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Seed Corn Projects

Funded in 2025

Energy Smart AI

The team:

• Associate Professor Dr Saad Aslam, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Rosdiadee Nordin, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Haizum Hanim Ab Halim, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Amna Asif, Lancaster University
• Dr Christoph Jansen, Lancaster University
• Dr Suzana llic, Lancaster University
• Dr Ashley Fraser, Lancaster University

The project aims to harness artificial intelligence to optimize energy generation, distribution, and consumption, enabling smarter, more sustainable energy systems. By using real-time data analytics, predictive algorithms, and advanced control strategies, it seeks to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the transition to renewable energy. The collaborative effort between ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University brings together expertise in AI, energy systems, and sustainability. The project seeks practical solutions for energy management challenges, enabling smarter grids, informed decision-making, and a more resilient energy future.

Wearable Avoidance & Real-time Protection System from Pollution Exposure

The team:

• Associate Professor Dr Anwar P.P Abdul Majeed, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Caroline Weight, Lancaster University
• Dr James Stovold, Lancaster University
• Dr Jiejun Hu-Bolz, Lancaster University
• Dr Tianxiang Dai, Lancaster University

This project aims to develop a wearable system that actively protects users from air pollution by providing real-time monitoring and personalized avoidance guidance. Using advanced sensors and intelligent data processing, the system can detect harmful pollutants and offer actionable feedback to reduce exposure. Through the collaboration between ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University, the research combines expertise in wearable technology, environmental science, and human health. The goal is to create a practical, easy-to-use solution that empowers individuals to stay safe in polluted environments while promoting awareness of air quality issues.

Waste-derived Materials for Low-cost Long Duration Energy Storage

The team:

• Professor Saidur Rahman, ������Ƶ University
• Associate Professor Dr Numan Arshid, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Kathryn Toghill, Lancaster University
• Professor John Griffin, Lancaster University
• Dr Yanping Du, Lancaster University
• Dr Gaurav Gupta, Lancaster University
• Dr Giuseppe Bagnato, Lancaster University

This project aims to transform waste materials into high-performance, low-cost solutions for long-duration energy storage. By harnessing underutilized industrial and agricultural by-products, the team is developing energy storage technologies that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The collaborative research between ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University focuses on optimizing material design, improving storage efficiency, and enabling practical deployment at scale. The project contributes to the transition toward renewable energy systems by providing reliable, long-duration storage solutions while supporting a circular economy approach.

A Novel Approach to Sustainable CO2-Active Construction Materials

The team:

• Associate Professor Dr Daniel Looi Ting Wee, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Adarsh Kumar Pandey, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Abbie Trewin, Lancaster University

This project explores a novel approach to developing sustainable CO₂-active construction materials that actively capture and utilize carbon dioxide, contributing to reduced carbon emissions in the built environment. By integrating advanced material science with innovative engineering strategies, the research aims to enhance the performance, durability, and environmental impact of next-generation construction materials. Through interdisciplinary collaboration between ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University, the project focuses on designing scalable and practical solutions that support low-carbon construction practices. The outcomes are expected to advance sustainable infrastructure development while aligning with global efforts toward climate resilience and carbon neutrality.

Funded in 2024

Smart cities: building health equity for citizens through digitital healthcare solutions.

The team:

• Professor Raja Affendi, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Ooi Pei Boon, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Bruce Hollingsworth, Lancaster University
• Dr Faraz Ahmed, Lancaster University

The project aims to uncover factors contributing to urban healthcare sustainability in Malaysia, addressing legitimacy issues like ethics, privacy, and a livable cities framework. The focus is cultivating a digitalised, person-centric ecosystem empowering urban communities to manage personalized healthcare decisions. This project will drive progress in personalised healthcare, population-wide strategies, real-time knowledge generation, and “digital health” development within the smart city ecosystem. It will provide foundations for nationwide program extension, enhancing health equity and support for a technologically-savvy Society 5.0, contributing to SDGs 10 and 11 on reducing inequalities and sustainable communities in Malaysia.

