Form A: Research Proposal Form

SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AGAINST COVID-19 (SPRAC)

ATTENTION
Applications for SPRAC will be assessed on a competitive basis against the following
assessment criteria:
● Originality
● Usefulness (Impact to society)
● Relevance to SPRAC program objectives
● Feasibility
● Research organization
Funding will be aimed at projects that can clearly address the five assessment criteria and
demonstrate a clear path to the expected output(s).

Applicant’s information and affiliation (Principal Investigator ONLY)

Name (Title/ First/ Last) Dr. Muhammad Shazril Idris IBRAHIM
Job title/ Position
Member Institution

Title of the research project

DEVELOPMENT OF TIDAL CURRENT TURBINE PROTOTYPE USING HOLLOWBOLT AND ITS
APPLICATION IN STRAIT OF MALACCA.

Project at a glance
Provide a comprehensive summary of the research project, including aims and objectives.
Technical jargons should be avoided. (maximum of 200 words)

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 1. Contributions of the research project to the existing body of knowledge in the engineering
priority area(s)
(recommended length of 400 words)
Significance of tidal energy
Progress/development of existing literature
Issues - maintenance and etc

● Renewable energy development through development of new prototype

● Preliminary works have been done to identify potential/suitable locations for tidal
energy farm along Straits of Malacca
● Introduction of new fastener in tidal turbine structure, better design in sea
conditions
● Usage of waste materials in prototype manufacturing
● Preparedness in energy security.

2. Expected output(s) from the research project

Examples of outputs are a prototype of an invention, a publication of paper in an
international journal, a well-established engineering method to fight pandemics, etc.
Please structure your answer into bullet points with clear explanations. (recommended
length of 200 words)
● Publications
○ Minimum of one publication in an ISI – index journal
● Initial design of prototype (3d laser print)
○ We are confident that an initial design of the small- scale prototype of the
tidal turbine structure can be produced using 3D laser print
● Optimum/utilization of local waste
○ To address the lack of deployment method, we will propose an optimum
methodology to deploy the structure and all necessary risks.

3. Expected outcomes and impacts to society

Bullet points with clear explanation are preferred. (recommended length of 400 words)

● Increase knowledge of tidal hydrodynamics in Straits of Malacca encompassing

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

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 ● Reduce the demand/dependence for coal energy, carbon emissions
○ Increase the level of energy security/self-sustained of a country in future
outbreaks.
● to enhance awareness of the potential of other renewable energy sources.
● numerical modelling in turbine analysis

4. Research objectives and their relevance to SPRAC program objectives

(recommended length of 400 words)
1) To support research collaboration in novel engineering and interdisciplinary ideas, methods,
tools, and technologies that exhibit potential contribution to counter COVID-19 outbreak,
including prevention and preparation for future outbreaks
2) To support research collaboration that provides solutions to economic and social
issues/problems caused by COVID-19
3) To strengthen the human network among MIs, JSUs, industrial partners, and external partners
in ASEAN, Japan, South Asia, and Africa

To improve the preparedness of the country to meet the high energy demand in future
outbreaks.

To reduce the world carbon emissions by promoting the potential of renewable energy
due Increasing demand for energy in developing countries

To study the application of blind bolt type fastener in the design of tidal current turbine.
● Maintenance cost. Cost:benefit ratio.

To engage/strengthen the network through research collaboration among UM, USM,

Kyoto University and industry (NAHRIM).

5. Research plan & methodology, including concrete time schedule and milestone of
achievements
Pictures, diagrams, charts, tables can be included to illustrate and reinforce your
explanation on the topic. (recommended length of 800 words)

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 6. The environment supporting the research including state of preparation & readiness (e.g.
equipment, facilities, data/material for the study, etc.)
(recommended length of 400 words)

In brief, the state of preparation and readiness of this project is at intermediate level (6
out of 10). The details are described below.

