TAHNIAH GERAN TAJAAN NIPPON SHEET GLASS FOUNDATION FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING I

DR. QUAH HOCK JIN

Gallium Nitride (GaN) as one of the promising wide band gap (WBG) semiconductor substrates with high breakdown field, high electron drift velocity, and high thermal conductivity has been suggested as a suitable substrate for development of energy efficient high power metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) based devices. The exceptional advantages of GaN when compared with other WBG semiconductors are the ability to produce a native oxide of gallium oxide (Ga2O3) with acceptable high dielectric constant (k) value via thermal oxidation. However, the thermally grown Ga2O3 passivation layer on GaN based MOS devices has demonstrated a high leakage current density that would cause detrimental effect towards the reliability of these devices. In order to address this issue, gallium cerium oxide (GaxCeyOz) has been exploited as the potential passivation layer on the GaN-based MOS device in recent time that have demonstrated a lower leakage current density as well as high dielectric breakdown field. In this research work, a titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) Mxene layer that offers excellent conductivity, good chemical and mechanical stability, as well as hydrophilic surface will be developed as contact electrode on GaxCeyOz/GaN based MOS structure with the intention to enhance the MOS characteristics of GaN based MOS devices.

DR. BEH KHI KHIM

This research aims to develop advanced FeNi/rGO (iron-nickel/reduced graphene oxide) nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensors for real-time soil moisture and nutrient monitoring in bird's eye chili (Capsicum frutescens) cultivation. The project focuses on optimizing the electrochemical synthesis of FeNi/rGO nanocomposites, fabricating and characterizing soil sensors, and validating their performance through laboratory tests and field trials in a commercial chili farm. Preliminary results demonstrate successful fabrication of miniaturized electrochemical sensors and confirm the potential of graphene-based nanocomposites for sensitive soil parameter sensing. The development of reliable and efficient soil monitoring tools aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and supports precision agriculture practices, potentially leading to improved crop productivity, resource use efficiency, and sustainable agricultural technology transfer between Japan and Malaysia.