By: MA Syafiq Yunos
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Oct – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) students dominated the National Nanotechnology Research Innovation Project Competition (PIN`18) as they emerged as the champion, third place and consolation prize winner in the Doctor of Philosophy category.
A UPM student also won a consolation prize for the Master’s Degree category.
In the Doctor of Philosophy category, Izwaharyanie Ibrahim won the first place for her project entitled ‘Modification of Three-Dimensional Printed Electrode with Cellulose Acetate Beads Infused with Cadmium Sulphide Nanoparticles and Graphene for Dual-functional Photo Electrochemical Sensor-adsorbent of Copper (II) Ions’.
She received a trophy, certificate of participation and cash prize of RM1,500.
Shafarina Azlinda Ahmad Kamal came in third for the same category for her project entitled ‘Graphene-Conductive Inks as A Disposable Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensor’. She was awarded a trophy, certificate of participation and cash prize of RM500.
Another UPM student, Mohd Amirul Syafiq Mohd Yunos obtained a cash prize for his project was entitled ‘Development of Industrial Gold Nanoparticle Radioactive Tracer for the Early Detection of Problematic Flow Systems in Chemical and Petrochemical Processing Industry’.
Meanwhile, in the Master’s Degree category, Farah Najwa Nabila Mohd Hatta received a consolation prize and brought home a certificate of participation and RM100 cash prize for her project titled ‘Microbial Nano factories for the Production of Silver Nanoparticles Utilising a Locally Isolated Malaysian Bacterial Strain as an Alternative Source of Antimicrobial Agents.
The prizes were presented by Deputy Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis. Also present were Deputy Secretary General (Planning and Commercialisation) of MESTECC, Datuk Kua Abun, and Division Secretary of National Nanotechnology Centre (NNC), Dr. Abdul Kadir Masrom.
PIN`18 created many opportunities for students of Master’s Degree and Doctor of Philosophy to present creative and innovative ideas in research for the development of nanotechnology and material production that will be applied in various industrial sectors.
The competition was held in conjunction with the National Nano Programme (NanoKEB 2018) that was organised by NNC in Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), Bukit Jalil from 9 to 11 October.
NanoKEB is an annual programme by NNC MESTECC which provides public awareness about nanotechnology as a form of cultural ritual and economic source towards an innovative and a high-income nation.
The programme also opened up extensive space of imagination for a more innovative nanotechnology that offers many potentials in the future. - UPM
