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As climate change continues to cause rising temperatures and unpredictable droughts, the resulting environmental degradation and poor soil conditions have negative impacts on plant health and nutrition, ultimately affecting crop harvests and the global food chain. In Singapore, these changes threaten the very heart of the city's reputation as a garden city, including greenery, carbon sequestration, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. To combat these issues and improve greening outcomes and land yield, enhancing soil conditions and plant resilience is crucial. One significant issue that needs addressing is soil water repellence, which prevents water from penetrating the soil, leading to rapid evaporation and reduced plant growth. This problem becomes more severe on sloping terrains like mounds and hillsides, where water is more likely to run off causing additional issues like soil compaction and disease. Soil water repellency also affects the hydrological and geomorphological properties of soil, leading to reduced infiltration capacity, accelerated soil erosion, uneven wetting patterns, development of preferential flow, and the accelerated leaching of agrichemicals. This technology refers to a specifically engineered nanogel formulation that controls water retention and release in dry soils. The nanogel formulation can uptake water-soluble nutrients and release them when needed. It has the potential to not only improve reclaimed land but also convert dry land into productive land that supports crop cultivation. The nanogel formulation can be tuned with varying retention capabilities based on underlying soil conditions and has been extensively tested in different plant species. The technology provider is currently looking for test-bedding partners from the agricultural industry and interested environmental NGOs.   Scalable fabrication method using Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) materials Nanogel formulation engineered for controlling water retention and release in dry soils. The nanogel formulation can uptake water-soluble nutrients and release them when needed. The formulation has the potential to convert dry land into productive land that supports crop cultivation, aside from improving reclaimed land. Different nanogel formulations with varying retention capabilities based on underlying soil conditions have been developed and extensively tested for various horticulture plants. Sustainable Landscaping Horticulture plants Reforestation Ensuring food security The global soil conditioners market grew from $5.6 billion in 2022 to $5.93 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. A tunable & eco-friendly nanogel formulation to help in the retention and release of moisture and/or nutrients in sandy soils for improving crop and flora survivability. Reduced irrigation or water consumed by agriculture  Reduced labor cost & fertiliser consumption  Increased areas of land available for farming  Hydrogel, Water retention, Soil, Agriculture Materials, Bio Materials, Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Sustainability, Food Security

Effective wound care requires a multi-modal approach, including wound bed optimization, management of medical conditions, and consistent follow up. Wound care products play a key role in effective wound healing. Currently, most of the commercially available dressings are intended to maintain a dry wound environment or manage infection. Biomedical innovations aimed at improving rates of healing include the use of active biologics or animal-derived collagen. However, these strategies have high infection risks, scarring potential and are too costly for long term use. This technology has incorporated biomolecules that promote skin regeneration into synthetically fabricated polymer filament to develop a bioactive wound care product used to enhance wound healing, reduce inflammation and scarring potential. Through a patented methodology of blending polymers, Polyethylene (PE) or poly (lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with biomolecule copolymer additives such as oligopeptides derived from collagen, laminin, or oligosaccharides from Hyaluronic Acid (HA), these polymers are made bioactive to be used to coat existing wound dressings such as non–woven gauze, foam dressings or fabricated into dermal matrices for burn care and deep wound management. The bioactive polymer can be produced via conventional methods such as dip coating or 3D Printing. Depending on the type of wounds (exudative, dry, partial thickness, full thickness or highly inflamed), the right type of dressing can be applied through a selection of basic carrier (gauze, foam, matrix) followed by the active layer required. The technology owner is seeking out-licensing, R&D and clinical collaborations with wound care and medical device companies.   