[en] The paper is discussing on development of membrane technology as one of critical solution in prevention of clean water scarcity. Recent advances in nanotechnology provide effective approaches to enhance the performance of membrane with their synergistic effects for water purification and desalination. Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), combined with Carbon Fibers (CF) as reinforcement duo, can offer promising advanced composites as smart materials to adapt in membrane for enhancing the performance of permeability and rejection, simultaneously. By combination of Electrophoretic deposition (EPD), technique as coating method with assisted radiation in composite formation, new top barrier layer of CNT-reinforced CF based nanocomposite can be obtained as smart membrane to satisfy both the need of a high-performance membrane and the fouling-resistant ability. This review will cover the development aims, from the preparation of CNT suspension, the reinforcement of CNT-reinforced CF in nanocomposite matrix as a layer of membrane and the evaluation of membrane properties as significance performance improvement in water purification and desalination. (author)

[en] Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is well-known as one of versatile electrochemical process which consist two-step processes for depositing coatings from suspended particles and polymer molecules. EPD requires the homogeneous dispersion of charged particles in a suspension medium. As prerequisite step, the stable suspension should be formed by assisting the ultrasonic irradiation. Generally, when applying an electric field, the particles move towards the oppositely charged substrate material, where they deposit to form a coating on the surface of the substrate. In the standard EPD process (lab scale), two electrodes, the working electrode (substrate material) and the counter electrode are immersed in the suspension. In pilot scale, the fully automated system can be consist including suspension compartment with ultrasonic transducer, electrodes in-line system, programmable AC/DC power supply, washing system, drying/ annealing system and others. The advantages of EPD are rather simple equipment, the flexibility in substrate shape/ dimension and coating materials choice as well as the ability to easily control the homogeneity and thickness of the coatings. Pilot scale deposition facilities can involve semi-automatic operation with accurate deposit thickness control. Suspension and solution handling systems can be either water-based or solvent-based, and are specially designed to remove air bubbles that can cause defects in the product. Uniform or graduated thickness as required is done by control of electric field strength and fluid flow to avoid stagnation points This promising technique can be suitable choice from other techniques which more expensive, less efficient and harmful to environment. The hybrid nanocomposites have been proven to exhibit superior properties than the conventional materials. To make full use of the properties derived from particles, it is important to control the arrangement of particles with high packing density in hybrid nanocomposites. The Ultrasonic assisted Electrophoretic Deposition has been found to enable desired particle arrangement and packing density with various shapes. The widely fabrication and coatings application on targeted materials/surfaces such metals, fibres and glass which can be efficiently utilized. Besides, with the implementation of Gamma irradiation as replacement for chemical treatment and EB irradiation for enhancement of conductivity and uniformity of the coatings, the fabricated hybrid nanocomposites will be enhanced materials and can contribute efficiently. The application can widely covered in industries, especially in medical, automotive, energy, and environment, even have future prospects for military and aerospace. (author)

[en] Full-text: Natural bio waste which is empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibre has been produced tonnes per day in daily palm oil productions and mostly used to generate electricity for the palm oil mill. Thus, in this study, EFB was used to investigate the thermal stability and level of degradation when bombarded with electron irradiation and biochar recovery by using microwave assisted technique. The long strands of EFB fibre was mechanically pulverized in fined 300 μm mesh sized powder. The long strands and powder form of EFB was irradiated under electron beam accelerator with the intensity of 100 to 400 kGy with increment of 100 kGy. The thermal stability of irradiated EFB depicted that the 400kGy exposed to the sample induced to early and rapid loss of weight for both strands and powder. The recovery of biochar using microwave pyrolysis was also analyzed in this study. (author)

[en] Full text: Multi-Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWCNT) were deposited onto Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates by introducing the use of Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) as the method. The Multi-Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWCNT) were dispersed ultrasonically in ethanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form stable suspension. The addition of Sodium Hydroxide in ethanol can stabilize the suspension, which was very important step before the deposition take place. Two substrates of Indium-Tin-Oxide(ITO)-coated glass placed in parallel facing each other (conductive side) into the suspension. The deposition occurs at room temperature, which the distance fixed at 1 cm between both electrodes and the voltage level applied was fixed at 400 V, respectively. The deposition time also was fixed at 30 minutes. The deposited ITO-Glass with Multi-Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWCNT) will be characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), and Raman Microscope. The images of SEM shows that the Multi -Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWCNT) were distributed uniformly onto the surface of ITO-Glass. The deposited ITO-Glass with Multi-Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWCNT) could be the potential material in various practical applications such as field emission devices, fuel cells, and super capacitors. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique was found to be an efficient technique in forming well distribution of Multi-Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWCNT) onto ITO-Glass substrates, as proved in characterization methods, in which the optimum conditions will play the major role. (author)

[en] The mechanical properties of linear low density polyethylene/ ethylene vinyl acetate (LLDPE/ EVA) blend cross-linked using electron beam (EB) irradiation was studied. The indication of ultimate strength increment showed as the irradiation dose increased from 13 to 15 MPa and 9.8 to 11.5 MPa for LLDPE and LLDPE/ EVA respectively with the exposure from 60 kGy to 120 kGy. However, the presence of EVA in LLDPE/ EVA reduced the values of ultimate strength.In contrast, the gel content with the presence of EVA in LLDPE/ EVA is much higher than the LLDPE. Besides that, the morphological analysis, gel content and the electrical properties was studied to compare the effect of presence of EVA and the increment of irradiation exposed to the samples. Consequently, the addition of EVA in the blend not only aggravates the ultimate strength but increased the gel content of the blend due to amorphous region presence in the molecular structures. Meanwhile, the increment of irradiation dose indicated the same increment trend of mechanical and electrical properties for both formulated blends. (author)

[en] The paper is discussing on development of standard, in which referred to Low-Voltage Cable for Automotive Parts. In this revision, the standard developed integrates ISO and JASO standards and be adopted in PROTON Engineering Standard (PES). This part of PES specified the dimensions, test methods, requirements, and performance for wire cables that are already in practical use but have not been standardized by any Malaysia and industrial standards. (author)

[en] the paper is discussing on the features of Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) as coating technique in application of water filtration membrane. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a two-step process for depositing coatings from suspended particles and polymer molecules. the advantages of EPD are rather simple equipment, the flexibility in substrate shape or dimension and the choice of coating materials, as well as the ability to easily control the homogeneity and thickness of the coatings. the assistance of radiation in this technique provide good impact in producing quality coatings, from the preparation of stable suspension till the uniformity of the coatings or deposition for the formation of membrane layers. This will highlight the significant and the potential of this coating technique in application of filtration membrane for improvement in water purification and desalination. (author)