KYUEM Research Initiative

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Cycle 01 — 2025/26

Research Papers

A curated record of all active research projects undertaken by KYRI cohorts in our inaugural research cycle — spanning nine disciplines across science, engineering, social science, and computing.

AI & Computing
Impact of Prompt Complexity on AI Chat Model Performance & Efficiency
A comparative experimental study evaluating how varying levels of prompt complexity — from simple factual queries to conflicting multi-step instructions — affect the accuracy, coherence, instruction-following ability, and response latency of large language models including ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, and Claude.
Large Language Models Prompt Engineering Experimental Design NLP
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Alpha
AI & Computing
Understanding the Energy Consumption of AI Models: A Descriptive & Exploratory Study
A mixed-methods study examining the current and projected energy footprint of AI systems, the factors driving high consumption, and the mitigation strategies employed by major technology companies. Draws on IEA reports, company sustainability disclosures, and peer-reviewed literature.
AI Sustainability Energy Footprint Mixed Methods
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Beta
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Energy Efficiency & Sustainability of Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)
An exploratory study investigating the energy consumption pathways of Malaysia's KTM national rail network, evaluating existing inefficiencies and proposing evidence-based sustainability solutions aligned with Malaysia's net-zero commitments.
Rail Engineering Sustainability Energy Systems Malaysia
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Gamma
Chemical & Environmental Engineering
Wastewater Treatment via Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP)
A laboratory-based experimental study investigating the effectiveness of AOP technologies — UV/H₂O₂, ozone-based, Fenton, and TiO₂ photocatalysis — in removing recalcitrant organic pollutants from wastewater. Employs analytical techniques including COD, TOC, UV-Vis, and GC-MS measurements.
Wastewater Photocatalysis Environmental Chemistry AOP
Cycle 01 — Team Wastewater
Mechanical Engineering & Design
Eco-Evaporative Cooler — "Buckets to Breeze"
A prototype-based engineering study developing a low-cost, DIY evaporative cooling device designed as an accessible alternative to conventional air conditioning for B40 households in Malaysia. Combines thermal dynamics with social impact design thinking.
Thermal Engineering Social Impact B40 Prototype Design
Cycle 01 — Team Buckets
Quantum Physics & Computational Chemistry
Quantum Simulations in Concrete Optimisation (Portland Cement)
A computational study exploring the feasibility of hybrid quantum-classical simulations in modelling the hydration and chemical behaviour of Ordinary Portland Cement at micro, meso, and macro scales. Employs DFT via Quantum ESPRESSO, molecular dynamics via LAMMPS, and quantum simulation via Qiskit and PySCF.
DFT Qiskit Quantum Chemistry Civil Materials
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Delta
Inorganic Chemistry & Materials Science
Catalytic Behaviours of Transition Metals
An investigative study examining the catalytic behaviours of transition elements across key industrial and biochemical reaction pathways. The project seeks to map how electronic configuration, oxidation states, and coordination chemistry govern catalytic activity and selectivity.
Catalysis Transition Metals Inorganic Chemistry Materials Science
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Epsilon
Behavioural Economics & Cognitive Science
Cognitive Bias & Black Swan Events
A quantitative, survey-based study examining how cognitive biases influence decision-making under conditions of extreme uncertainty analogous to Black Swan events. Critically examines whether Expected Utility Theory holds under such conditions, drawing on Taleb, Kahneman, and Tversky's foundational work.
Behavioural Economics Black Swan Theory Survey Research Expected Utility
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Zeta
Neuroscience & Cognitive Psychology
Effects of Caffeine on Short-Term Memory & Concentration
A double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental study investigating whether moderate caffeine intake improves short-term memory performance and sustained attention in healthy young adults aged 18–30. Uses Digit Span Task, 2-Back Task, and Stroop Test as cognitive assessment instruments.
Neuroscience Caffeine Double-Blind Study Cognitive Testing
Cycle 01 — Research Cohort Eta
Mentorship Bridge

Faculty Connections

A live tracker of KYRI's outreach to university faculty across Malaysia. Update the status of each connection as conversations progress.

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