Acellular: Wound dressings do not contain any active biologic or animal-derived ingredient. They are fully made of bioactive synthetic polymers. Biocompatible: Biomolecules attached are either peptide sequences of collagen and laminin which are essential components of extracellular matrix, or short chain Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Regenerative: Biomolecules incorporated facilitate skin regeneration. Permeable: Air and water permeable non-woven gauze, polyurethane foam and 3D-printed dermal matrices with unique pores allow for air and moisture exchange. Low allergen risk: Does not use any biologics. Wound dressings are made of bioactive polymers with low risk of allergy. Low cost: Production cost is at least 10x less than current dermal matrices made of animal collagen. Customizable: 3D-printing technique allows for personalized treatment. Long Shelf-Life: Product is fully synthetic and stable at room temperature. Hence, cold chain logistics is unnecessary, and hospitals can stock up on product. The applications include but are not limited to: Incisional/Surgical wounds  Burn wounds  Trauma wounds  Chronic wounds (e.g., diabetic ulcer wounds) Plastic reconstruction Skin graft donor sites Superficial wounds Laceration wounds The medical non-woven gauze market share is estimated to reach a value of nearly US$ 28.9 Billion by 2032 expanding from US$ 19.7 Billion in 2021. Dermal matrix market is expected to reach US$ 17.3 Billion with CAGR of approximately 15.1% by 2027 from US$ 6.5 Billion in 2020. Conventional wound care products for exudate or infection management are rarely designed with skin regenerative property. Current clinical gold standard for full thickness wound management or burn care involves the use of animal-derived collagen which has high infection risk. Cell therapies are costly and rarely used in clinical practice. This acellular synthetic wound care products with skin regeneration and inflammation reduction properties is a potential game changer in wound care market with its long shelf-life and low production cost. Bioactive polymers, Foam dressing, Wound healing, Non-woven gauge, 3D printing Healthcare, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics, Chemicals, Polymers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a highly targeted treatment modality activated through light-based photooxidation process where a photosensitizer (PS) molecule upon illumination by visible or near infrared light, produces Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that invokes cellular death. This technology surfaced two newly discovered synthetically modified Eosin Y analogue compounds, E3B and E5B as organic PS for targeting Gram-positive bacteria, in particular Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA), without non-specific killing of normal mammalian cells. Microbial infectious diseases caused by multidrug resistant pathogens are a constant severe threat to global public health. PDT is a form of antibiotic-free phototherapy to efficaciously treat microbial infections with advantages in spatiotemporal controllability, non-invasiveness, minimal off-targets and side effects, and broad antimicrobial spectrum. However, the promise of PDT in antibacterial intervention has not been fully fulfilled particularly using conventional organic PS due to restricted structural availability. Herein, we disclosed organic PS compounds, E3B and E5B, with high intracellular ROS-generation capabilities under white light irradiation at very low light dose without suffering photobleaching of traditional PSs to combat antimicrobial resistance as a promising antibacterial PDT for translation to clinical trials. The technology owner is seeking collaboration with biotech, clinical stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies to develop and commercialize new antimicrobial PDT agents superior to currently marketed organic PSs. The technology has been validated till in vivo specificity and stability studies. There are opportunities in R&D collaboration to demonstrate the interactions and characterization of the novel E3B and E5B PS with metabolites in controlled functional assays of microbial communities. E3B and E5B analogues are organic hybrid PS which can exhibit both Type I and II ROS reactions in PDT. Selective targeting of Gram-positive pathogens, in particular MRSA, to combat multidrug resistance. More targeted and efficient killing within shorter time than conventional PS (reaction time required is 2 to 5 min). No photobleaching effects exhibited and requires only a 50S white lamp which is tested in vivo. Upon a low light-dose irradiation, E3B and E5B can overwhelm the anti-ROS defence system of bacteria without drug deactivation and photobleaching. Efficient methods for synthesis of Eosin Y analogues with moderate to high yields for affordable and scalable production. No column purification required with consistent batch testing produced. This technology can be applied for antibacterial PDT to combat antimicrobial