The science behind the scene

In a way, these robots provide a good example of science and technology in action. The robots are real, touchable, moveable, and fascinating, and they represent cutting-edge technologies that most people can appreciate. More importantly, they are the products of years of research that present technology in ways that people can easily understand.

Action, however, is not always what science and technology is all about. Like robots, most of what we see in today's market _ home appliances, sports equipment, electronic appliances, automobiles, and more _ are products of years of research and countless trials and errors.

``Being a researcher means to study one topic until we know all there is to know about something,'' says Assist Prof Dr Apinpus Rujiwatra of Chiang Mai University. ``But of course, we can never reach that point.'' As one of the recipients of the 2006 Young Scientist Awards, Dr Apinpus, traveled to Bangkok to give a special lecture on her research for the thirty-second Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand. Research, she says, takes up 50 percent of her time at the university, while the remainder is spent on teaching.

``I work on my research until 9 or 10pm everyday, seven days a week,'' she says. ``I almost have no time to travel anywhere.'' Determination and dedication to the work is what it takes to overcome all the hurdles. ``The lack of financial funding is not as important as the lack of research personnel and student helpers. This is particularly true in universities that are located in rural provinces.'' The 2006 Young Scientists

This year, a total of five scientists receive the Young Scientist Award from the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology (FPST). Joining Dr Apinpus are Assist Prof Dr Joongjai Panpranot (Chulalongkorn University), Assist Prof Dr Puangratana Pairor (Suranaree University of Technology), Dr Visith Thongboonkerd (Mahidol University), and Dr Shanop Shuangshoti (Chulalongkorn University).

Since 1991, the foundation has handed the award to nearly 60 Young Scientists. The award is reserved specifically for researchers 35 years old and under with an outstanding research work in basic science, namely physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, or related fields. Besides being published in at least three standard scientific journals, the work must also be cited in articles written by a number of other scientists, and finally, the work must have a high impact factor.

Although this year's five winning researchers did not create breakthroughs in science or technology, they successfully built upon pre-existing work that is geared toward serving local needs. Often, this means that the works are still in the laboratory stages, where the techniques and processes of perfection are being pursued.

Enhancing the fundamentals

Dr Apinpus' award wining research not only promises to increase the number of material choices for future technological applications, but also to improve the efficiency of future electronic appliances. In short, her research on the synthesis and characterisation of lead titanate (PT) via solvothermal synthesis involves the development of a technique to be used in the production of piezoelectric powders. Lead titanate is a ceramic perovskite material that develops a voltage difference across two of its faces when compressed. One application of these powders, she says, is in the production of electronic sensors and microchips.

``We can then apply this technique to the exploration of other powders with various electromagnetic properties. This will allow us to, one day, produce our own powders, instead of importing them from overseas like we do today,'' she adds.

To some extent, the industrial sector usually benefits one way or another from scientific research conducted in universities. Dr Joongjai Panpranot, a researcher and lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Department of Chemical Engineering, says that she has received a specific assignment from the industry to research the effect of selected metal catalysts on the process of acetylene hydrogenation. This process removes such impurities as acetylene from the production of polyethylene, and is widely used in the petrochemical industry, particularly in the production of plastic.

``Normally, when we extract natural gases, we get several byproducts, like methane and ethane,'' she says. ``Ethylene is what we use to produce polyethylene, which is the most common compound used to make plastic. But the ethylene we get is not always 100 percent pure. There will always be impurities like acetylene that must be removed.'' Dr Joongjai's research, as a result, focuses on exploring the catalytic properties of palladium over titanium dioxide (Pd/Tio2) catalyst in the process of removing acetylene impurities. ``This purification of ethylene is the very first process in the production line,'' she says. The end result of a purer ethylene is a better polymer quality. ``One objective of this research is to discover a more effective catalyst than those currently sold on the market,'' she adds.

Diversity of disciplines

On a slightly different note, Dr Puangratana Pairor's research focuses on the understanding of metal-superconductor junctions through a technique called tunneling spectroscopy. The majority of her work involves data extractions and simulations in a computer, which helps her to obtain clues about the mechanism of superconductivity.

A superconductor, Dr Puangratana explains, is a result of a change of state of a metal, after it is cooled below a critical temperature of -150 degrees Celsius or lower. At this temperature, a superconductor ``conducts electric current without resistance and expels magnetic fields completely,'' Dr Puangratana says.

This remarkable property of superconductors, she adds, makes possible many technological applications. ``Among them is the magnetic-levitation (maglev) train, which is a transport vehicle designed to float above the train rails on powerful magnets, virtually eliminating friction between the train and its tracks,'' she elaborates. Because Maglev trains make no physical contact with the track, they could potentially reach velocities comparable to turboprop and jet aircraft (500 to 580 km/h), making them the fastest trains available.

Research is also a critical part of the study of medicine. As a nephrologist, Dr Visith Thongboonkerd has a particular interest in applying a technique called ``proteomics'' to the study of kidney diseases. ``In general, proteomic technologies make feasible a simultaneous analysis of a large number of proteins, which can also be applied to other sectors, such as agriculture, animal breeding, and farming,'' he says.

``This technique speeds up the study of proteins and allows us to see a broader and better picture of organisms, cells, or organs. Whereas in the past, we had to study one area at a time, and then try to connect the dots,'' he adds.

The progress of his research translates into a better understanding of normal physiology and pathogeny - the development of a disease or disorder, mainly as observed at the biochemical or cellular level - while improving therapeutic outcome, as in reducing disease complications and shortening the duration of hospitalisation. Other goals include the developments of new vaccines and the discovery of biomarkers, which make possible early diagnosis and identification of diseases.

``All these are ultimate goals,'' says Dr Visith. ``We must first apply the proteomic technologies to study details of various diseases, before we can realise these goals.''

Although it may take years before they arrive at any major scientific break-throughs, this year's young scientists all agree that the work must continue. In a way, this endless search for knowledge is the beauty of the research itself. ``I find so much joy in every step of the progress I've made,'' says Dr Puangratana. ``It gives me a sense of pride and encourages me to continue working. I think that's what attracts me to research,'' she adds.

The thirty-second Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand, October 10-12, was organised by the Science Society of Thailand, under the patronage of HM the King, in association with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science. For more information, visit www.stt32.scisoc.or.th .