Innovating for a Green Future during the COVID-19 Crisis

By Geetha Kandiah

It is, to a certain extent, apt that World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, which is celebrated on 26 April 2020, falls during the current challenging times that COVID-19 has brought upon our lives, community, and businesses. COVID-19 is not something someone wishes on their worst enemy – the loss of lives and the threat on businesses. Having said that, one must also stay positive and find silver linings in the storm before us. One just has to observe the two main positive highlights COVID-19 has brought about. They are very relevant to World IP Day.

Firstly, many individuals and businesses are innovating – and that itself is the core of what IP is about.

IP awards exclusive rights to those who create original work. The ability to obtain monopolistic rights triggers more innovation, new technologies, discoveries, new applications of existing systems, original artwork and literary work, music and theatrical performances and so on – which in turn promotes economic growth. Innovation being the lifeline to many during the COVID-19 crisis is a good thing – we will see many new inventions birthing during this period.

Secondly, the theme for the World IP Day this year is “Innovate for a Green Future”. The World IP Organization decides on a theme each year, and this year, they explain their theme: “Because the choices we make today will shape our tomorrow. The earth is our home. We need to care for it.”

Many of us now know that COVID-19 has impacted our environment in a positive way. With many cities on lockdown, industries stalled, and people restrained from commuting, earth has been given a breather. As Forbes rightly said, “Mother nature gets a well deserved break”.

Forbes reported that in New York, when compared year on year, carbon monoxide levels have dropped by almost 50% and these were largely contributed by cars. In China, greenhouse gas emissions dropped drastically as shown by NASA’s image (below) that shows the reduction in nitrogen dioxide from space.

In Malaysia, we too have seen clearer skies thanks to a drop in nitrogen dioxide levels. The maps below show the nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in Peninsular Malaysia from 18 March – 13 April 2019 (left) and 18 March – 13 April 2020 (right). The maps were produced by Think City from spectrometry data obtained from Copernicus Sentinel-5P European Space Agency satellite [https://thinkcity.com.my/].

Although the data above is encouraging and it is positive to see earth having a break from the havoc created by its inhabitants, this pandemic is deadly to lives and the economy. We should therefore learn our lessons, and if anything, spur on further innovations in the field of green technology so that climate change is caused intentionally by our actions.

To celebrate World IP Day and to encourage more green innovations for a better future, KASS is so proud to share with you these green inventions from our clients, that have helped and are helping the environment.

Waste, waste, go away

KASS client, Sri Skanda Rajah from Premium Patent Sdn Bhd (also known as “STREAM”), created a method and system for pushing and moving solid waste. An engineer by training, he left his consulting engineering career and together with partner Jason Gan, started a business providing products in the field of vacuum conveying technology for all streams of homogeneous waste material in 1991.

He has to date, eight granted patents to his name (10 pending). The illustration below shows the basic concept of how his standard patented Automated Waste Collection System (AWCS) works to move domestic waste from high rise buildings through underground conduits, as opposed to above ground:

[Source: https://www.stream-environment.com/how-does-stream-work]

 

STREAM has since gone global and has grown vastly since its early days. With a presence in five countries and over 25 city grade references scored in the pneumatic waste technology, the company continues to stay on top in its field. The company has come to be known for developments in pneumatic solid waste transport technology over the years.

We are proud of Sri Skanda’s success and his tenacity to make the world a greener place.

How about an environmentally friendly engine coolant?

The 2^nd green invention that we’re excited to highlight is a plant-based engine coolant from University Malaysia Pahang. This patent, bearing the application number PI 2018703715, uses nanocellulose as heat transfer liquid in heat exchanger and thus, it provides better heat transfer efficiency.

The nanocellulose with water and ethylene glycol addition to coolant for car radiator application improves the efficiency of the radiator. Improved efficiency enables a more compact design of the radiator and improves the durability of the engine. This invention was presented in the 3rd International Conference on Automotive Innovation Green Energy Vehicle and a few parties are working on commercialisation of this invention.

We are proud of our client, University Malaysia Pahang for its achievement in the green vehicle industry and wish it further success.

Green ingredients for a healthy lifestyle…

For the 3rd green invention, we’ll be looking at Softgel Capsule and a Method of Preparing thereof. We filed a Utility Innovation, which is the lesser known siblings to patents – known as petty patents or simple patents in other countries – for the capsule.

Bearing the UI No. 2017001487, this invention was created by three individuals, Ahmad Ziad bin Sulaiman, Azilah binti Ajit and Norsuhada binti Sudin after 18 months of research and development. It is a softgel capsule prepared by a method comprising the steps of mixing honey with two oils in a mixing apparatus to produce a mixture, wherein the honey is trigona honey and the two oils are black seed oil and olive oil, encapsulating the mixture in a soft gelatin to produce the soft-gel capsules. This softgel branded as ZQUAT is unique because the mixture of these three ingredients works as a supplement that reduces illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack amongst others illnesses.

[Source: https://zquatroyalsoftgels.blogspot.com/]

 

Creating a product itself is tough, but putting it out there in the market place and building a brand is another feat. We are proud of our clients, Ahmad Ziad bin Sulaiman, Azilah binti Ajit and Norsuhada binti Sudin for their achievement in the health and wellness industry.

[If you are wondering what a Utility Innovation is, or how a Utility Innovation is different from Patents, find out more here]