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Mo Wuwei: The Red Alert 2 Fan Who Automated Carbon Capture Testing
At a climate-tech start-up in California, a fully automated carbon capture testing system is running around the clock, steadily improving research efficiency. Behind this system is Mo Wuwei, a Class of 2024 graduate of Xiamen University Malaysia, whose journey from university research to industry innovation reflects the impact of hands-on engineering education.By Yulin Wu Turning curiosity into an engineering pathWuwei’s interest in engineering began in his childhood. He was fascinated by children described in European and American TV series. They could conduct experiments and DIY creative stuff in their own garages using simple equipment. From an early age, he hoped to have a hands-on space of his own. This interest led him to pursue engineering as his academic path.Through frequent exposure to articles on climate change and environmental protection, Wuwei developed a desire to use his knowledge to improve the environment. In 2018, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering with Honours programme at the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering (SECE), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM).In his third year, Wuwei learned that Dr. Ong Wee Jun’s research focused on nanotechnology and renewable energy. He contacted Dr. Ong to express his passion for environmental sustainability. Dr. Ong assigned him two research topics: Electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and CO2 reduction.“Working on electrocatalysis helped me connect abstract concepts to the bigger picture of climate change mitigation,” Wuwei says. “It set the direction for my future career.”Depth Learning in UC BerkeleyWhile applying for his Master’s degree, Wuwei received offers from many renowned universities. In the end, he chose Materials Science and Engineering Programme in Berkeley.The coursework in materials science at Berkeley is highly rigorous and cutting-edge in design. For Wuwei, who did not have a background in materials science, it was difficult to fully follow the classes at the beginning. One course named Advanced Spectroscopy left a particularly strong impression on him. The course combined advanced spectroscopy in materials science with Python programming. Students were not only required to understand the working principles of different spectroscopic instruments, but also to write code to analyse raw experimental data.For completing the assignments better, Wuwei and his classmates formed a study group. “Most of us were complete beginners in programming, so we learned through trial and error. We constantly exchanged ideas, discussed problems, and helped each other debug our code,” he said, “When we finally produced clean, well-visualised spectra, the sense of accomplishment was incredibly rewarding”.For his Capstone Project, Wuwei focused on investigating various trending solid sorbents used for direct air capture. Thanks to his undergraduate research experience, Wuwei was very familiar with this area, which made the project easier for him to approach. In addition, the software skills and programming logic he acquired through coursework and the Capstone Project laid a solid foundation for his later system development and his understanding of electrical engineering and automation. Automating carbon capture in the labUpon completing his Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering at UC Berkeley, Wuwei joined Mitico as an R&D Intern, but was soon promoted as an R&D Technician. The company develops environmentally friendly solid sorbents for carbon capture, which matches the interests he had since undergraduate years. He was mainly responsible for testing solid sorbents, data collection and analysis, as well as designing automated experimental systems based on client requirements. As a startup, Mitico offered many chances to build things from scratch. The working structure was flexible, and employees were not limited to their own job descriptions. This experience also helped lay the groundwork for Wuwei’s later learning in electrical engineering and automation. Image Mo Wuwei with his colleagues at Mitico “Our CTO, Alan Gu, is my model.” Wuwei joked. At the time, Mitico designed the very first carbon capture system and commissioned a supplier to manufacture the equipment. During operation, the system required continuous modifications and optimizations from the supplier’s end. Repeatedly requesting the supplier to perform remote adjustments proved inefficient. As a result, Alan taught himself the necessary software operation and programming.This experience inspired Wuwei. “He let me know that a true engineer should not be limited to their own field. Engineering is inherently interdisciplinary.”The idea for the automated testing system came from a practical bottleneck in sorbent development. Wuwei was in charge of testing the sorbents, which involved repeated cycles of absorption and regeneration. Manual testing was highly inefficient, taking a whole day for just one