The Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully organized a session of the Science Seminar Series featuring an internationally renowned materials physicist, Prof. Antonio Helio Castro Neto, on 3 March 2026 at the Auditorium Al Razi, T02, Faculty of Science, UTM. The seminar, titled “Old Materials, New Visions: Sustainable Approaches to Modern Challenges,” brought together academic staff, researchers, and students for an engaging knowledge-sharing session on emerging directions in sustainable materials science.
The seminar aimed to provide a platform for the UTM community to gain insights from leading global researchers and to encourage interdisciplinary discussions on innovative material solutions that address contemporary technological and environmental challenges.
The invited speaker, Prof. Antonio Helio Castro Neto, currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Advanced 2D Materials (CA2DM) and Co-Director of the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (IFIM) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is also a Distinguished Professor in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Physics at NUS. Prof. Castro Neto is internationally recognised among the top 1% of researchers in physics, with a Scopus H-index of 118, reflecting his significant contributions to materials physics and advanced functional materials.
During the seminar, Prof. Castro Neto discussed how traditional materials can be reimagined through sustainable and innovative approaches to tackle modern global challenges. His presentation highlighted the importance of advanced functional materials, interdisciplinary research, and sustainable development strategies in addressing issues such as energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and next-generation technologies.
The session attracted strong participation from academic staff, postgraduate students, and researchers across multiple disciplines, reflecting the growing interest in sustainable materials research within the Faculty of Science. The interactive discussion that followed allowed participants to explore new perspectives and potential research collaborations in emerging materials technologies.
This initiative aligns with UTM’s ASCEND 2030 strategic agenda, which emphasises knowledge sharing, global collaboration, and engagement with leading international researchers. The seminar also provided Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points and ACAD merit for participants, encouraging academic staff and postgraduate students to actively engage in scholarly discourse.
Through programmes such as the Science Seminar Series, the Faculty of Science continues to strengthen its commitment to nurturing great minds, promoting impactful research, and building global academic networks.
More research highlights and activities from the Faculty of Science can be accessed at:
https://science.utm.my/utmfsresearch/
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