Buletin Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Bahan dan Sumber ... · pemprosesan dan rawatan haba yang...

THE SECOND SYMPOSIUM ONHUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN

MINERAL RESOURCE INDUSTRY

Nibong Tebal, 3 May – The secondSymposium on Human Capital Development inMineral Resource Industry was successfullyorganized by the School of Materials andMineral Resources Engineering.TheSymposium was attended by more than 70participants comprising stakeholders from boththe public and private sectors of mineralresource industry and the academia. The mainaim of this symposium is to foster and nurturea closer interaction and stronger collaborationbetween the industry and the academiathrough a structured forum for in-depth discus-sion and knowledge sharing on human capitaldevelopment for the mineral resource industryand facilities available at the IPTs.

The mineral resource industry, being alucrative and high technology industry,requires a steady stream of qualified, compe-tent and skillful workforce to support and com-plement its continuous growth and advance-ment. Fresh talents from the universities willgraduate to gain employment in the industry,fostering close interaction between the indus-try and academia are crucial towards creatingrelevancy of their curricula and ensuring thatnew job entrants possess the necessary basictools and skills sets needed by the industry.

A close and strong partnership also a win-win situation for both the industry and acade-mia as it encourage knowledge sharing, andcloser collaboration in various areas such as inthe exchange of technical skills or expertise,

and attachments of students and faculty mem-ber with industry to improve and upgrade theirunderstanding of the latest practices in theworkplace. The Government recentlyannounced that education would be one of thekey areas of focus in pushing the countrytowards a high income economy. The mineralresource industry, being a lucrative and hightechnology industry, requires a steady streamof qualified, competent and skillful workforceto support and complement its continuousgrowth and advancement. This Symposium isorganized to enable the private and public sec-tors and the academia networking and sit-down together to brain storm and came upwith concrete resolutions on the way forward

towards further and more effective industryand academia collaboration in the areas ofhuman capital development.

Outcomes from this Symposium are for therelevant universities to comprehend the needsand expectations of the industry, and to bebetter equipped to plan curriculums to matchindustry trends. Through this collaboration, it isexpected that the universities will be able toproduce top-notch quality graduates possess-ing the necessary tools and skill-sets that meetindustry needs.

KIWIE GRAND AWARD, THAILAND SPECIAL AWARD AND

1 SILVER MEDAL AT KIWIE 2012

Seoul 6 May – 2 lecturers from School ofMaterials and Mineral Resources Engineering,USM won top awards at the KoreaInternational Women’s Invention Exposition2011 (KIWIE 2012). Professor Dr. Hanafi Ismailtogether with his co-researchers, Prof. Dr.Fauziah Ahmad and Prof. Dr. Nor Aziah Ab. Azizwon KIWIE Grand Award and Special Awardfrom Thailand for their product entitled“BananSorp: A Novel Oil Absorbent fromBanana Frond and Stem”. Assoc. Prof. Dr.Srimala Sreekantan won silver medal for herinvention entitled “ SmartCoat: Remedy forVOC, Bacteria and Fungi Growing World”.KIWIE 2012 was organized by the KoreaWomen Inventors Association (KWIA) and sup-ported by World Intellectual PropertyOrganization (WIPO). Researchers from 24 dif-ferent countries all over the world have partic-ipated in this prestigious exposition.

ENJINIERBuletin Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Bahan dan Sumber Mineral

Bulletin for the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia

JIL. 14 BIL. 01 No. ISSN: 1511-5275 http://www.usm.my JUN 2012

1Buletin Enjinier, Jun 2012

Panel Discussion on Human Capital Development in Mineral Resources Industry: Chairman

by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syed Fuad

Professor Hanafi (3rd from right) at Gala Dinner

during KIWIE 2012

ITEX 2012 AND MTE 2012:SMMRE LECTURERS WON 1 GOLD

AND 2 SILVER MEDALS

Three of SMMRE lecturers won 3 medalsfor their inventions at the MalaysianTechnology Exhibition (MTE 2012) and 23rd

International Invention, Innovation andTechnology Exhibition (ITEX 2012). MTE 2012was held at the Putra World Trade Centre(PWTC) on 16-17 February 2012. Assoc. Prof.Dr. Ir. Mariatti Jaafar and her team won goldmedal with their invention entitled “ NanoSilverConductive Adhesives) whereas Prof. Dr.Radzali Othman and his team won silver medalwith their invention entitled “ Bon Ciment”. AtITEX 2012, Prof. Dr. Hanafi Ismail and his teamwon silver medal for their invention entitled “E-Plast – A New and Novel Edible Plastic”.

SHORT COURSE ON OREMICROSCOPY AND ADVANCED

MINERAL TECHNIQUES FOR IRONAND RELATED MINERALS TOPERWAJA STEEL SDN. BHD.

KEMAMAN, TERENGGANU

3 - 4 April 2012, the above short coursewas organized at the Universiti Sains MalaysiaEngineering Campus when the management ofPerwaja Steel Mill Plant in the Telok KalongIndustrial Estate, Kemaman, Terengganuappointed the School of Materials and MineralResources Engineering in USM as the officialtrainer for ore microscopy and advanced min-eral techniques, in preparation for their futureiron ore exploration/evaluation, mining andprocessing undertaking in Terengganu.

Perwaja is an integrated steelmaker thatproduces direct reduced iron (DRI), and semi-finished long steel products such as billets,beam blanks and blooms. It commands 17%market share of semi-finished long steel prod-ucts and manufactures 40% of the country’sDRI production, which can produce 1.8 milliontonnes of DRI annually, contributing 12% ofthe total sales. Its steel making plant, locatedin Kemaman, Terengganu, has a capacity ofproducing 1.5 million tonnes of steel annually.Its rolling mills in Gurun, Kedah produce sec-tions, H-beams and I-beams, bars, wire rods,channels, angles and nails. Perwaja supplies its

products to the domestic market as well asexports to countries such as Indonesia, HongKong, Korea and Singapore.

The aim of the project is to fulfill the rawmaterial (iron ore) requirement of the steelmills which is currently imported at exorbitantprices from countries located half way aroundthe world such as Chile and Brazil.Development of their own iron ore resourcewould ensure a stable and reliable local supplyof raw material for their plant. Several keystaffs and engineers in the R&D, processingand supply chain departments attended thetraining course, which included both theoryand practical in the laboratory using the polar-izing ore microscope and several sets of pol-ished sections and hand specimens. A tour wasalso conducted of the school facilities toexplain all the other advanced techniques suchas the SEM with EDAX, XRD and XRF which canbe used to complement the training. Theadvantage of holding the training in the Schoolwas that several enthusiastic staffs and gradu-ate students were also able to join in the train-ing without taking up too much resources ofthe trainers and facilities.

The course content was aimed at develop-ing a better understanding of iron and associ-ated metallic minerals as well as the variouscomponents of the ore microscope in terms oftheir functions and applications. Another areathat was touched upon was the systematicstudy of the optical properties of the variousmineral groups in a practical manner. Thesestudies should aid participants in the identifica-tion and confirmation of several minerals notrecognizable from hand specimen studiesalone. The optical properties of minerals inreflected light are very different from the min-erals under normal hand specimen studies, andhence complement each other.

The training is considered to have beenvery successful and to have fulfilled one of thekey mission of the university which is in trans-forming knowledge from the academics to theindustry to ensure a better tomorrow for thepeople and the country. We wish to thank theDean, and all the academic, technical andlogistical staffs for their invaluable supportthroughout the training.

Buletin Enjinier, Jun 2012 2

A.P. Dr. Syed Fuad Saiyid Hashim

Prof. Zainal Arifin Ahmad

(Chief Editor)

Dr. Shah Rizal Kasim

Mr. Mohd Nazri Idris

Prof. Hanafi Ismail

(Advisor)

A.P. Dr. Azura A. Rashid

Assistant Editor

Editorial Board

Ms. Hasnah Awang

Ms. Habsah Haliman

Participants attending Short Course on Ore Microscopy and Advanced Mineral Techniques forIron and related Minerals to Perwaja Steel Sdn. Bhd.

BENGKEL PENGHASILAN PRO-DUK HIASAN DALAMAN MENGGU-NAKAN TEKNOLOGI FEROSIMEN

(SIRI KE – 2)

20 - 21 April 2012, Bengkel penghasilanproduk hiasan dalaman menggunakan teknolo-gi ferosimen (siri ke- 2) telah diadakan diPPKBSM, USM. Kursus selama dua hari ini telahdisertai oleh 18 orang peserta terdiri daripadastaf USM dan juga masyarakat setempat.Kursus dikendalikan oleh Profesor ZakariaMohd Amin yang mempunyai pengalaman luasdi dalam bidang teknologi ferosimen. Kursusanjuran bersama Bahagian Jaringan Industri &Masyarakat, USM dan PPKBSM ini mem-fokuskan kepada penghasilan ‘Home Fountain’yang amat sesuai untuk dijadikan produk deko-rasi bagi mencantikkan lagi kediaman. Semogaprogram yang bermanfaat ini dapat diteruskandi masa hadapan.

LAWATAN KAKITANGANTEKNIKAL PPKBSM KE SIRIM

AMREC

Pada 14 Jun 2012 seramai 23 orang kaki-tangan teknikal PPKBSM telah mengadakanlawatan setengah hari ke SIRIM AMREC Kulim.Tujuan lawatan adalah untuk melihat sertamempelajari sistem pengurusan makmal selainsistem inventori yang digunakan di SIRIMAMREC. Peserta lawatan juga telah didedahkandengan kaedah piawaian serta kalibrasi perala-tan pengujian. Lawatan ini diharapkan dapatmembantu kakitangan teknikal PPKBSM mem-pertingkatkan lagi mutu kerja serta kemahiranpengurusan makmal selaras dengan aspirasipusat pengajian untuk menjadi pusat tang-gungjawab (PTJ) contoh yang dihormati dandikagumi.

BENGKEL MRIG BERKAITANALUMINIUM

17 - 18 April 2012, Metallurgy ResearchInterest Group (MRIG) PPKBSM sekali lagi telahBerjaya menganjurkan bengkel bertajuk “AlMetallurgy from ore to finish product”. Bengkelyang diadakan selama dua hari ini bertujuanmemberikan pengetahuan sebenar berkaitankerja-kerja yang terlibat dalam logam alumini-um. Disamping itu, para peserta turut diajarbagi mendapatkan pemahaman berkaitankesan-kesan komposisi aloi yang berbeza,pemprosesan dan rawatan haba yang terlibatbagi menentukan sifat-sifat dan kelakuan-kelakuan mekanikal utama logam ini. Bengkelini turut membantu meningkatkan penge-tahuan peserta terutama mereka yang barumelibatkan diri di dalam industri logam alumini-um. Para peserta juga diajar melalui teori danpelaksanaan amali melalui penggunaan alatanterkini di makmal-makmal PPKBSM.Keseluruhan bengkel ini telah dikelolakan olehtiga pensyarah pusat pengajian iaitu Prof. BrijKumar Dhindaw, Prof. Madya Ahmad BadriIsmail dan Dr. Sheikh Abdul Rezan. Untuk sesiamali, para peserta turut dibantu oleh ahli-ahlidaripada MRIG. Penyertaan bengkel ini telahberjaya menarik minat para peserta daripadabeberapa industri dan kakitangan serta parapelajar daripada beberapa universiti tempatan.

