UniMAP CEGeoGTech Collaborates with Japanese Industry in Aerospace Research

Kangar, 30 Ogos – Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Centre for Excellence Geopolymers and Green Technology (CEGeoGTech) will be delving into aerospace material research with the cooperation of Nihon Superior Co. Ltd. based in Osaka, Japan.

Following up a previous collaboration, the current work will focus on development of solder for use in the aerospace industry made possible by an additional allocation of RM 500,000 to its original grant funding said Chief Researcher Dr. Mohd. Arip Anuar Mohd. Salleh.

He stated that solder employed in aerospace needs to withstand extreme environments and believes that they will be able to develop the material based on the expertise and facilities available in UniMAP.

“UniMAP has previously carried out collaborations with Nihon to develop solder material, but this time we will focus more closely on creating solder for aerospace use,” he said in a statement here today.

The agreement was made after a CEGeoGTech working visit to Osaka, Japan which was attended by CEGeoGTech Manager Associate Prof. Dr. Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah and UniMAP PhD student Mohd Natashah Norizan.

At the discussion, Nihon Superior was represented by its President Tetsuro Nishimura and a number of other researchers.

The research collaboration in solder development between UniMAP and Nihon Superior Japan began in 2012 while obtaining a research grant of almost half a million and Masters degree-level learning sponsorship for five UniMAP students.

Meanwhile, Mohd. Mustafa Al-Bakri said that besides the visit to Nihon Superior, UniMAP CEGeoGTech also established a new relationship and cooperation with the Nagoya Institute of Technology (NIT) Life Science and Applied Chemistry Faculty's Ceramics Department.

He said that based on early talks, both parties have agreed to increase their impact and research products in the field of concrete geopolymers with the application of bacteria as repair material as have been carried out by CEGeoGTech.

“The bacteria to be used will be produced by researchers from both parties. This bacteria allows cracked concrete to self-heal.

“Besides that, agreement was also made for the placement of staff members or students for performing research in the agreed-upon field. May this collaboration strengthen relations and increase the visibility of UniMAP among academic institution in the Land of the Rising Sun,” he continued.

At the meeting, NIT was represented by Associate Prof. Dr. Shinobu Hashimoto dan Dr. Hayami Takeda.