resistance under World Health Organisation (WHO) priority pathogens (e.g., MRSA the most resistant species and causative agents of skin and lung infections). The eosin derivatives, E3B and E5B have promising potentials due to their remarkable photo-antibacterial efficacies, affordability, and scalable production. Eosin Y as a universal staining agent can also be used as an imaging diagnosis for microbial infections concurrent with PDT. A superior and potent photo-activated antibacterial effects at low light dose compared to traditional PS. Able to control the illumination time, dosage, and light power. Superior therapeutic window without harming normal mammalian cells. No adjuvants required. Highly stable and accessible production method for scale-up process. Anti-bacterial photodynamic therapy, Organic photosensitizers, Eosin Y, Anti-microbial resistance Healthcare, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics, Chemicals, Organic

In manufacturing there are many instances where there is a need for low production runs of parts. These could be for parts of an equipment, tools, small volume runs for trials or customised parts. However, traditional manufacturing techniques are usually not cost-effective for such low volume runs, while current additive manufacturing suffers from low strength, long print times and poor surface finish needing post-processing. Additionally, for techniques using powder and filaments, considerations have to be given to the storage due to oxidation, degradation, flammability and toxicity of these precursor materials. The tech owner has developed a hybrid manufacturing technique that involves both additive and subtractive manufacturing methods. Instead of powder or filaments, sheets and foils are used as precursor materials, thereby alleviating cost, safety and performance concerns that were outlined. A laser is used to cut and fuse the different layers of the build.   Numerous tests conducted by the team have consistently yielded parts that are dense and displayed high strength. The system is able to work with different materials, including highly reflective ones such as, aluminium, copper. Parts using carbon fibres, composition materials, ceramics, etc have also been successfully printed. Based on initial estimates, this technique offers up to 80% cost advantage over powder bed systems. The tech owner is seeking partners to collaborate in test bedding the system for manufacturing of complex, customized and/or high strength / high thermal conductivity parts for applications in the healthcare, semiconductor, aerospace, automotive, telecoms or marine & offshore sectors. The system included an energy deposition module that is based on commercially available laser source. The slicer software and printer controller software were based on in-house developed proprietary software. These will ensure that the quality of print is able to meet the density and strength requirements demanded by the user.    Precursor material handling module is also inhouse developed to ensure consistency of print.   The current prototype has the following performance specifications: Largest print – 20cm x 20cm Smallest feature that can be printed - 100um Highly dense structure < 1% porosity Heat exchangers – micro cooling channels   Semiconductor equipment Dental/ Bone implants; Prosthetics; Surgical Tools; Aerospace parts Automobile parts Mobile Device parts (e.g. Smartphone, laptop, smartwatch shells and casings) Unlike powder bed system, there is no need for environment controlled chambers Safer and cheaper precursors (sheets and foils vs powder and filaments) Printed parts are higher strength (Example – Stainless Steel SS304L, up to 1 GPa yield strength) Printed parts are fully dense (<= 1% porosity) Lead time is significantly reduced for fully solid designs Can fabricate enclosed channels Surface roughness is 3 times smoother than powder bed techniques Minimal post-processing (e.g. sand-blasting) is necessary Compatible with different material classes (composites, metals, polymers, ceramics)   3D printing, Additive manufacturing, Subtractive manufacturing, Laser, Laser system, Powder bed, Low volume manufacturing Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, Subtractive Machining

