innovation malaysia - 29 march 2015

StarSpecialTHE STAR Sunday 29 March 2015

Thinking outside the box > 6 Exploring wind energy potential > 7

INNOVATIONSMALAYSIA

Igniting the passion for creativity

2 INNOVATIONS MALAYSIA StarSpecial, Sunday 29 March 2015

Modern-day inventions that improve quality of life

PROMOTING innovation is one of the top challenges that most organisations face. The reasons for this vary but can be narrowed down to fear of risk-taking. This is apparent especially in bigger companies, which are more conservative and built on hard work of the past generation.

This type of organisations could risk failure that may incur not just damage to their revenue, but more importantly, their reputation. They are also more likely to have a larger number of stakeholders whose interests they must protect.

Start-ups, on the other hand, are usually the brainchildren of daring entrepreneurs with a nothing-to-lose mindset. Their venture may even be funded by their college fund or parents’ investments. Because they did not have to work as hard for the money, they are less likely to be attached to it and are therefore more likely to take risks with it.

Their main concern, instead, is on creating the next big thing – an innovative idea that can change the way we live our lives. The mantra “ Innovate or die” is a strong working

culture in these smaller organisations to break through and make profit.

Some of the most important modern inventions have permanently changed the world. For instance, can you imagine living a day without lights? Thanks to Thomas Edison who invented the lightbulb in 1879, electrical lighting has become part and parcel of life that we barely notice and even take for granted. Here are a few more contemporary inventions that made similar impacts in our lifestyles.

Wi-Fi

During her career as a famous film star, Hedy Lamarr was also an inventor. In 1942, an American patent was granted to Lamarr and George Anteheil for their early version of frequency hopping. During its early stage of development, the invention was used as a secret communications system during World War II but now serves as the basis for several technologies, including Bluetooth and GPS.

The technology is also incorporated into a wireless local area network that allows an electronic device to participate in computer networking using specific radio bands, known as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi technology is commonly used to provide Internet access to devices that are within the range of a wireless network that is connected to the Internet. These devices include desktop computers, smartphones, digital cameras, tablets and video game consoles.

The Kevlar vest is a well-known bulletproof vest worn mainly by members of the law enforcement agencies and military forces. The lightweight fibres used in the Kevlar vests are made from liquid crystalline solution that are five times stronger than steel and were initially intended to be used in automobile tyres. Aside from being used as a protective layer, the synthetic fibres have at least 200 other lesser known applications, including in tennis racquets, camping gear and airplanes.

Since the invention of the liquid crystalline solution in 1965, thousands, if not millions, of lives have been saved for donning the Kevlar vests, and they have chemist Stephanie Kwolek to thank for that. Kwolek is credited to be the inventor of the super-strong and stiff fibre, which is resistant to wear, corrosion and flames.

Ever run out of money in the late evening or on a weekend? Fret not, just find an automated teller machine or swipe your credit card.

The ATM invention is credited to John Shepherd-Barron and Donald Wetzel, and the first machine was introduced in 1967 in the United Kingdom. The ATM enables users to perform financial transactions without a human bank teller. Today, the machine can be found in almost every corner of every commercial building and in some residential areas.

John Biggins is the brain behind the credit card system. The cashless and time-saving invention allows the cardholder to pay for products and services with cash advance from a card-issuing merchant that the cardholder will pay back.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was launched in 1978 to provide location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth. The technology was developed by several individuals over the 1960s and 1970s – Ivan Getting established the basis for the GPS, Bradford Parkinson conceived the satellite-based system and Roger L. Easton invented the GPS.

It is a space-based satellite navigation system that is critically useful for the military, explorers, pilots and paramedics but is also just as important to civilians. Most cars and smartphones now are GPS-enabled.

Bullet-proof material ATMs and credit cards GPS

LaptopSmartphone

Tablet

Desktop

ATM

SHOP

By TINA CARMILLIA

Sunday 29 March 2015 StarSpecial 3


THE Malaysian food pyramid incorporates a variety of foods and nutrients required for maintaining good health. At the base of the pyramid are unprocessed cereals and grains as sources of energy and dietary fibre, followed by three to five servings of fruits and vegetables as sources of multiple vitamins, minerals and fibre at the level above it.

At the next level, the suggested daily intake is two small to moderate servings of fish, chicken, lean meats, beans or tofu and a glass of milk as the source of protein, vitamins and minerals. At the topmost level, consumption of fats, oils, salt and sugar should be reduced to minimise their negative effects on health.

