Driving innovation through technology and quality

116-MG-126-11-2012:GN PP 10002/05/2010(024916)

INSIDE

Vol. 3, 2012

•Thebestof SIRIMR&D

•TransformationatSIRIM

•InterviewswithDatukJamaliahKamis,DrZainalAbidinandmore

SIRIMLinkManDate: transforMationAninterviewwithDatukJamaliahKamis

GoinG tHe DistanCeDrZainalAbidinonSIRIM’snewflagships

tHe Best of siriMAtripdownmemorylane

settinG tHe stanDarDsMorethanjuststandards

aDVisorDr. Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof

CHairPersonTn. Hj. Nor Rashid Ismail

MeMBersNoraini KassimRaja Yahya Raja AriffinAbdul Aziz LongDr. Abd Rahim SaadPn. Futom Shikh JaafarDr. Neelam ShahabDr. Kartini NoorsalMohd Ghazali Mohd YunosAzman HassanSalmah Mohd NordinZanariyah AliInderjeet Singh a/l Sohan Singh

Abd Halim YacobRuhil Amani Zainal AbidinNurazlina Ismail

Published and printed by:SIRIM Berhad1, Persiaran Dato’ MenteriSection 2, P.O. Box 703540700 Shah Alam, Selangor.Toll Free: 1300 88 7035 Tel: 603 5544 6000Fax: 603 5510 8095

Writing, design and concept:Marcus Gomez & Partners Sdn BhdNo. 27, Jalan SS2/2,47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,MALAYSIA.www.marcusgomez.com

SIRIMLink is an official publication of SIRIM Berhad. The bulletin is distributed free to our clients, associates, business and research establishments. Copyright © SIRIM Berhad. Some images and artwork from iStockphoto, BigStockPhoto and other independent artists.

For further information on the articles featured in this magazine, please contact:

Corporate Communications section Group Corporate Affairs DepartmentSIRIM Berhad1, Persiaran Dato’ Menteri Section 2, P.O. Box 703540700 Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: 603 5544 6770Fax: 603 5544 6745Or email to: publications@sirim.my

SIRIMLink

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S IRIM’s transfoRMatIon Isn’t change for the sake of change. Instead, it’s about focusing on the best aspects of sIRIM: the company’s leadership in its many fields of research; its expertise and experience in design

and engineering; its role as the national standards development agency. taken together, these strengths will allow sIRIM to provide a total service package for industry customers.

sIRIM’s 6-strategy transformation Plan is aimed at transforming sIRIM into a leading R&D institution. In this issue, we speak to the Chairman of sIRIM Berhad Datuk Hajah Jamaliah Kamis along with two members of the company’s Board of Directors to find out what they think of the company’s progress to date and how they see the transformation taking shape.

We also revisit some of sIRIM’s most memorable successes in cutting-edge technological research within the three flagship areas the company aims to serve. over the years, sIRIM’s energy and environmental technology researchers have developed renewable

energy systems and green materials with promising commercial potential. some of the medical technology projects showcased in this issue have already won awards for innovation. and sIRIM’s proven plant and machinery technologies bring robotics, automation and modernisation to Malaysian industries.

all in all, it’s an exciting time for sIRIM, as you will discover in this issue of sIRIMLink.

Nor Rashid Ismail Vice President Corporate Division

CHANGES TO COME

eDitor’s note

NEWS & EVENTS ...04UiTMTerengganuandSIRIMintroduceindustrialtrainingforrobotics,anewstandardisdevelopedfortheMalaysianGoldenArowanaandSIRIMresearchersdeveloptwelvenewcosmeticproductsbasedonseaweed.Also,theSIRIMTransformationPlanataglance.

INSIGHT ...08Datuk Hajah Jamaliah Kamis, Chairman of SIRIM BerhadbelievesthatSIRIM’stransformationwillinvolvemorethanjustreorganisationandrebranding.Theessentialdifferencewillbeontheinside... pg. 08

Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof,PresidentandChief Executiveof SIRIMBerhadsaysthatthecompanywilloffermorethanjustindividualservicesinthefuture.Instead,SIRIM’stotalsolutionswillgothefulldistance... pg. 10

SIRIM Board MembersTanSriDato’Dr.MohamedSallehandDato’SyedAhmadIdidsharetheirthoughtsonSIRIM’stransformationplanandhowtheythinkitwillchangethewaySIRIMdoesbusiness... pg. 12

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CONTeNTSneW siriM aHeaD: tHe transforMation ContinUes

VOL. 3, 2012

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS ...14tHe Best of siriM

Frommarinefarmingtoautomotiveengineering,SIRIM’sresearchanddevelopmentportfolioisasdeepasitiswide.Werevisitsomeof SIRIM’smostmemorablesuccessesacrossthethreeflagshipsof:

• EnergyandtheEnvironment ...16

• MedicalTechnology ...18

• PlantandMachinery ...21

STANDARDS & QUALITY ...26iMProVinG BUsinesses

WhileSIRIMisbestknownforitstestingandconformityassessmentactivities,thecompany’scompletesuiteof standardsdevelopmentandmanagementservicesactuallycoversawholelotmore.

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SIRIM’s research and development activities have helped numerous under-economised communities over the years, including the seaweed fishing village of Semporna in Sabah. See page 14

W ItH tHe ReCent signing of a Memorandum of agreement (MoU) between sIRIM

Berhad and Universiti teknologi Mara (UitM) terengganu, students and graduates will at last be able to benefit from industrial training courses under sIRIM’s Robotics Programme.

The new courses on Programmable Logic Controller and Programmable Interface Controller will put a spotlight on green technologies and microcontrollers for industrial applications. Both courses will be placed under the electrical engineering Diploma Programme (electronic Industry) once the programme is made available to students.

The MoU was signed by the President and Chief executive of sIRIM, Dr Zainal abidin Mohd Yusof, together with the Rector of UitM terengganu, Professor Madya Dr abdol samad nawi.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Dr Zainal abidin stated that this cooperation will focus on training programmes that are relevant to students, graduates and lecturers through the offering of module development and training for lecturers as well as industrial training for students.

“This cooperation will allow sIRIM to offer its technical expertise and training to both lecturers and students on the applications of microcontrollers through the use of the sIRIM Robokit,” said Dr Zainal abidin. “In addition, sIRIM will develop laboratory training modules for these subjects.”

according to Dr Zainal abidin, sIRIM will also assist UitM terengganu in providing exposure to students, graduates and lecturers on practical, real-world work experience.

“I believe that these training modules that are being developed will help to improve the students’ understanding of the field of robotics,” added Dr Zainal abidin. “In doing so, it will also help to increase their competitiveness in today’s job market.”

Dr abdol samad said in his speech that MoUs between industrial agencies such as sIRIM and institutions of higher learning such as UitM represent a wise and strategic step towards creating highly marketable graduates on the job market following the completion of studies.

“This MoU creates a two-way relationship for UitM and students,” said Dr abdol samad. “UitM will be able to draw

upon a greater knowledgebase of information to provide lecturers while students will benefit from gaining a greater depth of understanding while undergoing practical training.”

Dr abdol samad also expressed his hope that the MoU would assist the students and staff of UitM to become more competitive, progressive and mobile.

