Dr Janitha Jeewantha

Dr Janitha Jeewantha
NameDr Janitha Jeewantha
Email Addressjanitha.jeewantha@unisq.edu.au
Job TitleResearch Fellow (Civil Composites Manufacturing and Testing)
QualificationsBScEng Ruhuna, PGDipMfgSysEng Moratuwa, PhD USQ
DepartmentCentre for Future Materials (Research)
AffiliationsSchool of Engineering
Centre for Future Materials
Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0244-6159
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Biography

Dr Janitha Jeewantha is a leading mechanical and manufacturing engineer with over 12 years of experience, internationally recognized for his expertise in composite material synthesis and characterization. He was honoured to receive the prestigious Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, which supported the completion of his PhD in 2023. Following his PhD, Dr Jeewantha joined the University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Future Materials, ranked as Australia's number one composite research centre by The Australian's 2025 Research Magazine.

Dr Jeewantha’s achievements have been highlighted in international media outlets such as Nursing Review and Australian Manufacturing, particularly for his development of Ortho+, a groundbreaking shape memory polymer plaster for orthopaedic applications. This innovation, which surpasses traditional fractured bone immobilisation materials in efficiency and user safety, underscores his contributions to functional materials manufacturing and technology.

His academic portfolio includes 15 journal articles published in high-impact Q1 journals such as Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing and Smart Materials and Structures. Dr Jeewantha has successfully secured over $2.3 million in competitive research funding for projects focused on sustainable composite materials. He is proud to have received multiple accolades, including being named the First Runner-Up for Best Research Engineer of Queensland in 2023. These accomplishments reflect Dr Jeewantha’s dedication to advancing potential materials to address Australia's emerging needs, with a strong focus on sustainability.

Employment

PositionOrganisationFromTo
Research FellowUniversity of Southern Queensland2023
Research AssistantSultan Qaboos University20152019
Consulting Structural EngineerLMI Aerospace Asia Pacific (Sonaca group)20132015
Design EngineerAero Sense (Pvt.) Ltd20112013
Applications EngineerACECAM (Pvt.) Ltd 20102011

Teaching

MEC4302 Computational Mechanics in Design (Course Team Member)

ENP4111 Professional Engineer Research Project (Marker/Teaching assistant)

MEC2901 Mechanical Practice 1 (Course Team Member)

Fields of Research

  • 400101. Aerospace materials
  • 401401. Additive manufacturing
  • 401402. CAD/CAM systems
  • 401406. Machining
  • 401407. Manufacturing management
  • 401499. Manufacturing engineering not elsewhere classified
  • 401602. Composite and hybrid materials
  • 401605. Functional materials
  • 401609. Polymers and plastics

Professional Membership

Professional MembershipYear
Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia (MIEAust)
Certified Materials Professional (CMatP)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Member of Australian Composite Structures
Golden Key International Honour Society
Institute Of Engineers Sri Lanka
Institute Of Engineers Sri Lanka (Queensland Chapter)
BScEng
Ruhuna
2009
PGDipMfgSysEng
Moratuwa
2013
PhD
USQ
2023

Current Supervisions

Research TitleSupervisor TypeLevel of StudyCommenced
Property characterization of the novel bio-based epoxy for sustainable aerospaceAssociate SupervisorDoctoral2025
DateNameAwarding organisationUnderpinning research
2023First Runner-Up: The best research engineer of the year Queensland 2023, for the technical presentation event held at Engineers Australia.IESL Queensland Chapter
Item reviewedYear
European Journal of Mechanics / A Solids
Materials Letters
Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Engineering and technology technical session, International Research Conference (IRCUWU), Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka2023

Enhanced electromechanical performance of structural supercapacitor composites with high loading of graphene nanoplatelet at the fibre/matrix interface

Anurangi, Jayani, Jeewantha, Janitha, Herath, Madhubhashitha, Galhena, Dona T.L. and Epaarachchi, Jayantha. 2024. "Enhanced electromechanical performance of structural supercapacitor composites with high loading of graphene nanoplatelet at the fibre/matrix interface." Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108617

Optimising nanoparticle dispersion time for enhanced thermomechanical properties in DGEBA-based shape memory polymer composites

Jeewantha, Janitha, Epaarachchi, Jayantha and Islam, Md Mainul. 2024. "Optimising nanoparticle dispersion time for enhanced thermomechanical properties in DGEBA-based shape memory polymer composites." Journal of Research Updates in Polymer Science. 13, pp. 147-150.

