RESEARCH
HIGHLIGHTS 2016
NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS
FOR SOLAR FUELS PRODUCTION
The capacity to produce renewable energy resources is vital
for sustaining clean urban developments. Our researchers are
developing functional nanostructured materials and
compatible engineering pragmatic technologies that are
able to convert water into hydrogen and other short-chain
carbon fuels with the aid of solar irradiation. These
nanostructured systems are highly attractive as they are
100% renewable, as we move away from the sole
dependency on fossil fuels used in society.
The research is already showing promising outcomes, and
we are currently moving towards small- and pilot-scale
investigations. This research has the potential to meet
the UN Sustainable Development Goals on providing
affordable and clean energy, with the ability to transform
lives, economies and the planet.
INNOVATIVE SMART
COATINGS FOR GLOVES
Our chemical engineering researchers have combined
their expertise with industry in polymer materials science,
in a bid to develop innovative coating materials for gloves.
Monash Malaysia signed a Research Development
Agreement with CCM Innovative Solutions Sdn Bhd
(CCMIS), collaboratively embarking on two projects under
the ‘Monash-CCM Advanced Polymer (M-CAP) Research
Program’. The partnership will focus initially on developing
coating formulations to enhance wearer comfort and
subsequently improve performance. Through this
agreement, we hope to open up a new research frontier
and contribute to solving problems occupational long-term
glove wearers face.
DEEP BRAIN PHOTORECEPTORS
REGULATE FERTILITY
Although sunlight is pivotal to sustain life on earth, too
much light, particularly artificial light from digital devices
and non-visible light such as ultraviolet light and X-rays
can affect our health. Light is essentially captured by
image-forming photoreceptors in the retina of the eye,
converted into electrical signals and sent to specialised
brain regions to form images. However, there also exist
non-image forming deep brain photoreceptors, whose
functions are unknown. Recently, our researchers
discovered and created a zebrafish knockout model to
allow functional analysis of a deep brain photoreceptor
(val-opsin). Using these mutants, we show for the first
time, that a light sensitive non-image forming deep brain
photoreceptor can have significant impact on the control
of fertility.
RESEARCHERS
A/Prof Chong Meng Nan
Dr Tang Junwang
(University College London, UK)
Zhu Tao
Phuan Yi Wen
Yaw Chong Siang
Chang Jang Sen
Chot Chun Yuan
FUNDING AGENCIES
Ministry of Science, Technology
and Innovation of Malaysia
Ministry of Higher Education
of Malaysia
Royal Society of United Kingdom
and the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund
RESEARCHERS
Prof Chan Eng Seng
Prof Tey Beng Ti
Dr Patrick Tang Siah Ying
Dr Edward Ooi Chien Wei
Dr Khew Mei Ching, CCMIS
Dr Yeoh Chert-Tsun, CCMIS
Abdul Hasif Bin Abd Rahim
Christian Michel Bongard
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
CCM innovative Solutions Sdn Bhd
(CCMIS)
Deep Brain Photoreceptors
Regulate Fertility
RESEARCHERS
Prof Ishwar Parhar
Dr Shogo Moriya
Dr Satoshi Ogawa
Dr Chong Yee Han
INDUSTRY PARTNER
Ministry of Higher Education
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