Saturday, November 19, 2011

"Tora revised"
Blacks
19" x 7" x 4"
 "Tora revised"
 Cognac and Crestwood Tobacco browns

"Tora revised"
Opal umber

Master / Ph.D in Chemical Engineering Wanted

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A friend of mine (Dr. Mohanad El-Harbawi) from Universiti Teknologi Petronas has some research student vacancies. He is looking for 1 master and 1 PhD student with strong background in molecular chemistry, biology, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and MATLAB. Anyone interested in the project can send your CV to his email below. You can find out some details below:

Project’s title:
Development of Ecotoxicity Relationships to Enhance Ionic Liquids Commercialization using Green Chemistry Approach

Location:
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Chemical Engineering Department, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

Salary: 1650 RM (525 US$)/month for master (max. 1.5 years) and 2250 RM (715 US$)/month for PhD. (max. 2.5 years)

If you are interested or would like to ask further details, please contact the following:

Dr. Mohanad El-Harbawi,
Senior Lecturer,
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Chemical Engineering Department,
Bandar Seri Iskandar, 31750 Tronoh, Perak,
Malaysia
HP: 0122398415 | Office: 605-3687581 | Fax: 605-3656176
Email: mohanad_elharbawi@petronas.com.my | mohanad_75@yahoo.com

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Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

  Paula  
(11" x 5")

Superb State of the Art Laser Technology - One Stop Laser Solution

Monday, October 31, 2011

I have came across a very amazing laser technology business last year which is called Northeast Laser & Electropolish. This is without doubt a really impressive company, the one which has one stop solution for all laser related technology. It can easily solve your laser welding, laser marking, laser cutting and laser engraving. I must admit that my favourite part when viewing the video below is how simple and cool the laser engraving process was carried on. Oh...I wish I can have own or be part of this fantastic company here in my country, perhaps opening a Northeast Laser & Electropolish branch here in Malaysia. Will that be super cool stuff?

Maybe this is not really directly related to Chemical Engineering, but if we want to be a rich chemical engineer, I strongly believe, we must have the desire and start our very own business (anything from small manufacturing product up to becoming a consultant or expert in some technical areas). A laser related business may require a high capital but I believe, our technical engineering knowledge can cope well with the laser industry. Despite of this is a laser tech business, we still can apply some of our chemical engineering skill and knowledge such as the environmental, safety and health, technical drawing an calculation etc.

Common, check out the video below. Tell me if this is cool or not... :)



If you are interested to explore further about the technical and business stuffs that Northeast Laser & Electropolish offering, check out their official site at:www.northeastlaser.com.



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Regarding the recent survey...
Ops...If you have not answered the short survey that I published few days ago, here is the link. I hope you can kindly assist me answer just 10 simple very basic question in my quest to prepare a good Professional Engineer guide. I can't say how thankful I am for your sincere help. Thanks...

I've attained the Profesional Engineer Status + Short Survey

Thursday, October 27, 2011

I have not able to post about this story last week. Well, last Friday, I received a letter from the Board Of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM) stating that I have been appointed as a Professional Engineer, a status I believe is equal to Chartered Engineer from United Kingdom (that I received several weeks ago).

After 4 years of effort, finally I managed to be a Professional Engineer which allows me the title "Ir." in front of my name and also "PEng" after my name. This is an achievement that I'm very glad to received. It's not just the privilege of having the title but it also impies that I have to carry more responsibilities. As a professional engineer in the discipline of Chemical Engineering, I need to show good professional engineer example, promote ethical engineering practice, help and guide those who want to be professional engineer and many other roles. The society and community will be looking and referring to us on certain matters. A professional engineer also need to contribute as much as humanly possible to the engineering society.

As a first step towards helping others to attain professional engineer or chartered engineer status, I have thought of preparing a short report of my experience on my journey to be both professional and chartered engineer. I am wondering whether there will be a demand for this report? What do you think? Should I prepare such experience sharing report?

In order to have better comprehension of the situation, I have prepared a short 10 question simple survey for you to answer. The answers will help me understand and hopefully prepare a good comprehensive guide on how to assist you in getting Professional Engineer or Chartered Engineer status. Please help me answer the survey >>> HERE <<<.


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Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.

