Research Area

Power System

State-of-the-art of today’s power system architectures and operations are the main interest of University Malaya Power & Energy System (UMPES) research group. The group innovates new techniques and intelligently make use of smart solutions and low carbon technologies for novel development and efficient operation of generation, transmission and distribution systems, utilizing nature-based algorithms, discrete optimizations as well as advanced mathematical modelling.

High Voltage

High Voltage Research Group is one of the active research groups in University of Malaya. The group is equipped with a state-of-the-art high voltage laboratory, which houses a high voltage generation kit and insulation testing equipment. The main research areas of the group are condition monitoring, modelling and simulation, dielectric material characterisation and application of artificial intelligence and optimisation techniques.

Power Electronics

Power electronics (PE) is an application-oriented and interdisciplinary area. PE systems have attracted attention as key components for building a sustainable energy supply. The Power Electronics and Renewable Research Energy Laboratory (PEARL) at UM focuses on developing a new technology for low carbon applications such as wind, solar and hybrid energy conversion as well as electrification system.

Energy Harvesting

Research on a wide range of elements including polymers, semiconductor alloys and magnetic complexes is the heart to the development of thermoelectric technology in UM. Quantum modelling approach is employed to design these materials, molecule by molecule from the first principle. Fabrication of energy harvesting devices such as an integrated self-powered smart window is followed using this synthesized materials.

Optics & Photonics

The Integrated Lightwave Research Group currently runs the only optical fibre making facility in Malaysia. The group is one of the regional leaders and innovators in advanced optical fibres, and micro-capillaries. In addition, the group’s work also focuses on the use of light for sensing purposes, including rapid, point-of-care dengue sensors. ILRG is one of the largest producers of intellectual properties in the past 5 years. The group works closely with its award-winning spin-off company called Flexilicate, commercialising their technologies to a global customer base including NASA.  

Mitigation & Recovery

Catastrophic effects following natural disasters require proper mitigation and recovery arrangements. Establishment of ad-hoc networks to allow for direct communications among available smart devices is essential to ensure the information collected are processed in-time and remain relevant throughout the course. Researchers at UM are actively involved in designing and developing a smart, robust and resilient platform, employing epidemic algorithm for information propagation in ad hoc networks using optimization tools to maximize data storage and speed up information loading.

Mobile Communication

5G mobile technology is aimed to offer data speed of 20G bit per second by year 2020 – another year from now. In line with this ITU’s MIT 2020 aspiration, a group of researches in UM is currently active pursuing study on 5G and massive MIMO antenna to increase sector throughput and capacity density, a new paradigm machine-to-machine communication to enable ubiquitous connectivity without or with limited human intervention as well as mobile big data that uses advanced analytical method for massive data processing in mobile networks.

Signal & Image Processing

Signal processing is a broad engineering discipline concerned with extracting, manipulating, and storing information embedded in complex signals and images. Methods of signal processing include data compression, analog-to-digital conversion, signal and image reconstruction/restoration, adaptive filtering, distributed sensing and processing and automated pattern analysis. Current research of the UM’s research group in this area deals with detection and estimation theory, compressed sampling, biomedical imaging and analysis as well as classification method for use in agriculture.

5G & Beyond Communications

Our research group perform fundamental cutting edge research addresses topics such as statistical modelling and characterization of mm-Wave indoor channels and outdoor environments for 5G wireless communication networks, application of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) in modern healthcare system for remote monitoring, spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks, mechanism to strengthen the handover process in 5G. Many of these subjects are critical in the development of efficient and cost-effective 5G networks. 

Integrated Circuit Design

Research in Integrated Circuit design (IC) is the primary focus of the electronics division at University of Malaya. This leading and internationally corroborated research group supports a range of priority areas in the semiconductor industry for applications such as in:

• Analog/Digital Integrated Circuit Design
• Radio Frequency Integrated circuit (RFIC)
• Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting (RFEH)
• System on Chip (SoC)

These solutions produced for communication electronics have enabled 3G, 4G and recently 5G networks development. The research work encapsulates the RF and mm-Wave networks. Research within the group also focuses on low power solutions and design techniques towards the implementation of IoT/IoE applications in a wide range of wearable system and consumer electronics. Multiple sought-after industry grants including from Motorola Solutions, Silterra, Tekmark, Keysight and TalentCorp Malaysia are successfully secured. International collaborations with reputable research centres such as the State Key Lab (SKL) in Analog and Mixed Signal IC Design Macau, China are actively pursued.

