Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Bhagya Dharmasiri, Deakin University, Australia
Abstract
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Dr Bhagya Dharmasiri is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Australia, specializing in multifunctional carbon fibre composites, and is recognized as a leading researcher in this field with numerous national and international collaborations. Under the mentorship of Professor Luke Henderson, Dharmasiri has honed her expertise, focusing on surface functionalization of carbon fibres and developing advanced polymer synthesis and composite fabrication techniques. Her innovative approach, combining chemistry and materials science, has led to significant contributions in structural energy storage systems. Driven by the goal of creating scalable solutions rather than niche applications. Dharmasiri ’s research is geared toward translating cutting-edge discoveries into practical technologies that could revolutionize industries including renewable energy and aerospace.
Dharmasiri is also passionate about mentoring and teaching, actively supervising PhD candidates while promoting inclusivity in STEM, especially for women and underrepresented groups. Her commitment to advancing multifunctional composites and fostering collaboration, along with guidance from Professor Henderson, has made Dharmasiri a prominent figure in the field.
Read Dr Bhagya Dharmasiri ’s Emerging Investigator Series article ‘From stress to charge: investigating the piezoelectric response of solvate ionic liquid in structural energy storage composites’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00612G ) and read more about her in the interview below:
Materials Horizons (MH): Your recent Materials Horizons Communication reports the piezoelectric response of a solvate ionic liquid. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?
Bhagya Dharmasiri (BD): My research journey has been a dynamic evolution, beginning with my Honours work on thermoresponsive hydrogels and progressing to my PhD focus on the surface functionalization of carbon fiber. This foundation naturally led to my exploration of multifunctional carbon fibers for structural energy storage, with publications on structural supercapacitors. My recent work on the piezoelectric response of solvate ionic liquids, both in their pure form and within bicontinuous systems, is closely related to these structural supercapacitors. Interestingly, the electrolyte used in this paper is the same as that featured in my earlier supercapacitor research and, in some ways, mirrors the porous hydrogel structure from my first ever publication.
Looking ahead, I envision deepening this intersection of electrochemical and mechanical functionalities, focusing on scalable, multifunctional materials for integrated energy storage and sensing applications.
MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?
BD: I’m particularly excited about my current work on multifunctional carbon fibres. It ’s fascinating to be at the forefront of developing advanced composite materials that have the potential to revolutionize the field. What excites me most is how we’re focusing on scalable approaches rather than niche solutions, aiming to create technologies that can have widespread impact across industries. The integration of multiple functionalities within a single material opens new possibilities for applications, from structural energy storage to sensing technologies, and I’m thrilled to be contributing to innovations that could drive significant advancements in areas like renewable energy, aerospace, and beyond.
MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?
BD: In the field of multifunctional composites and carbon fiber technologies, some of the most important questions revolve around balancing performance, scalability, and sustainability. First, how can we enhance the multifunctionality of composite materials without compromising their mechanical properties? This involves integrating energy storage, sensing, and other functionalities while maintaining structural integrity. Second, what scalable manufacturing processes can be developed to produce these advanced materials cost-effectively and at a large scale? Achieving this is crucial for real-world applications. Third, how do we optimize the lifecycle of these materials, including recycling and end-of-life considerations, to meet sustainability goals? Answering these questions is key to pushing the boundaries of multifunctional composites from research labs to practical applications.
MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?
BD: One of the most challenging aspects of my research is the multidisciplinary nature of the work. My background is in chemistry, but during my PhD, I shifted into carbon fibre composites, which required me to quickly learn everything about materials science and engineering. Now, as I focus on developing scalable approaches for multifunctional composites, I need to integrate knowledge from chemical and process engineering. Additionally, working with these advanced materials involves understanding batteries, supercapacitors, sensors, and more. It ’s a challenge to dive deeply into entirely new fields in a short time, but it ’s also what makes the work so exciting and rewarding.
MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?
BD: You can catch me at CAMS2024 in Adelaide this December 4–6th where I will be presenting my work. I’ll also be attending the International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM24) in Baltimore, Maryland, from August 4–8, 2025. These events are great opportunities for discussing the latest developments in composite materials and connecting with others in the field.
MH: How do you spend your spare time?
BD: For me, yoga and hitting the gym are great ways to stay fit and clear my mind, which helps me stay focused in my research. I’m also passionate about performance cars—whether it ’s modifying them or attempting to drift, even though my driving skills might not always be up to par! These interests give me a break from the intensity of research and allow me to recharge so I can approach my work with renewed energy and perspective.
MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?
BD: One piece of advice I’d share is: don’t be too proud or ashamed to ask for help when you don’t know something. It doesn’t matter who the person is—they could be an undergraduate student, a PhD student, or a technician—if they know something you don’t, be humble enough to ask and learn from them. A simple conversation can often save you the time it would take to read ten books just to get the same information. Building this habit not only accelerates your learning but also fosters connections and opens doors to collaborations.
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