Characterization of mechanical and bonding properties of anchoring resins under elevated temperature

Nourizadeh, Hadi, Mirzaghorbanali, Ali, McDougall, Kevin, Jeewantha, L.H.J., Craig, Peter, Motallebiyan, Amin, Jodeiri Shokri, Behshad Jodeiri, Rastegarmanesh, Ashakan and Aziz, Naj. 2023. "Characterization of mechanical and bonding properties of anchoring resins under elevated temperature." International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2023.105506

Experimental investigation and modeling of date drying under forced convection solar dryers

Seerangurayar, T., Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M., Jeewantha, L. H. Janitha, Jeevarathinam, G., Pandiselvam, R., Kumar, S. Dinesh, Mohanraj, M. and Singh, Punit. 2024. "Experimental investigation and modeling of date drying under forced convection solar dryers." Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 14 (18), pp. 21705-21718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04450-z

Shape memory polymer composite circular and square hollow members for deployable structures

Emmanuel, K.D.C., Jeewantha, L.H.J., Herath, H.M.C.M., Epaarachchi, J.A. and Aravinthan, T.. 2023. "Shape memory polymer composite circular and square hollow members for deployable structures ." Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2023.107559

Shape memory polymer composite for adaptive components for orthosis and lower limb fracture fixators

Jeewantha, Lama Hewage Janitha. 2023. Shape memory polymer composite for adaptive components for orthosis and lower limb fracture fixators. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/yyw19

Damage onset analysis of optimized shape memory polymer composites during programming into curved shapes

Emmanuel, K. D. C., Jeewantha, L. H. J., Herath, H. M. C. M., Epaarachchi, J. A. and Aravinthan, T.. 2022. "Damage onset analysis of optimized shape memory polymer composites during programming into curved shapes." Materialia. 26, pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2022.101599

Shape memory polymer smart plaster for orthopaedic treatments

Jeewantha, Janitha, Jayalath, Sandaruwan, Emmanuel, Chris, Herath, Madhubhashitha, Forster, Elizabeth, Islam, Mainul, Leng, Jinsong and Epaarachchi, Jayantha. 2022. "Shape memory polymer smart plaster for orthopaedic treatments." Smart Materials and Structures. 31 (11), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665X/ac943b

Early research of shape memory polymer vascular stents

Jeewantha, Lama Hewage Janitha, Epaarachchi, Jayantha Ananda, Forster, Elizabeth, Islam, Mainul and Leng, Jinsong. 2022. "Early research of shape memory polymer vascular stents." Express Polymer Letters. 16 (9), pp. 902-923. https://doi.org/10.3144/expresspolymlett.2023.49

Investigation of curing kinetics and internal strains to enhance performances of bisphenol A based shape memory polymers

Jeewantha, L. H. J., Emmanuel, K. D. C., Herath, H. M. C. M., Epaarachchi, J. A., Islam, M. M. and Leng, J.. 2022. "Investigation of curing kinetics and internal strains to enhance performances of bisphenol A based shape memory polymers." Materialia. 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2021.101264

Multi-attribute parametric optimisation of shape memory polymer properties for adaptive orthopaedic plasters

Jeewantha, L. H. J., Emmanuel, K. D. C., Herath, H. M. C. M., Islam, M. M., Fang, L. and Epaarachchi, J. A.. 2022. "Multi-attribute parametric optimisation of shape memory polymer properties for adaptive orthopaedic plasters." Materialia. 21, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2022.101325

Distributed sensing based real-time process monitoring of shape memory polymer components

Herath, Madhubhashitha, Emmanuel, Chris, Jeewantha, Janitha, Epaarachchi, Jayantha and Leng, Jinsong. 2022. "Distributed sensing based real-time process monitoring of shape memory polymer components." Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 139 (22). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.52247

Effect of thickness on the shape memory properties of bisphenol a epoxy based shape memory polymer composites

Emmanue, K. D. C., Jeewantha, J., Herath, M., Epaarachchi J. and Aravinthan T.. 2021. "Effect of thickness on the shape memory properties of bisphenol a epoxy based shape memory polymer composites." ASME 2021 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems (SMASIS2021). United States and Online United States. https://doi.org/10.1115/SMASIS2021-67111

