Dr Luis Yerman
Senior Research Fellow
School of Civil Engineering
+61 7 336 53520
Researcher biography
I have a multidisciplinary background in chemical and civil engineering, chemistry and materials science. Currently, I am the UQ leader of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, based at USC. I apply my expertise to understand the effects of fungal decay and moisture intrusion in timber connections, as well as the improvement of the fire performance of timber. I supervise 6 PhD students.
Publications
Book Chapters
Torero, J. L., Gerhard, J. I., Kinsman, L. L. and Yermán, L. (2018). Using fire to remediate contaminated soils. Underground coal gasification and combustion. (pp. 601-625) edited by Michael S. Blinderman and Alexander Y. Klimenko. Duxford, United Kingdom: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-100313-8.00019-0
Yerman Martinez, Luis (2016). Self-sustaining smouldering combustion as a waste treatment process. Developments in combustion technology. (pp. 1-26) edited by Konstantinos Kyprianidis and Jan Skvaril. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. doi: 10.5772/64451
Journal Articles
Vargas, Juan Roberto, Yermán, Luis, Wood, Kyra C. and Singh, Tripti (2025). Chemical migration and redistribution of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) components in Eucalyptus nitens heartwood under accelerated weathering. Wood Material Science and Engineering, 1-8. doi: 10.1080/17480272.2025.2482895
Wu, Wenxuan, Wiesner, Felix, Hidalgo, Juan P., Morrell, Jeffrey J. and Yermán, Luis (2024). Deactivation of chromated copper arsenate as a catalyst in smouldering of wood. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 183 106824, 106824. doi: 10.1016/j.jaap.2024.106824
Wu, Wenxuan, Yermán, Luis, Hidalgo, Juan P., Morrell, Jeffrey J. and Wiesner, Felix (2023). Experimental study on the factors affecting smouldering behaviour of CCA-treated wood. Fire Safety Journal, 141 104003, 104003. doi: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2023.104003
Yan, Zidi, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike, Yermán, Luis and Scheibenreiter, Johann (2023). Influence of wet-dry cycles on the withdrawal capacity and corrosion of zinc electroplated self-tapping screws in CCA-treated and untreated Southern pine. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 19 e02429, e02429. doi: 10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02429
Yermán, Luis, Vargas, Juan and Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike (2023). Effect of wetting and fungal degradation on the withdrawal capacity of stainless-steel screws in radiata pine. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 82 (1), 15-22. doi: 10.1007/s00107-023-01988-7
Wyn, Hons, Konarova, Muxina, Quintero Olaya, Sebastian and Yermán, Luis (2023). Effect of ZrO2/CeO2 mixed oxides on fuel gas production during self-sustaining smouldering combustion of lignocellulosic wastes. Sustainable Energy and Fuels, 7 (10), 1-7. doi: 10.1039/d3se00307h
Yermán, Luis, Zhang, Yuhao, He, Jiangwan, Xiao, Martin, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike and Morrell, Jeffrey J. (2022). Effect of wetting and fungal degradation on performance of nailed timber connections. Construction and Building Materials, 353 129113, 129113. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129113
Yermán, Luis, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike, Zhang, Yuhao and Morrell, Jeffrey J. (2021). Effect of thermal modification of slash pine with linseed oil on water repellency and performance of mechanical connections. Construction and Building Materials, 305 124776, 124776. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124776
Portugau, Patrice, Torres, Martín, Yermán, Luis, Cuña, Andrés and Castiglioni, Jorge (2021). Co-combustion kinetics of Uruguayan oil shales with Eucalyptus grandis wastes obtained by a deconvolution method. Thermochimica Acta, 703 178999, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tca.2021.178999
Yermán, Luis, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike, Montoya, Camilo and Morrell, Jeffrey J. (2021). Effect of repeated wetting and drying on withdrawal capacity and corrosion of nails in treated and untreated timber. Construction and Building Materials, 284 122878, 122878. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122878
Tang, Yibo, Guo, Qian and Yermán, Luis (2020). Experimental investigation on using chloride/hydroxide aerosol to control spontaneous combustion of lignite in underground coal mines. Energy and Fuels, 34 (9), 10607-10618. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c00998
