TECHINNOVATION TECH OFFERS

Current state-of-the-art lab-scale methods for fabricating superhydrophobic membranes for membrane distillation often involve complex surface modifications or the use of nanomaterials. However, these methods are difficult to scale up. This technology relates to a pure rheological spray-assisted non-solvent induced phase separation (SANIPS) approach to fabricate superhydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. The resulting membranes have high porosity, superhydrophobicity, high liquid entry pressure, and hierarchical micro/nanostructures. They can also be easily scaled up. The spraying step caused local distortion of the membrane surface, which induced a two-stage phase inversion. This led to the formation of multilevel polymeric crystal structures. The morphological structures and other membrane properties (e.g., mechanical strength and liquid entry pressure) could be tuned by applying spraying materials with different physicochemical properties. This facile fabrication method will pave the way for the large-scale production of superhydrophobic membranes for membrane distillation.

Osteoporosis is a significant global public health concern affecting approximately 500 million people. The condition is associated with high mortality and disability rates due to osteoporotic fractures. The management of osteoporotic fractures comes at a considerable cost of SGD 11K per patient in Singapore, placing a growing burden on healthcare budgets as the aging population increases. Currently, osteoporosis is assessed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, the availability of DXA machines, particularly in developing countries, is limited. Consequently, DXA examinations are not routinely ordered, resulting in orthopaedists often lacking DXA results during examinations. Therefore, an alternative method for estimating and screening osteoporosis is necessary. To address this, an automated AI system that can predict a patient's osteoporotic score by evaluating the CTI (cortical thickness index) from a plain femur X-ray scan is designed and developed. This system would provide a preliminary assessment and enable mass screening for osteoporosis.

This technology offers an automated diagnostic solution for retinal health based on fundus image and deep learning technology. The network automatically classifies fundus images of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma and normal into abnormal and normal classes. The network also can be run on any computing platform, delivering instant results for clinicians and patients.

Diabetes is associated with macrovascular and microvascular complications, including Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU). To identify and manage DFU risk, diabetic patients are recommended to go for a regular foot assessment. Patients who are at‐risk diabetic foot should undergo regular podiatry evaluation, however specialised diabetes centers are currently facing high rates of ulcer recurrence. Frequent visits to these centers can strain an already overwhelmed healthcare system. The technology developer has invented an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model that is able to detect pre-ulceration. By detecting feet at risk of developing DFU, the model is able to refer patients for timely intervention before it becomes a DFU. Users only need to submit photos of their feet from different angles and an anomaly score will be calculated.

The technology developer has designed a mobile-friendly Smart Cloud-based inventory solution for users who prefer to access real-time inventory status, such as inventory transactions and inventory levels, and perform simple transactions, on the go.  Equipped with robust analytical capabilities, the solution is capable of providing data-driven recommendations based on the inventory data such as sales trends and order history. The solution is based on open-source platforms such as Google Sheets, AppSheets and Looker Studio. The solution is quick to set up and easy to implement with customisable dashboards and data columns to suit different needs. Staff can also be trained to perform simple customisation of the inventory solution for a company’s unique application. Together with an integrated demand forecasting and re-ordering support system, this solution can help businesses to effectively manage their inventory levels and optimize their supply chain. This technology offer is ideal for businesses seeking a cost-effective cloud-based inventory solution with analytical capabilities to facilitate data-driven decisions.

Offshore land reclamation has been an important strategy for Singapore to meet its land needs. However, the ultra-soft soil in the surrounding waters makes land reclamation extremely difficult. Besides, many infrastructure projects (i.e., tunnelling, deep excavation, etc.) are also challenging when encountering soft marine clay due to its poor engineering properties, such as high water content, high compressibility, and low shear strength. Currently, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is the most common binder used for soft clay stabilisation through deep mixing or jet grouting. However, OPC is not very effective for the stabilisation of marine soft clay with high water content. In addition, the production of OPC leads to negative environmental impacts such as non-renewable resources, high energy consumption, and high carbon emissions. The technology owner has developed a sustainable novel binder, entirely from industrial by-products, that has high stabilisation efficiency for marine soft clay. Using the same binder content, the 28-day strength of the novel binder-stabilised soft clay can be 2–3 times higher than that of the OPC-stabilised clay. In addition, the novel binder has a lower cost and less environmental impact, making it an economical and sustainable alternative to OPC. This technology is available for R&D collaboration, IP licensing, and test-bedding with industrial partners in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Singapore commits to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 as part of the nation’s Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy. This target is dependent on many factors including industry’s ability to collect energy consumption data effectively on activities that generate greenhouse gas emissions. Developed by a local research team, this solution provides a cost-effective way to collect consumption data on two key contributors to carbon footprint, electricity and water. Long-range (500m) plug-and-play wireless sensors integrated with a customized dashboard provide users with an intelligent and accurate overview of their utility consumption in their facility. Coupled with an analytics engine running in the background, usage patterns can be established, optimized and contingency alerts provided where required. The solution caters well to facilities with legacy systems by allowing consumption data to be collected without the need for extensive system changes. The system is fully customizable and configurable based on user requirements. The technology owner is looking for partners and collaborators to further co-develop and trial this technology. 

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), also known as the most promising next-generation batteries, have attracted much attention due to their high energy density and safety. The replacement of liquid electrolyte with solid electrolyte could not only improve battery safety and also prolong its lifetime. The most commonly used solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based, which typically have poor mechanical properties, low ionic conductivity, and a limited oxidation window, thus precluding their use with high-voltage cathodes. Therefore, it is essential to develop cross-linked SPEs with high oxidative stability for high-voltage all-solid-state LiBs in high energy applications. The technology owner has developed a reprocessible cross-linked cationic polytriazolium (PT) based SPE for all-solid-state LiBs. This PT-based SPE is electrochemically stable at voltages >4.0 V, exhibiting a high ionic conductivity below the melting point as well as a high Li+ transference number. In addition to its electrochemical characteristics, this PT-based electrolyte is reprocessible and healable with good flexibility. Such polymeric electrolytes could sustain internal and external stresses during the charging-discharging process, thus prolonging the lifetime of Li-ion batteries while simultaneously tackling safety issues. The technology owner is keen to collaborate with industrial partners such as battery developers and manufacturers for further co-development and test-bedding of solid polymer electrolytes and subsequent licensing of this technology for commercialisation.

Vannamei shrimp culture is often plagued by disease outbreaks. White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and other pathogens can make shrimp harvest cycles unpredictable.  This technology relates to a comprehensive hybrid biofloc-RAS (recirculatory aquaculture system) shrimp farming system that delivers high yields and mitigates disease. Shrimp post-larvae typically grow faster in biofloc systems and have lower feed conversion ratios (FCRs) for the first 30 days of culture than in clear water recirculation systems. Our technology is cost-effective, scalable, and can be adapted to vertical farming formats. The technology provider is looking for aquaculturist partners who would like to embark on indoor shrimp farming projects.