By Melissa Heidi
Pictures by Izwan Azman

BANGI, 22 May 2017 – Two teams of young researchers from PERMATApintar National Gifted Centre (PERMATApintar), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) won gold medals at the World Young Inventors Exhibition (WYIE) in the International Technology Exhibition 2017 (ITEX), held atthe Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC), recently.

Loo Qiao Ning and Natalie Sze-Lyn Thiagarajah was awarded with a gold medal through their innovative research entitled Replacing Estradiol-17 With Organic All Plants Proteins, while Ivan Te Wei Jun, Afif Farhat Ariff Ong and Oh Juin Chuen was also awarded with a gold medal with their winning research entitled Gravitational Potential Phone Charger.

Replacing Estradiol-17 with Organic All Plants Protein is a study of the separation and collection of vitamin content directly from natural plant protein sources to replace Estradiol-17, which is a harmful substance that can induce DNA mutations in both animals and humans.

“We have been collaborating with various faculties in the university and the study actually requires a long time.

“However, we managed to accomplish and also succeeded with the help of teachers, friends and also the university that has provided us with conducive facilities and laboratories to aid our research,” said Loo Qiao Ning.

Meanwhile, Gravitational Potential Phone Charger is a study of the use of gravity-based electricity using weights to produce kinetic energy.

It is an innovation to prosper and encourage environmentally friendly sources of electricity to charge cell phones.

Meanwhile, UKM Vice Chancellor , Prof Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said the student’s research is a product based research that is applicable in competition based learning.

WYIE Competition is an international competition that involves the participation of all countries in the world to deliver new innovations and also designs and creations.

Additionally, in the competition, two teams from PERMATApintar has also won two silver medals in the study The Potential of Acimum Basilicum as a Repellent and Banana Peel and Bamboo Fibre Plant-Leather.