The Dean of the Materials & Manufacturing Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Professor Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail was conferred the Toray Foundation Year 2013 Science & Technology Award by Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF).
He received a cash prize worth RM30,000 under the Science & Technology Award category in a ceremony held in in Kuala Lumpur on 28 November which was attended by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin, The Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr. Shigeru Nakamura and MTSF Chairman, Academician Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman.
Professor Fauzi was chosen in recognition of his contribution and commitment in research and development in developing membrane technology in this country.
He is a highly active member and a pioneer in developing integrated and multidisciplinary applications of membrane processes in Malaysia, particularly in chemical process industries and other process engineering application.
Among his significant findings is the rheological induced molecular orientation of membranes and the application of spectroscopy technique to produce high performance hollow fiber membranes for gas separation processes.
His recent breakthrough includes the interplay of chemistry and engineering technology to produce a Mixed Matrix Membrane to address the limitations in the conventionally used polymer and inorganic membranes, hence allowing a separation performance that transcends that of conventional membranes.
Professor Fauzi has so far received more than RM40 million research grants from both government bodies and industries and has led the Long Term Research Grant Scheme, entitled “Sustainable Membrane-based Manufacturing” with a budget of RM6 million from the Ministry of Education for a duration of 3 years.
Recently, he secured 3 projects amounting to RM8.15 million from multinational oil and gas companies and another RM1 million funding from one of the world’s largest commodities company. His involvement in commercialization activities has generated about RM4 million in sales revenue to date.
Having published more than 240 papers in high impact factor journals, Prof. Fauzi also authored 2 books, 22 book chapters and 2 edited books. In recognition of his scientific contributions, he was appointed the Editor of Desalination, the international Journal on Science and Technology of Desalting and Water Purification, published by Elsevier [IF=3.014].