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National Metal and Materials Technology Center
MTEC Matters
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been continuing and creating obstacles for operations and activities, MTEC stills commits to delivering research results that meet the country’s urgent needs and create positive socio-economic impacts. In 2022, MTEC has carried out various activities as follows.
MTEC research works that benefit the economy and society
Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation (HI PETE)
HI PETE was developed by Dr.Sarawut Lerspalungsanti and the Well-living Design Research Team under MTEC’s Engineering Design and Computation Research Group. ‘HI PETE’ or Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation was an extension of the ‘PETE’ Patient Isolation and Transportation Chamber. This device is a low-cost tent for isolating patients at home or used for field hospitals. It is lightweight, easy to relocate, and its size can be adjusted to fit into the room. It also has a window for patients to communicate with the medical personnel, thus reducing the chance of infection between them. HI PETE performance meets international standards and has passed the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60601-1 (safety), the IEC60601-1-2 (electromagnetic compatibility of medical devices, EMC), and the ISO 14644 (clean room performance testing) and received the National Innovation Award 2022 1st Runner-up type of product &service design from National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA).
HI PETE received budget support from the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) and had been delivered to Kamphaengphet Town Municipality, Kamphaeng Phet Province, Mongkutwattana Hospital, Bangkok, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and Sai Ngam Hospital and Kamphaeng Phet Province.
M-Wheel
M-Wheel, an electronic device to turn a normal wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair, was developed by Dr. Danu Prommin and the Biomechanics Research Team of Biofunctional Materials and Devices Research Group of MTEC. The device had passed the Electrical Medical Device Product Evaluation, the Protection against Electromagnetic Interference, and the Risk Assessment of Medical Devices by the Electrical and Electronic Product Testing Center (PTEC).
M-Wheel is useful for the elderly and people with paraplegia of all ages because it is easy to use, helps improve their quality of life, and reduces the dependency on others as well as the care expenses. The development of the M-Wheel provides knowledge of standardized medical device design and manufacturing, and creates a production network between the government, private sector, and local communities. For example, a technology transfer to community technicians or vocational students in each area and the staff of the sub-district health promotion hospital or village health volunteers through the Smart Tambon Model project in the areas of 7 sub-districts, 5 provinces, namely Nan, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani, Saraburi, and Chumphon Province.
Flow tester and fork tester
Flow Tester and Fork Tester were developed by Dr. Chaiwut Gamonpilas and the Food Materials Research Team under MTEC’s Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group. The device had been developed for classifying and testing the viscosity of beverages and food texture for people with dysphagia conforming to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). The device helps increase the accuracy of measurement and, at the same time, provides convenience for the medical personnel in classifying beverage and food products to suit people with chewing and swallowing problems. It is also lightweight and easy to relocate.
MTEC has delivered and provided equipment training to 10 hospitals, namely, Thai Red Cross Rehabilitation Center, Yan Sang Wararam Hospital, Chonburi Province, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Srinagarind Hospital, Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute (SNMRI), Vimut Hospital, and Srithanya Hospital.
Biodegradable lidding film
Dr. Noppadon Kerddonfaek and the Polymer Physics Research Team under MTEC’s Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group together with the Royal Project Foundation and Thantawan Industry Public Company Limited had developed biodegradable lidding film. The film has three noted characteristics: thinness and transparence, fog resistance, and shelf-life extension of salad vegetables from 3 days to 5 days. This project has enhanced the production capacity of the packaging industry, met market demands, and received financial support from the Committee of Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI).
Magik Growth
Magik Growth was a product resulting from the collaboration between Dr. Natthaphop Suwannamek, and the Textiles Research Team under MTEC’s Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group and the Science Program in Plant Production Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). The research team had developed a polymer compound formula together with nonwoven forming technology to produce nonwoven materials that have the property to allow water and air to pass through easily, as well as can select the range of light wavelength that is suitable for the photoreceptor cells on the fruit surface. This innovative nonwoven fruit wrapping bag helps create value-added for fruits by producing important substances, such as starch, sugar, vitamins, as well as various antioxidants, and increases the quality of the fruits. It also help reduce the overall cost of plantation.
Magik Growth was extended to durian farmers to test its efficiency and was found that it has increased their income, reduced the use of chemicals and costs, and created a better quality of life. Moreover, it also helps to promote quadruple helix collaboration for integrating various technologies that will be beneficial to durian farmers and increase management efficiency. This undertaking thus creates an expansion in other areas and provides knowledge of garden development based on sustainable resources.
MTEC and the cooperation with its alliances
Driving Thailand’s central carbon footprint
On April 28, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Pathum Thani Province, Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, and the research team of the Technology and Informatics Institute for Sustainability (TIIS) attended the meeting with Mr. Teeraphan Pimthong, Chairman of Aluminum Industry Group and members of the Aluminum Group, to set up the central carbon footprint and establish the life cycle assessment (LCA) of aluminum products for the preparation of carbon price adjustments to be able to cross the European Union boarder.
Research and technology development to enhance power generation efficiency
On May 24, 2022, at Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) held a meeting with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Mae Moh Power Plant in Lampang Province to discuss collaboration on research and development to enhance power generation efficiency and guidelines for applying research to generate electricity. It is expected that this meeting will lead to various joint research and development projects in the future.