HARI MESRA BERSAMA DANMESYUARAT AGONG KELAB SUKAN

& REKREASI9 Februari 2012- Jawatankuasa Kampus

Sejahtera PPKBSM bersama Kelab Sukan danRekreasi PPKBSM telah mengadakan HariMesra Bersama PPKBSM serta mesyuaratAgong Kelab Sukan dan Rekreasi PPKBSM.Pada hari mesra bersama, satu gotong royongmemperindahkan ruang legar PPKBSM telahdiadakan. Pihak JK Kampus Sejahtera mengu-capkan setinggi-tinggi terima kasih kepadaDekan, Prof Ahmad Fauzi kerana sumbanganpusat pengajian bagi pembelian pasu, tanah,pokok-pokok dan baja untuk aktiviti gotongroyong. Kesungguhan semua yang terlibatdalam memperindahkan pusat pengajian padahari tersebut diharapkan sentiasa berterusandengan terus menjaga pokok-pokok yang telahditanam.

Selepas aktiviti gotongroyong, satumesyuarat Agong kelab sukan dan rekreasitelah dilaksanakan secara santai di Taman SriIlham PPKBSM. Profesor Hazizan Md Akil telahdiberi mandat baru untuk menerajui kelabsukan dan rekreasi PPKBSM bersama barisanexco yang dilantik. Semoga Profesor Hazizandan rakan-rakan AJK kelab sukan dan rekreasiyang baru akan dapat menjayakan pelbagaiaktiviti bagi warga PPKBSM. Syabas dan tahni-ah kepada semua yang dilantik dan setinggiterima kasih kepada barisan exco kelab yanglama. Hari mesra bersama berakhir denganjamuan BBQ untuk semua warga PPKBSM yangterlibat. Semoga aktiviti ini akan sentiasaditeruskan pada masa akan datang bagimengeratkan silaturrahim semua warga PPKB-SM dalam suasana yang lebih santai.

CERAMIC SHORT COURSE

27 - 28 June 2012 , as many as 5 partici-pants from outside of USM and 10 USM’s stafffrom departments and schools of the engineer-ing campus took part in the third series of ClayCeramic Production Techniques Course:Technical Assistant Series organized by theDivision of Industry & Community Network andSchool of Material and Mineral ResourcesEngineering, USM. Through out the course,participants have been exposed to the knowl-edge and basic method of ceramic productionsuch as the slip casting and surface decorationon casted products. Besides that, participantswere also taught the basic glazing technique

and on glaze decoration using decal paper onthe surface of ceramic cup and plate. For twodays, the participants has been taught andassisted by Profesor Dr. Zainal Arifin Ahmad ,master student Encik Abdul Rashid and theschool’s technical staffs Encik Shahrul Ami,Encik Mohd Farid dan Encik Mohamad Syafiq.

PERUTUSAN NAIB CANSELOR: BEKERJA SAMA DAN BEKERJA

BERSAMA-SAMA KATA KUNCI PEMAJUAN USM

6 Januari 2012- “ Warga USM tidakseharusnya bekerja secara ‘silo’ tetapi harussaling berkongsi kekuatan, saling bersinergi,saling bahu membahu, saling berkongsi hasratdan aspirasi untuk membangunkan masadepan demi mencapai kejayaan dan menza-hirkan kecemerlangan”. Tegas Profesor Dato’Dr. Omar Osman, Naib Canselor USM di hada-pan lebih daripada 500 warga KampusKejuruteraan bersempena Majlis PerutusanTahun Baru 2012 di Auditorium, KampusKejuruteraan pagi ini.

Berucap di bawah tajuk ‘Bersama UntukKecemerlangan Universiti’ atau ringkasnyaBUKU 2012 : Menzahir Pencapaian beliaumenegaskan lagi, “ Untuk mencapai kecemer-langan, kita terlebih dahulu perlu menzahirkanpencapaian agar ia tampak kelihatan, berupayadiukur secara kualitatif mahu pun kuantitatifserta yang lebih penting dapat dikongsi dandirasai bersama bukan sahaja oleh kita sendiritetapi seluruh masyarakat di luar kampus”.

“Justeru itu, bekerja sama dan bekerjabersama-sama sewajarnya menjadi terasdalam memangkin pemajuan USM pada tahunini dan tahun-tahun yang mendatang”, tambahbeliau.

dipetik dari : http://www.eng.usm.my


Lawatan kakitangan teknikal PPKBSM ke AMREC, SIRIM di Kulim

‘P-GRAD SUPER BOWL’ PIALAPROF. HAZIZAN MD. AKIL 2012

June 5th , 2012 Kulim, Kedah – the staffand postgraduates from the School of Materialsand Mineral Resources Engineering (SMMRE),Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) entered the ‘P-grad Super Bowl’ bowling tournament. Thisyear’s ‘P-grad super bowl’ was held at Ole-OleBowling Centre, Giant Kulim. There were 23teams and each team had three players. Thegame started at 8.30pm until 11.30pm.

The winners were: Shahril Amir Saleh,Mohd Suharudin Sulong and Mohd Sofi Jamil(Staff category); Ng Chai Yan, Tan Chee Ghuanand Hiew Jie Su (Student category);MohdFirdaus Omar(Men best bowler - with 480point);Ng Chai Yan (Women best bowler- with400 point). The prizes were presented by Prof.Hazizan Md. Akil.

Congratulations to all our bowlers for agreat, friendly, and competitive event. It wasan awesome finish to an awesome night!

P-GRAD SUPER SERIESPIALA PROF. HANAFI ISMAIL

2012P-GRADSuper Series Piala Prof. Hanafi

Ismail is an annual badminton tournament,organized by Postgraduates Club (PGSC),School of Materials and Mineral ResourcesEngineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Theidea for the competition is to promote theenthusiasm of badminton sport and also as arecreational activity that benefit among thepostgraduate students in this campus and thedonation of the trophy was by Prof. HanafiIsmail. The men’s doubles and women’s dou-bles categories are particularly opened for allpostgraduate students who enrolled inEngineering Campus. This year’s event washeld on 14th April 2012 at Sport complex,Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia.The game started at 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 pm.The participants were 14 teams for men’s dou-ble and 5 teams for women’s doubles cate-gories. This year’s champion in the men’s dou-ble went to Mohd Hafiz and his partner fromschool of Electrical and Electronic Engineeringand 1st runner up went to Kahar and Viet fromSchool of Materials and Mineral ResourcesEngineering. Whereas, the champion in thewomen’s category went to Chia Ching and CaiYen, the 1st runner up went to Banu and Wan,both teams are from School of Materials andMineral Resources Engineering. Our target fornext year’s event is to get more support as wellas participants from all schools. See you againnext year in P-GRAD SUPER SERIES PIALAPROF. HANAFI ISMAIL 2013.

PRESIDENT’S MIND GAMES(PMG) 2012

13th June 2012 Nibong Tebal, Malaysia –President’s Mind Games (PMG) 2012 was suc-cessfully organized by the Postgraduates’ Club,School of Materials and Mineral ResourcesEngineering, USM. PMG is an interactive quizcompetition among postgraduates, to test theirgeneral knowledge on various subjects such ashistory, anatomy, geography, world events andothers. A total of six teams (three membersper team) participated in this year’s PMG.

The teams were tested on various levels ofgeneral knowledge questions. After eachround, one team was eliminated until the final

two teams will compete against one another towin the first PMG. For the ‘Win, lose, or draw’round, teams have to apply their artistic skillsof drawing to their members for them to guessfor answers. There was a session for audiencesas well to answer questions and win souvenirsoffered by the PGSC committee.

In the end, team ‘Top Secret’ (Cheah WeeKeat, Phua Yi Jing, and Ng Chai Yan) won thefirst prize of RM 150, certificates and sou-venirs. PMG received positive feedbacks fromfellow postgraduates for its fresh, interactiveyet knowledgeable content. Some participantscommented to include the staffs and lecturersof SMMRE as well to take part in the next PMG.

THE YOUNG PERSON'S LECTURECOMPETITION (YPLC) 2012

May 25th, 2012 - Nor Fasihah Zaaba fromSchool of Materials and Mineral ResourcesEngineering (SMMRE), USM had successfullymesmerize the hearts of the jury with her out-standing and enthused talk on "E-Plast-A New& Novel Edible Plastic Packaging For Food",hence she was crowned as champion in theYoung Person's Lecture Competition (YPLC)2012, held on May 23rd at the Seminar Room,SMMRE, Engineering Campus.

A total of 4 students participated in thiscompetition and all of the participants haddelivered tremendous and interesting lecturesto the audience. The victory not only hasenabled Nor Fasihah, postgraduate in PolymerEngineering totake home certificate and cashof RM800.00, but also,she will representMalaysia in theYoung Person’s World LectureCompetition which will be in London, UK from2nd to 5th July 2012.

YPLC Malaysia is one of the annual compe-titions jointly organized by SMMRE andInstitute of Materials, Minerals & Mining(IOM3). One of the objectives as stated by Mr.Yip Foo Weng, Chairman of IOM3 (Malaysiabranch), in his welcoming speech is to discov-er and nurture young talent among the stu-dents, lecturers, researchers, scientists, engi-neers and even individuals who are interestedin developing their public presentation skills.

KEMPEN SATU STAF SATU BUKU

17 Februari 2012 - JK Kampus SejahteraPPKBSM telah mengadakan lawatan sehari kedua rumah anak yatim di Bukit Gantang danKemunting, Perak untuk menyampaikan buku-

buku yang telah dikumpul sempena kempen“Satu Staf Satu Buku” yang lalu. Selain sum-bangan buku-buku dan pakaian, JK KampusSejahtera juga telah membeli barangan keper-luan asas untuk rumah-rumah anak-anak yatimtersebut hasil daripada sumbangan dari wargaPPKBSM. Untuk makluman semua, rumah-rumah anak-anak yatim ini adalah dibawahpengelolaan persendirian yang mana sumban-gan dari warga PPKBSM terutamanya untukmembeli cadar, bantal dan tilam serta untukmembaik pulih bilik air yang sedia ada amatdialu-alukan. Sama-samalah kita membantumereka yang kurang bernasib baik ini. Semogasumbangan kecil kita dapat memberi sedikitsinar kebahagian kepada mereka dan jugasebagai sebahagian tanggungjawab sosialwarga PPKBSM.

BENCHMARKING FOR POLYMERENGINEERING PROGRAMME

13-14 June 2012, London, PolymerEngineering programme delegates have visitedSir John Cass Department of Arts, Media andDesign, London Metropolitan University as partof Polymer Engineering Programme bench-marking. The benchmarking is required as oneof the requirement for Polymer EngineeringProgramme accreditation. Dr. Nadras Othmanand Prof. Hazizan Md Akil as USM delegate andLondon Metropolitan University are representsby Dr Michael O'Brien the Associate Head andDr Elena Onyshchenko the Senior Lecturer. TheLondon Metropolitan University was chosendue to similar Polymer Engineering curriculumrunning in Universiti Sains Malaysia.

During first day of visits, the USM dele-gates have a Laboratory tour to various labora-tories and facilities and briefing on the purposeof visit and how to carry out the bench mark-ing. On second day of the visits, a details dis-cussion on similarities and differences in pro-gramme curriculum for both departments(London Metropolitan University and UniversitiSains Malaysia). The discussions also includethe future scenario, accreditation issues, futurecollaboration that can be materialized betweenPolymer Engineering Programme, USM andLondon Metropolitan Polymer Centre.Hopefully, the bench marking visits will gives afruitful input for Polymer EngineeringProgramme accreditation in near future.


