The SOE team at MTE2024.

Receiving the special award at MTE2024.

YBhg. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Aminuddin bin Hassim, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) visited the booth.

Winner for Innovation Award for one of the projects at MTE2024.

By UOW Malaysia 

The University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOW Malaysia) proudly announces its outstanding achievements at the Malaysia Technology Expo 2024, held from the 22^nd  to the 24^th of February at the World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysia Technology Expo is an annual main event showcasing the latest advancements and innovations in various fields of technology.  It unites experts, including researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to present cutting-edge products and solutions across a wide range of sectors.

Despite being newcomer, UOW Malaysia’s innovative projects showcased remarkable ingenuity and earned prestigious recognitions.

Under the guidance and leadership of Supervisor Ts. Dr. Nishata Royan A/P Rajendran Royan and Co-Supervisor Mr. Chua Huang Shen, the team, consisting of mechanical engineering students Joyce, Amaresh, and Fadzlee from the School of Engineering at the University of Wollongong Malaysia, submitted two innovative entries namely “PLATES: PLA-Tapioca Eco-Friendly Solutions” and “EcoCopter: The Parcel Delivery Drone.” Both projects were focused on the advanced material category.

Their first triumph came in the form of the Special Award granted by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, underscoring their commitment to excellence and innovative contributions. This recognition was awarded for their project titled “PLATES: PLA-Tapioca Eco-Friendly Solutions,” which also secured the Silver Medal, showcasing their dedication to sustainable development.

The eco-friendly food packaging solution not only utilizes Malaysia’s abundant tapioca but also significantly reduces single-use plastics, thereby contributing to environmental conservation. The project involves new surface modification techniques, providing a quick, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method for material compatibility and enhancement.

Moreover, this innovation significantly reduces single-use plastics, thereby enhancing packaging biodegradability and biocompatibility.

Their second project, “EcoCopter: The Parcel Delivery Drone,” earned them the Bronze Medal, highlighting their adeptness in addressing contemporary challenges in the drone industry. Through meticulous design and testing, they achieved a topology-optimized octocopter with enhanced structural efficiency and reduced weight, setting a new standard for drone technology.

The team utilized Wood-PLA filament, an innovative combination of polylactic acid and wood fibers, to create a drone that not only benefits the environment but also significantly reduces weight.

Behind these achievements lies a strong foundation of support, including research grants from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia (Grant number: FRGS/1/2022/TK10/KDU/03/1), and the UOW Malaysia Research Grant (UOWMKDURG/2023/008). These grants provided the necessary resources and funding to fuel the team’s groundbreaking works.

Moreover, academic collaboration with the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ION2) at Universiti Putra Malaysia, and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Group (AMReG) of Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, boosted and supported the innovative research.

The success of the UOW Malaysia team at MTE2024 is a testament to their ingenuity, perseverance, and collaborative spirit. Dr. Nishata Royan and Mr. Chua Huang Shen’s leadership played an instrumental role in guiding the students towards success, inspiring them to push the boundaries of creativity and technological advancement.

This achievement not only reflects the team’s individual accomplishments but also underscores the institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

As they continue their journey, driven by their supervisors’ expertise and support, the UOW Malaysia team is prepared to achieve even greater strides in the realm of technology and innovation, leaving a lasting effect on the world around them.