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ENTEC and its operation during the COVID-19 pandemic situation

The on-going COVID-19 outbreak over the past months has widely changed people’s lifestyles and
disrupted the normal functions of community and business sectors. It is thus crucial to have a plan for unexpected situations; in other words, a new work style (New Normal) is inevitable.

ENTEC had implemented a set of measures for surveillance and prevention of the COVID-19 to adapt the working practices to suit the situation. These efforts include working from home, meeting via online applications (Webex Meetings), and changing the document filing forms in procurement, disbursement, and official documents by using electronic signatures, as well as setting work goals for delivering results within the committed time.

 

ENTEC and social benefits

During the on-going COVID-19 outbreak, the National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC) has carried out the following activites

Delivery of ENERclean generator: Dr. Somsak Supasitmongkol, Researcher of Clean Fuel Technology and Advanced Chemistry Research Team, Energy Innovation Research Group of ENTEC, and his research team had cooperated with Dr. Thaneeya Roytrakul, Senior Researcher of Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group of BIOTEC on the research and development of the electrolyzed oxidizing water generator for public health utilization. This research was funded by the National Research Council of Thailand to build the capability for public health organizations and hospitals located in remote areas in the production of the electrolyzed water, called ENERclean, during the shortage of the products, thus enabling them to cope with a crisis during the on-going COVID-19 outbreak. The main compositions of ENERclean are hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with a pH of 4-6 and a chlorine content of more than 400ppm. It can be applied in the medical and food industry and is efficient in inhibiting or disinfecting gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which is an infection that is likely to be found in hospitals from specimens (Respiratory system, Urinary system, and Circulatory system), as well as dengue virus (Dengue virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Zika virus), especially the new Coronavirus disease 2019 (SARS-CoV-2).

Status: In August 2021, the research work was in the process of technology transfer and the ENERclean generators was ready to be handed over to 10 hospitals in various regions, including the South, the Central, and the Lower Northeastern Region.

Technical Consulting Services: Dr. Aswin Hongsingthong, Senior Researcher of Solar Photovoltaic Research Team, Energy Innovation Research Group of ENTEC, and his research team had cooperated with the Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center (A-MED) as design and development consultants in a project managed by Construction Line Co., Ltd. This project had received financial support from the National Innovation Agency (NIA) to develop a prototype of a field quarantine room from containers for travelers who have not met the COVID-19 investigation criteria. There were 4 containers with 8 rooms delivered to the relevant agencies in the southern region that has few quarantine facilities and risk of infection for public use.

 The implementation of a prototype at the Narcotics Control Management Center, Nara-thiwat Province

The implementation of a prototype at the Narcotics Control Management Center, Nara-thiwat Province
A prototype of a field quarantine room was modified from containers. It can be relocated and the design and development conform to the standard of the Department of Disease Control. It also has a control system for air filtration and ventilation, drainage and sewage treatment system, electrical and communication system, as well as health surveillance system and telemedicine system.

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ENTEC and Research and Development Institute (RDI) had organized a seminar on the perspective of driving the BCG Economy in the field of energy, materials, and biochemicals at the 16th NSTDA Academic Conference (NAC 2021). The seminar was moderated by Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Research Group Director of Energy Innovation Research Group of ENTEC, and presided over by Mr. Tewin Wongwanich, Chairman of the subcommittee of the BDG Model Driving on Energy, Materials, and Biochemicals. Some subcommittees were contributing speakers on the following topics, namely, Dr. Kurujit Nakornthap on Carbon pricing and Carbon credits, Mr. Weerasak Kositpaisan on Biorefinery, Mr. Att Hemvijitphan on C-Energy, Dr. Tawarat Sutabutr on Community energy), and Mr. Saharat Boonphodiphakdi on Smart grid & Trading Platform. Solar Photovoltaic Research Team of ENTEC on photovoltaic technology, Dr. Boonyawan Yoosuk, Research Team Leader of Clean Fuel Technology and Advanced Chemistry Research Team of ENTEC on clean fuel technology and advanced chemistry, Dr. Verawat Champreda, Principle Researcher of Biofinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group of BIOTEC on biorefinery and bioproducts, and Mr. Woravit Chanseeharach,Manager of Design and Engineering Sevices Selection of NECTEC on smart sensor for motor maintenance.

ENTEC and Research and Development Institute (RDI) had organized a seminar on the perspective of driving the BCG Economy in the field of energy, materials, and biochemicals at the 16th NSTDA Academic Conference (NAC 2021). The seminar was moderated by Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Research Group Director of Energy Innovation Research Group of ENTEC, and presided over by Mr. Tewin Wongwanich, Chairman of the subcommittee of the BDG Model Driving on Energy, Materials, and Biochemicals. Some subcommittees were contributing speakers on the following topics, namely, Dr. Kurujit Nakornthap on Carbon pricing and Carbon credits, Mr. Weerasak Kositpaisan on Biorefinery, Mr. Att Hemvijitphan on C-Energy, Dr. Tawarat Sutabutr on Community energy), and Mr. Saharat Boonphodiphakdi on Smart grid & Trading Platform.

Hosting visitors

On November 24, 2020, ENTEC had welcomed Colonel Pipat Nilkaew, the Director of the Military Battery Factory, and his entourage from the Defence Industry Department for visiting ENTEC laboratories and discussing the activities on battery development. On this occasion, Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Research Group Director of Energy Innovation Research Group, Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, Research Team Leader of Energy Storage Technology Research Team, and the researchers had informed the visitors of the roles of ENTEC and its current research work.

On November 26, 2020, ENTEC had welcomed the Dean and the lecturers of the Faculty of Science from the University of Phayao on their visit to ENTEC laboratories, including Battery Assembly Lab, Solar Cell Technology Lab, and Clean Fuel Technology Lab and Advanced Chemistry Lab. On this occasion, Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Research Group Director of Energy Innovation Research Group, Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, Research Team Leader of Energy Storage Technology Research Team, and the researchers had presented the role and responsibilities of ENTEC and discussed the possibility of the cooperation between ENTEC and the University of Phayao in research and development.