Nor Fasihah Zaaba (4th from right) at YPLC 2012

THE ASIAN INTERNATIONALCONFERENCE ON MATERIALS,

MINERALS, AND POLYMER (MAMIP2012)

Penang, Malaysia - The Asian InternationalConference on Materials, Minerals, andPolymer (MAMIP 2012) organized byPostgraduates’ Club (PGSC) of the School ofMaterials and Mineral Resources Enginnering(SMMRE) and with support by the staff ofSMMRE was held on March 23rd -24th, 2012, inVistana Hotel, Penang, Malaysia. MAMIP 2012was officiated by Prof Abdul Aziz bin Tajuddin,Campus Director of USM Engineering Campus.The overall objectives of the conference wereto learn and share novel, innovative, and effi-cient researches for a sustainable future.Specific objectives include; provide a suitableplatform for researchers and postgraduate stu-dents to showcase and share their respectiveresearches from all around Asia; facilitate anddevelop future research collaborations and net-works between postgraduate students andprofessionals and promote the events andachievements of SMMRE and USM to fellowparticipants from different parts of Asia. Theconference had approximately 161 participants(51 international participants from Thailand,Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Iran, Iraq,Kuwait and others) with 40 audiences (34 peo-ple from Universitas Sumatera Utara,Indonesia) from various universities, researchinstitutions and regulatory agencies. The con-ference consisted of several sessions followedby a keynote speech and a training session bySpringer Asia Limited and a poster session aswell. These conference were categorizedaccording to fields of materials, minerals andpolymer.

MAMIP 2012 featured two keynote presenta-tions. The opening keynote speech by Prof. B.K. Dhindaw, visiting lecturer from SMMRE enti-tled “Materials Technology Research a SynergyBetween Basic Sciences and Engineering forSustainable Tomorrow”, touched on theadvancement in the areas of Materials Sciencethat has brought remarkable changes tohuman life but struggles still remain to solvesome major isssues like energy, sustainabilityand environment that is vital to humanity.Material technologies developed with founda-tion in basic sciences (mathematics, physics,chemistry, biology and also social sciences)could result in some real breakthrough inmaterials development that could be unique interms of their very special relevance. The sec-ond day keynote speech by Assoc. Prof. C.Nakason, lecturer of Natural RubberTechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology,Prince of Songkhla University, Pattani,Thailand, entitled “Novel Thermoplastic NaturalRubber based on Epoxidized naturalrubber/Thermoplastic Polyurethane blends”,provided an overview of the key issues for thesynthesis of TPU materials with low hardnessand good damping properties compared withavailable TPU materials in the market.

MAKAN MALAM MIMATES“BACK TO SCHOOL 2012”

Mei – Jamuan makan malam MIMATESbertemakan “Back to School 2012” telah ber-jaya diadakan di Pusat PembangunanMahasiswa USM Kampus Kejuruteraan.

Suasana ceria dan meriah daripada semuapelajar PPKBSM telah mengimbas kembalisuasana alam persekolahan yang lalu buatpara tetamu yang hadir. Pelbagai gaya danragam daripada pelajar-pelajar dengan anekapakaian seragam telah berjaya mengamitperasaan suka-duka para tetamu dalam majlisberkenaan. Majlis turut diserikan dengankehadiran Dekan, Timbalan-Timbalan Dekan,pensyarah dan kakitangan teknikal pusat pen-gajian. Majlis juga turut dihangatkan denganbeberapa persembahan para pelajar daripadatahun pertama hingga pelajar tahun akhir.Cabutan bertuah dengan hadiah-hadianmenarik turut diselitkan di antara persemba-han-persembahan pelajar bagi menceriakanlagi acara makan malam ini. Kemuncakpersembahan adalah pertunjukan video klipdaripada pelajar-pelajar tahun akhir pusat pen-gajian yang menceritakan pengalaman merekabermula daripada hari pertama menjejakkankaki di USM. Semangat dan kerjasama yangtelah ditunjukkan oleh semua pelajar dan kak-itangan PPKBSM telah mengeratkan lagihubungan yang telah sedia terjalin.

MAJLIS BACAAN YAASIN DANSOLAT HAJAT

MIMATES dengan kerjasama pusat pen-gajian telah mengadakan majlis bacaan yaasindan solat hajat bagi memperolehi keberkatandan kejayaan sempena peperiksaan akhir

semester sesi pengajian 2011/2012. Majlistelah diadakan di Bilik Seminar PPKBSM den-gan bacaan yaasin selepas solat magrib dansolat hajat sebaik selesai solat insyak secaraberjemaah. Kedua-dua acara ini telah dikenda-likan oleh yang berusaha Ustaz MuhammadLatiffi Mahadzir daripada Pusat Islam KampusKejuruteraan.

KURSUS PENDEK TEKNOLOGINANO”THROUGH OLD-SCHOOL

APPROACH PART II: BREAK THEBARRIER”

14-16 Februari 2012 - Satu kursus pendekteknologi nano telah diadakan bertempat diPusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Bahan & SumberMineral (PPKBSM), USM. Kursus selama 3 hariini disertai seramai 40 orang peserta terdiri daripensyarah, pelajar dan juga penyelidik daripelbagai institusi pengajian tinggi dan meru-pakan sebahagian daripada aktiviti anjuran‘NanoMaterials Initiative Group’ (NanoMig)PPKBSM. Ini merupakan siri ke-2 di dalamkalender program NanoMig. Para peserta telahdidedahkan dengan aspek teori dan juga prak-tikal di mana setiap peserta perlu melakukansendiri proses pensintesisan tiub nano TiO2 danjuga ujian penciriannya. Bagi memantapkanlagi pemahaman, sesi perbincangan turutdiadakan.


Participants at MAMIP 2012

Majlis bacaan Yaasin dan solat hajat sempena peperiksaan akhir sesi pengajian 2011/2012

MASYARAKAT ORANG ASLI-TASIK BANDING

5 Mei 2012 – Kumpulan hubungan Etnik dibawah seliaan Professor Madya Dr. AhmadAzmin dengan kerjasama JK Kampus SejahteraPPKBSM telah mengendalikan satu programlawatan ke Kampung Orang Asli Tasik Banding,Perak. Lawatan ini dijalankan selama dua harisatu malam yang disertai oleh 2 pensyarah, 5staf sokongan dan 15 pelajar PPKBSM.Perjalanan ke Tasik Banding mengambil masaselama dua jam telah memberikan seribu satupengalaman yang cukup bermakna dan sangatberharga kepada semua peserta. Selain untukmemenuhi keperluan kursus universiti iaitusubjek Hubungan Etnik, para peserta telahmengambil inisiatif untuk mengumpul bebera-pa jenis barang keperluan untuk dijadikansumbangan kepada masyarakat orang asli diTasik Banding.

Kemajuan dari segi sistem perhubungandapat diperhatikan didalam kalangan pen-duduk orang asli dimana terdapat dikalanganmereka yang sudah mempunyai telefon bimbitbagi tujuan komunikasi serta sebagai mediumuntuk hiburan (mendengar lagu, mengambilgambar, video dan sebagainya). Capaiantelekomunikasi yang rendah, menghadkanpenggunaan untuk berhubung kecuali jikaberada di bandar. Kekurangan utama bagimasyarakat orang asli di Tasik Banding adalahkeperluan perkhidmatan pusat rawatan kesi-hatan. Semasa lawatan, terdapat seorang anakkecil yang mengalami masalah demam panasdan malangnya tidak dapat dibawa ke pusatrawatan berdekatan. Perasaan sedihmenyelubungi peserta lawatan apabila melihatkeadaan anak kecil itu. Jarak dan masalahkewangan menjadi halangan untuk ibu bapaanak kecil itu membawanya ke tempatrawatan.

Lawatan dan sumbangan yang dihulurkankepada masyarakat orang asli Tasik Bandingmampu meringankan beban dan membantumenyelesaikan beberapa masalah yang dipikuloleh mereka. Sebagai masyarakat yang pri-hatin, tanggungjawab membantu merekadapat memberikan kesan yang sangat positifkepada masyarakat yang menerima kunjun-gan. Semoga program yang bermanfaat inidapat diteruskan pada masa akan datang.Syabas dan tahniah kepada semua yang telahmenjayakan program ini dari semua wargaPPKBSM.

PENANDARASAN PROGRAM KEJURUTERAAN SUMBER MINERAL

Feb 2012 – Bagi memastikan programyang ditawarkan oleh PPKBSM setaraf denganprogram yang ditawarkan di luar negara,PPKBSM telah menghantar dua orang pen-syarah, PM Dr. Syed Fuad Saiyid Hashim danPM Dr. Hashim Hussin ke Sweden dan UnitedKingdom untuk melakukan penandarasan(benchmarking) ke atas beberapa universitytersohor yang menawarkan programKejuruteraan Perlombongan di sana. Universitiyang terlibat termasuklah Lulea University ofTechnology, Sweden, University of Exeter(Cambourne School of Mines) dan University ofLeeds, UK. Penandarasan dilakukan denganmembandingkan kurikulum, kandungan kursusdan kelengkapan makmal yang terdapat di uni-versiti berkenaan. Secara umumnya, programyang ditawarkan oleh university berkenaanadalah setaraf dengan program KejuruteraanSumber Mineral yang ditawarkan PPKBSM.

Selain penandarasan , perbincangan jugadilakukan bagi mewujudkan kerjasama eratdalam bidang penyelidikan dan penukaran staf.Ini amat penting bagi memastikan program KejSumber Mineral kekal relevan dan mampu ber-saing di peringkat global

LAWATAN INTERAKSI DANPEMBELAJARAN MALAYSIA-

INDONESIA 2012

4 - 7 April 2012 Medan, Indonesia. Pelajar-pelajar Kejuruteraan Polimer PPKBSM, telahmenganjurkan Lawatan Interaksi danPembelajaran ke Medan, Indonesia. Lawatanini merupakan projek kedua bagi ProgramKejuruteraan Polimer, PPBKSM di mana pelajarKejuruteraan Polimer telah berpeluang untukmelawat Universiti and Industri di luar negara.Pelajar telah di iringi oleh 4 orang pensyarah,2 juruteknik dan seorang pegawai latihanvokasional. Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU)telah dipilih sebagai destinasi pilihan dise-babkan oleh reputasi dan sumbangan USU didalam industri polimer terutama dalam industrigetah di Indonesia. Objektif utama projek iniialah untuk memberi peluang kepada pelajar-pelajar untuk berinteraksi secara akademik danjaringan sosial di antara kedua-dua negara didalam bidang kejuruteraan polimer. Ianya jugadapat , memberi impak positif kepada pelajarkejuruteraan polimer melalui pengalaman diperingkat antarabangsa dan konsep pembela-

jaran tanpa sempadan sebagai permulaanhubungan antarabangsa dalam kerjaya padamasa hadapan.

Deligasi USM telah di bawa melawatFakultas Teknik yang merangkumi projek kitarsemula sisa kelapa sawit sumber tenaga yangdiperbaharui, makmal pelbagai ujian bagibahan komposit, serta pusat penyelidikanbunti dan kawalan getaran dalam bidang keju-ruteraan. Pusat ini menjalankan ujian-ujianberkaitan dengan bunyi dan getaran ke ataspelbagai bahan komposit yang dihasilkan den-gan kerjasama universiti di Jerman. Selepasmakan tengah hari, sesi interaksi danperkongsian ilmu antara delegasi USM denganpelajar dan staf dari USU telah diadakan diDewan Utama Fakultas Teknik USU. Dua pela-jar dari USM dan USU telah membentangkankajian berkaitan bahan polimer. Kemuncaklawatan diakhiri dengan rangka MemorandumPerjanjian (MOA) untuk pertukaran pelajar dankerjasama penyelidikan antara USU dan USMpada masa akan datang. Dekan FakultasTeknik USU, Prof. Dr. Ir. Bustami Syam jugamerancang mengadakan lawatan balas dele-gasi USU ke USM pada masa akan datang.Semoga lawatan ini dapat memberi impakyang positif ke arah pembangunan sahsiahpelajar-pelajar kejuruteraan polimer. Syabasdan tahniah dari warga PPKBSM.