Wyn, Hons K., Konarova, Muxina, Beltramini, Jorge, Perkins, Greg and Yermán, Luis (2020). Self-sustaining smouldering combustion of waste: a review on applications, key parameters and potential resource recovery. Fuel Processing Technology, 205 106425, 106425. doi: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2020.106425
Ingunza, Maria P.D., Yermán, Luis and Williams, David (2020). Mineralogy and microstructural aspects of raw and calcined sewage sludge: considerations for its use in composite materials. The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management, 46 (3), 384-393. doi: 10.5276/jswtm/2020.384
Serrano, A., Wyn, H., Dupont, L., Villa-Gomez, D. K. and Yermán, L. (2020). Self-sustaining treatment as a novel alternative for the stabilization of anaerobic digestate. Journal of Environmental Management, 264 110544, 110544. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110544
Torres, Martín, Portugau, Patrice, Castiglioni, Jorge, Cuña, Andrés and Yermán, Luis (2020). Co-combustion behaviours of a low calorific Uruguayan Oil Shale with biomass wastes. Fuel, 266 117118, 117118. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117118
Zanoni, Marco A.B., Rein, Guillermo, Yermán, Luis and Gerhard, Jason I. (2020). Thermal and oxidative decomposition of bitumen at the Microscale: kinetic inverse modelling. Fuel, 264 116704, 116704. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116704
Wyn, Hons K., Zarate, Sergio, Carrascal, Jeronimo and Yerman, Luis (2019). A novel approach to the production of biochar with improved fuel characteristics from biomass waste. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 11 (12), 6467-6481. doi: 10.1007/s12649-019-00909-1
Torres, Martín, Castiglioni, Jorge, Yermán, Luis, Suescun, Leopoldo, Conti, Bruno, Demarco, Manuela Morales, Gristo, Pablo, Portugau, Patrice and Cuña, Andrés (2018). Assessment of Uruguayan oil shales: physicochemical, thermal and morphological characterization. Fuel, 234, 347-357. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.07.031
Yermán, Luis, Bore, Thierry, Llano Serna, Marcelo, Zárate, Sergio, Bittner, Tilman, Bajodek, Mathieu and Scheuermann, Alexander (2018). Integration of Time Domain Reflectometry in a smouldering reactor. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 139, 34-38. doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2018.09.018
Yermán, Luis, Wall, Harrison, Carrascal, Jerónimo, Browning, Aidon, Chandraratne, Devduni, Nguyen, Christina, Wong, Andy, Goode, Tristan, Kyriacou, Daniel, Campbell, Margaret, Cao, Julian, Do, Tam, Casimiro-Soriguer, Diana, Lucherini, Andrea, Zárate, Sergio, Wyn, Hons K., Bolanos, Aaron, Solarte, Angela, Górska, Carmen, Le, Ba-Dinh, Tran, Son, Le, Quang and Torero, José L. (2018). Experimental study on the fuel requirements for the thermal degradation of bodies by means of open pyre cremation. Fire Safety Journal, 98, 63-73. doi: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2018.04.007
Yermán, L., Wall, H. and Torero, J. L. (2016). Experimental investigation on the destruction rates of organic waste with high moisture content by means of self-sustained smouldering combustion. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 36 (3), 4419-4426. doi: 10.1016/j.proci.2016.07.052
Yerman, L., Cormier, D., Fabris, I., Carrascal, J., Torero, J. L., Gerhard, J. I. and Cheng, Y.-L. (2016). Potential bio-oil production from smouldering combustion of faeces. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 8 (2), 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s12649-016-9586-1
Yerman, L., Wall, H., Torero, J., Gerhard, J. I. and Cheng, Y. -L. (2016). Smoldering combustion as a treatment technology for feces: sensitivity to key parameters. Combustion Science and Technology, 188 (6), 968-981. doi: 10.1080/00102202.2015.1136299
Yerman, L, Hadden, Rory M, Carrascal, J, Fabris, Ivo, Cormier, Daniel, Torero, Jose L, Gerhard, Jason I, Krajcovic, Michal, Pironi, Paolo and Cheng, Yu-Ling (2015). Smouldering combustion as a treatment technology for faeces: Exploring the parameter space. Fuel, 147, 108-116. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2015.01.055
Corujo, Andrea, Yerman, Luis, Arizaga, Beatriz, Brusoni, Mariana and Castiglioni, Jorge (2010). Improved yield parameters in catalytic steam gasification of forestry residue; optimizing biomass feed rate and catalyst type. Biomass and Bioenergy, 34 (12), 1695-1702. doi: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.06.010
Latronica, Luis, Yerman, Luis, De Los Santos, Carolina, Sergio, Marta and Castiglioni, Jorge (2009). Evaluation of propane as a heterogenic catalyst in vanadium catalyst support in national minerals. Ingenieria Quimica (36), 23-28.
