A battalion of inventors brought their new ideas to this year’s Seoul International Invention Fair at Coex from Dec. 12.

As many as 135 inventors and more than 170 products from the Southeast Asian nation arrived in Seoul to show that Malaysia has creative new products for the South Korean public, according to MATRADE, the Malaysian Embassy’s trade arm here in South Korea.

One invention was the “U9 Xylophone,” a traditional Malaysian instrument simplified so children can easily learn to play it.

University of Malaysia Sabah lecturer Jinky Jane Simeon said that, with the U9 Xylophone, children 9 can improve their hand-eye coordination and do better in school by learning to play this musical instrument altered especially for kids.

Another invention was a new probiotic supplement that is natural, chewable and derived from fruit. Unlike conventional probiotics, which are derived from dairy products, these are derived from mangoes and other sweet fruits.

Most probiotics are fermented foods, such as yogurt. Proponents claim probiotics assist in digestion and alleviate stomach and intestinal problems. Critics say studies have yet to confirm or refute such claims.

Chye Fook Yee, a nutritionist from Malaysia, said that probiotics are good for the health, and ones derived from fruit are especially kid-friendly, because they can chew them and they like the taste.

Gyrus Tech Inc., a Malaysian energy firm, presented a new method for manufacturing bio-diesel fuel, with by-products that can be transformed into animal feed and drinking water. Gyrus Tech was one of many companies at the fair currently looking for South Korean partners.

Since 2002 SIIF has served as a meeting ground for those who believe they have transformed a clever idea into a popular product, want to compare notes with other inventors and hope maybe to strike a deal with a developer or distributor in South Korea.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)