The food pyramid approach advocates a balanced overall diet to ensure good health rather than focusing on individual food items or ingredients to prevent diseases.

However, the market today is flooded with various types of functional foods.

The number of new functional foods produced remains reasonably high, and health trends observed throughout the developed world (such as rising obesity rates) suggest that the market potential for functional foods remains positive.

According to Euromonitor International’s latest health and wellness statistics, the global health and wellness market has managed to surpass the US$600bil (RM2.2tril) mark for the first time.

The United States remains the world’s biggest market for health and wellness foods and beverages. Generating US$153bil (RM561bil) in retail value sales in 2010, it accounts for one quarter of

global sales.There are many definitions

for functional foods. Some of the definitions are as follows:l Food that may provide health benefit beyond basic nutrition (IFIC Foundation, 1995).l Foods or food products marketed with the message of their benefit to health (Riemersma, 1996).l A functional food is similar in appearance to conventional foods, is consumed as part of a usual diet and has demonstrated physiological benefits and/or reduces the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions (Health Canada, 1997).l A food can be regarded as functional if it is satisfactorily demonstrated to beneficially effect one or more target functions in the body, beyond adequate nutritional

effects, in a way that is relevant to either improved stage of health and well-being and/or reduction of risk of disease (Roberfroid, 2002).

For a food product to be designated as “functional”, the fundamental requirements are: l It is a food, not a capsule or powder.l It is consumed as part of the daily diet.l It provides health benefits.

The term functional foods currently lacks a common definition. This category is generally thought to include products that influence specific functions in the body and thereby offer benefits for health, well-being or performance beyond their regular nutritional value.

MALAYSIAN Agricultural Research and Development Institute

(Mardi) is a statutory body that has been mandated to conduct research in agriculture, food and agro-based industries.

Some of the potential research areas in the development of functional foods include the following areas:l Screening for new novel bioactive compoundsl Bioavailability of functional ingredientsl Standardisation of chemical markers and product developmentl Agronomic practices for production of high-quality bioactive compoundsl Processing technology for production of high-quality bioactive compoundsl Efficacy and toxicological studiesl Nutrigenomic

Mardi has developed some functional food and beverage products as shown in the table.

Here are examples of Mardi’s achievements in the development of functional foods:l Malaysia Teknologi Expo 2012 (MTE 2012) – Mardi obtained the Gold Award and Best Award for Highly Absorbed Antioxidant

Juice (Nutri-Jus).l ITEX 2011 – Mardi was awarded two silver for Healthy Crisps from VitAto and Towards Odourless Reduction of Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia) Products.l British International Showcase 2010 – Mardi received Double Gold Medal Award for Best Innovation and Best Consumer Product International for its innovation of sweet potato leaves as a functional ingredient.l Brussels Eureka Innova, Belgium (2008) – Mardi received Gold Award for its innovation in producing a pink guava drink that is high in dietary fibre.

The technologies developed by Mardi are transferred through several means:l Mardi has set up various types of incubator and test-bed systems that are ready to demonstrate the potential technology for commercialisation.l Mardi, through its commercial arm, seeks interested parties for technological licensing, joint ventures or other arrangements.l With the establishment of the Technology Development and Promotion Centre within Mardi, potential technologies are screened and evaluated. l Within the Technology

Products

Limau purut tea

Benefits

High antioxidant activity, rich in flavonoids and exhibits antibacterial properties.

Mas cotek tea Reduces blood cholesterol level.

Misai kucing tea Reduces blood pressure and blood cholesterol; could also be used as a diuretic.

Soursop drink Antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Lutein-rich snack High in carotenoid. Lutein is good for vision and general health.

High-fibre frozen fruit Pineapple, banana and jackfruit are rich in fibre.

Pegaga drink Contains flavonoids and antioxidant. Good for brain functions such as memory development.

Herbal confectionery Jellies incorporated with local herbs such as Misai Kucing, Kacip Fatima, pegaga and ginger.

Roselle granola bar High-fibre and high-energy bar.

Just Great Juice Contains high free phenolic acid. Phenolic acids are also known to be useful in controlling inflammation, making the cells stronger and decay-resistant, preventing growth of abnormal cells, boosting the immune system and improving blood circulation, all of which produce significant anti-ageing benefits in the body.

Omega-3 egg Improves health by a variety of mechanisms, including maintenance of cell membrane function and depression of blood lipid levels.

High-fibre beverages High-fibre beverages such as roselle, ginger and mixed fruits (pineapple, calamansi, starfruit), and pink guava high-fibre drink.

