Alhamdulillah…
Write up for Anugerah Saintis Muda Negara by Dr Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek
My passion is chemistry and I pursue it in my BSc, MSc and Phd in Faculty of Science, UTM, Johor. After one semester in PhD study, I was appointed as a lecturer at Faculty of Biosciences and Bioengineering, UTM (later, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering) and focusing on the application of advanced materials for biological purposes. Back to 2005, an early journey as a researcher, I have developed surfactant modified zeolite (SMZ) as an adsorbent to remove heavy metals in water, as drug delivery system and antibacterial agent. SMZ has unique properties such as high adsorption and excellent carrier for various elements. However, large-scale production for commercialization purpose is unworthy due the high raw material cost. Thus, I replaced it with a low cost and abundantly Malaysia’s clay mineral having aluminium silicate framework similar to that of zeolite.
The modification of clay with surfactant, which is organo-clay, is similar to the characteristics of SMZ, that has unique properties and various functionalities but with low cost of production. One of the most important finding in my research about the organo-clay was its ability as an excellent antibacterial agent that achieved when two antibacterial agents (surfactant and metal ions) are immobilized inside the clay framework. The development of this “Organo-Metal-Clay” has been funded by Research University Grant given by UTM and Prototype Research Grant Scheme awarded by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE). The novelty of the process of making Organo-Metal-Clay and its application as antibacterial wound healing agent was proven as it was awarded 2 patents (PI201370023 and PI2015703164, respectively) by MyIPO. The proof of concept of this material has been published in Applied Clay Science, Elsevier and Advanced Materials Research. This product won several awards which are gold medal in 24th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX’13) and INATEX2016. The commercialization route of Organo-Metal-Clay was strengthened as this product has been taken by INNOTECH PLT, a start-up company under MTDC for market studies and later, commercializing it. I believe that this product could enter a new market segmentation of antibacterial wound healing agent since the current products are mostly in the form of cream and solution and none of them in the form of compact powder and using our local mineral. The product will also open up new application of our local minerals in pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetic areas.
I am a very proactive and competent lecturer, researcher and scientist. Working as a lecturer having chemistry background in Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, UTM necessitates me to look into innovative products for biology and medical purposes. Until today, I led 9 research projects, graduated a PhD and 6 master students, 33 journals, 7 patent filing and involves in several research activities. I believe that being a scientist is not just only working in the lab but also participating in various tasks beyond the usual remit for the betterment of life.
Dr Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek
06 June 2017