NanoMalaysia Berhad launched REVOLUTIoNT, an initiative under the National 4IR Policy that focuses on nanotechnology and the development of The Internet of Nano Things (IoNT) products and applications to enhance solutions for various applications in food and agriculture; wellness; medical and healthcare; electronic devices and systems; and energy and the environment, thus, providing the platform for low carbon innovations.
Officiated by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dato’ Sri Dr Adham Baba, the objective is to link, improve and digitalise NMB’s existing projects for future innovations for a cohesive and well-connected IoNT ecosystem. The programme aims to develop 41 market-driven Intellectual Properties (IP) and assist up to 50 local companies to venture into new market opportunities within the span of five years.
According to the Minister, the pandemic has impacted the economy greatly but 4IR brings with it market opportunities estimated to be RM205.5 billion in 2025 and an increased 30 per cent in productivity across all sectors by 2030. He added, that initiatives such as REVOLUTIoNT will enable us to harness its benefits and the full potential of 4IR. As Malaysia’s leading agency for nanotechnology commercialisation and industrialisation via a venture builder model linking industry, universities and society, NMB has been granted a government budget of RM50 million for 2021 – 2025 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12).
Under this programme, it has already activated five new projects – other highlighted projects under this initiative will be further developed to form a comprehensive IoNT network with potential opportunities to pivot into strategic sectors that will generate additional revenue for SMEs. These are existing projects that were developed by NMB and their suite of SME partners and are currently in the commercialisation phase. They include IoNT-equipped drones powered by onboard generator hydrogen fuel cell; NanoMalaysia Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (NAVi); Hydrogen-Paired Electric Race Car; NanoGrid Decentralized Power Supply System; an electric scooter; contactless and wireless safe Prepared by Write Media radio frequency (RF) charging system; Smart Urban Farming kit and graphene adoption products.
CEO, Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad said: “We believe this will help our SME landscape recover and thrive post-pandemic and aim to create up to 6,000 high value jobs over five years. It will also have a direct contribution to our Gross National Income (GNI) of RM2 billion and a minimum overall GNI contribution of RM24 billion through full market deployment and realisation of supply and value chain by 2025. This will also drive us closer towards Malaysia’s High-Tech Nation aspirations by 2030 – allowing us to both produce and export high-tech to other countries.
Additionally, the solutions that it has and will develop can be used to support the Smart City Framework that was rolled out by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) – which advocates using technological advances to address urban issues. He added that an exciting upcoming project under REVOLUTIoNT will be turning buses in the Klang Valley into electric buses – aligning to the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint and serving as an impetus to Malaysia’s Electric Vehicles aspirations. Its currently working with Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ) as well as bus builders.
