enhanced trimethylbenzene functionalized polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes for propylene and propane separation, Journal of Membrane Science, 647 (2022) 120293.

[17] Hui Shen Lau, Wai Fen Yong*, Recent progress and prospects of polymeric hollow fiber membranes for gas application, water vapor and particulate matters removal, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 9 (2021) 26454–26497.

[18] Siew Kei Lau, Wai Fen Yong*, Recent progress of zwitterionic materials as antifouling membranes for ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 3 (2021) 4390–4412.  

[19] Yi Tong Chew, Wai Fen Yong*, Recent advances of thin film nanocomposite membranes: Effects of shape/structure of nanomaterials and interfacial polymerization methods, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 172 (2021) 135–158. [invited paper in Special Issue entitled “Emerging Stars”]

[20] Wai Fen Yong*, Hao Zhang, Recent advances in polymer blend membranes for gas separation and pervaporation, Progress Materials Science, 116 (2021) 100713.

[21] Tian-Dan Lu, Liu-Lin Zhao, Wai Fen Yong, Qian Wang, Lei Duan, Shi-Peng Sun, Highly solvent-durable thin-film molecular sieve membranes with insoluble polyimide nanofibrous substrate, Chemical Engineering Journal, 409 (2021) 128206.  

[22] Xinnian Jiang, Wai Fen Yong*, Jie Gao, Dan-Dan Shao, Shi-Peng Sun, Understanding the role of substrates on thin film composite membranes: A green solvent approach with TamiSolve® NxG, Journal of Membrane Science, 635 (2021) 119530.

[23] Tanay Kundu, Leisan Gilmanova, Wai Fen Yong, Stefan Kaskel, Metal-organic frameworks for environmental applications, in: Porous Materials: Theory and Its Application for Environmental Remediation, Spring-Nature (2021) 1–39.

[24] Wai Fen Yong*, Hui Shen Lau, Hao Zhang, Chapter 18: Composite hollow fibers for gas separation, in: Hollow Fiber Membranes: Fabrication and Applications, Elsevier (2021) 385–405.

[25] Wai Fen Yong, Ngoc Lieu Le, Tai-Shung Chung, Chapter 19: Solvent transport properties of POSS nanocomposites, in: Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) Polymer Nanocomposites, Elsevier (2021) 405–419.  

[26] Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, Martin Weber, Christian Maletzko, New polyethersulfone (PESU) hollow fiber membranes for CO2 capture, Journal of Membrane Science, 552 (2018) 305–314.  

[27] Ali Naderi, Wai Fen Yong, You Chang Xiao, Tai-Shung Chung, Martin Weber, Christian Maletzko, Effects of chemical structure on gas transport properties of polyethersulfone polymers, Polymer, 135 (2018) 76–84.

[28] Can Zeng Liang, Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, High-performance composite hollow fiber membrane for flue gas and air separations, Journal of Membrane Science, 541 (2017) 367–377.

[29] Wai Fen Yong, Yan Xun Ho, Tai-Shung Chung, Nanoparticles embedded in amphiphilic membranes for CO2 separation and dehumidification, Chemistry & Sustainability Energy & Materials, 10 (2017) 4046–4055.

[30] Manqing Li, Yingnan Feng, Kaiyu Wang, Wai Fen Yong, Liya Yu, Tai-Shung Chung, Novel hollow fiber air filters for the removal of PM2.5 ultrafine particles with repetitive usage capability, Environmental Science & Technology, 51 (2017) 10041–10049.

[31] Baiwang Zhao, Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, Haze particles removal and thermally induced membrane dehumidification system, Separation and Purification Technology, 185 (2017) 24–32.

[32] Liang-Yi Wang, Wai Fen Yong, Liya E. Yu, Tai-Shung Chung, Design of high efficiency PVDF-PEG hollow fibers for air filtration of ultrafine particles, Journal of Membrane Science, 535 (2017) 342–349.

[33] Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, Mechanically strong and flexible hydrolyzed polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) membranes, Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 55 (2017) 344–354.