“We hope this agreement will bring UitM and sIRIM closer together and help prepare not just the students but also the lecturers of UitM for the needs of industry today,” he said.

to date, sIRIM RoboClinic workshops have been held at secondary and primary schools in terengganu, sabah, selangor, sarawak, Melaka and Pahang.

UITMTerengganuandSIRIMIntroduceIndustrialTrainingforRoboticsMoUsigned toprovidemoduledevelopmentpackageand training for lecturersaswellasindustrialtrainingforstudents

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neWs

Participants paying close attention to one of the presentations at the two-day workshop in Bukit Merah.

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F oLLoWIng tHe completion of the Malaysian golden arowana standards and Quality workshop at Bukit

Merah recently, The Department of fisheries standard (Dof stan1:2012) has made it easier to distinguish the unique traits of the Malaysian golden arowana.

The Malaysian golden arowana (Scleropages formosus), also known as Kelisa Emas Malaysia or golden Crossback arowana, is one of the most expensive asian arowana species and is sought after by collectors at high prices. Because of the high value of the fish, it has become necessary to develop a quality standard to protect the market from fraudulent products.

The workshop, which was jointly organised by sIRIM and Department of fisheries Malaysia (Dof), was open to all stakeholders in the ornamental fish sector including entrepreneurs, breeders of Malaysian golden arowana and the arowana society of Malaysia. The purpose of the workshop was to gather feedback on the specifications for the unique traits of Malaysian golden arowana which would enable it to be clearly distinguished from the many other types of arowana on the market. government agencies and research institutes also contributed their views towards improving

the standard for the most valued ornamental fish in the country.

The two-day workshop was inaugurated by the Director-general of Department of fisheries Malaysia, Dato’ ahamad sabki Mahmood. also present was President and Chief executive of sIRIM Berhad, Dr Zainal abidin Mohd Yusof. The purposes of the workshop were to create awareness about the quality standard for Malaysian golden arowana and provide attendants with a detailed explanation of the contents of the Dof:stan 1:2012 standard. The workshop also aimed to obtain feedback from stakeholders and entrepreneurs on any changes that need to be made to ensure that Dof:stan 1:2012 is suitable for all parties that will be using it.

The quality of Malaysian golden arowana is expected

to improve over time through conformance with Dof stan  1:2012, which outlines the acceptable standards that products need to meet before they may be sold as Malaysian golden arowana. This standard will also help the ornamental fish industry, authorities, researchers and enthusiasts to improve their management practices using the guidelines that have been set and thus enhance the quality of its products while safeguarding the interests of consumers.

as many as 100 participants consisting of entrepreneurs and breeders of Malaysian golden arowana, members of the arowana society of Malaysia, representatives of government agencies, researchers from local research institutions and stakeholders in the country’s ornamental fish sector were present at the workshop.

SIRIMandDepartmentof FisheriesMalaysiaDevelopQualityStandardforGoldenArowanaTwo-dayworkshopprovidesaplatformforstakeholderstoensurethecontentsof theDOF:STAN1:2012standardmeettheneedsof theindustry

neWs

L oCaL CosMetICs enterprises can now expand their business with oCeanbioactive, a new line of cosmetic products

based on seaweed extract that has been developed by scientists from the Cosmetics and natural Resources Programme of sIRIM Berhad.

a total of 12 cosmetic products in four product categories have been successfully developed and are awaiting commercialisation by local entrepreneurs. These include the Ocean Beau line of skincare products, the Ocean Guy men’s skincare product line, the Sea Bloom self-care product line and Ocean Fresh toothpaste.

The seaweed used in these products comes from the species Kappaphycus alvarezii, grown and harvested in semporna, sabah. scientific studies have shown that this seaweed extract can serve as a natural skin lightener by preventing the enzyme tyrosinase from producing melanin within skin layers. It also provides natural protection from ultraviolet radiation and serves as a natural anti-oxidant.

The “Business Matching and Commercialisation for seaweed extract Products” event was organised by the Department of fisheries Malaysia together with

sIRIM, providing local cosmetics entrepreneurs a chance to get a closer look at the seaweed extract-based products developed by sIRIM researchers. It also opened up new opportunities for cosmetics entrepreneurs to market these products.

“It is my hope that this event will help local cosmetics entrepreneurs to penetrate both local and global cosmetics markets,” President and Chief executive of sIRIM Berhad Dr Zainal abidin said in a prepared speech read by Ir Dr Mohamad Jamil sulaiman, Vice-President of the Design and engineering Division of sIRIM Berhad. “sIRIM will continue to help these businesses to raise the quality of the country’s cosmetics industry.”

The event was also attended by Dato’ ahamad sabki Mahmood, Director-general of Department of fisheries Malaysia.

“Production will be undertaken at sIRIM’s cosmetics pilot plant in shah alam, which is compliant

with good Manufacturing Practices (gMP) and has received Halal certification from JaKIM,” added Dr Zainal in his statement.

The Department of fisheries Malaysia and sIRIM Berhad have collaborated on the national seaweed Industry Development Programme since 2009. a total of six upstream and downstream development projects have been undertaken to increase seaweed production, provide value-add to the product throughout the value chain, and create seaweed-based support industries for local entrepreneurs.

TwelveNewCosmeticProductsBasedonSeaweedIntroducedbySIRIMBusinessMatching andCommercialisationeventprovides cosmeticsentrepreneurstheopportunitytomanufactureproductsundertheirownlabels.

Ir Dr Mohamad Jamil Sulaiman, Vice President of SIRIM’s Design and Engineering Division sharing a light moment with Dato’ Ahamad Sabki Mahmood, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

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neWs

The NeW SIRIMSIRIM’snewvisiontobeapremiertotalsolutionsproviderinqualityandtechnologyinnovationwilltransformthewaythecompanydoesbusiness.

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A s tHe CoUntRY’s PRIMaRY research and standards development organisation, sIRIM is expected to spearhead industry technological development. to that end, sIRIM intends to transform itself into a

self-sustaining R&D institution capable of meeting the growing needs of its stakeholders, businesses and end-users.

sIRIM’s six strategy transformation plan for innovative success will involve six strategies, while its priority areas will revolve around three “flagships”. sIRIM will be able to provide the

industry and end-users total solutions in research and development, testing and certification through its core businesses in technology Development, technical services and Conformity assessment.

as the country’s primary centre of innovation, sIRIM will strive to meet the needs of the nation by creating jobs and wealth from new sources of growth as well as transform local enterprises into competitive global players and drivers of an innovation-led economy.

6 STRATEGIES1. To spin-off profitable activities and have

sustainable business development models.

2. To grow SIRIM’s subsidiaries and align

their product and service offerings to meet

market demands.

3. To improve its operating practices,

processes and systems to enhance

productivity.

4. To deliver integrated solutions to national

needs, leveraging on SIRIM’s synergy in

technology and quality.

5. To enhance strategic partnerships with

industry and the government and build

new partnerships in conformity assessment

and metrology,

6. To develop the “SIRIM” brand.

3 PRIORITIES1. Energy and the Environment

2. Medical Technology; and

3. Plant and Machinery

tHe neW siriM

The new SIRIM will feature a new image, top-notch personnel, and premier total solutions recognised and sought after by Government as well as industry.

