LIPI researchers win international awards
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Three researchers from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) have been recognized not only for their contribution to the world of science, but also to the business world.
Wuryaningsih from the Chemistry Research Center received the best female inventor award from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for her team's discovery of an easy process to produce catalysts for the oleochemistry industry, which derives from such natural resources as stones and minerals.
The team used a nickel catalyst, or kieselguhr, to stabilize the palm oil used as a raw material for cosmetic products.
LIPI researchers cooperated with researchers from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) on the project.
"LIPI and Korean catalyst producer Core Tech are now cooperating to produce the catalyst. And we are still expecting some cooperation with the oleochemistry industry in Jakarta and Medan to carry out tests on catalysts for the industry," Wuryaningsih said here on Tuesday.
The award was presented on April 26, in conjunction with World Intellectual Property Rights Day.
Meanwhile, Wuryaningsih's colleague and biotechnology expert Inez H. Slamet-Loedin was a grant as part of the International Outstanding Integrated Research 2002 program, which finances research on molecular breeding to create a variety of dry rices.
"We are using genetic engineering to cultivate Agrobacterium rumefaciens to create a breed that can endure drought and is resistant to blast disease caused by fungi. This breed will increase production because it will allow us to grow rice on dry land, as not much fertile land is available," she said.
Meanwhile, Tutang, who is also a biotechnology researcher, was named a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for his contributions in disseminating information about Microsoft's software and operational system.
Tutang will represent Asia at Microsoft's MVP Awards 2002 in the U.S. next November.
LIPI chairman Taufik Abdullah said the three researchers reflected the institute's new paradigm of working more closely with industry and users of science.