New Energy and Sustainable Research Group

Background

Introduction	The New Energy and Sustainable Research Group (NES Research) was established to spearhead innovative research in renewable energy, energy storage, and sustainability-focused engineering simulations. This group is driven by the urgent need to support Malaysia's clean energy agenda while fostering academic excellence and industrial collaboration. NES Research contributes significantly to the university’s research ecosystem by promoting high-impact publication output, securing competitive research grants, and organizing academic and outreach programs. The group is positioning itself to become a Centre of Excellence, enhancing UMK’s reputation in green technology and sustainable engineering innovation.
Research Focus	Core Research Themes Renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydro, hydrogen) Energy storage and efficiency systems Thermal, flow, and process simulation Sustainable infrastructure and policy integration
Research Objectives To develop and optimize sustainable energy technologies through advanced simulation, experimental validation, and industry collaboration, supporting Malaysia's transition toward clean and resilient energy systems.
Research Impacts NES Research strengthens Malaysia’s sustainability initiatives by generating energy-efficient solutions, supporting industrial decarbonization, and training the next generation of energy researchers. The group's work aligns with national priorities on energy transition, green economy, and smart engineering systems.

Introduction

The New Energy and Sustainable Research Group (NES Research) was established to spearhead innovative research in renewable energy, energy storage, and sustainability-focused engineering simulations. This group is driven by the urgent need to support Malaysia's clean energy agenda while fostering academic excellence and industrial collaboration. NES Research contributes significantly to the university’s research ecosystem by promoting high-impact publication output, securing competitive research grants, and organizing academic and outreach programs. The group is positioning itself to become a Centre of Excellence, enhancing UMK’s reputation in green technology and sustainable engineering innovation.

Research Focus

Core Research Themes

Renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydro, hydrogen)
Energy storage and efficiency systems
Thermal, flow, and process simulation
Sustainable infrastructure and policy integration

Research Objectives

To develop and optimize sustainable energy technologies through advanced simulation, experimental validation, and industry collaboration, supporting Malaysia's transition toward clean and resilient energy systems.

Research Impacts

NES Research strengthens Malaysia’s sustainability initiatives by generating energy-efficient solutions, supporting industrial decarbonization, and training the next generation of energy researchers. The group's work aligns with national priorities on energy transition, green economy, and smart engineering systems.

Research Group Leader and Members

GROUP LEADER
	Name	Dr. Ahmad Zul Izzi Bin Fauzi
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	zulizzi.f@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Energy Technology; Chemical Engineering Technology; Simulation and Process Modelling; Computational Fluid Dynamics

GROUP MEMBERS
	Name	Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Sarizam Bin Mamat
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	sarizam@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Microstructural observation (metal phase transformation); TIG/MIG hybrid welding: Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM); IMC formation in Al/steel dissimilar joining; Microbial Induced Corrosion (microstructural evaluation)
	Name	Assoc. Prof. ChM. Ts. Dr. Nor Hakimin Bin Abdullah
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	norhakimin@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Biodegradable packaging (Bioplastics); Food coating and packaging; Applied Nanocellulose; Catalysis / Self-Assembled System; Material surface functionalisation; Optimization by Response Surface Methodology (RSM); Artificial Neural Network
	Name	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wan Mohd Faizal Bin Wan Ishak
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	wmfaizal.wi@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Water Analysis; Water and Wastewater Treatment; Environmental Management; Solid Waste Technology; Biomass Energy
	Name	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Najmi Bin Masri
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	najmi.m@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Corrosion; Coating; Green Energy Materials; Energy Storage
	Name	Dr. Azfi Zaidi Bin Mohammad Sofi
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	azfi.ms@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Statistical Process Control in Bioproses/ Bioproduct; Optimization of Experimental Design in Bioproses/ Bioproduct; Applied Mathematics
	Name	Ts. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Bin Ahmad
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	iqbal.a@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Heat and Mass Transfer; Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD); Surface Mount Technology
	Name	Ts. Dr. Arlina Binti Ali
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	arlina@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Superconductor Materials; Semiconductor Materials; Advanced Materials
	Name	Dr. Nik Nurul Anis Binti Nik Yusoff
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	anis.ny@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Chemical Engineering; Process System Engineering (Simulation and Optimization); Renewable Energy (Biodiesel and Biohydrogen)
	Name	Ts. Dr. Teo Pao Ter
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	teopaoter@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Waste-to-Wealth; Materials Recycling Technology; Green Materials and Technology
	Name	Dr. Hidayani Binti Jaafar
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	hidayani@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Semiconductor; Renewable Energy (Solar cell); Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Materials

Current Research Projects

	Principal Investigator	Project Title	Duration	Funding Agency	Amount (RM)
1	Dr. Ahmad Zul Izzi Bin Fauzi	Advanced CFD Modeling and Experimental Validation for Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Air-conditioned Enclosed Spaces	2024 - 2026	FRGS	30,000
2	Ts. Dr. Teo Pao Ter	Extraction Of Tannic Acid from Kenaf Plant as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Corrosion Protection of Aluminium 2xxx Series in Automobile Radiator	2025 - 2027	UMK-BAU International Matching Grant	26,562
3	Ts. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Bin Ahmad	Development of Intergrated Solar Energy with Re-regulating Modular Mushroom System	2025 - 2026	IMaP	190,800
4	Dr. Nik Nurul Anis Binti Nik Yusoff	Pengurusan Sisa Minyak Masak Terpakai Secara Lestari (u-SMART)	June 2025 - Dec 2025	Suruhanjaya Kebangsaan Unesco Malaysia	15,889.24
5	Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Sarizam Bin Mamat	Development of a Welding Monitoring System (SeeWeld)	2025 - 2026	IMaP	182,000

If you are interested to join the research group, kindly contact Dr. Ahmad Zul Izzi Bin Fauzi (RG Leader). Thank you.