[34] Wai Fen Yong, Peymen Salehian, Liling Zhang, Tai-Shung Chung, Effects of carboxylated PIM-1 in polyimide-based membranes on C2-C4 alcohols dehydration via pervaporation, Journal of Membrane Science, 523 (2017) 430–438.

[35] Peymen Salehian, Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, Development of high performance carboxylated PIM-1/P84 blend membranes for pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol and CO2/CH4, Journal of Membrane Science, 518 (2016) 110–119.

[36] Wai Fen Yong, Zhi Kang Lee, Tai-Shung Chung, Martin Weber, Claudia Staudt, Christian Maletzko, Blends of PIM-1 and partially sulfonated PPSU for gas separation, Chemistry & Sustainability Energy & Materials, 9 (2016) 1953–1962.

[37] Baiwang Zhao, Na Peng, Canzeng Liang, Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, Hollow fiber membrane dehumidification device for air conditioning system, Membranes, 5 (2015) 722–738.

[38] Wai Fen Yong, Kar Hui Andrel Kwek, Kuo-Sung Liao, Tai-Shung Chung, Suppression of aging and plasticization in highly permeable polymers, Polymer, 77 (2015) 377–386.

[39] Wai Fen Yong, Tai-Shung Chung, Miscible blends of carboxylated polymers of intrinsic microporosity (cPIM-1) and Matrimid, Polymer, 59 (2015) 290–297.

[40] Wai Fen Yong, Fu Yun Li, Tai Shung Chung, Yen Wah Tong, Molecular interaction, gas transport properties and plasticization behavior of cPIM-1/Torlon blend membranes, Journal of Membrane Science, 462 (2014) 119–130.

[41] Wai Fen Yong, Fu Yun Li, Tai-Shung Chung, Yen Wah Tong, Highly permeable chemically modified PIM-1/Matrimid membranes for green hydrogen purification, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 1 (2013) 13914–13925.

[42] Wai Fen Yong, Fu Yun Li, You Chang Xiao, Tai Shung Chung, Yen Wah Tong, High performance PIM-1/Matrimid hollow fiber membranes for CO2/CH4, O2/N2 and CO2/N2 separation, Journal of Membrane Science, 443 (2013) 156–169.

[43] Wai Fen Yong, Fu Yun Li, You Chang Xiao, Pei Li, Kumari Pallathadka, Pramoda, Yen Wah Tong, Tai Shung Chung, Molecular engineering of PIM-1/Matrimid blend membranes for gas separation, Journal of Membrane Science, 407– 408 (2012) 47– 57.

HONORS/AWARDS

[1] International Congress on Separation and Purification Technology (ISPT) 2024 Distinguished Women Scientist Award, Elsevier (Jul 2024).

[2] Best Reviewer Award, Advanced Membranes Editorial Office, China (Apr 2024).

[3] 2023 World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, US (Oct 2023).

[4] Finalist of the Carbon Capture Future Leader Award, Carbon Capture Science and Technology (CCST), Ireland (Jul 2023).

[5] Top Ten Percent Achievements in the Field of “Energy, Water & Environment”, 3rd Knowledge Application and Notion for Society (KANS) Scientific Competition, Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation, Iran (Jun 2023).

[6] Top 50 outstanding Green Talents alumni - Green Talents Networking Conference, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany (Oct 2019).

[7] Finalist of the Energy Award, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Singapore (Oct 2017).

[8] Finalist of the Sustainability Award, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Singapore (Oct 2017).

[9] Green Talents Award - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany (Oct 2016).

[10] Emerging Polymer Technologies Summit (EPTS) Travel Grant Award, The International Innovative Research Network and CSIRO, Australia (Jun 2016).

[11] North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Elias Klein Travel Award, USA (May 2014).

[12] 2nd runner up in Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Convention, Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia (Mar 2010).

[13] General Manager (GM) Award, Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia (Dec 2009).

[14] Carat Award in Technical Symposium, Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia (Oct 2009).