Two USM Chemical Scientists Discussed Efforts To Stabilise Ceramic Industry & National LCD Production
With a bit of adaptation and using of the right technique, the country’s ceramic industry is able to compete better in the international stage – with higher quality ceramic products compared to the present.
Apart from looking good, the ceramic industry also should take into account durability aspects and the type of technology used to ensure the finished products is of the same standard as those produced overseas, using modern techniques.
According to chemical science research experts from University Science Malaysia, Prof. Ismail Ab. Rahman, Malaysia’s ceramic industry is still very much dependant on old methods which produce low quality ceramic which is not accepted by the global community.
“By using latest methods such as Sol Gel Technique, the quality of the ceramic produced is as high as those produced in the United Kingdom and a few countries in Europe. Only in that way, can we penetrate into the world’s market and expand our country’s ceramic industry,” he said.
He presented a lecture titled “Sol Gel Process: How far is its contribution towards ceramic technology development?” on 23 May 2008 in USM.
Prof. Ismail started serving USM since February 1988 and has vast experience in developing higher education curriculum in the field of Chemical Science in Malaysia.
He carries out many researches using agriculture waste material including padi husk and others, under research grants including by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Nippon Sheet Glass, Intel Malaysia dan CAPE Technology.
His expertise in ceramic research is beyond doubt and it has made him the technical advisor of various institutions and industries such as AMD, Pearl Jojoba, Ansell Malaysia, Franklin Porcelain Sdn. Bhd., Hewlet Packard dan Institut Penyelidikan Mineral.
He also represented the country in the International Committee of Working Group for ISO/TC206 on Fine Ceramics, on top of becoming a member of the Malaysian Group on Testing of Particle Size Distribution.
Meanwhile, another USM researcher, Prof. Yeap Guan Yeow, also presented at the lecture. His topic was “Liquid Crystal: Research and its Impact in Malaysia”.
He will discuss the planning and problems faced when producing LCD screen for commercial market, especially domestically.
Liquid crystal is the main material which plays an important role in ensuring sharp image, movement speed, colour and picture quality which are portrayed using LCD screen. It is now getting more and more common as a replacement of conventional television.
Prof. Yeap Guan Yeow started serving USM in 1992 as a chemistry lecturer with USM Chemical Science Research Centre. Since 1996, he began focusing on liquid crystal research – which is fast developing in Malaysia.
His excellent achievement in research won him the Young National Scientist Award in 1994. Most recently, Prof. Yeap received a prestigious international grant, Research Cooperation Award, presented by the government the United Kingdom. Prof. Yeap has published more than 100 articles in various international journals and is often invited to give lectures in reknown institutions such as the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Soka University, Tokyo Metropolitan University etc. His name is often associated with famous experts in liquid crystal research including Prof. Hideo Takezoe (Japan Liquid Crystal Chairman) and Prof. C.T. Imrie (British Liquid Crystal chairman).
For more information, please contact Chemical Science Research Centre at +604-653 3262/3576/3540 or e-mail: [email protected] or visit webpage: http://www.usm.my/chem/