Sesi bergambar sempena lawatan Interaksi dan Pembelajaran ke USU Medan, Indonesia

Sesi bergambar bersama masyarakat orang asli


List of SMMRE Postgraduate Students Viva from January-June 2012

No. Student Nama / Date Degree Title of Thesis Name of Supervisor

1 Roshaida Arbain

9 January 2012

M.Sc Fine Grinding of Hematite in Planetary Mill and its Application as Dye

Decolorization CatalystDr. Norlia Baharun

2 Nurul Farhana binti Omar

11 January 2012

M.Sc The Curing Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Waste Tyre Dust

and Waste Tyre Dust Hybrid Filled Natural Rubber CompoundsProf. Hanafi IsmailDr. Nadras Othman

3 Kenneth Kong Thean Soon

11 January 2012

M.Sc Studies on the Processing and Properties of Conductive Single Fillers and

Hybrid Fillers Filled Silicone Elastomer CompositesProf. Madya Ir. Mariatti JaafarProf. Madya Azura A. Rashid

4 Muhammad Falah bin Azizan

18 January 2012

M.Sc Kajian Kesan Penambahan Montmorillonit Terhadap Sifat-Sifat Komposit

Epoksi Terisi Kayu GetahProf. Zainal Arifin Mohd IshakProf. Rozman Hj. Din

5 Radin Shafinaz binti Jamil

19 January 2012

M.Sc Synthesis of Porous Alumina Through Sol-Gel Auto-Combustion Method

for Biomedical ApplicationProf. Madya Hasmaliza MohamadDr. Khairunisak Abdul Razak

6 Asliza binti Alias

8 February 2012

M.Sc Preparation and Characterization of Polyimide/Inorganic Composite Film

as Solid DielectricsProf. Madya Ahmad Badri IsmailProf. Madya Zulkifli Ahmad

7 Nur Azleen bt Azahari

10 February 2012

M.Sc Development of Biodegradable Composite Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol

(PVOH)/Corn Starch (CS)Prof. Hanafi IsmailDr. Nadras Othman

8 Nur Raihan binti Mohamed

10 February 2012

M.Sc Synthesis and Absorption Study of Superabsorbent Polymer Based on

Waste Polystyrene Foam-graft-Acrylic MonomersProf. Madya Zulkifli AhmadDr. Nadras Othman

9 Patrick Lim Wye Kheong

13 February 2012

M.Sc Characterization of Halogen-Free Core Material with Various Flame

RetardantsProf. Madya Ir. Mariatti JaafarProf. Madya Chow Wen Shyang

10 Low Lay Foon

13 February 2012

M.Sc Preparation and Characterization of Epoxy Particle-Billed Thermoseting

Composites Prof. Madya Azhar Abu Bakar

11 Nur Diyana Mohd Zaharri

14 February 2012

M.Sc Characterization of Flammability of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Ziolite

Composite Prof. Madya Zulkifli AhmadDr. Nadras Othman

12 Bun Kim Ngun

22 February 2012

Ph.D Characterization of Cambodian Clays and Their Suitability for Ceramic

Tiles ApplicationsProf. Zainal Arifin AhmadProf. Madya Hasmaliza Mohamad

13 Siti Zuliana binti Salleh

27 February 2012

M.Sc Halloysite Nanotubes/Natural Rubber (HNTs/NR) Nanocomposites

Preparation and PropertiesProf. Hanafi IsmailProf. Madya Zulkifli Ahmad

14 Voo Tin Vui

28 February 2012

M.Sc Properties of Various Nanofillers Pilled Epoxy Thin Film Nanocomposites Prof. Madya Ir. Mariatti Jaffar

15 Mahani binti Yusoff

20 March 2012

Ph.D Processing, Microstructure and Properties of in Situ Copper Reinforced

Tungsten Carbide Nanostructured CompositeProf. Madya Zuhailawati HussainProf. Radzali Othman

16 Ismail bin Ibrahim

22 March 2012

Ph.D The Interaction of Feldspar, Mica and Quartz with Different Collectors

During Froth FlotationProf. Madya Hashim Hussin

17 Norkhairunnisa binti Mazlan

3 April 2012

Ph.D The Effect of Oxidation Treatment of MWCNT on the Properties of PDMS

NanocompositeProf Madya Azizan AzizProf. Hanafi IsmailProf. Madya Ir. Mariatti Jaafar

18 Mohd Fadli Ahmad Rasyid

9 April 2012

M.Sc Preparation, Characterization and Properties of Polypropylene/Muscovite

NanoompositesProf. Hazizan Md Akil

19 Foo Yin Lin Evon

9 April 2012

M.Sc Fabrication and Properties of Silica-Epoxy Thin Film Composites Prof. Madya Ir. Mariatti JaafarProf. Madya Azizan Aziz

20 Abdul Malek bin Ya’acob

12 April 2012

Ph.D Kenaf Hybrid Bio-Composites: Preparation, Characterization and

PropertiesProf. Madya Azhar Abu BakarProf. Hanafi Ismail

21 Chiew Yi Ling

18 April 2012

M.Sc Synthesis of Silicon-Based Nanostructures by Chemical Vapour Growth on

Silicon Wafer and From Pyrolysis of Oil Palm FibresProf. Madya Ir. Cheong Kuan Yew

22 Khoo Wee Shen

19 April 2012

M.Sc The Effect of Filler Loading, Glutaraldehyde and Polyethylene Glycol on

Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Chitosan BlendProf. Hanafi IsmailProf. Madya Azlan Ariffin

23 Nurhidayatullaili binti Muhd

Julkapli

26 April 2012

Ph.D Preparation and Characterization Cross Linked Chitosan Filled and

Chitosan Composites

Prof. Hazizan Md Akil

Prof. Madya Zulkifli Ahmad

24 Wong Yew Hoong

8 Mei 2012

Ph.D Investigation of Simultaneous Thermal Oxidation and Nitridation of

Spultered Zirconium on Silicon and Silicon Carbide in Nitrous Oxide Gas

Environment

Prof. Madya Ir. Cheong Kuan Yew

25 Mohd Helfy Affzan bin Shahidan

15 Mei 2012

M.Sc The Effects of Weathering Exposure and Hygrothermal Aging on the

Properties of Pultruded Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester

Composites


26 Suriati binti Ghazali

17 Mei 2012

Ph.D Properties of Silver – Filled Epoxy Composites for Electronic Application

Using Synthesized and Commercial Silver Nanoparticle

Prof. Madya Ir. Mariatti Jaafar

Prof. Madya Azizan Aziz

27 Looi Yien Tyng

21 Mei 2012

M.Sc Synthesis and Properties of Highly Cross-Linked Polysiloxane for Led

Encapsulant

Prof. Madya Zulkifli Ahmad

28 Mohd Hafiz bin Zamri

4 Jun 2012

M.Sc Effect of Fibre Loading, Tex and Configuration on the Properties of

Pultruded Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Composites (PKFRC)


29 Muhammad Helmi bin Abdul

Kudus

11 Jun 2012

M.Sc Preparation, Characterization and Properties of Multiwall Carbon

Nanotube-Alumina Hybrid Epoxy Nanocomposite


30 Lim Su Rong

11 Jun 2012

M.Sc Preparation, Characterization and Reprocessing-Ability of Poly(Ethylene

Terephthalate) Clay Nanocomposites

Prof. Madya Chow Wen Shyang

Prof. Madya Zulkifli Mohamad Ariff

31 Muhammad Afiq bin Misman

14 Jun 2012

M.Sc Effect of Sago Starch on NRL Post Processing : Leaching, Aging and

Biodegradation

Prof. Madya Azura A Rashid

Continue to page 8


KEJURUTERAAN BAHAN

TAHUN 1

CHIM JIA ERN

CHUA PEI CHING

CHUAH WEI HOONG

GOH THENG TYNG

LEE JIN LING

LIANG SHU YI

LIEW XUE MING

LIM CHI YANG

LIM CHUI NING

MABEL DE CUNHA

NEOH SOO HUAN

TAHUN 2

BONG PENG HOOI

CHANG CHI HSIUNG

LEE KAR CHUN

ONG BOON KIAN

ONG CHIN SIANG

TAN MAY WEN

TEW CHOON CONG

TOW MAN FERN

YONG JING HUI

TAHUN 3

CHOW HON MUN

HO KAR YEE

KHOO SENG KIAN

LEE CHUN CHIEN

LIM SIEW MING

MOHD SAIDINA BIN DANDAN SATIA

NOR FATIN KHAIRAH BINTI BAHANURD-

DIN

RASHIDAH BINTI IDZHAR

SEE CHUIN WERN

TAN PEI SHAN

WONG CHEE KEN

WONG WAI YEE

TAHUN 4

CHEAH MEI LING

GOH LEAN POH

GOH SUK MEI

GOOI WAN GYN

HAH JIA YEE

KAUSAR BT HARUN

KHOO BOON LIM

KHOR CHOON PAU

LAI YEN XUE

LIEW HUI MIN

LIM YU MIN

LOW TENG HONG

LYE JIN HOON

ONG CHENG SHIAN

OOI CHIK LIANG

PHAN CHEE HONG

SOON VERN YEE

TAN FUI DO

TEO PAO TER

THUNG WEI LEE

WONG POH WAI

WONG SOK HAN

KEJURUTERAAN SUMBER MINERAL

TAHUN 1

KOON FOO SIONG

TAHUN 2

MACLIVE WILKINSON ANAK AGAM

UN JIA JIA

TAHUN 3

MOHAMAD AZIF ZAI BIN ZAINUL ABIDIN

MOHD SHAKIR AFIF BIN ABU BAKAR

MUHAMMAD ARIF SAFWAN BIN ABDUL

GHANI

NOR SYAFIAH BINTI MOHD SAYUTI

NUR AIN BT ZAINOL ABIDIN

NUR SHAFIQAH BT ISMAIL

NUR SUHAILA BINTI MOHAMAD RAFFI

RAIDATUL NAJIHAH BINTI EMIR HAMZAH

SITI HAIDAHASNITA BINTI HAMDAN

TAHUN 4

AHMAD KHUZER BIN MOHAMAD AZMI

CHAN CHEE MENG

JOHAN JONAH ANYI

KHO CHUN MIN

KONG JEN WIN

MOHD AFIQ FAZLI BIN ABDUL RAOF

MOHD FIKRI BIN MOHD MUSTAFFA

MOHD KHAIRUL NIZAM BIN MAHMAD

MOHD YARAS BIN BASATTU

MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN AZAMUDDIN

NURFARHANA BT HASSAN

NURULFAZIELAH BT NASIR

SHAHRUL AFIZAM B MOHAMAD

KEJURUTERAAN POLIMER

TAHUN 1

LEONG HUI THENG

LIM WEY SONG

TEO ZU XIAN

TAHUN 2

LIM HUI YIN

MINCE LEONG YEN SHEE

THEN JIE WEN

YEOH WEI LIN

TAHUN 3

ANDRE NINGKAN GADUAN

BANNARD A/L LAZIL

CHEW CHUN MUN

HO WAI MAY

KHOR TATT HWA

KWEE FUNG YUNN

LOW HONG FOOK

LUA SEH KEE

NOOR FADHILA SYAHIDA BINTI GHAZALI

TEO PEI SHAN

TAHUN 4

AU LI LIN

KUA HOONG SENG

LEE HUN CONG

MOHAMAD ARIFF BIN MOHAMAD

NG SU MIN

NUR SYULEHA BT ISHAK

POH CHEN LING

ROSLINDA HANI BT RAMLI

TAN KIM LING

THAM CHO YIN

YAP HUI PING

SENARAI SIJIL DEKAN SEMESTER I, SIDANG AKADEMIK 2011/2012SIJIL DEKAN

No. Student Nama / Date Degree Title of Thesis Name of Supervisor

32 Zubaidah binti Amir Burhanuddin

15 Jun 2012

M.Sc The Effect of Substrate and Post Deposition Annealing Temperature on

Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtered Hafnium Oxide Thin Films on