MANDATe: TR ANSFORMATION

Ma L aY s I a’s e c o n o m y continues to grow from strength to

strength amidst global and regional competition. The time has come for sIRIM to transform as well to meet the needs of a changing industry.

In the context of Malaysian industry, sIRIM has already contributed a great deal to the growth of both large industrial players and smaller entrepreneurs. However, the changing economy needs more comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for key sectors such as energy, green technology, medical solutions and high-tech manufacturing. sIRIM is moving ahead to meet this challenge.

“It is time for sIRIM to take the next step – to become the premier total solution provider in the country for effective i n d u s t r i a l s o l u t i o n s , ” says Datuk Hajah Jamaliah K a m i s , Chairman

of sIRIM Berhad. “I have every confidence that sIRIM’s management and staff have the ability to carry out this transformation, in accordance with our 6-strategy transformation Plan.”

Envisioning businEss sustainability

SIRIM’s transformation will result in a new corporate outlook that will make it a more customer-oriented organisation. Datuk Jamaliah hopes that this will open up new

business opportunities and enable the company to become more self-sustaining.

“We will prioritise our offerings to match the needs of industries,” says Datuk Jamaliah. “sIRIM’s divisions and departments will provide a one-stop solution for customers, supporting them throughout the product lifecycle, from research and development to product design and manufacturing.”

sIRIM will also seek more support from both government and the private sector, with an eye towards ensuring greater business sustainability in the long run.

“With our new approach to commercialisation, sIRIM will look for new strategic partnerships with industry leaders,” says Datuk

Jamaliah.

In the past, sIRIM’s c o m m e r c i a l i s a t i o n model for promising technologies was to offer them for

licensing to private companies. going

f o r w a r d ,

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DatUk JaMaLiaH: “The most important element in any organisational transformation is people.”

ManDate for transforMation

sIRIM will explore new angles, such as creating spin-off companies for certain innovations. such spin-off companies will be funded as joint ventures, and sIRIM’s main role in these spin-offs will be to transfer the technology value into the venture.

this strategy to enhance connections and collaborations will extend abroad as well. It will cover sIRIM’s on-going participation on the international stage, where it hopes to further leverage its key role in the World association of Industrial and technological Research organizations (WaItRo) and other groupings such as the global Research alliance (gRa) and International organization for standardization (Iso).

sIRIM’s past efforts abroad led to the recognition of the sIRIM eco-label by the global ecolabelling network (gen), opened up new opportunities to share training and expertise overseas through the Malaysian technical Cooperation Programme (MtCP) and the third Country training Programme (tCtP). In its role as the national standards development agency, sIRIM also provides crucial standards-based support for Malaysia’s bilateral trade agreements with Brunei and Vietnam.

Datuk Jamaliah has high hopes for the transformed organisation’s contributions to the nation’s growth.

“our goal is to be a highly visible, recognised and sought after solution provider, especially within our flagship focus areas where we

already have strong competencies and supporting facilities,” she says.

Datuk Jamaliah envisions sIRIM as a spearhead for driving the creation of the higher-income economy as intended by the national economic Policy (neP). Ideally, a rejuvenated sIRIM will be able to serve as a catalyst for the growth of technology firms, promoting solutions in quality and technological innovation for the industry, especially the all-important small- and medium-sized enterprise segment.

PowEr from thE PEoPlE

In the new SIRIM, the staff and the organisation as a whole will emphasise timely delivery of services, more commercial applications for technology, and solutions that put the customer first. This is the natural progression of SIRIM’s continuing efforts to improve productivity and encourage innovation. And it begins with the people.

“the most important element in any organisational transformation is people,” says Datuk Jamaliah. “our researchers, engineers and product designers will become proficient in far more than just their own narrow fields – they will have the competencies and multi-disciplinary skills they need to support the transformation agenda. our people need to stay on the forefront of emerging trends so that we can lead industry towards higher competitiveness and deliver quality solutions to clients. We need to make sure that we don’t end up being another has-run.”

to deliver these improvements, sIRIM has put an organisational transformation Programme in place to start changing sIRIM’s operating practices, processes and systems from the top level on down. In addition, a Re-skilling Programme will develop the knowledge and skillsets of the staff to create a more multi-disciplinary team.

“the new sIRIM will be a more competitive employer,” says Datuk Jamaliah. “as we introduce new staff policies and create a healthier corporate culture, we will make sIRIM a more appealing place to work and attract the best talents. our people will have the right competencies and skills to implement all of our strategies, satisfy our clients and build upon our successes.”

Datuk Jamaliah doesn’t expect change to come easily. she admits that both the staff and management will have to make sacrifices, and that everyone will have to look inward to see what they need to do to create a stronger sIRIM. as John f. Kennedy said, ‘ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.’”

When the transformation plan is completed, Datuk Jamaliah intends for the sIRIM brand to be a badge of honour for all sIRIM staff.

“We will be able to proudly say that sIRIM is one of the best technology solution providers, not just in Malaysia but also asia and the rest of the world,” she says. “and I am fully assured that our scientists, engineers, executives and all other staff will make that vision a reality.” 

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ManDate for transforMation

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Dr ZainaL aBiDin: “SIRIM must provide the depth of expertise that companies need today.”

Dr Zainal Abidin, President and Chief Executive of SIRIM says that the company will offer more than just individual services in the future.

Instead, SIRIM’s total solutions will go the full distance.

DISTANCe

Ma L aY s I a’s i n d u s t r y players and e n t e r p r i s e s have a

daunting challenge ahead. If the country is to achieve its aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2020, innovative enterprises will have to play their part in high-value, knowledge-driven sectors such as sustainable energy and medical technology. Malaysian m a n u f a c t u r e r s cannot content themselves with producing low-end goods – they need to move up the value chain

with products that can compete on the global market.

Different companies have different needs that span the product life cycle. from the very start, companies have to partner with research and development (R&D) institutions to license and develop cutting-edge innovations. taking an idea and turning it into a fully-realised product

requires design and engineering capabilities at every stage,

from the drawing board to packaging. Would-be exporters also need to ensure that they don’t run afoul of regulations

and procedures that could block their entry

into international markets.

today, sIRIM is in a perfect position to meet those needs. Under the direction of President and Chief executive Dr Zainal abidin, the organisation is focusing its activities on three flagship focus areas that are essential to national industrial competitiveness: energy and the environment, Medical technology and Plant and Machinery.

“We aim to spearhead technological development in Malaysia,” says Dr Zainal abidin. “to do this, sIRIM must provide the depth of expertise that companies need today.”

He has often stressed as much since becoming the new President and Chief executive of sIRIM. Dr Zainal abidin foresees that the focus on the flagships will bring the company’s services more in line

with the kind of solutions that industry needs. and,

with over forty years of experience as

the government’s m a n d ate d

GOINGThe

GoinG tHe DistanCe

11siriMLink 03/2012

research and technology development body, sIRIM has some very unique advantages to offer with R&D, design and engineering and standards capabilities all under one roof.