Aguila, David, Escribano, Esther, Speed, Saskia, Talancon, Daniel, Yerman, Luis and Alvarez, Santiago (2009). Calibrating the coordination chemistry tool chest: metrics of bi- and tridentate ligands. Dalton Transactions (33), 6610-6625. doi: 10.1039/b904938j
Latronica, Luis, Yerman, Luis, De Los Santos, Carolina, Sergio, Marta and Castiglioni, Jorge (2008). Evaluation of Propane as a Heterogenic Catalyst On Catalyzers of Vanadium Supported in National Modified Minerals. Ingenieria Quimica (34), 17-22.
Tancredi, N, Yerman, L and Amaya, A (2004). Production of activated carbon from Pinus elliotti sawdust. Ingenieria Quimica (26), 3-6.
Arizaga, B, Brusoni, M, Corujo, A, Yerman, L and Castiglioni, J (2004). Catalytic gasification applied to Latin American forest debris as an energy source. Ingenieria Quimica (25), 7-14.
Arizaga, B, Brusoni, M, Corujo, A, Yerman, L and Castiglioni, J (2002). Use of forest waste in catalytic gasification as source of energy or synthetic gas production. Ingenieria Quimica (22), 3-12.
Fornaro, L., Saucedo, E., Mussio, L., Yerman, L., Ma, X. and Burger, A. (2001). Lead iodide film deposition and characterization. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment, 458 (1-2), 406-412. doi: 10.1016/S0168-9002(00)00933-5
Conference Papers
Bravo, Tomas, Madden, Joshua, Darabi, Zeinab and Yermán, Luis (2024). SWST Student Chapters: The Australian Experience. SWST 2024, Portoroz, Slovenia, 30 June - 5 July 2024.
Vargas, Juan Roberto, Yermán, Luis, Wood, Kyra C. and Singh, Tripti (2024). Leaching and chemical redistribution of CCA components in refractory heartwood of E. nitens. IRG55, Knoxville, TN, United States, 19-23 May 2024.
Vargas, Juan Roberto, Yermán, Luis, Wood, Kyra C. and Singh, Tripti (2024). Determining the minimum CCA penetration depth required to protect E. nitens heartwood from fungal decay. 120th Annual Meeting AWPA 2024, Portland, ME, United States, 29 April - 2 May 2024.
Negro, Francesco, Franca, Tamara, Hansen, Eric, Herian, Victoria and Yermán, Luis (2023). SWST Student Chapters to promote innovative education: the faculty advisor’s perspective. SWST 2023, Asheville, NC, United States, 25-30 June 2023.
Wu, Wenxuan, Yermán, Luis, Hidalgo, Juan P., Morrell, Jeffrey and Wiesner, Felix (2023). Experimental investigation of the relationship between timber species and smouldering. Experimental investigation of the relationship between timber species and smouldering, Oslo, Norway, 19-22 June. Oslo, Norway: World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2023). doi: 10.52202/069179-0225
Yermán, Luis, Abudi, Mal, Yan, Zidi and Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike (2023). Effect of moisture cycles and LOSP treatment on screwed timber connections. IUFRO Div 5 2023, Cairns, QLD Australia, 4-8 June 2023.
Vargas, Juan, Morrell, Jeffrey J., Yermán, Luis and Wood, Kyra C. (2023). Establishing the minimum effective penetration of wood preservatives in the refractory heartwood of E. nitens. IRG 54, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 28 May - 1 June 2023.
