In Pursuit of Excellence in Science Contents ASM Sc. J. 6OL .O *UNEs)33. Volume 5(1), 2011 RESEARCH ARTICLES Estimation of Double Shear Strength of Timber Connections Fastened with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Dowel by National Design Specification 1 H. Rohana, I. Azmi and A. Zakiah Effects of Lubrication in Warm Powder Compaction Process 11 M.M. Rahman, S.S.M. Nor and H.Y. Rahman Conductivity and FTIR Studies of Low Molecular Weight ASM Polyvinyl Chloride-based Polymer Electrolytes 19 S. Ramesh, R. Shanti and S.F. Chin Science Journal Mechanical Properties of Wood-wool Cement Composite Board Manufactured Using Selected Malaysian Fast Grown Timber Species 27 Z. Ahmad, L.S. Wee and M.A. Fauzi Short Communication Physical Characterization of the Screen-printed Carbon Electrode Surface Using Scanning Electron Micrograph 36 5(1) 2011 R. Issa, N.A. Hamdan, A.S.S. Raj and M.F.M. Noh Continued on the inside of the back cover. Price (2 Issues) Malaysia: RM100 (Individual) RM200 (Institution) Other Countries: USD50 (Individual) USD100 (Institution) content.indd 4 10/12/2010 7:06:14 PM INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Ahmed Zewail (Nobel Laureate) Richard R. Ernst (Nobel Laureate) John Sheppard Mackenzie M.S. Swaminathan EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief/Chairman: Md. Ikram Mohd Said Abdul Latiff Mohamad Chia Swee Ping Ibrahim Komoo Lam Sai Kit Lee Chnoong Kheng Looi Lai Meng Mashkuri Yaacob Mazlan Othman Mohd Ali Hashim Francis Ng Radin Umar Radin Sohadi intro.indd 1 10/12/2010 7:37:34 PM Cover: The semblance of mosaic pattern depicts (1) Figures 3 (ii) of pages 40 and 41— scanning electron micrographs of the carbon reactive surface of screen-printed carbon electrodes at room temperature (the largest hexagon and the adjacent smaller hexagon in grayscale), in the article entitled Physical Characterization of the Screen-printed Carbon Electrode Surface Using Scanning Electron Micrograph which describes how scientists from the Institute for Medical Research, Malaysia have developed and modified DNA biosensor techniques to provide a fast, simple and sensitive method for detection of human diseases, bacterial food contamination, forensic and environmental research; and (2) Figure 2 of page 50 which is a layout for standard cytotoxicity testing comprising various controls, in the article entitled European Centre for Nanotoxicology: A Proactive Risk-assessment Nanotechnology Initiative (the glaring white hexagon with round spots) — the article introduces the European Centre for Nanotoxicology (EURO-NanoTox), an Austrian hub for scientific knowledge in the field of nanotoxicology. In Pursuit of Excellence in Science 6OL .O *UNEs)33. © Academy of Sciences Malaysia All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. The Editorial Board, in accepting contributions for publications, accepts no responsibility for the views expressed by authors. ASM Science Journal is listed and indexed in Scopus. Published by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia intro.indd 2 10/12/2010 7:37:34 PM The Academy of Sciences • To establish and maintain relations between the Academy and overseas bodies having the same or Malaysia (ASM) almost similar objectives in science, engineering and technology as the Academy The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) was • To advise on matters related to science, engineering and established, under the Academy of Sciences Act 1994 technology as may be requested by the Government which came into force on 1 February 1995, with from time to time; and the ultimate aim to pursue excellence in science. • To carry out such other actions that are consistent with Thus the mission enshrined is to pursue, encourage the 1994 Academy of Sciences Act as may be required and enhance excellence in the field of science, in order to facilitate the advancement of science, engineering and technology for the development of engineering and technology in Malaysia, and the well the nation and the benefit of mankind. being and status of the Academy. The functions of the Academy are as follows: The Academy is governed by a Council. Various Working Committees and Task Forces are charged with • To promote and foster the development of science, developing strategies, plans and programmes in line with engineering and technology the Academy’s objectives and functions. • To provide a forum for the interchange of ideas among scientists, engineers and technologists The functions of the Council are: • To promote national awareness, understanding and appreciation of the role of science, engineering • To formulate policy relating to the functions of the and technology in human progress Academy • To promote creativity among scientists, engineers • To administer the affairs of the Academy and