In radiotherapy for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, real-time, continuous monitoring of X-ray radiation in the GI track can greatly improve the precision of the treatment. This proposed technology consists of a swallowable X-ray dosimeter capsule for real-time monitoring of absolute absorbed radiation dose and changes in pH and temperature in the GI tract. Using a neural network-based regression model and a luminescence of nanoscintillators fiber, the capsule is able to estimate radiation dose from radioluminescence and afterglow intensity and temperature. Initial preclinical study in a rabbit model showed that the dosimeter was approximately five times more accurate than standard methods for dose determination. Hence, these swallowable dosimeters may help to improve radiotherapy and understand how radiotherapy affects tumour pH and temperature. The technology owner is seeking for collaborations and out-licensing with medical institutions and medical device companies for clinical testing and further research identifying the capsule's position and posture after ingestion, developing a robust positioning system. The capsule hardware includes a highly sensitive optical fiber embedded with NaLuF4:Tb@NaYF4 nanoscintillators for monitoring low dosage of X-rays, a pH-responsive polyaniline-coated film, a customized multi-inlet microfluidic module for dynamic gastric juice sampling, two colour sensors with integrated temperature sensors, a small-sized PCB board with MCU, and a button-sized silver oxide battery. The capsule software includes APP for data collection, storage and analysis. The capsules can monitor dose, pH change and temperature on the spot in real time, and the size is small (close to the dimensions for standard size 2 capsule: 16 mm length and 7 mm outer diameter). The capsule dosimeter can be easily inserted into the rectum to monitor brachytherapy for prostate cancer. With further size optimization, the capsule could be placed in the upper nasal cavity to allow accurate real-time measurement of effective radiotherapy dose in nasopharyngeal or brain tumors, minimizing radiation damage and possible side-effects to surrounding structures. This technology can be adapted for the development of highly sensitive in vivo sensors on gas molecules, reactive oxygen species, and other physiological or biochemical indicators. To the best of the knowledge, there is no electronic capsule on the market that monitors dose delivery, pH and temperature during radiotherapy. The technology will be the first method to integrate an X-ray detector with pH and temperature detectors. In addition, the proposed technology enables X-ray detection with much higher sensitivity than other technologies.  According to a market report, the cost of radiotherapy is between USD$10,000 to USD$50,000, depending on the type of cancer, number of the treatments needed, and the type of radiation used. The cost of the capsules to monitor the accuracy of radiotherapy is less than USD$200. This market is expected to reach $279.16 million by 2025, with an estimated CAGR of 12% from 2021 to 2025. In vivo monitoring of dose delivery, pH, and temperature during radiotherapy is essential for smart medical applications. The ingestible electronic capsule that enables multifunctional characterisation is of high detection sensitivity, low cost, and simple manufacturing process. This technology offers the following benefits: High sensitivity: Synthesized materials are sensitive to X-rays. Small size: Patients can swallow comfortably. Low power consumption for long-term monitoring of pH, dose and temperature. Suitable for in vivo test and real-time detection of dose and pH changes during radiotherapy. Injestible dosimeters, Radioluminescence, Gastrointestinal cancer, Radiotherapy Healthcare, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Telehealth, Medical Software & Imaging

Thermal management is an essential part of the design of high power density electronics. As the power density of electronic devices increases, so does the amount of heat they generate, and this heat must be dissipated effectively to prevent the devices from overheating and failing. This technology offers a method to produce high thermal conductivity boron nitride (BN) composites that aim to improve thermal management in high power density electronics, leading to more efficient, more compact, and safer electronic systems. BN composites are a group of materials made by combining boron nitride with another material, such as a polymer, metal, or ceramic. A key advantage of such composites is that they exhibit higher thermal conductivity than any commercially available material that is electrically insulating. The resultant BN composites are also low in weight, easily shaped, exhibit good mechanical properties, and offer the unique capability of designing the path by which the heat will be conducted. These properties fulfil the demanding requirements for electronic packaging in emerging markets like Internet of Things and embedded systems, autonomous vehicles, high speed computers, satellites to name a few. The technology owner is seeking for co-development and out-licensing opportunities with semiconductor and device-assembling companies that require high thermal conductivity materials. This technology consists of a method to fabricate porous boron nitride composites that exhibit high thermal conductivity for improved heat management. Using a simple and scalable process, BN microcrystal powder is functionalised with iron oxide nanoparticles. BN microplatelets are then orientated to channel heat along the direction of alignment of the microplatelets to yield BN composites of