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The pulp and paper making industry is looking for new main raw material based on its physical, chemical and morphological characteristics. Currently in this industry, bagasse is the most useful raw material in pulp and paper industry. The objective of this study is to determine its suitability for pulping. Acacia auriculiformis is a fast-growing tree normally found in Indonesia and Australia. Acacia auriculiformis leaf contains of cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin. The range of lignin content in Acacia auriculiformis is 19%-20%. The hemi-cellulose and lignin contents was removed by soda-pulping process using different concentrations as followed; 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. In order to determine the optimum pulping conditions for Acacia auriculiformis craft paper, several tests were conducted such as apparent density, tear test, tensile strength test and moisture absorption. It was found that the Acacia auriculiformis fibre treated with 3% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions gave good tear test of the paper. For apparent density test, the best concentration of NaOH used for treating Acacia auriculiformis pulping is at 15%. From the study, the optimum concentration of NaOH in treating Acacia auriculiformis fibre is at 5% for best result in tensile strength. Hence, from the overall tests, 5% concentration of NaOH is the optimum value. From the findings, Acacia auriculiformis fibre has a potential to be used in paper making and food packaging industry.

The Magnetic Data Acquisition System (MAGDAS-9) was successfully installed at Universiti Teknologi MARA Johor, Pasir Gudang Campus, Malaysia (JOH station), under the joint collaboration between International Center for Space Weather Science and Education (ICSWSE), National Space Agency (ANGKASA) and UiTM Johor. This is the first solar-powered magnetometer under the Magnetic Data Acquisition System of Circum-pan Pacific Magnetometer Network (MAGDAS/CPMN). In this paper, construction process, installation process and analysis of first geomagnetic observations at MAGDAS JOH station are presented. In addition, analysis on time derivative of horizontal component of geomagnetic field (dH/dt) to indicate the possibility of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) occurrences is also presented in this paper. The obtained geomagnetic components: H, D, Z and Total F are approximately similar to World Magnetic Model 2015 (WMM2015) while the diurnal variation from this geomagnetic observation showing a good variation pattern. The analysis of dH/dt has indicated 2 significant events of GIC.

This paper describe the effect of adding fillers into polymer for dielectric properties improvement. Two types of untreated phyllosilicate fillers which are MMT and FC selected to be used in order to strengthen HDPE, SIR and NR properties. The dielectric properties of three materials were observed from Tan Delta and breakdown strength. Based on the findings, the tested filler contribute a marginal improvement for certain electrical properties of insulation, i.e Tan Delta and breakdown voltage. The finding would give a good indicator on choosing the right filler to improve the performance of insulation properties.