6 KMUTT Researchers Awarded 2024 Asahi Glass Foundation Research Grants

On September 19, 2024, The Asahi Glass Foundation (AF) from Japan, in collaboration with King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), held the Research Grant Award Ceremony 2024. The event was honored by Mr. Takuya Shimamura, President of the Asahi Glass Foundation and CEO of AGC Inc., alongside Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suvit Saetia, President of KMUTT, who delivered congratulatory remarks. Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, presented the report at Room LIB108, KMUTT Library.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suvit Saetia noted that the Asahi Glass Foundation grants support researchers in creating new knowledge that leads to potential problem-solving. This marks the 13th consecutive year of the foundation’s support for KMUTT. This year, the foundation provided $50,000 USD, with KMUTT providing a matching fund of $50,000 USD, totaling $100,000 USD (approximately 3.4 million THB). The funding is distributed across 6 projects in 4 research fields:

1. Materials Sciences (2 Projects)

• Effect of Ion Treatment on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Bio-glass Cell Scaffolds via Foam-based Sol-Gel Process for Bone Tissue Engineering.
• Development of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Composite Films for Triboelectric Nanogenerators in Water Energy Harvesting and Integration with Solar Cells for Hybrid Energy Harvesting (Raindrops and Sunlight).

2. Life Sciences (2 Projects)

• Self-assembling Amphiphilic Chitosan for Use as Gene Delivery Materials.
• Study of Cellular and Proteomic Responses of Synovial Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Multilayer Cartilage Cell Sheets for the Development of Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

3. Environmental Sciences (1 Project)

• OtGene: Collaborative Population Genetics Network for the Conservation and Combat of Illegal Otter Trade in Asia.

4. Architecture and Urban Engineering (1 Project)

• Divergent Perspectives in Architectural Conservation: The Concept of Conservation Success from a Community Perspective in Western Thailand.

The 2024 Grant Recipients

The six KMUTT researchers honored this year are:

1. Dr. Sopita Sangphet (Faculty of Engineering)
2. Dr.Kornkanya Pratumyot (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science)
3. Dr. Worata Klinsawat (School of Bioresources and Technology & Conservation Ecology Program)
4. Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanen Munkong (School of Architecture and Design)
5. Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichart Naruphontjirakul (Biological Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering)
6. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Sompit Wanwong (Materials Technology Program, School of Energy, Environment and Materials)

Presentation of Previous Research (2021-2022)

The ceremony also featured presentations from eight researchers who received grants between 2021 and 2022:

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Nopporn Rujisamphan (Faculty of Science): Synthesis and Characterization on All-Inorganic Solar Cell: Combined Theoretical and Experimental Approach.
• Dr. Debajyoti Pal (School of Information Technology): Measuring the End-User Experience with Voice-Assistants: from Usability to Acceptance.
• Dr. Trairat MuangThong-On (Department of Environmental Engineering): Food Waste-to-Char Characteristics obtained from Various Kinds of Food Waste.
• Assoc.Prof.Dr.Patcharapit Promoppatum (Department of Mechanical Engineering): Design of 3D-Printed Porous Material Structures to Enhance Mechanical and Biological Properties for Bone Substitutes.
• Dr. Daphawan Khamcha (PDTI): Breeding Ecology, Nesting Habitat Characteristics, and the Role of Pine Plantations as Key Factors for the Conservation of the Globally Endangered Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna).
• Dr. Nasrul Hudayah (PDTI): Relationship between Quorum Sensing and Interspecies Electron Transfer of Microbes on Conductive Bio-media to Enhance Methane Production.
• Dr. Wanlop Chutipong (PDTI): Assessment of Population Dynamics and Survival Rates of Fishing Cats in Human-Utilized Areas.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Patipan Sae-Lim (GMI): Are We Ready for Climate Change? Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Maturity in Thai Industry.