UTP's water cube back in global race

WINNING an award for their water purification innovation three years ago turned out to be just the beginning for a group of students.
Determined to take their project further, the winners of the 'RAPID Award' at the 2022 ChemE Cube Competition in Arizona, United States, entered it in another competition last year.
Their enterprising spirit was recently rewarded when they were named the National Winner for Malaysia at the 2024 Energy Globe Award.
The team's 'ShuiNew' water purification innovation.
Calling themselves the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) ChemE Cube Team, the group of six comprises Poh Ching Hong (team lead), Kenneth Chong Yih Haur, Foo Jia Wen, Yap Wei Cheng, Liew Lih Xua and Low Chen Khang – all 24-year-old undergraduates pursuing engineering degrees at UTP in various disciplines, namely chemical, electrical and electronics, and mechanical engineering.
According to Chong, the Energy Globe National Awards were presented at the country level across more than 180 participating nations.
'The best projects from each country will be nominated for the Energy Globe World Award soon,' he told StarEdu.
Having received the national award on Feb 4, Chong expressed his team's hope of being nominated for the international stage in Austria.
'If we win at the international level, it can assist us in seeking funding opportunities for small-scale production,' he said.
Describing his team's 'ShuiNew' innovation as compact and cost-effective, Chong said the water purification device is designed to tackle clean water challenges in developing regions.
'This one-cubic-foot setup utilises chlorination, coconut shell-based activated carbon adsorption, and ceramic membrane separation to remove up to 99.99% of chlorine, bacteria and viruses – providing a sustainable and accessible solution for communities lacking safe drinking water,' he said.
He added that the system aims to purify at least 25 litres of surface water per day and meet the required drinking water standards at low cost.
'We came up with this idea considering that in Malaysia, access to clean water is still inconsistent and limited, especially in rural areas.
'As ShuiNew is portable, it uses lower energy input, resulting in significantly lower manufacturing costs compared to existing solutions. Consequently, it is more affordable,' he explained.
Chong shared that their latest recognition at the Energy Globe Award further validates its potential global impact.
'It gives us the motivation to work harder to contribute to the community in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation),' he said.
He shared that the team is actively looking for partners who can help to refine the product, and further develop and commercialise the system.
'The advantage of the system is that it is modular, allowing for more flexibility and scalability, instead of requiring a scale-up from a small prototype, which is often more challenging from an engineering perspective,' he said.
To students looking to develop impactful innovations, Chong had this to say: 'Don't be afraid to take on challenges, especially as engineers are often required to solve problems innovatively.
'Having supportive teammates can help delegate tasks and solve problems together.'
He also said having supportive advisers is just as crucial, adding that his team was under the guidance of the then-UTP lecturer Dr Chuah Chong Yang.
'We'd also like to acknowledge the UTP Centre for Student Development for providing financial support for the construction of the cube, as well as the UTP Robotics Society (Petrobots) for the workspace and tools,' he said.
Urging students to participate in science, technology and innovation competitions, he said it is necessary to stay informed about recent advancements.
'We hope that our achievement will motivate younger students to participate in such competitions,' he said.
Held annually since 2000, the Energy Globe Award is presented by the nonprofit Energy Globe Organization based in Austria. Its aim is to highlight outstanding sustainable and impactful solutions addressing global environmental challenges.
Charis, 22, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following
English language activities.
1. Write five sentences based on the article, but include incorrect factual information. Exchange papers with a friend and rewrite each other's sentences with the correct facts.
2. Use words and pictures from today's newspaper to create a poster with your group. Your poster should show a new invention
that could help solve an environmental problem in your country or the world. When your group is ready, present your poster to the class.
The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Malay Mail

17 hours ago

• Malay Mail

UTP climbs 18 spots in QS 2026 rankings, hailed as Malaysia's top private varsity for tech and innovation

