Environment

The Edge AI-based Drone System for Pipe Inspection and Monitoring addresses the need for efficient, accurate, and real-time pipeline infrastructure inspections. It leverages edge AI processing to detect defects, offering a significant advantage over traditional methods. Unlike conventional systems that rely solely on optical cameras, this solution integrates both optical and thermal imaging, enhancing the detection of various pipeline-related issues. The system’s unique value proposition lies in its ability to process data locally on the drone, ensuring immediate issue detection and minimizing data breach risks by reducing the reliance on cloud processing. The technology owner is seeking collaboration with SMEs specializing in drone manufacturing, AI and machine learning, thermal imaging, industrial inspection services, telecommunications and IoT, and data security, which offer complementary expertise for the development and commercialization of the technology.

The global demand for proper end-of-life management of photovoltaic (PV) panels is rising, with an estimated 78 million tonnes of PV waste expected by 2050. Singapore's rapidly expanding solar industry faces a growing challenge of sustainable disposal as it anticipates a solar capacity of over 1.2GW by 2024. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this could result in 3,000 tonnes of PV waste in 2024-2025 and up to 6,600 tonnes by 2030. Given Singapore's limited land space, there is an urgent need for efficient and profitable recycling solutions to minimize solar panel waste going to landfills. This solution enables PV panel recycling through fully mechanical processes housed in a 40-foot shipping container. Unlike traditional methods that use thermal treatments or harmful chemicals, it employs customized robotic and mechanical processes, producing no chemical waste and consuming less energy. As a mobile solution, it can be deployed directly at decommissioning sites, eliminating the need for transport to centralized facilities and significantly reducing logistics costs. This environmentally friendly, cost-effective solution turns PV waste into a profitable business opportunity. It offers a circular, plug-and-play solution for recyclers looking to quickly expand into solar panel recycling and meet market demands efficiently. It delivers environmental, technological, and commercial benefits. The technology owner is keen to collaborate with local and international e-waste recycling companies with established material networks for aluminium, glass, and silicon, as well as partners with advanced extraction technologies or further upcycling capabilities for silicon and silver.

The increasing use of fats and oils in food processing has led to higher concentrations in industrial effluents, overwhelming traditional wastewater treatment systems and clogging sewer pipes, which disrupts business operations. Commonly used methods like pressurized floating separation are limited and often result in incineration, increasing waste management costs. Rising treatment costs, odor control, and waste management remain significant concerns for factory operators. This technology uses an innovative "organic treatment method" with powerful microorganisms that decompose fats and oils directly from wastewater. These microorganisms can rapidly degrade various fats and oils, including plant, animal, and fish oils, as well as trans fatty acids, even at concentrations over 10,000 mg/L, using a microbial symbiotic system. Efficiently degrade various fats and oils, including plant, animal, fish oils, as well as trans fatty acids. By decomposing fats and oils directly, it reduces the need for physical separation and incineration, cutting down on industrial waste management costs. This approach also supports sustainable waste reduction and mitigates the risk of clogged sewer pipes. Technology has demonstrated the stable performance of oil decomposition in wastewater throughout a year in a field test at a food oil factory.  The technology owner seeks collaboration with food, oil, and other plants with oily wastewater and wastewater treatment facility providers looking for organic solutions for end users.

Commercially available fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems are primarily based on petroleum-derived resins and synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon, which are not sustainable. These conventional resin formulations contain highly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to both human health and the environment, while their production also results in a significant carbon footprint. As industries seek more eco-friendly solutions, there is a growing market demand for sustainable alternatives, such as green resins and bio-carbon composites. To improve safety and reduce the carbon footprint, the technology owner has developed a series of green resins that contain up to 85% bio-carbon and are low in VOCs. Produced from renewable feedstock, these green resins are less hazardous and require minimal GHS labelling (i.e., 1 GHS or no GHS). Their mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties are comparable to those of petroleum-based resins. Additionally, their use of renewable feedstock aligns with increasing regulations and consumer demand for sustainable solutions, crucial for reducing industrial carbon footprints and promoting safer manufacturing practices. These eco-friendly alternatives offer reduced VOC emissions, a lower environmental impact, and align with the increasing focus on sustainability. The technology owner is eager to collaborate with industrial partners on co-development and proof-of-concept trials to evaluate the performance of green resins and composites and explore their potential applications. The ideal partners could be fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturers, specialty chemical companies, automotive and appliances companies.

