I received my PhD degree in Materials Processing in 2002. I then conducted research as a visiting scholar and postdoc fellow at the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology, The University of Sydney. I joined the University of South Australia as a lecturer in 2007 and was promoted to a full professor in 2019.
2012–2013, The Academic Integrity Officer in the former School of Engineering, UniSA.
2015–2019, The Research Coordinator in the former School of Engineering, UniSA.
2018–2020, Member of the UniSA Academic Board.
I have been elected to the Australian Research Council's (ARC) College of Experts since 2022.
My research focuses on the development of applied functional (nano)composites through processing engineering... Read more
About me
I received my PhD degree in Materials Processing in 2002. I then conducted research as a visiting scholar and postdoc fellow at the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology, The University of Sydney. I joined the University of South Australia as a lecturer in 2007 and was promoted to a full professor in 2019.
2012–2013, The Academic Integrity Officer in the former School of Engineering, UniSA.
2015–2019, The Research Coordinator in the former School of Engineering, UniSA.
2018–2020, Member of the UniSA Academic Board.
I have been elected to the Australian Research Council's (ARC) College of Experts since 2022.
My research focuses on the development of applied functional (nano)composites through processing engineering materials with a range of cost-effective, safe nanomaterials, aiming to engage with industry in the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced composite materials. For example, I researched with a plastic manufacturing plant in New South Wales, which resulted in commissioning of a plastic compounding system in June 2015. As another example, my team developed a novel stretchable strain sensor (‘Highly Sensitive, Wearable, Durable Strain Sensors and Stretchable Conductors Using Graphene/Silicon Rubber Composites’, Advanced Functional Materials, 2016, 42, 7614; an HiCi paper). Thanks to the financial support from ARC (LP160100717), my team was able to translate this strain sensor research into industry by manufacturing a prototype real-time idler condition monitoring system for industrial belt conveyors, which was delivered to a Perth-based industrial partner in 2018.
My research interests and past projects involve (i) the development of composites with specific functionalities through processing engineering materials with cost-effective, safe nanomaterials, and (ii) the investigation of the structure–property relations and fracture mechanisms of these composites. I pioneered the development of (i) polymer/nanosheet composites by molecular entanglements (‘A new strategy to exfoliate silicone rubber/clay nanocomposites’, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2005, 26, 830; ‘Interface-tuned epoxy/clay nanocomposites’, Polymer, 2011, 52, 497) and interface bonding (‘A novel method for preparation of disorderly exfoliated epoxy/clay nanocomposite’, Chemistry of Materials, 2004, 16, 757), (ii) cost-effective few-layer graphene (also named graphene nanoplatelets; ‘A facile approach to chemically modified graphene and its polymer nanocomposites’, Advanced Functional Materials, 2012, 22, 2735) for composites processing (‘Graphene Platelets and Their Polymer Composites: Fabrication, Structure, Properties, and Applications’, Advanced Functional Materials, 2018, 28, 1706705), and (iii) facile processing for polymer/nanosheet composites (‘Epoxy/graphene platelets nanocomposites with two levels of interface strength’, Polymer, 2011, 52, 1603; an HiCi paper). My research on these topics has resulted in over 130 refereed journal papers, and a complete, most updated publication list is at Google Scholar.
To-date I as the lead Chief Investigator have attained a research income of $2,590,730; my total research income is over seven million dollars. Below is a list of my major projects.
1) ARC Linkage Project (LP230100229, 2024–2027, $395,773), titled ‘Flame-Retarding and Mechanically Resilient Elastomer Composites’. Sole Chief Investigator: J. Ma. Partner Investigator: H.C. Kuan.
2) ARC LIEF Project (LE240100129, 2024–2025, $530,721), titled ‘State-of-the-art atomic force microscopy facilities for South Australia’. Chief Investigators: A. Blencowe; M. Krasowska; C.X. Zhao; Y. Zheng; C. Gibson; C. Priest; D. Losic; S. Harmer; J. Ma; Y. Jiao; D. Beattie; C. Shearer; P. Sharma
3) ARC Discovery Project (DP230100688, 2023–2026, $501,504) titled ‘Creating pH-sensitive self-healing concrete using sludge waste for sewers’. Chief Investigators: Y. Zhuge; C.M. Wang; J. Ma; S.J. Chen.