Probiotic yoghurt Contains probiotic cultures such as

Vitato-based products High in vitamin A. Examples are Vitato flour, Vitato cubes, Vitato sweet bun and doughnut.

Stevia-based products Stevia as a sugar replacement. Examples are dark chocolate and pineapple jelly.

Virgin coconut oil Exhibits antibacterial properties.

Low-cholesterol egg Low-cholesterol content.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Development and Promotion Centre, the Business Development Unit prominently assists in the transferring of technology either through licensing or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with selected entrepreneurs and other

Functional products developed by Mardi.

For example, foods and beverages that are beneficial to health are referred to as functional foods.

Food products that contain ingredients such as oligosaccharides and dietary fibres are believed to confer health benefits.

Another example is adding omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to foods to improve cardiovascular health.

Functional foods can be derived through several ways, so almost all our foods and drinks can be made functional. One of the easiest ways is to reduce salt and sugar in the foods that are linked to high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

The opposite of reducing the unhealthy components is to simply increase the beneficial ones, such as adding calcium to biscuits.

An unhealthy component can also be replaced with a healthy one. For example, blending polished wheat flour with whole grain flour makes a functional product.

In Malaysia, segments with the greatest concentrations of functional products are:l Energy drinksl Infant and other milk formulael Dairy-based drinksl Sports drinksl (To a lesser extent) fruit juices, breakfast cereals, energy bars, biscuits and baked productsl Other products, including drinks containing local herbs, fresh eggs with omega-3, fresh eggs with

selenium and fresh chicken enhanced with DHA

Malaysia has a sizeable functional food and drink market niche within its very large food and beverage market.

Estimates of consumption of these drinks range between 120 million and 130 million litres per annum. The bulk of these products are energy drinks and dairy-based products.

Malaysia-based food manufacturing companies that are involved in the production of functional/enriched food products include:l Nestlé Malaysia – Malaysia’s largest food and drink companyl F&N (Fraser & Neave) – one of Malaysia’s largest food and drink processors and producer of a range of different functional/enriched food and drink productsl Yakult – producer of cultured milk drinks in Malaysial Kraft – operates a major Asian regional biscuit and snack

production facility in Malaysial Yeo Hiap Seng – another large Malaysian food and drink company that produces isotonic drinks

Just Great is a mixed fruit juice with honey.

Stamenus drink.

Functional food for life

Creative and healthy offering

private sectors.l Mardi has published MARDI: Three Decades of Achievements in Research and Development and Technology on Offer, which highlights potential technologies ready to be commercialised.l Mardi has organised business

roadshows to highlight its potential technologies and also for business networking.l Mardi is actively involved in various exhibitions throughout the country where potential technologies are displayed.

Sunday 29 March 2015 StarSpecial 5


INNOVATION is the engine that will propel us into the future. It will happen in all segments of our society, schools

and colleges, at the grassroots level, and in our businesses and industry,” says Muhammad Aziph Datuk Mustapha, chief executive officer of Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM).

YIM, also known as the Malaysian Foundation for Innovation, was established in October 2008 with the support of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) and was approved by the Malaysian cabinet on November 7 in the same year.

The purpose of YIM’s inception is to promote and inculcate creativity and innovation among Malaysian citizens in general and especially target the grassroots community such as children and youth, women, rural folks, people with disabilities and non-government organisations. By doing so, Malaysians will be mobilised to embrace and practise creativity and innovation.

“I personally believe that Malaysia will not be able to achieve our Vision 2020 goals without innovation in all segments of society. Innovation is the key,” says Aziph.

In order to achieve this, YIM capitalises on its position as an agency under Mosti. It collaborates and synergises with various other agencies of the government machinery, including Agensi Inovasi Malaysia and Department of National Unity and Integration under the Prime Minister’s Department, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Mara and, most recently, SME Corp Malaysia, to implement High Impact

Thinking outside the box

Programme 6: Inclusive innovation.

Walk the talk

Although the foundation’s day-to-day operation involves a lot of activities around the country to scout for new grassroots innovations, YIM is only about 20 people strong in manpower and uses its own innovative ways to encourage work-life balance.

“All YIM staff members, called YIMsters, have to be multi-tasking and pro-active. Our office is set in such a way that YIMsters can work in many different spots in the

office such as the Kopitiam Pantry, The Garden and The War Room.

“This is one of the innovative ways used to nurture our staff to be productive,” shares Aziph.

