Journal of Emerging Technologies and Industrial Applications

Evolution and Trends of TVET in Malaysia: A Systematic Review

Rodzidah Mohd Rodzi — 2026-07-02

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is essential for Malaysia’s economic development and workforce readiness. Existing studies often focus on specific issues, lacking a comprehensive overview of the sector. This study systematically reviews literature published between 2020 and 2026 on the evolution and trends of TVET in Malaysia. The review covers development milestones, system challenges, sector transformation, and stakeholder expectations. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 105 articles were selected from Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and national repositories. Review papers comprised the largest proportion (55, 52.37%). They were followed by qualitative (24, 22.86%), quantitative (19, 18.10%), and mixed methods studies (7, 6.67%). Findings indicate that Malaysia’s TVET system has evolved from a trade-based training approach to a structured and coordinated skills ecosystem. Key developments include the expansion of vocational institutions, the establishment of national qualification frameworks, and governance reforms. Challenges include governance fragmentation, skills mismatches, limited resources, and societal perceptions of TVET as a secondary pathway. Recent policies emphasise coordinated governance, industry collaboration, competency-based training, and integration of digital and green skills. Future research is recommended to examine graduate outcomes and assess programme effectiveness. This will address policy needs and support institutional improvement.

Gardenia jasminoides in Cosmetic Science: Whitening, Anti-Wrinkle, Soothing, and Skin Barrier Repair Activities

Teo Chee Loong — 2026-07-02

Gardenia jasminoides has emerged as a multifunctional botanical ingredient with growing relevance in cosmetic science, driven by increasing demand for natural, efficacious, and skin-friendly actives. This mini-review synthesizes current evidence on the cosmetic applications of Gardenia jasminoides, with a focus on four key domains: skin whitening, anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects, soothing and anti-inflammatory activity, and skin barrier repair. The review demonstrate that Gardenia-derived bioactives, particularly iridoids (such as geniposide, genipin, and related glycosides) and carotenoid derivatives (crocin and crocetin), modulate multiple skin-related pathways. Whitening effects are primarily associated with inhibition of tyrosinase activity and downregulation of melanogenic regulators including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, while anti-wrinkle efficacy is linked to antioxidant activity and suppression of matrix metalloproteinases involved in collagen degradation. Soothing and anti-inflammatory properties are supported by consistent reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling in cellular and animal models, including barrier-associated mechanisms. Notably, recent in vitro and human studies provide robust evidence for skin barrier repair, showing activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor–mediated pathways and upregulation of filaggrin, loricrin, and involucrin, accompanied by clinically meaningful reductions in transepidermal water loss and improvements in skin hydration. Overall, the convergent mechanistic and functional data position Gardenia jasminoides as a promising multifunctional cosmeceutical ingredient, while also highlighting remaining gaps related to long-term safety, formulation stability, and underexplored barrier-associated mechanisms.

An Overview of Colebrook Based Friction Factor Equations for Industrial Pipeline Design: Availability and Applicability

Melvin Ying Fan Kho — 2026-07-02

In the design of industrial pipeline systems, the accurate estimation of the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is fundamental for determining head loss and ensuring operational efficiency. While the implicit Colebrook-White equation remains the industry standard for turbulent flow, its iterative nature poses computational challenges, leading to the development of numerous explicit approximations. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of Colebrook-based friction factor equations, examining their availability and applicability across modern engineering practices. Firstly, the study synthesizes findings from recent comparative reviews to identify the most accurate explicit approximations, highlighting equations such as those by Romeo, Royo, and Monzon (2002) and Zigrang and Sylvester (1982) as high-precision alternatives. Secondly, the practical application of these equations is categorized across diverse industries, including hydropower, oil and gas, nuclear engineering, and water distribution, referencing specific industry standards. Finally, the paper critically analyzes the integration of these equations into widely used hydraulic software such as EPANET, OpenFOAM, and WaterGEMS, clarifying the default algorithms and user options available in computational tools. This overview aims to serve as a practical guide for engineers and decision-makers in selecting the most appropriate friction factor correlations for specific industrial scenarios and software environments.

