Welcome

Prof. Dr Halimaton Hamdan, FASc B.Sc.(Indiana), MSc.(Marshall), PhD.(Cantab)   Position: Undersecretary, National Nanotechnology Directorate                MOSTI                Professor of Physical Chemistry   Telephone: +6-03-88858630(off) Fax: +6-03-888589828 E-mail: hali@kimia.fs.utm.my             hali@mosti.gov.my

Hali has been an academic in UTM for 29 years and successfully promoted her research and innovative activities globally. She is currently leading the NanoMalaysia Programme as the Head of National Nanotechnology Directorate at MOSTI. She received her PhD in Physical Chemistry from University of Cambridge UK in 1989. She received her MSc degree from Marshall University, USA  (1981) and BSc degree from Indiana University, USA (1979). She pioneered the Zeolites and Nanostructured Materials Research in Malaysia. To date, she has led 25 research programmes and 80 projects in the field, garnering grants of more than RM13 million and over 100 journal publications. Her research is about sustainable, green and clean processes by molecular manipulation to synthesize new nanostructured materials, systems and complexes via heterogeneous catalytic reactions.

Her invention, Maerogel; silica aerogel from rice husk, the lightest solid  and best insulator known today was chosen as the product of 2008 by International Clean Energy Circle, UK. Maerogel has been patented in Malaysia and 22 other countries worldwide and is currently being commercialized through her spin-off company, Gelanggang Kencana Sdn. Bhd. In addition she owns 8 patents on zeolites and mesoporous materials. Her current research include probing of new generation hybrid, chiral, bifunctional and functionalized heterogeneous catalysts, drug delivery systems, nanostructured materials, nanofibers and aerogel  focused on improved efficiency in the production of alternative energy and manufacturing of fine chemicals. 

Her scientific research and scholastic work has received many recognitions, including Petronas Inventors Award 1993, Women Scientists Hall of Fame, National Science Center 1996, Seoul International Invention Fair 2002, National Intellectual Property Award 2006, Gold Medal Award from Pergerakan Wanita UMNO 2009, IFIA Cup for Woman Inventor 2008 from the International Federation of Inventors Association and Great Women of Our Time Award (GWOT 2008) from Malaysian Women Weekly. She also received the World Invention Award Glass Oberlisk at the  British Invention Show (BIS2007) for the  Biphased Nanostructured Catalyst (BNC) besides 7 other awards. Maerogel was featured through a program entitled “Spirit of Innovation” – CNN 2008 and global coverage in the media by Associated Press. The most recent is Merdeka Award 2009 (Health, Science and Technology Category) and Green Excellence Awards 2010 (Product Innovation for Building Insulation) by Frost & Sullivan Malaysia.