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Oxidation-responsive oligonucleotides (ONs) can exhibit controlled functions by sensing dysregulated oxidation conditions in living systems. Herein, we describe a postmodification approach to const...

Preparation and characterizations of poly(pyrrole-co-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid) (PPYPA) film on the surface of screen printed carbon electrode (SPE) has been discussed in the manuscript. Different ratios of monomer for PPYPA preparation will be applied to determine 17β-estradiol using cyclic voltammetry. The SPE was modified with PPYPA film using an electrodeposition method and followed by the immobilization of 75mer aptamer specifically binding to 17β-estradiol as a model study. The materials were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The redox peak potential was found to be at 0.13 V and 0.26 V. The appearance of cauliflower structure in the SEM image which indicates PPYPA film was formed on SPE. Moreover, PPYPA/SPE exhibited a lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) compared to bare SPE indicates a good conductivity of film. Our study shows that 3:1 ratio between PPY and pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid provided highly active surface area for the immobilization of 75mer aptamer for 17β-estradiol detection.

The purpose of this study is to observe students’ reflection towards the integration of Tawhidic Science at the program “Kem Pandang Alam”, at Tanjung Tuan Wildlife Reserve and several other locations nearby Tanjung Tuan, Teluk Kemang and Si Rusa, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan Malaysia. The respondents of this study were 32 students from tahfiz schools and tahfiz science schools (15 boys and 17 girls). These students were exclusively selected candidates from their respective schools. Data were analysed based on constant comparative analysis. The finding reveals that there were seven themes including greatness of God’s knowledge; nature as the source of knowledge, education and lesson; improvement of faith; self-development, the formation of identity, the increase of awareness, and the closer of social relations. The implication of this study is to expose these students the importance of the integration of Tawhidic Science where science and religion are inseparable from everyday life.

The impact of estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (eEDCs) exposure is unpredictable. The presence of estrogenic eEDCs due to incomplete removal from wastewater treatment plants has caused gre...

Increasing public awareness of food quality and safety has prompted a rapid increase in food authentication of halal food, which covers the production method, technical processing, identification of undeclared components, and species substitution in halal food products. This urges for extensive research into analytical methods to obtain accurate and reliable results for monitoring and controlling the authenticity of halal food. Nonetheless, authentication of halal food is often challenging because of the complex nature of food and the increasing number of food adulterants that cause detection difficulties. This review provides a comprehensive and impartial overview of recent studies on the analytical techniques used in the analysis of halal food authenticity (from 1980 to the present, but there has been no significant trend in the choice of techniques for authentication of halal food during this period). Additionally, this review highlights the classification of different methodologies based on validity measures that provide valuable information for future developments in advanced technology. In addition, methodological developments, and novel emerging techniques as well as their implementations have been explored in the evaluation of halal food authentication. This includes food categories that require halal authentication, illustrating the advantages and disadvantages as well as shortcomings during the use of all approaches in the halal food industry.

Biopolymers are among the most promising electrolyte hosts for different electrochemical devices in the energy conversion and storage fields. In this work, the potential of chitosan as a biopolymer laden with NaI salt is explored and applied as solid polymer electrolyte for dye sensitised solar cells. The chitosan-NaI electrolyte is successfully prepared via a simple and upscalable solution casting technique. Infrared spectroscopy analysis highlights interactions between chitosan and NaI, that weaken the semi-crystalline domains of chitosan and favour the conduction of the redox shuttle ions between cell electrodes. At room temperature, the best ionic conductivity was obtained for the samples laden with NaI 30 wt%, with values equal to 1.11 × 10−4 S cm−1. Na+ transference number determination indicates that only 0.9% of the ionic conductivity is determined by these cations, thus highlighting that I− anions represent the active species in the newly proposed solid-state electrolyte. This result is highly desired considering that these anions are those responsible for the regeneration of oxidized dye molecules in the cell and, overall, for the cell efficiency. Current-voltage measurement of solid-state photovoltaic devices under simulated sunlight led to a reproducible and stable power conversion efficiency of 0.06%, along with a short-circuit current density of 0.32 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 0.7 V and a fill factor 0.3.

Supramolecular architectures that are built artificially from biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or peptides, with structural hierarchical orders ranging from the molecular to nano-scales have attracted increased attention in molecular science research fields. The engineering of nanostructures with such biomolecule-based supramolecular architectures could offer an opportunity for the development of biocompatible supramolecular (nano)materials. In this review, we highlighted a variety of supramolecular architectures that were assembled from both nucleic acids and peptides through the non-covalent interactions between them or the covalently conjugated molecular hybrids between them.

