Developed concepts and ideas to transfer innovative developments of bioceramics and biopolymers into economically sustainable processes and applications. As a medical device technologist, solved problems in materials processing for medical technology. Among the main contributions are material and technology development, contract research, on-job training, consultation, technology transfer and staff/student training.

1) Development and characterization of bioceramic/biopolymer-based biomaterials:

i. Material development: Calcium phosphate based bioceramics / biopolymer composites, custom made calcium phosphate compositions based on Ca/P ratio, porosity/density, pore size, particle size, crystallinity, chemical composition and ions substituted calcium phosphate.

ii. Material processing: Wet precipitation synthesis, dry solid-state reaction of calcium phosphates, thermally induced phase separation for bioceramics / biopolymer composites.

iii. Shaping: Porous blocks using microwave heating, slip casting, granulation using spray dryer, coating using plasma spray, biphasic granules using hydrothermal treatment and membranes using phase separation technique.

iv. Material characterization and analysis: Powder characterization, thermal analysis, phase and chemical composition analysis, morphological analysis, mechanical testing, porosity and density, bioactivity and cytotoxicity testing.

2) Development and characterisation of antimicrobial coatings on metallic substrates such as stainless steel and titanium.

3) Completed prototype development (passed animal studies): Polymer/ceramic composite membrane incorporated with antimicrobial agent for bone regeneration.

4) Ethylene Oxide (EtO) sterilization facility development: Setting-up facility, Establishing EtO sterilization validation process, Acquiring ISO 13485 and ISO 11135 certifications, Establishing requirements for EtO sterilization service provision to medical device manufacturers.

5) Highly skilled in the handling, characterization and analysis of quantitative and qualitative measurements using analytical equipment, e.g. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Universal Testing Machine (UTM).

6) Highly knowledgeable on the requirements of biocompatibility testing as per ISO 10993 (Biological evaluation of medical devices), safety & efficacy of biomedical implants in animals, clinical trials, implant production requirements in clean room, packaging, and sterilization.

7) Well versed in ISO 13485 (Medical devices — Quality management systems — Requirements for regulatory purposes) for the commercialization of services for medical device manufacturers and manufacturing of medical devices.

8) Highly knowledgeable on MDA regulatory requirements, technical documents preparation and conformity assessment of biomedical implant for commercialization of medical devices.

9) Provision of consultation to medical device manufacturers and startup companies (Epsilon Medical Devices Sdn Bhd, 3D Instrumentation Sdn Bhd and RS Advanced Sdn Bhd). The consultation is to set up microbiological laboratory compliant to Good Manufacturing Practice, bioceramic coating on titanium implant, and production upscaling, testing and commercialization of dental filler.

A) Honors and awards:

1. Gold award for the invention of “Multi-functional biocomposite membrane for guided bone regenerative therapy in dentistry and orthopaedics” at the SEOUL INTERNATIONAL INVENTION FAIR (2020) on 1 – 4 Dec 2020 (online) at Seoul, Korea.

2. Gold medal for the invention of “Multi-functional biocomposite membrane for guided bone regenerative therapy in dentistry and orthopaedics.” at the 19th International Expo on inventions and innovations, Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2020 on 20-22 February 2020 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.

3. Special award by Association of British Inventors and Innovators: Invention and Innovation Awards 2020 presented at the 19th International Expo on inventions and innovations, Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2020 on 20-22 February 2020 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur for the invention of “Multi functional biocomposite membrane for guided bone regenerative therapy in dentistry and orthopaedics”.

4. As a team member won Best Innovation award 2004 for the invention of “Synthetic Bone Graft Substitute” – “GranuMas” awarded by SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia.

5. As a team member won Best Innovation award 2004 for the invention of “Fabrication Routes of Synthetic Apatites by Solid-State Reaction Process” awarded by SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia.

6. As a team member won bronze medal for the participation in “16th International Invention Innovation Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition 2005 (ITEX 2005) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held on 19-21 May 2005 at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). The award is for the invention of “A Simplified Route in Producing Synthetic Bone Graft”.

7. As a team member won silver medal for the invention of “A Simplified Route in Producing Synthetic Bone Graft” at Malaysia Technology Expo on 23-25 February 2006 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.

8. As a team member, won “National Innovation Award” from Malaysian Prime Minister for product category in “National Innovation Conference & Exhibition - NICE” event at Putra World Trade Centre from 27 – 30 November 2007.

9. As a team member, won Best Research Team award 2007 from SIRIM Berhad for the project entitled “Biomaterials for medical applications-Development of bone graft substitutes based on calcium phosphate bioceramics”.

10. As a team member, won silver medal for the invention of “Porous Bioceramic through Microwave assisted technique” at Malaysia Technology Expo on 19-21 February 2009 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.

11. As a team member won silver medal for the invention of “Self-cleaning antimicrobial titania-silver composite coatings for biomedical and architectural applications” at 22nd International Invention Innovation Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition 2011 (ITEX 2011) on 20-22 May 2011 at KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.

12. Science Fund project paper won 1st Place in the BEST PAPER AWARD (Life Science) during the 23rd Scientific conference of the Microscopy Society of Malaysia (SCMSM2014), held at UTP (Tronoh, Perak) on November 2014, presented by project member, Muhammad Jabir Suleiman.

Biomedical materials, Bioceramics, Biopolymers, Ethylene Oxide sterilisation