Monday, October 24, 2011

-Devan wood closure handbag
-Devan shoulder bag (with adjustable stap and zipper closure)

My Ph.D Progress so far... Oct 2011 Updates

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I'm now in my 5th semester and I must admit that I'm very worried with my own performance as a Ph.D student. I have basically 8 months more to complete my studies (I was given 3 years for a my full time Ph.D). Otherwise I will have to extend my study to another semester.

I am now midway in my experiments. I am also preparing several technical papers to be published in index journals. It's really not easy. The mood and motivation are always against me. Let's see today's example...

I tried to work on my technical paper draft in my office room. After several minutes I felt sleepy (I did not sleep late at night). Then, I experienced some headache. Both of this elements (sleepy + headache) makes a perfect combination to demotivate me from pursuing my work. I tried to fight the negativity. I relaxed for 2-3 minutes. Then, I thought myself...maybe I should do other work that still can contribute towards my study. I then decided to learn a new optimization method from youtube since I am going to include them in my study. So, I decided to stop working on the technical paper draft for a while and studied this new optimization method. It works... I felt energized to learn a new stuff. This is indeed a good technique which I personally discovered (maybe this is not new to you guys). I have the option of perhaps give up, rest, sleep, relax, chit-chat with my friends, drink some coffee, watch some movie in my laptop but instead I decided to work on something else which still contributes towards accomplishing and perfecting my thesis. I'm really glad to do that.

At the same time, to keep up my spirit and assure continuous momentum, I changed my desktop wall paper. It has a message that I should complete my study in the allocated time. This constantly reminds me that I have an unsettle business to complete (the Ph.D off course!!!). This is the final major hurdle that I need to conquer after the other 2 big projects which is to be a professional engineer and chartered engineer, all within a space of 3 years. Fuhhh.... it's really tough but I'm glad I managed to complete the other two.

Enough rambling for now. I'm going to continue with my work. Need to work on something... If you have any motivational quote for me, I really welcome and appreciate them very much. Thanks in advance.

p/s- The photo above shows the Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) equipment with its PC. The PC is very old. It still uses the 3.5" floppy disc. Although it is old, it is still very useful and important for me because it provide one part of my catalyst analysis. The TGA is still in good shape as it is regularly maintained.


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I'm now a Chartered Engineer (IChemE)

Friday, September 30, 2011

In the early morning of yesterday, I noticed one email from Karen Brown of IChemE which I read from my Samsung Galaxy Ace Mobile phone (not iPhone). I was very anxious to read her email because the title of the email stated "IChemE Application to transfer to Chartered Membership". I scanned the email swiftly and later read it word by word. Yes! The result from the interview in August is out and I'm now accepted as a member of IChemE and Chartered Engineer. This is the beginning of my professional career as a professional engineer under IChemE.



Among the interesting massage obtained from the email was that I am now eligible to use designatory letters MIChemE after my name. In addition, I am also eligible to use the CEng designatory letters after my name too. CEng stands for Chartered Engineer. This status is given by the Engineering Council of UK.



Based on the email from Karen, I logined into my IChemE website wanting to updated my personal status. I saw that my membership status has already changed to Member Status. Everything has been automatically updated. This is so cool.



I'm now in the process of preparing the IChemE personal stamp and also waiting for the certificate.



I must say that I'm so proud to be an IChemE member. I remembered becoming an IChemE student member in 1998. Then in 2000 I upgraded the membership to Associate Member allowing me to use the designatory AMIChemE. Now in 2011, thanked God I successfully managed to be an IChemE member. Being an IChemE member, I am allowed to do some professional networking, collaborations, knowledge sharing, participate in subject groups and the one that I always use is Knovel database to read online books that is subscribe. This is mainly for my Ph.D research references.



Are you an IChemE member? If not, register now... :)









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FREE Recommended magazines to get you updated with current engineering news









Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.

Unboxing and Fixing of Renewable Gas Purifier for GC

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I am currently using one piece of very delicate instrument. That instrument is call Gas Chromatography (GC). The one that I'm using now is a Agilent 6890N GC TCD-FID. The GC requires helium, hydrogen and compressed air gas to run. However, this gasses need to be filtered to avoid tiny particulate and impurities from entering the column and trigger many unwanted consequences.

Recently we purchased 3 units of gas purifiers and I've installed them. I would like to share the experience in unboxing an Agilent Renewable Gas Purifier for GC (part number G3440-60004). My colleague, Mahadhir helped me video shoot the unboxing of this gas purifier.

My English may not be good and clear. I hope you can bear with it. Check it out...