Chemistry is a branch of science pioneered by Muslim scholars. However, secularism has separated science from Islamic teachings, thus deviating man from Allah. Tauhidic Science Seminar was held to disseminate knowledge and findings between researchers from science background and Islamic study to students and lecturers in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Questionaires were distributed to the participants after the seminar to obtain their understanding and perception of integrating science and Islam. Results indicate that 93.8% from 65 respondents have high affinity to science but only 63.1% were exposed to integration of science and Islam. Furthermore, 63.1% respondents understand the meaning of secularism and 69.2% realized that chemical elements have been mentioned in the Holy Quran. This study also indicates more than 90% respondents agree science and Islam are linked in an integrated manner. In conclusion, integration of science and Islam or Tauhidic Science drives us to explore and learn about nature through science activities based on Islam with guidance by the Holy Quran and hadith. Therefore, more proactive and holistic efforts need to be done to educate and strengthen the understanding of Tauhidic Science to students as early as in primary schools. Abstrak Kimia merupakan salah satu cabang ilmu sains yang telah lama dipelopori oleh ilmuwan Islam. Walau bagaimanapun, sekularisme telah menjadikan sains terpinggir dari Islam, apatah lagi merapatkan hubungan di antara manusia dan Pencipta. Seminar Sains Tauhidik telah diadakan untuk menghebahkan pengetahuan dan penemuan oleh penyelidik dari latar belakang sains dan pengajian Islam kepada pelajar dan pensyarah di Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Borang soal selidik tentang pemahaman dan persepsi berkenaan penyepaduan sains dan Islam telah diagihkan kepada peserta selepas tamat seminar. Hasil kajian mendapati 93.8% responden meminati sains tetapi hanya 63.1% pernah didedahkan kepada pembelajaran berintegrasi sains dan Islam. Selain itu, 63.1% memahami maksud sekularisme dan 69.2% menyedari unsur kimia ada disebut di dalam al-Quran. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa lebih 90% responden bersetuju sains dan Islam dikaitkan dengan cara bersepadu. Kesimpulannya, integrasi sains dan Islam atau Sains Tauhidik memandu kita meneroka dan mempelajari tentang alam ini melalui aktiviti sains berlandaskan Islam berpandukan al-Quran dan hadis. Oleh itu, usaha-usaha yang lebih proaktif dan holistik perlu dilakukan untuk mendidik dan mengukuhkan kefahaman Sains Tauhidik kepada pelajar seawal di sekolah rendah lagi.

A free standing polymer electrolytes films, containing poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) as the polymer host, lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide [Bmim][TFSI] as a plasticizer was successfully prepared via the solution casting method. The XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the electrolyte. ATR-FTIR and thermal studies confirmed the interaction and complexation between the polymer host and the ionic liquid. The maximum ionic conductivity of the solid polymer electrolyte was found at 2.56 × 10–5 S cm–1 by the addition of 60 wt % [Bmim][TFSI] at room temperature and increased up to 3.19 × 10–4 S cm–1 at 373 K, as well as exhibited a transition of temperature dependence of conductivity: Arrhenius-like behavior at low and high temperatures.

For the past decade, much attention was focused on polysaccharide natural resources for various purposes. Throughout the works, several efforts were reported to prepare new function of chitosan by chemical modifications for renewable energy, such as fuel cell application. This paper focuses on synthesis of the chitosan derivative, namely, O-nitrochitosan which was synthesized at various compositions of sodium hydroxide and reacted with nitric acid fume. Its potential as biopolymer electrolytes was studied. The substitution of nitro group was analyzed by using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) analysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Elemental Analysis (CHNS). The structure was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and its thermal properties were examined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Whereas, the ionic conductivity of the samples was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). From the IR spectrum results, the nitro group peaks of O-nitrochitosan, positioned at 1646 and 1355 cm-1, were clearly seen for all pH media. At pH 6, O-nitrochitosan exhibited the highest degree of substitution at 0.74 when analyzed by CHNS analysis and NMR further proved that C-6 of glucosamine ring was shifted to the higher field. However, the thermal stability and glass transition temperatures were decreased with acidic condition. The highest ionic conductivity of O-nitrochitosan was obtained at ~10-6 cm-1. Overall, the electrochemical property of new O-nitrochitosan showed a good improvement as compared to chitosan and other chitosan derivatives. Hence, O-nitrochitosan is a promising biopolymer electrolyte and has the potential to be applied in electrochemical devices.

