The commercialisation stage for a joint Brunei Japan project on photo-catalytic smart coating technology is inching towards reality, as field tests on the innovative product's effectiveness has shown positive results, the project manager of the tech firm said yesterday.

Providing progress updates, Okouchi Hiroshi - who has been overseeing the research and development of the product here - said field tests performed at several sites in Brunei and Japan have proven its effectiveness.

Plans to commercialise the products in Brunei, Japan and beyond are already in the works.

A collaboration between Japanese tech firm, Pixela Corporation, with its Brunei subsidiary, Pialex Technologies, the project was awarded in 2012 a $3-million funding under the Brunei Research Incentive Scheme (BRISc) initiated by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) for the development of the stain-resistant and energy-saving paint coating through research collaboration with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

Apart from the development of the energy-saving paint coats, which was first developed in Japan, the two-year research and development project involving researchers from Brunei and Japan has already resulted in the development of multi-faceted leading-edge coating technologies that offer long-term protection against fungus and dust for buildings and houses through its 'Anti-Mold Photo-catalytic Coating'; protection against rust for ground and offshore facilities through its leading-edge 'Anti-Corrosion Electrolyte Coating System' and also its 'Concrete Photo-catalytic Coating' that maintains durability of concrete surfaces.

The energy saving photo-catalytic paint reflects 85 per cent of sunlight energy and can be applied on surfaces such as roofs and walls of houses, preventing room temperature increase, which will result in reduced amount of energy required for air conditioning.

The product, dubbed the 'SMART Coat' was first developed specifically for Japanese climate.

With help from Brunei, they have successfully developed a similar product suitable for the Southeast Asia's hot, humid climate.

Sharing updates on field tests that were done over a period ranging from six months to a year, Okouchi Hiroshi, together with visiting Japanese researchers Toru Kitamura and Professor S Kuwabata said results of the tests have been excellent, with visible differences shown between the coated and non-coated parts of the test areas.

This, they said, will give them solid data that will be gathered to improve and to develop the perfect product to be marketed.

The field test for its 'Anti-Mold Photo-catalytic Coating' was done at several buildings across the country, including mosques and commercial buildings, while the 'Anti-Corrosion Electrolyte Coating System' was tested at the facilities at the site of several Japanese industrial companies, including Tokyo Gas, Fuji Oil Company, Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The Japanese researchers said Brunei is the best country to conduct energy-saving research owing to its highly-educated population as well as its climate.

The Sultanate is also an ideal base to market the products as it is geographically located at the centre of Asean member countries, politically stable and has less tariff barriers.

Three US patents have also been filed for the products during the course of the research and development.

The research collaboration among UBD, BEDB and Pixela Corporation aims to attract and encourage both local and foreign companies to conduct research and development activities in Brunei with a long-term plan to establish their business here, spawning new industries and greater employment opportunities, while helping Brunei's endeavor to diversity its economy.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]