According to Aziph, science, technology and innovation must become a way of life in Malaysia, which is why the foundation’s mission is to enculturate this mindset. Since it started operations in 2010, YIM has reached out to more than 6.8 million people through its various programmes, including World Innovation Forum-Kuala Lumpur (WIF-KL), YIM Ideation and Jejak Inovasi.

“Malaysians are an innovative and creative lot. I have personally seen countless examples of creativity and innovation that come from Malaysians from all walks of life. If there is a weakness, it may be the lack of focus to see innovations through to commercialisation. It takes a special kind of person to focus on realising an idea and bringing it to the market,” he says.

That special kind of person is exactly who YIM is looking for. The foundation has scouted 1,413 innovative ideas through Jejak Inovasi and, as a result, more than 50 innovations have received value-added assistance.

As a foundation, YIM sources for sponsorship from private sectors through these programmes to manage and sustain its operations.

“We are allocated an incentive by the government to receive matching grants for every ringgit that we source from the private sector. Therefore, we welcome the private sector to sponsor our initiatives because we are able to add value to them by providing tax exemption for their contributions, which in turn will benefit the nation,” says Aziph.

Innovation for all

The foundation is constantly engaging the public with awareness and educational programmes to improve and change the

Inclusive Innovation Challenge 2015ONE of the biggest sub-events at the Karnival Kreativiti and Science4U is the Inclusive Innovation Challenge 2015.

The challenge aims to spread the positive message among the masses that the erudite, rich and powerful are not the sole custodians of innovations. Instead, real innovations come from people connected to grassroots problems, who live under constraints and still show out-of-box thinking that offers scientific and technical solutions. The competition categories are:

• Public category – Open to participants living in Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) only• Ministry and government agencies category – Open to all residents in Malaysia• IPTA/S category – Open to students in Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) only

The participants are required to bring along their innovation for showcase during the event. They can choose from the themes listed below:

• Utilities – Affordable, sustainable renewable energy• Health care – Early detection and cure of chronic or spreadable diseases• Productivity – Enhancing agricultural productivity• Education – Reducing the education- access gap between the rich and poor

Winners will receive cash prizes and an official certificate.

Malaysian mindset to embrace creativity and innovation.

Since the foundation is on the lookout for great new products and services, Aziph encourages members of the public to let the foundation know of any innovation happening in their neighbourhood or workplace.

“If the innovation has potential, we will assist to develop it until the pre-commercialisation stage. We also welcome youth volunteers to join our programmes to ensure they gain experience and exposure,” he says.

Those who are keen to learn more about YIM’s effort to champion grassroots innovations will not have to wait too long. The foundation is jointly organising the Karnival Kreativiti and Science4U from April 16 to 18 at Kiblat Walk, Perbadanan Putrajaya, Precinct 3, together with Mosti and Yayasan Angkasawan Malaysia.

n For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 03-8319 1714 or visit www.yim.my

Aziph (middle) explains the innovative functionality of a trash bin that traps rats to a group of YIM visitors.

Aziph (front centre) with his Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia staff members called YIMsters.

StarSpecial, Sunday 29 March 2015 INNOVATIONS MALAYSIA 7

Exploring wind energy potentialACCORDING to Kable

Intelligence Limited, the global capacity of wind

power installed exceeded 370GW last year, making wind the second most widely used renewable source after hydropower.

With the annual growth rate of cumulative wind power capacity averaging at 25% in the last five years, wind is the fastest growing renewable power source, a trend projected to continue in the future.

Researchers at Curtin University Sarawak have begun to explore the potential of wind energy in Malaysia, carrying out active research on new technologies such as the application of the Venturi effect to harness wind energy. Last year, they presented and published two research papers on this new concept.

According to Assoc Prof Chinnasamy Palanichamy of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Curtin Sarawak, the university has applied to secure funding support from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) to conduct a more intensive research programme in renewable energy systems.

The aim is to provide a remedial solution to the energy sustainability and environmental protection issue of Malaysia through cost-effective renewable energy systems. The proposed research project will consider Malaysia’s energy sector and the challenges that restrict its sustainability.

To successfully harness wind

energy, the wind speed, annual wind distribution, air-density factor, land cost and public opinion on wind energy are major factors to be ascertained. As Malaysia’s mean annual wind speed is low at no more than 2m/s, wind energy has not been successfully harnessed since most of the commercially available wind turbines require a minimum cut-in speed of 4m/s for electrical energy generation.

An effective way of increasing the wind speed is by employing the Venturi effect principle. The Venturi effect is similar to a jet effect, much like the effect of placing a thumb at the end of a garden hose when watering plants.

