Dr. Naseem Akhtar is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Environmental Technology Division at the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), holding a PhD in Environmental Management. His research sits at the intersection of water resource management, hydrogeology, and sustainability science — integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), machine learning, remote sensing, geophysical methods, and hydrogeological modelling to address complex environmental challenges. With interdisciplinary expertise spanning nuclear science, geochemistry, geophysics, and soil science, Dr. Akhtar applies aquifer characterization and analytical modelling to evaluate water quality, groundwater-surface water interactions, and contamination assessment, while using LCA frameworks to quantify the environmental footprint of infrastructure and energy systems. His work directly advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals by bridging the critical nexus between clean energy and sustainable water management. His research has been cited in high-impact journals including the Journal of Hydrology, Energy Nexus, Scientific Reports, and Cleaner Engineering and Technology. He is an active member of the Geological Society of Malaysia and the American Water Works Association (AWWA).Dr. Aznan Fazli Ismail is an Associate Professor in the Nuclear Science Program at UKM, with a PhD in Nuclear and Quantum Engineering from KAIST. A leading expert in nuclear technology, he has authored over 116 peer-reviewed publications, accruing more than 1,300 citations. His research spans uranium and thorium extraction, high-temperature thorium reactors, radioactive waste management, radiological impact assessment, environmental radioactivity, and hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting. Dr. Ismail has supervised numerous PhD and master's students, contributing to the development of future nuclear scientists. He also serves as Program Coordinator for the MSc in Radiation and Nuclear Safety and MSc in Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards (3S), demonstrating his leadership in academic and research excellence. His work advances sustainable nuclear energy solutions and radioactive safety practices. Dr. Zubair Ahmed is an inorganic chemist specializing in the design and synthesis of luminescent lanthanide metal complexes (LMCs). He earned his PhD in inorganic chemistry and has held prestigious international postdoctoral positions, including a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship in Italy and a CAPES/PNPD Fellowship in Brazil. He is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). His expertise in the chemistry of lanthanides, a key component of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), provides a crucial perspective for this book, directly complementing the focus on thorium extraction and separation processes.

• Part I: Introduction of Thorium Resources in the Perspective of Radioactive Waste Management1. Overview of Potential Thorium Resources for the Nuclear Energy Sector2. Innovative Characteristics of Thorium and Its Oxides3. Global Potential of Thorium Resource Demand and Development4. Economic Evaluation of Thorium Resources from Various Ore DepositsPart II: Synopsis of Cracking and Leaching Methods for Thorium Extraction5. Application of Cracking Techniques for Thorium Concentration6. Acidic and Alkaline Leaching Techniques for Thorium Extraction7. Environmental Aspects in Cracking and Leaching ProcessesPart III: Progress in Separation and Purification Methods for Thorium Resource8. Advanced Solvent Extraction Methods9. Sophisticated Purification Techniques for Thorium Extraction10. Categories of Specialized Filtration Methods for Thorium Separation11. Frontier Investigating Sustainable Thorium Extraction from Rare-Earth Residues12. Enhancing Thorium Efficiency with a Newly Developed Electrosorption MethodPart IV: Advanced Research Techniques in Adsorption and Chemical Precipitation Processes13. Process Growth for the Thorium Recovery by Chemical Precipitation Techniques14. Performance of Adsorption Methods for Thorium Extraction15. Innovative Processing of Photoelectrochemical, Electrowinning, and Thermal Treatment for Radioactive Residue16. Thorium Recovery and Recycling by Ultrafiltration and Other Technological Studies17. Characterization of Distinct Strategies of Advanced Adsorbents for ThoriumPart V: Environmental Initiatives and Sustainable Obligations for Future Outlooks18. Environmental Concerns and Regulations for Thorium Resource Development19. Energy Consumption and Production from Thorium Nuclear Sectors20. A Holistic Framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Thorium Extraction and Processing21. Strategies for Sustainable Management and Disposal of Radioactive By-products Waste22. Environmental Sustainability Thorium Nuclear Energy Cycles: A Future Viewpoint and Managing Waste

