Monash University Malaysia is thrilled to announce that the Colloids and Polymers group, spearheaded by Dr. Patrick Tang Siah Ying from the School of Engineering, has achieved notable success at the 2024 National Nuclear Innovation Award competition. The group earned two prestigious honors: the Gold Medal for the top entry in the Environment and Natural Resources category and the Special Award for Competitive Innovation across all categories.
The National Nuclear Innovation Award is an esteemed recognition program that highlights outstanding innovation and research and development efforts within Malaysia that advance nuclear science and technology applications. The double award won by the Colloids and Polymers group is a testament to their dedication and innovative approach in this critical field.
While traditional lead shielding is effective due to its high atomic number and density, it poses health risks, disposal challenges, and is cumbersome for extended use in medical settings. The award-winning research, conducted by a collaborative team from multiple institutions, has resulted in the development of innovative lead-free, flexible, and lightweight rubber composites. These sustainable radiation shielding materials offer promising applications in medical radiology personal protective equipment (PPE) and have the potential to transform the field of radiation-proof, sustainable elastomeric materials. Their impact could extend to various technologically significant sectors, including healthcare, heavy industries, aerospace, and nuclear medicine.
“This remarkable success was made possible through the invaluable partnership and support from our collaborators at Sunway University, UniKL MICET, and Nuklear Agensi Malaysia”, stated Dr Tang, who is a senior lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering. “It is an incredible achievement for our cross-disciplinary supervision and collaboration, and we hope it serves as an inspiration to other students and researchers at the university and beyond”. His collaborative team is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of nuclear science research, with the goal of propelling innovation in the country’s rubber industry.
Dr Tang also extended special recognition to his outstanding research team members, including Final Year Project (FYP) student Alphonsus Tan for his excellent contributions, and supervisory team members Professor Goh Bey Hing of Sunway University, Dr Fahmi Asyadi Md Yusof and Associate Professor Ong Siew Kooi of UniKL MICET, Dr Janarthanan Supramaniam, Norshafarina Ismail, and PhD students Darren Low and How Sher Wei.
The dual awards underscore the significance of cross-disciplinary research and the power of collaborative efforts in advancing nuclear science and technology. The Colloids and Polymers group’s groundbreaking work has attracted national recognition, setting a new standard for future research in this field. This accolade not only reflects Monash University Malaysia’s dedication to research excellence but also emphasizes the impact of partnerships between academic institutions and research organizations in advancing nuclear science and technology.