Enhancing Firewall Security Through AI-Based Intrusion Detection System for Anomalous Behaviour

Asif Iqbal Hajamydeen — 2026-07-02

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A Mini Review on Gardenia jasminoides Essential Oil and Fruit Oil: Composition, Quality Indices, and Cosmetic Industrial Value

Teo Chee Loong — 2026-07-02

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis has long been valued for its fragrant flowers and bioactive fruit, yet its essential oil and fruit-derived oil remain under-integrated in cosmetic science. This mini review summarizes current evidence on the extraction technologies, chemical composition, quality indices, and cosmetic-relevant bioactivities of gardenia essential oil and fruit oil. Flower essential oils obtained through hydrodistillation, solvent extraction, and enfleurage exhibit complex volatile profiles dominated by alcohols and terpenes, including linalool, α-farnesene, methyleugenol, and jasminelactone, which contribute to the characteristic sweet-green floral aroma. Advanced analytical techniques such as GC–MS and HS-GC-MS have identified over 100 volatile compounds, with odor-active components confirmed through relative odour activity value analysis and sensory evaluation. In contrast, fruit oils extracted via supercritical CO₂ and ultrasound-assisted extraction are characterized by a favorable unsaturated fatty acid profile and the presence of lipophilic bioactive constituents, including crocetin derivatives. Quality assessment relies on chromatographic fingerprinting, extraction yield optimization, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity assays. Biological studies demonstrate that gardenia essential oil and fruit oil possess anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of nitric oxide release and modulation of TNF-α and PGE₂ pathways, antioxidant capacity evidenced by DPPH and total antioxidant assays, and skin barrier repair effects associated with upregulation of tight junction protein ZO-1 without cytotoxicity. Additionally, fragrance preference studies support its sensory acceptability for cosmetic formulations. Collectively, the integration of compositional profiling, bioactivity evaluation, and process optimization highlights Gardenia jasminoides oils as multifunctional botanical ingredients with significant potential in fragrance, soothing, antioxidant, and skin-repair cosmetic applications. Further standardization and genotype-based selection strategies are warranted to ensure consistent quality and efficacy.

Surface Deformation Inspection on Delaminated Flax Laminate for Aerospace Structure Application

Sharifah Nor Fatin Syed Ramli — 2026-07-02

Natural fibre-based composites are gaining momentum in the aerospace sector, driven by their sustainable characteristics, including environmental friendliness and renewability, that align with the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions in aerospace structural applications. However, ensuring the structural integrity of these composites remains critical to meet the aerospace industry's rigorous safety and performance standards. The flax unidirectional prepreg laminates using pressure and temperature-assisted curing methods. To simulate defects, delamination was introduced into the laminates using Teflon tape as an artificial flaw during fabrication. The samples were then cured using two distinct methods: autoclave curing and hot bonder curing. This research applies speckle shearing interferometry method as an advanced non-destructive technique to detect defects, specifically delamination, in flax unidirectional prepreg composites. Defects in autoclave-cured are visibly detected with detection efficiencies ranging from 31% to 41%. The primary objective is to investigate how the curing methods impact the effectiveness of speckle shearing interferometry in identifying these defects. By exploring the interaction between the curing process and the detection capabilities of speckle shearing interferometry, this study aims to provide insights into optimizing inspection methods for natural fibre-based composites, ensuring their reliability and safety in aerospace applications.

Microbial Fermentation of Gardenia Jasminoides: Biotransformation Mechanisms and Development of Value-Added Functional Products

Teo Chee Loong — 2026-07-02

Gardenia jasminoides has long been recognized as a medicinal and functional plant rich in iridoid glycosides and bioactive compounds, among which geniposide represents the predominant constituent. However, the biological efficacy of native Gardenia phytochemicals is often limited by their glycosylated structure and low bioavailability. Microbial fermentation has emerged as an effective biotechnological strategy to enhance the functional value of Gardenia jasminoides through enzymatic biotransformation. During fermentation, diverse microorganisms including lactic acid bacteria, filamentous fungi, and symbiotic microbial consortia catalyze the conversion of geniposide into genipin and other secondary metabolites primarily via β-glucosidase activity. This transformation significantly improves biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metabolic regulatory effects. Recent studies demonstrate that probiotic strains such as Levilactobacillus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum enhance anti-inflammatory responses by suppressing nitric oxide and cytokine production, while fungal fermentation by Aspergillus niger generates novel antibacterial derivatives with increased bioactivity. In addition, fermentation systems applied in functional foods, including kombucha beverages and fermented dairy products, further promote the formation of health-promoting metabolites and improve physiological outcomes such as glycemic regulation. Collectively, microbial fermentation transforms Gardenia jasminoides from a traditional herbal resource into a versatile platform for developing value-added functional foods, natural bioactive compounds, and nutraceutical applications. Future research integrating microbial genomics and controlled fermentation design will further expand its industrial and biomedical potential.