“We provide total solutions to the industry to cover the entire product life cycle,” says Dr Zainal abidin. “not many small and medium enterprises can afford their own R&D department, expert engineers and product designers, design software, prototyping and fabrication equipment, as well as standards consultants. We offer all of this expertise to help enterprises deliver world-class products.”

winning thE innovation racE

SIRIM’s industrial R&D division has yielded a vast catalogue of research projects with potential for commercial applications in the three flagships. These include solar-powered aquaculture and fisheries systems, green technologies such as bioplastics and paddy husk-based wood polymers, advanced materials for medical implants, and an extensive range of innovations in machinery and plant design. Also, unlike most academic research centres, SIRIM has set up its R&D activities to be more accessible to businesses. This approach is in line with SIRIM’s transformation plan to develop a business-oriented mindset for serving customers more efficiently.

“our researchers do not just specialise in one narrow field of

research,” says Dr Zainal abidin. “We take a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating several related fields into one project.”

as an example, mechanical engineers who work with metal may have to draw upon other fields such as biochemistry to understand how to build a better bioreactor. these engineers must determine how a certain shape and a certain surface area can help to create the right environment for growing microorganisms.

“this lets us develop innovations that are ready for commercialisation right off the shelf,” explains Dr Zainal abidin.

once a customer has found a suitable technology to bring to market, sIRIM’s Design and engineering division can provide support for the entire product development process, from initial concept and design to prototyping and testing for final production. sIRIM’s consultancy covers computer-aided design (CaD) and computer-aided engineering (Cae), including CaD and Cae software especially applicable to automotive applications. this is particularly relevant to Malaysia’s innovation agenda with regard to the development of hybrid and electric vehicles, in which component manufacturers will need technologies that combine automotive design and energy storage engineering.

sIRIM also provides prototyping and fabrication services to shorten development cycles and accurately determine what the final product will look like. accurate prototyping combined

with bio-modelling techniques are especially important for creating patient-specific medical implants.

sIRIM’s Design and engineering services also encompass the flagship of Plants and Machinery across the whole manufacturing value chain. all aspects of a production plant’s design, including machinery, wiring, sanitation, plumbing and safety requirements, are covered. With experts in advanced robotics and radio frequency identification (RfID) technology, sIRIM can create customised industrial automation solutions as well as inventory tracking systems for manufacturing facilities.

Last but not least, packaging is an oft-neglected stage in the product life cycle, one which sIRIM’s total solution caters for. sIRIM’s packaging design experts consider both visual appeal and product protection in developing the final packaging of a product.

Enterprises seeking to compete globally will also have to comply with international standards. To address this need, the total solution package that SIRIM offers also includes standards management and research services. These services are especially crucial to businesses in new, high-growth industries where there are no set rules.

“sIRIM has a unique value proposition in terms of the standards management services we offer,” says Dr Zainal abidin. “as the national standards development agency, we have an in-depth understanding of Malaysian as well as international standards.” 

GoinG tHe DistanCe

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Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Salleh believes that SIRIM can play a bigger role in facilitating collaboration among research institutions.

COMpleMeNTARY COMpeTITION

LIKe tHe Rest of the country, sIRIM is transforming. over the past three years, the

company has gone from being not just the country’s champion of quality, but also an aspiring champion of innovation. Yet the true transformation at the core of the organisation is just beginning to take shape.

“It began when we started looking at how sIRIM could contribute to the country’s overall economic transformation Programme (etP),” says tan sri Dato’ Dr. Mohamed salleh Mohamed Yasin, a member of sIRIM’s board of directors and ex-vice chancellor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. “We wanted to see sIRIM play a bigger role in innovation, not just locally but also globally. so we asked the management to come up with an organisational structure and a strategic plan that would help the company do that.”

that strategic plan has borne much fruit. nonetheless, tan sri Mohamed salleh believes that the company can do even more. He argues that a lot of Malaysia’s energy and resources are being expended on essentially the same tasks, and that streamlining the efforts of these research institutions

could save the country a bundle of money and result in a lot of synergy. one of his pet ambitions is to see sIRIM become the agency that will synergise everyone’s efforts and resources at a national level.

“the country is too small for us to be working in silos,” says tan sri Mohamed salleh. “If we’re all busy protecting our own tiny turfs, no one wins.”

crEating a nEtwork of nEtworks

As things stand, district and state level innovation initiatives are rarely aligned to initiatives in other parts of the country. Tan Sri Mohamed Salleh thinks that by acting as an integrator, mediator and facilitator, SIRIM can create what he calls a ‘network of networks’ to streamline the country’s collective research resources.

“equipment and expertise are expensive,” says tan sri Mohamed salleh as an example. “Why buy three or four units of the same equipment for different institutes when we can buy one unit for the

whole country to share? everyone saves money, and everyone gains.”

similarly, sIRIM and universities could start exchanging experts in a cross-fertilisation exercise to share knowledge, experience and expertise. Mingling different organisational cultures and ways of doing business will be mutually productive and beneficial to all parties. tan sri Mohamed salleh points out that as a government-linked company with no heavy liabilities, sIRIM is the perfect candidate for such a job. It has a network of satellite offices nationwide that can link up with research institutions in each state as well as state-of-the-art equipment that is practically begging to be fully utilised.

“the whole country is undergoing a transformation,” tan sri Mohamed salleh remarks. “Instead of competing with each other, our institutions should be w o r k i n g with one another.” 

tan sri MoHaMeD saLLeH: “If we’re all busy protecting our own tiny turfs, no one wins.”

interVieW

13siriMLink 03/2012

Dato’ Syed Ahmad Idid Abdullah Idid has given SIRIM’s transformation plan his blessing, confident that it will result in a more commercially-driven enterprise.

It taKes a Long time to turn a company inside out, but as sIRIM shows, the results are usually worth the wait. The

restructuring exercise that began a few years ago has gained traction, but Dato’ syed ahmad Idid, a long-serving member on sIRIM’s Board of Directors, believes that the biggest obstacles ahead will be human more than anything else.

“the challenge for sIRIM’s leadership now will be to generate interest in its transformation plan,” says Dato’ syed ahmad Idid. “We need to cultivate a psychology of excellence. they have to recognise that for sIRIM to set higher standards, they have to set higher standards.”

a veteran in the field of human resource management, Dato’ syed draws an example from his previous experience with a major banking group where the management worked out the average revenue per employee and then spelled out a challenge for everyone: increase your individual productivity by 30-percent, and that will increase the bank’s revenues by 30-percent. He also believes that hiring – and retaining – the best talent is the single most important task of an organisation’s leadership, and the one thing that separates the good from the great.

“It is crucial that the best people be given a chance to shine,” says Dato’ syed ahmad Idid. “If the leadership feels threatened by its workforce and works against its most talented people, then those with talents will leave for greener and fairer pastures.”

that said, Dato’ syed ahmad Idid is happy with how far sIRIM has come over the past few years given its resources and limitations. He has taken a personal interest in several landmark projects that exemplify the kind of company sIRIM will one day become. He is particularly proud of the way sIRIM handled its responsibilities in semporna, sabah, where the company was commissioned to find ways to improve the seaweed farming industry. Having been misinformed that Malaysia was a trifling player in the business, Dato’ syed ahmad Idid was pleasantly surprised to learn that semporna is in fact the world’s third largest producer of Eucheuma cottonii seaweed, and that the industry sustains over 650 families in the area.

