ASM carries out effort that identifies new technologies and recent breakthrough in science via horizon scanning. ASM excels in identifying these emerging science and technology which is deemed most relevant and suitable to the national S&T ecosystem.

In an earlier Study by ASM, it saw that there were many opportunities in rare earths, from the upstream exploration and mining of rare earths-based minerals in the country, to cracking and processing in the mid-stream sector and finally to the down-stream sector, comprising value-added industries using rare earths metals in green technology applications. The whole ecosystem of rare earths would eventually contribute to the enhancing the nation’s economic growth as well as providing many high-income jobs to Malaysians. A blueprint on the establishment of rare earths industries in Malaysia is in the pipeline and is expected to be published by mid-March 2014.

Fuel cells are the energy-converting devices with a high efficiency and low or zero emission. They have been attracting more and more attention in recent decades due to high-energy demands, fossil fuel depletions, and environmental pollution throughout. Advanced countries are currently in the race for the reality makeover of fuel cell technology in multiple fields especially in transportation, stationary power and micro-electronic devices. Fuel Cell technologies have considerable potential in the Malaysian future energy structure that might tackle the issues of depleting fossil-fuel resources, high demand in energy, and to overcome the adverse impacts on climate change. The Blueprint will identify technology, research and development, new energy funding and incentives, standards and policy development, cost competitiveness and market enhancement, and awareness and capacity building areas.

Malaysia’s gas reserves estimated to last for another 33 years and oil reserves another 19 years, thus the Malaysian government is strengthening the role of renewable energy (RE) as the fifth corner-stone of energy generation. Malaysia has identified key areas for investment under the Economic Transformation Programme. At the moment, a lot of support and largess is bestowed on the oil and gas industry. Studies reported that global CO2 emission has increased 30% and temperature has risen by 0.3- 0.6 °C during the 20th century. Presently, burning coal used in electricity generation and petroleum used for motor transport are identified as two main sources of CO2 emissions. According to a report from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Malaysia, CO2 emissions from energy usage in industries constituted the highest percentage (35%) followed by transportation (21%). Sooner or later, the climate will force government to slash carbon emissions, and that will mean demand for fossil fuels will plummet.