Thermomechanical and fire performance of DGEBA based shape memory polymer composites for constructions

Emmanuel, K. D. C., Herath, H. M. C. M., Jeewantha, L. H. J., Epaarachchi, J. A. and Aravinthan, T.. 2021. "Thermomechanical and fire performance of DGEBA based shape memory polymer composites for constructions." Construction and Building Materials. 303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124442

Development and characterization of shape memory polymers for non-invasive biomedical applications

Jeewantha, Janitha, Emmanuel, Chris, Herath, Madhubhashitha, Islam, Mainul and Epaarachchi, Jayantha. 2021. "Development and characterization of shape memory polymers for non-invasive biomedical applications." ASME 2021 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems (SMASIS2021). United States and Online New York, United States. https://doi.org/10.1115/SMASIS2021-66024

In-situ performance evaluation of large shape memory polymer components via distributed optical fibre sensors

Herath, Madhubhashitha, Emmanuel, Chris, Epaarachchi, Jayantha and Jeewantha, Janitha. 2021. "In-situ performance evaluation of large shape memory polymer components via distributed optical fibre sensors." 10th International Conference on Information and Automation for Sustainability (ICIAfS 2021). Negambo, Sri Lanka 11 - 13 Aug 2021 United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIAfS52090.2021.9605868

Enhancement of freshwater production of the seawater greenhouse condenser

Bait Suwailam, Tahani K., Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M., Al-Azri, Nasser A., Jeewantha, L. H. Janitha and Kotagama, Hemasiri. 2021. "Enhancement of freshwater production of the seawater greenhouse condenser." Journal of Arid Land. 13 (4), pp. 397-412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-021-0063-8

Potential reduction in water consumption of greenhouse evaporative coolers in arid areas via earth-tube heat exchangers

Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M., Fadel, Moustafa A., Jayasuriya, Hemantha, Jeewantha, L. H. Janitha, Al-Mahdouri, Adel and Al-Shukeili, Talal. 2021. "Potential reduction in water consumption of greenhouse evaporative coolers in arid areas via earth-tube heat exchangers." Journal of Arid Land. 13 (4), pp. 388-396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-021-0057-6

Development of Smart Materials for Invasive Medical Applications Using Shape Memory Polymers

Jeewantha, Lama Hewage Janitha, Islam, Md Mainul and Epaarachchi, Jayantha Ananda. 2020. "Development of Smart Materials for Invasive Medical Applications Using Shape Memory Polymers." 6th International Conference on Mechanical, Industrial and Energy Engineering (ICMIEE 2020). Khulna, Bangladesh 19 - 21 Dec 2020 Bangladesh.

Monitoring Structural Performances of Concrete Beams Using Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) Sensors

Jayawickrema, U. M. N., Epaarachchi, J. A., Hettiarachchi, N. K., Jeewantha, L. H. J. and Herath, H. M. C. M.. 2019. "Monitoring Structural Performances of Concrete Beams Using Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) Sensors." 10th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM 2019). Kandy, Sri Lanka 12 - 14 Dec 2019

Effect of solar drying methods on color kinetics and texture of dates

Seerangurayar, T., Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M., Jeewantha, L. H. Janitha and Al-Habsi, Nasser Abdullah. 2019. "Effect of solar drying methods on color kinetics and texture of dates." Food and Bioproducts Processing. 116, pp. 227-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2019.03.012

Experimental investigation of shrinkage and microstructural properties of date fruits at three solar drying methods

Seerangurayar, T., Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M., Jeewantha, L. H. Janitha and Al-Nabhani, Abdulrahman. 2019. "Experimental investigation of shrinkage and microstructural properties of date fruits at three solar drying methods." Solar Energy. 180, pp. 445-455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.047

Recent Progress in Shape Memory Polymers in Biomedical Applications

Jeewantha, Lama Hewage Janitha, Islam, Md Mainul and Epaarachchi, Jayantha Amanda. 2019. "Recent Progress in Shape Memory Polymers in Biomedical Applications." Yang, Richard, Zhang, Leo, Zhao, Ming, Fang, Gu and Islam, Rafiqul (ed.) 1st International Conference on Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Research and Practice (iCMMERP-2019). Sydney, Australia 24 - 28 Nov 2019 Sydney, Australia.