Silicon Substrate

Prof. Madya Sabar Derita Hutagalung

33 Mohamad Riduwan bin Ramli

18 Jun 2012

M.Sc Thermal and Optoelectronic Properties of Polysiloxane Cured Via Addition

and Condensation MechanismsProf. Madya Zulkifli Ahmad

34 Shazlin binti Shaik Osman

20 Jun 2012

M.Sc Study on the Effect of Ce, Fe, Ge and Zn Addition to IMC Formation and

Mechanical Properties of SAC305Dr. Nurulakmal Mohd Sharif

35 Siti Zalifah binti Md Rasib

20 Jun 2012

M.Sc Effect of Mechanical Alloying on Fabrication of In-Situ Fe-NbC Composite Prof. Madya Zuhailawati Hussain

36 Mohamad Johari bin Abu

21 Jun 2012

M.Sc Formation of Titanium Silicon Carbide With Excess Silicon Using Arc

MeltingProf. Zainal Arifin AhmadDr. Julie Juliewatty Mohamed

37 Leu Ying Ying

21 Jun 2012

M.Sc Effects of Maleic Anhydride Grafted Rubbers on the Properties of

Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanocomposites

Prof. Madya Chow Wen Shyang

Prof. Zainal Arifin Mohd Ishak

38 Izhar Abadi b Ibrahim Rais

26 Jun 2012

Ph.D Multivariate Statistical Modeling of Industrial Dust Emissions From

Quarries

Prof. Dato’ Ir Eric Goh Kok Hoe

Prof. Madya Syed Fuad Saiyid Hashim

continue from page 7


PELANTIKAN BARU

KENAIKAN PANGKAT

BIL NAMA JAWATAN TARIKH

KUATKUASA

1 PROF. HAZIZAN BIN MD AKIL PENSYARAH UNIVERSITI GRED KHAS C (VK7) 02.03.2012

2 PROF. MADYA KHAIRUNISAK BINTI ABDULRAZAK

PENSYARAH UNIVERSITI DS54 22.02.2012

3 PROF. MADYA SYED FUAD BIN SAIYIDHASHIM

PENSYARAH UNIVERSITI DS54 18.04.2012

4 ENCIK MIOR ZULBAHRI M. CHEK PEGAWAI TADBIR GRED N48 (KETUA PENOLONG PENDAFTAR)

25.12.2011

No. Date Name Organization Purpose

1. 22.2.2012 Kazuyuki Kuroda Waseda University Research Collaboration

2. 2.3.2012 Noriyoshi Kakuta Toyohashi University Research Collaboration

3. 22.3.2012 Minoru Umemoto Toyohashi University Research Collaboration

4. 30.4.2012 Kocher AlexanderNaumor SergeyCluzezova ElenaShkodich ValentineBezrukov Artem

Institute of Polymer, Kazan State Tech. Innov.University, Kazan, Russia

Research Collaboration

5. 3.5.2012 Dato’ Seri Mohd Ajib Anuar Malaysia Chamber of Mines Research Collaboration

6. 3.5.2012 Datuk Ahmad Zaidee Laidin Akademi Sains Malaysia Research Collaboration

7. 30.5.2012 Thawatchai Photphol Thawatchai Photphol Research Collaboration

8. 18.6.2012 Hafizan Yahaya Rashdi Saudi K-Kem Engineering Co. Research Collaboration

9. 28.6.2012 Abd Raman Abu Samah Global Carriers Bhd Research Collaboration

10. 28.6.2012 Abd Dasita AliHamdan Kamaruddin

Pelangimas Maju Jaya Research Collaboration

Visitors to the SMMRE (January to June 2012)

STAF TAMAT PERKHIDMATAN

DR. MOHD HAZIZAN

BIN MOHD HASHIM

PENSYARAH UNIVER-

SITI GRED DS51

6/12/2011

PROF. MADYA

DR.SAMAYAMUTTHI

RIAN

A/L PALANIADY

7 MAC 2012

DR. ZAIMAWATI

BINTI ZAINOL

1 MEI 2012

ANUGERAH PERKHIDMATAN CEMERLANG 2011

Pusat Pengajian mengucapkan tahniah dan syabas kepada penerima Anugerah Perkhidmatan

Cemerlang APC 2011 yang diadakan di Hotel Equitorial pada 4 April 2012. Mereka yang

menerima APC adalah

1. Prof. Madya Dr Azhar Abu Bakar

2. Prof. Madya Dr. Ir. Mariatti Jaafar

3. Prof. Madya Ahmad Badri Ismail

4. Prof. Madya Dr. Kamar Shah Ariffin

5. En. Khairul Nasrin Abas

6. En. Mohamad Zaini Saari

7. Pn. Jamilah Md Taib

8. En. Mohamad Azwan Mad Naser

Rheological and mechanical propertiesof allylic monomers as reactive plasticiz-

ers of polyphenylene oxide

Arjulizan Rusli* Wayne D. Cook**

*School of Materials and Mineral ResourcesEngineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia

**Department of Materials Engineering,Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

1.0 Introduction

Thermoplastics such as polyphenylene oxide(PPO), polyetherimide and polyethersulfonepossess desirable properties such as highstrength and toughness and very good dimen-sional stability. However, their applications arealways limited due to their high melt viscositywhere they require to be processed at hightemperature and long processing time whichmay result in degradation and loss of theirdesirable properties. A number of researchers [1-3] have reportedon the addition of a small amount of crosslink-able monomers as plasticizers to improve pro-cessibility of thermoplastics by which, unlikecommon plasticizers, can be polymerized into acrosslinked phase at the end of processing ofthe blend. These blend components are initial-ly miscible but then phase separate into ther-moplastic and thermoset rich phases duringcure due to reduction of the entropy of mixingwith the progress of polymerization process. Ifthe thermoplastic forms the continuous phase,the properties of the thermoplastic can beretained. In addition, if the monomers formcrosslinked particles they can act as reinforcersor tougheners depending whether they arerigid or rubbery.Most of the research on the application of athermosetting monomer as reactive solvent forPPO used epoxy monomers but there has beenmuch less research on radically initiated plasti-cized monomers. Allylic monomers undergogelation at relatively high conversion havebeen found to be useful as reactive plasticizersto improve processing of thermoplastics suchas polycarbonate [4], PVC [5] and PPO [6-8].Our previous study on solubility, the phase dia-gram and viscosity of various allylic monomersin PPO also shows that ortho-diallyl phthalate(DAOP) monomer is a suitable reactive plasti-cizer in improving processibility of PPO [7]while curing studies on DAOP with various ini-tiators and the blends PPO and DAOP [8] indi-cates that the cure reaction varies dependingon the initiator used. In the present work, therheological behaviour during cure of variousconcentrations of DAOP in PPO, the effects ofcomposition on the morphologies of the blendsand thus on the properties were investigated.

2.0 Experimental

2.1 MaterialsThe monomer and the initiator used wereortho-diallyl phthalate (DAOP) and dicumylperoxide (DCP) which were purchased fromAldrich and used as received. Poly (2,5-dimethyl phenylene oxide), PPO was suppliedby GE Plastics as C2000 in a powder form.Before processing, the PPO was dried in anoven at 110˚C for 12 hr. 2.2 Sample preparation The blends are identified by the code

wt%PPO:wt%DAOP/initiator so that 20 PPO:80DAOP/DCP identifies the sample containing 80wt% PPO and 20 wt% DAOP with 3 phr of DCP. Blends of low concentrations of PPO in allylicmonomer (up to 40 wt% PPO) were preparedby direct dissolution in an oven. PPO powderwas first mixed with the monomer at roomtemperature. Then, the mixture was heatedand stirred at 180°C for up to 30 min (depend-ing on the PPO content) until PPO completelydissolved in the monomer. The blend was thencooled to 150°C and DCP was added with rig-orous stirring, Then, the blend was poured intosilicon mould between two microscope slidesand cured at 150° for 8 h before post-cured at200°C for 2 h. For higher concentrations of PPO (50 wt% and60 wt% PPO), melt blending was conducted intwo stages. 60PPO:40DAOP and70PPO:30DAOP blends were first preparedusing a Minilab microextruder and was recircu-lated in the extruder by a pair of taperedscrews and a recycling channel for 5 minbefore being extruded. The screw speed was100 rpm and the pre-set temperature of thebarrel, recycling channel and die was 200°C for60PPO:40DAOP and 220°C for 70PPO:30DAOP.Then the extrudate was cut into about 1-2 cmlengths before crushing the extrudate in thepresence of nitrogen using IKA mill to producea fine powder of the blend. The powder wasmixed at room temperature with the requisiteamount of initiator dissolved in DAOP to pro-duce the 50PPO:50DAOP or 60PPO:40DAOPblends with 3 phr initiator. This mix was thenmelt blended in the twin screw extruder at150°C and screw speed of 100rpm producingthe final homogeneous blends. Although PPO:DAOP/DCP blends could be pre-pared by melt blending, a small but variableamount of allylic polymerization occurs duringthis process. To avoid this complication indetailed studies of the rheological propertiesduring cure, studies were performed on sys-tems that had been solvent blended. Solventblending samples were prepared by dissolvingPPO in chloroform and then mixing with DAOPand initiator, producing 20 wt% of the totalcomponents in chloroform. The solutions werecast into a silicon mould well to produce disksample of about 1-2 mm thick. Then, the sol-vent was evaporated at room temperature fora few hours before further drying under vacu-um at 30°C for 2 days and the at 50°C for 1day (where constant weight was achieved).Mass loss studies on DAOP/initiator aloneshowed that none evaporated using this proce-dure. 2.3 Rheology During CureMultifrequency dynamic rheology studies wereconducted at 0.1, 0.316, 1, 3.16, and 10 Hz at140°C with PPO:DAOP/DCP blends using anARES rheometer (Rheometric Scientific) inorder to monitor the polymerization processes.Samples obtained from solvent blending wereplaced between two steel parallel plates with atop plate diameter of either 8 mm or 15 mmand a gap of 0.5 mm in the rheometer furnacewhich was pre-heated to the temperature ofexperiment. 2.4 Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis(DMTA)A Rheometric Scientific Mark IV model dynam-ic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA) wasused in dual cantilever bending mode to meas-ure the glass transition temperature (Tg) ofvarious concentrations of cured PPO:DAOP/ini-tiator blends over a temperature range of 25°Cto 300°C at 2°C/min at 1 Hz. The bar type

specimen had dimensions of 1.5 mm × 5.0 mm× 20 mm and was formed in silicon mouldscured at 150°C for 8 h before post-curing at200°C for 2 h. 2.4 SEMThe morphology of the blends was studied byexamining the fracture surfaces by using SEM(FEI Quanta 3D FEG-SEM) at an operating volt-age of 15 kV. The specimens were freeze frac-tured using liquid nitrogen and then the frac-ture surface was either un-etched or etched inchloroform (for 30 min) to remove the contin-uous phase (PPO phase) from the blends.

