By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, Sept 10: An innovative microalgae harvesting technology developed by researchers at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has won the Curtin Global Award at the Global Curtinnovation Awards 2026 in Perth on Aug 28.
The award-winning Ai-MASS (AI-powered Microalgae Automated Separation System) addresses a longstanding challenge in large-scale microalgae production by combining bio-based separation technologies with artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to create a more automated, energy-efficient and cost-effective harvesting process.
Led by Professor Garenth Lim King Hann, the Curtin Malaysia research team comprises Dr Lau Shiew Wei, Professor John Lau Sie Yon, Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dr Law Ming Chiat and Dr Saaveethya Sivakumar, with support from research fellows and assistants, including Dr Jonathan Then Sien Phang, Dr Basil Andy Lease, Dr Emmanuel Yahaya, Leonard Umban Pengarah, James Chun Ket Tai and Subha E Zannat.
Professors Lim and John Lau represented the team at the awards ceremony at Curtin University, where Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne presented them with the award.
Lim said the recognition marked a significant milestone for the team and underscored Ai-MASS’s potential to transform microalgae harvesting for industrial applications.
“Microalgae harvesting has long been a major bottleneck in large-scale biomass production. Conventional methods can be energy-intensive, require costly equipment and often rely on chemical additives that may compromise the quality of the final product.
“Ai-MASS tackles these limitations by integrating bio-based flocculation, micro- and nano-bubble flotation, camera-based AI opacity monitoring and IoT sensors.
“This allows the system to continuously monitor and optimise the harvesting process in real time, reducing energy consumption, operational costs and reliance on manual labour,” he said in a media release today.
Lim said the technology could also have applications across the energy, biotechnology and sustainability sectors, particularly as demand grows for solutions that support carbon utilisation and more sustainable resource development.
The innovation was developed in close collaboration with PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd, with industry contributors including Mohammad Syazwan Onn, Dr Nurul Farahin Abd Wahab, Dr Norhafizzuddin Husein, Ridhwan Zhafri Kamarul Bahrim and Tg M Uzaini Tg Mat.
Lim said the team’s engagement with PETRONAS through the PETRONAS–Academia Collaboration Dialogue provided valuable industry perspectives and highlighted strong interest in scalable and energy-efficient microalgae technologies.
“The collaboration with PETRONAS has been particularly valuable in helping us understand the practical requirements and potential industrial applications of this technology.
“It demonstrates how university research, when developed alongside industry partners, can translate into solutions for real-world challenges,” he said.
The Curtin Global Award adds to Curtin Malaysia’s growing track record in research and innovation, highlighting its contribution to developing technologies with potential impact beyond Sarawak.
Lim also expressed his appreciation to the research team and PETRONAS collaborators whose expertise and support contributed to the development of Ai-MASS.
“An achievement like this is never the work of one person. It reflects the collective effort of our researchers, research fellows, assistants and industry partners.
“We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to bringing Ai-MASS to this stage,” he added.
The recognition highlights the potential of AI-enabled research and industry collaboration to accelerate the development of sustainable technologies, positioning Curtin Malaysia researchers to contribute to emerging solutions in the region and beyond. — DayakDaily
