Harnessing Light-Based Technologies for Safer Slopes and Smarter Agriculture
- UM Research
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Lim Kok Sing
Photonics Research Centre (PRC)
Area of Expertise:
Photonics>Optical fiber sensor & Optical metrology>Biosensors
For Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Lim Kok Sing, science is not meant to stay confined within the walls of a laboratory. “Science should not remain in the lab,” he says. “It should illuminate and make the world a better place for all.” At the Photonics Research Centre (PRC), Universiti Malaya, Dr. Lim leads pioneering research that turns beams of light into powerful tools for sensing, imaging, and diagnostics. As an associate professor and co-founder of BeyondVISIBLE Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a UM spin-off company, he is bridging the gap between fundamental photonics research and real-world applications, from landslide monitoring to palm oil ripeness detection.
“Science should not remain in the lab….It should illuminate and make the world a better place for all” – says Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Lim Kok Sing
From Engineering to Photonics
Dr. Lim trained as an engineer, but pursued a PhD in Physics to follow his passion and interest in the field of Photonics and Optics. His research focuses on optical fiber sensors, specifically fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). These tiny yet versatile devices can measure strain, temperature, and refractive index, and when combined with mechanical structures or special coatings, they become the backbone of smart systems that monitor motion, detect chemicals, or even diagnose disease. “I’m good at linking real-world phenomena with equations,” he says. “I can visualize what the math means physically, which helps me understand and simplify complex ideas. It also helps me turn fundamental concepts into practical applications.” That mindset has shaped his career, one defined by turning photonics theory into tangible innovations that solve national problems.
Turning Light Into Tools: From Landslides to Agriculture
Among his many projects, Dr. Lim’s work as the Principal Investigator (PI) on Advanced Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Slope Monitoring Systems stands out. Funded by TeD1, MOSTI, with a grant of RM680,000 (2022–2024), this project aims to develop femtosecond laser-written FBG sensors for geotechnical engineering applications, specifically to detect soil movements that precede landslides. “This technology can be used as an early warning system for landslides incidents,” he explains. The technology has already reached proof-of-concept under controlled conditions, and the next phase will involve scaling the development and validation in its exact field – active slopes. This will further improve and raise the technology readiness level of the product and advancing toward pre-commercialisation. “We have an industrial partner who is interested in collaboration with us. Through this initiative, we hope we can bring a home-grown technology to our society, addressing the landslide issues in our country,” reflects Dr. Lim.
His interest in applying photonics to national industries extends beyond geotechnical safety. Through BeyondVISIBLE Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., his team has developed BeImager, smart imaging systems that analyze oil palm fruit ripeness. The project, carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and supported by MPOB and MyHackathon 2024 (Cradle), seeks to improve the Oil Extraction Rate (OER) and Crude Palm Oil (CPO) yield of plantations. The palm oil industry is very important to Malaysia, as we are the second largest producer of palm oil worldwide, contributing 3.7% to Malaysia’s overall GDP [1]. The success of these prototypes has encouraged the team to pursue seed funding for pre-commercialisation, further advancing Malaysia’s position in smart agriculture technologies.
Dr. Lim acknowledges that one of his biggest professional challenges has been bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application. Developing laboratory-scale prototypes into robust, field-ready instruments requires not only technical expertise but also strong partnerships. “Limited local expertise in photonic fabrication and the high cost of imported components initially slowed progress,” he reflects. “But these challenges strengthened my resolve to build in-house capability and cultivate local talent.” The establishment of BeyondVISIBLE Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. was a major turning point, enabling his team to engage more directly with industry, government agencies, and community stakeholders. “It taught me how to balance academic research with market-oriented development and how to communicate science effectively to non-academic stakeholders,” he says. “From these experiences, I learned that resilience, adaptability, and strategic partnership are essential to transform research into societal value.”
“…I learned that resilience, adaptability, and strategic partnership are essential to transform research into societal value.” – says Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Lim Kok Sing
A Lifelong Passion for Science and the Road Ahead
Dr. Lim’s interest in the sciences started when he was very young. “Growing up my parents bought me books on the biography of the scientists and inventors such as Issaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Thomas Edison,” he shares. “These figures have inspired me, and their stories have planted seeds in my heart, that one day I would become a scientist and an inventor like them.” Dr. Lim also fondly remembers his PhD mentor, Prof. Sulaiman Wadi Harun, who encouraged him during a period of doubt. “He told me that postgraduate study only takes a few years, but the growth in perspective and resilience lasts a lifetime,” Dr. Lim recalls. Now, he also mentors his students to encourage them to reach their potentials. “Seeing students grow into capable researchers and innovators further reinforces my passion to continue contributing to both academia and industry.” When asked on his advice to young researchers, he replied “Stay curious and resilient. Failures are part of discovery; they shape your ability to see beyond what already exists and to create what the world has yet to imagine.”
“Stay curious and resilient. Failures are part of discovery; they shape your ability to see beyond what already exists and to create what the world has yet to imagine.” – says Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Lim Kok Sing
Looking ahead, Dr. Lim envisions a future where Malaysia is a regional leader in photonics innovation, where universities, industries, and government agencies collaborate to solve pressing national challenges using light-based technologies. His upcoming work focuses on intelligent photonic sensing and imaging systems that integrate laser diagnostics, optical fiber networks, and data analytics for applications in smart agriculture, geotechnical safety, and biomedical sensing. He welcomes collaborations with technology companies, agricultural corporations, and research institutes that share his vision of advancing light-based technologies for the greater good. “What keeps me motivated is the belief that photonics can make a tangible difference – whether by enhancing agricultural productivity, improving environmental monitoring, or enabling safer infrastructure through optical sensing.”
References:
[1] Siddharta, A. (2025, June 26). Palm oil industry as share of GDP in Malaysia 2015-2024. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/952996/malaysia-palm-oil-share-of-gdp/
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Researcher featured:
Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Lim Kok Sing
Photonics Research Centre (PRC), Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03- 79677022
Author:
Farah Hannan Abd Nasir
A PhD student from the Physics Department who’s eager to blend science and storytelling - my goal is to make science relatable and exciting for everyone. When I’m not researching organic electronics, I enjoy playing the viola and painting with watercolours.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
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