“We need to do more projects like this to showcase our capabilities,” says Dato’

syed ahmad Idid, who is also a former Director of the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for arbitration and High Court Judge of Borneo and Malaya.

Like the rest of the Board of sIRIM Berhad, Dato’ syed ahmad Idid would like to see sIRIM play a more active role regionally. Part of the company’s transformation will involve making the company more commercial. It already has established partnerships with R&D organisations in europe and the americas as well as selected asian institutes. the next step would be to forge stronger ties with leading R&D institutes in this region.

“the boardroom already has a strong commercial mindset,” says Dato’ syed ahmad Idid. “We know that in order for the company to make a profit, we have to give our customers the best. that is what we aim to achieve.” 

Dato’ syeD aHMaD iDiD: “[SIRIM’s] boardroom already has a very commercial mindset.”

COMMeRCIAl BleSSING

interVieW

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The BeST OF SIRIMFrom marine farming to automotive engineering, SIRIM’s research and

development portfolio is as deep as it is wide. The following pages recapture the most memorable successes of SIRIM’s researchers through the years.

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The BeST OF SIRIMFrom marine farming to automotive engineering, SIRIM’s research and

development portfolio is as deep as it is wide. The following pages recapture the most memorable successes of SIRIM’s researchers through the years.

SOLAR POWER: SIRIM’s energy-independent solar-thermal dryers have significantly accelerated the production of carageenan from seaweed in Semporna, Sabah. Researchers recently developed 12 cosmetic products in four product categories based on this marine produce which are now awaiting commercialisation.

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advancEd solar dryEr systEm

sIRIM has contributed many improvements towards accelerating the harvesting process of seaweed, which is an important source of “carrageenan”: a halal, vegetable-based alternative to gelatine that is used in various foodstuffs, toothpastes, shampoos and cosmetics besides being an immobilising gel in biotechnology research and as an inactive excipient in pharmaceuticals. But, after seaweed or other marine products have been harvested, they must be dried before they can be processed further. this is one of t h e

most time-consuming parts of the production process.

traditionally, seaweed is dried on platforms at sea for two or three days before the ideal moisture content of 30-40% is achieved. Rain often delays the drying process further. thanks to sIRIM, however, the drying time has now been shortened by about 50%. the solar-thermal dryers developed by sIRIM can operate in rain or shine and can be installed at locations far off the power grid and independent of any other power source, even far out at sea.

the solar dryer technology has been deployed in semporna, sabah (see previous page), where seaweed farmers now enjoy much better standards of living. It and other marine harvest technologies will play an important part in the country’s ocean marine farming sector. sIRIM researchers have also successfully developed four new product lines based on seaweed extracts that are awaiting commercialisation.

grEEn aquaculturE systEm

the World Wildlife fund estimates that Malaysians

consume 1.4 million tonnes of seafood yearly, more

than any other country in south east asia. this d e m a n d means that at least one-third of Malaysia’s seafood is imported. as

such, although commercial fish farming in Malaysia is a relatively small industry, it has significant growth potential. the third national agricultural Policy has set out a plan to develop aquaculture in a sustainable fashion.

to achieve this growth, the aquaculture industry must first evolve past its current techniques. fish farmers currently employ manual labour to manage and monitor large numbers of ponds on their fish farms, a system that is prone to human error. fish pond aerators are left to run 24 hours a day, and vast amounts of water are required to dilute ponds when ammonia levels get too high, making the whole business very energy-intensive.

sIRIM’s green aquaculture system solves many of these problems. the solar-powered, fully-automated system tracks environmental conditions in a fish pond and independently controls aeration systems without the need for human intervention. the floating controller has sensors to keep track of all the factors that can impact the healthy development of fish (temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, ammonia, pH and salinity). all the data is wirelessly transmitted to a central data centre for reporting and monitoring, thereby reducing the number of staff needed to monitor all those ponds of fish.

With the green aquaculture system and other technologies designed to improve the delivery of aquatic products, Malaysia can be confident of meeting local demand for fresh fish produce while becoming more efficient and sustainable.

GREEN SENSOR: The solar-power floating controller keeps track of water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, ammonia, pH and salinity in fish ponds.

enerGy anD tHe enVironMent

SIRIM has been spearheading the country’s green agenda for many years, producing green innovations that help conserve energy and preserve the environment.

enerGy anD tHe enVironMent

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wood PolymEr from ricE husks

furniture exports are projected to reach RM10 billion in 2010. However, the industry’s future may be hindered by shortages of natural wood. Rubberwood, together with acacia wood, provides material for about 80% of the furniture produced in Malaysia. Unfortunately, Malaysian furniture makers have been forced to import rubberwood from thailand to meet current demand.

fortunately, there is an ample supply of other raw materials. Malaysia’s paddy fields dispose of about 0.48 million tonnes of paddy husks a year, most of which is left out in the open to decompose. sIRIM researchers knew that this waste could be turned into a ecologically-friendly wood polymer composite, and set about devising a method to turn this biocomposite material into a ‘green’ wood that would be ideal for making high-end furniture. s I R I M ’ s p r o p r i e t a r y t e c h n o l o g y combines the waste from paddy production with t h e r m o p l a s t i c materials to create a bio-composite wood substitute that closely resembles wood, making it an ideal material for indoor

furniture especially within the business and hospitality sectors.

the project was a rousing success and sIRIM’s biocomposite wood polymer has received worldwide acclaim. sIRIM’s green wood lasts longer and is more durable than most natural wood, and its fibre content gives the material greater dimensional stability. the bio-composite can also be recycled, so old furniture may be formed anew without felling a single tree.

bioPlastics from Palm oil wastE

Malaysia’s palm oil industry disposes of nearly 24 million tonnes of palm oil mill effluent (PoMe) every year, along with

7.6 million tonnes of fibre, 3.4 million tonnes of kernel shells and 12.6 million tonnes of empty fruit bunches. However, many of these residues may be harnessed for other applications, particularly biomass and biomethane renewable energy sources. this waste can also be used to make biodegradable plastics.

the bioplastics that come from PoMe are called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHas): polyesters that may be used in both low-end applications like food packaging or in high-end applications such as medical sutures and artificial heart valves. sIRIM researchers created a process for creating these polyesters by first extracting the organic acid found in PoMe, clarifying it and then fermenting it with bacteria in bioreactors. the

GREEN FURNITURE: SIRIM’s proprietary biocomposite formula combines paddy waste with thermoplastic materials to create a high-quality “green” wood polymer.

enerGy anD tHe enVironMent

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polyhydroxyalkanoates are then extracted from the fermented biomass and processed into bioplastic materials. sIRIM has already set up a PHa bioplastic pilot plant in shah alam.

sIRIM’s research into producing PHa from PoMe is targeted at high-end medical applications, mainly because the costs of production make the material at least three times more expensive than conventional polypropylene. However, incorporating a PHa production plant with a biomethane facility could cut the cost of PHa production by half and increase its appeal. furthermore, producers will be able to make different types of polyesters depending on the market’s requirements simply by changing the bacteria used during the fermentation process, from brittle plastic to rubbery elastomers. With

the global bioplastics industry estimated to be worth UsD 10 billion by 2020, the commercial possibilities are endless.

synthEtic bonE graft matErials

one of sIRIM’s most memorable innovations is the successful synthesis and evaluation of materials for synthetic bone graft and bone cement applications. about 30,000 orthopaedic procedures are conducted in Malaysia each year, of which one-

third are estimated to involve bone grafting procedures. orthopaedic surgeons that need to perform these bone grafts traditionally rely on natural bone from the same patient (autogenous) or from donors (allogenous) and animals (xenogenous). However, these natural bone sources are limited and are not without various problems, including their halal origins. furthermore, imported synthetic bone materials can cost as much as RM1,500 per cubic centimetre – far too expensive for the average patient.

a team of researchers led by sIRIM set about looking into developing a local, cheaper alternative to imported synthetic bone and came across hydroxyapatite: a particularly biocompatible material widely recognised for its potential in medical applications.