4) ARC LIEF Project (LE230100018, 2023–2024, $2,206,421), titled ‘A customized surface chemistry study system in realistic working condition’. Chief Investigators: Z. Guo; S. Qiao; H. Ebendorff-Heidepriem; C. Sumby; S. Zhang; I. Gentle; W. Skinner; M. Krasowska; A. Blencowe; J. Ma; S. Li; R. Marceau; G. Andersson; D. Jones.
5) ARC Discovery Project (DP220103275, 2022–2025, $210,000) titled ‘Fundamentals of Electrically Conductive Elastomer Composites’. Sole Investigator: J. Ma.
6) ARC Linkage Project (LP200100617, 2021–2024, $215,000), titled ‘Elastomer/Graphene Composites for Reinforcement at Low Strain’. Sole Chief Investigator: J. Ma. Partner Investigators: S.A. Gouda; G. Schroeder.
7) ARC Discovery Project (DP200101737, 2020–2023, $350,000) titled ‘A Novel Approach to Polymer/Nanosheet Composites and Their Fundamentals’. Lead Chief Investigator: J. Ma. Other Chief Investigators: A. Mouritz; H.C. Kuan.
8) ARC Linkage Project (LP180100005, 2019–2022, $330,000) titled ‘High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging’. Lead Chief Investigator: J. Ma. Other Chief Investigators: Y.Y. Zhang; H.C. Kuan
9) ARC LIEF Project (LE180100129, 2017–2018, $425,200), titled ‘Atomic layer nanofabrication system for multi-functional applications’. Chief Investigators: G. Wang; A. McDonagh; B. Sun; R. Zheng; G. Smith; K.F. Aguey-Zinsou; J Ma; Y Chen; M. Cortie; H. Liu; W.K. Pang.
10) ARC Linkage Project (LP160100717, 2016–2020, $229,000), titled ‘Electrically Conductive Elastomeric CompoÂsites by Nanomaterials’. Sole Chief Investigator: J. Ma. Partner Investigators: C. Stevenson; L.Q. Zhang.
11) ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs 2015 (IH150100003, 2016–2021, $2,611,346), titled ‘ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation’. Chief Investigators: D. Losic; E. Skafidas; M. Majumder; C. Fumeaux; N. Choudhury; A. Nirmalathas; M. McLaughlin; J. Ma; R. Ghomashchi; Y. Zhong.
12) ARC Linkage Project (LP140100605, 2014–2018, $225,000), titled ‘Strong and Durable Flame-Retarding Composites by Multi-scale Encapsulation and Reinforcement’. Lead Chief Investigator: J. Ma. Other Chief Investigators: C.H. Wang; A.P. Mouritz; H.C. Kuan; J. Xu.
13) ARC Discovery Project (DP0666261, ARC-APD Fellowship, 2006–2010, $285,000), ‘The development of super-toughened epoxies using novel nanomaterials’. Chief Investigator: J. Ma.
14) AutoCRC Project (2009–2012, $100,000), ‘The Development of Advanced Adhesives based upon Nano-additives’. Investigators: J. Ma; Q.S. Meng; R. Short; P. Murphy.
About me
About me
Doctor of Philosophy Chinese Academy of Sciences
Master of Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Bachelor of Engineering Taiyuan University of Technology
1) Zaman, J. Ma*, et al. Epoxy/graphene platelets nanocomposites with two levels of interface strength, Polymer 2011, 52, 1603–11. (Highly cited paper since the date of publication)
2) Z. Sun, J. Ma, S. Zhu*, et al. A high-performance Bi2WO6/graphene photocatalyst for visible light-induced H2 and O2 generation, Nanoscale 2014, 6, 2186–93. (Highly ... Read more
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Fundamentals of Electrically Conductive Elastomer Nanocomposites, Unknown, 27/06/2022 - 27/06/2025
Elastomer/Graphene Composites for Reinforcement at Low Strain, ARC - Linkage Project, 01/07/2021 - 30/06/2024
High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging, ARC - Linkage Project, 13/01/2020 - 12/01/2024
A Novel Approach to Polymer/Nanosheet Composites and Their Fundamentals, ARC - Discovery Projects, 01/06/2020 - 01/12/2023
High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging, Hanyu Materials Technology Co. Ltd, 01/01/2019 - 12/01/2023
ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation, ARC - Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, 28/06/2017 - 28/06/2022
Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials, ARC - Linkage Project, 11/11/2016 - 08/07/2020
Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials (Industry Partner), Graphlex Technology Pty Ltd, 01/07/2016 - 08/06/2020
APR Internship - Aidong Qiu, AMSI-APR Intern, 15/10/2018 - 31/05/2019
Strong and durable flame-retarding composites by multi-scale encapsulation and reinforcement, ARC - Linkage Project, 22/05/2015 - 22/05/2018
