Female PhD transforms industrial waste into high-tech materials.

Dr. Vu Tan, who transforms metallurgical waste into graphene, has just won the Asian Innovation Award for his sustainable research.

Dr. Vu Thi Tan was born in 1986 in Ly Nhan - Ha Nam (formerly), now Ninh Binh, and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the School of Chemistry and Life Sciences - Hanoi University of Technology.

She is one of two scientists from Hanoi University of Science and Technology who were recently honored with the Asia Innovation Award 2025, recognizing their achievements in scientific and technological research and development with clear social applications and contributions to the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

From Russia to Europe's leading carbon materials hub.

In 2005, Dr. Vu Thi Tan began her scientific career in Russia, where she graduated with a specialization in Chemistry from Tula University. At that time, she hadn't clearly defined her specialization but was fascinated by the question: could changing the structure at the molecular level create materials with completely new properties? This curiosity led her to materials chemistry – a field closely connected between microscopic structure and macroscopic applications in life.

She then went on to pursue her master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Oviedo, Spain. There, she was exposed to a research environment where chemistry extended beyond theory, intertwined with the fabrication, measurement, and verification of material properties.

"Materials chemistry allows me to delve into the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry while simultaneously creating materials that can solve real problems – from catalysis and adsorption to environmental treatment ," she shared.

Dr. Vu Thi Tan. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

Her years in Europe helped her develop a systematic research style, emphasizing data and repeatability – core standards of modern science.

After defending his doctoral thesis, Dr. Vu Tan worked as a researcher at the INCAR-CSIC Institute – a leading European center for carbon materials, based in Oviedo, Spain.

From a background in basic research, Dr. [Name] moved to the R&D department of the ArcelorMittal steel group in Aviles, Spain, participating in material and surface treatment projects for industrial-scale production. There, she contributed 17 material inventions to the group, became a key member of the R&D department, and signed an indefinite employment contract with the group. This period shaped her research mindset, which is closely linked to practical applications.

At one point, while working in a stable international research environment, Dr. Vu Tan faced a difficult choice: continue her career abroad or return to Vietnam – a place with limited research resources but a huge demand for scientific and technological development. Ultimately, she chose to return because she saw a future for sustainable materials in Vietnam.

Transforming waste into graphene

Among Dr. Vu Thi Tan's dozens of scientific works, the research direction she is most passionate about is the conversion of waste graphite and carbon by-products from the metallurgical industry into graphene and high-performance graphene-based materials. This group of works and inventions also significantly contributed to her receiving the Encouragement Award at the Asian Innovation Awards.

Graphene is an ultrathin, two-dimensional material with superior mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, typically produced from pure graphite at a high cost. Meanwhile, the metallurgical industry generates large amounts of graphite waste, resulting in both costly disposal and environmental pressure.

The doctor's research team has developed chemical methods to convert this waste stream into graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and other high-value functional carbon materials.

"The greatest value lies in transforming an environmental burden into a strategic resource – simultaneously addressing sustainability challenges and unlocking technological competitiveness ," she stated.

Dr. Vu Tan (center) with students at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

These works have been protected by numerous patents in the US, Canada, Europe, Brazil, and South Africa, opening up the possibility of commercializing graphene in a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly way. This research group also earned her the Encouragement Award at the 2025 Asian Innovation Awards.

Alongside graphene, Dr. Vu Thi Tan has numerous international publications on photocatalysis, metal oxide nanoparticles, and graphene/metal oxide hybrid materials for environmental and energy treatment. Her research has appeared in journals such as Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, ChemNanoMat, Journal of Crystal Growth, and Optical Materials.

At the School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Ms. Tan developed research directions in materials science focused on sustainability, while also teaching and training students according to international research standards.

Besides research, Dr. Vu Thi Tan teaches courses on inorganic materials, materials chemistry, water treatment, and inorganic coatings, and also participates in training on innovation and entrepreneurship. According to her, teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about helping students see the "path" forward in science.

She directly guides students from the idea generation and experiment design stages to data analysis and scientific paper writing, aiming to help them quickly access international research standards.

As a female scientist in the field of materials science and engineering, she believes the biggest challenge lies not in gender but in balancing research, teaching, project management, and family life.

“I went through a period of juggling science, teaching, managing a detergent startup, and raising young children. The key is discipline, perseverance, and accepting that things won’t always be perfect ,” she shared.

When asked what message she would like to convey to the younger generation, especially female students considering pursuing a career in materials science and high technology, Dr. Vu Thi Tan succinctly said: " Work seriously and persistently. The rewards will come."

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/nu-tien-si-bien-chat-thai-cong-nghiep-thanh-vat-lieu-cong-nghe-cao-ar999001.html