Keynote Speaker 1

Emeritus Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus
(National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia)

Biodata:
Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus obtained his B.Sc. degree (Chemistry) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1976 and, received his MSc. in 1978 and then PhD in 1980 from University of Salford, UK. In 2011, after 31 years working in UPM, he joined UPNM as a senior contract professor. He is a very active researcher in analytical and polymer chemistry. He has supervised numerous postgraduate students, been awarded with many research grants, authored and co-authored of more than 200 papers in Scopus indexed journals and involved in writing of more than 300 abstracts and proceedings, and travelled to variuos countries including Singapore, Thailand, India, Japan, China, Australia, UK, Korea, France, Swizerland, and USA to participate in conferences. In addtion he has established research colllaborations with scientists from the UK, USA, Japan and Australia. His recent total SCOPUS citations are more than 5500 with h-index of 41.

Abstract:

Characterization of Poly(Lactic Acid) Clay Nanocomposites Using X-ray Diffraction Analysis
Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus
Center for Tropicalisation, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Sungai Besi Camp 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
wanmdzin@upnm.edu.my

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) which is a product of condensation polymerization of lactic acid, is a biodegradable polyester that has been studied as an alternative material to petroleum based polymers for many industrial applications due to its high strength, thermoplasticity, transparency and fabric ability. In addition, it can be synthesized by a fermentation process using carbohydrate from plants such as tapioca, corn or rice. However, its uses are restricted to certain area of applications due to its brittleness and low flexibility. One of the attempts made to reduce this polymer brittleness and increase its flexibility to widen the scope of the applications is to convert it into nanocomposites by blending it with a small quantity of nanomaterials. We have studied the preparation of PLA nanocomposites using synthetic and natural clays as their additives and characterization using various instruments. In order to improve the clay compatibility with the matrix, the inorganic materials were first modified using large organic molecules. In this lecture, use of an x-ray diffraction analysis for the PLA clay nanocomposite characterization is discussed. This analysis technique can be used as a tool to determine the clay layers’ arrangement before and after its modification, as well as their arrangements in the synthesized nanocomposites.

Keynote Speaker 2

 Dr. Jianli Wang
(Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Australia)

Invited Speaker 1

Prof. Dr. Aidy Ali
(National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia)

Biodata :
Aidy Ali is a Professor of mechanical Engineering at National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM). He received his first degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia, 1999. He then pursued his Ph.D degree in Year 2003 research on Improving Fatigue Life of Aircraft Components By Using Surface Engineering at Sheffield University, He then appointed as lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2006, rapidly promoted to Senior lecturer in 2008, rapidly promoted to Associate Professor in 2010, appointed as Professor in 2012, all within 6 years period of time. His expertise is related to mechanical Materials for Defense Applications, Fatigue, Fracture of materials, Failure assessment, Failure prevention analysis, Reliability engineering prediction and Crash analysis. Prof Aidy has Graduated 12 PhD Students, 37 Master Students, 32 Bachelor Supervision, written 19 Books and published 158 ISI Clarivate and Scopus, Impact Journals. Secured 26 Research Grants. H index 20 Scopus

Abstract :

Development and Fabrication of Low to High Strength, and Antiballistic of Malaysian Bamboo Laminated Composites
Aidy Ali
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
National Defense University of Malaysia (NDUM) Kem Sg. Besi, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
* Corresponding author. E-mail: saidynaidy@gmail.com
Tel: +6 017-2496293; Fax: +6 038-946-7122