A new wind harnessing technology based on the Venturi effect will increase the wind velocity, which leads to a rise in the power output of the wind turbine.

An efficient, economical and environmental-friendly wind turbine prototype will be developed to be a reference model for energy planners and renewable energy investors.

The outcome of the research will show that there is indeed potential in wind energy as an energy source in Malaysia and that slow wind turbines are highly suited for Malaysian wind conditions.

Though the wind speed in Malaysia may be low, which is beyond human control, energy harnessing technology could be suitably adjusted to meet the nation’s energy targets.

n For more information, visit www.curtin.edu.my

Assoc Prof Chinnasamy Palanichamy says Curtin Sarawak is keen to explore the potential of wind energy in Malaysia.


IN providing cutting-edge technologies to enhance learning, Open University

Malaysia (OUM) has shown its passionate commitment toward fulfilling this goal.

Launched last year, the university’s e-learning innovations portray a wide array of learning tools and applications. They are all available freely to OUM students and the public should they wish to use them for learning purposes.

Among them are:

Virtual learning (MyVLE)

MyVLE is a learning platform that was developed by OUM in 2012. This platform enables learning to be conducted online.

Not only do OUM’s local students have access to it, its students studying at its international centres are also able to access it. This is to provide support to the university’s international students any time.

OUM App

The new generation of educational systems enable students to purchase and consume educational materials from their smart mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone, Android phones and Android tablets.

Educational materials are designed to be interactive, multimedia-centred and viewable anywhere, anytime, with or without Internet connectivity.

OUM App is an application available for students to access more than 130 titles. The app contains e-tutorials, videos, notes and a host of other learning materials.

Most of the modules consist of business-related programmes and is available on both Apple and Android platforms. Once the modules are downloaded onto the phones, they can be accessed without Internet access.

E-learning platforms and apps“This makes a good supplement

for students who wish to have information on the go. We have converted most of our modules to the application version and we are working on having all the modules completed within the year,” says Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, president and vice-chancellor of OUM.

OUMobile

Another innovation of the university is the OUMobile, which presents a smartphone-friendly version of the MyVLE. Through OUMobile, learners can access a variety of support and services to help them in their studies, regardless of their location.

The OUMobile allows students to access more than 100 programmes that are made available on the MyVLE platform using smartphones. With the smartphone, learners can check courses, find out the latest announcements, join the online community, get help for administration and examination matters, read handbooks and newsletters, find resources, access the digital library and even visit the university’s Facebook page.

MOOCs

Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a recent but hugely popular phenomenon in the online learning world.

They are hailed by many as a solution for the developing world’s lack of access to education because MOOCs can provide learning opportunities to a massive number of learners from anywhere in the world as long as they can access the course through Internet.

OUM broke records when it became the first university in Malaysia to have its app made available on iTunes. As of February this year, more than 8,484

OUM’s e-learning innovations portray a wide array of learning tools and applications.

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, president and vice-chancellor of OUM.

OUM has always been attentive towards the initiatives and development of new and advanced learning technologies that will pique the interest of learners of all ages.

downloads have been made. According to the iTunes report,

most of the downloads were from the United States, Malaysia and China.

Most of the visitors are the crème de la crème of the workforce, aged between 25 and 49 years old who mostly download strategic management, thinking skills and problem-solving programmes.

OUM’s latest addition appears to be a visual arts programme that has already been made available.

OUM has always been attentive towards the initiatives and development of new and advanced learning technologies that will pique the interest of learners of all ages.

Anuwar proudly speaks of OUM and its efforts to enhance the quality of teaching and learning especially for learners and the general public.

Recently, OUM has been entrusted to develop the National Centre for e-Learning in Riyadh for the Ministry of Higher Education

Saudi Arabia. “This was one of OUM’s

proudest achievements.” he says.This serves as a testament

that OUM has the capability and capacity to build learning hubs and delivery methods specifically for e-learning innovations, both internationally and locally.

“We are also involved in the growth of e-learning systems for many local and international institutions.

“These include University of Science and Technology Sanaa, Yemen; Villa College, Maldives; and the Trisakti University, Indonesia,” says Prof Emeritus Anuwar.

This definitely places OUM as one of the major contributors and leading providers of open and distance learning in the Asian region and internationally.

With 34 learning centres nationwide, 10 international learning centres and more than 150,000 students since 2001, OUM is set to revolutionise the new world of education and learning.

innovation malaysia - 29 march 2015

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