3.0 Results and Discussion

3.1 Rheology During CureRheological studies during cure were conduct-ed on the blends of DAOP-DCP and variousconcentrations of PPO and DAOP with DCP asan initiator. Figure 1 shows the variation of G′and G′′ (at 1 Hz) and tan δ (at various frequen-cies) with time of DAOP-DCP at 140°C. It canbe seen that in the early stages of cure, bothmodulii are very low (about 0.1 Pa) and arevery scattered since the material is still a lowviscosity liquid but at 500 s, the G′ increasesrapidly (with G′ exceeding the G′′) due toincrease in the molecular weight of the grow-ing chain and then the build up in the threedimensional network. Then the G′ graduallylevels off and reaches a rubbery plateau of1MPa (at approx. 1000s - see Figure 1) andthen finally, G′ rises to above 10 MPa (atapprox. 1700s) as the material enters theglassy state. Even though 8 mm rheometryplates were used to collect this data, the com-pliance in the instruments components result-ed in overestimates of the strain and so themeasured modulii were lower than thoseexpected of a material near its glassy state(100MPa to 1000MPa).In the early stages of cure, the tanδ valueswere quite high suggesting a viscoelastic liquidstate of the sample but the values are quitescattered and reveal no significant variation oftan δ with frequency (Figure 1). Then, after¬400 s, tan δ began to reduce and approachalmost a constant value at 500 s correspon-ding to the point when the real modulus start-ed to increase. The stage where tan δ is inde-pendent of frequency (often known as the tanδ crossover) is the Winter-Chambon criterionfor gelation [9] and this is not very distinct inFigure 1 due to the low modulus and thus lowtorque of the system at the start ofpolymerization. However a tan δ crossoverappears to occur at ca. 480 s and this is lessthan 5% different from an operational gel pointdefinition [10] which taken from the pointwhere G′ reach 10 Pa (500 s) suggesting thefirst formation of a network. Surprisingly, thedependence of tan δ on frequency just beforeand after gelation is not in accord with the selfsimilarity theory [9] because tan δ shoulddecrease with increased frequency before gela-tion and show the reverse behaviour after gela-tion - the reason for this is not understood buthas also been observed by Varley [11]. Near1700 s the tan δ exhibits a maximum whichshifts to longer curing times with decreasingfrequency suggesting vitrification [10, 11].Additional evidence of vitrification is given bythe logarithmic plot of the real modulus whichshows an inflection corresponding to the tan δmaximum and a rise of the modulus towards aglass-like value.


Article 1

The gelation time, taken from the time of thetan δ crossover occurs and the time ofvitrification, obtained when tan δ (at 1 Hz)passed through a maximum for various con-centrations of PPO:DAOP/DCP is given in Table1. The tabulated data on gelation and vitrifica-tion (Table 1) shows that the gel timedetermined by the tan δ crossover did not varymuch with PPO content up to 30 wt%PPO butsuddenly increased for 40 wt%PPO whichmight be due to the DAOP being the continu-ous phase in the former but being bi-continu-ous or phase inverted morphology (i.e. dis-persed particles) in the latter which significant-ly reduces gelation of the global blend. Anotherpossible reason for the significantly highergelation time in the presence 40 wt%PPO isthat the Winter-Chambon criteria [9] might notbe applicable for the system of more than 30wt%PPO because these materials are non-homogeneous whereas the Winter-Chambongelation theory was defined for homogeneouspolymer networks [11]. As can be seen fromthe Table 1, the time to vitrify (i.e. reach theglass transition) is raised with increasing PPOcontent suggesting slower reaction. Theincreasing time to vitrify with increasing PPOcontent is expected since previous studies ondynamic DSC [8] of the blends indicates thatthe cure reaction is delayed in the presence ofhigher PPO content.

3.2 Dynamic mechanical propertiesDynamic mechanical studies were conductedon the sample of PPO and DAOP-DCP blendsprepared by melt blending in order to investi-gate the glass transition and rubbery regions ofthe blends after cure (Figure 2). After the glasstransition, the modulus of pure PPO continuesto decrease as the temperature is raised asexpected of an uncrosslinked polymer but sur

prisingly all of the blend samples exhibit a rub-bery modulus plateau, which indicates that thematrix is crosslinked. On the other hand, asexpected and in general accord with the theo-ry of rubber elasticity, the rubbery modulus ofthe cured blends are lower than that for pureDAOP-DCP and continuously decreases withincreasing PPO content because the PPOdilutes the concentration of crosslinks providedby the polymerized DAOP. With increasing PPOcontent (e.g. 30 wt%PPO), the storage modu-lus exhibits a two-step decrease in E′ (Figure 2)suggesting the presence of two phases andonly partial miscibility of the components. Thisis caused by the curing reaction of the poly-DAOP which reduces the entropy of mixingthus causing demixing of the PPO and DAOPblends.

Further evidence for phase separation in theblends is observed by the presence of two tanδ transitions, one with a high damping peakbetween 150°C to 200°C and a smaller tan δshoulder around 250°C. It can be seen that thetan δ maximum of this smaller relaxation riseswith increasing PPO content and it occurs at atemperature close to the Tg of pristine PPOsuggesting that this transition due to a PPO-rich phase. The lower temperature peak isclose to that for pure poly-DAOP and so can beattributed to a DAOP-rich polymer phase. Thevariation of Tg taken from the maximum in tanδ (see Table 2) indicates that the Tg of theblends are in-between both pure componentsbut it does not show a systematic pattern sug-gesting a complex effect of plasticization andcrosslinking. The maximum tan δ value for thelower temperature relaxation does not show amonotonic variation but also tends to increasewith the PPO content. This may appear count-er-intuitive but could be due to the effect of the

presence of PPO in this DAOP-rich phase onthe tan δ value.The Tgs of the blends are lower than the Tg ofpristine PPO (250°C) suggesting that the pres-ence of DAOP reduces the heat resistanceproperties of PPO even though it can success-fully improve the processibility of the PPO. Thismight be due to the presence of unpolymerizedmonomer, as suggested by the incomplete cureof DAOP in the blends [8] which can acts as aplasticizer. However, it should be noted that theTg of the blends were considerably higher thanthe Tg of the uncured blends because the Tg

were raised by crosslinking. Post-curing at200°C for 2 hrs was also applied to the curedsamples (Table 2). In each case, post-curingresulted in either a small (by 5-10°C) orinsignificant changes in the Tg and the rubberymodulus exhibited insignificant changes com-pared with the samples that had not beenpostcured suggesting that the only smallamounts of additional crosslinking of DAOPoccurred with the postcure step.

3.3 SEMThe phase separation and variation of morphol-ogy with increasing PPO content in the curedPPO:DAOP blends as revealed by SEM are illus-trated in Figure 3. In the blend of 20 wt%PPO,particles of 2 m diameter are clearlyrevealed on the un-etched surface and theseparticles are transformed into holes after etch-ing which also suggests island morphology withspherical PPO dispersed phases distributedquite well in poly-DAOP-rich continuous phase.Cured blend of 40PPO:60DAOP/DCP exhibits arough surface when un-etched, but after etch-ing they exhibit a smoother surface with noobvious holes suggesting a bi-continuousstructure of the blends.


Figure 1: Variation of tan δ and real and loss modul with curing time

of DAOP-DCP at 140°CFigure 2: DMTA of various blends of PPO:DAOP/DCP cured at 150°C

for 8 h.

Table 1: Gelation and vitrification time of various concentrations of

PPO and DAOP blends at 140°CTable 2: Tg obtained from the temperature of the peak in tan δ for

PPO:DAOP/DCP blends after cure at 150°C (8 h) or after postcure at

200°C (2 h)

In the presence of 50 wt%PPO, the unetchedsample had a rough surface but this was quiteunlike the surfaces found for blends with 10-30wt% PPO which had particles embedded in thematrix. On etching, the 50PPO:50DAOP/DCPsample exhibited a smooth surface with holesranging from sub-micron to 3m diameters.Such a morphology could result from a phaseinversion morphology where PPO is the primarycomponent of the continuous phase and curedDAOP constitutes the major component of thedispersed phase, and the holes in the surfacecould be caused by the dissolution of the PPO-rich matrix surrounding the DAOP-rich parti-cles.

From these SEM observations, it can be con-cluded that the phase inversion occurs withmore than 40 wt% PPO, which is a little high-er than found for the PPO:DGEBA-diamine sys-tem [2] where the phase inversion normallyoccurred at about 30 wt%PPO might be due tothe nature of polymerization of allylic monomerwhere the monomer undergoes chain growthpolymerization with a very slow reaction rate.

4.0 Conclusions

Dynamic rheology of PPO:DAOP/DCP indicatesthat the gelation time rises with increasing PPOcontent. This retardation of gelation is lesswhen DAOP is the continuous phase but the geltime was significantly increased in systemswith bi-continuous (40 wt%PPO) or phaseinverted morphology due to dilution effect ordue to inapplicability of the Winter-Chamboncriteria on the inhomogeneous phase structure. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis ofPPO:DAOP/DCP showed the occurrence ofphase separation with two Tgs in between thepure components. The Tgs of DAOP-rich andPPO-rich phases did not show a systematic pat-tern due to the complex effect of crosslinkingand plasticization. SEM observation on the blends ofPPO:DAOP/DCP indicated phase separatedstructure with a bi-continuous morphology inthe presence of 40 wt%PPO. The phase invert-ed morphology for the system occurred at ahigher PPO content compared to that alwaysreported for PPO in either step growth or chaingrowth epoxies may be due to the nature ofDAOP polymerization.

5.0 References

[1] R.W. Venderbosch, H.E.H. Meijer, P.J.Lemstra, Polym., 36 (1995) 2903-2913.[2] R.W. Venderbosch, H.E.H. Meijer, P.J.Lemstra, Polym., 35 (1994) 4349-4357.[3] Y. Ishii, A.J. Ryan, Macromol., 33 (2000)167-176.[4] G.G. Liang, W.D. Cook, H.J. Sautereau, A.Tcharkhtchi, Eur. Polym. J., (2007).[5] W.D. Cook, G.G. Liang, M. Lu, G.P. Simon,E. Yeo, Polym., 48 (2007) 7291-7300.[6] H. Fujiwara, B.S. Kim, T. Inoue, Polym. Eng.Sci., v36 (1996) p1541(1546).[7] A. Rusli, W. Cook, G.G. Liang, Eur. Polym.J., 47 1775-1784.[8] A. Rusli, W. Cook, G.G. Liang, Eur. Polym.J., 47 1785-1794.[9] F. Chambon, H.H. Winter, J. Rheol., 31(1987) 683-697.[10] K. Dean, W.D. Cook, L. Rey, J. Galy, H.Sautereau, Macromol., 34 (2001) 6623-6630.[11] R.J. Varley, Macromol. Mater. Eng., 292(2007) 46-61.