Natural fiber reinforced composites are essential for the growth of polymer composite technology. The key goal of this study is to utilize the natural bamboo Gigantochloa scortechinii, which is obtained in Melaka, Malaysia. In this study, the mechanical properties of woven bamboo, epoxy polymer and E-glass hybrid composite were characterized. Woven bamboo laminates were woven from bamboo strips, and the hybrid composites were obtained by manually stacking alternating 2-6 laminates of woven bamboo, E-glass and epoxy. The findings show that increasing the woven bamboo layers from 2 to 6 did not improve the tensile strength, modulus, impact and flexural strength. However, the hardness strength was increased. Overall, the minimum or maximum number of laminated bamboo fiber/E-glass/epoxy hybrid composite layers can be used in various product applications. The work is then extended to developed anti-ballistic materials that satisfy National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard to be registered as be registered as combat armor panel or materials. The results show that the composites withstand 482.5 m/s ± 5 limit of bullet velocity and satisfied the NIJ of level II. The findings give strong base to consider bamboo composite to replace synthetic composites in green engineering applications.

Invited Speaker 2

Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohammad Ismail
(Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia)

Biodata:
Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohammad Ismail was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics from Universiti Malaya in 2003. In 2008, he was the recipient of SLAI that sponsored for his PhD in Advanced Materials in the University of Wollongong, Australia. After completed PhD in 2012, he was appointed as a senior lecturer in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Mohammad’s research interest in the field of materials science, particularly in the modification of solid–state hydrogen storage materials such as metal hydride (MgH2, TiH2, LiH, NaH), complex hydride (LiAlH4, NaAlH4, LiBH4, NaBH4) and chemical hydride (NH3BH3) for hydrogen–energy applications. He as the project leader has secured a several research grants includes industry grant, national grant and internal UMT grant. Mohammad has received awards in both research and academia, such as a recipient for international award where as he is recognized as a “IJHE Juan Carlos Bolcich Award for the most cited paper in Hydrogen Storage & Distribution catogary of the year 2018” from International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. Mohammad is also listed among the Top 2% Scientist in the World in the Field of Energy based on the 2020 SCOPUS citation rank studied by Stanford University. In 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 he received “Anugerah Julangan Bakat” from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for Research Publication Award in Pure Science. He has also demonstrated academic leadership through invitation as a Keynote Speaker for 4th International Seminar on Science and Technology 2018 (ISST 2018) in Indonesia, as a guest lecturer in Department of Materials Technics and Metallurgical in Institute Technology Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia and as a speaker for research talk in Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand. In 2018, Mohammad has been appointed as an evaluator for research grant proposal under Czech Science Foundation from Czech Republic. He has published 80 articles in indexed journals and received an H-index of 33 and 2162 citations from SCOPUS.

Abstract

A reactive hydride composite (RHC) for solid-state hydrogen storage materials
M. Ismail
Energy Storage Research Group, Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
mohammadismail@umt.edu.my

Hydrogen storage using the metal hydrides and complex hydrides is the most convenient method because it is safe, enables high hydrogen capacity and requires optimum operating condition. Metal hydrides and complex hydrides offer high gravimetric capacity that allows storage of large amounts of hydrogen. However, the high operating temperature and low reversibility hindered the practical implementation of the metal hydrides and complex hydrides. An approach of combining two or more hydrides, which is called reactive hydride composite (RHC), was introduced to improve the performance of the metal hydrides and complex hydrides. The RHC system approach has significantly enhanced the hydrogen storage performance of the metal hydrides and complex hydrides by modifying the thermodynamics of the composite system through the metathesis reaction that occurred between the hydrides, hence enhancing the kinetic and reversibility performance of the composite system. Thermodynamic destabilization is achieved when mixing two or more metal hydride/complex hydride that form a new compound during dehydrogenation process. In this talk, an application of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis in the RHC system to detect a new compound that form during dehydrogenation process is discussed. The XRD analysis is a simple technique to detect a new compound in the RHC system. The challenges and perspectives of the RHC system are also discussed.