cycle, and often consumed all of his time, leaving little room for other work. He realized that a fully automated system was necessary to overcome this problem.He drew inspiration from the mobile construction vehicle in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. “A mobile construction vehicle can transform from a small truck into a massive structure within seconds, and vice versa, which is highly mobile and convenient. This is impossible in reality. However, I thought I might be able to design a convenient system. With only the most basic equipment, electricity, and gas, it could be deployed anywhere.”He set out general milestones for the project. The first step was to connect the different pieces of equipment to a computer to enable data transfer, which required him to learn electrical engineering and automation on his own. At the beginning, it was like feeling around in the dark, He had no basic knowledge or understanding of the principles and had to go through instrument manuals line by line. He also asked technical staff from the suppliers for help, but without a solid background, he could only understand bits. At one point, he almost considered spending $100 on a single data cable from them. Looking back now, he could have made it by hand for just a few dollars.Fortunately, with the help of AI, he was able to understand what to do in plain, non-technical language, and gradually learned the basic concepts. Eventually, he took roughly nine months to figure everything out: half a year for controlling and monitoring of each equipment from the computer, about a month and a half learning and programming to create the control software, another month assembling the hardware, and half a month testing the system.In May 2025, when the first prototype was completed, he felt proud and excited. “I told my colleagues that I had succeeded. Everyone was thrilled, and they said I was a legend.” He named the six stations after his favorite units from the game. The automated system now runs 24/7, increasing testing capacity by up to 2400% and speeding up the department’s R&D progress. Image Mo Wuwei with the cycling stationsAt present, Wuwei appears to be one step closer to his childhood dream of changing the world through hands-on work. However, he is not satisfied. “As an engineer, I still have much to learn,” he said. Chemical engineering should not exist as an isolated discipline. It must be integrated with other fields of expertise. Whether for career development or personal growth, Wuwei has no intention of stopping here.
PhD Student Wins Young Environmental Journalist Competition 2025
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Chew Zhi Ling, a PhD student under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Kua Yin Leng from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, on winning the 1st Place at Young Environmental Journalist Competition 2025 (Category C) with a cash prize of RM 3,000. Image This competition was organised by Malaysia Forest Fund (MFF) in collaboration with Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL) and Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF). From bold ideas to powerful storytelling, participants were required to submit a short video under the theme “Saving Nature, Saving Our Food and Water”. It highlights the critical connection between healthy ecosystems, food security, clean water, and a sustainable future. The competition served as a meaningful platform for youth voices to speak up, share their stories, and inspire real environmental change. The contest period ran from 25 August 2025 to 21 November 2025.Chew Zhi Ling conveyed her research projects through a short video titled “From Wastes to Sustainable Solutions”. The video demonstrates how durian seeds and food waste can be turned into functional colloidal systems, specifically eutectogel and oleogel, as well as incorporated into food products.These innovative materials offer sustainable alternatives that contribute to protecting forests, food systems, and water resources. By focusing on waste valorisation, the video presents practical and innovative solutions to address ongoing climate change challenges and promote a more sustainable future.The full video can be accessed using the link below https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPtJ5biAcQ_/?igsh=MWtodm1lNDhmeXF4dg==
The 9th White Coat Ceremony Held for TCM Students
