Justin Z. Lian

Sustainability scientist working on LCA, sustainable healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and industrial ecology.

Publications

Selected publications from life cycle assessment, sustainable healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, green chemistry, cleanroom sustainability, waste systems, and data-driven environmental modelling.

Sustainable Pharmaceuticals and Green Chemistry

LCA, LCC, process design, solvent use, green chemistry, and environmental KPIs for pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing.

Workflow for pharmaceutical life cycle assessment data collection, modelling, and application

Divergent Sustainability Profiles of Molnupiravir Synthesis Routes are Governed by Solvent Use and Process Design

Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2025

A PNAS study of sustainable synthesis pathways for molnupiravir, with emphasis on solvent use and process design.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2502336122 | IF 9.4

Author role: Co-first author; corresponding author

Technology pathway figure for carbon nanotube production from captured carbon

Production of Carbon Nanotubes from Captured Carbon: An Ex-Ante Life Cycle Assessment Case Study

Published in Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024

An ex-ante LCA of carbon nanotube production from captured carbon.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158007 | IF 12.5

Author role: First author

Publication trend and topic distribution for pharmaceutical life cycle assessment studies

Application of Life Cycle Assessment in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Critical Review

Published in Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024

A critical review of LCA applications in pharmaceutical systems, with attention to process design, data gaps, and environmental decision support.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142550 | IF 10.7

Author role: Co-first author; corresponding author

Graphical abstract for ultrasound-intensified AgNP production and sustainability evaluation

Eco-Friendly Production of AgNPs by Ultrasound-Intensified Continuous Method and Process Evaluation via Life Cycle Assessment and Machine Learning

Published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 2025

A combined process evaluation, LCA, and machine learning study of ultrasound-intensified AgNP production.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107682 | IF 10.2

Author role: Corresponding author

Graphical abstract for life cycle assessment of bioactive natural resource extraction

Sustainable Extraction of Bioactive Compounds: A Life Cycle Perspective on Technologies, Solvents, and Process Scale-Up

Published in RSC Sustainability, 2026

A life cycle perspective on extraction technologies, solvents, and process scale-up for bioactive compounds.

DOI: 10.1039/D5SU00832H | IF 6.6

Author role: First author

Graphical abstract for sustainable inhalable anti-infective microparticle manufacturing

Sustainable Inhalable Anti-Infective Microparticle Manufacturing Through Life Cycle and Cost Analysis with Machine Learning Optimization

Published in ACS Sustainable Resource Management, 2026

Life cycle and cost analysis with machine learning optimization for inhalable anti-infective microparticle manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1021/acssusresmgt.5c00530

Author role: Corresponding author

Sustainable Healthcare, Medical Devices, and Facilities

Environmental assessment of healthcare devices, clinical technologies, cleanrooms, and high-control facilities.

Graphical abstract on microfluidic device production scale-up and environmental impacts

Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Microfluidic Devices for Glucose Detection

Published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2025

A healthcare device LCA focused on microfluidic glucose detection systems.

DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c01511 | IF 7.6

Author role: Corresponding author

Graphical abstract for the cleanroom sustainability study

Quantifying the Present and Future Environmental Sustainability of Cleanrooms

Published in Cell Reports Sustainability, 2024

A scenario-based assessment of present and future cleanroom sustainability.

DOI: 10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100219 | IF 7.5

Author role: First author

Industrial Ecology, Infrastructure, and Circular Systems

Prospective LCA and data-driven assessment of carbon use, sanitation, waste, and circular infrastructure systems.

Graphical abstract for Sol-Char sanitation deployment feasibility

Exploring Implementation Feasibility of Sol-Char Sanitation Systems using Machine Learning and Life Cycle Assessment

Published in Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2024

A combined machine learning and LCA study of Sol-Char sanitation systems and deployment feasibility.

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107784 | IF 10.4

Author role: First author

Valorization of Large-Scale Supply of Carbonated Water

Published in Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2024

A life cycle perspective on large-scale carbonated water valorization.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2024.102884 | IF 8.6

Author role: First author

Graphical abstract comparing Sol-Char and anaerobic digestion sanitation systems

A Comparative Life Cycle Analysis of Sol-Char and Anaerobic Digestion Sanitation Systems

Published in Science of the Total Environment, 2025

A comparative LCA of Sol-Char and anaerobic digestion sanitation systems.

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178622 | IF 8.2

Author role: First author

Reports and Invited Contributions

Policy-facing and invited contributions.

Life Cycle Assessment of Illicit MDMA Production

Published in UNODC World Drug Report 2025, 2025

Invited contribution to the UNODC World Drug Report 2025.

Author role: First author; invited contribution