PLASTI-SCENE: SIRIM’s bioplastics pilot plant turns palm oil mill effluent (POME) into polyhydroxyalkanoates targeted at high-end medical applications.

MeDiCaL teCHnoLoGySIRIM has excelled in the field of medical technology, particularly in reconstructive surgery applications.

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Hydroxyapatite has a similar chemical composition to the mineral phase of bone and is thus an ideal synthetic alternative to natural bone sources which are frequently incompatible.

first, sIRIM’s researchers developed a method to synthesise hydroxyapatite powder by using a solid-state fusion reactor, and found that their process produced hydroxyapatite faster and with greater consistency than other methods. the hydroxyapatite powder and granules produced were fully characterised and fulfilled the criteria for the astM f1185-88 (1993) standard “specification for Composition of Ceramic Hydroxyapatite for surgical Implants”. sIRIM’s hydroxyapatite was then put through a series of in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility evaluation studies by three leading Malaysian universities and was found to be fully biocompatible for human use: a major breakthrough in bone replacement research. In 2005, the product was named granuMas™.

titanium maxillofacial imPlants and Palm oil-basEd bindEr systEms

titanium alloys are used extensively in the medical field as hard implants and as surfaces for medical devices. they are popular because they are light, resistant to corrosion and possess very good mechanical properties. However, it is difficult to form titanium alloys into the shapes you need for them to work because they do not take well to machining and welding processes. Researchers

are thus very interested in finding easier and more economical processes to form titanium alloy shapes, especially for medical applications.

The processes of choice for the task of forming titanium shapes are Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) and Powder Injection Moulding (PIM), but both are tricky to do. the base material powder (titanium alloy) must first be thoroughly mixed with a special ‘binder’ to give it flowability and formability, after which the mixture may be injected into a mould and left to harden. the binder must then be gradually removed from the newly-formed shape through a process called ‘debinding’. this involves heating up the shape and allowing the binder to melt away bit by bit while leaving the pure titanium alloy shape intact. But if the binder melts too suddenly and all at once, then the shape

collapses and the form is lost. the binder used must therefore be able to dissolve at varying temperatures rather than all at the same time.

after some very thorough research, scientists at sIRIM found that palm stearin is an ideal binder material in this respect. the components of palm stearin melt at various different temperatures rather than all at once, starting with linolenic acid (at  44°C) and ending with palmitic acid (at 62°C). By carefully controlling the heating process through these temperatures, the titanium alloy shape is prevented from deforming due to the sudden release of all binder material.

the researchers then set about developing a feedstock formulation that used a palm stearin-based biopolymer as

GOOD APATITE: Hydroxyapatite has a similar chemical composition to the mineral phase of bone and is thus an ideal synthetic alternative to natural bone sources.

MeDiCaL teCHnoLoGy

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a binder for developing titanium alloy shapes with the powder injection moulding process. and, once the researchers had the right formulation, they moved on to developing a method for removing the binder with supercritical carbon dioxide: a well-established solvent that can quickly penetrate the newly-formed shape and rapidly transport the dissolved binder components out of the titanium alloy.

fracturE fixation dEvicEs

one of the most important implants of all is the fracture fixation plate: a device that holds a fractured bone together to allow it to heal faster. It usually includes pins, wires, screws and nails to secure it to the bone.

Conventionally, these fracture fixation devices are made by investment casting, forging or machining, but these methods are expensive and the components they produce are sometimes not completely homogenous, increasing their risk of corrosion. sIRIM’s researchers thus developed a new method for producing these titanium implants that solves the usual drawbacks related to conventional medical implants. the invention won the Best asia award at the 23rd International Invention, Innovation & technology exhibition (IteX) 2012.

craniofacial rEconstruction biomodElling

In order to make full use of these reconstructive medical

materials and processes, sIRIM researchers have also developed a technique for modelling and prototyping titanium alloy plates based on patients’ unique craniofacial characteristics. this involves using rapid prototyping technology to create 3D models of patients’ deformations from Cat scans and MRI data. Doctors and surgeons can then use these models to help plan the patient’s surgery and design the biomedical implants they need. the system is being used to develop the Malaysian Craniofacial Database, which will serve as a reference for manufacturers of protective headgear so that they may design products that fit Malaysians’ unique craniofacial structure.

the implants produced by these 3D models are specific to only one patient as the model is designed

NICE WORK: SIRIM’s innovative method for producing titanium implants won the Best Asia Award at the 23rd International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2012.

MeDiCaL teCHnoLoGy

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to suit his or her unique shape and configuration. nonetheless, sIRIM researchers have also developed prototype titanium alloy plates which are not patient-specific and which may have a potentially wider market reach. the process for developing this prototype is being scaled-up for use in dental and craniofacial applications.

chitosan skin rEgEnEration systEm

Chitosan has long been famous for its biocompatibility, which is what makes it so popular in drug delivery systems, stem cell studies and tissue reengineering applications. Biologically, chitosan is an antioxidative, anti-microbial hemostatic that can help staunch bleeding while discouraging the growth keloids. these properties make it an excellent candidate for wound healing applications, and sIRIM researchers developed three types of products from it: chitosan hydrogel sheets (for hydrating wound surfaces), chitosan gel (for cavity wounds) and a semi-permeable chitosan film dressing suitable for shallow wounds. sIRIM also developed the pilot production process for making these wound management products for pre-clinical, clinical and market evaluations. the pilot plant is located in sepang.

Chitosan is also excellent as a biodegradable tissue scaffold for wound healing and dermal reconstruction. Whereas the old method of such medical procedures involves skin grafting and often results in bad scarring, sIRIM’s chitosan bilayered scaffold products

allow skin to regenerate naturally while protecting wounds from dehydration and infection. sIRIM’s research team collaborated with two of Malaysia’s leading universities in the project and successfully produced the scaffolds based on good manufacturing practices (gMP) as well as good laboratory practices (gLP). Clinical trials kicked off in June 2012 with Prof. Dr ahmad sukari Halim, one of the reconstructive surgeons roped in as collaborators on the project. trials will be conducted at three hospitals across the country, including the Burn Unit at Hospital UsM in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. samples have also been sent to australia for biocompatibility and toxicology studies as part of the process for getting good Laboratory Practice (gLP) certification.

commErcialisations of biocosmEtics

sIRIM’s research work with nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals lies mostly on the cutting-edge of Malaysia’s biocosmetics

NEAT SHEET: SIRIM’s chitosan bilayered scaffold products allow skin to regenerate naturally while protecting wounds from dehydration and infection.