In this study, modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-based films for gel electrolyte were prepared by an in situ UV photopolymerization technique. The effects of adding ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) to the polymer host were studied through X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results from Fourier transform-infrared spectra indicate complete polymerization among the monomers. The addition of EGDMA to the formulation of gel polymer electrolyte increased the loading of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide up to 200 wt.% with the highest value of 8.2 × 10−4 S cm−1. All the gel polymer electrolyte membranes obeyed the Arrhenius law.

A study is carried out on solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on UV-curable glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) reactive mixtures to determine the lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) effect at different weight percentages. These polymeric systems are discussed considering several factors such as chemical interaction, structural and thermal properties, ionic conductivity, and lithium transference number. Samples are prepared using solution casting technique and are analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterization methodologies. FTIR spectra show that interaction occurs between electronegative atoms in polymer host and TFSI− ions. XRD diffractogram indicates the amorphous aspect of SPEs, without the presence of LiTFSI peaks. Doping with LiTFSI salt reduces the glass transition temperature of SPEs and increased their ionic conductivity. Identified as the ideal salt concentration for poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA)-LiTFSI SPE system is 30 wt.% LiTFSI doping level, thus achieving a ionic conductivity of 3.69 × 10−8 S cm−1 at ambient temperature and 1.23 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 373 K. The ionic conductivity behavior obeys the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equation with an activation energy of 0.054 eV.

The development of indicator label for detection of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) is described. Dye extract from edible plants containing anthocyanins was immobilized onto iota-carrageenan as polymer matrix. TVB-N detection worked based on pH increase as the basic deterioration volatile amines generated in the package headspace. Results showed that the indicator label has changed color from blue to green after 12 hours of storage at ambient conditions. The TVB-N value was 38.9648 mg /100 g which is exceeded of acceptability level for seafood products. The pH value of squid flesh has also increased during storage. The colour values of L * and a * negative increases while b* negative decrease with increasing storage time. The indicator label is potentially used as freshness indicator for squid at ambient conditions.

Laccase enzyme, a commonly used enzyme for the construction of biosensors for phenolic compounds was used for the first time to develop a new biosensor for the determination of the azo-dye tartrazine. The electrochemical biosensor was based on the immobilization of laccase on functionalized methacrylate-acrylate microspheres. The biosensor membrane is a composite of the laccase conjugated microspheres and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated on a carbon-paste screen-printed electrode. The reaction involving tartrazine can be catalyzed by laccase enzyme, where the current change was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at 1.1 V. The anodic peak current was linear within the tartrazine concentration range of 0.2 to 14 μM (R² = 0.979) and the detection limit was 0.04 μM. Common food ingredients or additives such as glucose, sucrose, ascorbic acid, phenol and sunset yellow did not interfere with the biosensor response. Furthermore, the biosensor response was stable up to 30 days of storage period at 4 °C. Foods and beverage were used as real samples for the biosensor validation. The biosensor response to tartrazine showed no significant difference with a standard HPLC method for tartrazine analysis.

Effect of lithium triflate (LiTf) concentration on the properties of poly (glycidyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) P(GMAco-MMA)-based solid polymer electrolyte was investigated. The copolymer of (GMA-co-MMA) was synthesized by photopolymerization method. P(GMA–MMA) was fixed at the ratio of 90:10 based on the conductivity result of the electrolyte film. The electrolyte samples were characterized using impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The room temperature conductivity was improved about six orders upon the addition of 30 wt. % LiTf salt into the polymer host. The highest room temperature conductivity was 1.4×10-6 S cm-1 at 30 wt. % LiTf. The highest conductivity of 1.25×10-4 S cm-1 was achieved at 393 K. The polymer electrolyte system exhibits Arrhenius-like behavior with the pre-exponential factor of 1.25×10-4 S cm-1 and activation energy of 0.39 eV. The electrolyte showed electrochemical stability window up to 3 V. The thermal stability increases with the salt concentration. The above results indicate that the electrolyte has potential for lithium ion battery application.

