PAGOH, Aug 11 – BioCell Green, an eco-friendly electrolyte platform made from cellulose, has received the Gold Award and was recognized as the top achiever for the TITAN of Innovation Award at the International Development, Research & Innovation Exhibition 2025 (iDRIVE’25). This event was organized by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).

A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Nur Hidayah Ahmad and Dr. Nurhafizah Hasim from the Department of Physics, alongside Dr. Muhammad Amirul Aizat from the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), has developed BioCell Green. This innovative product replaces conventional electrolytes with a bio-derived, non-toxic, and non-flammable system based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The technology has achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 through trials conducted in real-world environments, demonstrating its capacity to power sensors for up to 30 days while remaining cost-effective and scalable for mass production. The project has benefited from collaborations with national and international institutions, including Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and Telkom University (Tel-U). It has resulted in knowledge outputs published in leading journals, along with protected intellectual property, including an approved copyright and a drafted patent.

“This double recognition at iDRIVE’25 validates our vision for safe, affordable and sustainable energy materials,” said Dr. Nur Hidayah Ahmad. “By using cellulose—a widely available, biodegradable resource—we’re cutting both cost and risk without compromising performance.”

Co-lead Dr. Nurhafizah Hasim added: “BioCell Green’s production-ready formulation and sensor-ready performance makes it an attractive platform for industry partners seeking cleaner batteries and long-life power sources.”

The award also spotlights the contributions of team members ChM. Dr. Muhammad Amirul Aizat, Mr. Muhammad Fariz Zulkiply, and Mr. Mohammad Shameen Sahman, and the strong institutional support from UTM with partners across Malaysia and the region.

“It’s great to see all the changes, how it’s impacting everybody’s lives.” — M. Stanley Whittingham.

Authors: Dr. Nur Hidayah Ahmad, Dr. Nurhafizah Hasim and ChM. Dr. Muhammad Amirul Aizat