Cities & universities: co-developing a “learning city” model

The team:

• Natasa Lackovic, Lancaster University
• Dr Malissa Maria Mahmud, ������Ƶ University

The project aims to re-think the notion of learning cities through the lens of university engagement, developing a working model for this purpose. The “learning city” paradigm, while addressing contemporary urban challenges, has under-researched university engagement. The research will enhance knowledge on research engagement practices and policies at Lancaster and ������Ƶ universities, providing a learning city model adaptable by other institutions globally. The vision is to position these universities as leaders in university engagement and relational learning, informing the UNESCO Network of Learning Cities. Contextualised at Lancaster and ������Ƶ, the research lays the groundwork for a large-scale project to further develop, apply, and evaluate the model with diverse stakeholders, ultimately achieving more inclusive and sustainable learning experiences internationally, informing policy and practice.

Techno-Economic Impact Analysis of Solid Waste Collection Optimization and Management for Smart City Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The team:

• Professor M A Hannan, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Santha Vaithilingam, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Ong Hwai Chyuan, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Jan Grabowski, Lancaster University
• Dr Burak Boyaci, Lancaster University
• Dr Pin Jern Ker, The Energy University
• Dr Rawshan Ara Begum, University of Technology Sydney

Waste generation has increased tremendously due to rapid development, posing challenges in efficient disposal without burdening society financially and physically. This project aims to develop a 5G communication architecture-based solution to efficiently manage solid waste in cities like Selangor. It will design a smart bin system providing real-time bin status, develop an optimized solid waste truck routing algorithm based on collected data, and establish a central monitoring system for coordinated waste collection and routing. The research investigates the feasibility and economic viability of optimized algorithms and cost-effective waste collection and management, maximizing the system’s return on value through performance, efficiency, and sustainability. A case study will validate the functionality at ������Ƶ University, enabling potential industries related to solid waste management.

Painting a Greener Future Cities: Developing Advanced Paint Formulations to Combat Climate Change and Enhance Indoor Air Quality in Cities

The team:

• Dr Mohd Azlan Kassim, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Giuseppe Bagnato, Lancaster University
• Professor Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, ������Ƶ University
• Dr David Cheneler, Lancaster University

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have driven a 1.18°C global temperature rise, causing severe environmental impacts. To limit further warming to 1.5°C by 2100, urgent actions including a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 are required. Cities contribute almost 75% of CO2 emissions, making achieving zero carbon cities challenging and necessitating innovative technologies like Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). This study focuses on incorporating CO2-reactive calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in water-based paint to significantly incorporate CO2 adsorption functionality and absorb CO2 during application. The objectives are to investigate the new paint formulation’s performance, properties, and CO2 absorption capacity. Applying this novel paint formulation in city buildings aims to effectively mitigate urban carbon emissions, contributing to emission reduction and improving indoor air quality. This study presents an avenue to combat climate change by leveraging advanced paint formulations for CO2 removal and emission reduction, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals and Malaysia’s Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy Framework for sustainable urbanization and resilient infrastructure.

Sustainable cities: the role of green skills and sustainable education in business and management curricula

The team:

• Dr Sandra Awanis, Lancaster University
• Dr Hina Khan, Lancaster University
• Professor Yuka Fujimoto, ������Ƶ University

Countries are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to enhance city inclusivity, safety, and resilience, necessitating fostering green skills and sustainable education. However, many aspects of promoting green skills for a green economy remain under-researched. This project aims to investigate the roles of educational curricula, institutions, and policies in promoting green skills for sustainable city design and explore how barriers can be removed, focusing on the role of business and management education in promoting environment-, social-, and governance-focused competencies. It will involve a qualitative case study comparing “tales of two cities” on the path to sustainable city recognition: Morecambe, UK, and Kuching, Malaysia, based on varying green skilling investments. A quantitative survey will explore interventions enhancing or hindering sustainable city development through green skills, drawing on case study findings. This project aims to advance educational theory, practice, and policy by investigating an under-researched area where business/management and urban planning intersect under improving the urban and natural habitat for all inhabitants.