On 24 January 2026, the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (STCM) at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) held its 9th White Coat Ceremony for 18 students from the 2022/02 and 2022/04 intakes, marking a significant milestone in their professional education journey.The ceremony was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhang Ying, Vice President of XMUM, Prof. Chen Shaodong, Dean of STCM, along with faculty members. University leaders and mentors extended their congratulations and encouragement, urging students to uphold the core values of compassion, integrity, and perseverance in their future medical practice.The presentation of the white coat symbolized the students' commitment to the medical profession, their ethical responsibilities to patients, and the preservation and continuation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This was followed by an oath-taking session, during which students reaffirmed their dedication to applying their professional knowledge in service of healthcare and society.As the ceremony concluded, a tribute video highlighting the students' growth and learning journey was presented, creating a touching and reflective moment for both students and their families. In the presence of mentors and loved ones, the students officially donned their white coats, stepping into the next stage of their professional training. Image
China-ASEAN Conference on Translation, Interpreting and Communication (First Announcement)
The world is undergoing profound transformations unseen in a century, where regional cooperation and mutual learning among civilizations have become defining themes. With digital technology profoundly empowering cultural exchange, translation, interpreting, and communication studies are emerging as an increasingly important collaborative research sphere. In this era of new opportunities and challenges, this interdisciplinary domain needs to be reconceptualized as a bridge for languages, a medium for cultures, and a catalyst enabled by technology, to advance cross-disciplinary innovation, strengthen China-ASEAN collaboration, and foster talent cultivation.Xiamen University, a key advocate for China-ASEAN cultural exchange, will proudly host the China-ASEAN Conference on Translation, Interpreting and Communication at Xiamen University Malaysia from April 17 to 20, 2026. The conference will convene academic institutions and industry stakeholders across the region to explore disciplinary development, career pathways, talent cultivation, and pedagogical research—laying a robust foundation for a shared future. Conference detailsTheme: Translation, Interpreting and Communication for the FutureSub-themes include:1.Interdisciplinarity and New Paradigms in Translation, Interpreting and Communication Studies2.Regional Synergy and Transnational Interpreting and Communication Communities3.Civilizational Dialogue and Local-Global Development4.Quality Evaluation and Reception Studies in Translation/Interpreting5.AI-Driven Innovations in Translator/Interpreter Training6.Practices, Pedagogy, and Markets in Translation/InterpretingLocation: Xiamen University Malaysia (Selangor, Malaysia)Dates: 17 to 20 April, 2026April 17: Registration & ArrivalApril 18-19: Conference SessionsApril 20: DepartureThe conference is open for auditing. Colleagues and scholars who wish to attend as observers are kindly requested to complete the registration form as soon as possible at the following link: https://forms.gle/YCZvHwqv3DyHgd5f8. As capacity is limited, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The Organizing Committee of the China-ASEAN Conference on Translation, Interpreting and Communicationcaatic2026@126.comJanuary 2026
Public Space Operation Time During Semester Break (Degree)
Public Study Room Image *Public Study spaces are open for all XMUM students while no prior booking is required. LibrarySemester Break: 26 Jan – 19 Feb 2026Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday – Friday)Closed: Weekends & Public Holidays Canteen Image
Call for Collections for XMUM's 10th Anniversary
In 2026, Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) will celebrate its 10th anniversary. As the first overseas campus of a renowned Chinese university, over the past 10 years, XMUM has grown alongside each of you, shaped by shared beginnings, bold steps, and unforgettable moments. Together, students and faculty have contributed to a decade defined by curiosity, perseverance, and mutual support. The journeys that began here continue, carrying the spirit of XMUM far beyond campus.To mark this milestone, we invite you to share your stories and memories through words, photographs, and videos, and be part of XMUM’s first decade of collective history. Essay / Written MemoriesPlease write about your stories at XMUM based on (but not limited to) the following themes:1)Companions Along the WayAt XMUM, there are surely people who have left a deep impression on you - a lecturer who offered guidance, supportive group mates, or friends who stood by your side. They are the ones who lit your path, weathered storms with you, and added the brightest colors to your youth. Share with us who they are and the stories you shared together.2) Campus TransformationsDuring your time at XMUM, what changes have you witnessed or participated in? The construction of the library, new food stalls in the cafeteria, growing student numbers, or new programs launched… these moments must have surely caught your attention. As someone who experienced them firsthand, did your presence or involvement leave a mark behind these changes? Share your story.3) Growth ImprintsShare your learning and life experiences at XMUM. From classroom discoveries to challenges faced in