Engineering wins for UTAR duo

The Star

7 days ago

ACADEMIC research is vital for finding solutions to real-world problems.
In the field of engineering, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) recently demonstrated its capacity to contribute to more sustainable and cost-effective practices through the work of two of its academics.
As a nod to their research excellence, UTAR Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Chua Kein Huat and Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dr Kuan Seng How received awards for the presentation of their respective research at two major events last month.
Chua's efforts to improve railway system efficiency earned him the Best Oral Presentation Award in the Transportation Systems Track at the 2025 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Industry Applications Society (IEEE IAS) Annual Meeting Incorporating the Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Asia Conference.
His research, titled Impact of Track Elevation and Curvature on Regenerative Braking Energy Recovery in DC (Direct Current) Third Rail Systems, found that track elevation has the most significant impact on overall train energy consumption, paving the way for innovative solutions in the design and optimisation of energy-efficient railway infrastructure.
'By improving energy recapture, this helps railways reduce power consumption, lower operational costs and decrease carbon emissions.
'For society, this means more sustainable urban and intercity transit with reduced environmental impact. For the rail industry, it enhances the cost-effectiveness of electrified networks, supporting the transition to greener transportation infrastructure,' he explained.
Chua said winning the award validated the hard work behind his research and reinforced his passion for transportation systems.
He added that the 2025 IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, held in New Taipei City, Taiwan, from June 15 to 20, was an enriching experience, offering exposure to cutting-edge advancements, opportunities to exchange insights with experts, and avenues to collaborate on solutions for future mobility challenges.
This year, the meeting featured a diverse array of research tracks and attracted submissions of more than 300 research papers from across the globe.
Meanwhile, Kuan won the Best Presentation Award at the 13th Asia Conference on Mechanical and Materials Engineering (ACMME 2025).
His presentation, titled Morphological, Structural and Chemical Analysis of Bioleached Kaolin by Bacillus Species, showcased his study on improving the purity of kaolin, an industrial mineral commonly used in manufacturing.
Exploring bioleaching, he found a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods, which are often energy-intensive and ineffective in removing ultra-fine iron impurities.
The presence of iron, particularly in the form of oxides or oxyhydroxides, contributes to a reddish or brownish tint that lowers kaolin's commercial value.
By using the 1,10-phenanthroline colorimetric method, Kuan observed increasing trends in iron reduction until the sixth day of bioleaching, followed by a gradual decrease over the remaining days of the ten-day experiment.
Reflecting on the achievement, Kuan said the recognition motivates him to continue contributing to meaningful discussions in the community.
He also acknowledged the contributions of his co-authors, including UTAR academics Prof Dr Chong Kok Keong and Assoc Prof Dr Steven Lim, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic Dr Sylvia Chieng, and UTAR PhD candidate Monisha Rajamohan.
At the ACMME 2025, hosted by the Tokyo University of Science, Japan, from June 18 to 21, Kuan also had the opportunity to chair a poster session.
He said the conference allowed him to achieve key objectives, including sharing outcomes from his UTAR Fundamental Research Grant Scheme-funded project, receiving valuable feedback, and networking with fellow academics.
He further noted that the presentations – which covered topics such as light-actuated artificial muscles, microfluidic fluorescent nanodiamonds, and open-atmosphere laser nitriding – broadened his understanding of emerging technologies in the field.
The ACMME 2025 saw the attendance of over 150 participants from around the world.