Monday, January 31, 2011

koen's note

What makes a company an Innovation Winner?

As the knowledge partner of the World Innovation Forum, Capgemini Consulting has recently completed its global innovation survey on the current state of innovation. The study offers a unique perspective by looking at the differences in behavior of 375 innovation leaders vis-à-vis laggards across five key areas (Innovation Strategic Outlook, Innovation Capabilities, Innovation Technology, Innovation Function, Innoation Spending Outlook) in order to identify what drives the success of companies that view themselves as successful innovators.


In summary, the study reveals that:

- Given the strategic priority companies allocate to innovation and their corresponding spending plans, the maturity of their formal innovation governance structure lags behind considerably. To overcome many of the innovation bottlenecks encountered, it is time to establish an innovation function that is able to deal with this kind of innovation governance and decision-making.

- Furthermore, there is an enormous unlocked potential for innovation in the involvement of external parties in the innovation process. Innovation leaders may have out-paced their peers by simply being better at involving external parties, leveraging a much broader innovation network and increasing innovation potential.

- Also, the study shows that more value, in terms of impact on business results, is to be expected from business model innovation, than from any other form of innovation. Targeting new business opportunities in emerging markets is much more likely to be successful when approached outside of the traditional competitive landscape.


Global innovation survey
View more presentations from Koen Klokgieter

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Blessed 2011


1. Stay out of trouble.
2. Aim for greater heights.
3. Stay focused on your job.
4. Exercise to maintain good health.
5. Practice team work.
6. Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back. Take your time trusting others.
7. Save for rainy days.
8. Rest and relax
9. Always take time to smile.
AND
10.. Realize that nothing is impossible.

love to joke


PROBLEM STATEMENT

Large areas of concrete deteriorated due to reinforcement corrosion or other reasons at the King Saud University Residential Complex, Riyadh.

SOLUTION

Using a mixture of cement, aggregate and water with or without admixtures which are projected at high velocity from a nozzle into place as a continuous stream without interruption. Compaction to produce dense homogenous mass is achieved by the mixtures own velocity. There are 2 processes used in this method, which are the dry processes and wet processes.

Dry Processes
Cement and aggregate are batched and mixed without added water and fed into the delivery gun.The machine feeds a continuous and even amount of mixed material under high air pressure into a high velocity stream of dry air in the flexible delivery hose. Water is introduced as a spray at a special nozzle at the discharge end.


Wet Processes
In this method conventional concrete or grout pumping equipment is generally used. A suitable mix is pumped to the discharge nozzle along a flexible delivery hose. An additional air supply is introduced at the discharge nozzle, to speed up the flow and impart sufficient velocity so that the material is compacted on impact



http://www.bullivantarabia.com/downloads/Concrete%20Repair.pdf
(Bullivant Arabia Ltd)


TECHNIQUE 3: Overlays

PROBLEM STATEMENT

A user complains that her sidewalks and driveways look horrible. The top 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the finish surface has peeled up in patches. According to her contractor, the road salt is the cause for the damage.

SOLUTION

Concrete overlays to repair sidewalk and driveway surfaces will fare well when several guidelines are met. Overlays are placed over a sound slab and applied in optimal weather. Cement paint and bonding agents should be used and curing compounds must be applied when work is finished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx0wEujzxkQ

(Source: RRfest 2011)

Saturday, January 29, 2011

love to earn

Malaysia is ramping up its campaign to attract foreign investments in the country.

Two Malaysian ministers were in Singapore in December last year to highlight the 60 business opportunities that have opened up under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

The ETP seeks US$400 billion in fresh investments over the next 10 years.

A forum on its ETP was held on Tuesday in Singapore to update the business community here about Malaysia's changing business landscape. The forum was attended by 368 participants.

Malaysia wants not only the big players, but also the small and medium enterprises of Singapore to invest in the country.

Investors can tap sectors such as education, infrastructure and services, which are part of the 12 national key economic areas that the ETP will focus on.

Dato Sri Mustapa Muhamed, Minister, Ministry of International Trade and Industry for Malaysia, said: "We are committed to further open up and liberalise the Malaysian economy. Last year, we've done away with what we call the foreign investment committee guidelines.

"Before the dismantling of these guidelines, foreign investors had to get the approval of their advisee before they can acquire or dispose of assets including properties or shares."

Singapore leads foreign investments in Malaysia, a result of the warmer bilateral ties between the two countries and incentives offered by Malaysia, the ministers said.

From January to September last year, Singapore's investments across the causeway have totalled US$1.134 billion, comprising 75 projects, which are mainly in manufacturing and services.

In Iskandar Malaysia, Singapore firms have committed US$19.3 billion from 2006 to August last year. About US8.1 billion of this or 42 per cent are on-going actual investments.

To help facilitate investments from Singapore, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority has set up an office here.

Datuk Jalilah Baba, Director General and CEO, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, said: "The way forward is for the services sector to be spearheading about 60 per cent of the GDP. And the major services sectors that we are encouraging would be the headquarters, regional establishment, regional distribution centre, total supply chain management, oil and gas and services, manufacturing services. There are plenty, a host of services that we want to take to the next level.

"There are various incentives available for these kinds of industries or activities. Things like tax holidays for five to 10 years or even more if they require depending on how high value add that project would be, how strategic it would be for the country. And the incentives that we have would not differ whether they are SMEs or multinational companies."

Investors in Singapore can also look into oil and palm agriculture, where there has been less participation. Beyond Johor, investors can also venture into Malacca, which hosts manufacturing and the solar industries.