I look forward for any comments and feedbacks from you guys. Cheers.





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FREE Recommended magazines to get you updated with current engineering news

Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Leather Kindle Covers
Kindle covers (inside)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Charlie "deconstructed" with recycled scraps
(folded clutch)
Charlie "deconstructed"
(full view with strap)

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Charlie "erosion style"
(opalo umber with fire treated romeo grey and blue details)
available at AOT

Thursday, August 4, 2011

"Erosion" wallets and belts
"Erosion" wallets
"Kim" tri fold wallet/clutch

My IChemE Chartered Engineer Interview

After the previous Professional Interview (PI) and writing examination conducted by Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) last April, I sat for another interview which is the Chartered Engineering interview by IChemE. The interview was carried out by 2 Fellow IChemE members yesterday morning in Dayabumi, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. I was accompanied by my beloved wife to drive to Kuala Lumpur as early as 4.30 am.


The purpose of this interview is to assess my training and experience whether I am fit to be a member of IChemE and chartered engineer. Before this, under IChemE, I am an Associate Member (which I can use the AMIChemE designation after my name). If my interview yesterday is successful, I will be upgraded to Member and Chartered engineer. With that after my name, I can use the designation of MIChemE and CEng.

This is the meeting room where my chartered engineer interview was held (at level 5 Dayabumi building)

The interview was scheduled at 9.30 am but it actually started at 9.50am. The interview was relatively tougher compared to my IEM previous interview (which took about 50 minutes). Among the points that the interviewers were seeking for are some proof of chemical engineering application that I practiced in my previous jobs. They also look for some elements on creativity, innovation, leadership and contribution to society. The interview hoovers around discussing the information that I had provided earlier in Form C - Competence and Commitment Report.

Myself before the interview. Luckily we arrived early in KL and the building. I can relaxed and stabilized myself before the interview. Do I look nervous? haha....

The interview ended after about 2 hours. It was really a mental challenge to answer all the questions threw by the lead interview who is a very experienced lady chemical engineer. Nevertheless I'm glad that the interview went smooth and I believed I managed to answer all the questions. For now, I just hope to receive a favourable result. From the information that I have, the result is very fast which is about roughly 10 days.

After the interview, we immediately travel south back to Johor Bahru. Yes, we purposely drove to KL for my interview. It was very tiring but at the same time, I'm glad that I managed to complete both IEM and IChemE interviews this year.

What about you? If you are not yet a member of IChemE, you can begin now. Seek for more information on how and why to get chartered from IChemE website.

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Some of my experimental problems

Friday, July 29, 2011

As some of you know, I am currently a Ph.D student in my final year and at this moment I can say I am working very hard running my experiments. Why do I say so? Well, part of the reason is because I'm the earliest person to reach the lab and the last person to leave the lab for any single day (accept if I have something urgent going on). I run 1 to 3 experiments per day depending on the situation that day. Why I say this, you'll know when I list down some of the problems I face when I run my experiments.

The experiments that I or other Ph.D students run are no ordinary experiments. The experiments are not at all similar to those that the undergraduates carry out in the lab. We are running our own individual experiments for research and discovery purpose. We are seeking for new information, new knowledge, new theory, new discovery. We want to find out about something. We want to see whether this and this works or not. We want to see what will happen when we do this and this and so on. Of course, this will be based on our literature review and hypothesis. Our experimental set-up is in most case unique and not similar to others. If it is similar though, there will be perhaps 2, 3 or 4 almost similar experimental set-up. I'm referring to the experimental set-up that we create ourselves.

OK, the main thing I want to share here is the list of problems, challenges, hurdles that interrupt the process of me running my experiment. Some of the problems are as stated below.

