Dr. Lee Tian Khoon

Recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology & Innovation 2018

Institution

Uppsala University, Sweden

Converting Rubber Material for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion

Health, Science and Technology

Dato' Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

Recipient for Year 2022

Something that is worth doing is often tough, but the rewards can be big.

Converting Rubber Materials Into Conductors

Currently working as an independent principal investigator (researcher), Dr. Edison holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Science, and a Master of Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

His main research is on polymer electrolyte and nanomaterials for Lithium-ion battery, a field in which he has 9 years of experience in. Throughout the years, he has been involved in several battery projects, including dye-sensitized solar cell research, and teaching.

For the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, his work on ‘Converting Rubber Material for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion’, looks at how to convert rubber, our national commodity and an insulator, into electrical conducting materials for various electrochemical devices such as lithium ion battery. According to Dr. Edision, this requires the physico-electrochemical aspects in mixing all the components to be studied by various spectroscopic techniques and in-situ methods.

Dr. Edison's Quest for Sustainable Energy Storage

Dr. Edison, whose award-winning research in alternative energy storage has already earned him world-wide acclaim, aims to reduce the dependency of petrochemical-based polymer for electrolytes application and to produce more environment benign and safer electrochemical devices at a lower cost through his current research.

Considering rubber's status as a national commodity, he is confident that the success in the research would present significant opportunities for Malaysia and further enhance the economic value of rubber.

Illuminating Path to Success

Similar to his namesake, Thomas Edison, whose inventions illuminated the world, Dr. Edison holds a firm belief in a bright future. He envisions a transformative world in the next decade, and with leaders like Dr. Edison at the forefront, the future indeed promises to be luminous.

Securing the grant recipient status enabled Dr. Edison to embark on an enriching journey to Uppsala University, a renowned research institution in Sweden. During the attachment program, he had the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and network with some of the best minds in his field.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Edison expressed, “Before I won the award, the journey was difficult, challenging, strenuous, and long. Thanks to the Merdeka Award, I got a real opportunity at the right time, it was a stepping stone in my career development.”

Disclaimer:
The information in this award recipient's profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time the award was presented. Any subsequent changes, updates, or developments in the individual's life or achievements may not be reflected in this profile.

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