The team conducts research at the Centre for Organic and Nanohybrid Electronics (CONE), Silesian University of Technology.
BioValorion Research Group conducts cutting-edge research in biomass bioprocessing, bioenergy and biofuels, value-added product recovery, biological wastewater treatment, and the removal of emerging pollutants.
Research areas
Our Team
PhD Students
Alumni
Mr. Don Fleury Nduwingoma
Mr. Justhin Armijos Ordonez
Research equipment to which Team Members have access
UV-Vis(-NIR) spectrometers (HP, Ocean Optics)
FT-IR spectrometer equipped with an ATR method (Perkin Elmer)
Raman confocal microscope (Renishaw InVia)
photoemission systems, XPS, UPS, IPES (Prevac, Kratos)
potentiostats (CHI, Autolab, Biologic)
atomic force microscope (AFM)
scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Phenom)
optical profilometer
fluorimeter (FluoroSens)
singlet oxygen detection system using UV-Vis spectroscopy equipped with a set of diode lasers and white light sources
Selected research projects
- Food Waste Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Next-Generation Algal-Based Bioproducts, April 2025 - March 2028, National Science Centre (NCN), OPUS 27 (UMO-2024/53/B/ST8/03909)
- Developing a bio-electrochemical system for syngas conversion into high stream organic acids, April 2025- March 2027, NAWA ULAM (BNI/ULM/2024/1/00084)
- Developing biopolymer-based sponge metallic nanoporous photocatalytic composites for the adsorption of Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, March 2025- February 2027 NAWA ULAM (BNI/ULM/2024/1/00062)
- The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology has granted postdoctoral grant. PLN 18 000 – Oct 2024 to Sep 2026 (31/160/SDU/10-07-02)
- The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology has granted you a one-off subsidy to finance or subsidise the purchase of materials and equipment and other forms of scientific activity. PLN 20 000 – Mar 2024 to May 2025 (31/160/SDU/10-17-01).
- The seed fund for the project entitled as "An innovative and sustainable approach on synthesis of biomaterial from waste biomass" at Silesian University of Technology, Poland – PLN 40 000 – Nov 2023 to Nov 2025 (31/160/SDU/ 10-04-05)
- Travel grant to Southern University of Denmark under short research program for 45 days, by Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange for supporting this work by funding a project within the Strategic Partnerships program for the project entitled as “Food waste biorefinery”– PLN 33 000 – Dec 01, 2023 to Jan 16, 2024 (BPI/PST/2021/1/00039)
Scientific publications and patents from the last 3 years
- Mohamed Usman TM, Kavitha S, Yukesh Kannah Ravi, Rajesh Banu J, Adishkumar S. Impact of exopolymeric substance removal on microwave disintegration of waste activated sludge for enhanced biohydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 145, 7 July 2025, Pages 197-204. (Q1 / IF- 8.3).
- Bhavana MA, Kavitha S, Rethinapraga K, Yukesh Kannah Ravi, Rajaguru P, Rajesh Banu J. Integrated biorefinery for sustainable conversion of food waste to polyhydroxyalkanoates and bioenergy. Bioresource Technology, Volume 434, October 2025, 132744. (Q1 / IF- 11.889).
- Geethu K, Akshaya K, Kavitha S, Yukesh Kannah Ravi, Rajesh Banu J. Improving energy ratio of ultrasonic pretreatment of waste activated sludge using the combination of potassium permanganate and acidic conditions. Energy, Volume 331, September 2025, 137053. (Q1 / IF- 9.4).
- Kavitha S, Yukesh Kannah Ravi, Rajeev. K.B., Amit, K.B, Rajesh Banu J. Energy efficient pretreatment for enhanced conversion of macroalgal biomass to bioenergy: Detailed energy and cost assessment. . Energy Conversion and Management. 2025, 133217. (Q1/ IF - 9.9)
- Rinsha PV, Kavitha S, Yukesh Kannah Ravi, Kathiresan S, Rajesh Banu J. Effect of surfactant on microwave pretreatment of sago waste for cost effective biomethane production. Fuel. Volume 381, Feburary 2025, 133433. (Q1/ IF - 6.7)
- Akshaya K, Kavitha S, Yukesh Kannah Ravi, Rajaguru P, Rajesh Banu J. Calcium hypochlorite assisted energetically efficient sonic hydrolysis of waste activated sludge for cost effective biogas production. Fuel. Volume 381, Feburary 2025, 133217. (Q1/ IF - 6.7)