Dr. Naseem Akhtar is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Environmental Technology Division at the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), holding a PhD in Environmental Management. His research sits at the intersection of water resource management, hydrogeology, and sustainability science — integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), machine learning, remote sensing, geophysical methods, and hydrogeological modelling to address complex environmental challenges. With interdisciplinary expertise spanning nuclear science, geochemistry, geophysics, and soil science, Dr. Akhtar applies aquifer characterization and analytical modelling to evaluate water quality, groundwater-surface water interactions, and contamination assessment, while using LCA frameworks to quantify the environmental footprint of infrastructure and energy systems. His work directly advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals by bridging the critical nexus between clean energy and sustainable water management. His research has been cited in high-impact journals including the Journal of Hydrology, Energy Nexus, Scientific Reports, and Cleaner Engineering and Technology. He is an active member of the Geological Society of Malaysia and the American Water Works Association (AWWA).Dr. Aznan Fazli Ismail is an Associate Professor in the Nuclear Science Program at UKM, with a PhD in Nuclear and Quantum Engineering from KAIST. A leading expert in nuclear technology, he has authored over 116 peer-reviewed publications, accruing more than 1,300 citations. His research spans uranium and thorium extraction, high-temperature thorium reactors, radioactive waste management, radiological impact assessment, environmental radioactivity, and hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting. Dr. Ismail has supervised numerous PhD and master's students, contributing to the development of future nuclear scientists. He also serves as Program Coordinator for the MSc in Radiation and Nuclear Safety and MSc in Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards (3S), demonstrating his leadership in academic and research excellence. His work advances sustainable nuclear energy solutions and radioactive safety practices. Dr. Zubair Ahmed is an inorganic chemist specializing in the design and synthesis of luminescent lanthanide metal complexes (LMCs). He earned his PhD in inorganic chemistry and has held prestigious international postdoctoral positions, including a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship in Italy and a CAPES/PNPD Fellowship in Brazil. He is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). His expertise in the chemistry of lanthanides, a key component of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), provides a crucial perspective for this book, directly complementing the focus on thorium extraction and separation processes.

• Part I: Introduction of Thorium Resources in the Perspective of Radioactive Waste Management1. Overview of Potential Thorium Resources for the Nuclear Energy Sector2. Innovative Characteristics of Thorium and Its Oxides3. Global Potential of Thorium Resource Demand and Development4. Economic Evaluation of Thorium Resources from Various Ore DepositsPart II: Synopsis of Cracking and Leaching Methods for Thorium Extraction5. Application of Cracking Techniques for Thorium Concentration6. Acidic and Alkaline Leaching Techniques for Thorium Extraction7. Environmental Aspects in Cracking and Leaching ProcessesPart III: Progress in Separation and Purification Methods for Thorium Resource8. Advanced Solvent Extraction Methods9. Sophisticated Purification Techniques for Thorium Extraction10. Categories of Specialized Filtration Methods for Thorium Separation11. Frontier Investigating Sustainable Thorium Extraction from Rare-Earth Residues12. Enhancing Thorium Efficiency with a Newly Developed Electrosorption MethodPart IV: Advanced Research Techniques in Adsorption and Chemical Precipitation Processes13. Process Growth for the Thorium Recovery by Chemical Precipitation Techniques14. Performance of Adsorption Methods for Thorium Extraction15. Innovative Processing of Photoelectrochemical, Electrowinning, and Thermal Treatment for Radioactive Residue16. Thorium Recovery and Recycling by Ultrafiltration and Other Technological Studies17. Characterization of Distinct Strategies of Advanced Adsorbents for ThoriumPart V: Environmental Initiatives and Sustainable Obligations for Future Outlooks18. Environmental Concerns and Regulations for Thorium Resource Development19. Energy Consumption and Production from Thorium Nuclear Sectors20. A Holistic Framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Thorium Extraction and Processing21. Strategies for Sustainable Management and Disposal of Radioactive By-products Waste22. Environmental Sustainability Thorium Nuclear Energy Cycles: A Future Viewpoint and Managing Waste