10 Questions with Manesha Fernando

Our PhDs are playing a significant role within our program, and in the broader industry.

Manesha is a PhD student and a Graduate Research Teaching Fellow Level A (part-time) at Deakin University. Having graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka, her research primarily explores the fields of organic and materials chemistry. She works on the development of an on-demand thermal surface modification to modify the interface of carbon fiber, with interests in development of this technique for recycled carbon fibers. 

Her life goal is to be an active contributor to scientific knowledge that will help achieve sustainable development across the globe.

Q1. Under which ACM CRC Research Program does your PhD Masters project sit?

Research Program 1 – RP1 High Performance Composite Materials.

Q2. What is the focus of your PhD?

In simple words, I aim to redefine waste, specifically carbon fiber (CF) waste.

For those of you to whom CF may not seem familiar, think of an aeroplane, an electric car or even a wind-turbine. Guess what? CF plays an important but vital role in all these structures among many other applications. 

So how do I re-define this waste? I work on developing a scalable and on-demand, most importantly practically applicable, thermal surface modification on recycled CF (rCF). This is to try to improve properties of rCF to promote their usage in high-value second life applications. 

Q3. When did you become interested in this field?

Sustainability and circular economy are topics close to my heart. I did not know those definitions back in the day, but I began learning about them since early childhood I would say. I remember my ‘amma’ and ‘thaththa’ (translated as mom and dad respectively), telling my brother and I to not waste food and to only serve the amount we could eat. We even segregated waste at home together and took the plastics to a plastic recycling centre on a fortnightly basis. From where I come (which is a village), we did not have waste pick-up back in the day unlike in major towns.

So, my interest in material chemistry dates way back I would like to say.

Q4. What made you interested in it?

One of the statements that resonates with me is that ‘Sustainability is not just about reducing the waste generation – it is also about ensuring that what we build today does not become tomorrow’s challenge’, and I believe research in materials chemistry allows me to be pioneering developments like this. And that is what makes me passionate about this area.

Q5. What do you hope to achieve through your PhD? What challenges are you hoping to solve?

I hope to learn and develop skills across multiple areas in research, as my research group, led by Prof. Luke C. Henderson, works across multiple research areas. While honing my skills, in my project we have developed an on-demand and scalable thermal surface modification on carbon fibers and have used this technique on recycled carbon fibers (i.e., milled carbon fibers). See more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359836824007716). In my final year, I hope to play around with this chemistry further to develop a high-value second life application from CF waste.

Q6. What are your long-term goals/ambitions?

I am still taking time to explore my long-term career goals, if I were to be honest. But what I do know for sure is that my passion revolves around research contributing to sustainability and engaging in teaching. I love inspiring the next generation!!

Q7. What’s the best thing about being an ACM CRC PhD student?

The ability to meet up with industry experts in various composite industries.

Q8. What one piece of advice would you give to people thinking of undertaking a PhD in the composites manufacturing area?

Prioritising product stewardship is very important- after all, the last thing we want is to add to the mounting burden of landfill waste.

Q9. Tell us something about you that would surprise/impress people.

I am a gym rat and hence gym is my favourite place to be after work in campus.

Q.10 Anything to add?

From a person who’s been ‘PhDing’ for two years to someone starting out: honestly, a PhD is as much about mental strength as it is about research and it is most probably the last time you get to be a ‘student’ in your life, so enjoy it!!!!