By Nur Ashikin Louis and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Aug 16: An Iban scientist from Sri Aman has invented a membrane that can reduce the need of electricity from the present 60 per cent to 38 per cent in the conversion of water to hydrogen.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he was proud of the achievement, which uses a more efficient form of electrolysis.
Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
“This means the cost of conversion (from water to hydrogen) will be less,” he said when delivering his speech at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Energy and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
He was also proud that the discovery was made by a Sarawakian-born scientist who is now working at a Petronas research centre.
“I’m very proud. During the conversation, I thought it (invention) was made by a scientist from somewhere else. It turned out to be a Sarawakian who invented that.
“And this Iban from Sri Aman, he is there in Petronas inventing a new membrane that will reduce the demand or the need of electricity in the conversion of water to hydrogen. So now they are going to do that,” he added.
He also mentioned that Sarawak has achieved another discovery in the conversion of algae to biofuel.
“We can cultivate algae and we will produce biofuel. This biofuel will become sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) used to power aircrafts.
“Maybe beyond the year 2030, aircrafts will start using biofuel from Sarawak. That is our ambition,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
