IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry Student Wins Silver Award at INNOVEX 2026 Online Innovation Competition

Chung Xu Hoe, a Semester 1 student from IMU University’s Pharmaceutical Chemistry programme, was awarded a Silver Award, in the Young Inventor – Student Science & Technology (SST) category at INNOVEX 2026.

INNOVEX 2026 is a premier annual innovation platform first established in 2018. Originally conducted as a face-to-face competition, INNOVEX has evolved into a fully online innovation competition since 2024, bringing together innovators from diverse academic and professional backgrounds worldwide. The 2026 edition focused on stimulating innovative and critical thinking, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating creative ideas into practical, scalable solutions. The competition aligns its objectives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly promoting quality education, innovation, and industry development. A total of 239 participants competed in INNOVEX 2026, the competition features two main categories:

• Young Inventor Category, for pre-university and university students
• Professional Inventor Category, for lecturers, teachers, and professionals

Xu Hoe’s innovation is a reusable gel-based sensor that can detect certain harmful chemicals in water. The gel beads are designed to change colour when they come into contact with specific pollutants, such as oxalic acid, while remaining physically intact.

To make the system practical, the gel sensor was integrated into a small portable device called CHEL. The device uses a colour sensor and simple electronics to detect the colour change and convert it into an alert signal, making it easy to identify water contamination.

This work demonstrates how smart materials combined with affordable electronics can create accessible tools for environmental monitoring.

In the future, Xu Hoe plans to expand this research to detect other types of water pollutants, especially pharmaceutical residues and drugs, which are increasingly becoming a concern in the environment.

As a Pharmaceutical Chemistry student, Xu Hoe aims to deepen his pharmaceutical sciences and materials-based research, particularly in the area of drug-related pollutants and sustainable pharmaceutical practices. He aspires to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that not only to advance healthcare but also to actively protect both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Targeting to tackle pollution at its source, and creating practical tools that make environmental stewardship accessible and impactful for communities worldwide, promoting safer communities and a more sustainable use of medicines.

Xu Hoe would like to take this opportunity to express his deepest gratitude to his family, teachers, and friends, whose unwavering support and encouragement have guided him throughout his academic journey. Their belief in him, constant motivation, and inspiration gave him the strength to overcome challenges, pursue his passion for innovation, and complete his project, ultimately leading to his recognition at INNOVEX 2026.

YouTube presentation video: https://youtu.be/5UkgzvPd6Po?feature=shared