On 12 December 2024, the Faculty of Science at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) held a highly informative session as part of the Science Seminar Series, featuring ChM. Dr. Muhammad Norhaffis Mustafa, a distinguished Research Fellow at the Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology (SCEEST), Sunway University. The seminar, titled “Response Surface Methodology: A Powerful Tool for Optimizing Materials in Energy Storage and Harvesting Applications,” brought together students, researchers, and academics for an in-depth exploration of material optimization.
Dr. Muhammad Norhaffis shared his impressive academic and professional journey, which began with a Bachelor in Chemistry (Honours) in 2015, a Master in Material Science in 2018, and a PhD in Material Science in 2020, all from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). He has since served as a research assistant at UPM and transitioned to postdoctoral and research fellow roles at Sunway University. His research focuses on dye-sensitized solar cells, electrochromic supercapacitors, thermoelectric materials, rechargeable batteries, and related technologies.
The seminar covered a comprehensive outline that included:
- Introduction to Optimization – Exploring the importance of optimization in energy storage research.
- Overview of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) – Detailing the fundamentals of RSM as a statistical and mathematical tool.
- Experimental Design in RSM – Demonstrating how to set up and analyze experiments for material efficiency.
- Case Study and Software Demonstration – Showcasing practical applications of RSM through interactive software tools.
- Interpreting RSM Results and Decision Making – Offering guidance on utilizing RSM results to drive innovation.
This interactive session equipped attendees with the knowledge and tools to harness RSM for advancing energy storage and harvesting technologies. Participants also benefited from a case study and software demo, which highlighted the practical utility of RSM in solving real-world material challenges.
The Faculty of Science continues to foster scientific excellence and innovation through its seminar series, empowering researchers to contribute to sustainable technological advancements. For more information on upcoming events, visit science.utm.my.