A free standing electrolyte film containing poly glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) as polymer host, lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) as charge carrier and ethylene carbonate (EC) as plasticizer were successfully prepared with solution casting technique. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used to investigate the chemical structure of the polymer. The analyses of polymer electrolytes were performed by impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The solid polymer electrolyte exhibited the highest conductivity at room temperature and 373 K with the values of 3.4 × 10−4 S cm−1 and 1.2 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 wt.% of EC, respectively, in the presence of 80 wt.% of EC. FTIR spectroscopy analysis confirmed the interaction between lithium salt and oxygen atoms in polymer host in the presence of EC. Moreover, the electrolytes containing EC showed good electrochemical stability (−1500 to 3000) mV which reveals the potential of this polymer electrolyte for photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) application.

In the present investigation, we study the properties of the plasticized polyglycidyl methacrylate P(GMA) copolymerized with polymethyl methacrylate P(MMA)-LiClO4polymer electrolyte prepared by solution casting technique. The electrolyte was characterized using impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The conductivity was improved from1.3×10−12 S cm−1to8.7×10−6 S cm−1upon the addition of 25 wt.% LiClO4salt into P(GMA-MMA). The conductivity was improved from1.4×10−6 S cm−1to3.0×10−4 S cm−1upon the addition of 80 wt.% EC into P(GMA-MMA)-LiClO4The band that belongs to C–O–C is shifted farther than the band of C=O upon the addition of LiClO4into P(GMA-MMA). The band of C–O–C stretching is shifted to lower wavenumber upon the addition of EC into P(GMA-MMA)-LiClO4. Upon the addition of EC into P(GMA-co-MMA), the intensity of the peaks decreases, implying the amorphous nature of the electrolyte increases with the concentration of the plasticizer. The electrolyte is electrochemically stable at 3.8 V, making it suitable for dye-sensitized solar cell application.

A new solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) comprising copolymer of poly(glycidyl methacrylate, GMA) and (ethyl methacrylate, EMA) as polymer host and LiClO4as dopant was prepared by solution-casting technique. The copolymer was prepared by photopolymerization method and was characterized using NMR. The SPEs were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The highest conductivity achieved was 4.0x10-4at 373K with highest conductivity at room temperature (2.7x10ˉ5 S cm-1at 30 wt. % of LiClO4). The active coordination site for the cation (Li+), three electrons donating functional carbonyl, ether and epoxy group of the GMA-co-EMA host have been evaluated base on their properties that were recorded in (FTIR). The structural analysis showed reduction in copolymer crystallinity phases at its highest conductivity

This study focuses on the students’ understanding in statistics and the use of Microsoft Excel for data analysis. A total of 93 students from School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology registered for Practical Chemistry I were selected as the respondents. Two tools were applied in this study were workshop organized for students’ exposure and through experiments for training process. The respondents were given the pre-assessment questionnaires in statistics and Microsoft Excel aspects before these two tools were carried out. Most of the students have good understanding in basic of statistics and realized that Microsoft Excel aided in data analysis and data presentation. It was also found that the lowest mean value for Q-test sub-element and low percentages of agreed students in how to conduct data analysis by using Microsoft Excel were obtained. Insufficient learning and training for analyzing data using calculator or Microsoft Excel were expected to be the main factor. These findings were also consistent with the Mathematic syllabus content at the secondary schools in Malaysia.

This study focuses on the perception of undergraduate researchers towards science and technology research activities. The activity is carried out in the form of a research project in their final year of studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which is a requirement for graduation. Responses from these students are the most important component in determining whether the Faculty of Science and Technology is producing future graduates suited for postgraduate research. In this study, 41 respondents were surveyed to determine their perception towards the scientific process they had experienced during their research. It found that a research process consists of the deduction of a suggested idea; execution of an experimental protocol and data acquisition based on a predetermined methodology; and a conclusion of the hypothesis, which in itself is a significant metamorphosis in shaping the mind of a student into a postgraduate researcher. The approach of this research considers the basic scientific competency of the students and by doing so, confirms that students are no longer technophobic, and boost the confidence to observe the aspects researched through a global overview through the utilization of the internet, before and after experimentation. Research minded science and technology graduates are hoped to contribute to the reflection and provide a more critical and practical solution to everyday issues that they will face in communities throughout their careers.

