JOHOR BAHRU, 3 September 2025 – Two innovative teams from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) proudly emerged as winners at the Cradle Live! PITCH IT Roadshow Southern: Johor 2025, part of a nationwide initiative by Cradle to boost Malaysia’s startup ecosystem ahead of the upcoming Startup ASEAN Summit 2025.
This recognition highlights UTM’s growing footprint in innovation and entrepreneurship. The two winning research-based products were:
🔹 GreenHydro Tech by Ts. Dr. Fariza Hanim Suhailin
🔹 BioCell Green by Dr. Nur Hidayah Ahmad (Team Lead) and Dr. Nurhafizah Hasim
Among 12 participating teams, only three products were selected as winners — each receiving RM2,500 in cash prizes. These awards acknowledge the high commercial viability and societal relevance of the technologies developed by UTM researchers.
🌱 BioCell Green – From Biomass to Battery Innovation
BioCell Green is a biodegradable electrolyte system created using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) combined with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO). As a safe and eco-friendly alternative to hazardous conventional battery electrolytes, it has been tested up to Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7) in sensor applications. The product is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy, and SDG 13: Climate Action), with applications in electronics, IoT, and sustainable energy. It reflects the “waste to wealth” concept with strong commercialization potential.
💧 GreenHydro Tech – A Natural Solution for Microplastic Pollution
GreenHydro Tech is a naturally derived biopolymer-based filter that has demonstrated up to 99.2% effectiveness in removing microplastics from water. As a safer and sustainable solution, the innovation supports clean water access, environmental protection, and public health.
This outstanding achievement by UTM researchers was also highlighted in national media and featured in Digital News Asia, further validating their innovative contributions to the local startup ecosystem. Read more here:
🔗 Cradle Live! Roadshow ignites Johor’s startup ecosystem
These successes mark a significant step in translating academic research into impactful, real-world applications — supporting UTM’s broader mission of innovation for a better future.
🔗 Learn more about research at UTM Faculty of Science: https://science.utm.my/utmfsresearch/