The visiting ministers say they expect Malaysia's economic programmes to promote more bilateral trade with Singapore.

Over ninety per cent of the ETP's funding is expected to come from the private sector.

But while the ETP has found interest among investors here, the challenge, analysts say, is in translating intentions into actual investments.

(Source: ChannelNewsAsia)

spring-loaded harpoon weeds 

(Source:io9.com)

The spring-loaded harpoon weeds which are invading the Southwest The Redstem filaree is a weed spreading out of control because of its mechanical abilities. Its seeds are natural coils. As they grow they develop more tension until they overpower their parent plants and fling themselves outward with tremendous energy.
Once they hit the ground, they embed harpoon-like in the soil. When moisture increases they unfurl, driving themselves deeper, and when they dry out, a series of angled hairs prevent them from retracting.
New research accurately calculates how far and fast they can grow, accounting for their virulent spread in Southwestern parts of the U.S. How can you defeat a plant whose reproductive cycle is so weaponized?
The spring-loaded harpoon weeds which are invading the Southwest
Send an email to Tim Barribeau, the author of this post, at tim@io9.com.

love 1my KL


love to save

Efficient energy use means simply using less energy to provide the same level of service. An example would be insulating a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve the same temperature. Another example is installing fluorescent lights and/or skylights instead of incandescent lights to attain the same level of illumination. Efficient energy use is achieved primarily by means of a more efficient technology or process rather than by changes in individual behavior.

A building's location and surroundings play a key role in regulating its temperature and illumination. For example, trees, landscaping, and hills can provide shade and block wind. In cooler climates, designing buildings with an east-west orientation to increase the number of south-facing windows minimizes energy use, by maximizing passive solar heating. Tight building design, including energy-efficient windows, well-sealed doors, and additional thermal insulation of walls, basement slabs, and foundations can reduce heat loss by 25 to 50%.

Modern building practices often demonstrate little regard for energy efficiency or the larger economic, environmental or social impacts of the built environment. Green building attempts to break with these practices. Early efforts to bring change to the building sector in the 1960s through the 1980s generally focused on single issues such as energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources. Green building now integrates a wide range of building design, construction, and operation and maintenance practices to provide healthier living and working environments and minimize environmental impacts. Crucial to the success of green building has been the application of integrated design principles, a whole-building-systems approach, which brings together the key stakeholders and design professionals as a core team to work collaboratively from the early planning stages through to the building's occupation.




love organic

Scientists make next-generation computers with gold and DNA

Scientists make next-generation computers with gold and DNA Researchers have fabricated a lattice out of gold and virus fragments. It could make your computer much faster. And turn it into a biological machine.
Optical computing technology, a growing field in the tech sector, involves computers that send data using beams of light. In order to expand the capabilities of optical computing, engineers are required to find materials that manipulate light very precisely. Photonic crystals are one such helpful material. A photonic crystal can block very precise wavelengths of light, making it a great optical tool. But creating such a crystal is a challenge. Now scientists have tested a new method for making them, and they have done using the coolest materials possible: Gold and virus parts.
Tiny gold nanospheres and pieces of virus were hooked together using strands of DNA. The DNA pieces were created specifically for the experiment. Small spheres of gold attach to certain base pairs and form part of the lattice. Gold, while malleable for a metal, is relatively heavy and rigid for such a small structure. The lattice is made more bendable by its organic component, capsids, which are what make up the protein shells of viruses. These bits of virus 'skin' string together the tough gold spheres.
A mix of all of these components - DNA, capsids, and gold spheres - self-assembles into a lattice. The structure of that lattice can, with certain materials, be made into a photonic crystal. No one would have to build a crystal to use in optical computing, mixing together the right ingredients could make it build itself.
Sung Yong Park, one of the scientists who worked on the project, was excited by the jump from mechanical to organic assembly:
Organic materials interact in ways very different from metal nanoparticles. The fact that we were able to make such different materials work together and be compatible in a single structure demonstrates some new opportunities for building nano-sized devices.
No word on what happens when the virus bits and the DNA combine to make self-reproducing computers. It will probably be the end of the world. Who knew it would come in the form of crystalline gold viruses?
Via Nature Materials.
Send an email to Esther, the author of this post, at einglisarkell@gmail.com.
(Source:www.io9.com)

love to celebrate

Chinese New Year Rabbits!

Chinese New Year Rabbits!

Welcome the Chinese New Year of the rabbit with this sparkling ecard.

(Source: www.123greetings.com)

love to prosper

The Legatum Prosperity Index is the world's only global assessment of wealth and wellbeing; unlike other studies that rank countries by actual levels of wealth, life satisfaction or development, the Prosperity Index produces rankings based upon the very foundations of prosperity those factors that will help drive economic growth and produce happy citizens over the long term.