MaCHinery anD PLant DesiGn

With projects in biotechnology, medical technology, security systems and robotics, SIRIM’s stellar track record in research and development would not have been possible without its expertise in machinery and plant design.

MeDiCaL teCHnoLoGy

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industry, which utilises ingredients extracted from plants that grow naturally in Malaysia. the country’s enormous biodiversity represents a vast underexploited resource, but while local entrepreneurs may recognise the benefits of these plants and marine products, they do not have the know-how to prove these benefits.

one such plant is zingiber zerumbet (‘lempoyang’ ginger), which is used in Malay and Chinese communities to treat a wide range of ailments. Its root is almost universally used in asian cooking and its essential oil is both

anti-inflammatory and antioxidative. sIRIM researchers discovered that this ginger also contains a natural skin lightening agent which

helps with hyper-pigmentation issues.

after much research, they developed a

wide range of skincare products under the brand

name “Xanzwhite” based on this property, including facial cleansers, toners, sPf 15 lightening fluid and multifunction cream.

one of the best examples of sIRIM’s cosmetics research capabilities is in the way the team produced an entire range of cosmetic products based on fermented products like tempeh (soybeans), rice and the popular fish sauce of Kelantan known as budu. In fact, studies by food experts in Japan, the U.s., australia and germany all conclude that budu contains a powerful antioxidant called glutathione as well as genestin and

phytoestrogen, both of which can help keep women looking younger. after months of testing and trials, the research team at sIRIM concluded that the marine extract in budu is apparently to be credited for these properties as it fights free radicals, stimulates cellular regeneration and encourages the production of collagen.

nEural e-Jari®

one of sIRIM’s most successful security R&D projects is the e-JaRI® biometric fingerprint verification system. Whereas most other fingerprint verification systems have to rely on a nearby computer to process data, e-JaRI® utilises an embedded microcontroller to do the work. the device can thus be mounted on walls next to doorways to effectively replace magnetic card, barcode or smart card systems. It also prevents the misuse of personal identification numbers (PIns), which are frequently shared among trusting colleagues.

the e-JaRI® system has since evolved to include networking

neural e-JaRI®: a centralized data

management system that allows larger organisations such as schools to control and record the presence

and movement of

NATURAL WONDER: SIRIM researchers discovered that the ‘lempoyang’ ginger contains a natural skin-lightening agent than can help with hyper-pigmentation issues. They then developed a wide range of skincare products under the brand name “Xanzwhite”.

Photo credit: Gardening in a Minute, on Flikr.

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people in the building. When integrated with a smartCard device, the system may also be deployed for offices, so that visitors can use cards to move around while staff use their biometric identities. It may also be extended to monitor and record the movement of guards on the premises to ensure that patrol duties are carried out on time.

robotics in Education

sIRIM is always eager to pass on its knowledge to the younger generation, which is why sIRIM came up with the sIRIM Robokit Pintar Programme. It encourages both primary and secondary school students to learn about embedded systems development and software programming and the many ways in which robotics is used in our everyday lives. the programme also allows participants to see how

the concepts they learn in other subjects such as mathematics and science are applied to real life scenarios.

grEEn circuit brEakEr

When a power trip happens in a conventional circuit breaker setup, a UPs backup power unit is relied upon to keep everything running while technicians hurry around looking for the source of the problem. these UPs installations are typically designed to last for a few hours, depending on your needs. But what if you don’t find the source of the problem before those few hours run out?

What happens, of course, is chaos: as the UPs batteries run out, the building’s facilities start shutting down one after another. technicians lose their jobs, customers lose their patience, and

businesses lose money. Which is a pity, because power outages are frequently caused by nothing more than a lightning strike: it hits, the circuit breaker trips, the danger passes. But technicians cannot be expected to know that without running some basic diagnostics tests first.

this is where sIRIM’s green Circuit Breaker comes in. a gold Medal winner at the IteX exhibition in 2010, the system eliminates the need for energy-guzzling uninterrupted power supply (UPs) by automatically diagnosing the cause of power outages and resetting the power supply in a matter of seconds. It determines what the cause of the trip was and, finding nothing serious, automatically switches everything back on. It saves technicians from the harrowing headache of identifying the source of a problem among thousands

I, ROBOT: The Robokit Pintar Programme encourages primary and secondary school students to learn about embedded systems development and software programming.

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of possible suspects. the green Circuit Breaker has been installed at mission-critical facilities like the Kuala Lumpur International airport, north Port and the data centre of a major commercial bank.

carbon fibrE and cng tanks

In order to be truly competitive, what local industry players really need are modern materials that are capable of empowering cutting-edge technologies in aerospace, automotive and light rail transit applications. Carbon fibre composites, for example, are particularly attractive to businesses – they are used as reinforcement materials in plastics and in many aerospace structures as a substitute for steel and aluminium. But in

order to make these composites, you’ve got to have the carbon fibre.

not all carbon fibre is equal, though. Just a few years ago, low-quality carbon fibre sold for about UsD5.50 per pound, but only yielded about 410  ft of fibre per pound. on the other hand, high-quality carbon fibre goes for about UsD149 per pound, but can yield up to 22,200  ft of fibre per pound. Researchers at sIRIM are perfecting a method for mass producing the latter with polyacrylonitrile (Pan) as the chemical precursor. By utilising various heat processes, the team will be able to produce high modulus carbon fibre with a tensile strength of up to 6,370 MPa and an elasticity tensile modulus of up to 294 gPa. the team is also developing the fibre sizing and spooling technologies it needs to

properly package the stuff into fibre tows (pronounced like ‘cows’).

a pilot plant is already being established to use sIRIM’s Pan-based carbon fibre processing technology to make pressure vessels for storing Compressed natural gas (Cng) in natural gas vehicles (ngVs), which are expected to become increasingly popular. such pressure vessels must be able to withstand pressures of over 100 MPa, a challenge that carbon fibre is ideally suited to.

lithium-PolymEr EnErgy storagE dEvicEs

the electric vehicle (eV) industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years, especially since scientists finally found the right phosphate-based

STRONG STUFF: SIRIM’s high-quality carbon fibre will have a tensile strength of up to 6,370 MPa and an elasticity tensile modulus of up to 294 GPa.

MaCHinery anD PLant DesiGn

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Dr afian: “Today we can do things with metal injection that were not even thought possible just a few years ago.”

metals that are suitable for lithium-ion batteries. these batteries store as much as 200+Wh/kg (Watt hours per kilogramme) of energy and produce three times more voltage than lead-acid or nickel metal hydride (niMH) batteries. Unfortunately, good lithium-ion batteries are very difficult – and expensive – to make.

