Dr Oana M. Istrate is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's University Belfast, where she leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of polymer nanocomposites, sustainable materials, energy storage technologies, and circular economy principles.

Dr Istrate's research program focuses on developing advanced materials for sustainable applications, with particular expertise in polymer nanocomposites, energy storage systems, and innovative recycling technologies. She is Principal Investigator for the EPSRC New Investigator Award developing electro-responsive 4D-printable polymer nanocomposites for artificial muscles (PolyARM project, EPSRC EP/X026337/1). She has been co-lead on major CASE projects on sustainable energy storage and serves as Project Co-Lead (UK) on the UKRI Ayrton-funded iRECYCLE-Malaysia project, developing innovative technologies for critical metal recovery and plastic recycling from e-waste.

Current Research Themes

Advanced Polymer Nanocomposites: Pioneering the development of stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites with applications in soft robotics, as artificial muscles, sensors, and healthcare technologies. Her work on 4D-printable materials represents a step-change in manufacturing functional devices through additive manufacturing.

Energy Storage and Battery Technologies: Development of novel polymer composite materials for redox flow battery components, including 3D-printed flow frames and functionalised electrode materials. This work combines materials engineering with electrochemical systems design to create sustainable, efficient energy storage solutions.

Sustainable Materials and Circular Economy: Research on plastic recycling and upcycling technologies, including mechanical and chemical recycling. This work addresses critical challenges in waste management and resource recovery.

Academic Background and Expertise

Dr Istrate holds a PhD in Materials Science from Trinity College Dublin, where her research on polymer/clay nanocomposites received recognition including a prize from the Centre for Microscopy and Analysis. Her postdoctoral research at Trinity College Dublin and the National Graphene Institute (University of Manchester) established her as an expert in 2D materials and their integration into polymer systems. She has published in high-impact journals including Nature Materials, Carbon, Energy Advances, and Sustainable Energy & Fuels.

Before joining QUB in March 2019, Dr Istrate worked as an Application Specialist at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, University of Manchester, where she gained valuable experience in translating academic research into industrial applications.

• Polymer nanocomposites and composites
• Energy storage materials and technologies (redox flow batteries, battery thermal management)
• 4D printing and stimuli-responsive materials
• Graphene and 2D materials
• Sensors and biosensors
• Sustainable plastic recycling and circular economy
• Materials for soft robotics and healthcare applications
• Thin films and artificial muscles.