Electrochemical biosensors for phenolic compound determination were developed by immobilization of tyrosinase enzyme in a series of methacrylic-acrylic based biosensor membranes deposited directly using a photocuring method. By modifying the hydrophilicity of the membranes using different proportions of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and butyl acrylate (nBA), we developed biosensor membranes of different hydrophilic characters. The differences in hydrophilicity of these membranes led to changes in the sensitivity of the biosensors towards different phenolic compounds. In general biosensors constructed from the methacrylic-acrylic based membranes showed the poorest response to catechol relative to other phenolic compounds, which is in contrast to many other biosensors based on tyrosinase. The decrease in hydrophilicity of the membrane also allowed better selectivity towards chlorophenols. However, phenol biosensors constructed from the more hydrophilic membrane materials demonstrated better analytical performance towards phenol compared with those made from less hydrophilic ones. For the detection of phenols, these biosensors with different membranes gave detection limits of 0.13-0.25 microM and linear response range from 6.2-54.2 microM phenol. The phenol biosensors also showed good phenol recovery from landfill leachate samples (82-117%).

Poly (acrylamide-co-ethyl methacrylate) (AAm-co-EMA) membrane was studied and compared with poly (acrylamide) (AAm). Poly (AAm-co-EMA) and poly (AAm) membranes were synthesized using photopolymerization technique. These membranes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), swelling test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of these membranes to be used for enzyme immobilization. FTIR spectra exhibited peaks of –CO and –CH3 functional groups at 1166 cm−1 and 1377 cm−1 and confirmed that poly (AAm-co-EMA) was successfully formed. The equilibrium swelling percentage of poly (AAm) and poly (AAm-co-EMA) were 93.97 % and 96.24 %. It was found out that 10 % of EMA monomer was added to form the copolymer, the membrane produced a good hydrolytic stability copolymer in water and indicated its biocompatibility. This finding may be attributed by the morphology property as a semi porous surface of copolymer was formed. In conclusion, poly (AAM-co...

Magnetic material such as magnetite are known as particles that respond to external magnetic field with their ferromagnetic properties as they are believed contribute to in responding to the geomagnetic field. These particles are used by terrestrial animals such as termites for navigation and orientation. Since our earth react as giant magnetic bar, the magnitude of this magnetic field present by intensity and direction (inclination and direction). The magnetic properties and presence of magnetite in termites Macrotermes gilvus, common mound-building termite were tested. M. gilvus termites was tested with a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer VSM to determine the magnetic properties of specimen. The crushed body sample was characterized with X-Ray Diffraction XRD to show the existent of magnetic material (magnetite) in the specimens. Results from VSM indicate that M. gilvus has diamagnetism properties. The characterization by XRD shows the existent of magnetic material in our specimen in low concentration.

Polymer electrolytes based on crosslinked poly(glycidyl methacrylate) as polymer host and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BmimTFSI) as incorporated salt were prepared by in-situ photopolymerization technique. The complexes with different mass ratio of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomer to BmimTFSI were investigated. The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte was increased and reach the highest value of 7.50 × 10−4 S cm−1 at the ratio of 3:7 (GMA: BmimTFSI). The interaction between the polymer host and ionic liquid was proved by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transformation Infra-Red Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Meanwhile, the X-ray diffraction analysis shows the amorphousity of the polymer electrolyte film increase with the ionic liquid ratio.

Immobilization of laccase on the modified copolymer methacrylate-acrylate microspheres was studied. A poly (glycidyl methacrylate-co-n-butyl acrylate) microsphere consists of epoxy groups were synthesized using suspension photocuring technique. The epoxy group in poly (GMA-nBA) microspheres were converted into amino groups with aldehyde group. Laccase immobilization is based on having the amino groups on the enzyme surface and aldehyde group on the microspheres via covalent binding. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis proved the successful surface modification on microspheres. The FTIR spectrum shows the characteristic peaks at 1646 cm-1 assigned to the conformation of the polymerization that took place between monomer GMA and nBA respectively. In addition, after modification, FTIR peaks that assigned to the epoxy ring (844 cm-1 and 904 cm-1) were decreased. The results obtained from FTIR method signify good agreement with the epoxy content method. Hence, the activity of the laccase-immobilized microspheres increased upon increasing the epoxy content. Furthermore, poly (GMA-nBA) exhibited uniform microspheres with below 2 μm surface. Immobilized enzyme showed a broader pH profile and higher temperature compared native enzyme.