Wu, Wenxuan, Yermán, Luis, Morrell, Jeffrey J. and Wiesner, Felix (2023). Multi-scale experimental study on self-sustained smouldering of CCA-treated timber poles. IRG54, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 28 May - 1 June 2023.
Yermán, Luis, Xiao, Martin, Yan, Zidi and Ottenhaus, Lisa-Marieke (2023). Effect of moisture cycles and timber treatment on the performance of screwed connections. IRG 54, Cairns, QLD Australia, 28 May - 1 June 2023. The International Research Group on Wood Protection.
Yermán, Luis, Yan, Zidi, Feng, Wen and Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike (2023). Impact of moisture cycling on screw withdrawal capacity of treated and untreated radiata pine. World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2023), Oslo, Norway, 19-22 June 2023. Ås, Norway: World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2023). doi: 10.52202/069179-0164
Zhang, Yuhao and Yerrmán, Luis (2022). Oil heat treatment of timber: durability enhancement vs loss of mechanical properties. SWST 2022, Kingscliff, NSW, Australia, 10-15 July 2022.
Yermán, Luis, Qiao, Yankang, Vargas, Juan and Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike (2022). Effect of wood decay at early stages on screw withdrawal capacity. SWST 2022, Kingscliff, NSW, Australia, 10-15 July 2022.
Yan, Zidi, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike and Yermán, Luis (2022). Effect of repeated wetting and drying on withdrawal capacity and corrosion of european screws in treated and untreated australian sawn timber. Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST), Kingscliff, NSW Australia, 10-15 July 2022. Society of Wood Science and Technology.
Wyn, Hons, Dupont, L., Ezieke, Arinze, Villa Gomez, Denys and Yerman, Luis (2019). Self-sustaining treatment of digestate waste from semi-dry AD. 2019 International Conference on Water Waste and Energy Management, Paris, France, 22-24 July 2019. Badajoz, Spain: Sciknowledge Education Conferences.
Ezieke, Arinze, Serrano, Antonio, Yermán, Luis, Wyn, Hons and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). Integration of self-sustaining smouldering after semi-dry anaerobic digestion for a sustainable digestate management. 16th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion, Delft, The Netherlands, 23-27 June 2019.
Torres, M., Portugau, P., Castiglioni, J., Yermán, L. and Cuña, A. (2019). Evaluation of the potential utilization of conventional and unconventional biomass wastes resources for energy production. International Conference on Renewable Energies and Power Quality (ICREPQ 2019), Tenerife, Spain, 10-12 April 2019. European Association for the Development of Renewable Energy, Environment and Power Quality (EA4EPQ). doi: 10.24084/repqj17.360
Conti, Bruno, Gristo, Pablo, Torres, Martin, Castiglioni, Jorge, Portugau, Patrice, Demarco, Manuela Morales, Yermán, Luis and Cuña, Andrés (2018). Characterization of Permian Mangrullo Formation (Uruguay) Oil Shale as a Source Rock and its Correlation with Iratí (Brazil) and Whitehill (South Africa) Formations. 2018 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa, 4-7 November 2018. Tulsa, OK, United States: American Association of Petroleum Geologists. doi: 10.1306/30596conti2019
Scheuermann, Alexander, Yerman, Luis, Bittner, Tilman, Serna, Marcelo Llano, Sergio Zárate, Mathieu Bajodek and Bore, Thierry (2018). Design of two large coaxial cells for studying physical process using spatial TDR. 12th International Conference on Electromagnetic Wave Interaction with Water and Moist Substances, ISEMA 2018, Lublin, Poland, 4-7 June 2018. Piscataway, NJ United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/ISEMA.2018.8442318
Torres, Martin, Castiglioni, Jorge, Morales, Manuela, Gristo, Pablo, Conti, Bruno, Yermán, Luis and Cuña, Andres (2017). Thermal characterization of Uruguayan oil shales. National Meeting on Chemistry, Montevideo, Uruguay, 18-20 October 2017.