Applied Electronics

Innovative electronic applications resulted from interaction of novel theories and research advancement is the expertise of the research group working in The Centre of Research in Applied Electronics (CRAE) at University of Malaya. The group focus is on the use of electronics technology in the complex engineering systems where active research areas include development of real-time system and prototypes for commercial and scientific applications such as brain operated wheelchair and neurosurgical robot. CRAE works have resulted in >30 patent applications.

VLSI & Image Processing

VLSI and Image Processing Research Lab (VIP) at University of Malaya is a leading research laboratory in CMOS integrated circuit design for energy harvesting circuitry, circuit implementation with FPGA, ADC test development, low-noise circuit design and analysis, among others. The group conducts state-of-the-art research on image processing and artificial intelligence including intelligent transportation system, automated denoising system, path planning of mobile robot and medical image processing. VIP has exceptional strong industrial links and collaboration with both academia and industry, locally and internationally such as MIMOS, TrafficSense, Genome Solutions, University of Cambridge, Tianjin University and many other reputable institutions

MEMS & Device Characterization

Microelectronics device is the heart of electronic industry. In-depth research on semiconductor devices and printable electronics for application in cybersecurity, biomedical device and MEMs are the strong focus of a research group in UM. Characterisation and reliability analysis of microelectronics devices are studied in supports of the well-known semiconductor giants including INTEL, Infineon, MIMOS and Silterra. The group has also developed international linkages with Liverpool John Moores University, UK and IMEC, Belgium and had secured many reputable awards, such as the Newton Prize (runner-up) and the MIMOS Prestigious Award.

Embedded System

In UM, we also focus in various areas of reconfigurable computing and its application in high-performance low-power, high speed embedded systems. Design and development of next generation system architecture and synthesis flows for system efficiency are the goal of the research group. Xilinx, Intel FPGA, ARM microprocessor and microcontroller are among the supporting partner for the development of FPGA-based design and efficient reconfigurable system as well as the application of emerging technology. Current project is related to Scientific computation algorithm to improve computation speed and execution time.

Precision Agriculture

Centre for Research in Industry 4.0 (CRI4.0) at University of Malaya involves in research towards precision agriculture. Employing the state-of-the-art swarm robotics technology to boost the Malaysia’s agricultural activities, the group research on developing advanced machine vision system for  robotic platform. This technological advancement and application aims to reduce plantation operational cost and increase the quality and quantity of crop yield. The research centre is also an active collaborator with Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Sime Darby Plantation, MIMOS, Augmented Innovation Sdn Bhd (AISB), and other reputable universities.

Control & Robotics

Applied Control and Robotics Laboratory (ACR Lab) was set up in University of Malaya in early 2011 with the aims to contribute in the fields of control, robotics, signals and image processing, human-machine interface using brain signals and input image from camera as well as patterns modelling using Artificial Intelligence techniques. The research activities are intensified by numerous research grants nomination including Science Fund, ERGS, High Impact Research UM-MOHE and CREST collaboration with Motorola Solutions. ACR Laboratory warmly welcome both local and international collaborators.

Instrumentation & Control

Hydrogen Technology Research Group at University of Malaya is involved in instrumentation and control strategy related to fluid flow, natural gas and hydrogen facility and equipment. It is related and applied to nano-technology, manufacturing, industrial robots and oil and gas applications. Past projects include hydrogen refuelling station and dispenser control system in collaboration with industry (Petronas, TNB, international universities, etc. – HIR Projects)

Expert System & Optimization

Expert System and Optimization Lab (ESOL) at University of Malaya conducts social impact based research on Healthcare and Electronic Social Systems using Artificial/Swarm Intelligence techniques with Control System strategy. The research activities are collaboration with Medical/Dental Faculty of UM and International researchers from UK, Japan and India. This research aims to enhance disease survival such as cancer and epidemics and provide cyber security from malicious information in social network.