high thermal conductivity. Some features of the BN composites include: Utilises a green process to fabricate (water is used as a solvent) Exhibits higher thermal conductivity (12 W/mK) Lightweight (~1.3 g/cm3) Good mechanical properties (Stiffness ~400 MPa, strength ~3 MPa, hardness 0.5-1.5 kgf/mm2) Electrical resistivity (~30 MΩ.cm) Tunable shape and size Excellent thermal stability till 200 ºC The BN composites can be attached to electronic chips and other components, making them suitable as a thermal interface material for 3D electronics of high packing density. Possible applications include (but are not limited to): Semiconductor Aerospace Automotive Higher thermal conductivity than conventional thermal interface materials with electrical insulation Ability to customise and tailor the BN composites’ properties to efficiently channel heat into specific directions thermal management, high power electronics, thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, composite, electronics, packaging, insulation, boron nitride, microplatelet, temperature, heat conductivity Materials, Composites, Electronics, Semiconductors

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most developed and widespread rechargeable batteries and is expected to dominate the market in coming years. Despite the wide adoption, Li-ion batteries face challenges that result in degradation of electrochemical performance due to side reaction with the electrolyte, dissolution of electrode components, transformation and pulverization of its structure and so on. The patent pending technology proposed herein aims at improving the performance of Li-ion batteries through the application of ultrathin oxide layers which increases the cycling stability and C-rate capability of lithium-ion batteries. The technology modifies the surface of the silicon-based anode of the Li-ion battery with a thin layer of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) applied by atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. Typically, the ZnO thickness is of order of few nanometers. The ZnO layer suppress side reactions by limiting the excessive growth of the passivation layer at the anode interface and liquid electrolyte, inhibiting the dissolution of the electrode components, and enhancing conductivity and Li-ion transfer. This resulted in  increased battery capacity particularly during fast charging and discharging and increases cycle life of battery. The technology owner is seeking to license the technology to a battery manufacturing partner who have access to ALD equipment to facilitate the integration of the anode surface modification technology into their battery manufacturing process. A special deposition technology adapted for porous materials should be applied. The deposition take place at the temperature of 100 °C. The technique can be up-scaled to roll-to-roll process suitable for industrial production. Competitive advantage includes increased service life of the Li-ion battery during fast charging and discharging, elimination of the battery capacity reduction, creation of an artificial protective and corrosion resistant passivation layer. The technology can be used in energy storage, especially in the automotive industry. As a part of electromobility (electrical vehicles, bicycles, scooters), it will ensure fast and efficient charging of the battery while maintaining the total capacity and eliminating the drop in battery capacity during charging/discharging cycles. According to the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda - BATT4EU up to 900 GWh of batteries is estimated to be produced annually in 2030 only for electrical vehicles (~ 20 000 batteries). After 2035 only electrical vehicles will be presumably produced. The Global Lithium-Ion Battery market reached about USD 85 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow significantly, reaching a market value of more than USD 400 billion by 2030. ZnO coated silicon-graphite based anode offer improvement in capacity over the current state-of-the-art in particular at high charging/discharging rates. Capacity of the ZnO coated anode can be 5 times higher applying fast charging/discharging during 30 min. Silicon-based anode for Li-ion battery, Fast charging/discharging, Atomic layer deposition Energy, Battery & SuperCapacitor

