ASM Factsheet: ASM Science Journal
August 7, 2024
Join TropSc™️ 2024: Harmonising Nature with Humanity
August 8, 2024
FAScinate is back for its first series in 2024. The programme featured ASM experts who discussed topics such as oil palm, rare earth elements (REE), artificial intelligence (AI) in biodiversity, and quantum technology.
These fascinating topics were explored, with an opportunity for the viewers to have their questions answered by our expert speakers
First, Dr Harikrishna Kulaveerasingam presented "The Green Gold Quest: Perfecting Oil Palm Selection."
Dr. Harikrishna addressed the pressing challenges faced in oil palm improvement. He highlighted significant milestones in biometrical genetics and breeding, paving the way for a more efficient and productive approach to oil palm cultivation. One of the key questions he explored was: How can more palm oil be produced with less land? The answer, he explained, lay in premium seed development through precision breeding. Looking ahead, Dr Harikrishna provided insights into what could be expected in the future of oil palm cultivation.
Next, Geologist Dato' Sia Hok Kiang's presentation, "An Integrated Approach to Developing The REE Resources of Malaysia."
Dato' Sia began by explaining rare earth elements and their significance. He discussed the immense potential of rare earth elements in Malaysia, shedding light on the various extraction methods and plans for setting up a midstream REO separation industry in the country. Additionally, Dato' Sia addressed the challenges in advancing supply chain diversification in this vital sector.
Following that, we had Associate Professor Ts Dr Nurfadhlina Mohd Sharef, who presented on "Saving Malaysia's Biodiversity with AI."
Dr Nurfadhlina introduced the incredible potential of artificial intelligence in preserving Malaysia's rich biodiversity, emphasising the country's status as the world's 12th megadiverse country. She explained the components of AI and its application to biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, she introduced the concept of Precision Biodiversity and its implications for the future.
Professor Dr Raymond Ooi FASc elaborated on "Quantum Technology: Harnessing Entanglement, the Most Mind-Boggling Scientific Concept."
Professor Raymond took the audience through the fascinating world of quantum mechanics, starting with the basics. He explained the concept of quantum teleportation and shared his groundbreaking work on quantum repeaters and memory. Professor Raymond also discussed the immense potential of quantum technology and its future applications.