Novel Sensors to Monitor Conveyor Belt Rolls, Graphlex Technology Pty Ltd, 01/10/2016 - 31/12/2017
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2019 |
Open access
169
163
6
|
2018 |
Open access
211
202
1
|
2016 |
Open access
343
336
3
|
2012 |
Open access
269
241
|
2011 |
Open access
81
66
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2015 |
Open access
2
|
2010 |
1
|
2010 |
11
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2024 |
Open access
|
2024 |
|
2024 |
1
|
2024 |
Open access
2
|
2024 |
Open access
6
|
2024 |
Open access
2
|
2024 |
Open access
|
2024 |
Open access
5
|
2024 |
Open access
|
2024 |
Open access
3
|
2024 |
|
2024 |
Open access
|
2024 |
Open access
2
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Open access
|
2023 |
17
17
|
2023 |
16
|
2023 |
Open access
2
|
2023 |
Open access
2
|
2023 |
Open access
16
|
2023 |
Open access
11
|
2023 |
Open access
23
19
|
2022 |
17
2
|
2022 |
31
30
2
|
2022 |
Open access
25
27
|
2022 |
Open access
21
1
|
2022 |
Open access
51
42
1
|
2022 |
Open access
14
12
|
2022 |
22
21
|
2022 |
Open access
10
10
2
|
2022 |
6
6
1
|
2022 |
5
5
1
|
2021 |
Open access
27
26
|
2021 |
Open access
40
39
|
2021 |
Open access
124
103
|
2021 |
Open access
14
13
|
2021 |
Open access
42
39
|
2021 |
Open access
35
33
|
2021 |
Open access
11
9
|
2021 |
Open access
6
5
|
2021 |
Open access
28
25
|
2021 |
Open access
20
19
1
|
2021 |
Open access
27
25
|
2021 |
Open access
26
28
1
|
2021 |
51
46
7
|
2020 |
Open access
37
34
|
2020 |
Open access
73
68
4
|
2020 |
Open access
54
51
|
2020 |
Open access
6
6
|
2020 |
24
23
1
|
2020 |
Open access
24
21
1
|
2020 |
Open access
26
23
|
2020 |
Open access
9
9
|
2020 |
Open access
44
40
2
|
2020 |
Open access
25
23
|
2020 |
Open access
15
15
|
2020 |
Open access
8
6
|
2020 |
88
83
|
2020 |
Open access
107
105
|
2019 |
Open access
30
27
|
2019 |
52
45
|
2019 |
14
13
|
2019 |
Open access
169
163
6
|
2019 |
Open access
28
28
|
2019 |
Open access
138
134
1
|
2019 |
26
23
|
2018 |
Open access
111
106
1
|
2018 |
Open access
26
23
|
2018 |
Open access
113
80
25
|
2018 |
Open access
83
82
|
2018 |
Open access
66
53
|
2018 |
41
36
1
|
2018 |
Open access
211
202
1
|
2018 |
Open access
23
22
|
2018 |
49
48
|
2017 |
Open access
27
26
|
2017 |
Open access
35
29
|
2017 |
30
30
|
2017 |
92
88
3
|
2017 |
17
17
|
2017 |
Open access
79
72
|
2017 |
Open access
57
45
|
2017 |
15
16
1
|
2017 |
26
28
|
2016 |
Open access
105
100
|
2016 |
Open access
88
69
3
|
2016 |
39
37
|
2016 |
41
38
|
2016 |
Open access
63
57
|
2016 |
Open access
109
94
|
2016 |
Open access
8
8
1
|
2016 |
32
27
|
2016 |
Open access
343
336
3
|
2016 |
Open access
17
18
|
2016 |
Open access
22
22
|
2016 |
135
113
7
|
2015 |
123
112
|
2015 |
106
97
|
2015 |
204
176
|
2015 |
Open access
49
46
1
|
2015 |
22
18
|
2015 |
43
36
7
|
2015 |
Open access
72
71
|
2015 |
99
96
|
2015 |
40
36
|
2015 |
Open access
101
90
|
2015 |
38
37
|
2015 |
35
36
|
2014 |
255
219
3
|
2014 |
14
14
|
2014 |
137
132
|
2014 |
144
129
|
2014 |
12
15
|
2014 |
|
2014 |
Open access
29
26
|
2014 |
119
96
|
2014 |
31
30
|
2014 |
51
41
|
2014 |
64
59
|
2014 |
24
21
|
2014 |
15
11
|
2014 |
16
16
3
|
2014 |
24
24
|
2014 |
23
23
|
2014 |
185
177
|
2014 |
54
53
1
|
2013 |
Open access
132
109
|
2013 |
130
116
|
2013 |
Open access
95
88
|
2013 |
|
2013 |
51
50
|
2013 |
131
128
|
2013 |
196
189
|
2013 |
Open access
175
153
|
2013 |
103
96
|
2013 |
Open access
163
141
|
2013 |
Open access
69
68
|
2012 |
87
81
|
2012 |
124
113
|
2012 |
Open access
194
176
|
2012 |
Open access
269
241
|
2012 |
1
1
|
2011 |
Open access
60
51
|
2011 |
Open access
31
26
|
2011 |
Open access
81
66
|
2011 |
Open access
503
457
|
2010 |
52
48
|
2010 |
Open access
107
93
|
2009 |
57
50
|
2009 |
16
16
|
2008 |
126
122
|
2008 |
81
71
|
2008 |
247
221
|
2008 |
|
2008 |
63
60
|
2008 |
8
7
|
2008 |
56
43
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2013 |
3
5
|
2013 |
4
1
|
Research
1) Zaman, J. Ma*, et al. Epoxy/graphene platelets nanocomposites with two levels of interface strength, Polymer 2011, 52, 1603–11. (Highly cited paper since the date of publication)
2) Z. Sun, J. Ma, S. Zhu*, et al. A high-performance Bi2WO6/graphene photocatalyst for visible light-induced H2 and O2 generation, Nanoscale 2014, 6, 2186–93. (Highly cited paper since the date of publication)
