Invited Speakers

Biography: Dr. Joseph J. Kim, P.E. is a Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management at California State University Long Beach. Dr. Kim spent several years as a field engineer and safety engineer. He is a registered professional engineer and holds a LEED AP BD+C certification. He is the recipient of 2011 ASCE ExCEEd New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, 2013 ICCEPM Best Paper Award, 2016 KSEA Chapter President Award; 2020 and 2021 USA President’s Volunteer Service Awards. His research interests include artificial intelligence (AI) applications to solve civil infrastructure systems’ optimization problems, green building materials, best sustainability practices in built environments, building information modeling, cost estimating methods, construction robotics, project delivery systems, and statistical methods for construction engineers. Dr. Kim has authored 117 journal articles and conference papers in high-quality engineering and scientific journals such as the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Journal of Green Buildings, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, and Journal of Transportation Research Board. Dr. Kim is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), ASCE's Construction Research Council of the Construction Institute, and Korean American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA). He is a peer reviewer for many technical journals.

Title: Recycled Construction Materials: Current Status and Future Research Directions

Recycled construction materials, sourced from construction and demolition waste, offer a sustainable way to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Despite their significant benefits, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of these materials. These challenges include technological and regulatory barriers, concerns about the structural integrity and durability of recycled materials, market acceptance, the construction industry's traditional resistance to change, quality inconsistencies, and the lack of standardized guidelines.

To address these issues, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the current research on recycled construction materials. In this invited speech, I will provide an in-depth analysis of the research landscape related to these materials. I will explore their utilization, advancements, challenges, and potential within the construction industry. The discussion will cover the current status and emerging trends in using recycled materials across various categories, including concrete, wood, steel, plastic, asphalt, and more.

My goal is to inspire ongoing research and development by offering valuable insights that can shape future research directions and industry practices regarding recycled construction materials. By doing so, we can effectively tackle global climate change and build a sustainable society for future generations.
 

 

 

 

Biography: Dr. Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki (PhD, CEng, MIET, ACGI) is a lecturer at the School of Engineering and Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University. He obtained his MEng (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Imperial College in 2006 and his PhD in Solar Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2013. His research interest is in the area of renewable energy technology and policies and sustainable resources particularly in the development of solar concentrator. He has secured multiple grants from the UK and international funding agencies such as Royal Society of Edinburgh, Innovate UK, Scottish Institute for Remanufacturing (SIR), Scottish Funding Council, British Council - Newton Fund, Chilean Research Council (CONICYT), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia etc. He also carried out a number of non-technical research including market trend and financial analysis related to renewable technologies for various countries. He has published numerous articles in high impact factor journals (e.g. Nature, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Applied Energy, etc.), as well as presenting in various conferences related to his area. Prior to joining the academia, he was a communication engineer in Malaysia’s largest telecommunication company.

Title: Circular Solutions: Assessing the Viability of Photovoltaic Waste Recycling in the United Kingdom

Abstract: In recent years, the global demand for energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) technology has surged, with the United Kingdom (UK) experiencing a remarkable rise in PV installations. As the UK intensifies its focus on harnessing substantial electricity from photovoltaics, it concurrently faces the impending challenge of managing PV waste effectively. The talk will look into the current and anticipated landscape of PV waste recycling in the UK, offering a comprehensive review of pertinent literature, discussions on recycling methodologies, and a thorough cost-benefit analysis. A case study of potential establishment of a recycling facility employing the Full Recovery End of Life Photovoltaic (FRELP) method in Cornwall, UK will be presented. The analysis reveals promising prospects, estimating an annual revenue potential of approximately £5,852,745.80, with an anticipated profit margin of £92,435.14.