Research and development of automotive parts design and manufacturing technology
On June 13, 2022, at Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) and Rail and Modern Transports Research Center (RMT) had signed a collaboration agreement with Summit R&D Center Co., Ltd. to drive the country’s auto parts manufacturing industry. This endeavor will be carried out under the research and development project of automotive parts design and manufacturing technology to raise the standard of Thai auto parts production, reduce imports or dependence on foreign technology, and create sustainable growth of the automotive parts industry in Thailand. MTEC and Summit R&D Center Co., Ltd. have been collaborating in research and development since 2012.
MTEC and the cultivation of Thai youth in science and technology
Research skills training program 2022
MTEC organized the research skills training program 2022 from March 14-May 5, 2022. This undertaking had been performed at NSTDA laboratory with an ultimate aim to support the development of science and technology manpower in Thailand, build competitiveness, and create the country’s development. There were 33 participants from 26 schools across the country in the project. The participants had acquired research skills from various MTEC research teams, namely, Advanced Engineering System Research Team, Engineering Design and Computation Research Group, Biofunctional Materials and Devices Research Group, and Ceramics and Construction Materials Research Group.
The 14th Thailand Robot Design Camp: RDC 2022
The National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla University, and Suranaree University of Technology launched ‘the 14th Thailand Robot Design Camp: RDC 2022’ under the topic of ‘Towards a circular economy with robotics and automation technology’ to select representative students from Thailand to participate in the IDC RoBoCon 2022. There were 65 students participated in the project from 9 institutions. Some of these participant would later be selected as representatives from Thailand to participate in the international competition at IDC RoBoCon 2022.
Hosting visitors
The executives of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) and King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok
On December 29, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, welcomed Dr. Saran Poshyachinda, Executive Director of NARIT, the Executives, and the team of King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok in an occasion of visiting the energy technology laboratory of ENTEC, material technology laboratory of MTEC, and PTEC, including traveling to Sakun C Innovation Company Limited, Bang Pla Ma District, Suphanburi Province.
Rubber Authority of Thailand and its alliances
On February 4, 2022, at Rayong Cooperative Association, Rubber Fumigation Factory, Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, Dr. Surapich Loykulnan and Rubber Engineering Solution and Standard Research Team under MTEC’s Innovative Rubber Manufacturing Research Group welcomed the Chairman and Deputy Governor of Rubber Authority of Thailand, Chairman of Rayong Cooperative Group, and Chairman of Innovation Group.
This visit demonstrated the working of a prototype of a semi-automatic latex coagulation machine that is environmentally friendly and a prototype of a high-performance rubber incubator for application in the production of rubber smoked sheets. Moreover, the research team also presented the development of machinery and production lines with automation in the production process, the rubber drying technology that has an efficient control system for hot air circulation, thus leading to the cooperation development of machinery technology to enhance the country’s intermediate rubber production process.
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) of Japan
On June 8, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, welcomed Dr. Tsuchiya Koichi, the Executive of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) of Japan, for the discussion of potential cooperation in metal research and development. The laboratories of the Material Processing and Manufacturing Automation Research Group and Rail and Modern Transports Research Center (RMT) had been presented, and Dr. Ekkarut Viyanit, Director of RMT, joined the discussion.
Group of Science students
On August 18, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Ms. Hasiya Waehama and Ms. Suthima Sukon, Research Assistants of the Well-being Design Research Team of Engineering Design and Computation Research Group of MTEC, welcomed 30 students from Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus and Suankularb Wittayalai Rangsit School. This visit introduced MTEC together with its research results, such as the PETE (Patient Isolation and Transportation Chamber) and AR technology application for simulation and installation in virtual space.
Group of Nanoscience & Quantum Information Science and Office of Naval Research Global (ONR), Toyko, Japan
On August 31, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, the executives, and MTEC research team welcomed Dr.Chagaan Baatar, Science Director, Nanoscience & Quantum Information Science, and his entourage from ONR on the occasion of visiting MTEC laboratories. Various research works had been presented such as Metal Injection Molding (MIM), light truck radial tire, non-pneumatic tires, and rubber products to promote the project and find a solution to create research cooperation and development in the future.
The 3rd year students of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University.
On September 2, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Dr. Sompong Srimanosawapak, Researcher of Particulate Materials Processing Technology Research Team, and Researchers of Ceramics and Construction Materials Research Group, welcome the 3rd year students of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University. This research team gave a lecture on the topic of ‘Innovative foam aluminum sound-absorbing panels’ and presented MTEC laboratories, as well as MTEC construction materials, such as G-Rock, Geopolymer, Bicbok, Para Walk, Powder coatings, and coatings that reflect the sun’s rays to conserve energy, Ultra-low Ammonia, ULA, and Para AC products, including a demonstration of water treatment pond set (composite ceramic water filter).
Hosting MTEC Executive Board
On September 5, 2022, at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, the executives, and MTEC research teams welcomed MTEC Executive Board on the occasion of visiting MTEC laboratories and discussing internal operations of the organization. This undertaking will provide essential information of the Board to better understand MTEC and give valuable suggestions and guidelines for its future research direction.