In order for a battery to be powerful enough to be used in high-powered applications such as electric vehicles, the battery’s anode, cathode, current collector and electrolyte must all be made of super-efficient, high-capacity materials that deliver superior performance. of course, such materials and technologies already exist in many countries, but they are very expensive and increasingly hard to come by.

sIRIM researchers decided to find a way to make these high-performance battery materials themselves from locally-available resources. they began with the battery’s anode: the conductor used to transmit electrons and thus generate electric current. one of the most heavily-researched materials for making these anodes in lithium-ion batteries is silicon

and stanum based compounds, mainly because of their high specific capacities. as it turns out, Malaysia throws over thousands of tonnes of silicon away every year in the form of paddy husks: an exceptionally rich source of silica. It wasn’t long before the team found out how to use this paddy husk waste to develop the high-capacity anode materials they needed for their lithium-ion battery, giving both local paddy farmers and the electric vehicle industry a boost.

sIRIM’s researchers then turned their attention to the battery’s electrolyte, which is arguably the most important – and dangerous – part of the device. older lithium-ion batteries rely on highly-flammable liquid electrolytes that could be unsafe when used in cars, and so the team decided to explore the possibility of using solid electrolytes made out of plasticised polymers: a no-spill, gel-type electrolyte that offers just the right balance of mechanical properties with high conductivities at all common temperatures.

Providentially, the research team discovered a modified form of natural rubber that works perfectly as the polymer electrolyte they needed: Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMa) modified natural rubber. the same material is apparently ideal for making electrochromic glass: a useful innovation that will lead to smart windows that can automatically darken or lighten depending on how hot it is. sIRIM’s researchers are also exploring the possibility of using rubber in organic solar cells and supercapacitors.

sIRIM’s lithium-ion battery is in the pre-commercialisation stage for electric vehicle applications and is undergoing road tests. a solar photovoltaic lithium ion system has also been installed at Kota Marudu in sabah to meet Kampung gontoi’s community requirements.

EASY POWER: SIRIM’s lithium-ion battery is made primarily of paddy husks and natural rubber, both of which are abundantly available in Malaysia.

MaCHinery anD PLant DesiGn

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Although SIRIM is best known for its testing and conformity assessment activities, the company’s complete suite of standards development and

management services covers a whole lot more.

IMpROVINGBUSINeSSeS

THeRe Is MoRe to sIRIM than standards. true, it is Malaysia’s sole national standards

development agency and is responsible for managing Malaysia’s participation and representation in regional and international technical and policy committees. and yes, sIRIM does offer over 6,000 Malaysian standards and more than 200,000 international standards for sale. But there is more to business than standards development.

that is not to say that standards are not important – far from it, in fact. standards provide businesses the specifications their products must follow in order to meet market requirements while assuring customers that a product or service meets minimum requirements for safety and performance. one of sIRIM’s most memorable successes was the development of the safety standard for motorcycle helmets, greatly improving the safety of motorcyclists in Malaysia and around the region. the company has since moved rapidly to keep pace with industry competition, developing standards for motorised

vehicles, light-emitting diodes (LeDs), and cyber security. sIRIM also developed the sIRIM eco-label, which was accepted as a member of the global eco-labelling network (gen) and has since become the basis of the Malaysia’s national eco-labelling scheme.

the most recent example of how sIRIM has evolved to meet the needs of trade may be drawn from Malaysia’s burgeoning edible bird’s nest industry. Malaysia is the the world’s second largest producer of edible bird’s nests, and it is estimated that Malaysian exports of bird’s nests will be worth RM5 billion by 2020. Recognising the potential of the industry to become a major contributor to the nation’s wealth, sIRIM was tasked to develop three standards to improve and govern the quality of swiftlet farming and the processing of edible bird’s nests.

another example of how sIRIM has met the challenges of business is its recent development of a series of standards to boost Malaysia’s dive tourism industry. Malaysia is fortunate to be blessed with some

of the world’s top dive sites and possesses one of the richest marine environments in the Indo-Pacific Basin. However, the local industry is plagued by a lack of trained dive masters. after establishing a Working group on Recreational scuba Diving, sIRIM developed six standards to help tour operators and training organisations produce better-trained personnel for the sector.

to keep pace with global green consumerism trends, sIRIM also developed the criteria for the first sIRIM eco-label. the label has since become the basis of the Malaysia’s national eco-labelling scheme, which allows Malaysians to make more environmentally-responsible purchasing decisions and (it is hoped) will pressure manufacturers into cleaning up their production practices. the company has published eco-labelling criteria for eight product categories so far, from biodegradable cleaning agents to biofibre construction materials.

Developing standards like these might look easy enough, but in fact the job requires a high

stanDarDs for inDUstry

safer PLaytiMe: SIRIM’s standards for toy safety help ensure that children are protected from exposure to toxic dyes and chemicals in toys.

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degree of technical competency and sophisticated tools to go with them – besides biotechnologists, nanotechnologists and engineers, how do you identify a suitable standard for LeD luminescence or eyeglass refraction without measuring their values? for that reason, sIRIM works very closely with the national Metrology Laboratory (nML-sIRIM), which has the expertise and facilities to accurately quantify both simple and complex characteristics – from weight and voltage to humidity and chemical content. nML-sIRIM is also the governmental authority of the national Measurement system act 2007, and all calibrated measurements that are traceable to nML-sIRIM are considered legal. to this end, nML-sIRIM provides pattern and type approval services for fuel dispensers, water dispensers, parking meters, taxi meters and other trade and regulated instruments.

continuous imProvEmEnt

Standards also play an important role in making businesses more competitive by improving their management and production processes. One of SIRIM’s most important functions is in devising tools and systems that companies can use to continuously improve themselves, including the SIRIM Green 5-S Standard

and the Total Quality Fast Track Model (TQFTM). SIRIM also organised the 1-InnoCERT certification programme in collaboration with SME Corp to recognise innovative Malaysian enterprises.

to complement all these business improvement activities, sIRIM also offers training and knowledge services to help companies prepare for formal certification to management system standards such as Iso 9001, oHsas, fsMs, HaCCP and gMP. Certification, inspection and testing services are offered independently through sIRIM’s subsidiary sIRIM Qas International, which has been providing conformity assessment services to both local and international customers for nearly forty years. the subsidiary is accredited by the Department of standards Malaysia (stanDaRD MaLaYsIa) and the United Kingdom accreditation service (UKas) and is a member of IQ net, the international certification network.

sIRIM Qas International has grown from strength to strength over the years, steadily

enhancing its suite of services and accreditations to meet international standards and requirements. one of the company’s biggest achievements over the past few years has been its admittance into the exclusive global eco-labelling network (gen) after the successful development of the sIRIM eco-label scheme. It was also recently accredited by the United nations framework Convention for Climate Change (UnfCCC) to validate and verify Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects and is part of a very select group of organisations that are accredited to offer certifications in sustainable agricultural and forest management practices, including the forest Management and Chain of Custody Certification schemes operated by the Malaysian timber Certification scheme (MtCs) and forest stewardship Council (fsC) in collaboration with the scientific Certification systems (sCs) of the United states. the company is also accredited to offer RsPo (Roundtable on sustainable Palm oil organisation) certification, which is based on economic, social and environmental sustainability standards geared towards ensuring sustainable palm oil production. 

stanDarDs for inDUstry

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40700 Shah Alam, Selangor, MALAYSIA.Tel: +6 03 5544 6770 | Fax: +6 03 5544 6745 | Email: publications@sirim.my

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