activities, from interactions with lecturers to moments with friends, how have these shaped your character, values, and approach to life? How have they influenced your future choices and direction?4)Memorable MomentsCampus life is full of moments worth remembering. Perhaps it was filming on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, your first time conducting on stage during Gala Night, or simply a birthday song in the canteen. Tell us about one memorable or amusing experience at XMUM that has become a warm memory in your life.Who can participate: All XMUM staff, students, and alumni membersSubmission Requirements1)Language: English or Chinese2)Length: English - over 500 words; Chinese - over 800 characters3)Note: Please indicate your name, contact, intake and programme, at the beginning or end of the article. For staff, please indicate your working department. We highly encourage you to include photos or videos related to your stories.Prize CategoryOne First Prize: RM 500 + CertificateTwo Second Prize: RM 300 + CertificateThree Third Prize: RM 200 + CertificateAll selected participants will receive a certificate of appreciation and a e-copy of the 10th anniversary anthology.How to SubmitPlease submit your work in word file via XMUM Cloud Drive before 22 February 2026:https://box.xmu.edu.my/collection/2d2c6adbdd38b31b25c44df5a4300d30Photos1.Theme: Snapshot of XMUM2.Who can participate: All XMUM staff, students, alumni members, and the public3.Content:Share photos related to XMUM. Each photo should include a short description that explains your emotional connection or tells a behind-the-scenes story.Examples: Your first flight to Malaysia, your first meal at the canteen, completing a group project, participating in club activities, and more. The more unique and interesting, the better!Quantity: Up to 5 photos.Format: JPG or PNG. Photos should be clear, well-composed, and visually appealing.Please submit your work(s) in a zip file via XMUM Cloud Drive before 22 February 2026:https://box.xmu.edu.my/collection/2d2c6adbdd38b31b25c44df5a4300d30 All selected participants will receive a certificate of appreciation.Anniversary Messages1)Formats: text, handwritten messages, and videos2) Who can participate: All XMUM staff, students, and alumni members; members of the public3)Submission Requirementsa)TextLength: English - about 100 words; Chinese - about 200 charactersContent: Please start your submission with your name, year of enrollment, and programme. Alumni are also requested to include their current institution or professional field. For staff members, please state the school/department you are affiliated with.Your message must include the phrase "Happy 10th Anniversary to Xiamen University Malaysia" or a similar anniversary greeting. Beyond that, feel free to share campus memories, express gratitude to mentors, classmates, or seniors, or add any personal reflections.b) Handwritten messagesPlease include a handwritten anniversary message of no more than 50 words, such as "Happy 10th Anniversary to XMUM" or similar wording. Feel free to get creative! You can add doodles, stickers, or use unusual surfaces like sand, snow, leaves, or other materials to write your message.Please ensure the image is clear, well-lit, and the text is easily legible.c) VideosLength & Orientation: Approximately 30 seconds, filmed in landscape mode.Content:The contributor must appear on camera and deliver their greeting at their current location.The video should include the phrase "Happy 10th Anniversary to Xiamen University Malaysia" or a similar message.International alumni are welcome to record the message in your local language.Suggested Locations: Local landmarks, scenic spots, or your workplace/institution are encouraged but not required.Technical Requirements:Ensure clear audio with minimal background noise.Film in a well-lit environment, avoiding strong back lighting.Make sure the subject is clearly visible.If using a mobile phone, use the rear camera for best quality.Additional Requirement: Please attach a script for subtitle matching. If your message is in a language other than English or Chinese, provide a bilingual script.All selected participants will receive a certificate of appreciation.How to submit:Please submit your work via XMUM Cloud Drive before 22 February 2026:https://box.xmu.edu.my/collection/2d2c6adbdd38b31b25c44df5a4300d30Copyright1.Contributors must ensure that they hold full and lawful copyright to the submitted works. Any disputes arising from content or copyright issues shall be borne solely by the contributor, and the university assumes no legal responsibility.2.The university reserves the right to edit, organize, publish, display, and disseminate selected submissions on its official website, official social media platforms, publications, and other promotional channels without additional consent or remuneration.3.All participants are deemed to have fully understood and voluntarily accepted all terms and conditions of this notice upon submission, without the need for additional written or other forms of confirmation.