  • process tubing leaks
  • fitting leaks
  • o-ring burst
  • gas suddenly finish
  • furnace suddenly cannot operate
  • heating tape spoil
  • heating tape controller spoil
  • reactor easily broken (quartz)
  • support for catalyst broken
  • Not enough or no liquid to collect for analysis
  • Gas that is collected in a container could not be analyzed
  • Dirty GC column
  • Column not suitable for our products
  • GC need to be calibrated
  • No gaseous available, need to order gaseous from company
  • Rota flow meter not reliable, cannot control flow of carrier gas
  • No mass flow controller
  • Vacuum fitting cannot be tightened
  • Data logger for temperature monitoring software has problem
  • thermocouple seal leak and fluid penetrate through wire and flooded the data logger
  • Quartz tube after experiment are very dirty and difficult to clean
  • No water bath, so I have to used my own condenser.
  • Sabotage (this happen to my colleague. Her gas tank tubings were cut).
Please be informed that I'm not listing all these problems to discourage or demotivate some of you who may consider to pursue your Ph.D with experimental work. What I'm trying to highlight here is that if you are running experiments for your research work, you will face with tonnes of challenges. You need to stay strong and motivated. You need to focus at the end result. Of course there will be some obstacles, problems, delays and many other things that will result to you feeling down. I will be lying if I say I'm always motivated. I faced numerous expected and unexpected challenges. It's really up to me to react on the problem and overcome those challenges.

In addition, during this critical time, we need to always be positive and pray to God for assistance. On top of that, when ever we have experimental problems or delays, we need to have plan A, B, C and so on which means we can do other things such as drafting technical papers, search for latest literature review, learn related softwares etc.

If any of you have some good experience to share, feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you as well. Cheers...

OK, that's enough for now. I'll share later updates with you soon. For my fellow Muslim chemical engineers (student or practicing), I wish you Happy Ramadhan and hope all of us can be fasting with peace.

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Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.

Benefits of becoming a Professional Engineer

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

After writing the previous post, somebody asked me at Facebook this question: What are the benefits of becoming a PE (professional engineer)?


Well, there are many benefits if we look at it. I will provide my version of the benefits.

A PE will be respected for its ethics, skills and professionalism. Many will look up to them for solutions etc. Some will prefer those having PE status to assist them or work together. They are trusted engineers to handle/manage projects/contracts because a PE is well known for his/her credibility. A PE have the respect from its peers and community.

In my country, if we are a PE, we have some level of advantage compared to the others who are not a PE. A PE can have the authority to certify/approve drawings etc. While this is true for mechanical, civil and electrical engineers, it is scarcely heard that a chemical engineer PE have such similar authority. This is because for example, a vessel's drawing will be designed/certified normally by a mechanical engineer PE. An electrical circuit drawing or wiring in a plant or building will be designed/certified by an electrical engineer PE. A road/bridge construction drawing will be designed/certified by a civil engineer PE. A chemical engineer PE will design/draw/approve certain chemical process. This is very much related to the rules and regulation in a country.

Being a PE, we can also associate with other PE and engineers, thus increasing our networking and connections. On top of that, most engineering organizations have their own publication and this is an area which we can contribute it either as editor or contributor. Well, of course this apply if you love to write. We can also get involved in the activities, courses, trainings, talks etc that are organized for our own continues learning process. This will enable us to get properly informed of any new technologies, knowledge or policy updates. There are also subject group that we can involve in such as available in IChemE. You can choose to participate in any subject group(s) related to your expertise/field.

The benefit and importance of being a PE can be seen from the statement of Craig Durham, CEng MIMMM. He is a Senior Completion Engineer working in the UK upstream oil industry. What he had highlighted (UK context) is interesting...

Unlike most doctors, solicitors, civil and mining engineers, petroleum engineers are not required to be Chartered, in the UK at least. Historically, competence has been checked by reliance on a CV, interview and annual appraisal, although it is increasingly common to have company-specific competency assessment schemes in place. While these are welcome developments, only CEng status indicates that your competence has been assessed by other engineering professionals and is comparable with internationally recognised standards.

So why bother, particularly as, like me, I am sure that you work with many good engineers who are not Chartered, and being Chartered is not a guarantee of competence or ability? Perhaps the best reason is that it demonstrates a desire to take responsibility for your professional development, of taking pride in your professional achievements, of going the extra mile. Faced with a choice between similar candidates, one Chartered, one not, which one would you choose? (source)

What Craig Durham attempted to highlight in the last sentence is very clear. If you are a PE, chances of you getting hired are more compared to those without PE status. The market value for a PE is also higher and very much in demand.

Well, those are some points that can be highlighted. For academician, with PE status, it is a huge plus point to his/her career development. An academician with a PE status can normally cruise the career ladder faster than those who aren't. This is a scenario that I observed in universities in my country. On top of that, an engineering faculty requires a fix number of PE in order to be accredited by engineering accreditation council.

Well, those are some advantages that I can think of for now. If you have anything to add, feel free to mentioned it in the comment section. I'll add up some more when something struck my mind.

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