Assoc. Prof. Wei Xu

Project Leader

Wei Xu is an insect biologist whose research focuses on insect chemical ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biological control, and functional genomics. His work aims to improve the understanding of insect behaviours, insect-host interactions, and evolution.

Project

Utilising insects to convert plastic waste into sustainable food and feed sources

This project explores the potential for certain insects to process plastic waste into valuable food and feed resources. First, controlled environmental conditions are applied to extend the larval stage, enhancing survivability and plastic consumption capacity. Next, the larvae are tested for their preference and efficiency in consuming different types of plastics, including common single-use materials. Finally, their ability to convert plastic waste into usable by-products, such as nutrient-rich alternative feed for animals, is evaluated. Nutrient composition and safety are assessed through biochemical analyses of amino acids, fatty acids, and potential toxicity.

Video

Dike (Miranda) Yang – Encapsulation of food flavours: retention, stability, and applications

Dike (Miranda) Yang – 'Encapsulation of food flavours: retention, stability, and applications' (FFS Research Showcase 2025)

Video

Design and evaluation of a resonant sono-plate combined with infrared radiation to accelerate food drying at near-freezing temperatures

Nikunj Naliyadhara, Jayashree Arcot, Francisco J. Trujillo

Article

Design and evaluation of a resonant sono-plate combined with infrared radiation to accelerate food drying at near-freezing temperatures

In the following research paper relating to the 'Atmospheric freeze-drying' project, Nikunj Naliyadhara, and supervisors, Dr Francisco Trujillo and Prof. Jayashree Arcot, used sound waves (ultrasound) and light waves (infrared) to dry apples at low temperatures (−5 to 5 °C), cutting drying time by more than 50% with no significant loss in colour, texture, or nutrients.

Video

‘Acoustic-induced pollination in protected cropping’ with Assoc. Prof. Chris Cazzonelli

In this video, Assoc. Prof. Cazzonelli explains how precision pollination technology is advancing crop production. By using high-frequency sound waves, sonication promotes tomato pollination as effectively as conventional methods – delivering a sustainable and precise solution for protected cropping.

Assoc. Prof. Wei Xu

Project Leader

Design and evaluation of a resonant sono-plate combined with infrared radiation to accelerate food drying at near-freezing temperatures

Nikunj Naliyadhara, Jayashree Arcot, Francisco J. Trujillo

Produce prescription to improve health among adults with type 2 diabetes in Australia: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Food security: Gauging Australian food security with sustainable food consumption

Lijun Summerhayes

Compliance and composition of herbal weight loss supplements and in vitro analysis of their safety using 1H NMR spectroscopy

Emily C Davies

Trans-Governance and Food Systems (Tr-GaF) for food policy integration: A case study of the Australian food policy landscape

Lijun Summerhayes, Douglas Baker

Leafeon: Towards Accurate, Robust and Low-cost Leaf Water Content Sensing Using mmWave Radar

Hong Jia, Hao Qian, Wenyao Chen, Yihe Yan, Aaron Quigley, Chung Tung Chou

MotionLeaf: Fine-grained Multi-Leaf Damped Vibration Monitoring for Plant Water Stress using Low-Cost mmWave Sensors

Mark Cardamis, Chun Tung Chou, Wen Hu

From Microbes to Microbiomes: Applications for Plant Health and Sustainable Agriculture

Gwyn A. Beattie, Kirsty L. Bayliss, Daniel A. Jacobson, Richard Broglie, Marleny Burkett-Cadena, Angela Sessitsch, Prasanna Kankanala, Joshua Stein, Kellye Eversole, and Ann Lichens-Park

Stakeholder Perspectives on the Acceptability, Design, and Integration of Produce Prescriptions for People with Type 2 Diabetes in Australia: A Formative Study

Jason Wu, Kristy Law, Kathy Trieu, Daisy Coyle, Kim Glover, Jenn Madz

Capsaicinoids from Sustainable Capsicum Production for Nutraceutical Development

Mursleen Yasin, Michelle Donovan-Mak, Zhong-Hua Chen and Sunil K. Panchal

Future Food Systems eNews issue # 46 – April 2024

Future Food Systems

Future Food Systems eNews issue # 45 – March 2024

Future Food Systems

Future Food Systems eNews issue # 44 – February 2024

Future Food Systems

Glasshouse films offer energy saving & productivity potential (VG21006)

AUSVEG

Agronomic Investigations of Australian Native Rice Species to Support Indigenous Enterprise Development in Tropical Northern Australia

Gehan Tarek Eltaher Abdelghany

Future Food Systems eNews issue # 43 – December 2023

Future Food Systems