Management and organizational control in digital/smart working environments: Exploring the meaning and perceptions of bullying from a Malaysian perspective

The team:

• Dr Ooi Pei Boon, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Sabir Giga, Lancaster University
• Dr Elizaveta Berezina, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Ho Meng Chuan, UCSI University

Post-COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation’s need and importance are even more prevalent, being the key component for smart workplaces, with digital platforms allowing ease of communication and work activities regardless of time and space. However, the usage, manners, and perceptions of individuals in smart workplaces may negatively impact overall well-being if there’s a lack of measures or digital governance, yet employees may feel disempowered if organisational control is too rigid. This study aims to adapt existing workplace bullying definitions to explore perceptions and meaning within digital/smart working environments in a Malaysian context. It’s an exploratory project to develop collaboration between ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University researchers, involving interviews (n=30), focus groups (n=32), data analysis, journal article preparation, grant application submission, and an end-of-project network webinar for knowledge transfer. The study supports the 12MP by boosting digitalisation and advanced technology while considering individuals’ well-being, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 8 on health/well-being and decent work/economic growth.

Previously Funded Seed Corn Projects

The UNDERSTAND Project: Towards Understanding and Incorporating Senior Citizens’ Needs in Disaster Response Operations

The team:

• Dr Goh Yi Sheng, ������Ƶ University
• Associate Professor Catherine Lee, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Juliana Sutanto, Lancaster University
• Professor Yang Hu, Lancaster University

The UNDERSTAND project is a commendable effort towards creating a disaster-resilient urban space for Malaysia’s ageing population. The project’s focus on understanding the needs of senior citizens in disaster response operations is a crucial step in ensuring an inclusive and equitable disaster management system. By using a design fiction approach, the project team is exploring innovative ways to cater to the specific needs of senior citizens in times of crisis. The mini-exhibition showcasing the archival materials and design ideas is an excellent way to raise awareness and highlight the importance of considering the needs of senior citizens in disaster response operations. With the involvement of key stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, the project is generating valuable insights that can drive meaningful change in disaster management in Malaysia. Overall, the UNDERSTAND project is a vital initiative that could serve as a model for other countries to follow.

Investigating the Environmental Factors of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) for Better Urban Health

The team:

• Professor Raja Affendi, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Ooi Pei Boon, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Roger Pickup, Lancaster University

IBD is a complex disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and this study by ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University is a crucial step towards understanding the environmental factors involved in the disease’s development. By focusing on Lancaster, a city with a well-established platform for IBD research, the study aims to uncover the unique factors that contribute to IBD in urban environments, ultimately leading to the development of more targeted disease prevention strategies. Additionally, the study’s comparison of Western and Malaysian disease patterns provides a novel approach to understanding the disease’s environmental influences and its impact on urban health. The project’s findings could have a significant impact on disease prevention and urban health improvement, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people affected by IBD.

Waste Reduction To Promote Sustainable Cities

The team:

• Professor Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Yuka Fujimoto, ������Ƶ University
• Associate Professor Jane Giew, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Kirk Semple, Lancaster University
• Dr Alison Stowell, Lancaster University

The situation of solid waste management in Malaysia is alarming, especially concerning plastic waste. Despite producing a considerable amount of plastic waste per capita, Malaysia is ranked as the 8th worst country for plastic mismanagement. However, a team of multi-disciplinary academics from ������Ƶ University and Lancaster University are working towards finding solutions to this issue by engaging with both industry and the Malaysian society. By identifying the challenges faced in waste management and evaluating the likelihood of citizens accepting solutions, the team hopes to develop practical approaches that can be implemented to

Co-Designing Future Cities: Digital Tools for Envisioning Future Urbanism

The team:

• Dr Richard Wong, ������Ƶ University
• Dr Stephen Homer, ������Ƶ University
• Professor Nick Dunn, Lancaster University

The future of cities is a topic of increasing importance as urbanisation continues to accelerate and cities face complex challenges. The concept of Smart Cities has emerged as a solution, but it often prioritises efficiency over other values and fails to reflect the diverse needs of different communities. To address this issue, a pilot study was conducted on the perceptions of younger generations, specifically university and college students, on “future cities”. The study emphasises the importance of considering the diverse perspectives and needs of different communities and creating a vision that prioritises equity and sustainability. By challenging the dominant narrative of Smart Cities and promoting a more inclusive and equitable vision for the future, this project seeks to create a more context-specific and sustainable urbanism that meets the needs of all communities. The results of this study will provide valuable insights for urban planners, architects, and policymakers in creating more liveable and sustainable cities for all.