3) S. Araby, J. Ma*, et al. Implication of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on polymer/graphene composite. Materials & Design 2015, 65, 690–9. (Highly cited paper; 12/2015 – 06/2016)
4) G. Shi, J. Ma*, et al. Highly Sensitive, Wearable, Durable Strain Sensors and Stretchable Conductors Using Graphene/Silicon Rubber Composites. Advanced Functional Materials 2016, 26, 7614-25. (Highly cited paper since the date of publication)
My research has been in the field of engineering materials processing and composites, including nanosheet synthesis and modification, novel methods for the preparation of nanocomposites, polymer synthesis, materials processing and the structure–property identification of nanocomposites. My team have the following research directions.
1) Nanosheet synthesis and modification
2) Novel methods for the development of polymer/nanosheet composites
3) Investigation of the structure–property relations of nanocomposites
4) Elastomer nanocomposites for stretchable/flexible strain sensors and conductors
5) Cement nanocomposites
6) Nanocomposites for energy storage
7) Flame-retarding polymer composites
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
ADRIS Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) | SINGAPORE |
Beijing Computational Science Research Centre | CHINA |
Beijing University of Chemical Technology | CHINA |
Benha University | EGYPT |
Beni-Suef University | EGYPT |
Central China University of Science and Technology | CHINA |
Ceylon Graphene Technologies | SRI LANKA |
Changchun University of Technology | CHINA |
China University of Petroleum (Huadong) | CHINA |
Chinese Academy of Sciences | CHINA |
City University of Hong Kong (CityU) | HONG KONG |
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Manufacturing | AUSTRALIA |
Coventry University | UNITED KINGDOM |
CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research organisation) | AUSTRALIA |
Curtin University | AUSTRALIA |
Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
Donghua University | CHINA |
Dresden University of Technology | GERMANY |
Far East University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
Fudan University | CHINA |
Fujian Normal University | CHINA |
George Grant University of Mines and Technology | GHANA |
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company | UNITED STATES |
Graphlex Technology Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
Guangdong provincial bioengineering institute | CHINA |
Haiteng Coatings Pty Ltd | CHINA |
Harbin Institute of Technology | CHINA |
Hebei Normal University | CHINA |
Hebei University of Technology | CHINA |
Henan University | CHINA |
Henan University of Technology | CHINA |
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine | UNITED KINGDOM |
Institute of High Performance Computing | SINGAPORE |
Isothermix | AUSTRALIA |
Jiangnan University | CHINA |
Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University | CHINA |
Jilin University | CHINA |
Kaiserslautern University of Technology | GERMANY |
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals | SAUDI ARABIA |
Mansoura University | EGYPT |
Maric Flow Control Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China | CHINA |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
Nanjing University | CHINA |
Nankai University | CHINA |
National Tsing Hua University | TAIWAN |
Nazarbayev University | KAZAKHSTAN |
North China University of Science and Technology | CHINA |
North-Eastern University | THAILAND |
Northeastern University (China) | CHINA |
Northern Theatre General Hospital | CHINA |
Phenikaa University | VIET NAM |
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
Qingdao Center of Resource Chemistry and New Materials | CHINA |
Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
RMIT University | AUSTRALIA |
Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
SA Water Corporation | AUSTRALIA |
Shanghai Construction Group Co. | CHINA |
Shanghai General Hospital | CHINA |
Shanghai Jiao Tong University | CHINA |
Shanghai University | CHINA |
Shenyang Aerospace University | CHINA |
Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute | CHINA |
