KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The Malaysian Rubber Board won gold and silver medals at last month's International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition 2014 in Kuala Lumpur.
Now in its 25th year, ITEX 2014 showcased the work of local and international inventors and research scientists who hope to commercialize their inventions. ITEX 2014, organized by Malaysian Invention & Design Society, featured 1,000 inventions from more than 20 countries, including the U.S., Malaysia, China and Japan.
Gold medal went to “A Sample Testing Apparatus with A Cooling Device” by Wong Hon Fei, Nazirah Ahmad and Yong Kok Chong. The 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 crystallization of natural rubber. The benefits of using a cooling chamber are energy savings, and an economical and portable design, according to the judges.
The “Rubberwood Fiber Based (Green) Composite for Body Armour Application” by 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 fiber, judges said.
Winners were judged in five main areas—novelty and inventiveness; usefulness and application; presentation and demonstration; market and commercial potential; and environmental friendliness.