A new direction in study of persistentmaterials

M. Nazarov 1,2

A. Nor Nazida1

M.N Ahmad-Fauzi1

1. School of Materials and MineralResources Engineering, Universiti Sains

Malaysia, Engineering Campus, 14300 NibongTebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

2. Institute of Applied Physics, AcademieiStr. 5, Chisinau, MD-2028 Republic of Moldova

INTRODUCTION

Persistent phosphors can emit light for a longtime from seconds to many hours after theexcitation has ended. The irradiation used maybe UV, visible light, X-ray, gamma radiation andsunlight.Persistent luminescence has intrigued peoplefor hundreds of years. The situation drasticallychanged about 16 years ago when Matsuzawaet al. discovered bright and long-lasting lumi-nescence in SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy [1]. By codoping thegreen-emitting phosphor SrAl2O4:Eu2+ (alreadyshowing a relatively strong and long-lastingafterglow by itself [2]) with the rare earth ele-ment dysprosium (Dy3+), they were able to cre-ate a material that emit bright light for hoursafter ending the excitation ended (simultane-ously and independently, Takasaki et al. report-ed similar results [3]). They found an afterglowwith both a far higher initial intensity and amuch longer lifetime compared to traditionalZnS:Cu,Co. These investigations have led to arenewed research interest, and it promoted theuse of these green-emitting persistent phos-phors in signalization, glow-in-the-dark toys,emergency signs, dials and displays, textileprinting, medical diagnostics, and many otherapplications. Applications of persistent lumi-nescence phosphors are rapidly expanding.In this article we propose a new direction instudy and application of these materials,namely underwater investigation of persistentluminescence in real sea conditions.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Artificial rock and block made of steel slaghybrid matrix were developed recently in Japan[4,5]. We proposed experimental artificial glowto be made from concrete and sand to providehard surface. The main goal of these reefs is tocultivate the algae in future and to attract thefish. For this purpose the artificial block mustbe luminescent and preferably excite the greenlight. The persistent phosphor SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ as a phosphorescence material and poly-mer epoxy as a coating layer are proposed.Strontium aluminate phosphor doped with Eu2+

and co-doped with Dy3+ SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ wereprepared by solid state reaction approach usingstrontium carbonate (SrCO3; Aldrich, 99.9 %),aluminum oxide (Al2O3), europium oxide(Eu2O3; Aldrich, 99.99 %) and dysprosiumoxide (Dy2O3; Aldrich, 99.99 %) as the startingmaterials. Small amount (0.2 mol %) of H3BO3

was used as flux. Prior to heating at 1250ºC,the reagents were ground using a ball mill toform a homogeneous mixture. First, the drymilling was used for 30 minutes and then con-tinued by wet-mixing machine for 30 minutes.The resulting slurry was dried at 150°C for 3


Article 220PPO:80DA

OP/

DCP

unetched

20PPO:80DA

OP/

DCP etched

40PPO:60DA

OP/

DCP

unetched

40PPO:60DA

OP/

DCP etched

50PPO:50DA

OP/

DCP

unetched

50PPO:50DA

OP/

DCP etched

Figure 3: SEM images of fracture surface of

various PPO:DAOP/DCP blends (unetched

or etched in chloroform for 30 min).

hours to remove the water content. After fullydried, the mixed white powder was placed in asmall alumina crucible and then fired at 1250°Cfor 2 hours under a mild reducing atmosphere.Graphite crucible was used to create the reduc-ing atmosphere and to ensure complete reduc-tion of Eu3+ to Eu2+ and to crystallize and formthe luminescence centers. The mixing – millingprocess to get smaller particle size and homog-enous mixture, was used after calcination.When excited by UV or sunlight this phosphorshows bright green luminescence (Fig.1).

In this study, an epoxy layer of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor were deposited on reef surfaceby brushing technique. Some amount of mixedpolymers Epoxy DEN 431 and hardener poly-etheramine D230 were prepared and 30 – 40wt% of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor pigmentwere added to produce a high glowing intensi-ty. After precise weighing of all materials, slipmixture was manually mixing to homogenizedthe epoxy solution and phosphor pigments.This solution was applied onto reef surface bybrushing technique. The epoxy layer ofSrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ - reef surface interactionstook place during the curing process at 100ºCfor 1 h. The final artificial block is shown inFig.2.

The morphology and structure of the as heat-ed products were studied using XRD Bruker, D8Advance X-ray Diffractometer with Cu-Kα radi-ation of wavelength 1.54 Å .Data have beencollected by step-scanning 2θ from 10° to 90°and 0.034 s counting time at each step at roomtemperature. The morphology was observedusing a Zeiss Supra 35VP field emission scan-ning electron microscope. The photolumines-cence excitation and emission spectra wererecorded using the IHR 550 UV FluorescenceSpectrometer Horiba Jobin Yvon. All the sam-ples were exicited using 325 nm radiation froma pulsed Xenon lamp 450 W. The emissionspectra were registered in the wavelengthsrange of 350 to 625 nm. The detailed results ofthese experiments are given in our previousarticles [6-8].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The underwater experiments were carried outin Pulau Payar, Malaysia. First, the artificialblocks covered with SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ andexcited by sunlight were placed on the sea bedwith different reef (agropora corals, rocks,sand) and different depth from 2 up to 6meters. Fig.3 shows the process of installationartificial luminescent block on real stone in thesea at the depth about 5 meters.

Next step was the underwater luminescenceinvestigations. All blocks showed the brightgreen luminescence from all the places inde-pendently of relief and deep. One of the exam-ples is demonstrated in Fig.4.

After a few minutes the fishes showed interestin new luminescent object and gatheredaround it (Fig.5)

Finally, the black-tip shark was also attracted tothe luminescence object and came near ourartificial sample (Fig.6)

CONCLUSIONS

First the experiments with artificial stone cov-ered by SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ were carried out inreal sea conditions in Pulau Payar Marine Park.Strong and bright green luminescence wasobserved and registered under the water. Thefishes were attracted to the light of the artifi-cial reef.

REFERENCES

1. T. Matsuzawa, Y. Aoki, N. Takeuchi,Y. Murayama. A new long phosphorescentphosphor with high brightness,SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+. J. Electrochem. Soc. 1996,143, 2670–2673.2. V. Abbruscato. Optical and electricalproperties of SrAl2O4:Eu2+. J. Electrochem. Soc.1971, 118, 930–933.3. H. Takasaki, S. Tanabe, T. Hanada.Long-lasting afterglow characteristics of Eu, Dycodoped SrO-Al2O3 phosphor. J. Ceram. Soc.Jpn. 1996, 104, 322–326.4. T. Takahashi and K. Yabuta. NewApplications for Iron and Steelmaking Slag”NKK Technical review No.87 (2002)5. N. Isoo et al. Evaluation ofCarbonated Solid Block as Artificial ReefMaterial. Journal of the Japanese Society ofFisheries Science, No.66, pp.647-650(2000).6. Nor Nazida, M.N. Ahmad-Fauzi, M.Nazarov, A. Azizan, K. Shah Rizal. Synthesisand luminescence of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+. J.Mold. Phys Sci, V.11, N1-2, (2012) 78-937. S. C. M. Calyn, M. Nazarov, A. NorNazida, M.N. Ahmad-Fauzi. CombustionSynthesis and Characterization of NanosizedPowder SrAl2O4:Eu2+ Phosphor. J. Mold. PhysSci, V.11, N1-2, (2012) 112-1238. M. Nazarov, A. Nor Nazida, A. Azizan,K. Shah Rizal1, S. C. M. Calyn, M.N. Ahmad-Fauzi. Luminescence and electron-vibrationalinteraction of nanosized SrAl2O4:Eu2+ at lowtemperatures. J. Mold. Phys Sci, V.11, N1-2,(2012) 67-77


Fig.1. Bright green luminescence of

SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ in the open air.

Fig.2. Artificial block from concrete and sand

covered with SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+

Fig.3. Installation of concrete matrix covered

with SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+

Fig.4. Green color luminescence of

SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ 5 meters deep in real sea

conditions

Fig.5. The fishes are attracted the bright and

long-lasting luminescence of SrAl2O4:Eu2+,

Dy3+

Fig.6. The black-tip shark attracted to the

luminescence object

Importance of Coal as Energy Resourcesfor Sustainable Development in Malaysia

K. K. CheangKamar Shah Ariffin

Hashim HussinSyed Fuad Saiyid Hashim

Hareyani ZabidiNorlia Baharun Radzali Othman

Introduction:It is estimated that more than 2 billion peopleor almost one third of the world’s populationhave no access to modern energy services, andunfortunately, the majority of this 2 billion peo-ple live in the Asia-Pacific region (8th APECCoal Flow Seminar 2002). Since energy is cru-cial in achieving the goals of sustainable devel-opment, greater efforts need to be taken toimplement policies, strategies and action plansthat will ensure these 2 billion people haveaccess to adequate and affordable energy sup-ply. At the same time, the directions of sustain-able development also require that plans toprovide greater access to energy supply, beimplemented with a minimum compromise onenvironmental quality. This would be one of thegreatest challenges facing us in this new mil-lennium.

Malaysia’s National Energy Policy in the comingyears will be firstly, to ensure the security ofenergy supply, with no major disruption to var-ious industries, as well as to the individualhouseholds in Malaysia, and secondly, tostrengthen energy security through regionalcooperation. Hence, Malaysia is expected tofully support inter- and intraregional trade andmultilateral-agreements, in various aspects ofthe energy supply chain, including cross borderinterconnection efforts such as Trans-ASEANGas Pipeline and the ASEAN Power grid.

Malaysia also remains committed to the targetsof sustainable development and measures willbe taken to ensure that the production and uti-lization of coal will meet the environmentalstandards of Malaysia. Clean-coal technology,which will include among others, electrostaticprecipitators (for particulate emission) and fluegas de-sulphurization for emission control, willbe utilized in the new power and cement plantsto ensure environmental standards are met.Carbon dioxide emissions from coal-firedpower plants will also grow at 4.1% per year toreach 98 million Mt in Malaysia and 171 millionMt in Indonesia by 2020. Today, both postcombustion as well as pre-combustion captureof CO2 and SO2 is available with adsorptiontechnology for new plants in Malaysia andIndonesia (Martunus et al.,2008). With theright technology, the process of coal extraction,movement and more efficient combustion sys-tem, will help to reduce the environmental con-cerns associated with the use of coal for gen-erating electricity.

However, what is more important in the direc-tion of our recent studies, is that we shouldonly select bituminous coal imported fromIndonesia with low sulfur and ash content butrelatively high gcv (6000-7000 kcal/kg), toreduce the amount of SO2 and ash contents atthe very source itself. This would also reducethe cost of transporting these componentspresent in coal, normally as pyrite and clays

respectively. The maximum amount of claysmay reach as high as 15-18% (arb) and mois-ture may be another 10-18% (maximum), or atotal of 25-36%. In a 60,000 Mt coal shipmentfrom Kalimantan to Malaysia for example, thismay work out to be 15,000-21,600 Mt of claysand water being transported using extra hydro-carbon fuel.

