AN idea to use oil palm fruit bunches to purify water and waste has won three Malaysians a prestigious spot in an international science and engineering competition in the United States.
Ahmad Amirul Aiman Samsudin, Ijaz Khalif Abdul Malek and Mohd Suhaimi Suib clinched a fourth placing in the grand awards for team projects at the recently concluded Intel Science and Engineering Fair. They were participating in the Environmental Management category.
Nine Malaysian students took part in the fair, which was held from May 13 to May 19 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The three 18-year-old students from the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Langkawi submitted an entry entitled Lignin from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) as an Adsorbent for Heavy Metal Ion (Cu2+).
Their project aimed to find a cheaper alternative to purifying water or waste. Lignin – an organic substance that, with cellulose, forms the chief part of a woody tissue – is similar to activated carbon which is often used to purify water in reverse osmosis. The boys took home US$500 (RM1,700) in cash, a ribbon of honour and a certificate.
“Over 1,500 Intel participants from 51 countries, regions and territories, representing some of the most innovative thinking around the world, took part in the competition,” said Intel chairman Craig Barrett.
Intel Malaysia country manager (sales and marketing) Debjani Ghosh said the MRSM Langkawi boys joined the league of winners that Malaysia had produced since 2000.
Over the past seven years, 58 Malaysians have taken part in the fair.
“Malaysia has proved that it is able to compete and win in an international arena. We need to continually promote the acquiring of 21st century skills like inquiry-based learning to ensure that we are moulding critical thinkers who are the next wave of innovators,” he said.
Last year, a group from SM Mohamad Jiwa, Sungai Petani, won fourth place in the grand awards for team projects in the Medicine and Health category.
Posted by Nor Hidayah Mohd.(SEP060075)
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