(Source:http://www.prosperity.com)

The 2010 rankings

love to travel

India tempts more travellers from Vietnam


Thai Airways International and AirAsia will add more flights to India
HCM CITY — The Indian Consul General Abhay Thakur last week said there was good potential to make more direct flights between Viet Nam and India, and visa facilitation for Vietnamese travellers to the South Asian nation.
Speaking at the presentation Incredible India: Buddhist Destination on, Abhay Thakur, stressed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement during his visit to Viet Nam in October that the country would grant visas on arrival to nationals of Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines from beginning of next year.
“There are at least 28,000 people travelling between India and Viet Nam every year, or about 540 travellers every week,” Thakur said at the opening of the presentation, which was attended by leading tour operators, tourism and hospitality companies.
Thakur said there was a good chance direct flights would be increased to two or three times weekly between the two countries. “It will make it easier for Vietnamese to travel to India,” he said. Currently, AirAsia, Thai Airways International and Malaysia Airlines fly between Viet Nam and India via their hubs in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
At the presentation, Nalin Shinghal, director of tourism and marketing at the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation, introduced the Mahaparinirvana Buddhist circuit train package in India to attract more Vietnamese to visit India’s Buddhist sites, as the country is a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination.
Shinghal said the tour starts in Delhi and takes in major Buddhist sites including Bodh Gaya where Buddha attained enlightenment and Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon. The eight-day tour by train also visits Lumbini in Nepal where Buddha was born and Rajgir where the first Buddhist Council was held after Buddha attained Nirvana. There will be two train package tours every month until March next year, Shinghal said.
(Source www.evisaasia.com)

love to create

KUiKwall's Photos - January 21, 2011

Photo 1 of 13   Back to Album · KUiKwall's Photos · KUiKwall's Profile


prestressing system

(Source:www.facebook.com/kuikwall)

love to drive

Volkswagen to unveil 261 mpg XL1 prototype in Qatar

By Darren Quick
19:17 January 25, 2011
The Volkswagen XL1 protoype The Volkswagen XL1 protoype

mei2's joy

WOW! 
I can't believe I won the Cambridge International Photography Competition!!
This is unbelievable!!!

Taadaa~What do you think? 

I got the inspiration from my favourite picture below, thus I grab a passerby in King Cross Station to take  a picture before I left Morgane! 

My favourite picture
Taking a good photography not necessary have to use superb expensive DSLR, I am using normal digital camera Canon S90, well done babe!!

There are more than a thousand participants in Summer School, each of us can send up to 10 photos! Winning this award among a few thousands photos is my greatest honour! 
Thank you!

(Source:http://googlemei.blogspot.com)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Googler greetings !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&feature=related&hl=uk&v=PRJxJdgc4Ng
googlewhee
googlewei
googlemei

Novacem venture

The London Development Agency (LDA) has congratulated a London company that has been recognised for its innovative and environmentally-friendly approach to construction.

The company was recognised for its potential contribution to the engineering and construction industries at the London Technology Fund (LTF) Competition awards ceremony held on Wednesday night at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s head office. Sarah Ebanja, Deputy Chief Executive at the LDA presented the Environment Award to Novacem, a start-up company developing carbon-negative cement.

Novacem, a spin-out from Imperial College London, has developed a groundbreaking type of cement, which has the potential to transform the cement industry from being a significant emitter of CO2 to being an absorber of CO2. Novacem estimates that for every tonne of ordinary Portland cement replaced by Novacem cement, around 0.75 tonne of CO2 could be captured and stored indefinitely in construction products.

Novacem is supported by the LDA and European Regional Development Fund, through their investment in the London Technology Fund, which supports the capital’s emerging talent in high-tech industries. It has acted as a key investor to help secure nearly £20m of equity funding for London-based companies – securing co-investment at the rate of over £2 for every £1 it has invested.

Novacem is not only funded by the LDA-supported London Technology Fund, but is also based in a specialist incubator facility at Imperial College London, which the LDA contributed funding to.

Sarah Ebanja, Deputy Chief Executive of the London Development Agency, said:

“Novacem’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved when private industry works with the public sector to support London’s businesses. The LDA is pleased to support the growth of emerging industries, which help the capital maintain its status as a world leading city”

David McMeekin, Chairman of the London Technology Fund, said:

"Novacem is a tremendously exciting company with the potential to have a major positive impact on the environment. It is an excellent example of the world class technology being developed at London’s universities and we are delighted to be able to support the company with investment and to see it win the LTF Competition 2009 Environment Award".

Stuart Evans, Chairman of Novacem Limited, said:

“Everyone at Novacem is really pleased with the support we received from the London Technology Fund. It’s great to see the LDA supporting young start-ups in this way, especially in the current economic downturn in which so many sources of equity funding have dried up. I’m certain that Novacem and other hi-tech start-ups will play a vital role in developing a low carbon economy because innovation has never been more important.

“The LDA has a critical dual role in providing continuing access to finance for such companies, and also in encouraging the public and private sectors in London to adopt these new technologies.”


Novacem is developing the new generation of green cement systems that will help combat global warming by locking atmospheric CO2 into construction materials.
Our cement uniquely combines the sustainability of timber and the recyclability of metal with the technical properties and high thermal mass of concrete. Its use therefore minimises CO2 emissions during building construction, operation and disposal.
Our novel recyclable cement system is based on magnesium oxide and special mineral additives. In contrast to Portland cement, its manufacturing process causes minimal CO2 emissions and it requires lower temperature processing. It hardens by absorbing atmospheric CO2 and therefore offers the unique potential to develop a range of 'carbon negative' construction products.
(Source:http://www.lowcarbon.co.uk)