Malaysia’s Energy Mix Policy:

In Malaysia, at 2005 production levels andenergy generation mix (Table 1), oil reservesare dwindling and expected to last another 20years, while natural gas reserves are expectedto last another 33 years only. Contributionsfrom other sources of energy such as hydro-electricity (5-10% despite cutting down a lot oftrees and flooding of river valleys), biomass,solar (several solar panel plants have been setup, but mostly for export), wind and nuclearare still relatively small. It is crucial for us todevelop contingency plans for the supply andutilization of coal as a mineral energy resourcefor the next 20-30 years. The Malaysian government’s policy is to phaseout oil, and reduce the dependency on naturalgas to approximately 45%, while coal andhydroelectricity will have to contribute almost45%, and 10% respectively to 2030, until newpower sources are in place. Even the utilizationof solar panels will require a very large flatarea, which is uninhibited and well-guarded,which is exposed to the sun most time of theyear, in order to garner the sun’s energy.Malaysia will become a net energy importer by2030, and gas will be mostly exported to Japanand Korea due to the higher price it can com-

mand in the regional market. Malaysia isexpected to consume 35 million Mt of coal,whereas our neighbor Indonesia will take up75 million Mt of coal respectively by 2020.

Malaysia’s Coal Production:In 2012, coal production from Malaysian minesis reported to be 2.4 million Mt, while importsare in the region of 19.9 million Mt, mostlyfrom Indonesia (72%), Australia (13%) and S.Africa (12%). The total consumption of 22.3million Mt is mostly in power plants (19.0 mil-lion Mt) and another 3.3 million Mt for indus-tries such as cement, steel and aluminum.Growth in coal demand is approximately 10%per year through 2030.The Merit-Pila Coal Field in Sarawak, which isone of the largest and main sources of coalsupply in the country, has coal characterized ashaving moderate ash content and moisture,very low sulphur and gross calorific values ofabout 5000 to 6000 (Table 2). This area’sreserve is estimated to be about 300-385 mil-lion tonnes of which 10% may be mined byopen cast method.

Another major field is the Mukah-Balingancoalfield, with a reserve at about 270 milliontonnes. The coal is of lignite with high mois-ture, low sulphur, low to moderate ash contentand a gross calorific value of about 5000-5500kcal/ kg. Due to its high moisture content andlow calorific value, the coal from this area isbest suited for mine-mouth power plants andfor coal briquettes. Production is just beginningin 2012.The Silantek coal field contains reserve of 60million tonnes with coal type ranging from bitu-


Article 3

Table 1

Table 2: Properties of Coal from Sarawak, Malaysia (analyses by SGS Australia)

minous to anthracite and semi-anthracite hav-ing low to medium volatiles, low ash, very lowsulphur and a high gross calorific value ofabout 7000 to 8000 per kg. Some of the coalfrom this area has good coking properties.Production is still relatively small.

Potential Coalfields:The Bintulu coalfield is estimated to have areserve at 20 million tonnes of low ash and ahigh gross calorific value of 7000 to 7500 perkg. Due to its high heating value and closeproximity to a deep-sea port, this coalfieldoffers great potential for further development.In the state of Sabah, coal is known to occur atseveral places, including the Maliau andMalibau basins in south-central Sabah and theSilimpopon and Labuan areas. Maliau coalfieldhas shown great potential, having good qualitycoal and an inferred reserve of 215 milliontonnes. However, this area has been gazettedas Maliau Basin Conservation Area in 1998 bythe Sabah State Government. Malibau coal-fields have a reserve of 26 million tonnes andSilimpopon 14 million tonnes with potential forunderground mining.

Technology for Sequestration of CO2:Fossil fuel such as petroleum, natural gas,shale gas and coal/lignite are still the mostimportant energy sources with almost no otheralternate. CO2 is also one of the major sourcesfor green-house gases CO2 that are assumedto cause global warming. The overall efficiencyof a power plant is significantly reduced if CO2

is captured from flue gas. So far the only reli-able methods for reducing CO2 emissions are adecrease of fuel consumption, increase inprocess efficiency, use of lower carbon fuelssuch as gas, enhancing the natural sinks forCO2 such as jungles/forests, soil, lakes andoceans which drawdown CO2 from the atmos-phere, or to use energy sources with very lowor neutral CO2 emissions such as biomass,wind or nuclear energy.

Another way is to understand the properties ofcoal imported (~90%) into the country andselecting the ones with the lowest sulfur, ashand moisture contents. Luckily, technologiessuch as solvent absorption, physical absorp-tion, membrane and cryogenic fractionationsystems are also available for the sequestrationof CO2. Coal gasification is another way to pro-duce clean fuel in the future. As such for thepresent, coal would still be a sustainable ener-gy resource for Malaysia until such times whencheaper and more practical alternatives areavailable. We must remember that without arelatively low economical energy, we cannotrun any engineering equipment or projectcompetitively, let alone having the luxury ofturning on our lights or heater with the flickerof a switch.

Coal Resource Training at USM:The Mineral Resources Engineering Program atthe School of Materials and Mineral ResourcesEngineering is uniquely positioned as the onlyschool in the country that provides the basictraining for the exploration, evaluation, miningand processing of coal and other mineralresources for engineers and the developmentof Malaysia towards industrialization. The pro-gram has also attracted graduate studentsfrom ASEAN countries such as Laos, Cambodia,Thailand and Indonesia. Large mining compa-nies such as P.T. Bayan Resources (with US$5billion capitalization) has also offered to pro-

vide industrial training, as well as recruitmentof engineers at their more than 8 mining sitesin Kalimantan (top notch facilities) with allexpenses paid. While other industries are inrecession, the coal mining industry is still fairlyrobust, generating jobs not only for mining,but also for transport (large shipments of coalaround the region) and related equipment sup-pliers and civil works with opening of roads andports for the many towns in the region. It isenvisaged that in the foreseeable future theimportance of coal as a sustainable energyresource in Malaysia will be very bright.

Bon’Ciment

(Won Silver medal at MTE 2012)

Inventors: Professor Radzali Othman

Assco. Prof. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar

What is the Product?

A composite bone cement made from a newly-developed formula based on a new bioactiveglass-ceramic filler incorporated into a current-ly-used PMMA bone cement.

What is the Innovation?

A new bioactive glass-ceramic biomaterial for-mulated to overcome the shortcomings inher-ent in conventional PMMA bone cements.

What are the advantages of this new bonecement?Several drawbacks of current PMMA bonecement:∗ shrinkage of the bone cement during thecuring process∗ mismatch between the cement and implant∗ local tissue degeneration∗ poor distribution of bone cement around theimplant may occur- leading to aseptic loosen-ing of the prosthesis∗ high exothermic temperature during poly-merization∗ low mechanical strength∗ release of monomer to the surrounding tis-sue

How does it fit into current PMMA cement inuse?This newly-developed glass-ceramic biomateri-al can be directly compounded with currentcommercial PMMA bone cement to elicitenhancement in properties, particularly tough-ness and heat dissipated upon polymerizationthus ensuring a fast introduction into the mar-ket.

E-PLAST – A New & Novel Edible Plastic

(Won Silver medal at ITEX 2012)

Inventors:Professor Hanafi IsmailNor Fasihah Bt. Zaaba

Norshahida Sharifuddin

Introduction

Today, plastic materials have been consideredas essential part in our daily live because of itsadvantages such as inexpensive, lightweightand easily processable compared to other con-ventional material. Plastics are widely usedmaterial due to their inert properties. The major problems we are facing today withPlastic are non-degradable, toxic-effect humanhealth, harmful components, waste manage-ment problem and environmental issuesThe continuous increase of consumer interestin quality, convenience and food quality hasencouraged the production of edible plasticfrom natural polymer, such as starch or poly-saccharides. In this invention a new EdiblePlastic based on Sago starch was produced. Sago starch was used because it is the higheststarch producer among all starches crops ofthe world, lowest cost compared with otherstarches, widely available and good film form-ing.

Importance of Invention∗ To fabricate a new edible plastic from sagostarch.∗ To replace the toxic and non-degradablepetroleum based plastics with edible plastic.∗ To produce the edible plastic using an inex-pensive and novel technology for packagingapplication.

Novelty and Inventiveness∗ An edible plastic due to the incorporation ofstarch, and special additives (CleanEnvironment). ∗ Can be fabricated using a cheap and break-through technology by optimized the formula-tion and processing condition (Save time andmoney).∗ “Ready to use” edible plastic and have bigpotential usage/global application.


Product 1

Product 2

Sample product

E-Plast Film

NanoSilver-Conductive Adhesives

(Won Gold medal at MTE 2012)

Inventors:Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azizan AzizSuriati Ghazali

IntroductionDue to increasing concerns of hazardouseffects of using tin-lead alloy solders, lead-freesolders and electrical conductive adhesives(ECAs) have been introduced and are consid-ered to be the most promising alternative forinterconnects, which provide the conductivepathways in the electronics industry. ECAs offernumerous advantages over conventional soldertechnology, such as environmental friendly(due to the elimination of the use of lead andflux cleaning), fewer processing steps (whichreduces processing costs), and fine pitch inter-connect capabilities (which enables the minia-turization of the electronic devices). ECAsmainly consist of an organic or polymeric resinand a metal filler. Currently, the electronicsindustry uses ECAs with micron-sized silverflakes in epoxy resin. However, the advantagesof the nano-sized silver filler have attractedboth academic and industrial interest in furtherinvestigating the potential of these materials toreplace the micron filler.

InnovationSilver nanoparticles were synthesized via thereduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) by trisodiumcitrate (C6H5O7Na3) and a surfactant. It wasfound that, particles with polygon shapes,good dispersion, and narrow particle size distri-bution of silver nanoparticles were produced byoptimizing the synthesis processing parame-ters.

ProductECA with a better particle distribution of the as-synthesized silver nanoparticles showed aremarkable improvement in electrical conduc-tivity as compared to commercial silvernanoparticles and silver flake.

Temperature Controller For HeatedGlass

(Won Gold medal at MTE 2012)

Inventors:Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd Fadzil Ain

Mr Suardi Kaharuddin Mr Ihsan Ahmad Zubir

School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringProf. Zainal Arifin Ahmad

School of Material and Mineral ResourcesEngineering

MyTenna Sdn Bhd Schottglass (M) Sdn Bhd

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER FOR HEAT-ED GLASSHeated glass panes have been used in com-mercial refrigeration doors for many years toavoid formation of fog on the glass surfaceowing to the temperature differences occurredin between the internal and external environ-ment. Considering that glass is an insulatingmaterial by itself, the glass surface has to becoated with a layer of resistive material, inorder to conduct the electric and generate suf-ficient heat to avoid vapor condensation. Thetemperature of the glass pane is preferablyabove dew point temperature of the surround-ing ambient air to prevent fogging onto theglass pane. Generally, coatings used in glasspane of refrigerator are known as TransparentConductive Oxides (TCOs). Relying on thethickness of the coating material and type ofcoating material as well as size of the glasspane, an electric current of specified amounthas to be supplied in order to maintain theglass pane temperature while not overheatingthe glass pane at the same time. Consideringthat main electric supply always has highervoltage than the voltage actually needed forheating the glass pane, the refrigerator nor-mally includes a circuit to conduct a process forstepping down the voltage. This product is acontrol circuit capable of proportionally supply-ing electrical current from an AC power supplyto a glass pane coated with transparent con-ductive oxides on refrigerator comprising aTRIAC electrically gating the voltage to be sup-plied to the glass pane; and micro-controllerconfigured to fire an electrical pulse to theTRIAC after a pre-determined delayed durationonce detecting zero crossing of each phase ofthe AC. This product can also be used for a dif-ferent size of refrigerator door by setting theselector jumper to the predetermined location.Furthermore, the program in the programma-ble interface controller (PIC) will automaticallydetect the frequency of the AC voltage (for adifferent country) and will supply the requiredvoltage level accordingly.


Product 3

TEM micrograph of as-synthesized AgNPs

Sample product

E-Plast product

Product 4

Product Verification

Sample product

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