Simran Kaur Dhillon, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept

Pronouns: She/Her

Contact Overview Publications

Contact

Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept

Email: skdhill3@ualberta.ca

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Green Energy Technologies Electrocatalysis Bioelectrochemical systems for Soil Remediation Wastewater treatment Resource recovery Microbial electrochemical Biosensor for real-time monitoring Electrochemical technologies for CO2 reduction/CH4 upgradation/H2 evolution

Research

My research endeavors have primarily revolved around developing alternatives to address the world's most pressing challenges in water-energy-food security, emphasizing the creation of eco-friendly and sustainable solutions that are accessible to all. I place significant emphasis on designing cost-effective solutions that can be implemented worldwide, exploring the utilization of biodegradable and affordable materials. Over the years, my research has addressed the massive challenge of water and soil pollution which impacts the ecosystem, food chain, and human health. My learning from past research focused on wastewater remediation and bioenergy energy in microbial fuel cells informs and inspires me to explore innovative approaches in water/soil management, including bioremediation, nutrient cycling, understanding microbial dynamics, energy generation, and environmental monitoring to address the global challenges we face, propelling the transition away from fossil fuels. I have worked hard and devoted myself to developing essential skills as a research leader with my expertise at the interface of material science, electrochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology for the development of sustainable and emission-free bioenergy and bioremediation technologies. Continuous upgrading in teaching and research skills have allowed me to work on a wide range of ideas varying from catalysis for waste to biofuels, water treatment technologies, electrochemical systems, and bioenergy devices. Notable projects involved the development of cost-effective catalytic materials to control the kinetics of redox reactions in Microbial Fuel Cells for environmental remediation and power generation. Currently, I am working on the development of biosensors for real-time monitoring of toxins in industrial wastewater.

Featured Publications

Catalytic advancements in carbonaceous materials for bio-energy generation in microbial fuel cells: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2023 January; 10.1007/S11356-021-17529-9

Functionalised graphite felt anodes for enhanced power generation in membrane-less soil microbial fuel cells

Simran Kaur Dhillon, Jakub Dziegielowski, Patit Paban Kundu, Mirella Di Lorenzo

RSC Sustainability. 2023 January; 10.1039/D2SU00079B

Transition metal sulfide/oxide nanoflowers decorated on poly (aniline-2-sulfonic acid) modified polyacrylamide derived carbon cathode catalyst for bioenergy generation in microbial fuel cells

Electrochimica Acta. 2023 January; 10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2023.142697

Transitional trimetallic alloy embedded polyacrylamide hydrogel derived nitrogen-doped carbon air-cathode for bioenergy generation in microbial fuel cell

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2023 January; 10.1016/J.SETA.2022.103001

Magnesium Cobaltite Embedded in Corncob-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon as a Cathode Catalyst for Power Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells

Simran Kaur Dhillon, Patit Paban Kundu

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2022 October; 10.1021/acsami.2c12279

1-D semiconducting TiO2 nanotubes supported efficient bimetallic Co-Ni cathode catalysts for power generation in single-chambered air-breathing microbial fuel cells

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2022 January; 10.1016/J.SETA.2022.102479

Copper nanoparticles embedded in polyaniline derived nitrogen-doped carbon as electrocatalyst for bio-energy generation in microbial fuel cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2022 January; 10.1007/S11356-022-21437-X

Development of polypyrrole nanotube coated with chitosan and nickel oxide as a biocompatible anode to enhance the power generation in microbial fuel cell

Journal of Power Sources. 2022 January; 10.1016/J.JPOWSOUR.2022.231595

Polyaniline interweaved iron embedded in urea-formaldehyde resin-based carbon as a cost-effective catalyst for power generation in microbial fuel cell

Chemical Engineering Journal. 2022 January; 10.1016/J.CEJ.2021.133341

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