SCC

Self compacting concrete (SCC) is a type of concrete that is highly fluid allowing it to self-level, penetrate into complicated areas and formwork, through complex reinforcement and much more. Despite its increased fluidity, self compacting concrete maintains the high quality demanded by today’s building industry, presenting both flexibility as well as incredible strength. Its flexibility lies in the fact that there are multiple admixtures that can be added when designing the mix to create a final product that is suitable for the end result.
When working on residential or commercial projects the goal is to create an aesthetical pleasing result which is strong as well. For example driveways in residential areas or floors in high traffic commercial zones need to present a good looking finish while also being strong enough to take the weight of multiple vehicles on a daily basis. The advantage of using self compacting concrete in this case is that is requires no vibration and also dries to a shiny finish which requires little extra water.
Some admixtures that can be used in such an application include:
High water reducer – superplasticizer. This is an admixture that is used in all types of self compacting concrete because it is what gives it its flowability. Essentially, this admixture reduces the quantity of water needed to achieve the same consistency as traditional concrete meaning that if the same quantity of water is used then the resulting material will be much more fluid and easy to work with.
Generally, polycarboxylate ether superplasticizers are used in self-compacting concrete, despite the fact that they are quite expensive. However, they are extremely strong so a lower dose will achieve the same result as other products.
Retarding admixtures. These admixtures prevent the self compacting concrete from setting too soon. The concrete will then require an additional 90 to 360 minutes to set after it has been poured. Retarding admixtures can be made from gluconate, sucrose or phosphate, depending on the application.
Retarders are useful because rarely is concrete poured in a single batch, and if the first batch has had too much time and has begun to set it may not bond properly with the second batch. No matter how great the plan is, delays are bound to happen and retarders can help extend the setting period of the self compacting concrete to allow all the batches to bond properly.
Air-entraining admixture. This is used to entrain the air within the concrete while mixing to obtain a uniform distribution of the air pockets within the concrete. Air entrainment helps protect the self compacting concrete from the damaging effects of freezing and subsequent thawing, it also increases the level of cohesion as well as the stability of the final product.
Water resisting admixtures. These reduce the permeability of self compacting concrete which protects from the corrosive action of water. However, these admixtures only prevent absorption through surface pores and not if cracks are present in the concrete.
There are a wide range of admixtures that are used to improve self compacting concrete, with more being developed constantly with the rise in popularity of this concrete.
Source: http://www.todaysconcretetechnology.com/self-compacting-concrete-and-admixtures.html

Google in 1my Park !



Lets image the KL tower replaced the Eiffel Tower, Teehee ;p


According to Bernama, the world search engine giant, Google will soon to open office in Malaysia!! Google opened an office in Singapore and South Korea in 2001. Where do you think the office will be located? Penang? Kuala Lumpur?? But I hope Google will set up an Office at Cyberjaya =D
(Source:http://googlemei.blogspot.com)