All necessary equipment for data acquisition such as satellite (bathymetry and topography
data), wind data (Malaysia Meteorological Department) and tide data (Navy Malaysia) are
well-calibrated and openly accessible. These data are needed for hydrodynamic
modelling, to provide useful input parameters for tidal turbine testing and analysis.
Preliminary modelling has been conducted along Strait of Malacca and ideal site locations
have been identified. Further site investigation using drone survey will be conducted to
give overall overview of site. With the purchase of new license of the software, this
project will be focusing more on the storm or rare tide events of the site, to cater extreme
events in the analysis of the tidal turbine.

In term of manufacture and fabrication of a prototype, a three-dimensional laser printing,

owned by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya will be used,
and charges will be included in the budget. Suitable type of material will be determined
and tested within the timeline of the project and the material is expected to yield low
carbon footprint and meets sustainable features outlined by the team, i.e. local waste
product or by-product of recycle items.

Prior to that, the prototype will undergo various number of testing using CFD modelling to
identify and address any design issues that might concur during physical testing due to
given wave conditions. To ensure that the prototype is working efficiently or as designed,
a series of physical modelling (small-scale) will be conducted at National Hydraulic
Institute Malaysia (NAHRIM). NAHRIM is a well-establish physical modelling center that
hosted various hydraulic and coastal-related equipment such as 2D wave flume and large-
scale 3D wave flume, dam and structure stability, dam break flume and etc. Initial
meeting has been done, to seek more information on the facilities that are useful to the
project.

7. Justification of budget proposed for this research project in relation with research
purposes/ methodology/ research group/ scale of the project
(recommended length of 200 words)

In order to achieve the objectives of the project and successfully meet the expected

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outcomes, acquisition of several equipment and tools and their justifications are
described as follow:

High speed computers are needed to run highly computational modelling throughout the
project. These computers will greatly reduce the computational time for each analysis and
reduce the number of workforces within the team. On top of that, license for selected
software or models need to be purchased to avoid any copyright issues in the future.
There is software that offer indefinite period of time usage for one-time subscription (eg.
Delft3d FM).

The cost of manufacture and fabrication via three-dimensional laser printing of the
prototype takes the largest portion/part of the total fund/budget. The cost includes the
laser printing application and the material used. Works will be done to determine suitable
material for the fabrication of the prototype. The material shall be based on local
waste/resource or by-product of recycle items that yields low carbon footprint.

Other costs such as training, workshops and experimental works (prototype testing) are
needed to further assist and contribute to the development of the tidal current turbine
prototype.

8. Plan for collaboration with Co-investigators and other Co-researchers whose names are
listed in this application
Roles and responsibilities assigned to each project team members must be clearly
defined. (recommended length of 200-400 words depending on the number of members)

Dr. Muhammad Shazril Idris IBRAHIM

The investigator under this name will be responsible on:
 the coastal and tide modelling
 project management
 financial management
Dr. Mohd Fazaulnizam
The investigator under this name will be responsible on:
 bolt designs and design of the structure
 CFD modelling
Dr. Huzaifa HASHIM
The investigator under this name will be responsible on:
 detailed design of the propeller and other important features of the turbine,
 foundation design and geotechnical works
 site investigation
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Remy Rozainy MOHD ARIF ZAINOL
The investigator under this name will be responsible on:
 physical modelling works.

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sai Hin LAI
The investigator under this name will be responsible on:
 the data acquisition of the coastal model
Prof. Ir. Dr. Nukman YUSOF
The investigator under this name will be responsible on:
 manufacturing and fabricating the prototype
 type of material used in fabrication of the prototype
Japan – advisor (Japan)
The investigator under this name will be responsible:
 advising the team throughout the duration of the project
 provide insights and solutions to any administration and technical problems.

9. Other kinds of collaboration/ contribution from other sponsors, if any (e.g. materials,
human resources, facilities, etc.)
None.

10. Prior research activities/ outputs related to the research project, if any
Lai SH tide papers
Fazaul bolt papers
NY manufacturing papers

11. Research budget granted for prior research activities related to the research project, if any
Lai SH grant info

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