Dr Mehdi Chougan

BSc(Eng) MSc(Eng) PhD MIMMM

Overview

I am a Research and Innovation Associate at Cardiff University, currently engaged in the LITHICRETE project, an EPSRC-funded initiative focused on valorising lithium mining waste to enable decarbonisation in the cement industry. Building on my expertise in low-carbon cementitious materials and sustainable construction, I am developing innovative approaches to convert industrial by-products into high-performance, durable, and eco-friendly construction materials. My work aims to bridge scientific innovation with practical implementation, collaborating with a global network of researchers and industry partners to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies and materials in the construction sector.

Prior to this, I was a Research Associate specialising in 3D Concrete Printing and additive manufacturing of low-carbon cementitious composites. I also served as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at Brunel University London, where I advanced research on novel cementitious materials and concrete 3D printing technology. I completed my PhD in Graphene-engineered Smart Cementitious Composites at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” in 2020 and have worked on multiple EPSRC-funded projects, including the High-Performance Compressed Straw Board (HPCSB) project. Additionally, I gained industry experience as a Senior Research Scientist at Reaforma Ltd, a startup focused on cement decarbonisation and waste valorisation.

My current work concentrates on valorising lithium slag through material design and processing techniques that promote circular economy principles and significantly reduce carbon emissions.