Aki's LoveYL

love to cradle

Engineering & Entrepreneurship – 1.my Way
Lee Yee Loon, ahloon@uthm.edu.my
Koh Heng Boon, koh@uthm.edu.my
Lee Earn Pin, pin@1.my
Abstract: This paper reveals the secret history of Silicon Valley and selected survey on engineering and entrepreneurship education. It explores myths and realities about research and disruptive innovation. Personal experience on creating value from research is discussed. The http://www.1.my venture launched by an engineering graduate of UTHM is revealed. Strategies to exploit intellectual property and expedite commercialization for viable research products are discussed. Creating a culture of innovation for universities and SMI is proposed. Graduates are encouraged to startup with academics as advisors. Smart university-industry (UI) link should be the lasting benefit. Way forward for research and innovation is highlighted.
Keywords: Engineering, entrepreneurship, culture, disruptive innovation, smart UI link
Introduction
The secret history of Silicon Valley by Steve Blank has inspired me to share with others my thought on engineering and entrepreneurship. Steve Blank’s presentation has been posted on http://www.facebook.com/kuikwall. He shared his experience on events which prompted research into advanced electronics for military applications. I focus on the art of peace and prosperity. It comprises two short stories on engineering research and entrepreneurship. It is an attempt to explore beyond the norm with elements of intuition. It is intended to spark renewed interest in disruptive innovation for generation of knowledge and creation of wealth. Emission trading is another potential for developing countries to venture into clean development mechanisms.
Gibb A.A. (1993, 2000) explored the relationship of enterprise education to broader educational goals. He discussed enterprise culture to industry and education management and steps to be taken within the education system. He discussed several issues in another paper on relationship management, assumptions relating to governance and the academic approach to policy research. He stressed the need for more comparative work to ensure a more entrepreneurial future for academics and a higher rate of learning and change in their ways of thinking.
Jack, S (2010) collected data over a six-year period which allowed network to be mapped. Structural characteristics and in-depth detail about network dynamics and change processes over time were studied. Findings show how network structure shifts from calculative to effective ties and demonstrate the importance of social ties for the operation of a network.
http://www.1.my
Earn Pin (pin@1.my) developed a passion for IT while he was pursuing his first degree in electrical engineering in UTHM (previously KUiTTHO). I was writing up my PhD thesis then and applied for the Intensified Research into Priority Areas (IRPA) research grant. Upon approval of two grants, Earn Pin was engaged to assist me under the working student scheme. We formed the IT-Lodge (www.it-lodge.com) team and explored possibilities. We were striving to turn biomass disposal problems into opportunities for research and innovation. We focused on water treatment and soft soil construction problems. Earn Pin’s final year project was a web-enabled water treatment system. Together with Kok Hou, we developed a microcontroller-based remote monitoring and alert system. A patent was filed in 2006.
Your Website Solution Sdn Bhd (www.1.my) was started with the motto ‘be the first!’. I was the Research Advisor. We applied for Cradle Fund to develop the PPB online, a research management system for KUiTTHO. We also developed several systems for students to retrieve marks online and via SMS. As recipient of Cradle Fund, we had opportunities to meet many entrepreneurs. Some articles were posted in our blog. I focused on education while Earn Pin strived to create wealth. Our mission was to contribute to children deprived of education in Cambodia.
A novel system was created to match advertisement space owners and businesses looking for creative solutions in marketing. A creative system http://www.kumomo.com was born! The domain name was inspired by the name of a tree that heals. Fund raising was tough. We approached many potential investors to support our system development. We did not succeed after many attempts. I decided to spend some time away from the University to assist Earn Pin in the noble venture. I was on sabbatical leave for 5 months in KL with G&P Geotechnics Sdn Bhd, owned by Ir Dr Gue See Sew, my UTM classmate in the early 70s. While updating myself on geotechnics, I managed to follow up on several matters related to innovations. We managed to raise the fund for two Kumomo schools in Cambodia when we sold the domain name later on.
Earn Pin’s latest work on How to start an online business covers various perspectives of IT entrepreneurship. He covered in a unique manner myths and realities of online business. We hope the readers will be inspired after reading this book and explore with wisdom to create value in sustainable endeavours.
Although my passion was concrete and construction, I realized the relevance of IT for sharing knowledge globally. We developed IT-Lodge modules on R&D, teaching-learning and skill training. We published IT-Lodge Series on HTML and LINUX. We looked at ways to provide shelter for the homeless affected by natural disasters. We developed fast track construction system (branded as the KUiK wall later) incorporating a remote monitoring and alert system. We learnt to file patents and took part in exhibition and competition. We won the first gold medal in 2005!
Engineering and Entrepreneurship
It was a blessing in disguise ! Who could imagine that the once deserted Politeknik Batu Pahat (PBP) is now UTHM, the rising star among the 20 public funded universities in Malaysia!
I got a transfer to work in PBP which has been closed down for several years for rehabilitation work. All ground floor slab sank due to structural design fault. The place appeared to be a haunted with bushes all over the campus. Some staff were afraid to go to the back of the campus alone. Thought of disruptive innovations with controlled density material derived from biomass and solid wastes was in my mind.
While I served as the Head of Development and Maintenance of the Polytechnic Staff Training Centre (PLSP), I often attended meetings in UTM Skudai. On a special occasion I met Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zainai Mohamed who encouraged me to do PhD part time. He was the Dean of Graduate School then. I discussed the matter and my proposal with Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Warid bin Hj. Hussin who agreed to supervise me. I made a bold decision to register in 1996.
Life was tough ! I had to pay fees without scholarship and research grant. I approached many companies for financial support without reply. One day I noticed an advertisement by Blacktop Industries Sdn Bhd about prestressed concrete pile. The factory was located in Semenyih. I called to make an appointment with the managing director, Mr Chu Ah Nge.