technologists • To appoint such officers or servants of the Academy • To promote national self-reliance in the field of as are necessary for the due administration of the science, engineering and technology Academy • To act as a forum for maintaining awareness on the • To supervise and control its officers and servants part of the Government of the significance of the • To administer the Fund; and role of science, engineering and technology in the • To convene general meetings of the Academy to development process of the nation and for bringing decide on matters which under this Act are required national development needs to the attention of the to be decided by the Academy. scientists, engineers and technologists • To analyse particular national problems and identify The Academy has Fellows and Honorary Fellows. The where science, engineering and technology can Fellows comprise Foundation Fellows and Elected contribute to their solution and accordingly to Fellows. The Academy Fellows are selected from the make recommendations to the Government ranks of eminent Malaysian scientists, engineers and • To keep in touch with developments in science, technocrats in the fields of medical sciences, engineering engineering and technology and identify those sciences, biological sciences, mathematical and physical developments which are relevant to national needs sciences, chemical sciences, information technology to bring such developments to the attention of the and science and technology development and industry. Government The Future • To prepare reports, papers or other documents relating to the national science, engineering and technology Creativity and innovation are recognised the world over policy and make the necessary recommendations as the key measure of the competitiveness of a nation. to the Government Within the context of K-Economy and the framework • To initiate and sponsor multi-disciplinary studies of National Innovation System (NIS), ASM will related to and necessary for the better understanding continue to spearhead efforts that will take innovation of the social and economic implications of science, and creativity to new heights in the fields of sciences, engineering and technology engineering and technology and work towards making • To encourage research and development and Malaysia an intellectual force to be reckoned with. education and training of the appropriate scientific, engineering and technical man power intro.indd 3 10/12/2010 7:37:35 PM Contents ASM Sc. J. Volume 5(1), 2011 RESEARCH ARTICLES Estimation of Double Shear Strength of Timber Connections Fastened with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Dowel by National Design Specification 1 H. Rohana, I. Azmi and A. Zakiah Effects of Lubrication in Warm Powder Compaction Process 11 M.M. Rahman, S.S.M. Nor and H.Y. Rahman Conductivity and FTIR Studies of Low Molecular Weight Polyvinyl Chloride-based Polymer Electrolytes 19 S. Ramesh, R. Shanti and S.F. Chin Mechanical Properties of Wood-wool Cement Composite Board Manufactured Using Selected Malaysian Fast Grown Timber Species 27 Z. Ahmad, L.S. Wee and M.A. Fauzi Short Communication Physical Characterization of the Screen-printed Carbon Electrode Surface Using Scanning Electron Micrograph 36 R. Issa, N.A. Hamdan, A.S.S. Raj and M.F.M. Noh RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE European Centre for Nanotoxicology: A Proactive Risk-assessment Nanotechnology Initiative 43 E. Roblegg, A. Falk, E. Fröhlich, A. Zimmer and F. Sinner Strategic Roles of Industrial Statistics in Modern Industry 53 M.A. Djauhari content.indd 1 10/12/2010 7:05:26 PM ANNOUNCEMENTS Mahathir Science Award Foundation 65 Recipient of Mahathir Science Award 2011 66 Prof Yuan Long Ping Top Research Scientists Malaysia — An Academy of Science Malaysia Initiative 68 Academy of Sciences Malaysia International Conference 2012 69 Groundwater Resource Development and Management in Malaysia 70 SCIENCE POLICY Making the Third Science Policy Work 71 A.R. Omar COMMENTARY Global Warming: Can We Do Something? 73 Ghazally Ismail Carbon Cess on Fuel Consumption 75 P. Loganathan Green Technology and Innovative Changes 77 Ahmad Zaidee Laidin and P. Loganathan content.indd 2 10/12/2010 7:05:26 PM ASM Sci. J., 5(1), 1–10 Estimation of Double Shear Strength of Timber Connections Fastened with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Dowel by National Design Specification H. Rohana1*, I. Azmi1 and A. Zakiah1 Current National Design Specification (NDS 2005) provides the guideline to design timber joints strengthened with steel fasteners. This study investigates the possibility of using NDS 2005 to estimate the load-carrying capacity of timber joints fastened with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) dowel. Double shear timber joint fastened with