Invited Speaker 3

Dr Suresh Sagadevan
(Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre, University of Malaya, Malaysia)

Biodata :
Dr. Suresh Sagadevan is currently working as a Senior Research Fellow in Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, Malaysia. He has authored 10 international book series and 25 book chapters. He has published more than 300 research papers in National and International journals. He is a member of many professional bodies at the national/international level. He is the editor/ editorial board member/ reviewer for various high-impact factor journals. He also has 2 filed patents to his credit. Indeed, his current spans and brilliant discoveries are more focused e.g. Nanofabrication, functional Materials, crystal growth, graphene, polymeric nanocomposite, glass materials, thin films, switchable device, electron microscopy and spectroscopy, bio-inspired materials, drug delivery, tissue engineering, cell culture and integration, switchable device modulation, flexible and transparent electrodes, supercapacitor, optoelectronics, green chemistry, and biosensor applications.

Abstract :

Cobalt Oxide nanostructured for electrochemical and photocatalytic applications
Suresh Sagadevan*
Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

In recent years, nano metal oxides are widely known for their potential applications in science and technology. This has led to progress in several processes for the preparation of nanoparticles, including anticipated physiognomies, corresponding dimensions, forms, morphology, imperfections in the crystal construction, and monodispersion, for potential use in medicament applications. The nanostructured materials received much attention due to their distinctive properties such as higher damping, mechanical stability, high strength, and good thermal conductivity. The nanostructured metal oxides, in general, maintains the high surface area and that developed much interest in the research due to its wide range of applications including optical electronics, sensing devices, and nanoelectronics. Photocatalysis technology offers excellent potentials for the complete removal of organic and other biochemical pollutants in an environmentally friendly and sustainable means where the outcome is without the involvement of greenhouse gas emissions. It has been found that under UV-Visible light irradiation, the nanostructured semiconductor metal oxide photocatalysts can easily degrade many different organic and biochemical pollutants. Since the photocatalysis is a process which involves the breaks down or decomposition of various dyes, organic dirt, and biological species like harmful fungi and viruses by making use of the UV or visible light in a sustainable manner. Herein we report on various surface morphological characteristics of the synthesized cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanostructures obtained by means of facile one-step hydrothermal method for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The synthesized nanostructures of Co3O4 were adequately characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) fitted with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman techniques. The electrochemical studies were carried out to analyse the performance of as-synthesized catalysts for ORR by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and chronoamperometric (CA) techniques Further testing of the photocatalytic activity through the degradation of various dye confirmed for an effective and potential catalytic nature of the synthesized samples.

Invited Speaker 4

Norman Schott
(Senior Sales Representative, Bruker AXS GmbH)

Topic: Images and Analysis of Geomaterials with X-ray Microscopy

Invited Speaker 5
Dr Low Hou Ran
(XRF Application Scientist, Bruker Singapore Pte Ltd)

Topic: Analysis of rare earth elements by benchtop WDXRF S6 JAGUAR

Invited Speaker 6
Dr Thomas Baikie
(XRD Application Scientist, Bruker Singapore Pte Ltd)

Topic: Energy storage materials using X-ray diffraction techniques 

Invited Speaker 7

Dr. Andreas Keilbach
(Anton Paar)

Invited Speaker 8

Dr Sandeep Nagar
(DKSH)

Biodata :
Dr Sandeep Nagar, National Application Specialist for X-ray Diffraction Dr Nagar completed his PhD in the field of multiferroic thin films manufacturing and characterization from KTH Sweden in 2012. He spent 6 years conducting research at the departments of Physical Sciences and Electronics Engineering at Amity University Noida as well as G D Goenka University Gurgaon. In 2018, Dr Nagar joined Malvern Panalytical as the National XRD Application Specialist. In his role, he has been helping numerous customers across industries; from academia, to metals, to cement, polymers, specialty chemicals and more. He not only provides applications advice to customers in choosing the relevant X-ray diffractometer for their application. In addition, he provides training so that they further optimise their XRD for research and QC purposes.

Topic 1 : In-situ XRD and PDF investigation of MF3.3H2O (M = Fe, Cr) in controlled atmosphere: accessing new phases with controlled chemistry

Topic 2 : GIXRD on a Compact XRD