The first impression can be deceptive. Mr Chu appeared to be a simple person and dressed up very casually. He was personally cleaning up the factory compound. We had a good chat about concrete and construction. I learnt that he planned to set up a plant to produce cement bricks. I offered my service to test his products as I was the Head of Concrete Laboratory. He agreed and asked me to bill him for services rendered. However, I offered quality prompt services and built up good rapport.
My first research grant
I updated such development to Prof. Warid and he asked me to try to get some financial assistance. I had monthly visit to Blacktop. I usually brought along test reports and relevant information such as standards and competitors in the market.
I asked if Blacktop could support the cost of traveling and development. He agreed without hesitation and wrote a cheque of RM10,000 on the spot. He also agreed to set up pilot plant according to the requirement of my PhD project. It was my first research grant! It paved way for several patents on sustainable products and processes.
KUiK Wall – CSM’s 1 cent story
“Are you joking ? Invest 1 million to make 1 cent profit per piece of brick!” . This thought will certainly come across your mind if I tell you “It’s true. You need to invest 1 million in a cement brick plant and the profit for a piece of brick is just 1 cent during recession.”
I like to share the experience of some members of CSM who have survived various challenges and prospered. We are able and willing to share with you the critical success factors in construction material business. We managed to convince several licensee of KUIK wall IBS system because they realise that the return of investment could be 100 times faster as the profit for a piece of ecoCrete block is at least RM1. A cement brick plant typically produces 8000 pieces of bricks per hour. I may take about three years to breakeven.
I quoted facts supported by extensive market survey conducted by consultants appointed by MTDC. I showed my potential licensee the production process and test reports plus numerous awards won since early 2000. I also quoted success stories of CSM members. We are launching concrete entrepreneur development programme and CSM award for enterprise. CSM has to serve and concrete and construction industry in order to survive and prosper. The academics are not left out as we also launch CSM-UTHM’s International Journal on Sustainable Concrete and Construction and aggressively promoting Lean Startup.
BioGen Venture
While I was in Kedah with POLIMAS in the 80s, I noticed the common practice of open burning of rice husk. The effect was smoke and dust and the unsightly residue along the road. I suggested to Kok Kean, the managing director of Ban Heng Bee Rice Mill (1952) Sdn Bhd to exploit renewable energy from rice husk. He owned the largest stockpile of rice husk in Malaysia, probably the oldest in the region. It was there since 1952, two years before I was born.
He was decisive. The first cogeneration plant which produced 450 kW was up and running on 18 August 1997. I was interested in the ash, which was about 10 tonne/day. It was grey as the incineration temperature was high. The emphasis was on power generation rather than the quality of ash. White ash could fetch a price of RM1000 per tonne whereas grey ash has to be disposed at about RM100 per tonne. The unprocessed grey ash was found to suitable for use in foamed concrete. The density was reduced and the quality was more consistent. Reduction of raw materials means reduced cost. The project won ASEAN Cogen award in 2003 !
Social Entrepreneurship
We adopted a volunteerism approach for pre-commercialization. During my term (2008-2010) as the President of the Concrete Society of Malaysia (CSM), I was aggressively driving innovations in concrete and construction. I constructed the KUIK wall (www.1.net.my) funded by the Vice President of the Concrete Society of Malaysia (CSM), Mr. Johnny Cheah based in Sabah with the permission of the University’s top management on a piece of reclaimed land next to Evergreen Fibreboard. I made use of recycled materials such as crushed concrete cubes for the foundation and drain. The areas around the Materials Laboratory was cleaned up. I emulated the Chinese government to put up the fast track quality shelter to serve the homeless. The Chinese government put up a million dwellings in 3 months after the Szechuan earthquake on May 12 2008, just 3 months from the 2008 Olympics.
I manage to secure TechnoFund of RM1.46 million for renewable energy and sustainable construction for the BCB group based in Kluang, Johor. However, there were obstacles. The agreement was not signed on time. We did not spend the money. However, I was determined to proceed with other alternative routes. Several new ventures launched on renewable energy and sustainable development. The project was split into two parts; upstream was taken up by a business entity focused on renewable energy while the downstream on sustainable construction was funded by Johnny.
A series of new ventures were launched in conjunction with the global entrepreneurship week every year since 2008 with Smart University-Industry (UI) Link as the theme to create awareness about sustainable ventures (www.lowcarbon.my) and ways to improve the quality of life of all creatures on earth (www.a4blog.com). CSM has launched IBS training programme for the concrete and construction players. The venture is now funded by a SMIDEC grant. University students should benefit from such scheme for lean startup. CSM members are willing to serve as mentors.
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Ventures
Sandbag is a UK based campaigning organization dedicated to tackle climate change. Attempt is made to attract investment in renewable and clean technology via http://www.1.net.my based on the concept shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Renewable Energy and Sustainable Venture Concept
The venture is based on concrete carbonation studies conducted since the mid 90s. It is now viable to mass produce eco-friendly concrete for sustainable development. Strategic alliance with parties in different parts of the world is initiated. With the support of governments and non-profit organizations, the venture is expected to be sustainable. A snapshot of the blog http://www.1.net.my is shown in Figure 2. An attempt will be made to apply for SWTCH Asia to support SME in clean technology development and deployment.
Figure 2 Emission Map on KUiK Wall blog (www.1.net.my)
The production system for KUIK wall as shown in Figure 3 has been designed to produce 20 m3 of G Block/Supra Block (Figure 4) in 8 hours. The amount is equivalent to 200 m2 of KUIK wall. The system is mobile and scalable to suit the requirements of the project. It can be deployed quickly to construction sites. A facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kuikwall has been created for product demonstration and promotion.
Figure 3 KUiK Wall Production System
Figure 4 KUiK Wall (branded as SUPRA Block and G Block)
RECESS Malaysia @ UTHM