Recent advances in soft robotics revolutionize the way robots interact with the environment, empowering robots to undertake complex tasks using soft and compliant grippers. Compared to traditional rigid structures. Soft grippers have excellent adaptability for a variety of objects and tasks. However, the existing gripper systems faces some challenges, such as handling delicate, wet, and slippery items, the risk of damaging valuable items, and high production cost. Based on pneumatic jamming of 3D-printed fabrics, the technology owner has developed a variable-stiffness soft pneumatic gripper that can apply small forces for pinching and pick-up heavy objects via stiffening. The invented grippers are soft and adaptive to handle delicate items with various shapes and weights, minimising the damaging risk of items during the gripping process. In addition, such gripper with adjustable stiffness could handle heavy and bulky items by increasing its gripping strength. These benefits make the gripper more versatile and adaptable to various applications in agriculture, food processing, packaging, manufacturing, and human-robot interaction (HRI). The technology owner is seeking to do R&D collaboration, IP licensing, and test-bedding with industrial partners intending to integrate variable-stiffness gripper in their applications.  The technology owner has incorporated the jamming of 3D-printed structured fabrics into variable-stiffness soft gripper design. The innovative gripper can actively apply small forces for pinching and pick up heavy objects via stiffening. The key features of the technology are: Lightweight and comfortable structural structured fabrics Vacuum-powered stiffness change High gripping-to-pinching force ratio Adaptable to items with various shapes and weights Safe and high precision gripping process Low material cost (made from elastic silicone) Easy fabrication (all 3D printed key parts assembled with standard components) Agriculture: food harvesting, packaging etc. Food processing: vegetable and fruit picking, food sorting, food packaging, etc. Manufacturing: packaging, assembly, dedicate item handling, etc. Human-robot interaction (HRI) Enhanced robotic performance: universal gripper with high adaptability, versatility, and precision Safe gripping process: good comfortability and high gripping-to-pitch force ratio Cost-effective system: 3D-printed parts assembled with standard components Highly customisable: meet requirements of various industrial applications Jamming, pneumatic gripper, adjustable stiffness, 3D printing, robotic gripper, agricultural gripper Materials, Plastics & Elastomers, Manufacturing, Assembly, Automation & Robotics, Additive Manufacturing

A microfluidic chip-based mechanism has been developed as a Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) device to replace Lateral Flow Assays (LFA) for fast and convenient blood analysis. The microchip system utilises the principle of immunoassays but with high accuracy and compatibility to different signalling tags, providing a quantitative readout. Conventional immunoassays involve multistep procedure and long process time. While LFAs are fast and convenient, they are qualitative. The device demonstrated a one-step assay that can achieve equal or higher sensitivities than standard methods within significantly shorter total processing time. In a microfluidic device, the sample flows in precisely defined microchannels, which allow better control of fluid behaviour and higher consistency in testing results compared to LFA in which the sample flows by wicking through the porous paper-based material. This technology resides in the assembly of components and materials to immobilise antibodies or antigens onto the chip which can be easily scaled for commercial production. The technology owner is seeking collaborations with manufacturers of IVD devices or Medtech companies to out-license the technology and expand the range of antibodies targets for the microchip. The core technologies of the invention include: Methods to prepare nitrocellulose substrate for antibody immobilization. The materials, fabrication methods and reagent integration techniques are readily compatible with high-volume manufacturing, allowing the prototype to have high potential for commercialization. Methods to prepare and storage of dried reagent on chip. The shelf-life of the dried reagents is around 3 months. The Limit of Detection (LOD) is 0.1 ng/mL with a total process time of 15 minutes. No washing steps required. The device is compatible with all antibodies and antigen immobilisation. Signalling antibodies can be fluorescence or colorimetric which can be easily paired with off-the-shelf detector. Any biomarkers that can be analysed by LFA can be used on this platform. The device can be used in medical, veterinary and other related industries for diagnosis or screening purposes. The device provides fast and accurate method for detecting biomarkers in blood. The device has been used to measure the blood concentration of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), which is an indicator for women fertility (a high AMH levels is more likely to achieve a successful pregnancy than low levels). Some examples of LFA that can be transferred to the microfluidic platform includes HCG pregnancy test, Covid ART, AMH fertility test etc. The significance for the microfluidic device is the accuracy and reliability of the results for quantitative analysis. Microfludics, Lateral Flow, Immunoassays, Blood Analysis Healthcare, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotech Methods & Processes