UK - Malaysia project generating bioelectricity from wastewater wins RM635,000 Newton Prize
A ground-breaking project that generates sustainable electricity from effluent waste processing has been awarded the Newton Prize worth £112,000 (approximately RM 635,000). This project, spearheaded by lead researchers from Malaysia and the United Kingdom, paves the way for greater access to energy supply particularly for the rural population in Malaysia.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Vicki Treadell and Malaysia’s Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid yeterday presented the award to the winning project’s lead researcher, Professor Phang Siew Moi from University of Malaya who also accepted the award on behalf of the project’s UK co-lead researcher, Dr. Adrian Fisher from University of Cambridge.
Their winning project, titled ‘Integrating Algal Biophotovoltaics for Bioelectricity Production with Agro-industrial Wastewater Remediation using Tropical Algae’ is a project under the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund programme, with co-funding provided by Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MiGHT) and British Council. The project successfully developed an integrated microbial fuel cell prototype using tropical algae from wastewater. This new innovation represents a blueprint that aims to meet the demands for sustainable energy and cleaner wastewater in rural areas such as Sabah and Sarawak.
The Newton Prize recognises excellent Newton Fund research and innovation projects in support of economic development and social welfare in partnering countries, including Malaysia (branded as Newton-Ungku Omar Fund in the country). The winning project was chosen through an evaluation process of Newton-Ungku Omar Fund projects launched since 2014 to early 2017, with the Prize funding awarded to the winner for use in advancing their research.
Published 11 December 2017
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