Rehabilitation work in the Batu Pahat Polytechnic campus revealed thickness of concrete slab of up to a metre. As the concrete slab at ground floor sank, it was topped up with normal weight concrete which caused further settlement. I was thinking about altenative materials suitable for use on soft soil. It has to be as durable as concrete yet as light as timber.
It was motivational to gain acceptance of one’s idea. Prof. Dato’ Dr Ismail Bakar offered me the opportunity to present the startup idea of RECESS Malaysia to a group of researchers and practitioners in IOI Putrajaya. The idea was materialized. RECESS is now supporting postgraduate studies and nurturing technopreneurs in soft soil engineering and geotechnics.
The proposal to develop an industrialized construction system for road on peat was granted by Cradle Fund under the Ministry of Finance. The venture is supported by Junda Realty Sdn. Bhd., a construction company based in Kuching, Sarawak. Experience of road construction on soft soil in Sekinchan (Figure 5) has created opportunities in East Malaysia especially Sarawak with large deposit of peat.
Figure 5 Road on Soft Soil in Sekinchan Selangor (2004)
Intellectual Property (IP)
Patents took about five years to be granted in Malaysia. The first patent filed for UTHM on precast composite wall system (PI 20044277) was granted (MY-139642-A) five years later in 2009. The other patent granted (MY-140472-A) was filed for CIDB on method of producing biomass silica. The idea evolved around renewable energy and sustainable development.
The IP policy is generous! Researchers in Malaysian universities are entitled to more than 50% of income generated from commercial exploitation of IP. With passion, determination and hardwork, several investors are attracted to negotiate on technology licensing and spinoff.
Innovation Culture and Ecosystem
It is common for academic staff in Malaysia to be allocated 20% of the time to conduct research and personal development activities. In an exclusive session with Dr Hii, HH of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), the way forward to nurture innovation culture and ecosystem was discussed. The following actions are considered appropriate to achieve maximum benefit:
• Formation of one-stop commercialisation agency within MOSTI to facilitate transfer of prototype technologies to the industry
• Expand existing initiatives aimed at industry-academia collaboration
• Conduct annual “Research Assessment Exercise” to monior and upgrade the quality of R&D
• Attract high-quality S&T manpower regardless of their nationality
• Look into “dual ladder” career for academics showing great research potential
• Harmonise the national guidelines on Intellectual Property
• Enhance efficiency of Patent Office by increasing quality Patent Officers and Examiners
Contribution to Humanity
After the two Kumomo schools in Cambodia, the next target is Vietnam. A meeting was arranged with Dato’ Terry Lee of Fairdeal Corporation in his Kuala Lumpur office in Wisma Cosway. Together with the Technology Transfer Officer of UTHM and Mr Look of Vyncke, we explored possibilities of providing clean renewable energy and producing ecoCrete for sustainable development there. Mekong delta is the rice bowl of Vietnam. It has the good source of biomass for biofuel and clean energy. CSM’s Concrete Entrepreneur Programme also has a possibility of promoting lowcarbon lifestyle.
I was pleased when Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin, the Vice Chancellor of UTHM noticed KUiK wall in the campus and tried to use the material and method for future projects within the campus. I was impressed by his sincere effort to care for the staff and the local community. Terms such as teaching factory were discussed and the places surrounding UTHM were named as the valley of prosperity.
An exciting idea came across my mind. IT-Lodge @ UTHM ! We could provide for the needy families with improved infrastructure such as road and drains. Free training is to increase income and improve the quality of life while serving the community. KUiK wall could be used as incubator and named IT-Lodge (www.it-lodge.com). Another incubator could be set up in the IT-Lodge @ Parit Bengkok, integrated with the 1.my Cafe. The concept could lead to social transformation of Parit Raja into an innovation hub where budding entrepreneurs gather to strive for breakthrough. Some of the award winning poducts and systems developed by Malaysian inventors could be deployed at Parit Bengkok on the land owned by parties who have confidence in (www.1.my) ‘s 1Malaysia Homestay. It will serve as living showcase and evidence of UTHM’s contribution to the community. Such small step could pave way for a giant leap for investors to consider the development of a Technology Park. This concept has prompted developers in East Malaysia to consider joint venture with foreign investors. With the approval of RM1.54m to Suprafoam, we shall embark on our belated venture to nurture more budding entrepreneurs, create more job opportunities in rural areas to improve the quality of life of the rural community. Research park is planned for Sibu to promote carbon neutral development and eco-tourism. With love, we make it great !
Conclusion
Engineering education should lead to ingenuity and innovations. Sustainable social entrepreneurship should create employment which lead to improved quality of life. With increasing awareness of the relationship between peace, prosperity and happiness, engineering education should add value by incorporating elements of entrepreneurship.
With better understanding of social entrepreneurship, business ventures should make commitment for social responsibility. The emerging tide of voluntary services for the benefits of those in need are attracting global attention and contribution. We should explore with wisdom the possibilities of reinforcing ties within established networks of community colleges, polytechnics and the universities in Malaysia to expedite engineering research and entrepreneurial activities for the benefits of mankind and perpetual existence of earth in the universe.
References
Boschee, J. and McClurg, J. (2010). Towards a better understanding of social entrepreneurship http://www.se-alliance.org/better_understanding.pdf
Gibb A.A. (1993) Enterprise culture and education: Understanding enterprise education and its links with small business, entrepreneurship and and wider education goals. International Small Business Journal Vol. 11 No.3 pp. 11-34 (April 1993)
Gibb A.A. (2000) SME policy, academic research and the growth of ignorance, mythical concepts, myths, assumptions, rituals and confusions. International Small Business Journal pp.13-35
Jack S. et.al. (2010) An entrepreneurial network evolving: Patterns of change. International Small Business JournalVol.28 pp.315-337
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to http://www.malaysiarice.com, http://www.cradle.com.my, Junda Realty Sdn Bhd , Blacktop Industries Sdn Bhd, Suprafoam Construction Technologies Sdn Bhd, G Bolck Sdn Bhd, Reliacon Sdn Bhd, RainbowShield Sdn Bhd and Jian Lee (lee@adelphi.de) for their assistance in the entrepreneurial process of lean startup for sustainable development.
(Source:www.1.net.my)

