Dr. Miwako Hosoda, Professor of Seisa
University, Project Researcher of University
of Tokyo Institute of Medical Science, has
been conducting her sociological research
though observing human relations in the
healthcare field. Using knowledge from her
prior research on patient advocacy,
healthcare policy, and public participation
in medicine, she has been making
collaborative efforts with local residents
with illnesses and disabilities she had
engaged. Together, they are continuing to
seek out ways to help the recovery in their
communities.
Dr. Hosoda graduated from the Department of
Sociology at the University of Tokyo in
1992, and received an MA and PhD in
Sociology from the University of Tokyo.
After working as a research fellow at the
Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science（JSPS）, she studied at Columbia
University Mailman School of Public Health
as associate, and Harvard T.H. Chan School
of Public Health as research fellow. Upon
returning to Japan, she joined the Seisa
University in 2012 and served as vice
president from 2013 to 2020.
Dr. Hosoda was elected as president of ISA
(International Sociological Association),
Research Committee of Sociology of Health
(2018-2023), and APSA (Asia Pacific
Sociological Association (2017-2020). She is
currently Vice President of APSA,
Representative Director of the Japanese
Society for Brain Injury Caring Communities,
Representative Director of IAFA (Inclusive
Action For All).
To be updated...
Dr. Kwun Nam Hui is an associate
professor at the Institute of Applied
Physics and Materials Engineering at the
University of Macau and a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Chemistry. Since 2021, Dr.
Hui has also been recognized among the top
2% of scientists globally by Stanford
University/Elsevier. He earned his PhD in
Electrical and Electronic Engineering from
the University of Hong Kong in 2009.
Following the completion of his doctorate,
he pursued a postdoctoral research position
at Rutgers, the State University of New
Jersey, in the Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering. In 2009, Dr. Hui
joined the School of Materials Science and
Engineering at Pusan National University in
South Korea.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hui has focused
on developing innovative materials and
devices for energy storage and conversion.
Since 2015, he has been a part of the
Institute of Applied Physics and Materials
Engineering at the University of Macau. His
current research efforts are dedicated to
designing and synthesizing advanced energy
storage materials, including metal-organic
frameworks, porous carbon materials, layered
oxides, polyanion compounds, disordered
compounds, and single-atom catalysts for
various energy storage and conversion
applications such as supercapacitors,
batteries, and water electrolyzers.
Dr. Hui's work has led to significant
advancements in understanding the structural
and chemical properties of these materials,
fostering the development of novel materials
and technologies for energy storage and
conversion. He has published over 300
articles in leading peer-reviewed journals,
with more than 60 as the corresponding
author in prestigious titles such as
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
Advanced Energy Materials, Advanced
Functional Materials, Advanced Powder
Materials, ACS Catalysis, Nano Energy, ACS
Nano, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and
Energy, and Carbon Energy. His research has
received over 13,600 citations and an
H-index of 65 on Google Scholar, and he
holds 36 patents.
Moreover, Dr. Hui has served as Associate
Editor for Frontiers in Materials, Smart
Materials and Devices, and Material Science
& Engineering International Journal. He is
also on the advisory board of Materials,
Chemistry and Physics: Sustainability and
Energy, and is an Editorial Board Member for
several other journals, including Journal of
Energy Science and Technology, Journal of
Energy and Sustainability, Catalysts, and
Crystals. Additionally, he has acted as
Guest Editor for special issues such as
Research and Applications of Supercapacitors
and Advanced Research in 2D Materials for
Crystals.
To be updated...
Prof. Dr. Flora Elvistia is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Jayabaya University in Jakarta, Indonesia. Her research interests include polymer production, environmental engineering, and material composites. She has published several papers on these topics and is involved in various research projects. Flora has experience as a reviewer in several journals affiliated with the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK. She was selected as one of the best papers at the Pilsen, Czech Republic conference.
Green Biocomposites from Areca catechu Sheath Waste for Microplastic Removal in Seawater
Recent studies conducted in Indonesia have
uncovered microplastic particles in five well-known
brands of commercial tea bags, indicating that
plastic pollution has extended beyond marine
environments and is now infiltrating the human food
supply. This discovery raises significant alarm
regarding the potential for microplastics—initially
found in oceanic settings—to re-enter our diets
through contamination cycles. While this research
primarily addresses seawater remediation, it is
essential to effectively capture microplastic
particles at their origin to avert their entry into
everyday human consumption. Consequently, there is
an urgent necessity to create sustainable,
accessible, and efficient filtration materials.
Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to
the sustainability of marine ecosystems,
particularly in archipelagic nations like Indonesia.
The presence of microplastics, which result from the
breakdown of plastic waste and micro-scale household
products, is prevalent in marine environments. These
particles have been detected in marine organisms,
drinking water, and even within the human body. With
sizes less than 5 mm and persistent chemical
properties, microplastics represent a challenging
pollutant to manage.
As one of the leading contributors to marine plastic
waste globally, Indonesia faces substantial
obstacles in addressing this issue. The lack of
public awareness regarding plastic waste management,
inadequate effective waste treatment systems, and
the country's complex geographical landscape further
complicate the proliferation of microplastics in
ocean waters. The repercussions extend beyond
ecological concerns, impacting social and economic
aspects, particularly for coastal communities
reliant on marine resources. In light of this
pressing issue, the development of sustainable
microplastic capture technologies utilizing natural
materials at a local level is crucial. One promising
method involves the use of filtration technology
with biomaterial composites that are environmentally
friendly and can leverage the abundant agricultural
waste available locally.
This research proposes utilizing cellulose derived
from areca nut fronds. This biomass waste has not
been fully exploited as a foundational material for
creating filter composites aimed at removing
microplastics from seawater. Cellulose was selected
due to its biodegradable nature, porous structure,
and ease of modification. The study involves
combining cellulose from areca nut fronds with other
natural materials such as bentonite, biochar, and
beach sand to develop a composite that optimizes
filtration performance. Laboratory tests were
conducted using both real seawater and artificial
microplastics to replicate actual conditions while
maintaining control. This research not only
emphasizes the effectiveness of microplastic
filtration but also assesses the characteristics of
the resulting composites.