IPOH, June 20 — Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) achieved its highest position in the QS World University Rankings 2026, rising 18 places to secure the 251st spot among 8,467 institutions evaluated globally. In a statement today, the university said it recorded gains across all indicators, with notable progress in Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Citations per Faculty, and Sustainability. 'They also underscore the university's deep focus on industry-relevant research and talent development, cornerstones of its long-term roadmap. 'UTP's close collaboration with Petronas and other industry partners continues to foster a dynamic ecosystem that bridges academic excellence with real-world application,' the statement read. UTP president Ir Mohamed Firouz Asnan, as quoted in the statement, said the milestone affirms UTP's reputation among the world's top institutions and, more significantly, positions UTP as Malaysia's number one private university. He said UTP's continued ascent reflects its strategic vision to be at the forefront of technology education and research, enabling a better future for all. 'This achievement is a testament to the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, and students, along with the strength of our partnerships with industry and academic institutions worldwide. It demonstrates our deep-rooted commitment to quality education, innovation, and global engagement. 'As we chart the next phase of UTP's journey, this global recognition strengthens our resolve to become not only Malaysia's leading university, but also a world-class, hyper-focused, cutting-edge engineering institution anchored in societal impact, sustainability, and industry-driven innovation,' he said. According to Mohamed Firouz, the recognition comes at a pivotal moment for UTP as the university embarks on a transformation programme that introduces a new approach in educating its students as well as realigning its research focus to address the grand challenges faced by society. 'These rankings show how far we've come in delivering value beyond campus. Above all, this reflects our identity as an institution that develops breakthrough solutions across the broader ecosystem, driving transformation in industries and societies and shaping a better future,' he added. — Bernama

Barnama

19 hours ago

• Barnama

UTP Tops Private Universities In Malaysia, 251st Globally

IPOH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) achieved its highest position in the QS World University Rankings 2026, rising 18 places to secure the 251st spot among 8,467 institutions evaluated globally. In a statement today, the university said it recorded gains across all indicators, with notable progress in Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Citations per Faculty, and Sustainability. "They also underscore the university's deep focus on industry-relevant research and talent development, cornerstones of its long-term roadmap. "UTP's close collaboration with Petronas and other industry partners continues to foster a dynamic ecosystem that bridges academic excellence with real-world application," the statement read. UTP president Ir Mohamed Firouz Asnan, as quoted in the statement, said the milestone affirms UTP's reputation among the world's top institutions and, more significantly, positions UTP as Malaysia's number one private university. He said UTP's continued ascent reflects its strategic vision to be at the forefront of technology education and research, enabling a better future for all. 'This achievement is a testament to the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, and students, along with the strength of our partnerships with industry and academic institutions worldwide. It demonstrates our deep-rooted commitment to quality education, innovation, and global engagement. 'As we chart the next phase of UTP's journey, this global recognition strengthens our resolve to become not only Malaysia's leading university, but also a world-class, hyper-focused, cutting-edge engineering institution anchored in societal impact, sustainability, and industry-driven innovation," he said. According to Mohamed Firouz, the recognition comes at a pivotal moment for UTP as the university embarks on a transformation programme that introduces a new approach in educating its students as well as realigning its research focus to address the grand challenges faced by society.

New Straits Times

5 days ago

• New Straits Times

Three young Malaysian scientists to attend 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting in Germany

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will once again be represented on the international scientific stage, with the selection of three young scientists to attend the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 4. The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, in a statement today, said this year's meeting will focus on the field of chemistry and is expected to bring together around 35 Nobel laureates and over 600 young scientists from 84 countries. Malaysia will be represented by Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan, 30, a PhD candidate in Applied Sciences (Chemistry) at Universiti Teknologi Petronas; Dr Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar, 34, a senior lecturer at the Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Dr Mak Kit Kay, 33, a lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, International Medical University (IMU). The ministry said the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, established in 1951, provide a globally recognised forum for exchange between Nobel laureates and young scientists. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in the same statement, said the participation reflects the ability of local talents to compete internationally and is in line with with the ministry's commitment to nurturing future generations of scientists through long-term investment in talent development in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). "We believe that interaction with Nobel Prize winners will broaden the horizons of our young researchers and inspire more youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation," he said. Meanwhile, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the young Malaysian scientists will have the opportunity to present their research and expertise at the meeting, opening the door to collaboration with scientists from world-class facilities. Since 2004, ASM, as the official nominating body, has identified and nominated promising scientists each year for consideration by the scientific review panel of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. To date, a total of 89 Malaysian scientists have been selected to take part in the meeting. – Bernama