Torres, Martin, Cuña, Andres, Morales, Manuela, Gristo, Pablo, Yermán, Luis and Castiglioni, Jorge (2017). Morphologic and physicochemical characterization of Uruguayan oil shales. VI Regional Meeting on Chemical Engineering, Montevideo, Uruguay, 25-27 October 2017.
Zarate, Sergio, Wyn, Hons K., Ng, Timothy, Lay, MC, Verbeek, CJR and Yermán, Luis (2017). Treatment of leafy green waste fibre by means of self-sustaining smouldering combustion. Chemeca, Melbourne, Australia, 23-26 July 2017.
Bore, T., Yermán, L., Llano Serna, M., Wall, H., Torero, J. L. and Scheuermann, A. (2016). Dielectric spectroscopy of artificial faeces for smouldering applications. IEEE Sensors Applications Symposium, Catania, Italy, 20-22 April 2016. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/SAS.2016.7479902
Wall, Harrison, Yerman Martinez, Luis, Gerhard, Jason I., Fabris, Ivo, Cormier, Daniel, Cheng, Yu-Ling and Torero Cullen, Jose L. (2015). Investigation of self-sustaining smouldering of faeces: key parameters and scaling effects. Dynamic ecolibrium: Sustainable Engineering Society Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 10-11 September 2015.
Yerman Martinez, Luis, Wall, Harrison, Torero Cullen, Jose L., Gerhard, Jason I., Fabris, Ivo, Cormier, Daniel and Cheng, Yu-Ling (2015). Self-sustaining smouldering combustion of faeces as treatment and disinfection method. Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress 2015: APCChE 2015, incorporating CHEMECA 2015, Melbourne, Australia, 27 September - 1 October 2015.
Cheng, Yu-Ling, Kortschot, Mark, Gerhard, Jason, Torero, Jose, Saini, R, Fernandes, AX, Fishman, Zach, Bartczak, Tomek, Liao, Daniel, Fabris, Ivo, Cormier, Daniel, Carrascal, Jeronimo and Yermán, Luis (2015). A household sanitation process based on integrated diversion/dewatering, drying/smoldering of solid waste, and pasteurization of liquid waste. Third International Fecal Sludge Management Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam, 19-23 January 2015.
Yerman, Luis, Homs, Narcıs, Brum Pereira, Evandro and Ramirez de la Piscina, Pilar (2014). H2 production from oxidative steam reforming of 1-propanol and propylene glycol over yttria-stabilized supported bimetallic Ni-M (M = Pt, Ru, Ir) catalysts. 4th Iberian Symposium on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and advanced Batteries, Estoril Portugal, Jun 26-28, 2013. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.12.163
Yermán, Luis, Carrascal, Jeronimo, Torero, Jose, Fabris, Ivo, Cormier, Daniel and Gerhard, Jason (2014). Smouldering combustion as a treatment for human waste. 5th International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste, Venice, Italy, 17-20 November 2014.
Yerman, Luis, Homs, Narcis and Ramirez de la Piscina, Pilar (2012). Hydrogen production from oxidative steam-reforming of n-propanol over Ni/Y 2O 3-ZrO 2 catalysts. HYCELTEC-2011: III Iberian Symposium on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Advanced Batteries, Zaragoza, Spain, 27-30 June 2011. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.11.045
Yermán, Luis, Pereira, Evandro, Homs, Narcis and Ramirez de la Piscina, Pilar (2012). Bimetallic catalysts Ni-M(K)/YSZ M=(Ir, Pt, Ru) for oxidative steam reforming of n-propanol and propylenglycol. 12th Ibero-American Conference on Catalysis, Santa Fe, Argentina, 2-7 September 2012.
Yermán, Luis, Homs, Narcis and Ramirez de la Piscina, Pilar (2010). Hydrogen production by oxidative steam reforming of n-propanol over new Ni/Y2O3-ZrO2 catalysts. 9th Novel Gas Conversion Symposium, Lyon, Fance, 30 May - 3 June 2010.
Working Paper
Research Report
Yerman, Luis, Braeunig, Jennifer, Wyn, Hons, Banks, Andrew and Mueller, Jochen (2018). Removal of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from soils: laboratory scale smouldering combustion. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Airservices Australia.