Key points
- Dr Dia Milani is advancing solar-powered carbon capture technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions.
- Dia was recognised with the prestigious Julius Career Award for his contributions to sustainable carbon solutions.
- He recently completed a collaborative placement at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, United States.
Dr Dia Milani’s journey has been one of resilience, curiosity and innovation. Born in Iraq, Dia studied mechanical engineering at Aleppo University before seeking asylum in Australia in 1999.
“Australia has given me everything,” Dia said.
“Like many migrants, I arrived with uncertainty, unsure of my path or place. But what I found here was a country that rewards effort, embraces ambition and offers a platform for those willing to strive.
“In Australia, opportunity isn’t just a dream – it’s a reality, waiting to be claimed.”
A pathway by degrees
Determined to use his engineering skills to address urgent environmental challenges, Dia’s first steps in Australia took him to complete a Master of Environmental Engineering Management at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) followed by a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney.
“Ever since I arrived, I’ve carried a quiet sense of indebtedness to Australia – and I’ve made it my mission to give back in every way I can,” Dia said.
From drought to discovery
In 2007-08, eastern Australia faced severe drought conditions, inspiring Dia to explore unconventional solutions to the water crisis.
“In high-humidity regions like coastal cities, the water condensed and drained away by air conditioning systems struck me as low-hanging fruit – an overlooked resource with real potential to address local freshwater shortages,” he said.
While technically feasible, the energy demand and associated carbon footprint posed a significant environmental challenge. This realisation led Dia to integrate renewable energy into his research, laying the groundwork for a career-long focus on sustainable technologies.
Pioneering renewable research
Dia joined CSIRO as a postdoctoral researcher in 2017 to work with the Sustainable Carbon Technologies Group (SCT) which tackles one of the key challenges on Australia’s path to net zero: cost effective and scalable carbon management technologies, including carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS).
While the role of renewable energy continues to expand, sustainable energy solutions have a pivotal role in reducing CO2 emissions in heavy industries and transport. High energy demand, cost barriers and the need for viable uses of captured carbon all drive the team’s research focus.
During this time, he was encouraged to carve out his own research direction – while also collaborating with colleagues across CSIRO’s Energy team and related research areas to deliver projects that balance scientific rigour with real-world impact.
“At CSIRO, they focus on what researchers can offer, regardless of faith or background, and they honour diversity. I’ve never felt like a stranger here,” Dia said.
A breakthrough came in 2020 when Dia led the innovative solar-powered carbon capture (SP-CC) project which demonstrated that carbon capture can be powered entirely by renewable energy – eliminating reliance on fossil fuels or the grid.
Building on this foundation, Dia’s research explored how CO2 can be transformed from a pollutant into a resource. One example is green urea – a carbon-neutral fertiliser produced by reacting captured CO2 with green ammonia.
More recently, Dia has focused on mineralisation, an emerging climate change mitigation approach that converts captured CO₂ into stable minerals, often using Australia’s abundant mine tailings.
His SIMiDAC project – Solar Induced Mineralisation Integrated with Direct Air Capture - applies renewable solar energy to accelerate this process, aligning with the SCT’s goal of offering a scalable and sustainable pathway for long-term carbon storage.
Global collaborations with local impact
In early 2025, Dia used a 2022 CSIRO Julius Career Award to secure a three-month placement at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado, a globally recognised hub for energy research.
The placement - planned as part of an ongoing strategic collaboration between both organisations in the field of CCUS - saw Dia collaborating with leading experts comparing thermo- and electrochemical mineralisation processes and exploring the potential of process integration and hybridisation.
“The aim is to identify the most promising technologies and understanding how they can be applied at scale, with renewable energy powering the process and the carbon footprint minimised,” Dia said.
Advice to the next generation of engineers
Many of his publications, from reviews on renewable-powered hydrogen to green urea synthesis and mineral carbonation, focus on their implications for Australia’s environment and people.
For young researchers, Dia’s advice is simple: seize the opportunities and aim to make a meaningful impact.
“Talent is valued, and opportunities are open to those willing to work hard.
“Leave a positive footprint for humanity – for Australia, and the world.”