05DISCOVER UBD APRIL - JUNE 2015 Ixora flowers, when combined with the Kembayau fruit, are discovered to have a photo-energy conversion efficiency of 1.55%, proving their suitability as sensitisers for DSSC. Photo: UBD/Azhar IsmatThrough its Graduate Research Scholarship (GRS) scheme, UBD encourages students to be involved in research efforts that will contribute to economic development. Photo: UBD/Azhar IsmatIn one experiment, a DSSC was sensitised with the pigment extracts of a local fruit known as Kembayau (canarium odontophyllum) that has a photo-energy conversion efficiency of 1.43%, proving its suitability as a sensitiser in DSSCs. A special combination of Kembayau with Ixora flowers give 1.55%. The research group also experimented on other tropical fruits and flowers such as Melastoma malabathricum, locally known as Kuduk-kuduk (1.16%) and black tea waste extracts (0.46%). Another similar experiment involved the use of Rambutan fruit (scientifically known as Nephelium lappaceum), which showed enhanced performance of Dye Sensitised Solar Cells. The results of these findings were published in the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering in 2013, and in the renowned Journal of Chemistry in 2014.As the techniques and equipment from this research are patented, potential researchers are looking to further their exploration on DSSCs using fruit peels and flower pigments to enhance knowledge on local and renewable energy resources.UBD strives to become a research-active institution and emphasises on learning through innovative research and teaching. The university encourages its students to be involved in research efforts, and creates opportunities for them to collaborate and network with renowned scientists. As such, UBD offers the Graduate Research Scholarship (GRS) to outstanding students with the aim of facilitating and promoting research degrees in order to develop the University into a research-intensive university. It is also aimed at expanding and enhancing the quality of graduate programmes and graduates. The university awards 300 scholarships annually to local and international students.
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