Controlling Water States in UV LED Curable Polyacrylamide Hydrogels: A Pathway to Stronger Biomaterials

Muhammad Aqil Mohd Farizal — 2026-07-02

Hydrogels, particularly composed of polyacrylamide (PAAm), are extensively utilized for biomaterials, especially in biomedical diagnostics. In biomaterials, the water state is one of the requirements to be eligible for medical use. In this study, PAAm hydrogels were synthesized using UV LED photopolymerization to investigate the effect of the PAAm hydrogel water state towards its overall monomer concentration. This study establishes the direct transition between free water dominant states in low crosslinked networks to non-freezable bound water in highly crosslinked hydrogels, by varying the overall monomer concentration (OMC). The PAAm hydrogel exhibits high monomer conversion efficiency (98%) and high gel fraction (80%) when increasing the OMC. Additionally, the mechanical testing demonstrated that higher OMC enhanced tensile strength by a factor of 6 and Young’s modulus by a factor of 13, confirming the formation of a denser polymer network. However, the elongation at break decreased from 63 to 11%, indicating reduced flexibility. Meanwhile, the toughness increased up to 1104 J/m² for 40 wt.% of OMC, while 50 wt.% OMC resulted in brittleness due to excessive crosslinking. The swelling behavior is more controlled for higher OMC (40 – 50 wt.%) due to lower water uptake. From the thermal approach via differential scanning calorimetry analysis, the water states of the hydrogel are determined, where the free water was almost eliminated and left with non-freezable bound water for a highly crosslinked and rigid network at 40 – 50 wt.% of OMC. Further increasing the OMC to 50%, however, results in brittleness and reduced toughness. Therefore, higher OMC (40%) exhibits hydrogels with higher mechanical strength and controlled swelling behavior. These findings introduce valuable insights for designing mechanically robust hydrogels by modifying water hydrogel interaction, a potential method for next-generation biomaterials for tissue adhesives, drug delivery, and biomedical diagnostics, with superior mechanical strength, durability and hydration control.

Dominance of local emission intensity over air-mass origin in PM₁₀-bound atmospheric microplastics: Insights from HYSPLIT analysis in Peninsular Malaysia

Mohd Rosiskada Mohamed — 2026-07-02

This study investigates the relative roles of air-mass origin and local emission intensity in controlling PM₁₀-bound atmospheric microplastic (AMP) concentrations across five locations in Peninsular Malaysia using HYSPLIT back-trajectory analysis. A total of 30 sampling events were analysed during the Northeast and Southwest monsoon periods. AMP concentrations showed significant spatial variability (p < 0.001) but no dependence on monsoon phase or trajectory cluster. Wind speed exhibited a significant negative association (ρ = −0.514, p = 0.004), while regression analysis explained 41.6% of AMP variability (R² = 0.416), identifying wind speed and PP proportion as dominant predictors. These findings highlight the dominance of local emissions and atmospheric dispersion over regional transport in controlling AMP concentrations.

Generation Revenue Enhancement in a Pool-Based Electricity Market with Capacity Payment: A Case Study of Malaysia’s Electricity Supply Industry

Zuraidah Ngadiron — 2026-07-02

The objective of this paper it to address the economic benefit in term of generation revenue for Malaysia electricity supply industry (MESI). Pool market model is recognized as a conceivable model to overcome the shortcomings of the single buyer market because this model is a safe option to be more competitive and transparent electricity supply industry. However, there are issues on the welfare of the generators involved and could invite a lots of rejections from the power producers if it is not properly executed. Therefore, this paper focuses on the pricing issue in pool market by extending the capacity payment mechanism in the single auction power pool in context of MESI. A case study is conducted for two bus test system in involving four generators around Peninsular Malaysiat to illustrate the proposed model which introduce the base load sharing approach and minimum capacity payment involving the efficiency of the generators. An economic analysis is conducted to highlights the merits of the proposed model compared with other pool based market model in term of generation revenue that will help in assisting in new policy setup and further research works to overcome this crisis.