ohor Bahru, 8 November 2025 — The Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), proudly congratulates Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Muhammad Safwan Abdul Aziz from the Department of Physics for being awarded the Prototype Research Grant Scheme (PRGS) by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia.
Dr. Safwan received RM175,000.00 for his project titled “Field Deployable Laser Metal Printing System with Integrated Real-Time Optical Spectroscopic Monitoring.” This cutting-edge research aims to develop a portable metal 3D printing system equipped with real-time optical monitoring, offering a novel approach to advanced manufacturing and rapid prototyping.
The proposed system integrates laser-based metal printing with optical spectroscopy to continuously monitor and control material deposition and surface quality during the fabrication process. Such an innovation promises to enhance precision, reduce production time, and minimize waste—key advantages that align with global trends in Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing technologies.
The field-deployable nature of this prototype enables flexible, on-site production capabilities, particularly useful in remote or industrial environments where conventional fabrication systems are not feasible. This technology has potential applications in aerospace, automotive, and defense industries, where precision-engineered metal components are critical.
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Muhammad Safwan’s project underscores UTM’s leadership in applied physics, laser technology, and material science, strengthening Malaysia’s capacity to innovate in high-tech manufacturing and smart engineering solutions.
The Faculty of Science extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Safwan for this remarkable achievement, reflecting his dedication to advancing cutting-edge research and contributing to UTM’s vision of fostering impactful scientific and technological innovations.
For more research highlights from the Faculty of Science, visit https://science.utm.my/utmfsresearch/.