The National Environment Authority (NEA) has highlighted urinal overflow as a common issue in malls and coffee shops, yet effective solutions remain limited. An Intelligent Sanitization Monitoring System is designed to address this challenge while enhancing the performance and reliability of sanitary fixtures. Operates non-intrusively, the system continuously monitors water flow through sanitary fixtures, detecting early signs of blockage. Upon identifying a potential obstruction, it automatically stops water flow to prevent overflows and minimize damage. Additionally, the system tracks and wirelessly transmits usage data to a central gateway, providing more accurate insights than traditional human traffic data. This allows for reduced cleaning frequency and improved water conservation. To further enhance the system, a water meter—whether conventional or non-intrusive—may be installed to monitor potential leakage or abnormal water usage. If there is constant water flow despite the sanitary ware not being in use, it may indicate a leak in the system. Such water monitoring data could be further developed for application in various areas, including but not limited to BTUs, chillers, or even underground pipes. By proactively managing water flow, the system not only protects infrastructure but also conserves water through optimal use. It integrates seamlessly into existing setups, requiring minimal maintenance and offering a cost-effective solution for both residential and commercial environments. This technology reduces maintenance efforts, optimizes manpower, and contributes to a safer, more sustainable environment, providing peace of mind to users and property owners alike.

Traditional aluminium production is energy-intensive and increases greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, recycling aluminium offers a more sustainable alternative, reducing energy consumption and minimising environmental impact. Recycling aluminium can cut carbon emissions by up to 95%, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. This technology aims to promote a circular, sustainable approach by incorporating recycled aluminium into outdoor furniture applications. This technology utilises recycled aluminium pipes of a uniform diameter, reducing material usage and waste. The use of a single angled jig ensures precise and efficient shaping, streamlining the production process without compromising quality. This eco-friendly design is lightweight, weather-resistant, and stackable, making it ideal for both public and private outdoor spaces. With various colours and finishes, it offers long-lasting durability and low maintenance, supporting sustainable manufacturing practices that aligns with modern design standards and promotes a longer product lifecycle. The technology owner is interested to out-license this fabrication technology to furniture companies and further co-develop this sustainable furnishing approach using alternative materials to design eco-friendly furniture.

Clay is a naturally occurring material composed mainly of fine-grained minerals, demonstrating plasticity through a range of water content. Given the low recycling rate of food waste in Singapore (18%), incorporating food waste in existing clay products presents an opportunity to conserve natural resources and develop more sustainable clay materials. This technology involves the development of food waste-incorporated clay, which permits safe biodegradation over time without the use of kiln firing. A selection of food waste is carefully treated and blended into the clay to create sustainable clay with high waste content, high nutrients, great workability, and appropriate shelf-life. Each type of food waste contributes different physical and chemical properties to the clay, affecting its biodegradability and workability. Apart from food waste, a naturally occurring binder is also added to ensure overall biodegradability. By adjusting the formulation of the food waste-incorporated clay, its appearance and other functional properties (such as strength and workability) can be made comparable to conventional clay, with the added benefit of nutrient (calcium, potassium, nitrogen, carbon) leaching capabilities. This creates sustainable, biodegradable clay for various built environment applications. The technology owner is interested in working with companies seeking sustainable clay materials on joint R&D projects, out-licensing and test bedding opportunities.

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for health, yet millions of people worldwide still lack this necessity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2 billion people globally use drinking water sources contaminated with feces, leading to severe health consequences. Unsafe water, along with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, is estimated to cause 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year. Water purification technologies face significant challenges, especially in decentralized systems lacking the efficiencies of large-scale operations. They often have a substantial carbon footprint due to energy-intensive processes and reliance on chemicals. Existing portable devices primarily use filtration and have a limited lifetime on-site, with little opportunity for cleaning to restore its performance.  Developed by a research team, this technology effectively addresses the above challenges by employing electrochemical methods that generates strong oxidizing agents to kill micro-organisms present in raw water and potentially degrade organic pollutants that conventional portable reactors cannot remove via filtration. Due to its working mechanism, the device is self-cleaning and does not need regeneration. By harnessing solar energy and activated carbon, this chemical-free purification approach is not only environmentally friendly but also perfectly suited for deployment in remote areas, developing countries, and disaster-stricken zones where traditional water treatment infrastructure is lacking. The technology owner is looking for collaborations with local SMEs to co-develop scaled systems and deploy it through disaster relief organizations, government agencies and non-profit organizations in selected developing countries. 

Cooking oil waste has become a significant environmental problem in recent years. Improper disposal of used cooking oil and fried food scraps can lead to pollution of water sources and the release of harmful greenhouse gases. When poured down into drains, it travels through sewage systems to rivers and oceans, disrupting ecosystems, clogging water treatment plant filters, and complicating water purification processes. Additionally, there are higher costs associated with waste disposal in volume-based plastic garbage bags which are also not environmentally friendly. This technology addresses the above pain points by offering a sustainable solution that recycles discarded fried food scraps into high valued biodiesel raw material, preventing water pollution and sewage pipe blockage when discarded without appropriate measures. This innovation addresses a critical market need by providing a greener alternative to conventional disposal methods, reducing waste disposal costs and the production of high valued biodiesel as an end point.  The technology owner is seeking collaborations with companies in the fields of waste management and biodiesel production for test-bedding and research & development projects aimed at recycling fried food scraps into biodiesel.