By Ameen Hazizi
Malaysian Technology Expo projects focus on cost, usability
MALAYSIAN students are increasingly designing solutions around problems they encounter in daily life, focusing on practicality, cost and usability rather than broad concepts.
Across university and school levels, the projects on showcase at the recent Malaysian Technology Expo 2026 reflect a shift towards ideas that can function under real conditions, even if most remain at early stages.
Fixing long-term damage
At Universiti Malaysia Perlis (Unimap), one of the more developed ideas on display addresses a familiar issue in construction: Cracks that worsen over time.
A student-led project introduces self-healing concrete embedded with bacteria that activate when exposed to water. Once triggered, the bacteria produce compounds that gradually seal cracks, reducing the need for manual repair and long-term maintenance.
The concept is still being tested in samples, but its application is clear, particularly for structures exposed to weather and continuous stress. If developed further, it could reduce maintenance cycles and associated costs over time.
Another Unimap project focuses on caregiving, where physical strain is a routine concern. A student-developed mobility aid is designed to move patients without requiring caregivers to lift them manually.
The Assisted Transfer Lift System, designed by Unimap students, reduces the need for manual lifting during patient transfers.
The device uses a wheeled base and a detachable support frame fitted with a motorised lifting system. A sling supports the patient while a linear actuator raises or lowers them into position. Sensors monitor balance and can send alerts if instability is detected, adding a layer of safety for patient and caregiver.
The prototype remains limited in weight capacity and design refinement, but the function addresses a common, everyday challenge in home and clinical care settings.
Preventing problems before they start
At Universiti Malaya (UM), the focus shifts towards prevention, particularly in healthcare and energy.
One project introduces a dental bonding material designed to reduce white spot lesions, a common issue among patients with braces. The material uses a polymer that slowly releases fluoride, offering continuous protection instead of relying on a one-time application during treatment.
By replacing conventional bonding agents that do not provide this added function, the system aims to reduce enamel damage that often becomes visible only after braces are removed.
The SolarCap, designed by UM researchers and students, integrates solar cells with a supercapacitor for direct storage.
UM researchers and students are also working on an integrated solar energy system that combines energy generation and storage into a single unit. Instead of transferring electricity between separate components, the system captures and stores energy within the same structure, reducing loss during transfer and improving efficiency.
The technology is still at lab stage, but it reflects ongoing efforts to simplify energy systems while improving performance, particularly in compact or resource-limited settings.
Rethinking everyday use
Among high school participants, the problems being addressed are more immediate and often require simpler materials and methods.
Students from SMK Bukit Jelutong developed a soybean-based product designed to repel mosquitoes and soothe skin irritation. The project began with a limitation, as soybean oil alone is not particularly effective at repelling mosquitoes.
umina Beans, designed by SMK Bukit Jelutong students, aim to repel mosquitoes and soothe skin irritation. – ALL PICS BY AMEEN HAZIZI/THESUN
“People tend to overlook the other potential of soybean oil and the benefits it can offer,” one student said.
By combining it with natural oils such as lemongrass, kaffir lime and lavender, the students created a product that can be used before and after exposure, balancing prevention with relief.
Students from the same school also introduced a rust remover made using fermented organic materials and citrus extracts. The process involves soaking raw ingredients, allowing them to ferment and then extracting the active solution through simple distillation.
The aim is to produce a lower-cost alternative to commercial products, making basic maintenance more accessible without relying on expensive chemicals.
Adapting tools, learning methods
Other student projects focus on improving how existing systems are used rather than replacing them entirely.
The robot built by Sri Bestari students is capable of launching seed pods for controlled planting.
At Sri Bestari Kuala Lumpur, a robotics team developed a system that launches seed pods across land, allowing for more controlled planting. The design prioritises placement accuracy over speed, making it more suitable for targeted agricultural use rather than large-scale coverage.
While still limited in efficiency, the system reflects how robotics can be adapted to specific farming needs rather than broad automation.
Meanwhile, students from Victoria Institution are rethinking how biology is taught in classrooms. Their paper-based anatomical models replicate internal organs and are paired with QR codes that link to digital content, including labelled diagrams and reference materials.
Form Six students at Victoria Institution designed paper-based models to replace animal dissection in classrooms.
“Our focus is on replacement, refinement and reduction,” the team said.
The aim is to reduce reliance on animal dissection while maintaining clarity and engagement through a combination of physical and digital learning tools.
Built within real constraints
Across these student projects, the ideas are grounded but still developing.
Most remain in early stages, with limited testing and resources. Some are supported by initial collaborations or small-scale trials, while others remain confined to prototypes.
What connects them is not the level of technology, but the type of problems being addressed. Instead of abstract ideas, these students’ focus remains on issues that are visible, repeated and part of everyday life.
Source: meet-the-innovative-students-solving-everyday-problems
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