Dr. Alexander Kiy completed his PhD at the Australian National University in 2023, where he developed conical nanopores in silicon dioxide membranes and studied how their shape and surface charge affect ion transport. His work combined experiments and modelling to explore applications in sensing, filtration, and energy systems. As a materials scientist, he is now specialising in sustainable metallurgy with expertise in developing low-carbon ironmaking technologies through hydrogen-based reduction to produce direct reduced iron (DRI). His current research involves employing advanced analytical tools like micro-computed tomography (µCT), SEM, XRD, and XRF to investigate structural changes and degradation behaviours in iron ores, aiming to optimise process conditions for efficient, low-emission iron production and support global decarbonisation goals in the steel industry.

Dr. Kwaku Owusu is a CERC Postdoctoral Fellow in the High-Temperature Chemistry Group, Mineral Resources Business Unit at CSIRO. He is the recipient of the 2023 Ian Wark Research Medal from the University of South Australia. His research focuses on developing pathways for low-emission iron and steelmaking to advance global decarbonisation. He has a strong background in mineral processing, with expertise in comminution, beneficiation, hydrometallurgy, and sustainable waste recycling.

Dr. Banty Kumar is a Postdoctoral Researcher at CSIRO, Melbourne, specializing in sustainable ironmaking, waste recycling, and process metallurgy. He earned his Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, where he also completed his M.Tech. degree, after obtaining his B.Tech. from the National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur. His doctoral research focused on the reduction behavior of off-grade iron ore fines and electric arc furnace dust (EAFD)–carbon composite pellets. Dr. Kumar integrates experimental investigation with thermodynamic modeling using FactSage to develop low-carbon and resource-efficient metallurgical processes. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications, holds a patent, and has presented his work at national and international conferences. Experienced in advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, XRF, and XCT, he continues to contribute to cleaner and more sustainable technologies for the iron and steel industry.

Chen Xing is a Ph.D. candidate at Central South University, China. His research focuses on low-carbon metallurgy and hydrogen-based metallurgical processes, with particular emphasis on hydrogen-rich reduction, phase transformation, microstructural evolution, and metallurgical performance regulation of iron-bearing and nickel-bearing materials. He has received several academic awards and has published six SCI-indexed papers. His work aims to develop cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable metallurgical technologies, contributing to carbon reduction and the green transition of the metallurgical industry.

Abrar Taimullah is a PhD student with a strong passion for developing low-carbon and green metallurgical technologies through a combination of experimental research and thermodynamic modelling. His previous work focused on hydrogen plasma smelting reduction as a sustainable and rapid technology for producing ferronickel, ferrochrome, and stainless steel. Currently, he is investigating DRI-ESF technology for low-carbon ironmaking, focusing on laboratory-scale smelting experiments to optimise hot metal production from medium-grade iron ore DRI, while examining the mechanisms of carburisation and silicon transfer in ESF. He is also developing FactSage thermodynamic modelling to understand metallurgical processes occuring in DRI smelting in ESF.

Stephan Kruger, Principal Technical Engineer for Fortescue Metals Technologies Development, is a mechanical and materials engineer with more than 20 years’ experience across iron ore, mineral sands and steel. His work spans green metals technology development, technical marketing, R&D, hydrogen-based DRI and smelting technologies, and operational project delivery. He has led cross-functional technical programs, complex brownfield and greenfield projects, major shutdowns and business improvement initiatives, with a strong focus on safety, stakeholder alignment and practical execution. Stephan also contributes to Fortescue’s low-carbon ironmaking initiatives and represents the business in industry research collaborations, including the HILT CRC.