SERI KEMBANGAN, April 30 (Bernama) -- InventQjaya, a mega research and development (R&D) laboratory, is set to release its metal-fuel engine in the market within 24 months, its chairman and chief executive officer, Dr Sadeg Mustafa Faris said.

"We are currently in discussion with several parties about supplying them with the engine," he told Bernama during the National Innovation Summit 2004, here Thursday.

The engine, which is 100 percent Malaysian made, is powered by zinc-air fuel cells. The engine could generate and store energy, is rechargeable and refuelable, has a short refueling time, is equipped with a rechargeable exhaust fuel and is environmentally friendly.

However, he declined to disclose the amount of investment to develop the technology.

He said the engine could be applied as a back-up power generator or serve as a substitute for conventional fossil fuel engines that were used in automobiles.

The R&D body is currently field testing a fleet of 150 scooters, 20 cars, 50 electric bikes and two buses in Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

It has also commenced a business to rent electric vehicles in strategic areas and is planning to expand to other urban centres.

In order to generate interest from investors and potential partners, he said the group had taken steps to promote their technology through exhibitions both locally and internationally.

After one year of research, the R&D body is ready to commercialise six of its patented products and has launch its first company, LuxVu Sdn Bhd, with an investment of RM5 million, to commercialise its proprietary smart window and e-curtain product, Dr Sadeg said.

The smart window and e-curtain product, would enable the users to control the amount of light which enters a room with a touch of a button.

Its features include the world's first in colour switchable windows and switchable infra red, low cost, produces ultra low off-angle haze, has energy conversion, has a multi mode; reflective or translucent and has a flexible substrate.

The product could be utilised in the automotive industry, office settings, interior decorations and signage.

Aside from the smart window and e-curtain, InventQjaya is also expected to release five other proprietary products which includes the metal-fuel engine within the next 12 to 24 months, Dr Sadig said.

He said the LuxVu company is one of several companies to be launched by the R&D body within the next 24 months.