September 29, 2020, by Lisa Chin
An exploratory workshop on recent trends in nanomaterials and technological applications
The science of the very small to solve big challenges
If you can’t see it, then how do you work on it? To describe just how small ‘nano’ is, one nanometer is a billionth of a meter, or 10-9 of a meter.
Exploring nanotechnology
An introductory and exploratory workshop on nanotechnology was held on Monday 14 September 2020. This was the first workshop of a series delving into the topic of recent trends in nanomaterials and technological applications, spanning across fundamental technical development and downstream applications. Jointly organised by the Nanotechnology Research Group and Graduate School, the workshop was well attended by researchers from across disciplines, including postgraduate research students. As the health and safety of our staff and students is our key priority, the workshop was conducted in full compliance with C0VID-19 standard operating procedure.
An exploratory workshop on recent trends in nanomaterials and technological applications
“In addition to introducing the Nanotechnology Research Group and sharing our strategic roadmap and sustainability plan, this workshop aims to initiating and further developing multidisciplinary collaborations, in hope of competitive research grant applications,” said Dr Kasturi Muthoosamy, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Foundation in Engineering programme division, who is also the lead of the Nanotechnology Research Group at UNM. In her prelusive presentation, Dr Muthoosamy also gave some examples of multidisciplinary topics that have potential to draw on our strengths at UNM and fit into the research priority areas in Malaysia. “We hope the conversations and discussions tody will develop and produce tangible and substantial research ideas,” said Dr Muthoosamy.
The workshop featured a lineup of presenters who are the advisors to the Nanotechnology Research Group; Professor Khiew Poi Sim, Head of Foundation in Engineering; and Professor Sivakumar Manickam, Associate Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
In sharing his understanding about nanotechnology advances and development in Malaysia, Professor Khiew gave a brief, yet concise presentation which offered a walk-through of almost everything there is to know about nanotechnology in the Malaysian context, from applications and trends to government’s initiatives and plans, in particular reference to the NanoMalaysia Programme and its four key focused sectors i.e. Food & Agriculture; Wellness, Medical & Healthcare; Energy & Environment; and Electronic Devices & Systems, as well as the National Graphene Action Plan 2020.
“Reduce the size, get to know amazing properties,” said Professor Manickam. Drawing on his extensive experience as a researcher in the field of nanotechnology, Professor Manickam gave an insightful and useful presentation where he listed some potential areas that can be explored in meeting the emerging trends and needs within and across disciplines of this 21st century research landscape, mapped against research expertise at UNM. “Fundamental aside, application is the main focus,” said Professor Manickam. He further highlighted the basic stages of technology development and commercialisation, its barriers and challenges as well as opportunities and ways of moving forward.
Discovering national priority areas and funding schemes
The workshop also featured an informative presentation by Professor Deborah Hall, Vice Provost of Research and Knowledge Exchange. Professor Hall gave a brief overview of national priorities for Research and Development (R&D), funding landscape and research grant schemes within the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
“When developing your research idea, your application needs to be mindful of: What is the national priority area? What is the research cluster? And what is the research domain?” said Professor Hall.
Exploring research ideas and questions
Participants of the workshop were then invited to introduce themselves and share about their research interests, skills and expertise during a 1-minute pitch session. This session served as a great ice-breaker before the group activities.
In the group activities, participants were divided into three multidisciplinary groups based on thematic clusters of Energy, Environment and Health, which are within the scope of the national priority areas. The first group activity aimed to identify and map researchers’ strengths according to research areas; identify key research areas and opportunities; and further make a linkage to the specific area of nanotechnology. On the other hand, the second group activity aimed to explore and develop priority research questions that are multidisciplinary and fit into the national research priority areas. Each group was invited to present their ideas and findings at the end of each group activity.
Group activity presentation
Group activity presentation
Engagement and feedback
We received some very positive messages from our postgraduate research students who attended the workshop. One of them wrote, “I think overall, the session was useful to postgraduate students in the way that we can be made aware of the types of grant that is available in Malaysia for nanotechnology research and this is actually beneficial especially for those who are planning to become researchers upon graduation. Even though most of us are not looking for grant now but this knowledge of the outlook of grants in Malaysia is beneficial. Also, allowing us to interact with lecturers of other faculties also allows exchange of knowledge and build our network as well as learn from their experiences in their area of interest.” Another postgraduate research student wrote, “It was incredibly encouraging and enlightening to meet so many lecturers from different disciplines who are willing to pool their expertise to contribute to the field of nanotechnology.”
We also received some constructive feedback from our researchers. “Interactions with colleagues from different research background was a good experience. Also method to pool different research expertise under a project goal was an interesting learning experience,” wrote one of the researchers.
Cultivating a supportive research culture
“Thank you for engaging with us. We will continue to cultivating a supportive culture in which our researchers and postgraduate research students can advance and thrive, even during these unprecedented and uncertain times,” said Deepa Kumari Veersaingam, Head of Graduate School.
“We believe that the workshop was a good eye opener and an introductory to many, and we hope that more benefits will be reaped from future workshops,” said Dr Muthoosamy.
For more information, please contact us at graduateschool@nottingham.edu.my.
Featured image: Professor Khiew Poi Sim presenting about nanotechnology.
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