Shenyang University of Chemical Technology | CHINA |
Shenzhen University | CHINA |
South China University of Technology | CHINA |
Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology | TAIWAN |
Sunshine Interior Services Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Suzhou University of Science and Technology | CHINA |
Technical University of Denmark | DENMARK |
Tianjin University | CHINA |
Tsinghua University | CHINA |
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia | MALAYSIA |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of Auckland | NEW ZEALAND |
University of Bradford | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of California | UNITED STATES |
University of California System | UNITED STATES |
University of California, Los Angeles | UNITED STATES |
University of Da Nang | VIET NAM |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of Missouri - St Louis | UNITED STATES |
University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of Science and Technology of China | CHINA |
University of Seoul | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
University of Sharjah | UNITED ARAB EMIRATES |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Southern Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
University of Toulouse - Jean Jaures | FRANCE |
University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
University Tenaga National | MALAYSIA |
Victoria University | AUSTRALIA |
Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
Wuhan Institute of Technology | CHINA |
Wuxi Institute of Technology | CHINA |
Zhengzhou University | CHINA |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
MemberSociety of Plastic Engineers (SPE) |
2017 |
MemberAmerican Chemical Society (ACS) |
2017 |
MemberCertified Materials Professional (CMP) of Materials Australia |
2017 |
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
111826- Electrically conductive polymer composites for thermoelectric and sensing applications | Current |
Creating pH-sensitive self-healing concrete with alum sludge composite particles for next generation water pipes | Current |
Development of plastic thermal batteries | Current |
Eco-friendly and efficient synthesis of graphene nanoplatelets | Current |
Hydrogen carbon waste into high performance concrete material | Current |
Improving Nanofiber Dispersion and Fracture Toughness in Fibre-Reinforced Concrete with Mechanical Grafting | Current |
Mechanically strong elastomer composites with multifunctionalities by Using cost-effective, safe nanomaterials | Current |
New cement composites with high durability and thermoelectric performance | Current |
Thermally conductive, mechanically resilient thermoplastic nanocomposites for heat exchangers | Current |
Adhesives toughened by nanomaterials | Completed |
Development of conducting polymer/graphene composites for electrochemical capacitors | Completed |
Development of stretchable or flexible strain sensors using polymer nanocomposites for specific applications | Completed |
Development of thermoplastic/nanocarbon composites | Completed |
Elastomer/graphene composites | Completed |
Elastomer/MXene nanocomposites | Completed |
Enhanced degradation of persistent organic pollutants by nanoscale zero-valent iron | Completed |
From carbon nanotube to graphene and their polymer nanocomposites | Completed |
From clay to graphene for polymer nanocomposites | Completed |
Functional electronic devices based on graphene | Completed |
Graphene composite hydrogels based on polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide | Completed |
Mechanochemical treatment of carbon nanotubes for development of elastomer nanocomposites | Completed |
New approaches for preparation of graphene and its epoxy nanocomposites | Completed |
PEDOT-based composites as electrode materials for flexible supercapacitors | Completed |
Preparation of a mechanically strong, flame retarding polymer/microtubule composite | Completed |
Study of cement nanocomposites containing montmorillonite nanosheets and cellulose nanofibers | Completed |
Thermoelectric PEDOT: PSS/copper iodide nanocomposites | Completed |
Two-dimensional materials for safe and environmentally friendly aqueous energy storage systems | Completed |