Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), through the Office of Innovation Management and Technology Transfer, supported its researchers to compete and exhibit their research, inventions and innovations at the 36th International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2025), held on 29–31 May 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ITEX, organized by the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), is one of Asia’s longest-running international invention exhibitions and was held together with the World Young Inventors Exhibition (WYIE), the Asian Young Inventors Exhibition (AYIE) and the Malaysian Young Inventors Exhibition (MYIE). The participation, supported by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), aimed to promote RUTS research and innovation internationally, test the inventions with international juries and businesses, and build international networks. RUTS researchers received four awards, one Gold Medal and three Silver Medals, at the awards presentation ceremony on 31 May 2025.
1. Mr. Teerawat Phetdee and Team – “Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber” (Gold Medal)
Mr. Teerawat Phetdee of the Mechanical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, and his team, comprising Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanwit Naemsai of the Faculty of Engineering, Mr. Thotsaphit Wisamitnan of Rattaphum College, Mr. Arthit Sawatdiraksa of the Smart Agriculture Program, Faculty of Agriculture, RUTS, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanadol Supaphong of the Faculty of Agricultural Innovation and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, presented “Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber”. Hoof injuries and lameness are common problems in dairy cows, causing pain, lower milk yield and higher treatment costs. The hoof block is attached to the healthy claw so that the injured claw is lifted off the ground, allowing the wound to heal while the cow continues to walk normally.
The invention builds on the team’s earlier 3D-printed hoof pad, designed with finite element analysis and field-tested at a dairy farm in Rattaphum District, Songkhla Province, which reduced wound healing time from about one month to about two weeks and halved treatment costs; that earlier design won a Gold Medal at the I-New Gen Award 2024. The new version uses Thai natural rubber, adding value to a key economic crop of southern Thailand while providing a durable, cushioning and affordable product for dairy farmers.
At ITEX 2025, the Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber received the Gold Medal.
2. Asst. Prof. Dr. Tawich Klathae and Team – “Palmcharcrete: Carbon Sequestration Lightweight Concrete from Biochar” (Silver Medal)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Tawich Klathae of the Civil Engineering Program, College of Industrial Technology and Management, and his team, whose research focuses on cement and concrete technology, pozzolanic materials and biomass materials, presented “Palmcharcrete: Carbon Sequestration Lightweight Concrete from Biochar”. The construction sector is a major source of carbon emissions, while agricultural industries in southern Thailand, such as the oil palm industry, generate large amounts of biomass residues. Palmcharcrete incorporates biochar into lightweight concrete, locking carbon into the building material while reducing the weight of the concrete and making use of biomass residues, offering a lower-carbon alternative for construction.
At ITEX 2025, Palmcharcrete received the Silver Medal.
3. Asst. Prof. Phitak Sathitwatthana and Team – “Smart WiFi Mushroom Cultivation Cabinet” (Silver Medal)
Asst. Prof. Phitak Sathitwatthana of the Faculty of Engineering and his team presented the “Smart WiFi Mushroom Cultivation Cabinet”. Mushroom yields depend heavily on stable temperature and humidity, which are difficult for small-scale growers to control manually. The cabinet uses sensors and an automatic control system connected via WiFi, allowing growers to monitor and adjust cultivation conditions remotely through a smartphone. The invention helps growers achieve more consistent yields and quality while saving labor, supporting smart farming for small producers and community enterprises.
At ITEX 2025, the Smart WiFi Mushroom Cultivation Cabinet received the Silver Medal.
4. Asst. Prof. Jarun Thammajai and Team – “Seafood Dried Product Cutting Machine” (Silver Medal)
Asst. Prof. Jarun Thammajai of the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology and his team presented the “Seafood Dried Product Cutting Machine”. Dried seafood is an important product of coastal communities in southern Thailand, but cutting is still often done by hand, which is slow, labor-intensive and produces pieces of uneven size. The machine mechanizes the cutting process to increase production capacity, produce uniform pieces and improve worker safety, helping local processors and community enterprises raise productivity and product quality.
At ITEX 2025, the Seafood Dried Product Cutting Machine received the Silver Medal.
These achievements demonstrate the role of RUTS, through the Office of Innovation Management and Technology Transfer, in developing research into inventions with practical and commercial potential and presenting them on the international stage. By applying engineering, materials science and smart technology to livestock, construction, agriculture and seafood processing, and by adding value to local resources such as Thai natural rubber and biomass, the four inventions contribute directly to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, while also supporting agricultural productivity, economic growth, sustainable construction, climate action and partnerships among universities and national research agencies.
Key Figures or Measurable Results:
- 4 RUTS inventions from 3 faculties and 1 college received awards at ITEX 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (29–31 May 2025)
- 1 Gold Medal: Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber
- 3 Silver Medals: Palmcharcrete; Smart WiFi Mushroom Cultivation Cabinet; Seafood Dried Product Cutting Machine
- 1 inter-university collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (hoof block team)
RUTS researchers took part in the 36th International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2025) on 29–31 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with support from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). The participation was coordinated by the Office of Innovation Management and Technology Transfer and the Research and Development Institute, RUTS. The RUTS team received one Gold Medal and three Silver Medals at the awards presentation ceremony on 31 May 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
1. Mr. Teerawat Phetdee and team, Faculty of Engineering, received the Gold Medal for “Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber”, an invention that helps injured dairy cows recover while adding value to Thai natural rubber.
2.–4. Three RUTS inventions received Silver Medals: “Palmcharcrete: Carbon Sequestration Lightweight Concrete from Biochar” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Tawich Klathae and team, College of Industrial Technology and Management; the “Smart WiFi Mushroom Cultivation Cabinet” by Asst. Prof. Phitak Sathitwatthana and team, Faculty of Engineering; and the “Seafood Dried Product Cutting Machine” by Asst. Prof. Jarun Thammajai and team, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology.
Related Links:
ITEX 2025 – Faculty of Agriculture, RUTS (Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber):
Background – 3D-printed dairy cow hoof pad, Gold Medal at I-New Gen Award 2024:
https://thaifarmer.lib.ku.ac.th/news/65fd6d09167eab7ec57c3f53
Researcher profile – Asst. Prof. Dr. Tawich Klathae, College of Industrial Technology and Management:
https://cim.rmutsv.ac.th/th/node/863
ITEX 2025 event information:
https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/itex-2025
Office of Innovation Management and Technology Transfer, RUTS:
Research and Development Institute, RUTS:
https://rdi.rmutsv.ac.th/ruts/
Supporting evidence: ITEX 2025 award certificates and medals; RUTS congratulatory announcement.
Information Provider:
Office of Innovation Management and Technology Transfer, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS)
1. Mr. Teerawat Phetdee and team, Faculty of Engineering, RUTS – Dairy Cow Hoof Blocks Made from Natural Rubber (Gold Medal)
2. Asst. Prof. Dr. Tawich Klathae and team, College of Industrial Technology and Management, RUTS – Palmcharcrete (Silver Medal)
3. Asst. Prof. Phitak Sathitwatthana and team, Faculty of Engineering, RUTS – Smart WiFi Mushroom Cultivation Cabinet (Silver Medal)
4. Asst. Prof. Jarun Thammajai and team, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, RUTS – Seafood Dried Product Cutting Machine (Silver Medal)