Shape Memory Technology – SpeechSense Passive Noise Cancellation, which started as a humble idea driven by curiosity and passion, has now evolved into a technology reaching a new height. Developed through the PhD research of Musaab Ejaz under the supervision of Dr. Nabihah Sallih, together with a multi-disciplinary team of dedicated researchers, the technology continues to gain global recognition for redefining passive hearing protection through acoustic metamaterials and shape memory polymers.
The technology was previously selected to feature in the 2025 Prototypes for Humanity Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from more than 3,300 innovations representing over 100 countries. Following a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process, SpeechSense progressed from the Top 100 innovations to secure a place among the Top 10 projects selected for the 2026 Prototypes for Humanity (P4H) Venture Building Programme. This latest achievement further strengthens the technology's growing reputation, complementing earlier recognitions including the Silver Award at the A' Design Award & Competition and the Runner-Up Award at PETRONAS Innovation Garage Hackathon.
This milestone places Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) alongside globally renowned institutions such as Harvard University, Imperial College London, and Duke University, whose innovations have been selected for venture-building support. Through the programme, the selected ventures receive strategic funding opportunities, business mentorship, commercialisation expertise, and dedicated industry engagement to accelerate technology translation, establish commercial partnerships, and expand into the UAE and regional markets.
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Representing UTP at the global stage, Dr. Nabihah Sallih recently had the privilege of meeting Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, patron of the Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity initiative. Through Her Highness's visionary leadership, the initiative brings together leaders from both the public and private sectors to nurture high-impact, research-driven ventures capable of delivering meaningful societal and industrial impact across the UAE and beyond.
To date, SpeechSense technology has been evaluated across five petrochemical facilities, one heavy industrial fabrication yard in Malaysia, and one vocational training institute in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating its potential for deployment in demanding industrial environments. With the support of the P4H Venture Building Programme, the team now looks forward to scaling the technology, establishing strategic partnerships, and advancing commercialisation efforts within the UAE and the wider region.
These accomplishments reflect the collective dedication of the Shape Memory Technology research team comprising of Masturah Mesri, Yasir Mujahid, Dr. Venkata Somi Reddy Janga, Nurfitri Haikal Zulkifli, Dr. Mohammad Latheef, and Prof. Tang Tong Boon, together with the PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd. – Future Positioning team consisting of Dr. Chrisminder Dain, Fadzliana Ahmad, Leong Yin Liong, Mohd. Shahir Misnan, and Vishantini Tangavaloo. The achievements have also been made possible through UTP's supportive research ecosystem, advanced facilities, and the invaluable contributions of its local and international collaborators. Together, these milestones represent another significant step in UTP's commitment to transforming cutting-edge academic research into technologies with tangible industrial and societal impact.
Adding to this remarkable year of achievements, Dr. Nabihah Sallih, Project Lead for the Future Positioning – Shape Memory Technology programme, was also honoured with the 2026 Malaysian Invention & Design Society (MINDS) Young Woman Scientist Award. The award was announced during Malam Budaya Cipta of Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026 held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. As Dr. Nabihah was engaged with P4H programme in the UAE, she was represented by her research team member, Masturah Mesri, who received the award on her behalf from the Honorary Secretary of MINDS, Prof. Ts. Dr. Lee Chien-Sing. UTP congratulates Dr. Nabihah and her team for all these achievements and their commitment to advancing high impact research on the national and global stages.
