PENANG, 29 October 2013 - Three of the best products from the Novel Research & Innovation Competition (NRIC) have won three gold medals and one special Diamond award in the British Invention Show (BIS) held in London recently.

The project titled Moringa Oleifera Seeds (M.O.S) Natural Biodegradable Coagulant clinched the gold medal and diamond award for its cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment to produce water that is safe for everyday usage and consumption.

Moringa Oleifera, also known as “remunggai” is a plant that is usually used in cooking, and has been researched extensively to be used as an agent to treat contaminated water discharged from industrial areas.

The product is the result of research being carried out by two undergraduate researchers from the School of Chemical Engineering, Meor Muhammad Hafiz Shah Budin and Muhammad Razif Abd. Razak under the supervision of Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmad.

Meanwhile the second gold medal was bagged by a young researcher who is also a final year student of the School of Computer Sciences, Ng Poh Sing, who designed a vehicle security system called The Eyes: Car Security System under the supervision of Mohd Azam Osman.

The Eyes is an intelligent system that can enhance car security as it is able to inform the driver or owner of the vehicle in the event of a collision or an attempt to steal the vehicle through short messaging system (SMS/MMS) in real time.

According to Ng, it takes advantage of Google’s Cloud Service and utilises image processing techniques, micro-controllers, and mobile technologies to detect and recognise authorised drivers.

Meanwhile, the third project named Oil Palm Syrup in Production of Toffee by Syuhairah Ahmad, another final year student from the School of Industrial Technology under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fazilah Ariffin.

“My research involves using sap from oil palm trunks as a new source of alternative natural sweetener. Our aim is to produce agro-waste syrup that can be incorporated in the formulation of toffees (sweets),” Syuhairah said.

According to Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey, the ability of the young inventors to win gold medals has again proven the excellent research performance of USM students who competed against the more experienced researchers and lecturers from other institutions from more than 20 countries.

"We have joined BIS since 2009 and of the 17 products entered, all have won gold medals and other special awards. The University is proud of this outstanding achievement,'' she said.

She said this after chairing a special press conference here today to highlight the students’ achievements together with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development), Professor Dr. Adnan Hussein.

Adnan said the success also proved that NRIC organised and participated by USM students has achieved a high standard and quality, in tandem with the University’s aim to drive research excellence among its students.

He added that NRIC has opened the minds of the students to excel not only in academics, but also produce innovations that could benefit the community as a whole.

"USM selected the three best products in NRIC to compete in London and all three entries brought home a gold medal each.

"We will continue this tradition of excellence in the future and hope that the students will be more dynamic in producing more innovative products especially those based on green technologies,'' he said. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa