Malaysia-Japan International Institute Technology (MJIIT)

TAKASAGO THERMAL / ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS (TTES)

Established in 2015, the Takasago Thermal/Environmental Systems (TTES) i-Kohza is a strategic collaboration between the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM, and Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd., Japan. Currently operating under its third Memorandum of Agreement (2024–2026), the laboratory serves as a premier hub for technical and cross-cultural exchange. The laboratory integrates Takasago’s industrial expertise in thermal energy with MJIIT’s academic rigor to address global climate challenges.

Basic Information

Research Focus Areas

Facilities and Equipment

Research Projects

Research Outputs

Collaboration and Outreach

Members

Photos and Media

Introductory Video

Basic Information

 iKohza Name:Takasago Thermal / Environmental Systems
(TTES) I-Kohza
 Leader's Name and Title:Dr. Muhammad Thalhah Bin Zainal
 Deputy Leader (if any):
 Main Contact Email: mthalhah@utm.my, ttesmjiit@gmail.com
 Location/Office: Level 3, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, UTMKL, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala Lumpur
 Website or Social Media (if available): https://mjiit.utm.my/ttes/

Research Focus Areas

 Main Research Themes/Keywords (5–10 keywords):
 Description of Research Focus Areas (Max 200 words):

Innovative Development: Creating advanced systems to enhance energy efficiency and promote environmental sustainability.
Knowledge Transfer: Facilitating cutting-edge research and hands-on technical exchange between Japan and Malaysia.
Resource Optimization: Developing solutions for building systems and energy optimization to mitigate environmental impact.
Talent Cultivation: Fostering a new generation of engineers through collaborative, research-driven projects focused on sustainable innovation.

By bridging industry and academia, the TTES i-Kohza remains a cornerstone for sustainable development and engineering excellence.

Facilities and Equipment

 Laboratories Used (if applicable):

 Key Equipment/Technology Available (with brief descriptions):

Research Projects

 List of Ongoing/Recent Projects or Grants (Max 5):

List up to three major or impactful research projects currently being conducted by your iKohza:

Flow Assessment of Baffle Geometries in a Tubular Bioreactor
Facile Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles Via Green Synthesis for Solar Harvesting System
Artificial Mangrove Pneumatophores For Cleaning Up Anthropogenic Marine Debris
Optimizing Heat Transfer Rate in Radiative Nanofluid Flow Over Various Geometries using Statistical Method

Research Outputs

Publications & Intellectual Property

The lab maintains a high output of indexed research, focusing on thermal-fluid sciences and environmental AI.

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles via Artocarpus odoratissimus Peel Extract for Potential Applications of Optical Filter and Catalytic Degradation. Isa, E.D.M., Aid, S.R., Ali, R.R., Asako, Y., Shameli, K., Jonny, N.F.A., Zazuli, A.H., Taib, S.H.M. and Yusefi, M., 2024. Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles via Artocarpus odoratissimus peel extract for potential applications of optical filter and catalytic degradation. Journal of King Saud University-Science, 36(6), p.103209.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-BASED ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION PREDICTION IN LIMITED DATASET ENVIRONMENT FOR INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS Chuan, Zun Liang, Lit Ken Tan, Angel Wee Chi Chyin, Yim Hin Tham, Shao Jie Ong, Jia Yi Low, and Chong Yeh Sai. "Sustainable energy management: Artificial intelligence-based electricity consumption prediction in a limited dataset environment for industry applications." Matematika (2024): 143-167.

Optimizing a Ternary Hybrid Ferrofluid Slip Flow with Magnetic Dipole and Viscous Dissipation by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Bakar, Shahirah Abu, Ioan Pop, Lit Ken Tan, and Norihan Md Arifin. "Optimizing a ternary hybrid ferrofluid slip flow with magnetic dipole and viscous dissipation by Response Surface Methodology (RSM)." Applied Thermal Engineering 269 (2025): 126087.

MORPHOLOGY AND GROWTH REGION ANALYSIS OF CARBON NANOTUBES GROWTH IN WATER-ASSISTED FLAME SYNTHESIS Hamzah, N., M. F. Mohd Yasin, M. T. Zainal, M. Mohd Sies, M. Z. Mohd Yusop, C. T. Chong, N. A. Mohd Subha, and M. S. Rosmi Rosmi. "Morphology and growth region analysis of carbon nanotubes growth in water-assisted flame synthesis." Combustion Science and Technology 195, no. 4 (2023): 860-877.
Innovative IP:
- Copyright: Heat Transfer Optimization by Response Surface Methodology: A Practical Starter Guide (National Level).
Key Project Grants:
- CR DTD Grant (2024–2027): JPY 1.8 Million for the project "Estimation of Water Temperature of a Cooling Tower Based on Weather Data in KL."
- TTES International Grants: Multiple funded projects covering Nanofluid Heat Transfer, AI-based HVAC tracking, and Artificial Mangrove systems for marine debris cleanup.

Collaboration and Outreach

Memorandum of Agreement (MoA): A pivotal MoA was signed between Takasago Thermal Engineering, Japan, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in early 2025 to formalize joint research in thermal engineering and environmental technology.

The Takasago Thermal / Environmental Systems (TTES) i-Kohza has built a robust portfolio of international partnerships and high-impact research. Our achievements are grounded in a decade-long collaboration between Malaysian academia and Japanese industry.

 Current National and International Collaborations:

We actively collaborate with leading industrial and governmental organizations to bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world application.

● Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd., Japan: Our primary international partner and sponsor. We collaborate on advanced HVAC systems, heat storage, and renewable energy research.
● The Ocean Cleanup: Led by Dr. Tan Lit Ken, we provide technical consultancy for AI-based river monitoring and floating plastic debris detection in the Klang River.
● Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Supporting our establishment and ongoing research platforms for nano-characterization and environmental monitoring.
● T.T.E Engineering (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd: A key regional industrial partner for contract research, including weather-based cooling tower optimization.
● JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science): Academic collaboration through HOPE fellowships and research exchanges.
Key Recognitions & Awards
Our members are consistently recognized for their academic excellence and contributions to engineering.
● JSPS HOPE Fellowship: Dr. Shahirah Abu Bakar was selected to join the 15th HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates in 2024, an elite honor for young researchers in the Asia-Pacific region.
● Hitachi Global Foundation Scholarship: Awarded to Dr. Siti Rahmah Aid for her work in integrated design engineering.
● MJIIT-JACTIM Research Competition: Dr. Tan Lit Ken was the 1st Place Winner in 2022, receiving a grant of RM 10,000 for innovative environmental sensing research.
● Best Postgraduate Award: Dr. Muhammad Thalhah Zainal was honored at the UTM 69th Convocation and received the Silver Award at the 2024 Semarak International Research Article Competition.
● International Travel Grants: Recognition from the American Mathematical Society and The Simon’s Foundation (awarded to Dr. Shahirah Abu Bakar) for participation in the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM2026).

 Joint Programs/Student Exchanges/Industrial Engagements:
 Community Engagement (if any):

Members

 Academic Staff (Name, Position, Area of Expertise):

Dr. Muhammad Thalhah Zainal (Head of i-Kohza) – Expertise in Combustion Modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
Dr. Siti Rahmah Aid (Senior Lecturer) – Expertise in Low Power Consumption Technology, Solar Energy, Nanoparticles, Nanoelectronics, Nanocharacterization, and Microelectronics.
Dr. Shahirah Abu Bakar (Senior Lecturer) – Expertise in Fluid Mechanics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Numerical Simulation, and Nanofluids.
Dr. Tan Lit Ken (Senior Lecturer) – Expertise in Abstract Theoretical Modelling, Artificial Intelligence, River System Assessment, and Weather Forecasting and Modeling.
Dr. Ahmad Faiz Mohammad (Senior Lecturer) – Expertise in Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, and Wind Engineering.