love to live

Therapy by drinking water seems to be unbelievable and inconceivable, but facts have proved it to be reliable and recommendable. Drinking sufficient quantity of water at a time renders the colon more effective in forming more new fresh blood known in medical terms as mematopaisen. This is made possible by the function of the neucona folda found in the nutrients from food taken by our bodies which turn them into new fresh blood. This theory was published in an article written by a Japanese Professor in a medical university seven years ago.
Due to insufficient exercise of the colonia truct, man feels exhausted and becomes sick and finds it hard to cure himself. Grown-up people have colons or large intentines 3 feet long, capable of absorbing the nutrients taken by us several times a day. If the colon is clean then the nutrient taken by us will be completely absorbed by the neucosa folda which turn them into new fresh blood.
This blood is responsible for curing our ailments and is considered a prime power in the improvement of our health. In other words, “Water Therapy” will make us healthy and prolong our mortal lives. The following is the story of the author.
“I met an old man 30 years ago. This old man was very robust and extra-ordinarily healthy. I greeted him and asked if he had any sickness. He replied. “I have for a very long time no illness at all. Way back when I was twenty years old, I suffered gastritis and was confined to bed for almost ten years. During this period, I had been treated by 5 physicians with all kinds of medicines without any effect. Later on, an old medical friend of mine told me that physician or medicine could do me any good. No medical therapy could cure me, but there is one therapy that I may try. I asked him what that therapy was. He said “Every morning when you get up, do not wash your face neither your mouth. Drink 1.16 Kilos (6 tumblers) of water without stoppage. Don’t eat anything before you retire.” He left without giving me any medicine. I followed his instruction and drank 1.26 kilos of water. within an hour, I urinated 3 times.
I ate my porridge for breakfast and never tested such delicious and tasty porridge for the past 10 years. Next morning I drank again this quantity of water, I moved my bowels and all the stagnant waste came out. 3 months later, my body increased by 10 kilos. I am now 68 years old. Ever since I took the water therapy, I have never been sick again, not even a cold. After drinking water, I felt that the tap water contains calcium and magnesium salts and other impurities, so I boiled water during the night time and let the sediments settle down until the next morning, I drank the upper clear portion of the water. No ill effects such as headache, stomach, trouble or loose bowels occurred. I felt comfortable.
Water therapy saved the members of my family when my kids suffered from meningitia. After applying the water therapy, all became well. My wife ten years ago, had heart disease and obesity (too fat). After taking water therapy, within ten days, all sickness disappeared. Two months later she lost 8 Kilos in wight. A few suggestion: The sick person sometime finds it hard to drink 1.26 kilos of water all at a time, but he has to be patient and try to run or hike for a while and he will surely consume the whole quantity of water. After drinking take good exercise for 20 minutes , either jogging or running. (The translater, for convenience recommends stationary jogging in your bedroom). Sick persons who cannot get up after water therapy, practise deep breathing for the purpose of making the water inside the colon flow so as to wash and clean the neucona folda. Some people may have loose bowels and have to urinate three times within an hour. However, after three to four days all these troubles will be eliminated. One week later, I urinated only once after drinking water.
Even those people suffering from gastritia, by experience will be cured after water therapy. For one week hypertension; diabetes one week; gastric hypostia three days; constipation one day; cancer one month; pulmonary tuberculosis 3 months.
Old people who have arthritis and rehumatism should undergo water therapy 3 times a day for one week in order to have full recovery.
During meal times you can have the usual drink of water, but two hours after meals Do not drink any more.
Before you go to bed, don’t eat anything especially apples.

(source:http://www.joyconnector.com)

Kumomo Schools in Kampong Cham

On 8th Oct 2008, our team make their grand tour to Cambodia to visit both the Kumomo Schools in Kampong Cham at the Batheay District, approximately two hours drive from the city of Phnom Penh.
The launched was delayed, it was about 60% done now.
The launched was delayed, it was about 60% done now.
Thanks to Bernie and his team, the visit was great with they showing our team around the schools and meeting with the local district officers.
Local Cambodian kids
Local Cambodian kids
“In comparison, the youths in Malaysia are extremely lucky. We should all be grateful for everything that we have and learn to give to those who are more underprivileged than us,” Ammie said, after visiting both the schools.
On the visit, tour on duty.
On the visit, tour on duty.
“In these 6 days, we encountered joys and laughter, shocks and burns (sunburns). Besides the famous Angkor Archeology Park, Pub Street, Traditional Markets, Museums and Temple’s visits, we have headed off the beaten tracks to a rural area, 1 hour bumpy drive from the Phnom Penh city, for visiting an under-construction school, namely Kumomo School.” Said Chinseng.
About Rural Schools Project & Kumomo Schools
The Rural Schools Project was initiated by the American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC) in 1999, and the project allows private donors to build schools with matching funds from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for the kids and youths in rural Cambodia. Both Kumomo Schools was built with money collected through Kumomo.com built and developed by 1.com.my.
(Source:www.1.com.my)

Cambridge International Photo Competition 2010

The overall winner with entries in the Summer School experiences category is: Theng Ying Lee.
Congratulations to Theng Ying Lee, founder of http://googlemei.blogspot.com.

carbon footprint



Foot Prints On Sand.jpg
The first step to reducing your own personal carbon emissions is to realise how much carbon dioxide your life and activities maybe causing. Every time we use a car, every time we use the heating in our homes and every time we eat processed food from a supermarket we are using fossil fuel and in turn releasing carbon dioxide.
The average emissions per person in the UK is 9.4 tonnes CO2. This figure seems very high until you begin to breakdown the details into their parts. Sometime figures for carbon footprints are given in carbon, other time carbon dioxide. To convert between them 1 tonne of carbon is the equivalent of 3.67 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
There are various online tools that can help you work out the carbon emissions that you are producing, such as the carbon calculator or actonco2.direct.gov.uk. The methods behind the calculations maybe different so it may be worth using a few to compare. Once you know the baseline of carbon emissions for your life you can begin to reduce them. Solving climate change is not about climate champions crusading for the cause. It is about people waking up to the real ecological impacts of their lives and reducing them accordingly.
One small action by one person is a small difference. One small action by everybody is a big difference. Big action by everybody will completely resolve climate change, but a journey begins with a single step.
(Source:http://www.lowcarbon.co.uk)

Law of giving

Give love, freedom and inspire knowledge acquisition and exploration for the benefit of mankind.

Your willingness to give will attract wellness, inspiration and wisdom to achieve and excel. 






Law of life


When we are thankful for what we have - for the friends we have, and for the things we've got,

we attract more good people and good things!

People who always complain about what they DON'T HAVE, stay stuck.

Complainers attract more things to complain about!

It is a law of life. It's hard to explain, but you can observe it around you.

love to share

 love to learn,

learn to love,

love to share,

share to inspire,

love to live,

live to give


with wisdom, we excel