MRB wins gold and silver at ITEX 2014

ERJ staff report (TP)

Kuala Lumpur – The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) secured gold and silver medals at last month’s International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2014 in Kuala Lumpur.

Now in its 25th year, ITEX 2014 showcased the work of local and international inventors and research scientists keen on commercialising their inventions. ITEX 2014 organised by MINDS (Malaysian Invention & Design Society) featured some 1,000 inventions from over 20 countries, including the US, Malaysia, China and Japan.

Gold medal went to ‘A Sample Testing Apparatus with A Cooling Device’ by Wong Hon Fei, Dr Nazirah Ahmad and Dr Yong Kok Chong. This invention is a sample testing apparatus comprising a test chamber connected to a cooling device in order to prove thermo-mechanics of natural rubber and the crystallisation of natural rubber. The benefits of using a cooling chamber are energy savings, and an economical and portable design

The ‘Rubberwood Fibre Based (Green) Composite for Body Armour Application’ by Dr Yong Kok Chong and Asrul Mustafa won silver. This device enhances penetration resistance from stab threats – such as knives and other sharp weapons. Other benefits include flexibility, light in weight, good physical strength, and the cost reduction of using natural rubber wood fibre.

Winners were judged in five main areas – novelty and inventiveness; usefulness and application; presentation and demonstration; market and commercial potential; and environmental friendliness.