On 26 May 2017, the Photocat team composed of Dr. Surawut Chuangchote (KMUTT), Prof. Navadol Laosiripojana (JGSEE-CEE), Dr.Verawat Champreda (BIOTEC) along with JGSEE students, including, Ms. Kamonchanok Roongraung, Ms. Nattida Srisasiwimon and Ms. Oranoot Sittipunsakda won the PTTGC Open Innovation Challenge 2016: “Smart-Eco Innovation”. The award they received includes a royal trophy from HRM Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and a 500,000 THB cash prize. This award relates to their innovation titled “Upgrading Sugar to High Value Products and Chemicals by Green Technology”. In this regard, the team proposed an innovation to upgrade cane sugar to xylitol, a high value sugar acid that can be used in replacement of sugar. The upgrading of sugar and biomass is part of the JGSEE-NSTDA Integrative Biorefinery Laboratory (IBL). This collaborative work is now extended to other laboratories, including, the Advanced Materials for Energy and Environmental Technology Lab.