The effects of LiClO4 and LiFS3SO3 on poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-based solid polymer electrolyte and its photoelectrochemical performance in a dye sensitized solar cell consisting of FTO/TiO2–dye/P(GMA)–LiClO4–EC/Pt were investigated. The electrochemical stability of films was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The highest ionic conductivities obtained were 4.2×10−5 and 3.7×10−6 S cm−1 for the film containing 30 wt% LiClO4 and 25 wt% LiCF3SO3, respectively. The polymer electrolytes showed electrochemical stability windows up to 3 V and 2.8 V for LiClO4 and LiCF3SO3, respectively. The assembled dye-sensitized solar cell showed a sunlight conversion efficiency of 0.679% (Jsc=3 mA cm−2, Voc=0.48 V and FF=0.47), under light intensity of 100 mW cm−2.

This paper reports the development of dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4−) sensor in free solution and immobilized aluminium-morin (Al-Mo) complex on poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (pGMA) microspheres. The immobilization was carried out by suspension photopolymerization technique. Based on Al-Mo solution work, phosphate can be detected from 0.1 – 15.0 ppm of dihydrogen phosphate at pH 5. Phosphate detection only takes about 5 minutes. Morphology analyses showed that the immobilization of Aluminium-Morin complex maintained the size of the microspheres and proved that entrapment involves in the formation of the microspheres. This result is further explained by Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) spectrum which does not show any formation of new bands. The microspheres were then used for further applications.This paper reports the development of dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4−) sensor in free solution and immobilized aluminium-morin (Al-Mo) complex on poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (pGMA) microspheres. The immobilization was carried out by suspension photopolymerization technique. Based on Al-Mo solution work, phosphate can be detected from 0.1 – 15.0 ppm of dihydrogen phosphate at pH 5. Phosphate detection only takes about 5 minutes. Morphology analyses showed that the immobilization of Aluminium-Morin complex maintained the size of the microspheres and proved that entrapment involves in the formation of the microspheres. This result is further explained by Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) spectrum which does not show any formation of new bands. The microspheres were then used for further applications.

Concept of Tauhidic Science has been discussed in the first Teaching and Learning Congress 2009 organized by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Consequently, a proposal to introduce a course with a code that falls under the Dean's Office has been a natural development of this concept in the Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM. Through survey method responses from 37 subjects, consisting of the academic staffs, administrators and graduated students from different educational background and experiences in teaching and learning, were obtained particularly on the course content of the tauhidic science concept. The relevancy and the sufficiency of the course material on each topic were assessed. Results of the analysis showed that majority of the respondents (>85%) agreed that objectives, concepts and title of the topics in the course content are relevance to students, as well as showing a positive impact towards Science Tauhidic concepts. In general, 10 proposed topics as the course contents are acceptable and this was shown by an agreement of 90% of the respondents. In the aspect of sufficiency of course material, as a whole, 70% of the respondents agreed that topics that are going to be discussed are sufficient and complete. Only about 5% of the respondents stated that 5 topics of the course contents are insufficient. Result of this study can be used for continuous quality improvement, aiming to develop a solid and sound course for the benefit of UKM students.

Chemistry is one of the most difficult subjects and usually feared by the students in elementary schools. Some of the students in Malaysia, especially in the rural area, they memorized experiments and the theories without really understand the beauty of chemistry. They also believed that the chemistry experiment can only be done in the laboratory equipped with a huge fume hood since all of the experiments are dangerous, explosive and costly. Chemistry outreach program held by a team from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was meant to change the perspective of the elementary students towards chemistry and to develop their interest in exploring the beauty of chemistry. The program took place in Perlis as part of the Science on Wheels Program organized by National Science Centre. Few experiments using chemicals which can be found in daily life were first demonstrated and explained. Then the students were given chances to try on their own. They were also asked to relate what they had learned from the experiments to the phenomenon that occurred in the world. Survey on knowing their interest in chemistry before and after the experiments was given and analyzed. The results showed that the level of liking chemistry and choosing chemistry as one of the career option depended mainly on the exposure towards chemistry. The result showed that 80% of the students were interested in chemistry after they performed the experiments compared to 72% who were interested in the chemistry subject taught in school prior to the experiment. The 8% increment was possibly a reflection of the effective learning through experiment. Overall, 58% of students were interested to choose chemistry as their future career and suprisingly it was not depended on the background of the family. The chemistry outreach program really gave the impact on the elementary students and reached their hearts and should be continued from time to time to attract students to science and technology.