Troy Farrell

Professor Troy Farrell is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He holds a PhD (QUT) and B.Sc (Hons) from the University of Newcastle. His expertise lies in applied mathematics and physical chemistry, focusing on industrial systems like batteries, solar cells, and biomass processing. He leads major research projects in electrochemical nano-diodes, metal-air batteries, and coal seam gas modeling. Professor Farrell has secured over $2.8M in external funding and led national initiatives such as the Mathematics in Industry Study Group (MISG) and the ATN Industry Doctoral Training Centre. He is a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received prestigious awards for his research and teaching. His teaching focuses on mathematical modeling, partial differential equations, and calculus, emphasizing student-centered pedagogy and innovation. Key achievements include developing multiphase models for food drying, phase-field models for lithium-ion batteries, and population balance models for biomass pretreatment.

Research Projects:

• Mathematical modeling of biofuel production from cellulosic materials
• Electrochemical nano-diodes using Poisson-Nernst-Planck models
• Optimization of lithium-air batteries for secondary power
• Multiscale modeling of porous materials with hybrid continuum/particle methods
• Agrochemical uptake in plant cuticles

Awards:

• ANZIAM Mid-Career Research Award (2015)
• QUT Vice-Chancellor's Award for Partnerships (2013)
• Australian Government Citation for Teaching Excellence (2006)

Teaching & Leadership:

Professor Farrell pioneered innovative teaching methods recognized by the Carrick Institute, coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Mathematical Sciences. He has mentored over 13 doctoral students and actively bridges academia-industry collaboration through leadership roles in MISG and the ATN IDTC. His work emphasizes translating mathematical models into real-world solutions for energy, agriculture, and environmental sectors.

Labs & Teams:

He oversees interdisciplinary teams at QUT specializing in electrochemical systems, porous media modeling, and industrial mathematics. Current collaborations include projects with sugar cane industries, battery manufacturers, and coal seam gas operators to address challenges like biomass storage safety and energy storage optimization.